Coulomb energy differences in t = 1 mirror rotational bands in (50)Fe and (50)Cr.

Gamma rays from the N = Z-2 nucleus (50)Fe have been observed, establishing the rotational ground state band up to the state J(pi) = 11+ at 6.994 MeV excitation energy. The experimental Coulomb energy differences, obtained by comparison with the isobaric analog states in its mirror (50)Cr, confirm the qualitative interpretation of the backbending patterns in terms of successive alignments of proton and neutron pairs. A quantitative agreement with experiment has been achieved by exact shell model calculations, incorporating the differences in radii along the yrast bands, and properly renormalizing the Coulomb matrix elements in the pf model space.

Frequency distribution of free warfarin and free phenytoin fraction values in serum of healthy human adults.

The protein binding of racemic warfarin was determined in serum from 57 normal adults (27 men and 30 women). The free fraction of warfarin (total concentration, 0.8 mug/ml) ranged from 0.0050 to 0.0186 and was log-normally distributed. The frequency distribution differs from that in rats in which the serum free fraction values of warfarin are trimodally distributed. The protein binding of phenytoin was determined in serum from 39 of the subjects. The free fraction of phenytoin (total concentration, 15 mug/ml) ranged from 0.111 to 0.155 and was unimodally distributed. There was no apparent correlation between the extent of protein binding of warfarin and phenytoin in individual serum samples. The pronounced intersubject variation in serum free fraction of warfarin observed in consistent with our previous finding that serum protein binding is an important determinant of interindividual differences in the total clearance of warfarin in man. On the other hand, the relatively narrow distribution of free phenytoin fraction values suggests that differences in serum protein binding of phenytoin are not an important cause of the prounounced interindividual differences in the total clearance of phenytoin by subjects with normal renal function.

Decreased serum salicylate concentrations in children with rheumatic fever treated with antacid.

To determine if the common practice of giving antacids to patients on salicylate therapy has an effect on serum salicylate concentrations, we gave a widely used antacid, aluminum and magnesium hydroxide, and aspirin concomitantly to three children with rheumatic fever. Urinary pH increased appreciably, and serum salicylate concentrations decreased by 30 to 70 per cent. In five healthy adult volunteers concomitant administration of antacid had no effect on the bioavailability of aspirin. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that the antacid-induced decrease of serum salicylate concentrations was due to increased renal clearance of salicylate caused by the rise in urinalry pH.

Inhibition by ice cream of the antidotal efficacy of activated charcoal.

A study was conducted to determine if ice cream and sherbet interfered with the adsorption of aspirin onto activated charcoal both in vivo and in vitro. An aqueous suspension of 20 g activated charcoal decreased the absorption of 1 g aspirin by 65%; the same dose of activated charcoal with 50 g of ice cream reduced aspirin absorption by only 42% under otherwise identical conditions. In vitro tests showed that different ice creams and sherbet decrease the adsoprtion of aspirin onto activated charcoal. Thus, although ice cream is useful for preparing palatable suspensions of activated charcoal, it decreases appreciably the antidotal efficacy of the adsorbent.