ABSTRACT
The pathways of biotransformation of 4-fluorobiphenyl (4FBP) by the ectomycorrhizal fungus Tylospora fibrilosa and several other mycorrhizal fungi were investigated by using (19)F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with (14)C radioisotope-detected high-performance liquid chromatography ((14)C-HPLC). Under the conditions used in this study T. fibrillosa and some other species degraded 4FBP. (14)C-HPLC profiles indicated that there were four major biotransformation products, whereas (19)F NMR showed that there were six major fluorine-containing products. We confirmed that 4-fluorobiphen-4'-ol and 4-fluorobiphen-3'-ol were two of the major products formed, but no other products were conclusively identified. There was no evidence for the expected biotransformation pathway (namely, meta cleavage of the less halogenated ring), as none of the expected products of this route were found. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing intermediates formed during mycorrhizal degradation of halogenated biphenyls.
Subject(s)
Basidiomycota/metabolism , Biphenyl Compounds/metabolism , Basidiomycota/growth & development , Biodegradation, Environmental , Carbon Radioisotopes/metabolism , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Magnetic Resonance SpectroscopyABSTRACT
The incubation of the model pollutant [U-14C]'-4-fluorobiphenyl (4FBP) in soil, in the presence and absence of biphenyl (a co-substrate), was carried out in order to study the qualitative disposition and fate of the compound using 14C-HPLC and 19F NMR spectroscopy. Components accounted for using the radiolabel were volatilization, CO2 evolution, organic solvent extractable and bound residue. Quantitative analysis of these data gave a complete mass balance. After sample preparation. 14C-HPLC was used to establish the number of 4FBP related components present in the organic solvent extract. 19F NMR was also used to quantify the organic extracts and to identify the components of the extract. Both approaches showed that the composition of the solvent extractable fractions comprised only parent compound with no metabolites present. As the 14C radiolabel was found to be incorporated into the soil organic matter this indicates that metabolites were being generated, but were highly transitory as incorporation into the SOM was rapid. The inclusion of the co-substrate biphenyl was to increase the overall rate of degradation of 4FBP in soil. The kinetics of disappearance of parent from the soil using the data obtained were investigated from both techniques. This is the first report describing the degradation of a fluorinated biphenyl in soil.
Subject(s)
Biphenyl Compounds/metabolism , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy/methods , Soil Pollutants/metabolism , Biodegradation, Environmental , Biotransformation , Carbon Radioisotopes , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Fluorine , Kinetics , SolventsSubject(s)
Cystoscopy/history , Lighting/history , Cystoscopes , History, 19th Century , History, 20th Century , Lenses/historyABSTRACT
We have investigated the effects of iron overload in vivo on the tocopherol levels and the extent of lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes and their response to subsequent oxidative stress in vitro. The results demonstrate a direct correlation between consumption of antioxidant defences and the induction and extent of malondialdehyde production in microsomes prepared from iron-loaded rats. The data are consistent with the requirement for iron (II)/iron (III) ratios in lipid peroxidation in control microsomes.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Iron/poisoning , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Animals , Lipid Peroxidation/physiology , Male , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Microsomes, Liver/drug effects , Microsomes, Liver/metabolism , Models, Chemical , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Vitamin E/metabolismSubject(s)
Urethral Diseases/diagnosis , Urinary Calculi/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Urethral Diseases/therapy , Urinary Calculi/therapyABSTRACT
Amongst 248 urologists who spend a substantial amount of their operative work performing endoscopic procedures and who were surveyed with reference to symptoms of cervical spondylosis, 118 admitted that they were, or had been, troubled by such symptoms (47.6%). A control group of 113 General Practitioners matched for age at qualification had no significantly fewer symptoms (43.4%). Similar numbers in each group had a history of neck injury, often of a sporting nature, and also had similar incidences of symptoms including pain down the arm. Significantly more urologists have current severe symptoms and more frequent attacks of trouble. Urologists offered a variety of advice on how to ameliorate these symptoms, which included attention to posture, the need for self-controlled motorised endoscopic tables, an endoscopic stool with wheels and the limitation of the number of transurethral prostatectomies per operating list.
