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Anesthetic doses of barbiturates administered to rats were excreted into the parotid saliva. Plasma-saliva concentration ratios were compared to several physicochemical parameters-lipid-water partition coefficient (L/W), degree of ionization, and plasma protein binding-of which L/W appears to correlate best with the excretion of barbiturates into parotid saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning electron microscopy of the endothelium of experimental disciform keratitis revealed corneal endothelial changes which distinguished disciform oedema from the more progressive stages of disciform keratitis. The endothelium of corneas with disciform oedema were wholly intact and characterised by subtle morphological alterations. In contrast, the more progressive stages of disciform keratitis were characterised by massive destruction and denudation of the endothelium. The significance of these observations is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

From September 1989 through July 1991, before commercial availability, Survanta (beractant intratracheal suspension), a modified bovine-derived surfactant used for prevention and treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, was made available to 231 neonatal intensive care units in the United States and Canada under a Treatment Investigational New Drug protocol. Results of this open clinical experience are reported. Investigators could give one dose of Survanta soon after birth to neonates weighing 600 to 1250 g (prevention strategy). Neonates weighing 600 to 1750 g who were not treated at birth could begin Survanta therapy if respiratory distress syndrome developed within 8 hours of birth (rescue strategy). All neonates could receive up to three more doses over the first 48 hours of life at minimum intervals of 6 hours if they met retreatment criteria. Qualifications for enrollment closely matched those used in previous randomized controlled clinical trials. This report includes results from 8168 neonates who completed the study. Treatment Investigational New Drug rates for intracranial hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary air leaks, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pretreatment sepsis, and posttreatment sepsis were less than for treated neonates in the controlled trials and survival was equivalent across studies. Problems with treatment administration were reported with 30.4% of doses, while adverse events were reported in 0.5% of neonates. The results of the Treatment Investigational New Drug protocol revealed no new safety concerns associated with the widespread use of Survanta and confirmed the safety profile established in earlier controlled trials.

Two continuous retinoblastoma cell lines were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Both cell lines spontaneously grow as a suspension of round cells in clusters, chains, and unique ring (rosette) formations. Scanning electron microscopy of suspension cells reveals some variation in the number and frequency of surface adornments such as blebs, lamellipodia, and microvilli. Although the cell lines are nonadherent to substratum and therefore assume a spherical form, highly villous cells are not characteristic of the entire cell populations. When WERI-Rb1 and Y79 are seeded onto a polyornithine-treated substrate, attachment and growth as adherent cultures are evident. With selective attachment on a positively charged substrate, we observe alteration of membrane architecture with the extension of cytoplasm and filopidia. In addition, WERI-Rb1 cell-to-substratum adhesion induces morphological changes suggestive of neuronal cell differentiation.

The following drugs have been demonstrated to be secreted by the parotid glands of rats and human beings: amobarbital, chlorpromazine, codeine, glutethimide, meprobamate, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and secobarbital. Methadone could not be detected in the parotid saliva of either rats or human beings, and morphine has been demonstrated only in parotid saliva of rats.