Association of acceleration with spatiotemporal variables in maximal sprinting.

This study clarified the association between acceleration and the rates of changes in spatiotemporal variables on a step-to-step basis during the entire acceleration phase of maximal sprinting. 21 male sprinters performed a 60-m sprint, during which step-to-step acceleration and rates of changes in step length (RSL) and step frequency (RSF) were calculated. The coefficients of correlation between acceleration and other variables were tested at each step. There were positive correlations between acceleration and the RSF up to the second step. Acceleration was positively correlated with the RSL from the 5(th) to the 19(th) step. At the third and from the 16(th) to the 22(nd) step and from the 20(th) to the 21(st) step, there was no significant correlation, but weak relationships were found between acceleration and the RSF and RSL. The results suggest that the acceleration phase can be divided into 3 sections, and for sprinting to be effective, it is important to accelerate by increasing the step frequency to the third step, increasing the step length from the 5(th) to the 15(th) step, and increasing the step length or frequency (no systematic relative importance of step length or frequency) from the 16(th) step in the entire acceleration phase.

Traditional and ankle-specific vertical jumps as strength-power indicators for maximal sprint acceleration.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the demand of strength-power capabilities represented by traditional and ankle-specific vertical jump modalities ­ squat jump (SJ), counter-movement jump (CMJ), rebound-continuous jump (RJ), rebound-continuous ankle jump (AJ) ­ relative to sprint acceleration ability during the entire acceleration phase of maximal sprint. METHODS: Nineteen male sprinters performed a 60-m maximal sprint and various vertical jumps. Correlation coefficients among the vertical jump performances and between those and the 60-m sprint time and sprint acceleration at each step were calculated. RESULTS: There were significant relationships between the 60-m sprint time and SJ height, CMJ height, AJ height, and AJ index. AJ height and index had no correlation with any other jump variables. Acceleration was significantly correlated with SJ height from the 6th to the 10th steps (r=0.48-0.51) and with CMJ height from the 5th to the 11th steps (r=0.46-0.54). Acceleration was also correlated with the AJ index from the 14th to the 19th steps (r=0.48-0.54). Acceleration had no correlation with the RJ index at any step. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the AJ allows assessment of different reactive strengths compared with traditional jump modalities. To accelerate effectively, the explosive strengths of the SJ and CMJ are important during the early stage of acceleration (from 6.6±0.4 to 17.5±0.8 m), and the reactive strength represented by the AJ is necessary during the later stage of acceleration (from 23.4±1.0 to 33.7±1.4 m). Sprinters and coaches should be aware of the different demands of strength-power capability for effective acceleration.

Evaluation of automated 2D-3D image overlay system utilizing subtraction of bone marrow image for EVAR: feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the automated 2D-3D image overlay system ("3D Roadmap") for use during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in the hybrid operating theater. METHODS: Datasets of preoperative CT images were modified to subtract dense bone marrow to improve the visualization of vasculature on the overlaid image, and allow for accurate navigation of the endovascular devices. The 3D-CT overlay image was registered on the 2D fluoroscopy image to mark the iliac crest and lumbar vertebrae on both images as landmarks. RESULTS: Arteriography was performed only twice to confirm the precision of the position of renal artery and the final evaluation. Twenty patients underwent EVAR with Medtronic Endurant, Gore Excluder, or COOK Zenith using "3D Roadmap". The origin of the renal artery and iliac bifurcation were registered with complete accuracy in 10 patients (50%). The lower renal artery deviated toward the cranial side less than 3 mm in six patients. In all cases, EVAR was successful, and completed with the volume of contrast material limited to 43.8 ± 3.1 mL. CONCLUSION: "3D Roadmap" was confirmed to be valuable for visualization of vessel origin in a fused image and for reduction of contrast material during EVAR.

Interaction between Lactococcus lactis and Lactococcus raffinolactis during growth in milk: development of a new starter culture.

