Highest terrestrial 3He/4He credibly from the core.

The observation that many lavas associated with mantle plumes have higher 3He/4He ratios than the upper convecting mantle underpins geophysical, geodynamic and geochemical models of Earth's deep interior. High 3He/4He ratios are thought to derive from the solar nebula or from solar-wind-irradiated material that became incorporated into Earth during early planetary accretion. Traditionally, this high-3He/4He component has been considered intrinsic to the mantle, having avoided outgassing caused by giant impacts and billions of years of mantle convection1-4. Here we report the highest magmatic 3He/4He ratio(67.2 ± 1.8 times the atmospheric ratio) yet measured in terrestrial igneous rocks, in olivines from Baffin Island lavas. We argue that the extremely high-3He/4He helium in these lavas might derive from Earth's core5-9. The viability of the core hypothesis relaxes the long-standing constraint-based on noble gases in lavas associated with mantle plumes globally-that volatile elements from the solar nebula have survived in the mantle since the early stages of accretion.

Increased intestinal permeability to oral chromium (51 Cr) -EDTA in human Type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: In animal models of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, permeability of the intestine is increased because of impairment of tight junction proteins, allowing translocation of bacterial endotoxin and resulting in low-grade systemic inflammation. This has yet to be demonstrated in humans. The objective of this study was the demonstration of increased intestinal permeability in human Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We examined intestinal permeability using chromium ((51) Cr)-EDTA urinary recovery in twenty well-controlled men with Type 2 diabetes compared with control subjects matched for age, gender and BMI. RESULTS: Intestinal permeability was significantly increased (P = 0.002) in the diabetic group and was correlated to increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.694, P = 0.001), interleukin 6 (r = 0.548, P = 0.012) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (r = 0.564, P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: This is the first demonstration that increased intestinal permeability may be a feature of human Type 2 diabetes.

Isolation and characterization of a novel yellow pigment from human and primate tissue.

A novel lipophilic yellow pigment has been isolated from human and primate tissue. Field-desorption mass spectrometry suggests a molecular ion of mass 645-700, and electron-impact mass spectrometry gives a major fragment ion at 603.5348, which is consistent with the elemental composition C37H69N3O3. The ultraviolet/visible spectrum has two major absorption peaks at 423.6 nm and 398.8 nm and a smaller peak at 377.8 nm. The adrenal gland contains the highest concentration of the pigment; it is also present in the colon, kidney, lung, spleen, and stomach tissue. It is not present in brain or liver. The pigment has not been detected in the rat, mouse, cow, pig, or dog.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: the diagnosis by segmental lavage.

Histologic findings from segmental lavage material via the fiberoptic bronchoscope were evaluated as a means of diagnosing pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Active cases of alveolar proteinosis yielded grossly opaque and/or milky effluents. The unique histologic findings in alveolar proteinosis included: (1) very few alveolar macrophages (2) large acellular eosinophilic bodies in a diffuse background of eosinophilic granules, and (3) periodic acid-Schiff staining of the proteinaceous material with a lack of significant alcian blue staining. Thus, the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis can be made by evaluation of the clinical setting and histologic findings of the effluent material from a segmental lavage.

The influence of chlordimeform on calcium and glucose homeostasis.

The effects of single and repeated administration of chlordimeform on calcium and glucose homeostasis were examined in the rat. A single injection of chlordimeform (100 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a rapid 15 percent decrease in plasma calcium and a 64 percent rise in plasma glucose. The administration of chlordimeform (75 mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) over a period of 7 days caused an 8 percent reduction in plasma calcium, a 50 percent decrease in duodenal calcium transport and a 20 percent decrease in body weight.

A suggested current literature and reference library for respiratory and chest physical therapists.

Because of the lack of a source listing comprehensive literature for individual specialties, a thorough search was made of the available monographs and journals of value to both the respiratory therapist and the chest physical therapist. The items reviewed included three published lists of recommended books and journals, reference tools listing books currently in print, National Library of Medicine computerized literature searches of the data bases CATLINE and SERLINE, sources of forthcoming books, and an abstracting service that lists books currently being published. This list would be of value to the interested individual or library wishing to build a literature collection on respiratory and chest physical therapy.