Benchmark Experiment to Prove the Role of Projectile Excited States Upon the Ion Stopping in Plasmas.

We report on a precision energy loss measurement and theoretical investigation of 100 keV/u helium ions in a hydrogen-discharge plasma. Collision processes of helium ions with protons, free electrons, and hydrogen atoms are ideally suited for benchmarking plasma stopping-power models. Energy loss results of our experiments are significantly higher than the predictions of traditional effective charge models. We obtained good agreement with our data by solving rate equations, where in addition to the ground state, also excited electronic configurations were considered for the projectile ions. Hence, we demonstrate that excited projectile states, resulting from collisions, leading to capture-, ionization-, and radiative-decay processes, play an important role in the stopping process in plasma.

Estimation of total body water in very-low-birth-weight infants by using anthropometry with and without bioelectrical impedance and H2[(18)O].

The usefulness of bioelectrical impedance (BI) with anthropometry to measure total body water (TBW) was evaluated in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. A specific regression equation to measure TBW in a VLBW population was developed by simultaneously using the H2[(18)O] dilution method and BI in 12 infants with a gestational age of 24-30 wk and weighing <1200 g at birth. After an oral dose of H2[(18)O], the tracer dilution was measured in expired carbon dioxide. BI measurements were made with a model BIA-101 apparatus (RJL Systems, Detroit). Electrodes were placed in the standard position as well as proximally on the leg and the forearm. The best correlation was observed between body weight and TBW (r = 0.989). For BI, the best correlation was obtained when gestational age was used as a covariable along with body weight and crown-heel length (r = 0.985). The correlation was comparable with proximal electrode placement (r = 0.985). The new correlation was evaluated in 6 infants weighing < 1008 g. A significant correlation between BI and H2[(18)O]-measured TBW was observed (r = 0.988). Published regression equations for infants consistently gave higher estimates of TBW in another group of 14 infants weighing <1200 g than did the new correlations. TBW represented 84-95% of body weight in these VLBW infants. TBW could be computed simply from body weight alone. Use of BI and length as covariables did not add significantly to the estimate of TBW in VLBW infants.

Relation between transamination of branched-chain amino acids and urea synthesis: evidence from human pregnancy.

Protein and nitrogen (N) accretion by the mother is a major adaptive response to pregnancy in humans and animals to meet the demands of the growing conceptus. Quantitative changes in whole body N metabolism were examined during normal pregnancy by measuring the rates of leucine N (QN) and carbon (QC) kinetics with the use of [1-13C,15N]leucine. Rate of synthesis of urea was measured by [15N2]urea tracer. Pregnancy-related change in total body water was quantified by H2[18O] dilution, and respiratory calorimetry was performed to quantify substrate oxidation. A significant decrease in the rate of urea synthesis was evident in the 1st trimester (nonpregnant 4.69 +/- 1.14 vs. pregnant 3.44 +/- 1.11 micromol . kg-1 . min-1; means +/- SD, P < 0.05). The lower rate of urea synthesis was sustained through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. QN was also lower in the 1st trimester during fasting; however, it reached a significant level only in the 3rd trimester (nonpregnant 166 +/- 35 vs. 3rd trimester 135 +/- 16 micromol . kg-1 . h-1; P < 0.05). There was no significant change in QC during pregnancy. A significant decrease in the rate of transamination of leucine was evident in the 3rd trimester both during fasting and in response to nutrient administration (P < 0.05). The rate of deamination of leucine was correlated with the rate of urea synthesis during fasting (r = 0.59, P = 0.001) and during feeding (r = 0.407, P = 0. 01). These data show that pregnancy-related adaptations in maternal N metabolism are evident early in gestation before any significant increase in fetal N accretion. It is speculated that the lower transamination of branched-chain amino acids may be due to decreased availability of N acceptors such as alpha-ketoglutarate as a consequence of resistance to insulin action evident in pregnancy.

Leucine kinetics during a brief fast in diabetes in pregnancy.

