Distinguishability in impedance imaging.

Impedance imaging systems apply currents to the surface of a body, measure the induced voltages on the surface, and from this information, reconstruct an approximation to the electrical conductivity in the interior. This paper gives a detailed discussion of several ways to measure the ability of such a system to distinguish between two different conductivity distributions. The subtle differences between these related measures are discussed, and examples are provided to show that these different measures can give rise to different answers to various practical questions about system design.


Comparison of algorithms for tracking short-term changes in arterial circulation parameters.

Three recursive methods especially suited for identification of systems with rapidly changing parameters are applied to tracking of the viscoelastic properties of the systemic arterial bed. These methods include two least squares (LS) algorithms with constant or variable forgetting factor (RLS and LSVF) and a LS algorithm incorporating both a constant forgetting factor and covariance modification (CFCM). The methods are presented in a unified framework and their sensitivity with respect to the design variables is investigated using noisy data from computer simulations. All analysed methods have shown themselves to be able to satisfactory track rapid changes in peripheral resistance. The LSVF method, which offers slightly better performances than the classical RLS, may be preferred when calculation efficiency is the prime requirement. The CFCM algorithm, although maintaining reasonable simplicity, shows the best tracking ability also on varying of the noise sequence.


On detecting the presence of fetal R-wave using the moving averaged magnitude difference algorithm.

An efficient algorithm detecting the presence of a fetal QRS complex is presented. The proposed fetal QRS detection method computes the averaged magnitude of the difference between the fetal ECG signal and the reference signal to detect the fetal QRS event. The detected fetal QRS complexes are exponentially averaged to generate the template signal which can track the slowly varying shape of the fetal ECG signal. As an effort to obtain improved detection performances, two approaches of normalizing the fetal ECG signal and the template are considered.


Muscle input-output model: the static dependence of force on length, recruitment, and firing period.

Steady-state isometric active muscle force has a bilinear dependence on length and firing period (inverse of firing rate). At a fixed length, force increases linearly with decreasing firing period. The slope decreases linearly with increasing muscle length, and the value of force extrapolated to zero firing period remains constant. This relationship can be used in Hill-type muscle models.


Cytokines and growth factors in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma.

In the past, the study of KS pathogenesis has been hampered by the lack of in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. Recently, the establishment of long-term cultures of KS spindle cells and the development of animal models have allowed a variety of studies on the pathobiology of the disease. The results from these studies, reviewed herein, indicate that KS is a cytokine-mediated disease and that inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines and the HIV-1 Tat protein cooperate in its induction and progression in HIV-1-infected individuals.


Different role of cytokine mediators in septic shock related to meningococcal disease and surgery/polytrauma.

So far, there has been a tendency towards a uniform concept of the role and kinetics of TNF and other cytokines in septic shock. However, our comparison of data from different groups of shock patients clearly demonstrates marked differences. On the one hand, the cytokine pattern in experimental septic shock and meningococcal disease has similarities which include early burst releases of TNF and IL-6. On the other hand, intensive care unit patients which includes patients with polytrauma, surgery, burns and other underlying diseases have a completely different pattern of appearance of TNF and IL-6 in the circulation. We have not been able to detect bioactive TNF in the circulation of these patients, whereas others have measured elevated levels of immunoreactive TNF. Bioactive IL-6 can be detected in serum; however, the levels are often fluctuating and there is no common pattern of appearance. These differences probably reflect differences in the release of endotoxin and the immunological status of the patients. TNF inhibitors and soluble TNF receptors probably play an important role. Experimental models for septic shock most commonly use administration of live bacteria or endotoxin to anesthesized healthy animals. This appears to be a good model for meningococcal disease, but not for intensive care unit patients.


Pathogenesis of wasting disease after cyclophosphamide treatment of neonatal mice.

Cyclophosphamide is a potent immunosuppressive agent and is being widely used in organ transplantation. The effects of this anti-rejection drug on lymphoid organs are poorly understood. Newborn Swiss mice injected with various doses of cyclophosphamide suffered from wasting disease at 4 weeks post treatment. The incidence of wasting disease was dose dependent. Haematological picture of the wasting animals revealed leukocytosis of variable degree. Lymphocyte/granulocyte ratio was not inhibited. The cyclophosphamide treatment caused shrinkage of lymphoid organs. Bone marrow showed degeneration of haematopoietic cells. The failure to sustain lymphopoiesis by the potential lymphoid sites following cyclophosphamide treatment and the associated immunological insufficiency resulted in the fatal wasting disease.


Effect of directional selection on spontaneous male recombination in Drosophila ananassae.

