Nuclear medicine technologists and unauthorized self-injections.

An Office of Investigation (OI) investigation by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) determined that, on three separate occasions over the past 10 years, technologists in one licensed nuclear medicine program were injected with radiopharmaceuticals without Authorized User knowledge or approval. The most recent instance, the one that precipitated the investigation, was discovered by the licensee and self-reported to the NRC; the other two instances were discovered during the OI investigation and came as a complete surprise to the licensee. In a mediated Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) involving the licensee, a professional, independent mediator and representatives of the NRC, an agreement was worked out whereby the licensee would admit to the violations and work with the NRC to inform other licensees that this is not an acceptable practice and that there are additional precautions that licensees can and should take to assure that such violations do not happen on their watch.

Instillation of allogeneic lung macrophages and dendritic cells cause differential effects on local IFN-gamma production, lymphocytic bronchitis, and vasculitis in recipient murine lungs.

Lung allograft rejection is believed to be initiated by donor lung accessory cells, namely macrophages and dendritic cells, interacting with recipient lymphocytes leading to up-regulated Th1 type (IFN-gamma) cellular immunity culminating in graft destruction. The purpose of this study was to determine the individual role of donor lung macrophages and dendritic cells in the rejection response. Utilizing a murine model that reproduces the immunology and histology of acute rejection, C57BL/6 mouse (I-a(b), H-2(b)) lung dendritic cells (DC-enriched lung cells), purified alveolar macrophages (I-a-negative macrophages), or various ratios of I-a-negative macrophages/DC were instilled into BALB/c mouse (I-a(d), H-2(d)) lungs followed by an assessment of local IFN-gamma production and grading of rejection pathology. The data show that DC, and not I-a-negative macrophages, induced IFN-gamma production in recipient lungs. However, the local production of IFN-gamma was not always associated with histological changes characteristic of rejection pathology. In contrast to either cell type alone, instillation of C57BL/6 I-a-negative macrophages and DC, together, were required to induce rejection pathology in BALB/c lungs. In addition, the rejection response was dependent on interactions between donor I-a-negative macrophages and DC.

Effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride on growth performance, blood metabolites, and fatty acid profiles of plasma and adipose tissue in finishing steers.

The effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on blood metabolites and fatty acid profiles of plasma and adipose tissue were evaluated in crossbred finishing steers (n = 18, BW 639 ± 12.69 kg) that were stratified by BW and randomly assigned, within strata (block), to receive 0 (control) or 8.33 mg/kg diet DM ZH. Cattle were fed once daily ad libitum in individual feeding pens (9 pens/treatment). Zilpaterol hydrochloride was fed for 23 d and withdrawn 3 d before harvest. Blood samples and measures of BW were taken on d 0, 7, 14, and 21. Concentrations of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, and lactate were determined from whole blood. Nonesterified fatty acids, urea nitrogen (PUN), glucose, lactate, and long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) concentrations were analyzed from plasma. Postharvest, adipose tissue samples (approximately 20 g) from subcutaneous fat covering the lumbar vertebrae were collected after 48 h of refrigeration and analyzed for LCFA profiles. Feeding ZH decreased DMI by 8% (P = 0.03) but did not affect BW gain or efficiency (P = 0.83 and P = 0.56, respectively). Addition of ZH resulted in greater HCW, dressing percentage, and LM area ( P = 0.02, P = 0.08, and P = 0.07, respectively) but did not influence other carcass traits (P > 0.10). A ZH × d interaction was observed for PUN and whole-blood glucose concentrations (P = 0.06), in which concentrations decreased in cattle receiving ZH. Nonesterified fatty acids, BHB, plasma glucose, whole-blood, and plasma lactate concentrations were unaffected by ZH (P > 0.10). Zilpaterol hydrochloride increased plasma concentrations of elaidic (P = 0.03), vaccenic (P = 0.006), and docosapentaenoic acids ( P= 0.08), but LCFA concentrations of adipose tissue were unaffected ( P> 0.10), suggesting no preferential oxidation of specific fatty acids. In conclusion, ZH supplementation decreased PUN concentration possibly due to decreased muscle catabolism, but components of blood related to lipid oxidation were unaffected.

Practical methods for solid-state NMR distance measurements on large biomolecules: constant-time rotational resonance.

