In vitro evaluation of the potential role of sulfite radical in morphine-associated histamine release

BACKGROUND: Intravenous morphine use is associated with elevated histamine release leading to bronchoconstriction, edema and hemodynamic instability in some patients. This study evaluated the possibility that sulfite, which is present as a preservative in many morphine preparations, might contribute to histamine release in vitro. RESULTS: The human mast cell line, HMC-1, was exposed to various morphine concentrations, in the absence of sulfite, under cell culture conditions. Clinically attained concentrations of morphine (0.018μg/ml and 0.45μg/ml) did not cause increased histamine release from mast cells. There was a significant increase in histamine release when the morphine concentration was increased by 1184-fold (668μg/ml morphine). Histamine release from mast cells exposed to morphine and/or sulfite required the presence of prostaglandin H synthetase. Histamine release in experiments using sulfite-containing morphine solutions was not statistically different from that observed in morphine-only solutions. CONCLUSION: Sulfite in sulfite-containing morphine solutions, at concentrations seen clinically, is not responsible for histamine release in in vitro experiments of the human mast cell line, HMC-1. This does not preclude the fact that sulfite may lead to elevation of histamine levels in vivo

Pilot Testing an Online and Face-to-Face Self-Advocacy Skills Training Program for Negotiating Classroom Accommodations

This study’s purpose was to pilot test the Access to Success online self-advocacy skills tutorial. The Access to Success tutorial was implemented with four community college students and targeted their ability to negotiate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) classroom accommodations. This online tutorial included both knowledge and skills components. The knowledge component (KBOT) provided students with information about federal disability legislation and how these mandates protect students with disabilities; while the skills tutorial (SBOT) presented students with operational definitions and video examples of each negotiation skill and its subskills. Students’ knowledge was assessed before and after completing the KBOT using several 12-question, multiple-choice assessments. Student’s negotiation skills were assessed during baseline and after each time they completed the SBOT using disability specific role-play scenarios. Results showed students mastered the KBOT’s concepts; while only mastering a portion of the negotiation skills. Students then completed a face-to-face training to help them master the remaining negotiation skills. Direct instruction was used to train students during the face-to-face training. This arrangement allowed the students and trainers to discuss the negotiation skills operational definitions, rationales and examples as well as demonstrate, practice and receive feedback on their deficient skills. Results showed the students mastered the majority of the remaining negotiations skills after completing the face-to-face training. Generalization and follow-up was assessed one month after training using student created role-play scenarios and a university staff member. Data from this assessment suggests students negotiation skills maintained and generalized under these conditions

H\"older equicontinuity of the integrated density of states at weak disorder

H\"older continuity, $|N_\lambda(E)-N_\lambda(E')|\le C |E-E'|^\alpha$, with a constant $C$ independent of the disorder strength $\lambda$ is proved for the integrated density of states $N_\lambda(E)$ associated to a discrete random operator $H = H_o + \lambda V$ consisting of a translation invariant hopping matrix $H_o$ and i.i.d. single site potentials $V$ with an absolutely continuous distribution, under a regularity assumption for the hopping term.Comment: 15 Pages, typos corrected, comments and ref. [1] added, theorems 3,4 combine

Small Spacecraft Sample Return Mission Concept to Support Gateway and Lunar Science

Sustaining long-term presence at the Moon will likely require innovative and cost-effective approaches for frequent and affordable payload return. NASA Ames Research Center and the Deep Space Logistics team at Kennedy Space Center (which manages the Gateway Logistics Services missions) have investigated the development of a small spacecraft-based sample return capability to complement the limited sample return capacity available with the early Orion missions. The goal is to demonstrate a cost-effective capability as part of an early Deep Space Logistics mission and provide up to 10 kg (~ 4 L volume) of scientific payload returned from the Gateway. The mission concept envisions the progressive addition of sample return capabilities, including returning temperature- and acceleration- sensitive payloads, and evolution into a commercially provided service, similar to existing International Space Station payload return logistics. An overview of payload science and technology use cases and small spacecraft mission concepts will be presented to engage scientists, payload developers and mission planners who are considering Lunar exploration activities that will require the return of high-value samples from the Gateway and/or the lunar surface

Strategy and Tactics in Combinatorial Organic Synthesis. Applications to Drug Discovery

A strategic analysis of various issues which pertain to the enablement of combinatorial organic synthesis to produce libraries of non-polymeric organic molecules is given. Methods and examples of the development of solid-phase organic chemistry and its subsequent application to combinatorial library synthesis for drug discovery is illustrated with successful case studies. The synthetic versatility of resin-bound amino-acid-derived imine intermediates to produces, β-sultams and pyridines is shown. Use of natural products as key components for creation of combinatorial libraries is presented using Rauwolfia alkaloids and the cephalosporin nucleus as examples

Toward a Theory of the Evolution of Fair Play

Juvenile animals of many species engage in social play, but its functional significance is not well understood. This is especially true for a type of social play called fair play (Fp). Social play often involves behavioral patterns similar to adult behaviors (e.g., fighting, mating, and predatory activities), but young animals often engage in Fp behaviors such as role-reversals and self-handicapping, which raises the evolutionary problem of why Fp exists. A long-held working hypothesis, tracing back to the 19th century, is that social play provides contexts in which adult social skills needed for adulthood can be learned or, at least, refined. On this hypothesis, Fp may have evolved for adults to acquire skills for behaving fairly in the sense of equitable distribution of resources or treatment of others. We investigated the evolution of Fp using an evolutionary agent-based model of populations of social agents that learn adult fair behavior (Fb) by engaging in Fp as juveniles. In our model, adults produce offspring by accumulating resources over time through foraging. Adults can either behave selfishly by keeping the resources they forage or they can pool them, subsequently dividing the pooled resources after each round of foraging. We found that fairness as equitability was beneficial especially when resources were large but difficult to obtain and led to the evolution of Fp. We conclude by discussing the implications of this model, for developing more rigorous theory on the evolution of social play, and future directions for theory development by modeling the evolution of play

Effects of multiple concussions on retired National Hockey League players

The purpose of this study was to understand the meanings and lived experiences of multiple concussions in professional hockey players using hermeneutic, idiographic, and inductive approaches within an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The interviewer was an athlete who had suffered multiple concussions, and the interviewees were five former National Hockey League athletes who had retired due to medically diagnosed concussions suffered during their careers. The men discussed the physical and psychological symptoms they experienced as a result of their concussions and how the symptoms affected their professional careers, personal relationships, and quality of life. The former professional athletes related these symptoms to the turmoil that is ever present in their lives. These findings are of interest to athletes, coaches, sport administrators, family members, sport psychology practitioners, and medical professionals, as they highlight the severity of shortand long-term effects of concussions