Artificial selection was carried out for high and low spontaneous male recombination values in D. ananassae for nine generations by using cu b se marker (second chromosome) and wild stocks which were free from heterozygous chromosome inversions. The mean crossing-over frequency of nine generations was 2.22, 0.70 and 1.20% in high, low and control lines respectively. The values of regression coefficient and realized heritability also indicated that male recombination was affected by selection. However, response to selection was more pronounced in high line as compared to low line. This provides evidence that spontaneous male crossing-over in D. ananassae is under polygenic control.


Purification of Salmonella stanley enterotoxin and its immunology and dermatotoxicity.

Isolation of an enterotoxic factor from cell-free-culture-supernatant of S. stanley was achieved to homogeneity using salt precipitation, dialysis and molecular seive chromatography through Sephadex G-100 and G-200 columns. The purified enterotoxic factor yielded a single protein band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, induced antibodies in the rabbit and showed single band on agar gel precipitation. It induced fluid accumulation in the rabbit ligated ileal loop (RLIL) and was neutralized by the homologous antiserum. Antigenically it was not related to cholera toxin but with enterotoxin of other Salmonella serotypes. It also exerted dermatotoxic effect in the rabbit skin causing marked central necrosis with peripheral erythema.


Anxiogenic activity of quinine--an experimental study in rodents.

Quinine, a cinchona alkaloid, was investigated for putative anxiogenic activity in view of clinical reports suggesting that it induces anxiety and apprehension following its use in malaria. The experimental paradigms chosen to elucidate anxiogenic activity have been shown to stand the tests of reliability and validity. Yohimbine, which has been shown to induce anxiety both in animals and in man, was used for comparison. Quinine was found to elicit a complex behavioural profile of activity ranging from overt central stimulation to marked central depression on dose increment. The doses 10 and 20 mg/kg, ip, of quinine chosen to investigate anxiogenic activity were comparable to those induced by 2.5 and 5 mg/kg ip of yohimbine. Quinine induced a dose-related anxiogenic activity in the open-field and elevated plus-maze tests in mice, and the social interaction and thirst conflict tests in rats, similar to effects induced by yohimbine. In addition, both quinine and yohimbine attenuated the effects of diazepam, an anxiolytic agent, in the open-field and thirst conflict tests. The results indicate that quinine exerts significant anxiogenic effect at a particular dose range.


Antiinflammatory and antipyretic activity of vicolides of Vicoa indica DC.

Vicolides A,B, C and D, the sesquiterpene lactones isolated from V. indica exhibited antiinflammatory activity against cotton pellet granuloma in rats at dose level of 10 mg/kg body weight, sc. Highly significant activity was observed with vicolides C and D. They reduced the protein content, acid and alkaline phosphatase, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activities in liver and serum. Significant reduction in ascorbic acid content in adrenals was also observed in treated animals. The highly significant antiinflammatory activity of vicolides C and D can be attributed to their chemical structures. Vicolide D has an epoxy angeloyl group while vicolide C has 3,4 epoxy group and an ester moiety in the molecule. Vicolide D possesses antipyretic activity at 250 mg/kg body weight, po dose. It may be due to the presence of epoxy angeloyl group in the molecule.


Distribution pattern and dose-response-relationship of chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes induced in vitro by 60Co gamma-rays and 110 kV X-rays.

Peripheral blood lymphocyte culture system was used to construct reference dose-response curves for 60Co gamma-rays and 110 kV X-ray-induced chromosome aberrations at 6 dose points ranging from 0.25 to 4.0 Gy. Qualitative and quantitative differences between these two types of radiation for the yield of induced aberrations and their distribution pattern were analysed. Experimental data of aberration yields were compared after fitting them to five different dose-response models. The yields of chromosome aberrations in particular dicentrics, gave a good fit to linear-quadratic besides linear and power models. In this model, single-track events predominated over double-track events for both the qualities of radiation used. The pattern of distribution was mainly Poisson for dicentrics but gave a conflicting result for acentrics which was in excess.


Termination of photorefractoriness in the brahminy myna, Sturnus pagodarum: role of photoperiods and gonadal hormones.

