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Notes: On political consciousness in nurses The argument presented in this paper centres around the proposition that all nurses need to develop their critical abilities in the understanding and analysis of the socio-economic and political background to the services of which they are a part as a potentially powerful group of health care workers.The topics under examination in this paper, The Welfare State, Social Thought and Social Planning and Politics of Health Care, are used as examples to demonstrate the kind of critical understanding which nurses need to acquire in order to deal with some of the fundamental assumptions that influence their work either directly or indirectly.From the argument follows the conclusion that it is an illusion, and possibly a dangerous one, if nurses continue to believe in the unpolitical nature of nursing as a professional activity.

Notes: [Auszug] We have isolated the gene for human type I keratin 9 (KRT9) and localised it to chromosome 17q21. Patients with epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma (EPPK), an autosomal dominant skin disease, were investigated. Three KRT9 mutations, N160K, R162Q, and R162W, were identified. All the mutations are ...

Notes: Abstract We report on multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization protocols for the simultaneous visualization of deletion-prone regions for carrier detection of Duchenne/ Becker (DMD/BMD) muscular dystrophy. Cosmid and yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) clones specific for preferentially deleted subregions of the dystrophin gene were labeled differentially and detected with three different fluorochromes using digital imaging microscopy. This approach allows for an assessment of the carrier status of female relatives even in families where no index patient is available. Cosmid and YAC clones, and different probe-generation protocols are compared with respect to their feasibility for carrier detection. The use of histone-depleted interphase nuclei (Halo-preparations) for deletion mapping is demonstrated and shown to have a resolution power of 5 kb.

Notes: Abstract Comparative genomic in situ hybridization (CGH) provides a new possibility for searching genomes for imbalanced genetic material. Labeled genomic test DNA, prepared from clinical or tumor specimens, is mixed with differently labeled control DNA prepared from cells with normal chromosome complements. The mixed probe is used for chromosomal in situ suppression (CISS) hybridization to normal metaphase spreads (CGH-metaphase spreads). Hybridized test and control DNA sequences are detected via different fluorochromes, e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and tetraethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC). The ratios of FITC/TRITC fluorescence intensities for each chromosome or chromosome segment should then reflect its relative copy number in the test genome compared with the control genome, e.g., 0.5 for monosomies, 1 for disomies, 1.5 for trisomies, etc. Initially, model experiments were designed to test the accuracy of fluorescence ratio measurements on single chromosomes. DNAs from up to five human chromosome-specific plasmid libraries were labeled with biotin and digoxigenin in different hapten proportions. Probe mixtures were used for CISS hybridization to normal human metaphase spreads and detected with FITC and TRITC. An epifluorescence microscope equipped with a cooled charge coupled device (CCD) camera was used for image acquisition. Procedures for fluorescence ratio measurements were developed on the basis of commercial image analysis software. For hapten ratios 4/1, 1/1 and 1/4, fluorescence ratio values measured for individual chromosomes could be used as a single reliable parameter for chromosome identification. Our findings indicate (1) a tight correlation of fluorescence ratio values with hapten ratios, and (2) the potential of fluorescence ratio measurements for multiple color chromosome painting. Subsequently, genomic test DNAs, prepared from a patient with Down syndrome, from blood of a patient with Tcell prolymphocytic leukemia, and from cultured cells of a renal papillary carcinoma cell line, were applied in CGH experiments. As expected, significant differences in the fluorescence ratios could be measured for chromosome types present in different copy numbers in these test genomes, including a trisomy of chromosome 21, the smallest autosome of the human complement. In addition, chromosome material involved in partial gains and losses of the different tumors could be mapped to their normal chromosome counterparts in CGH-metaphase spreads. An alternative and simpler evaluation procedure based on visual inspection of CCD images of CGH-metaphase spreads also yielded consistent results from several independent observers. Pitfalls, methodological improvements, and potential applications of CGH analyses are discussed.