Many milk fermentations use mixed cultures of lactic acid bacteria. To select a new mixed starter culture, 100 acid-producing bacterial strains were isolated from raw cow milk. Of these, 13 strains identified as belonging to the genera Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, or Weissella (based on phenotypic and genotypic tests) were assessed for a symbiotic effect between pairs of isolated strains during growth in milk. Among the strains tested, a mixed culture of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis strain 54 and Lactococcus raffinolactis strain 37 stimulated greater acid production during fermentation than occurred with pure fermentation. This stimulatory effect was not observed in milk supplemented with yeast extract or glucose or in constituted medium. Addition of a cell-free filtrate from milk fermented by strain 54 increased acid production by strain 37; however, the converse effect was not observed. The increased acid production by this mixed culture was, therefore, due to stimulation of strain 37 by metabolic products of strain 54, suggesting that the interaction between strains 54 and 37 is commensal. Analysis with a taste-sensing system indicated that fermented milk containing the mixed culture was more acidic, had more anionic bitterness, had greater aftertastes of anionic bitterness and astringency, and was less salty and umami than milk containing the individual cultures. This study identifies a new commensal relationship between 2 lactococcal strains that are commonly used for making dairy products.

Effects of Arterial Stiffness on Cerebral WM Integrity in Older Adults: A Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging and Magnetization Transfer Saturation Imaging Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arterial stiffness is reported to be able to cause axonal demyelination or degeneration. The present study aimed to use advanced MR imaging techniques to examine the effect of arterial stiffness on the WM microstructure among older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arterial stiffness was measured using the cardio-ankle vascular elasticity index (CAVI). The high-CAVI (mean CAVI ≥ 9 points) and the low-CAVI groups (mean CAVI < 9 points) were created. The neuronal fiber integrity of the WM was evaluated by neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging and magnetization transfer saturation imaging. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics and the tracts-of-interest analysis were performed. Specific WM regions (corpus callosum, internal capsule, anterior thalamic radiation, corona radiata, superior longitudinal fasciculus, forceps minor, and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus) were selected in the tracts-of-interest analysis. RESULTS: In Tract-Based Spatial Statistics, the high-CAVI group showed a significantly lower myelin volume fraction value in the broad WM and significantly higher radial diffusivity and isotropic volume fraction values in the corpus callosum, forceps minor, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, internal capsule, corona radiata, and anterior thalamic radiation than the low-CAVI group. In tracts-of-interest analysis using multivariate linear regression, significant associations were found between the mean CAVI and radial diffusivity in the anterior thalamic radiation and the corona radiata; isotropic volume fraction in the anterior thalamic radiation and the corona radiata; and myelin volume fraction in the superior longitudinal fasciculus (P < .05). Additionally, partial correlation coefficients were observed for the significant associations of executive function with radial diffusivity and myelin volume fraction (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial stiffness could be associated with demyelination rather than axonal degeneration.

Decrescent intensity training concurrently improves maximal anaerobic power, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit, and maximal oxygen uptake.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a gradually decreasing intensity training from that corresponding to maximal anaerobic power (MAnP) to that of near maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]) (decrescent intensity training) on MAnP, maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), and [Formula: see text] in untrained young men. Seventeen untrained young men were randomly divided into either a training (TR; n = 9) group or a control (CON; n = 8) group. The TR group performed the decrescent intensity training, whereas the CON group did not perform any exercises. The mean training time per session throughout the training period was 275 ± 135 s. There was a Group × Time interaction for both absolute and relative (p < 0.01) values of [Formula: see text], MAOD, and MAnP. The TR group had significantly increased values for all variables after the 8-week training program, and the relative values of all variables were significantly higher in the TR group than in the CON group. Muscle thicknesses in the anterior and posterior aspects of the thigh and maximal isokinetic knee extension and flexion strengths improved only in the TR group (p < 0.05). A single-exercise training with gradually decreasing intensity from that corresponding to the MAnP to that of approximately 100% [Formula: see text] improves MAnP, MAOD, and [Formula: see text] concurrently, despite the short training time per session.