In brahminy myna a photosensitive species, long days caused full gonadal development followed by rapid regression, whereas short days inhibited these responses. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of duration of photoperiod and gonadal hormones on the recovery of photosensitivity to long photoperiods in male birds. Groups of photorefractory birds were subjected to 8-, 9- or 11-hr daily photoperiods for 45 (6.5 weeks) or 63 (9 weeks) days and then transferred to 15 h daily photoperiods for 60 days to check for the regaining of photoresponsivity. A control group was held under 15L:9D throughout the period of study. Another experiment included three groups of photorefractory males, which were maintained on 9L:15D for 9 weeks and administered with, birth-1day-1 alternately for first 30 days olive oil or different doses (10 or 100 micrograms) of testosterone propionate (TP)/bird/day alternately for first 30 days, and then transferred to 15L:9D for another 30 days to test the recovery of photosensitivity. The results indicated that (i) a period of exposure to short daylengths is required to dissipate photorefractoriness, (ii) termination of photorefractoriness is dependent on the length and duration of photoperiods and (iii) TP inhibits the recovery of photosensitivity in a dose dependent manner.


Chemotactic detection of incipient ovarian follicular atresia.

Chemotactic activity was measured in the follicular fluid collected from normal and atretic Graafian follicles isolated from the rat ovaries. The atresia of Graafian follicles was induced by pentobarbitone injections for 3 days beginning the day of proestrous. The chemotactic activity, as measured by direct morphological evaluation of cellular locomotion of individual cells and Boyden leading front assay, was significantly higher in follicular fluid from atretic follicles and it showed a progressive increase from day 1 to day 3 of blockade of ovulation. In vitro exposure of blocked follicles to PMSG and hCG on day 1, 2 and 3 failed to alter the chemotactic response of leukocytes towards follicular fluid of atretic follicles. Increased chemotaxis in the follicular fluid after 24 hr of blockade of ovulation appears to form an important criterion to identify atretic follicles well in advance, before the morphological symptoms of degeneration become apparent and the incipient change once induced in follicles is not reversed by gonadotropins.


Reversal of T-cell unresponsiveness through serine-esterase inhibitors mediated enhanced lymphokine induced microbicidal activities in kala-azar.

After presenting processed glycoprotein of Leishmania donovani to T-cell, macrophage seeks the help of a panel of T-cells lymphokines to transform from a state that sustains intra cellular replication of parasite to an effector state for destructing parasites. But esterase and trypsin of macrophage membrane prevent T-cells to release MIF. Role of soya-bean trypsin inhibitor (STI) has been exposed in the present study with a view to alter esterase functional behaviour of macrophage for control of T-cell activation and also, if T-cells once made responsive to antigen by STI do alter macrophage response to T-cells or not. Results establish STI as potent effector molecule, which can serve as an adjuvant to candidate T-cell epitope and synthetic peptide for development of anti-Kala-azar vaccine protocol in future.


Effect of radiation on some haematological parameters and its modification by vitamin E in chicks.

White leghorn male chicks of 1 and 7 day age groups were studied for acute (2.25 Gy) gamma radiation (with or without vit. E pretreatment) induced haematological changes in the peripheral blood at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 postirradiation. A continuous decrease in the erythrocyte numbers was observed in the animals irradiated without vit. E treatment. The changes in haematocrit, haemoglobin, MCV, MCH and MCHC values were in line with the erythrocytic changes reflecting radiation induced damage to the erythroid elements. Animals pretreated with vit. E show lesser depression in the erythrocytic component at all the stages indicating its radio-protective influence. The significant increase in the immature RBC's in the peripheral blood in vit. E treated animals after irradiation, implies enhanced erythropoiesis.


In vivo sister chromatid differentiation and baseline sister chromatid exchanges in a mouse ascites tumour model.

Induction of differentially stained sister chromatids at G2/M and determination of baseline sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in ascites form of mouse sarcoma 180 cell line have been done by in vivo incorporation of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for two consecutive DNA replication cycles. The baseline SCE frequency is 6.24 at log phase of tumour growth.


Effects of organophosphorus insecticide phosphomidon on antioxidant defence components of human erythrocyte and plasma.

Effect of organophosphorus insecticide, phosphomidon (250 and 500 ppm) on human erythrocyte and plasma were studied in vitro to get insight into the cellular antioxidant defence mechanism and malondialdehyde formation. The antioxidant defence system of erythrocyte was altered as evident by depression of glutathione reductase, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase, whereas the level of reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxidedismutase and catalase were stimulated. In the case of plasma fraction, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-s-transferase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase and levels of reduced glutathione were significantly depressed and the malondialdehyde formation and catalase activity were elevated indicating the less adaptive response of plasma to protect it from oxidative damage.


Effect of picroliv on protein and nucleic acid synthesis.

Oral administration of picroliv, a standardised fraction of roots and rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurroa, showed stimulation of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in rat liver. Results are comparable with a standard hepatoprotective agent, silymarin.


Dosage compensation for a chromosome that comprises an X chromosome and an autosome as its two homologs in interspecific hybrids of Drosophila miranda and D. persimilis.

