Time caliper method with enhanced accuracy using an arbitrary waveform generator and time demultiplexer with fine clock offset.

An improved time caliper method has been proposed for measuring a small relative delay of two signals transmitted on different channels. This is achieved by using a new method to generate two periodic pulse trains that have much smaller period difference, over 1000 times smaller than that in the prior scheme. The two pulse trains, with a period difference of 0.1 ps, are generated by an arbitrary waveform generator and a time demultiplexer, with a fine clock offset. The average and maximum measurement errors obtained are 0.68 and 1.67 ps, respectively.

Preliminary results of using a commercial fibrin sealant in the treatment of fistula-in-ano.

A prospective non-randomised study fibrin sealant injection to manage patients with fistula-in-ano, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring, was performed during the period 5/6/1999 to 28/2/2000. The aim was to determine whether a fibrin sealant could be used as a treatment modality for anorectal fistula and the usefulness of MRI perineum to monitor the disease activity. Ten patients were included in the study. Mean age was 47 years (range 7 months to 70 years). Male: female ratio was 9:1. Mean follow-up duration was 26.4 weeks. The overall success rate was 60%. The success rate of different fistula types were different (60%, 0%, 100% for intersphincteric, transphincteric, subcutaneous, respectively). Variable decrease in signal on STIR images and contrast enhancement was noted in the patients with successful and failure of fibrin sealant injection. In conclusion, fibrin sealant injection is a useful alternative treatment in the management of fistula-in-ano. MRI is helpful in delineating the anatomy of fistula-in-ano but not a useful tool to follow-up disease activity.

Melatonin and 2[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites in the human colon.

2[125I]Iodomelatonin binding sites were identified in the mucosa of the human colon from Chinese patients with carcinoma of the rectum or colon using biochemical receptor assay and autoradiography. Melatonin in the colonic mucosa/submucosa and muscle layers were quantitated by radioimmunoassay. The binding of 2[125I]iodomelatonin to the membrane preparations of the human colonic mucosa/submucosa was stable, saturable, reversible and of high affinity. Rosenthal analysis from saturation studies performed at 21 degrees C yielded an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 61.7 +/- 4.48 pmol/L (n = 3) and maximum number of binding sites (B(max)) of 1.65 +/- 0.51 fmol/mg protein (n = 3). The linearity of the Rosenthal plots and unity of the Hill coefficient suggested that 2[125I]iodomelatonin was bound to a single class of binding sites. The radioligand binding was displaced by 2-iodomelatonin (Ki = 0.02 nmol/L), melatonin (0.65 nmol/L), 6-chloromelatonin (Ki = 5.33 nmol/L), 6-hydroxymelatonin (Ki = 33.8 nmol/L) and N-acetylserotonin (Ki = 122 nmol/L). The characteristic of the binding sites were similar to those reported in the jejunum of duck, chicken, and human but of higher affinity than those in the mouse colon. Autoradiography localizes the binding to the mucosa of the human colon. Radioimmunoassay revealed a melatonin concentration of 467 +/- 99 pg/g wet tissue of human colon (n = 6). Our findings suggest that melatonin may influence the human colonic functions through interaction with its receptors in the mucosa.

A potentiometric study of lithium complexation with catecholamines.

A potentiometric study of lithium complexation with tyramine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine was undertaken using monovalent cationic selective and pH glass electrodes. The conditional stability constants for the lithium catecholamine complexes were calculated for a range of pH values from direct potentiometric measurement of the free lithium ion concentration. The ionic strength was maintained at 0.5 with tetramethylammonium chloride and glycine buffers. Temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C. Titration data for the catecholamines and lithium-catecholamine complexes at the same temperature and ionic strength were also obtained using tetramethylammonium hydroxide as titrant. All solutions were maintained essentially oxygen free during the analytical procedure. Alkali metals are generally recognized as being weakly complexed in aqueous solution. The magnitude of the stability constants determined in this study indicates there is a weak interaction of lithium with catecholamines.