The effect of diabetes in pregnancy on leucine turnover and oxidation was examined in 12 insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) subjects and 12 gestationally diabetic (GDM) subjects during the third trimester of pregnancy. The data were compared with those in normal pregnant women studied during the same time period and reported previously. Eight of the IDDM subjects were on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pump), and four were on conventional twice-daily insulin treatment. Of the GDM group, seven were on insulin therapy and five were on dietary management. Leucine kinetics were quantified using [1-13C]leucine tracer in combination with respiratory calorimetry and measurement of lean body mass using the H2[18O] dilution method. In addition, glucose kinetics were measured in insulin-treated subjects using [6,6(2)H2]glucose tracer. Despite rigorous metabolic control, fasting plasma glucose (IDDM 5.5 +/- 1.9 mmol/L [P < .05], GDM 4.7 +/- 1.3 [P < .01], controls 3.6 +/- .6, mean +/- SD) and hemoglobin A1 ([HbA1] IDDM 7.9 +/- 1.9%, GDM 7.5% +/- 2.1%) levels were higher in diabetic subjects. Although total insulin levels were higher in insulin-treated diabetic subjects, free-insulin concentrations were similar in all groups. Rates of excretion of urinary urea nitrogen and respiratory quotients were also similar. The rate of glucose turnover was lower in insulin-treated subjects compared with normals. Leucine flux, a measure of the rate of protein breakdown, and leucine oxidation were higher in IDDM and insulin-treated GDM subjects. The rate of leucine oxidation was increased in conventionally managed IDDM and insulin-treated GDM subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose-alanine relationship in diabetes in human pregnancy.

We have previously reported a decrease in gluconeogenesis from alanine in normal pregnant women at term gestation as compared with nonpregnant women. In the present study, the effect of diabetes on alanine metabolism was examined in five gestationally diabetic (GDM) women and seven women with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes (IDDM) during the third trimester of pregnancy. The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) concentrations in all subjects were within normal range, indicating good metabolic control. After an overnight fast, each subject was infused simultaneously with L-[2,3, 13C2]alanine and D-[6,6,2H2]glucose tracers as prime constant rate infusion. Plasma alanine and glucose isotopic enrichments were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Alanine and glucose turnover rates were quantified by tracer dilution. In five subjects, the contribution of alanine carbon to CO2 was quantified by respiratory calorimetry and by measurement of 13C enrichment of expired CO2. Data from 15 previously reported normal pregnant subjects were used for comparison. The rate of alanine turnover was similar in the GDM and IDDM subjects and was not different from the normal subjects (GDM, 4.6 +/- 1.9; IDDM, 5.4 +/- 2.5; normals, 4.4 +/- 0.8 mumol/kg.min, mean +/- SD). The rate of glucose turnover was significantly reduced (P less than .05) in IDDM as compared with GDM and normal subjects (IDDM, 8.1 +/- 0.8; GDM, 11.5 +/- 3.5; normals, 12.2 +/- 2.2 mumol/kg.min). The contribution of alanine C to glucose C and expired CO2 was similar in the three groups. These data demonstrate that rigorous metabolic control results in normal glucose and alanine metabolism in diabetic pregnancy during fasting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose-alanine relationship in normal human pregnancy.

In order to quantify the glucose-alanine relationship in normal human pregnancy, the turnover rates of alanine and the incorporation of alanine carbon into glucose were quantified in 15 pregnant women during the last 4 weeks of gestation following a ten-hour fast. Eight nonpregnant women of similar age group were studied as controls. L-[2,3-13C2]Alanine and D[6,6-2H2]glucose were infused as tracers. The 13C enrichment of alanine, lactate, and glucose and the deuterium enrichment of glucose were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In five pregnant and five nonpregnant women, the contribution of alanine carbon to expired CO2 directly and via glucose was estimated by combining indirect respiratory calorimetry with the tracer infusions. The alanine turnover rates in the pregnant and nonpregnant women were similar (pregnant, 4.43 +/- 0.82 mumol/kg x min; nonpregnant, 4.11 +/- 1.08 mumol/kg x min, mean +/- SD). However, the fraction of alanine incorporated into glucose was significantly lower during pregnancy (23.5 +/- 8.3% v 30.8 +/- 8.2%, P less than .04). In pregnant women, 20% of lactate pool was derived from alanine as compared with 28% in nonpregnant subjects (P less than .02). Twenty-four percent of alanine turnover was converted to CO2 in both pregnant and nonpregnant women. The plasma insulin concentration was increased significantly during pregnancy (P less than .05). These data suggest that gluconeogenesis from alanine is attenuated during pregnancy. This decrease in gluconeogenesis is not the result of decreased alanine flux, but due to intrinsic intrahepatic mechanism such as decreased deamination of alanine mediated by the predominant insulin effect or a decreased hepatic uptake of alanine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Leucine metabolism in stable cirrhosis.

