(1974). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 49, 796. Neonatal secretion of gastrin and glucagon. Plasma gastrin and glucagon levels were estimated in mothers after labour, and in their babies at birth and on the fourth day of life. The newly born baby appears to secrete gastrin independently and the plasma levels are higher on the fourth day of life. The cord gastrin level is lower when labour is induced or augmented by the intravenous infusion of oxytocin. Our results do not exlude the possibility that gastrin is transferred from mother to baby during a spontaneous labour. Such a maternal component of cord gastrin may be responsible for neonatal gastric hyperacidity.The mean cord glucagon level is higher than the maternal level at birth and the fourth day level is higher than the cord level. The C-terminal reactive glucagon-like inmmunoreactivity (C-GLI) in the cord blood is lower when oxytocin has been used during labour. Maternal or placental transfer of C-GLI during labour to the spontaneously born baby is one possible explanation of this finding.The raised glucagon levels on the fourth day may explain why there is low gastric acidity at this time despite the gastrin level being higher than at birth. No relation could be deduced between the C-GLI, i.e. pancreatic glucagon level, and the blood glucose level either at birth or on the fourth day of life.

Well-trained, competitive swimmers were divided into two groups. Group A was given 900 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate daily for 6 months while group B was given placebos. A swimming endurance test was given before the start of supplementation and after 1, 2, 5 and 6 months. No difference in swimmers' endurance was observed between the two groups during the 6-month period. There was also no difference in postexercise serum lactic acid levels. Younger, less well-trained, competitive swimmers were also divided into two groups. Group A received 900 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate daily while group B received placebos. Swimming times for these swimmers were erratic, reflecting a lack of training. alpha-Tocopherol did not appear to have any effect on their swimming endurance.

The results of a comprehensive study to determine the effects of oral contraceptive agents on nutrient metabolism have been reported. The group of women using oral contraceptive agents was found to have significantly higher levels of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum vitamin A, total lipids, triglycerides, vitamin E, and alpha1-protein and significantly lower levels of serum and red cell folacin, vitamin B12 and albumin. The biological significance of many of these differences has not been elucidated satisfactorily.

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These results suggest that tandem cycles of concurrent 96-h infusions of dexrazoxane and high-dose doxorubicin can be administered with minimal cardiac toxicity, and have activity in patients with recurrent sarcomas. However, significant non-cardiac toxicities indicate that the cardiac sparing potential of this approach would be maximized at lower dose levels of doxorubicin.

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