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Prenylamine is a vasodilator of phenylalkylamine structure and was used for the treatment of angina pectoris, until reports of undesirable effects including ventricular tachycardia led to a decreasing use of the drug in the 1980s. Metabolic N-dealkylation of orally ingested prenylamine can liberate amphetamine in humans and cause positive findings for amphetamine in doping and forensic analysis. In 2010, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) classified prenylamine as a non-specified stimulant according to the 2010 Prohibited List, thus banning its use in sports in-competition. Supporting the development of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based detection method, a post-administration urine sample following a single oral prenylamine ingestion (Segontin® 60 mg) was analyzed for urinary metabolites. The LC-separated analytes were ionized in positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mode and detected as protonated ions using an AB Sciex TripleTOF 5600 quadrupole-time-of-flight hybrid mass spectrometer. Over 40 phase I metabolites were detected, including previously unknown mono- bis-, tris- and tetra-hydroxylated prenylamine, several hydroxylated and methoxylated prenylamine metabolites and (hydroxylated) diphenylpropylamine. Investigation of the collision-induced dissociation behaviours of the metabolites by high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry allowed for the assignment of the nature and the site of observed metabolic transformations. The most abundant phase I metabolite was confirmed as p-hydroxy-prenlyamine by chemical synthesis and stable isotope labelling of reference material. An existing routine screening assay based on direct injection and LC-MS/MS analysis of urine was modified and validated according to common guidelines, in order to allow for the detection of p-hydroxy-prenylamine in sports drug testing. The assay demonstrated the ability to detect the target metabolite at 0.1 ng/ml at intra- and inter-day imprecisions below 10%. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multi-target approach based on liquid chromatography - electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-(ESI)-MS/MS) is presented to screen for various classes of prohibited substances using direct injection of urine specimens. With a highly sensitive new generation hybrid mass spectrometer classic groups of drugs - for example, diuretics, beta2-agonists - stimulants and narcotics are detectable at concentration levels far below the required limits. Additionally, more challenging and various new target compounds could be implemented. Model compounds of stimulant conjugates were studied to investigate a possible screening without complex sample preparation. As a main achievement, the integration of the plasma volume expanders dextran and hydroxyethyl starch (HES), commonly analyzed in time-consuming, stand-alone procedures, is accomplished. To screen for relatively new prohibited compounds, a common metabolite of the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARMs) andarine, a metabolite of growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP-2), and 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxyamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) are analyzed. Following a completely new approach, conjugates of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites are monitored to detect abnormally high levels of plasticizers indicating for illicit blood transfusion. The assay was fully validated for qualitative purposes considering the parameters specificity, intra- (3.2-16.6%) and inter-day precision (0.4-19.9%) at low, medium and high concentration, robustness, limit of detection (1-70 ng/ml, dextran: 30 µg/ml, HES: 10 µg/ml) and ion suppression/enhancement effects. The analyses of post-administration and routine doping control samples demonstrates the applicability of the method for sports drug testing. This straightforward and reliable approach accomplishes the combination of different screening procedures resulting in a high-throughput method that increases the efficiency of the labs daily work. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of prescribed antidepressants by athletes has not been restricted in human sports since 2003, after the antidepressants bupropion and amineptine were removed from the list of prohibited substances. Recent awareness of antidepressants has been stimulated by reports from the media concerning possible misuse of antidepressants among healthy athletes. The prevalence of antidepressants has been monitored over the past ten years with screening procedures routinely used by WADA-accredited laboratories. The growth in antidepressant use among athletes peaked in 2007 and 2008 after a modest increase over the first eight years of this survey. Pharmacy prescriptions for antidepressants in Germany did not show a correlated growth during this period. The increasing variety of antidepressant medications has led to a continued increase in the diversity of antidepressant substances used by athletes and the 'normal' population. The number of different sports affected by the presence of antidepressants has increased in the past decade, especially in endurance sports. The predominance of female antidepressant users in the normal population was reflected in the athletes' group. We concluded from our results that the development of antidepressant prevalence in elite sports did not correlate with that among the general public in Germany. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of stanozolol and its metabolites in human urine has been of particular interest in sports drug testing due to its frequently revealed misuse. A simple and rapid sample preparation procedure based on consecutive solid-phase and liquid–liquid extraction with subsequent re-extraction followed by liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was established. It allowed the determination of stanozolol and its metabolic products 16β-OH-stanozolol and 4β-OH-stanozolol in human urine at detection limits of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.2 ng mL−1, respectively, with recoveries ranging from 5 to 38%. The robust nature of the assay and the efficient removal of interfering biological matrix provides excellent signal-to-noise ratios, and, thus, a rapid alternative to established procedures utilizing multiple solid-phase extraction or immunoaffinity chromatography strategies. More than 15 doping control urine specimens tested positive for stanozolol during the last 12 months have been confirmed using the described approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on the definitions of crimes of violence in the U.S. Significance of crimes of violence to sentence determination; Sources of the definitions of crime of violence; Ways by which circuit courts address the issue of proving prior crimes of violence.

