Model simulation of the cretaceous ocean circulation.

Three-dimensional numerical ocean circulation model experiments that were designed to evaluate the circulation characteristics for the mid-Cretaceous ( approximately 100 million years ago) show that the primary direction of flow through the Tethys Ocean was eastward; in contrast, a westward flowing circumglobal Tethys current has been a consistent feature of earlier reconstructions of Cretaceous ocean circulation. The model studies demonstrate that (i) ocean circulation is sufficiently sensitive to the role of continental positions, sea level, and climate to limit the application of modern analogs to past circulations, and (ii) reconstructions based on limited biogeographic data may not provide unique surface circulation patterns.

An ice-free cretaceous? Results from climate model simulations.

We have quantitatively investigated the mechanisms that could explain the warm, equable climate that is believed to have been typical of the mid-Cretaceous (100 million years ago). By performing simulations with a climate model based on zonal energy balance, we demonstrate that past changes in geography were important in bringing about climatic change. However, the meridional distribution of Cretaceous temperatures cannot be successfully simulated unless additional physical "feedback mechanisms" are included in the model. These mechanisms may involve cloud and meridional heat transport changes. We also conclude that paleoclimatologists should reexamine carefully both existing data and their interpretations with regard to reconstruction of Cretaceous tropical and polar surface temperatures.

Insulin antibodies in patients receiving penicillamine.

In a patient receiving penicillamine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, antibodies to insulin developed, which resulted in symptomatic hypoglycemia. When 30 additional patients receiving penicillamine were screened, another patient was discovered to have antibodies to insulin. The level of antibody fell sharply in both patients after penicillamine was discontinued. This particular immunologic reaction to penicillamine has not been reported previously.

A comparison of the patient and surgeon opinion on the long-term aesthetic outcome of reduction mammaplasty: have we improved over 15 years?

In 1996 we published a study evaluating the difference between patient and surgeon opinion on the aesthetic outcome of reduction mammaplasty (see Ref. 1). The patients rated the aesthetic outcome of their surgery as significantly higher than the consultant panel. The surgical panel suggested scope for improvement. Areas of dissatisfaction were poor scarring, high placement of the nipple areola complex and high rates of revision surgery. Fifteen years on, the same team has regrouped to repeat this assessment. In 1996 the consultants scored their own patient results. In 2011 they graded the results of their former trainee who has modified her operative technique to address aesthetic problems highlighted in the first study. Forty-four patients attended a review clinic at least one year post reduction mammaplasty. Patient scored their satisfaction using the original questionnaire employed in 1996. The cohort were photographed and their images graded blindly by the original surgical panel. Statistical analysis was performed by the original statistician. The patients graded aesthetic aspects of body harmony, breast mound appearance, nipple areolar complex appearance and post-operative scarring significantly more positively (p<0.01) than both the 1996 patient cohort and surgical panel. The consultant panel showed a trend for more positive grades for all aesthetic features assessed versus their previous views but this was only significant for breast mound symmetry. They expressed that there was a decrease in post-operative breast ptosis (p<0.04) and improvement in the nipple areolar complex position (p=0.02). The rate of revision surgery has decreased from 53% to 16% between the studies. In keeping with clinical audit, outcomes have been assessed and modifications implemented to address aesthetic concerns. Assessment of outcomes following the modifications demonstrates a trend for increased patient and surgeon satisfaction. Patient satisfaction however still exceeds that of the surgeons.

Determination of tranylcypromine in human plasma and urine using high-resolution gas--liquid chromatography with nitrogen-sensitive detection.

A precise and sensitive method is described for the determination of the antidepressant drug tranylcypromine in human plasma and urine using high-resolution gas chromatography. The drug, together with an added internal standard, is extracted from the plasma or urine sample, derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and analysed on an OV-225 support-coated open-tubular glass capillary column with nitrogen-sensitive detection. The method has been applied to the measurement of tranylcypromine levels in plasma and urine from both healthy volunteers and from psychiatric patients receiving a therapeutic dosage of the drug.

An automated competitive binding procedure for measuring thyroxine in serum.

A competitive binding assay for serum thyroxine has been automated, with the use of small, reusable Sephadex columns to separate thyroxine from endogenous thyroid-binding globulin and later to separate the bound and free thyroxine. Sixty samples an hour are run through columns, which are held in an aluminum turntable rotated by a fraction collector motor. Reagents and samples are fed to the columns by a proportioning pump. Waste eluates are collected and drained to the sink by a Teflon tray positioned between the columns and counting tubes, also held by the turntable. A cut out area in the tray allows one to collect the bound fraction, which can then be counted in a scintillation counter. Values are calculated and printed by a desk calculator interfaced with the scintillation counter. The "day-to-day" CV for this method is 5%. The accuracy is satisfactory when tested by comparison with other methods, by recoveries, and by linearity of dilutions.

Two-hour Sephadex column method for assay of unconjugated estriol in serum.

The column method of Christner and Fetter (Steroids 24: 327, 1974) has been modified to give a simple, rapid assay for unconjugated estriol in serum. Estriol is isolated from serum by being retained on a Sephadex column, while estriol conjugates and serum proteins are eluted. The sample and labeled estriol compete for antibody on the column. Antibody is eluted, removing proportional amounts of sample and labeled estriol. Our modifications include using stable serum-based standards, shortening the incubation to 10 min, complete removal of conjugates, and regeneration of the columns so that they can be used repeatedly. The assay, which can be completed in 2 h, has a mid-range interassay CV of 8.2%.

Use of the vertical rotor to facilitate estrogen and progesterone receptor analysis.

Sucrose density-gradient analysis is one method of identifying specific estrogen and progesterone receptors in mammary tumor tissue. Use of the vertical rotor makes this practical for routine applications in the clinical laboratory by increasing the number of samples that can be run at one time and shortening the centrifuge time from 18 to less than 2 h. The separations and reproducibility compare favorably with those obtained with a swinging-bucket rotor.