Simple modifications of the rotational resonance experiment substantially reduce the total experimental time needed to measure weak homonuclear dipolar couplings, a critical factor for achieving routine internuclear distance measurements in large biomolecular systems. These modifications also address several problems cited in the literature. Here we introduce a constant-time rotational resonance experiment that eliminates the need for control spectra to correct for effects from variable RF heating, particularly critical for accurate long-distance measurements. This reduces the total number of experiments needed by as much as a factor of 2. Other improvements incorporated include achieving selective inversion with a delay rather than a weak pulse (P. R. Costa et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 119, 10487-10493, 1997), which we observe results in the elimination of oscillations in peak intensities for short mixing time points. This reduces the total experiment time in two ways. First, there is no longer a need to average different "zero"-time points (S. O. Smith et al., Biochemistry 33, 6334-6341, 1994) to correct for intensity variations. Second, short-mixing-time lineshape differences observed in large membrane-bound proteins only appear with the weak-pulse inversion and not when using the delay inversion. Consistent lineshapes between short and long mixing times permit the use of a single spectrum for subtraction of natural abundance background signals from all labeled-protein time points. Elimination of these effects improves the accuracy and efficiency of rotational resonance internuclear distance measurements.

Application of the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) for gynecological laparoscopic surgery using the rabbit as an animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To study the potential application of the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) in gynecological laparoscopic surgery using a rabbit animal model. DESIGN: Twenty-six rabbits were prospectively randomized into two groups. Laparoscopically directed standard injuries were made on the randomly assigned horn and sidewall in all animals with the CUSA. Contralateral injuries were made with a contact neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in group 1 and with bipolar cautery in group 2. Adhesion and inflammation scores were assessed for two animals in each group at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and seven animals in each group at 14 days. SETTING: University animal research facility. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adhesion and inflammation scores were compared between animals in the CUSA versus Nd:YAG study and the CUSA versus bipolar cautery at 14 days. RESULTS: No significant difference in uterine or sidewall adhesion scores was noted between the CUSA versus Nd:YAG or the CUSA versus bipolar cautery. Bipolar cautery produced significantly less inflammation on the uterine horn compared with the CUSA (3.0 +/- 0.2 versus 5.3 +/- 0.7, P = 0.0001), but no difference in sidewall inflammation was noted between the CUSA compared with bipolar cautery. No difference in inflammation was observed between the CUSA and the Nd:YAG laser. CONCLUSIONS: The bipolar cautery appears to be preferable to the CUSA for coagulation of uterine lesions, although dissection of the uterus is not possible with bipolar cautery. The CUSA and the Nd:YAG appear to be comparable for uterine horn dissection. Because the CUSA causes similar adhesion formation and tissue inflammation at the sidewall when compared with the Nd:YAG laser and bipolar cautery and may be less likely to damage blood vessels, ureters, or other collagen-rich tissues, the CUSA may represent a promising new surgical tool for laparoscopically directed peritoneal dissection.

Evaluation of thin agar layer method for recovery of acid-injured foodborne pathogens.

The thin agar layer (TAL) method of Kang and Fung was used to enumerate acid-injured foodborne pathogens. This method involves overlaying 14 ml of nonselective medium (tryptic soy agar [TSA]) onto a prepoured and solidified pathogen-specific, selective medium in a petri dish. After surface plating, injured cells resuscitated and grew on TSA during the first few hours of incubation; then, the selective agents from the selective medium diffused to the top layer, interacted with the recovered microorganisms, and started to produce typical reactions. Foodborne pathogens were exposed to 2% acetic acid for 1, 2, or 4 min, and the recovery rate with the TAL method was compared with the rate of TSA and pathogen-specific, selective media. No significant difference occurred between TSA and TAL (P > 0.05) for enumeration of acid-injured Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Yersinia enterocolitica, and both recovered significantly higher numbers than the selective medium for each respective pathogen (P < 0.05). For recovery of acid-injured Listeria monocytogenes, no difference (P > 0.05) occurred among TSA, TAL, and selective media. However, fewer cells were recovered in the selective media. The TAL method is a one-step, convenient procedure for recovery of acid-injured cells.