Comparison of Gd-DTPA-induced signal enhancements in rat brain C6 glioma among different pulse sequences in 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: T1-shortening contrast media are routinely used in magnetic resonance (MR) examinations for the diagnosis of brain tumors. Although some studies show a benefit of 3 Tesla (T) compared to 1.5T in delineation of brain tumors using contrast media, it is unclear which pulse sequences are optimal. PURPOSE: To compare gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA)-induced signal enhancements in rat brain C6 glioma in the thalamus region among different pulse sequences in 3T MR imaging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five rats with a surgically implanted C6 glioma in their thalamus were examined. T1-weighted brain images of the five rats were acquired before and after Gd-DTPA administration (0.1 mmol/kg) using three clinically available pulse sequences (spin echo [SE], fast SE [FSE], fast spoiled gradient echo [FSPGR]) at 3T. Signal enhancement in the glioma (E(T)) was calculated as the signal intensity after Gd-DTPA administration scaled by that before administration. Pulse sequences were compared using the Tukey-Kramer test. RESULTS: E(T) was 1.12+/-0.05 for FSE, 1.26+/-0.11 for FSPGR, and 1.20+/-0.11 for SE. FSPGR showed significantly higher signal enhancement than FSE and comparable enhancement to SE. CONCLUSION: FSPGR is superior to FSE and comparable to SE in its ability to delineate rat brain C6 glioma in the thalamus region.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting for simultaneous subacute stent thrombosis after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation].

An 82-year-old man developed simultaneous stent thrombosis 11 days after the implantation of a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the proximal right coronary artery (RCA). The patient immediately underwent percutaneous coronary intervention; however, his condition became critical due to the development of recurrent stent thrombosis, and emergent coronary artery bypass grafting with saphenous vein grafts was performed. Postoperative angiography showed good patency of both grafts; thrombus formation in the LAD and RCA was negative. Since the patient had a history of liver dysfunction due to ticlopidine administration, the thienopyridine derivative was not administered; this was believed to be the main cause of subacute stent thrombosis. He was administered aspirin, cilostazol, and sarpogrelate instead. A good postoperative course was achieved only using aspirin. This case demonstrates that simultaneous SES thrombosis in multivessel lesions poses a life-threatening situation.

Energy expenditure, recovery oxygen consumption, and substrate oxidation during and after body weight resistance exercise with slow movement compared to treadmill walking.

The benefit of body weight resistance exercise with slow movement (BWRE-slow) for muscle function is well-documented, but not for energy metabolism. We aimed to examine physiological responses [e.g., energy expenditure (EE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and blood lactate (La)] during and after BWRE-slow compared to EE-matched treadmill walking (TW). Eight healthy young men (23.4 ± 1.8 years old, 171.2 ± 6.2 cm, 63.0 ± 4.8 kg) performed squat, push-up, lunge, heel-raise, hip-lift, and crunch exercises with BWRE-slow modality. Both the concentric and eccentric phases were set to 3 s. A total of three sets (10 repetitions) with 30 s rest between sets were performed for each exercise (26.5 min). On another day, subjects walked on a treadmill for 26.5 min during which EE during exercise was matched to that of BWRE-slow with the researcher controlling the treadmill speed manually. The time course changes of EE and RER were measured. The EE during exercise for BWRE-slow (92.6 ± 16.0 kcal for 26.5 min) was not significantly different from the EE during exercise for TW (95.5 ± 14.1 kcal, p = 0.36). BWRE-slow elicited greater recovery EE (40.55 ± 3.88 kcal for 30 min) than TW (37.61 ± 3.19 kcal, p = 0.029). RER was significantly higher in BWRE-slow during and 0-5 min after exercise, but became significantly lower during 25-30 min after exercise, suggesting greater lipid oxidation was induced about 30 min after exercise in BWRE-slow compared to TW. We also indicated that BWRE-slow has 3.1 metabolic equivalents in average, which is categorized as moderate-intensity physical activity.