Alterations in protein and amino acid metabolism have been postulated to explain the frequent observations of muscle wasting and decreased plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations in cirrhosis. In order to investigate the changes in protein metabolism, we have measured the rates of leucine turnover and oxidation in six stable, biopsy-proven cirrhotics and six age and sex-matched healthy control subjects after an overnight fast, using [1-13C]leucine tracer. Following a primed constant-rate infusion of [1-13C]leucine, the 13C enrichments of plasma leucine and expired CO2 were used to estimate leucine turnover and oxidation, respectively. Fat-free body mass was estimated from the measurements of total body water as quantified by H2[18O] tracer dilution. The rates of CO2 production and oxygen consumption were measured hourly during the study period, using open-circuit respiratory calorimetry. Urinary urea, ammonia and total nitrogen excretion rates were quantified from timed urine samples. Even though the plasma leucine levels were lower in cirrhotics as compared with controls (100.5 +/- 17.1 vs. 138.3 +/- 20.4 mumoles per liter, mean +/- S.D., p less than 0.001), the rates of leucine turnover were not significantly different in the two groups (89.4 +/- 19.0 vs. 87.8 +/- 19.0 mumoles per kg X hr). In contrast, the rates of leucine oxidation were significantly reduced in cirrhosis (8.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 12.7 +/- 3.1 mumoles per kg X hr, p less than 0.01). When all subjects were considered, the leucine oxidation rate was correlated with plasma leucine concentration (r = 0.62, p less than 0.03).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glucose turnover in chronic uremia: increased recycling with diminished oxidation of glucose.

The effects of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis on the glucose turnover rate, glucose carbon recycling, and glucose oxidation were evaluated in eight chronically uremic subjects. Six normal subjects served as controls. The studies were repeated in seven uremic subjects after they had been established on hemodialysis for 3 to 18 months. Glucose 13C(microliters) was administered by a prime-constant-rate infusion, and the isotopic enrichment of the whole glucose molecule (m + 6), ie, all six carbon atoms of glucose labeled with 13C and that of the C1 atom of glucose in the plasma were measured by mass spectrometry. It was assumed that the C1 atom of the glucose molecule represented the 13C enrichment of the individual glucose carbons. The "true" rate of glucose production was estimated from the dilution of the glucose 13C (microliters) mass (m + 6) in the plasma. In contrast to the whole glucose molecule (m + 6), recycling of tracer carbon resulted in an increased 13C enrichment of the C1 atom of the glucose molecule and an underestimation of glucose turnover ("apparent"). Glucose carbon recycling was estimated from the difference between the "true" and "apparent" rates of glucose turnover. The contribution of glucose to respiratory CO2 was quantified by comparing the 13C enrichment of expired CO2 with that of the plasma glucose carbon. The plasma glucose concentration after an overnight fast was similar in the uremic and control subjects (72.3 +/- 9.5 and 79.0 +/- 9.5 mg/dL, respectively; mean +/- SD).2+ while the "true" rates of glucose production were similar in both groups (normal: 2.02 +/- 0.19 mg/kg X min; uremic: 2.19 +/- 0.53 mg/kg X min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Miocene stable isotope record: a detailed deep pacific ocean study and its paleoclimatic implications.

Deep Sea Drilling Project site 289 in the western equatorial Pacific has yielded an extremely detailed record of the carbon and oxygen isotopic changes in the Miocene deep ocean. The isotopic record reflects major changes in paleoclimate and paleoceanography, probably dominated by a major phase of Antarctic ice-cap growth. The transition from a relatively unglaciated world to one similar to today occurred between 16.5 x 10(6) and 13 x 10(6) years before the present, with the greatest change occurring between approximately 14.8 x 10(6) and 14.0 x 10(6) years before the present.

Estimation of glucose turnover and 13C recycling in the human newborn by simultaneous [1-13C]glucose and [6,6-1H2]glucose tracers.