Subject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Spinal Osteophytosis/etiology , Urology , Adult , Endoscopy , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Distigmine bromide (Ubretid) is a long-acting anticholinesterase which is thought to improve detrusor function, restoring normal voiding patterns which may have been disturbed by autonomic overactivity, particularly after surgery. Ninety-three patients entered a double-blind study of the effect of distigmine bromide versus placebo on voiding after prostatectomy. The results demonstrated that there was a trend towards improvement but no statistically significant increase in post-operative flow rates, in reduction in bladder volume, and in the incidence of re-catheterisation in the patients treated with distigmine bromide.
Subject(s)
Prostatectomy/adverse effects , Pyridinium Compounds/therapeutic use , Urination Disorders/drug therapy , Aged , Clinical Trials as Topic , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Male , Urinary Catheterization , Urination Disorders/etiology , Urination Disorders/physiopathology , UrodynamicsABSTRACT
Blood loss during operation was measured in 106 patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate, using a colorimetric technique. The total blood loss was related to the length of operation and the weight of prostate resected. There was no relationship between blood pressure and the blood loss during operation. However there was a significant reduction in blood loss if the patient received a regional rather than a general anaesthetic. Blood loss was lower in those patients undergoing prostatectomy for carcinomatous disease.
Subject(s)
Hemorrhage/etiology , Prostatectomy , Aged , Anesthesia, Conduction , Anesthesia, General , Humans , Intraoperative Complications , Intraoperative Period , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Sixty patients with recurrent superficial bladder tumours (Ta or T1) entered an open controlled trial of single dose Adriamycin. After transurethral resection of tumor recurrences, patients were alternately allocated to the control group or to the Adriamycin group, who received an instillation of 50 mg of Adriamycin in 50 ml of saline for 30 min. Six months later all patients were readmitted for endoscopy. In the Adriamycin group significantly more patients showed a decrease in the number of recurrent papillomas (72%) than in the control group (39%). This study shows that the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in the form of single dose Adriamycin is effective in reducing tumour recurrence.
Subject(s)
Doxorubicin/administration & dosage , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/drug therapy , Aged , Clinical Trials as Topic , Doxorubicin/therapeutic use , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/prevention & control , Papilloma/drug therapyABSTRACT
One hundred and nine male patients took part in a randomized trial of elective suprapubic or urethral catheterization in retention of urine. The self-retaining trocar suprapubic catheter proved safe and reliable in trained hands and its use was associated with a low incidence of side effects. The suprapubic catheter when used to allow continuous flow resection appeared to lead to decreased blood loss and reduced resection time. No decrease in urinary infection rate over the period of hospital stay was noted in the suprapubic group. The suprapubic catheter was more comfortable than the urethral and also allowed a trial of voiding prior to removal. Use of the suprapubic catheter was not associated with an increased hospital stay.
Subject(s)
Urinary Catheterization/methods , Urination Disorders/therapy , Aged , Clinical Trials as Topic , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/epidemiology , ProstatectomyABSTRACT
Eighty-four patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria were entered into a study of the effects of treatment with unprocessed bran. Of 72 patients with complete data available for analysis 62 (86%) had a significant reduction in urinary calcium excretion during bran treatment and 28 (39%) returned their calcium excretion to within the normal range. Unprocessed bran is therefore an effective means of reducing urinary calcium excretion in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria.
Subject(s)
Calcium Metabolism Disorders/diet therapy , Calcium/urine , Cellulose/therapeutic use , Dietary Fiber/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Forty-five patients with Peyronie's disease are described. No patient received treatment for one year from the time of presentation. Three had a complete resolution of their symptoms and signs during this period. The remaining patients received injections of triamcinolone hexacetonide (Lederle) into the plaques at 6-weekly intervals for 36 weeks. Thirty-three per cent had complete or marked improvement in their symptoms; those responding were younger patients with small, firm, discrete plaques in the distal penis. We recommend a non-operative approach in this group. Surgery or chemotherapy should be reserved for those older patients with harder, larger or confluent plaques.