Correlation of saliva cocaine levels with plasma levels and with pharmacologic effects after intravenous cocaine administration in human subjects.

The behavioral and physiologic effects of single, intravenous bolus doses of cocaine in 5 male human subjects were correlated with cocaine levels in saliva and blood. All measures were performed under double-blind conditions. Two test doses of cocaine (15 mg and 40 mg) and one placebo test dose were administered to each subject in a random, cross-over design. Each test day was separated by a minimum of 48 h. Cocaine levels in saliva and blood significantly (p less than or equal to 0.05) correlated with responses on self-rating scales for drug sensation (Feel Drug scale), psychotomimetic effects (LSD scale), and feelings of rush (Rush scale). Significant (p less than or equal to 0.01) correlations also were obtained with cocaine biofluid levels and pulse rate. The close relationship observed between cocaine saliva levels and cocaine-induced behavior and physiologic effects presents the opportunity for development of a new noninvasive method for detection of current cocaine use.

Confirmation of cocaine in human saliva after intravenous use.

The presence of cocaine was confirmed in the saliva of two male human subjects who had received intravenous doses of cocaine. For one subject, the saliva:plasma concentration ratios varied from 2.96 to 0.5 over time following drug administration. Correlations of saliva to plasma cocaine levels were highly significant (p less than 0.001) across doses of 15, 20, and 40 mg of intravenously administered cocaine. These findings are important in that they allow monitoring blood levels of cocaine after intravenous infusion in a non-invasive manner, and could form the basis for development of a non-invasive screen for active cocaine levels in saliva.

"Inclusion" of information on mainstreaming in undergraduate music education curricula.

The purpose of this study was to examine teacher training programs in music education to provide an overview of course offerings in Special Education available to Music Education majors. One Research Category 1, one state-funded regional, and one private institution were randomly chosen from each state when available. All schools offering a degree in music therapy were included for a total of 171 schools with usable data. Catalogues were examined to determine (a) existence of a course in special education for music education majors, (b) department through which course was offered (nonmusic content or music content specific), (c) required or elective status of course, (d) course title and credit hours, and (e) reference to mainstreaming in music methods course descriptions. The first three areas were compared by (a) category of school, (b) universities offering music therapy and those not, (c) MENC Region. Results revealed that 74% of schools had a course in special education available with 86% of these requiring at least one course with a total of 140 courses available. 110 were nonmusic content specific while 30 were music content specific. Eighty-nine percent of the nonmusic content courses were required, while only 43% of the content specific courses were required. Information was further broken down as indicated above.

Disability simulations and information: techniques for modifying the attitudes of elementary school music students.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different presentation formats (information and simulation) on the attitudes of elementary music students toward children with special needs. A questionnaire was initially administered to 11 elementary music classes (N = 198). Examination showed a 0.86 difference between highest and lowest rated disabilities on 6-point scale on the first administration. Females showed slightly more favorable attitudes than males for each of the 6 disability categories. Rank ordering indicated an identical ranking between genders with Learning Disabilities most accepted and Visual Impairments least accepted. Prior to the second administration, classes received different preparations: (a) information-based, (b) simulation-based, (c) contact-control. Results of the second administration showed no significant difference among treatment groups on gain scores with only a slight increase noted for the simulation-based treatment.

Determination of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in human blood and saliva by high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection.

A rapid, sensitive and selective determination of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in human plasma, serum and saliva was developed with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Initially, samples were deproteinized, followed by a one step liquid-liquid extraction. Samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection with 4-dodecylresorcinol as the internal standard. The minimal detectable limit for THC in biological samples was ca. 1 ng/ml with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 3, corresponding to an on-column sensitivity for THC of ca. 0.5 ng. The detector was operated at + 0.90 V vs. Ag/AgCl and exhibited linearity over a concentration range of 1-150 ng/ml with correlation coefficients of the standard curves greater than 0.99.

Cytochrome b-559 may function to protect photosystem II from photoinhibition.