Association between signal hyperintensity on T1-weighted MR imaging of carotid plaques and ipsilateral ischemic events.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate associations between cerebral ischemic events and signal hyperintensity in T1-weighted MR imaging (T1WI) of carotid plaque according to stenosis severity and to estimate persistence of T1WI signal hyperintensity. METHODS: A total of 222 patients (392 atherosclerotic carotid arteries) underwent plaque imaging using 3D inversion-recovery-based T1WI (magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient-echo [MPRAGE]). Carotid plaque with intensity on MPRAGE of >200% that of adjacent muscle was categorized as "high signal intensity" and correlated with ipsilateral ischemic events within the previous 6 months. A total of 58 arteries (35 patients) underwent repeat MR imaging a total of 70 times at a median interval of 279 days (range, 10-1037 days). RESULTS: Ipsilateral ischemic events were more frequent in patients with MPRAGE high signals than in patients with low signals in the 0%-29%, 30%-69%, and 70%-99% stenosis groups: Relative risk (95% confidence interval) was 2.50 (0.96-6.51), 7.55 (1.84-31.04), and 1.98 (1.01-3.90), respectively. In the 70 cases of repeat MR imaging, 29 of 30 cases with high signals on the preceding MR imaging maintained high signals. Of the 58 arteries that underwent repeat MR imaging, 4 of 22 carotid arteries with high signals developed ipsilateral subsequent ischemic events within 1 year, whereas none with low signals developed subsequent events. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid plaque signal hyperintensity on T1WI is strongly associated with previous ipsilateral ischemic events, persisting over a period of months, and may indicate risk of subsequent events. Larger clinical trials are warranted to clarify associations between signal hyperintensity and risk of subsequent cerebral ischemic events.

[Emergent coronary artery bypass grafting in a survivor of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest].

We report a case of emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a survivor of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. A 64-year-old male driver lost consciousness and collapsed in a rice paddy field. A bystander placed him in a car and immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation after confirming the presence of pulselessness and apnea. Emergency medical service providers performed a defibrillation of ventricular fibrillation by using an automated external defibrillator (AED), and the patient was transferred to the critical care center in our hospital. Coronary angiography revealed a thrombus in the left main trunk (LMT), total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA), and 90% stenosis of the left circumflex artery (Cx). Since the patient recovered consciousness 1 hour after admission and did not undergo any critical trauma, an on-pump CABG was performed for 3 vessels. He was discharged on the postoperative day 23, and he resumed a normal life.

Premedication with cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor meloxicam reduced postoperative pain in patients after oral surgery.

The efficacy of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor meloxicam for treatment of postoperative oral surgical pain was assessed in a randomized controlled trial. Patients undergoing unilateral mandibular 3rd molar extraction surgery were allocated to 3 groups, A, B and C. After oral premedication of meloxicam 10 mg in group A, ampiroxicam 27 mg in group B and placebo in group C, surgery was completed within 30 min under local anaesthesia using 2% lidocaine. For postoperative pain relief the patients were allowed to take oral loxoprofen (60 mg per tablet). Postoperative pain was evaluated at the clinic on the 1st, 7th and 14th postoperative day (POD) using a visual analogue scale (VAS), as was the number of loxoprofen tablets consumed, and the results were compared among the 3 groups with statistical significance of P<0.05. VAS scores on 1 POD were significantly lower in group A than in group C. Loxoprofen consumption on the day of surgery and 1 POD was significantly lower in group A than in group C (P<0.01). Total analgesic consumption was significantly lower in groups A and B than in group C (P<0.02). The COX-2 inhibitor, meloxicam 10 mg used for premedication reduced postoperative pain compared with control in oral surgery.

Rational selection of adjuvant chemotherapy after cytoreduction surgery for murine neuroblastoma.

Improving the prognosis of advanced neuroblastoma remains an important yet unachieved goal of pediatric oncology, a fact which may be related to an insufficient analysis of the role played by cytoreductive surgery. Utilizing strain A mice bearing C-1300 syngeneic neuroblastoma, tumor biology and host immunocompetence were studied after cytoreduction surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Cell kinetic analysis in the residual tumor demonstrated an increase of the proliferative fraction 18 to 42 h after operation, but the same peak proliferation was delayed in bone marrow cells to 24 to 96 h. The potential for drug distribution to the tumor after cytoreduction surgery was assessed by injecting Na251CrO4 and measuring tumor uptake. There were two significant (P less than 0.05) peaks of activity at 6 h and 3 days, suggesting local edema and neovascularity, respectively. Injection of both cell cycle specific and nonspecific adjuvant chemotherapeutic agents in a dosage of one-fourth of their 50% lethal dose at 24 or 72 h following surgical cytoreduction did not induce any antitumor activity at either injection time. However, when cyclophosphamide was given in this dose, the C-1300 tumor growth was impaired, an effect which was largely abrogated by first subjecting the tumor bearer to thymectomy and irradiation. The transfer of spleen cells from adjuvant cyclophosphamide-treated mice to tumor-inoculated normal mice significantly delayed tumor appearance when comparison was made with animals treated by operation alone, and such recipients also exhibited a more prolonged survival. These data suggest that the antitumor activity of cyclophosphamide following cytoreduction surgery of C-1300 neuroblastoma is mediated by both pharmacological and immunological mechanisms.