A chromosomal element (C) of an interspecific hybrid of D. miranda (females) and D. persimilis (males) represented a unique situation, where between its two homologous, one derived from an X chromosome (X2 of miranda) and the other from an autosome (3rd chromosome of persimilis). In cytological preparations of polytene nuclei, the X chromosomal homolog in hybrid males exhibited the male-X like inflated structure, known as prerequisite for hypertranscription; whereas the autosomal homolog existed as an haploid autosomal arm. In hybrid females, both the homologs had similar diameter and stainability. This difference in cytomorphology of the X2 homolog between two sexes made the C element potential to transcribe higher in males than in females, raising the inevitable question of compensation. Cellular autoradiography, using 3H-UR, was employed to measure the total transcription of the C element (X2 + 3rd) in hybrid sexes. Results revealed that, although the X2-homolog was hyperactive in males, the total transcription of the C element was equal (relative to autosomal transcription) in both hybrid sexes, and this was achieved in expense of the transcription of the 3rd chromosomal homolog in males. Thus, apart from X-chromosomal and autosomal dosage compensation, the existence of an X-autosomal dosage compensation in Drosophila is evident in the present work.


Demonstration of two forms of vitellogenin in serum of estradiol-17 beta-treated Indian major carp, Labeo rohita.

Vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis was induced in the male and non-vitellogenic female Rohu, the Indian major carp, by estradiol-17 beta(E2) where effect was more in female. A crude preparation of Vg was isolated in the second peak after gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 34 from the sera of vitellogenic female Rohu and E2-treated male and female Rohu. Estimation of alkali-labile phosphorus was shown to be used as an index of Vg. Native-PAGE analysis has revealed the presence of two forms of Vg (Vg1: 430,000 dalton and Vg2:240,000 dalton) in Vg fraction obtained after gel filtration as well as in the sera of E2-treated male and female Rohu. Immunological cross-reaction studies between antiserum to yolk protein and Vg fractions as well as the sera from E2-treated male and female Rohu further indicates the presence of two precipitin lines (not clearly visible as the two lines fused to form a thick line) suggesting the occurrence of two forms of Vg in the Rohu.


'Dark' cell formation under protein malnutrition: process of conversion and concept of 'semi-dark' type Purkinje cells.

This paper deals with some deleterious effects of protein malnourishment in rat cerebellum. Severe protein deprivation enhanced the formation of 'dark' cells in white rats. It is postulated that abnormal changes in the neuronal contents induced by nutritional stress play a vital role in the formation of the 'dark' cells through an intermediary stage, 'semi-dark' cells. Centrophenoxine a lipofuscinolytic agent, however, seems to interfere with the process of formation of 'dark' cells and/or helps reconversion of the 'dark' cells into the normal or 'light' type Purkinje cells.


Microscopic anatomy of small intestine of Macaca radiata with special reference to gut associated lymphoid tissue.

The hitherto unreported microscopic anatomy of the small intestine of the bonnet monkey (M. radiata) was studied. There was a striking similarity in the general structure and cellular composition of the small intestine of the animal and that of humans. Of special interest was our observation of the occurrence of cells interspersed in the follicle associated epithelium which were morphologically similar to human M cells. These cells were pale, devoid of a brush border and frequently had lymphocytes apparently enclosed within them.


Differential radioprotection of tissues in C3H/J mice by a combination of 5-hydroxy L-tryptophan with 2-aminoethylisothiuronium bromide hydrobromide.

Differential radioprotection between normal tissues and carcinoma was observed in C3H/J mice treated with a combination of 5-hydroxy L-tryptophan (5-HTP, 100 mg/kg) and 2-aminoethylisothiuronium bromide hydrobromide (AET, 20 mg/kg). Protection to normal tissues was judged by LD50(30) and by radiation induced damage to bone marrow(BM) using clonogenic ability of blood forming stem cells (10 day CFUs) as the criteria. Pretreatment with 5-HTP + AET combination 30 min before whole body gamma radiation (WBGR) enhanced the recoveries of the number of blood forming stem cells in BM of irradiated mice after 0, 7th and 10th day of irradiation. LD50(30) for C3H/J mice was 7.3 Gy and the dose modifying factor (DMF) of 5-HTP + AET combination was 1.76. On the contrary, pretreatment with this combination did not protect the mammary carcinoma transplanted in C3H/J mice, when exposed to 80 Gy soft X-rays.


Induction and regulation of alpha-amylase synthesis in a cellulolytic thermophilic fungus Myceliophthora thermophila D14 (ATCC 48104).

