Theoretical stability assessment of uranyl phosphates and apatites: selection of amendments for in situ remediation of uranium.

Addition of an amendment or reagent to soil/sediment is a technique that can decrease mobility and reduce bioavailability of uranium (U) and other heavy metals in the contaminated site. According to data from literature and results obtained in field studies, the general mineral class of apatites was selected as a most promising amendment for in situ immobilization/remediation of U. In this work we presented theoretical assessment of stability of U(VI) in four apatite systems (hydroxyapatite (HAP), North Carolina Apatite (NCA), Lisina Apatite (LA), and Apatite II) in order to determine an optimal apatite soil amendment which could be used for in situ remediation of uranium. In this analysis we used a theoretical criterion which is based on calculation of the ion-ion interaction potential, representing the main term of the cohesive energy of the matrix/pollutant system. The presented results of this analysis indicate (i) that the mechanism of immobilization of U by natural apatites depends on their chemical composition and (ii) that all analyzed apatites represent, from the point of view of stability, promising materials which could be used in field remediation of U-contaminated sites.

A double-blind pilot study of the effect of Prokarin on fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

UNLABELLED: In this 12-week study with 29 subjects, the effect of Prokarin (n=22), a proprietary blend of histamine and caffeine, was compared to placebo group (n=7) for the following outcomes: 1) fatigue as measured by the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS); 2) lower limb function as measured by timed walk test; 3) upper limb function as measured by the pegboard test; 4) cognitive function as measured by the Paced Auditory Serial Additions Test (PASAT); 5) serum caffeine level; 6) change in brain chemistry as measured by quantitative magnetic resonance spectroscopy assay of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA); and 7) safety as measured by routine blood chemistry, TSH and urinalysis. Data were acquired at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The Prokarin group MFIS mean was significantly different rom the mean of the placebo group at 12 weeks (df=24, t=2.08, P=<0.02), with respective means of 37.40, SD=15.18, for the Prokarin group and 53.2, SD=11.39 for the controls. For the secondary endpoints (PASAT, 25 foot timed walk, peg test, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy [MRS]), there were no significant differences between the Prokarin-treated group and the placebo group. However, there were significant improvements within the Prokarin group for each of these measures for the pre- versus posttreatment comparison at 12 weeks. Serum caffeine data indicated that caffeine exerted no independent effect on performance. No laboratory abnormalities were seen, and the treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: There was a modest-size statistical effect of Prokarin on fatigue in multiple sderosis (MS) compared with the placebo group. A larger trial is warranted, based on this pilot study.

Transdermal histamine in multiple sclerosis, part two: a proposed theoretical basis for its use.

This paper is the companion to an earlier publication, which discussed preliminary results of transdermal histamine use for ameliorating symptoms of both relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we include preliminary findings on the impairments of digestion and assimilation in MS patients seen in a private clinic. Although only a small number of patients was surveyed, an association was found between impaired gastric acid production, impaired protein hydrolysis, and subnormal plasma histidine levels in patients with MS. Impaired digestion might, therefore, impair the ability of MS patients to synthesize histamine. This paper discusses how impairment of histamine synthesis might lead to symptoms of MS, and conversely how exogenously administered histamine might alleviate symptoms. Various mechanisms of action are suggested, including: enhanced gastric acid and pancreatic enzyme secretion, augmentation of subnormal cerebral tissue levels of histamine, improved electrical function of demyelinated fibers, increased cerebral blood flow, suppression of aberrant autoimmune responses, and stimulation of remyelination. We also discuss the observed failure of digestive function in MS and point out that pathological changes which parallel CNS findings have been found in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of patients with Parkinson's disease. Similar parallels might exist between the CNS and ENS in multiple sclerosis.

Transdermal histamine in multiple sclerosis: part one -- clinical experience.

Histamine has a long history of therapeutic use in many diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, transdermal histamine has been successfully employed for the amelioration of symptoms of both relapsing-remitting and progressive multiple sclerosis. This paper summarizes preliminary experiences with transdermal histamine for MS at the Tahoma Clinic: 67 percent of 55 patients using histamine transdermal cream had improvements in one or more areas, including extremity strength, balance, bladder control, fatigue, activities of daily living, and cognitive functioning, sustained for periods of up to three months. One-third of patients had improvements in three or more areas of functioning. Five possible mechanisms of action are postulated: augmentation of subnormal cerebral tissue levels of histamine; improved electrical function of demyelinated fibers; increased cerebral blood flow; suppression of autoimmune responses; and stimulation of remyelination. These will be discussed in detail in Part 2 of this article.

Comparative measurements of serum estriol, estradiol, and estrone in non-pregnant, premenopausal women; a preliminary investigation.

Little to no data exists in the literature for serum estriol values in non-pregnant, premenopausal women. The current medical community opinion holds that estriol has no significant role in non-pregnant women relative to the other estrogens. It is a possibility that estriol's primary function has yet to be discovered. Accordingly, the first step is to understand cycle-dependent serum estriol concentrations. We have made a preliminary investigation for serum estriol concentration of 26 women during the known cycle peaks of estrone and estradiol. Five of the women were also tested for serum estriol on various days throughout the cycle in order to develop a cycle-dependent concentration profile. The result of these experiments show that serum estriol was always significantly higher than the sum of estrone and estradiol and less fluctuating. We conclude that estriol is probably a significant estrogen component.

Comparative absorption of zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and zinc gluconate in humans.

The comparative absorption of zinc after oral administration of three different complexed forms was studied in 15 healthy human volunteers in a double-blind four-period crossover trial. The individuals were randomly divided into four groups. Each group rotated for four week periods through a random sequence of oral supplementation including: zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate (equivalent to 50 mg elemental zinc per day) and placebo. Zinc was measured in hair, urine, erythrocyte and serum before and after each period. At the end of four weeks hair, urine and erythrocyte zinc levels rose significantly (p less than 0.005, p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.001) during zinc picolinate administration. There was no significant change in any of these parameters from zinc gluconate, zinc citrate or placebo administration. There was a small, insignificant rise in serum zinc during zinc picolinate, zinc citrate and placebo supplementation. The results of this study suggest that zinc absorption in humans can be improved by complexing zinc with picolinic acid.

Differences in insulin sensitivity between normal men and women.

An incremental intravenous low-dose insulin infusion has been used to examine differences in insulin sensitivity between normal young men and women. Fasting blood glucose concentration did not differ significantly at the start of the infusion but women had significantly higher plasma insulin and C-peptide concentrations. Similar changes in blood glucose occurred during insulin infusion but insulin concentrations were higher in women. Blood total ketone bodies and alanine were lower in women over the four hours of infusion. Significant differences were found between normal men and women for the effect of insulin upon blood glucose concentration.