Heat stress-induced phosphorylation of FoxO3a signalling in rat skeletal muscle.

AIM: A recent study demonstrated that FoxO3a was directly induced by the overexpression of Hsp72 in rat soleus muscle. However, whether heat stress treatment induces FoxO3a phosphorylation in rat skeletal muscle remains unclear. This study examined the effects of heat stress on the regulation of the FoxO3a signalling pathway in rat skeletal muscle. METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar rats (15 weeks old) were randomly assigned into two groups; sedentary control group (Sed, n = 8) and experimental group (n = 24). After an overnight fast, one leg of each rat (HS leg) in the experimental group was immersed in hot water (43 °C) for 30 min, and the soleus and plantaris muscles in both legs were removed immediately (0 min), 30 min, 60 min, or 24 h after the heat stress (n = 6 each group). The contralateral, non-heated leg in the experimental group served as an internal control (CT leg). RESULTS: Heat stress treatment resulted in a significant increase in FoxO3a phosphorylation (Ser253) in the soleus and plantaris muscles of heat-stressed legs after 24 h. Hsp72 expression in heat-stressed legs was significantly higher at 60 min and 24 h in these muscles. Activation of the PTEN/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways was also observed in these muscles immediately after stress, but not at 24 h. There were no differences in FoxO1 and AMPKα phosphorylation in either muscle. CONCLUSION: Heat stress in rat skeletal muscle induces phosphorylation of FoxO3a signalling, and it may be related to Hsp72 upregulation, and the activation of the PTEN/Akt and MEK/ERK pathways.

Effects of brefeldin A on the synthesis and secretion of egg white proteins in primary cultured oviduct cells of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

We investigated the effect of brefeldin A (BFA) and monensin on the secretion of egg white proteins in primary cultured oviduct cells. Monensin inhibited the secretion of egg white proteins, but this drug also caused morphological changes of the cells and inhibited their protein synthesis. BFA inhibited protein secretion without any remarkable morphological changes of the cells and without significant inhibition of protein synthesis. In the presence of BFA at 1 microgram/ml, only 10% of synthesized ovalbumin was secreted into the medium even after 6 h. A similar effect of BFA was shown in the case of conalbumin. When the cells were cultured in the presence of BFA, precursors of mature ovalbumin accumulated which were not secreted. Their affinity for lectin binding affinity columns (Con-A Sepharose and WGA-agarose) suggested that they contained immature high-mannose-type chains. The above results suggest that the conversion of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides to hybrid-type ones, which is not usually observed in mammalian species but only in avian oviduct tissues, proceeds between the Golgi complex and the endoplasmic reticulum.

Characterization of phosphopeptide derived from bovine beta-casein: an inhibitor to intra-intestinal precipitation of calcium phosphate.

Casein phosphopeptide (CPP), a highly phosphorylated peptide fragment which inhibits the formation of hydroxyapatite crystal was isolated from pooled ileal contents of rats fed a semi-synthetic diet containing bovine beta-casein. The estimated amino acid sequence of the CPP was shorter than that of the trypsin-digested beta-casein but the core region consisting of consecutive bindings of phosphoserine was fully conserved. A moderate and exchangeable binding to Ca2+ of the CPP molecule well substantiates the high absorbability of calcium from milk and dairy products.