Notes: Abstract A specific population of neurons in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) acts as the main integration center for the regulation of the sympathetic outflow to the cardiovascular system. In order to investigate whether this nucleus can be distinguished from its surroundings in the reticular formation of the medulla with respect to functional and morphological variables, the present study investigates several of such variables in this area on a quantitative basis. Local medullary glucose utilization was measured by the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method; local medullary blood flow was quantified using iodo[14C]-antipyrine, and the local density of perfused capillaries was calculated by counting the number of intravascular fluorescent spots in brain sections after i.v. infusion of a globulin-coupled fluorescent dye. The values obtained from the VLM were compared with the respective values found in a reference area of the same brain section (gigantocellular nucleus). The values for glucose utilization, blood flow and capillary density were significantly (P〈0.05) higher in the VLM than in the reference area (gigantocellular nucleus). This difference was 44.7% for glucose utilization, 34.1% for blood flow and 19.7% for capillary density. These data support the hypothesis that neurons in the VLM are specifically well supplied for being directly regulated in their activity by the PCO2 and pH in the arterial blood.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Azlocillin (BAY e 6905) ist in den pharmazeutischen Forschungslaboratorien der Bayer AG entwickelt worden. Es ist ein parenteral anwendbares, gut verträgliches, halbsynthetisches Penicillin aus der neuartigen Gruppe der ringförmigen Acylureidopenicilline. Chemisch und von der antibakteriellen Wirkung her stellt es eine wesentliche Weiterentwicklung des Ampicillin dar. Auch bei länger dauernder Verabreichung ist die Verträglichkeit gut. Bei Ratten führten die dreiwöchigen intravenösen sowie die sechsmonatigen intraperitonealen Applikationen bis zu 800 mg/kg/Tag und bei Hunden die dreizehnwöchigen intravenösen Verabreichungen bis zu 800 mg/kg/Tag nicht zu systemischen Organveränderungen. Die lokale Verträglichkeit an den Injektionsstellen war in diesen Versuchen sehr gut. Umfangreiche Untersuchungen zur Verträglichkeit an gesunden erwachsenen Probanden und Patienten bestätigten die tiertoxikologischen Daten. Bis zu 20%ige Lösungen hatten eine geringere hämolytische Wirkung als physiologische Kochsalzlösung. Im antibakteriellen Wirkungsspektrum liegen gramnegative und grampositive Bakteriengattungen. Besonders auffällig ist die hervorragende Wirkung gegen Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Stämme, von denen bei niedrigen Konzentrationen um 15µg/ml etwa 75% gehemmt werden; es ist damit in vitro 5–8-fach wirksamer als Carbenicillin. Durch diese niedrigen Hemmwerte kommen auch gegen Carbenicillin resistente Pseudomonas-Bakterien in den Therapiebereich. Gegen Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Proteus (indolpositiv und indolnegativ), Serratia, Haemophilus influenzae und Bacteroides fragilis werden ebenfalls niedrige in vitro-Hemmwerte gemessen. Die minimalen Hemmkonzentrationen (MHK) zur Hemmung von 65–75% der Stämme liegen für E. coli bei 10–20µg/ml, für Klebsiella bei 50–100 µg/ml. Viel empfindlicher sind Proteus mirabilis und Proteus vulgaris, bei denen schon 8 bzw. 32µg/ml über 90% der Stämme hemmen. Die Gattung Serratia ist, stark abhängig von derβ-Lactamasebildung, deutlich weniger empfindlich als die oben erwähnten Gattungen. Auch Enterobacter-Stämme sind, im Vergleich zu P. aeruginosa, E. coli oder Proteus, wenig empfindlich, etwa wie gegen Carbenicillin. Bei den grampositiven Bakterien werden u. a. Staphylokokken, Streptokokken und Pneumokokken abgetötet. Die Ampicillin-ähnliche Aktivität gegen Enterokokken ist hervorzuheben. Im Vergleich zu Carbenicillin ist Azlocillin deutlich wirksamer gegen Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Haemophilus und Enterokokken. Obwohl Azlocillin vonβ-Lactamasen abgebaut wird, kann es dennoch stabiler als z. B. Ampicillin sein. Azlocillin ist wie die bekannten Penicilline bakterizid, wirkt jedoch nicht so stark lysierend wie Ampicillin. Pseudomonas-Bakterien bilden in vitro unter Azlocillin-Einwirkung Filamente, die aber in aktivem Humanserum nicht gefunden wurden. In Infektionsversuchen mit Mäusen ist Azlocillin z. B. gegen Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, E. coli, P. vulgaris und Staphylokokken wirksam. Nach oraler Gabe wird Azlocillin kaum resorbiert; nach parenteraler Applikation werden bei der Maus und auch beim Menschen etwa 60% der Substanz unverändert über die Niere ausgeschieden. Die Serumkinetik ist bei Maus und Mensch (Halbwertzeit nach intravenöser Gabe etwa 60 Min.) der des Carbenicillin ähnlich. In der Galle von Versuchstieren wird Azlocillin in hohen Konzentrationen gefunden. Gegen gramnegative oder grampositive Bakterien aktive Metaboliten sind nicht nachgewiesen worden.

Notes: Zusammenfassung Azlocillin (Securopen®) ist ein neues parenterales Acylureidopenicillin mit besonders guter Wirkung gegen Pseudomonas aeruginosa und andere gramnegative Bakterien. Im Wirkungsspektrum liegen auch Enterokokken und Bacteroides fragilis. Azlocillin ist sehr gut verträglich. Die gute Verträglichkeit ergibt zusammen mit der im Vergleich zu Carbenicillin vier- bis achtfach besseren Wirkung gegen P. aeruginosa einen erweiterten Therapiebereich.

Notes: Summary Local cardiac glucose utilization and local cardiac blood flow in rat heart were measured in vivo by quantitative autoradiographic techniques with 2-[14C] deoxyglucose and [14C] iodoantipyrine, respectively. [14C]methylmethacrylate standards were calibrated for quantitative autoradiography of dried sections of heart tissue; the calibration values for heart tissue differed from those for brain by 8%, probably because of differences in self-absorption within the tissues. The lumped constant required by the deoxyglucose method was determined in isolated, perfused, working rat hearts and found to be 1.11±0.36 (mean±SD, n=21). The heart: blood partition coefficient for iodoantipyrine required by the [14C]iodoantipyrine method was measured and found to be 1.25. The results obtained in awake rats showed: 1) overall cardiac glucose utilization varied considerably among animals with a mean of 53 (left ventricle) and 30 (right ventricle) μmol/100 g/min; 2) cardiac blood flow was less variable among animals with a mean of 592 (left ventricle) and 420 (right ventricle) ml/100 g/min; 3) glucose utilization was found to be particularly high in the papillary muscle; 4) systematic gradients of glucose utilization or blood flow in the ventricular wall were not observed; 5) glucose utilization and blood flow were not closely correlated on a local level. It is concluded that autoradiographic methods are suitable for the quantification of local glucose utilization and local blood flow in the rat heart in vivo. These methods could not demonstrate transmural gradients for glucose utilization and blood flow between epi- and endocardium in awake rats.