To compare two methods of estimating systemic glucose production rates and to quantify carbon tracer recycling, six newborn infants, aged 2 h to 3 days, were infused simultaneously with [1-13C]glucose and [6,6-2H2]glucose tracers. The older infants were studied 6 h after a meal. [1-13C]Glucose was infused at 6 microgram/kg.min. Systemic glucose production rates were calculated from tracer dilution, assuming steady state kinetics. Although 13C was expected to randomize away from the C-1 of glucose, recycling occurred and was estimated from the difference in the rate of systemic glucose production quantified by the dilution of the two tracers. Systemic glucose production rates ranged from 4.2--5.4 mg/kg.min. Recycling on the glucose C-1 was 3--20% of the systemic glucose production rate and did not change with the age of the infant. Because recycling of glucose carbon signifies gluconeogenesis from lactate or pyruvate, it is concluded that the human newborn is able to initiate gluconeogenesis soon after birth.

Glucose production in pregnant women at term gestation. Sources of glucose for human fetus.

The effects of pregnancy and diabetes on systemic glucose production rates and the sources of glucose for the human fetus in utero were evaluated in five normal, four gestationally diabetic, and one insulin-dependent diabetic subject undergoing elective caesarean section at term gestation. Five normal nonpregnant women were studied for comparison. Systemic glucose production rates were measured with stable tracer [1-(13)C]glucose according to the prime-constant rate infusion technique. Even though the plasma glucose concentration during normal pregnancy had declined as compared with the nonpregnant subjects (P < 0.0005), the systemic glucose production rate was 16% greater, a rate sufficient to provide the glucose requirement of the fetus at term gestation. The decline in glucose concentration could be the result of an increase in apparent volume of distribution of glucose. Systemic glucose production rates in well-controlled, gestationally diabetic subjects were similar to those in normal pregnant subjects (2.07+/-0.53 vs. 2.42+/-0.51 mg/kg.min). The sources of glucose for the human fetus at term gestation were evaluated by comparing (a) natural variation in (13)C:(12)C ratio of plasma glucose and (b) enriched (13)C:(12)C ratio of plasma glucose during [1-(13)C]glucose infusion in maternal and fetal blood at delivery in both normal and diabetic subjects. These data showed that the fetal glucose pool was in equilibrium with the maternal glucose pool in both normal and diabetic subjects, indicating that a brief maternal fast did not initiate systemic glucose production in human fetus. A materno-fetal gradient was observed for betahydroxybutyrate.

Estimation of glucose turnover with stable tracer glucose-1-13C.

Glucose turnover was measured in normal and disbetic dogs by the dilution of glucose-1-13C and glucose-1-14C tracers infused simultaneously at constant rates. In order to quantify the stable isotope, an enzymatic assay for the analysis of glucose-1-13C was developed and evaluated. CO2 from C-1 glucose was evolved by coupling hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and 6-phosphogluconic dehydrogenase activities. The 13C/12C ratio of the CO2 was measured with a high-precision magnetic-deflection double-collector mass spectrometer, and the radioactivity of 14CO2 was quantified by liquid scintillation. The ratio of 13C/12C was reproducible in assays of CO2 evolved from either naturally occurring or 13C-enriched glucose. Furthermore, systemic glucose production rates measured with 13C- and 14C-labeled tracers were similar over a wide range from 2 to 12 mg./kg.-min. Thus, glucose-1-13C may be employed as a tracer for glucose metabolism in human subjects without incurring the risk of radiation.

Measurement of glucose turnover in the human newborn with glucose-1-13C.

Systemic glucose production rates were measured in 6 normal newborn infants by dilution of glucose-1-13C tracer according to the prime constant-rate infusion technique. Glucose production rates were 4.4 +/- 0.39 mg/kg. min. (Mean +/- S.D.) in 4 infants at 2 hours of age, and were 3.83 and 3.86 mg/kg. min. in 2 infants at 1 day of age. Systemic glucose production accounts for 50% of the substrate utilized for oxidative metabolism in newborn infants.

Oxygen-18 studies of recent planktonic Foraminifera: comparisons of phenotypes and of test parts.

Oxygen isotopic comparisons of phenotypes of Recent Planktonic Foraminifera with both normal and diminutive final chambers are compatible with a model in which the latter develop as a response to environmental stress. Isotopic evidence shows that Spheroidinella dehiscens is probably not a late-stage, aberrant form of Globogerinoides sacculifer.