ABSTRACT
A microwave-accelerated direct immunofluorescence staining method which requires only 20 min from specimen receipt to interpretation is as effective as conventional methods for detecting respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus antigens in clinical specimens. The time required compares favorably with that for the less sensitive Abbott Test Pack RSV.
Subject(s)
Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct/methods , Influenza A virus/isolation & purification , Microwaves , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/isolation & purification , Antigens, Viral/analysis , Evaluation Studies as Topic , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Influenza A virus/immunology , Influenza, Human/diagnosis , Influenza, Human/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/diagnosis , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/immunology , Staining and Labeling/methods , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of endothelial cell seeding and graft internodal distance upon the performance of 4-mm-ID e-PTFE grafts during acute reduced blood flow conditions. PTFE grafts especially manufactured with three different mean internodal distances (28, 40, and 52 microns) were evaluated. Fifteen dogs (n = 5 for each design of PTFE graft) underwent bilateral carotid artery replacements with 6 cm lengths of 4-mm-ID PTFE grafts. In each dog one graft was seeded with enzymatically derived endothelial cells; the contralateral graft was nonseeded. All grafts were evaluated 5 weeks postoperatively. Dogs with bilaterally patent grafts were subsequently subjected to flow conditions through the graft that were maintained at 30% of the initial flow rates for 4 hr. Following controlled low flows the grafts were excised and assessed for patency, thrombus-free surface area, inner capsule thickness and prostacyclin production. Endothelial cell seeding of these small-diameter e-PTFE vascular grafts improved patency and thrombus-free surface areas in grafts of all pore sizes, with these parameters being greatest in the 40-microns grafts. Inner-capsule healing in these grafts was controlled and related to the pore size. PGI2 production was improved in endothelial cell seeded grafts of all pore sizes. However, neither endothelial cell seeding nor graft pore size affected the performance of these e-PTFE grafts under conditions of reduced blood flows.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials , Blood Vessel Prosthesis , Animals , Blood Flow Velocity , Dogs , Endothelium, Vascular/cytology , Epoprostenol/biosynthesis , Materials Testing , Polytetrafluoroethylene , Surface Properties , Thrombosis/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Methods for determination of PCP in body fluids are presented and a rapid screening method is suggested. The demographics, psychiatric profiles, forensic aspects, and diagnostic problems of PCP abuse are discussed.
Subject(s)
Phencyclidine Abuse/epidemiology , Chromatography, Gas , Chromatography, Thin Layer , Female , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Louisiana , Male , Phencyclidine Abuse/diagnosis , Phencyclidine Abuse/urineABSTRACT
In a public hospital emergency room, 580 urines were screened for phencyclidine (PCP) with the routine EMIT-DAU PCP screen, the extended EMIT-DAU PCP screen, and a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer/computer (GC/MS/COMP) in selected ion mode, which was chosen as the reference method. The extended method produced a 38.5% increase in positives detected over the routine EMIT-DAU PCP screen and allowed 66.4% of the specimens to be signed out as negative without confirmation by GC/MS/COMP. This ability to provide a rapid, relatively inexpensive screen for PCP in urine and, in particular, to eliminate those patients whose specimens are negative, is important in a psychiatric population that contains many acutely psychotic individuals with grossly abnormal behavior.
Subject(s)
Immunoenzyme Techniques , Mental Disorders/complications , Phencyclidine Abuse/diagnosis , Phencyclidine/urine , Acute Disease , Diagnostic Tests, Routine , Humans , Mental Disorders/psychology , Mental Disorders/urine , Phencyclidine Abuse/complications , Phencyclidine Abuse/urineABSTRACT
The identification of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine as a street drug is described. NMR, UV, and mass spectral data used in the identification of the compound are presented.
Subject(s)
Amphetamines/analysis , DOM 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine/analysis , Hallucinogens/analysis , Illicit Drugs/analysis , Pharmaceutical Preparations/analysis , DOM 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine/analogs & derivatives , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Spectrophotometry, Infrared , Spectrophotometry, UltravioletSubject(s)
Poisoning/epidemiology , Hospitals , Humans , Louisiana , Phencyclidine/poisoning , Substance-Related DisordersABSTRACT
A one year study of phencyclidine abuse in New Orleans showed that 90% of the cases cannot be detected by routine laboratory methods. Fifty percent of all cases showed evidence of police intervention. Initial impressions covered a wide range of psychiatric and clinical diagnoses. Recurring psychiatric problems due to the presence of the drug would indicate observation for a period of at least 72 hours. Patterns of PCP abuse cross racial and ethnic boundaries and are found uniformly in all population groups.
Subject(s)
Phencyclidine Abuse/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Chromatography/methods , Crime , Female , Humans , Louisiana , Male , Middle Aged , Phencyclidine/analysis , Phencyclidine/poisoning , Phencyclidine Abuse/mortality , Phencyclidine Abuse/psychology , ViolenceABSTRACT
A five-year review at ethanol ingestions in children at Charity Hospital of Louisiana at New Orleans, revealed nine cases with blood ethanol levels in excess of 21.7 mmole/L (100 mg/dL); none resulted in death. We describe four patients in whom the blood ethanol levels were potentially life-threatening. In one case, we were able to follow the affected child's blood ethanol level serially; the rate of decrease was about twice that reported for an adult.