The ancient Egyptian mummy Paï-es-tjau-em-aui-nu, now on exhibition in the Rheinische Landesmuseum in Trier, Germany, was examined by conventional X-ray radiography, computed tomography, and digital fluoroscopy. In addition, some tissues were biopsied for further histologic identification. Along with some representative images, the peculiarities of the Trier mummy concerning the mummification process are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RARE-MR-urography (Rapid Acquisition with Relaxation Enhancement) is a fast MR imaging technique (6.4 s/acquisition) that selectively depicts fluid by heavy T2-weighting. From 9/1989 to 11/1990, RARE-MR urograms were prospectively evaluated in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract abnormalities in 55 children. The method is performed in several planes and combined with a coronal, T1-weighted spin-echo sequence. Forty out of 42 kidneys with dilated renal pelvis, and 21 out of 24 dilated ureters were identified, only the mildly dilated ones were missed. Even in non-functioning kidneys the urinary tract was clearly depicted by RARE-MR-urography. However, no differentiation could be made with this technique between vesicoureteral reflux and non-refluxing dilatation of ureter and/or renal pelvis. All 19 pelviureteric obstructions and all eight renal duplications with a dilated segment were identified. RARE-MR-urography is a new tool for diagnosing urinary tract abnormalities in children without having to employ ionizing radiation, contrast media, or general anesthesia. A dilated urinary tract can be shown in one image displaying the entire urinary system, similar to excretory urography. The technique is presently not able to provide the information of voiding cystourethrography or renal scintigraphy, nor is it as easy to perform as ultrasound. However, in certain cases it may replace excretory urography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several MRI investigations for detecting or excluding acutre and non-post-traumatic chronic osteomyelitis were performed in 31 children, osteomyelitis was evident in 21 patients. The sensitivity of MRI for osteomyelitis was 90%, and specificity was 100%. In children with confirmed osteomyelitis 23 follow-up investigations were carried out in order to evaluate duration of the medullary edema. in uncomplicated cases only in treated by antibiotics edema regression was evident after 4 weeks and completed after 12-16 weeks. In cases in whom extended concomitant soft-tissue infection was depicted regression of edema was prolonged independent of surgical intervention. The study reveals that at onset of acute osteomyelitis in children MRI can replace technetium 99m-labeled scintigraphy and reduce plain-film investigations. The results support the usefulness of MRI in discrimination of isolated soft-tissue infection and noninfectious diseases of bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ten children with cystic diseases of the kidney RARE-MR-urography (rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement) and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were performed. RARE-MR-urography rapidly and selectively depicts fluid by heavy T2 weighting. Thus, the entire kidney with all its cysts and the urinary tract can be displayed in one non-tomographic image, or preferably in multiple tomographic slices, should there be many small cysts. T1-weighted sequences show the renal parenchyma, signal intensity changes, and/or loss of corticomedullary differentiation. As regards morphology, ultrasound (US) will suffice for diagnostic purposes in most cystic diseases of the kidney. However, in very small cystic lesions where US slows a ' pepper and salt' pattern due to insufficient spatial resolution, RARE-MR-urography can display the small fluid-filled spaces causing this appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knees of fifty-two patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 22 patients with seronegative spondylarthopathies (SA) as well as of 20 healthy volunteers were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Osseous erosions (RA 52%-SA 18%; P<0.005), Baker cysts (RA 56%-SA 12%; P<0.005), pannus formation (RA 67%-SA 36%; P<0.05), and cartilage thinning with narrowing of the joint space (RA 46%-SA 18%; P<0.05) proved to be more frequent MRI findings in patients with RA. Additionally, in patients with RA erosions were more extensive. Follow-up MRI examinations of 19 patients revealed an improvment in MRI changes in SA within an average interval of 6 months. No substantial changes were noted in 7 of 13 RA patients. Quantitative and qualitative MRI findings of knee arthritis differ in patients with RA and SA and this was statistically significant. However, as there is considerable overlap of the MRI and radiographic changes in both groups the discriminating diagnostic value in the individual case was limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor accompanied by commentary on the use of computers and information systems in management science is presented.

Presents information on the significance of the small mucosal polyps of the rectum. Description of small mucosal polyps; Prevalence of cancer in mucosal polyps; Importance of total excisional-biopsy in identifying mucosal carcinoma.

Discusses benefits that companies in the United States can derive from business internship programs. Enabling of students to work at meaningful jobs with a company before graduation; Identification of the best possible applicants in terms of their abilities, interests and potential; Success of the U.S. government in the use of internship or fellowship programs.

Examines the functions of business executive in government. Effects of the changes of governmental policies and practices; Occurrence of political pressures and priorities; Transition of a private industry to a full-time job in public sector.

Discusses the career crisis that high achievers experience. Characteristics of high achievers; Reasons for the crisis; Tips to overcome career crisis.

Focuses on the psychological aspect of management. Dissatisfaction felt by executives; Importance for individuals as they advance in their career of getting a balance of activities and duties; Challenges in searching for new jobs; Factors for consideration of executives when deciding whether to stay in a job or look for a new one.

The article focuses on the proposal for a public administration service corps in the U.S. Across the country at all levels of government, particularly at the municipal and county level, there is an increasing need for outstanding individuals who have, the necessary training, skills, motivation and experience or have great potential to serve in high-level management, administrative, advisory and planning positions at the division, bureau, department and office of the chief executive levels. However, even though recent federal legislation has been passed to attack the problem by encouraging mobility, because of rewards accruing on the basis of seniority, retirement system restrictions, and other reasons, it is difficult for individuals to leave their agencies and jurisdictions for broadening and critical assignments in other fields, locations and jurisdictions. And, in many cases, particularly below the federal level, the salary and promotion system is not adequate or flexible enough to attract outstanding individuals, although needs are critical and the problems challenging.