Performance status of health care facilities changes with risk adjustment of HbA1c.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a risk adjustment method for HbA1c, based solely on administrative data and to determine the extent to which risk-adjusted HbA1c changes the identification of high- or low-performing medical facilities. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Through use of pharmacy records, 204,472 diabetic patients were identified for federal fiscal year 1996 (FY96). Complete information (HbA1c levels, demographic data, inpatient records, outpatient pharmacy utilization records) was available on 38,173 predominantly male patients from 48 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical facilities. Hierarchical mixed-effects models were used to estimate risk-adjusted unique facility-level HbA1c. RESULTS: Predicted HbA1c demonstrated expected patterns for major factors known to influence glycemic control. Poorer glycemic control was seen in minorities and patients with greater disease severity, longer duration of disease (using treatment type or presence of amputation as surrogates), and more extensive comorbidity (measured by an adapted Charlson index). Better glycemic control was seen in Caucasians, older diabetic patients, and patients with higher outpatient utilization. The number of performance outliers was reduced as a result of risk adjustment. For mean HbA1c levels, 7 facilities that were initially identified as statistically significant outliers were no longer outliers after risk adjustment. For high-risk HbA1c (>9.5%) rates, 12 facilities that were initially identified as statistically significant outliers were no longer outliers after risk adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Risk adjustment using only administrative data resulted in substantial changes in identification of high or low performers compared with non-risk-adjusted HbA1c. Although our findings are exploratory, risk adjustment using administrative data may be a necessary and achievable step in quality assessment of diabetes care measured by rates of high-risk HbA1c (>9.5%).

Evaluation of PSF1 as a prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Partner of SLD5 1 (PSF1) is an evolutionarily conserved DNA replication factor. Previous studies have suggested that transcriptional activity of the PSF1 gene correlated with malignancy of cancer cells. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between PSF1 expression and the clinical features of prostate cancer. METHODS: We determined the expression of PSF1 in 120 needle biopsy samples of prostate cancer by immunohistochemistry. We divided patients into PSF1-positive or -negative groups and analyzed the relationships between the expression of PSF1, the Gleason score, PSA level, TNM classification and prognosis. RESULTS: Our results showed that the PSF1 expression correlated significantly with PSA values at diagnosis (P=0.0028), with tumor grade (P<0.0001), and with clinical stage (P=0.0005). Moreover, the PSF1 expression correlated significantly with overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 5.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.17-15.8; P=0.003) and progression-free survival in 99 consecutive patients with prostate cancer. Noteworthy, the prognosis of PSF1-positive cases was also worse in patients with a Gleason score of 8-10 (HR 3.7; 95% CI 1.28-13.43; P=0.0143). Limitations include that this study had a retrospective design, that patients in the study were heterogeneous and included those with early and advanced cancer, and that small tumor fragments may not be representative of the entire carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: PSF1 is expressed in high-grade prostate cancer and may be a useful biomarker to identify patients with a poor prognosis at the time of diagnosis.

Arteriovenous differences of blood alcohol concentrations after celiac plexus block.

After a celiac plexus block with ethyl alcohol, patients sometimes complain of symptoms of alcohol intoxication. We studied the consecutive changes of arterial and venous blood alcohol concentrations in 11 patients and investigated whether an arteriovenous difference exists. We performed a celiac plexus block with 10 ml absolute ethyl alcohol. The sampling sites were radial artery and internal jugular vein. Blood samples were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 minutes after the block. The maximum level was reached 15 minutes after injection in both arterial and venous blood, 29.9 +/- 19.4 and 27.7 +/- 21.8 mg/dl (means +/- SD), respectively. Arteriovenous differences were observed 5 and 10 minutes after ethyl alcohol injection (p less than 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between the ratio of arteriovenous differences to venous sampling and the time elapsed after the block (r = 0.41, p less than 0.01).

Effect of bran and cholestyramine on plasma lipids in monkeys.

Semipurified diets whose cholesterol content varied from 34 to 120 mg/100 kcal were given to adult female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) for 9 months. The intake of dietary fiber was increased through the addition of wheat, rice, or soya bran; 5% cholestyramine was given to one group of monkeys. None of the brans reduced plasma levels of cholesterol, whereas cholestyramine produced marked hypocholesterolemic effects. Triglyceride levels increased with higher cholesterol intake, but no additional changes were induced by any of the experimental diets. Plasma phospholipids were reduced by cholestyramine.