Although cytochrome b-559 is an integral component of the photosystem II complex (PSII), its function is unknown. Because cytochrome b-559 has been shown to be both photooxidized and photoreduced in PSII, one of several proposals is that it mediates cyclic electron transfer around PSII, possibly as a protective mechanism. We have used electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the pathway of photooxidation of cytochrome b-559 in PSII and have shown that it proceeds via photooxidation of chlorophyll. We propose that this photooxidation of chlorophyll is the first step in the photoinhibition of PSII. The unique susceptibility of PSII to photoinhibition is probably due to the fact that it is the only reaction center in photosynthesis which generates an oxidant with a reduction potential high enough to oxidize chlorophyll. We propose that the function of cytochrome b-559 is to mediate cyclic electron transfer to rereduce photooxidized chlorophyll and protect PSII from photoinhibition. We also suggest that the chlorophyll(s) which are susceptible to photooxidation are analogous to the monomer chlorophylls found in the bacterial photosynthetic reaction center complex.

Differential scanning calorimetric studies of photosystem II: evidence for a structural role for cytochrome b559 in the oxygen-evolving complex.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been used to investigate the macroscopic structure of photosystem II (PS II). Five endothermic transitions, A1, A2, B, C, and D, are observed in the 30-70 degrees C temperature range and are partially assigned on the basis of heat inactivation experiments, relative peak areas, and the effect of MgCl2 on the DSC trace. We suggest that peaks C and D correspond to the denaturation of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b proteins and peak B to the denaturation of components critical to the electron-transport chain. In a DSC study of thylakoid membranes [Cramer, W. A., Whitmarsh, J., & Low, P. S. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 157-162], the lowest temperature shoulder was assigned to the denaturation of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). By correlating the temperature of heat inactivation with the temperatures of the DSC peaks of PS II in a range of detergent concentrations (causing shifts in the peak positions), we assign peak A2 to the functional denaturation of the OEC. We have used peak A2 as a new probe of the OEC and have found this peak to be sensitive to the oxidation state of cytochrome b559. Oxidation of cytochrome b559 with 1 mM ferricyanide, which has no effect on oxygen evolution activity, causes peak A2 to disappear, probably by making it too broad to observe.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The cytoplasmic fragment of the aspartate receptor displays globally dynamic behavior.

A number of cloned soluble fragments if the bacterial chemotaxis transmembrane receptors retain partial function. Prior studies of a fragment corresponding to the cytoplasmic domain (c-fragment) of the Escherichia coli aspartate receptor have correlated the signaling state of mutant receptors with the oligomerization state of the c-fragments: equilibria of smooth-swimming mutants are shifted toward oligomeric states; tumble mutants are shifted toward monomeric states [Long, D. G., & Weis, R. M. (1992) Biochemistry 31, 9904-9911]. We have applied several experimental probes of local and global structural flexibility to two signaling states, the wild-type (monomeric) and S461L smooth mutant (predominantly dimeric) c-fragments. Featureless near-UV CD spectra are observed, which indicate that the single Trp residue is in a symmetric environment (most likely averaged by fluctuations) and suggest that the C-termini of both proteins are highly mobile. Both proteins undergo extremely rapid proteolysis and enhance ANS fluorescence, which indicates that many sites are accessible to trypsin cleavage and hydrophobic sites are accessible to ANS binding. The global nature of the flexibility is demonstrated by 1H NMR studies. Lack of chemical shift dispersion suggests that fluctuations average the environments of side chains and backbone protons. Rapid exchange of 99% of the observable amide protons suggests that these fluctuations give high solvent accessibility to nearly the entire backbone. This evidence indicates that both monomeric and dimeric c-fragments are globally flexible proteins, with properties similar to "molten-globule" states. The significance of this flexibility depends on whether it is retained in functioning receptors: the c-fragment structure may lack important tertiary contacts, protein-protein interactions, or topological constraints needed to stabilize a nondynamic native structure, or the cytoplasmic domain of the native receptor may retain flexibility which may be modulated in the mechanism of transmembrane signaling.

Field-dependent anisotropy change in a supramolecular Mn(II)- [3 x 3] grid.

The magnetic anisotropy of a novel Mn(II)- [3x3] grid complex was investigated by means of high-field torque magnetometry. Torque vs field curves at low temperatures demonstrates a ground state with S>0 and exhibits a torque step due to a field-induced level crossing at B(*) approximately 7.5 T, accompanied by an abrupt change of magnetic anisotropy from easy-axis to hard-axis types. These observations are discussed in terms of a spin Hamiltonian formalism.