Interstellar sulfur hydride: a search for the 111-megahertz lines.

Similarities in the energy-level structure of the sulfur hydride radical and the hydroxyl radical suggest that sulfur hydride in the interstellar medium might be detectable because of a population inversion or anti-inversion similar to that of the hydroxyl radical. We have searched for the 111.54-megahertz transition [F (total angular momentum quantum number) = 2 --> 2] and for the 111.22-megahertz transition (F = 1 --> 1) in the galactic radio source W49, one of the brightest hydroxyl emission sources. No sulfur hydride emission lines with half-power widths of 130 hertz or greater were detected with the 1000-foot Arecibo antenna. The upper limits established with 100-hertz filters were 50 and 60 flux units (1 flux unit= 10(26) watt meter(-2) hertz(-1)), respectively, for the two lines.

Stokes Parameters for 1665-Megacycles-per-second Emission from OH near Source W3.

The Stokes parameters were measured as a function of frequency for the anonmalous 1665-megacycles-per-second OH emission originating near the thermal radio source W3. The emission is highly polarized, and the polarization parameters vary rapidly with frequency. The observed polarization can be described in terms of narrow, roughly Gaussian, emission features, all with uniform polarization but with several features overlapping without coherence near the center of the spectrum. Most of the individual features may be 100-percent polarized. Detailed examination of the brightest features suggest that they are not exactly Gaussian in shape.

Water vapor: observations of galactic sources.

We measured the emission of water vapor at a wavelength of 1.35 centimeters from nine sources with the 120-foot (36.5-meter) Haystack antenna. Eight sources lie within 30 seconds of arc of the hydroxyl sources of 18 centimeters but not all hydroxyl sources produced detectable emission of water vapor. All sources are smaller than 30 seconds of arc in angular diameter, but we resolved at least three separate sources in the Orion Nebula. We do not find that the known hyperfine components are present with the equilibrium intensity distribution.

Danazol increases the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

OBJECTIVE: To report two cases demonstrating an interaction between danazol and warfarin, resulting in the potentiation of warfarin's effect and bleeding complications. DATA SOURCES: Case reports, review articles, and studies identified by MEDLINE. STUDY SELECTION: All published English-language reports involving danazol and warfarin interactions were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Danazol, a synthetic testosterone derivative, is used in the treatment of endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, menorrhagia protein C deficiency, and hemophilia. We describe two cases including an interaction between danazol and warfarin, resulting in bleeding complications. There are at least two other reported cases of this interaction. This interaction may be attributable to several mechanisms. Danazol may inhibit the metabolism of warfarin and/or it may have a direct effect on the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this report and other published cases, clinicians must be aware that danazol may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Patients receiving warfarin who are prescribed danazol must be monitored closely to prevent excessive anticoagulation and subsequent bleeding. Studies are needed to determine the frequency of this interaction and its underlying mechanisms.

Site-specific pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intramuscular meperidine in elderly postoperative patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of meperidine when administered intramuscularly at gluteal and deltoid sites in elderly postoperative patients. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized investigation. SETTING: Tertiary care university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Fourteen patients 60 years of age or older who were undergoing general surgery. INTERVENTION: A single dose of meperidine 0.75 mg/kg given intramuscularly at either a deltoid or gluteal site. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pharmacokinetic (based on concentration-time curves) and pharmacodynamic (i.e., pain scales, need for additional pain medication) comparisons were made, based on site of meperidine injection. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in the maximum plasma concentration, volume of distribution, or clearance of meperidine by site of injection. Substantial interpatient variability in pharmacokinetic parameters was noted for both sites (range of maximum concentrations: 191-500 ng/mL gluteal, 166-374 ng/mL deltoid). Although pain scores were similar for the two groups, four of the patients in the group given gluteal injection required additional breakthrough pain management within 4 hours of meperidine injection compared with one patient in the group given deltoid injection. CONCLUSIONS: There is no obvious relationship between meperidine pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, regardless of intramuscular injection site. Breakthrough pain is common when patients are given intramuscular injections postoperatively, particularly when the gluteal route is used. When meperidine is used for analgesia in elderly postoperative patients, consideration should be given to more rapid and predictable routes (e.g., intravenous injection) of meperidine administration.