The nature of bile salt micelles as studied by deuterium NMR.

Deuterium NMR of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7dideutero-5beta-cholanic acid was studied. Molcular sizes obtained from deuterium spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) data of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid in methanol and in water are in accordance with monometic and tetrameric structures in the two media, respectively. The deuterium T1 and intensity of 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid in aqueous solution at pH 8.0--8.8 were studied as functions of NcC1 and lecithin concentrations. The results indicated that tetramers are in equilibrium with larger aggregates when secondary micelles are formed in the precense of NaC1, and that 3alpha,12alpha-dihydroxy-7,7-dideutero-5beta-cholanoic acid forms mixed micelles with lecithin with a molecular ratio of 2 : 3.

Carbohydrate feedings 1 h before exercise improves cycling performance.

The effects of consuming two different amounts of liquid carbohydrate 1 h before exercise on the metabolic responses during exercise and on exercise performance were determined. Subjects consumed either 1.1 g (LC) or 2.2 g (HC) carbohydrate/kg body mass or a placebo (P). Subjects cycled at 70% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) for 90 min and then underwent a performance trial. Blood glucose and insulin responses during exercise were different among the three trials. Total carbohydrate oxidation was greater for the carbohydrate trials compared with P. Time-trial performance was significantly improved by LC and HC. Despite elevated insulin concentrations at the start of and during exercise, and despite an initial drop in blood glucose, consumption of between 1.1 and 2.2 g liquid carbohydrate/kg body mass 60 min before moderately intense prolonged exercise can improve performance, presumably via enhanced carbohydrate oxidation.

Short-term response of macular oedema to intravitreal bevacizumab.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bevacizumab has been shown to be an effective treatment of macular oedema. This study assesses the response of macular oedema to bevacizumab with specific focus on the first 24 h postinjection. METHODS: Subjects with diabetic macular oedema (DMO) or exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) received intravitreal bevacizumab injections. Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity and OCT macular thickness measurements were obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6, 24 and 48 h, 1 week and 1 month postinjection. RESULTS: The average baseline OCT was 452.91 microm (SD 182.96, range 249.00 to 784.00). After injection, there was a statistically significant decrease in OCT thickness within 2 h with a plateau phase out to 24 h, followed by a significant drop between 24 and 48 h, and a return towards baseline between 1 week and 1 month. Average changes in ETDRS visual acuity were not statistically significant, though many patients experienced a positive outcome. CONCLUSION: While there is an immediate pressure-related effect, it appears that the anti-VEGF effects of bevacizumab require approximately 24 h to become active and persist for 2-3 weeks. These results suggest that injections at 2-3-week intervals might provide improved clinical outcomes, compared with the currently typical 4-6-week interval of injections.