Although studies have suggested that exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) may be associated with the development of atopy, the mechanisms underlying this are not clearly understood. It has been suggested that CS impairs the barrier function of the airway epithelium, leading to increased access of allergens such as those of the house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) to antigen-presenting cells, with subsequent allergic sensitization. In order to test this hypothesis, we established primary explant cultures of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) in cell culture inserts, and exposed these for 20 min, 1 h, 3 h, and 6 h to CS or air in the absence or presence of 300 ng/ml Der p, and then further incubated the cultures over a period of 24 h. The HBEC cultures were assessed for changes in permeability as measured by changes in: (1) electrical resistance (ER); and (2) passage of 14C-labeled bovine serum albumin (14C-BSA) and Der p allergens across the HBEC cultures. We also assessed the effects of protease inhibitors and the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in this experimental system. Damage to HBEC cultures was assessed by the release of [51Cr]sodium chromate from prelabeled cells, and by release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Twenty minutes of exposure to CS as compared with exposure to air did not significantly alter either the ER or passage of 14C-BSA across the HBEC cultures. In contrast, incubation with Der p led to a significant increase in the permeability of HBEC cultures, an effect that was enhanced by exposure to CS but was abrogated by the specific protease inhibitors and GSH. Passage of Der p was also increased by exposure to CS. Exposure of HBEC cultures to CS led to a significant release of 51Cr and LDH from these cells as compared with cells exposed to air. This effect was augmented further when HBEC cultures were incubated with Der p. Exposure of HBEC cultures for 1 h, 3 h, and 6 h to CS led to a markedly significant dose- and time-dependent increase in the permeability of these cells. These results suggest that exposure to CS significantly enhances Der p-induced decreases in electrical resistance and the increased passage across HBEC cultures of 14C-BSA and of the Der p allergen itself.

Our study shows that patients undergoing cardiac surgery are largely satisfied with our improved consent procedures in the post-Bristol era. Use of booklets may be a useful adjunct to verbal consent as currently practised.

1. The cardiovascular effects of prazosin, a new antihypertensive drug, were studied in normotensive and genetically hypertensive rats. 2. Prazosin, infused intra-arterially, lowered vascular resistance in the blood-perfused rat hind limb. This effect was dependent on the presence of intact sympathetic innervation to the limb; no direct vasodilatation was demonstrated. In this preparation prazosin infusion reduced vasoconstrictor responses to noradrenaline. 3. In the saline-perfused rat mesenteric artery preparation prazosin reduced responses to noradrenaline and sympathetic nerve stimulation but not those to serotonin and vasopressin. Prazosin was more potent than phentolamine, on a molar basis, in reducing the vasoconstrictor effects of noradrenaline. 4. A comparison of the effects of prazosin injected intravenously and into a lateral cerebral ventricle failed to show any central action of the drug on blood pressure. Experiments using the donor blood-perfused, vascularly isolated rat hind limb preparation confirmed that the sympatholytic effect of prazosin occurred within the limb itself.

ALLcrude petroleum contains sulfur in amounts varying from traces to more than 4 per cent. Free sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, alkyl sulfides, mercaptans, thiophenes, thiophanes, and carbon disulfide have been reported by various investigators in certain petroleum distillates and residues. Sulfonic acids and alkyl sulfates are sometimes present in acid-refined distillates. Beyond certain limits, the presence of sulfur is regarded as objectionable in refined petroleum products. Certain types of sulfur compounds, because of unpleasant odor, instability, or corrosive action, are objectionable even in traces. This is particularly true of sulfur compounds found in gasoline and kerosene.This investigation represents a quantitative study of the effect of sulfuric acid, sodium plumbite, copper oxide, sodium hypochlorite, and aluminium chloride on naphtha solutions of mercaptans, alkyl sulfides, alkyl disulfides, and thiophene, and some qualitative observations on naphtha solutions of hydro-$ A condensed report of a thesis by A. E. Wood presented on July 15, 1924, to the Graduate School, University of Pittsburgh, in partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. consisted essentially of a wooden wheel, 15 inches in diameter, provided with holders for sixteen 3-ounce bottles and mounted so as to rotate in a vertical plane. The wheel was rotated by a small motor and geared so as to make 40 revolutions per minute. In carrying out an experiment, 50 cc. of the stock solution of the sulfur compound and a weighed or measured amount of the refining agent were placed in a 3-ounce bottle and securely stoppered with a cork covered with lead foil. The wheel was then rotated for any specified length of time.

SummaryThe