Ecophysiological and genetic traits of the Baltic clam Macoma balthica in the Baltic: Differences between populations in the Gdansk Bay due to acclimatization or genetic adaptation?

Normal and irregular blunt clam-shells were found. Blunt shells increased with depth, because of increasing anoxia. Minimal weight-indices and reproductive stages were found at 40 m depth (near thermo-haline stratification) probably due to spawning just before sampling. Clams from shallower stations were more ripe and heavier due to higher temperatures and re-development than at deeper stations since temperatures were still below threshold levels for spawning (10 degreesC). Respiration was at ambient temperatures acclimated to standard rates. Consequently, clams from deeper stations (with lower ambient temperatures) had 2 times higher respiration at the same test- temperature. Clams from the most shallow station (Puck Lagoon 5 m) showed the worst performance due to adverse hydrodynamics (stagnated water, anoxia). Heterozygotes showed better performance than homozygotes (heterosis). In 1995 genetic differentiation was found (Idh was diagnostic): clams below 30 m resembled Atlantic populations; shallow stations formed a distinct group (Baltic race). In later years all populations were Atlantic, probably due to inflow of North Sea water. Before 1996 ecophysiological differences between clams in the Gdansk Bay can possibly be related to genetic differentiation (adaptations of Atlantic vs. Baltic types), in later years differences were due to acclimation to ambient temperatures, salinity and oxygen levels. [KEYWORDS: genetic traits; ecophysiology; bivalve Macoma balthica stratification; adaptation Electrophoretic data; cerastoderma-edule; mytilus-edulis; temperature; systematics; energetics; bivalves; eastern; sea]

Metabolism of 5-fluorouracil in human liver: An in vivo <SUP>19</SUP> F NMR study

In vivo fluorine 19 nuclear magnetic resonance 19F NMR) spectroscopy was used to study the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in human liver. Nine patients received 5-FU, and additional chemotherapeutic agents (methotrexate, leucovorin, or levarnisole) either prophylac­ tically after breast cancer surgery or for colorectal cancer. The time constant for the disappearance of 5-FU from the liver in vivo varied from S to 17 min, while the time constant for the appearance of &#945;-fluoro-&#946;-alanine (the major catabolite of 5-FU) varied from 7 to 86 min. The modulators of 5-FU metabolism did not appear to affect the time constant for the disappearance of 5-FU from the liver or for the appearance of &#945;-fluoro-&#946;-alanine. Results obtained indicate that the pharmacokineties of S-FU and &#945;-fluoro-&#946;-alanine may vary substantially at different times in a given individual

Effects of immunoadsorption and subsequent immunoglobulin G substitution on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Recent data indicate that cardiac antibodies play an active role in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and may contribute to cardiac dysfunction in patients with DCM. The present study investigated the influence of immunoadsorption with subsequent immunoglobulin G substitution (IA/IgG) on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with DCM. METHODS: Sixty patients with DCM (New York Heart Association II-IV, left ventricular ejection fraction < or =45%) were included in this single-center university hospital-based case-control study. Patients either were treated with IA/IgG (n = 30) or were followed without IA/IgG (n = 30). At baseline and after 3 months, we compared echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular function and spiroergometric exercise parameters. RESULTS: In contrast to controls, left ventricular ejection fraction improved significantly in the IA/IgG group from 33.0% +/- 1.2% to 40.1% +/- 1.5% (P < .001). In the control group, spiroergometric exercise parameters did not change during follow-up. After 3 months, maximum achieved power increased in the treatment group from 114.2 +/- 7.4 to 141.9 +/- 7.9 W (P = .02). Total exercise time increased in the treatment group from 812 +/- 29 to 919 +/- 30 seconds (P < .05). Peak oxygen uptake (Vo(2)) increased from 17.3 +/- 0.9 to 21.8 +/- 1.0 mL min(-1) kg(-1) after IA/IgG (P < .01). Oxygen pulse (peak Vo(2)/maximum heart rate) increased in the treatment group (10.7 +/- 0.7 vs 13.6 +/- 0.7 mL beat(-1) min(-1), P < .01). The Vo(2) at the gas exchange anaerobic threshold increased after 3 months in the treatment group from 10.3 +/- 0.5 to 13.2 +/- 0.5 mL min(-1) kg(-1) (P < .001). The ventilatory response to exercise (V(E)/Vco(2) slope) decreased after IA/IgG therapy from 32.3 +/- 1.5 to 28.7 +/- 0.9 (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with DCM, IA/IgG therapy may induce improvement in echocardiographic and cardiopulmonary exercise parameters.1 mei 201