The alpha-amylase enzyme synthesis was higher when M. thermophila D-14 (ATCC 48104) was grown in culture medium incorporated with starch or other carbohydrates containing maltose units. Maximum enzyme production was attained with 1% starch followed by a gradual decrease with increasing concentration. Marked decrease in alpha-amylase synthesis occurred with the addition of glucose to the culture medium and this decreasing activity was proportional to the concentration of glucose. The enzyme synthesis was resumed as soon as the glucose concentration fell below a critical level. The addition of cAMP did not eliminate the repressive activity of glucose. The findings suggest that extracellular alpha-amylase synthesis in M. thermophila D-14 was inducible and subject to catabolite repression.


A rapid method for flow cytometric cell counting and cell cycle analysis from monolayer cultures of tumor cells.

A rapid, simple, and reliable flow cytometric method using the histochemical fluorescent stain Hoechst 33342 in presence of the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 has been reported. The processing of melanoma cell cultures to get nuclei stained with the fluorescent dye was accomplished in one step and within an hour permitted concurrent flow cytometric measurement of cell density and cell cycle analysis. The preparation is stable for more than three weeks at room temperature for flow cytometry. The histograms are reproducible and exhibit a coefficient of variation of less than 2.5% (G1 peak). The cell density measurements varied within +/- 5% limits.


Effect of metal mixtures on activity of two respiratory enzymes and their recovery in Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters).

Effects of sublethal doses of metal (Cu, Cd, Zn) mixtures on the activities of key respiratory enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase, SDH and glyceraldehyde dehydrogenase, GDH) and their recovery following withdrawal of treatments were studied in the freshwater fish O. mossambicus. On the basis of 96 hr LC50 Cu was highly toxic followed by Zn and Cd, and the trimetal combination (Cu+Zn+Cd) was extremely toxic than any other combination; combination of Zn+Cd was least toxic. A significant gradual decrease in SDH with a concomitant increase in GDH activity observed in liver, brain, muscle and gill of animals exposed to metal suggest a metabolic shift from aerobiosis to anaerobiosis due to metal action. Exposed individuals when transferred to metal impoverished water showed an improvement in SDH activity and decline in GDH activity suggesting slow reversal to aerobic metabolism. O. mossambicus needs more time for complete recovery.


Inhalation toxicity of methylisocyanate: assessment of germ cell mutagenicity and reproductive effects in rats.

Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to methylisocyanate (MIC, 3.2 mg/l, single inhalation exposure for 8 min under static condition) or ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS, 150 mg/kg, single ip dose) for the assessment of germ cell mutagenicity and reproductive effects. Sequential matings of treated males with normal females on days 1-7, 8-14 and 15-21 post-exposure did not indicate any induction of dominant lethal mutation (increased frequency of preimplantation losses and early fetal deaths) by MIC but it was significantly induced by EMS as compared to respective controls. Males, necropsied after 21 days of exposure, showed no effect of MIC on epididymal sperm density and morphology. EMS also had no effect on sperm density but it significantly induced morphological abnormalities in sperm as compared to untreated controls. There was an acute and transitional reduction in reproductive performance (10-21%) of MIC-exposed males during days 1-14 post-exposure followed by recovery to the normal level during days 15-21 post-exposure. The progeny of MIC-exposed males was also normal in terms of litter size, litter weight, neonatal survival and body weight gain in litters up to 10 days post-partem. It is concluded with the evidence at hand that the observed failure of MIC to cause germ cell mutagenicity is related to its poor biodistribution to the target site(s) and a transient reduction in the reproductive performance of MIC-exposed males is a result of general stress and disconsolate copulation.


Evaluation of drug effects on spinal cord injury--an experimental study in monkeys.

Contusion injury is produced experimentally in anaesthetised monkeys by weight drop method. A group of animals having laminectomy alone served as sham controls. Drugs were administered 30 min after injury initially. Naloxone and nifedipine were administered as single dose administration immediately after injury. Dipyridamole and DMSO were administered daily for a period of 1 week. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) was estimated in 2 spinal tissue segments, S1-at the site of injury and S2-the segment above the site of injury, at the end of 1 week after sacrificing the animals. Contusion injury produced significant decrease in specific activity of AchE in the traumatised segment of the experimental animals. The non-traumatised adjacent segment did not show any significant change. Nifedipine, naloxone and DMSO produced a decrease in AchE activity in S1 and S2 segments. Monkeys developed paraplegia after contusion injury. A score 2+ was observed after 1 week as compared to the score of 4+ of sham controls. Single dose administration of naloxone seemed to reverse the motor deficit by getting a score of 3+; other drugs did not produce any beneficial effect on motor deficit.


Bioactivity of marine organisms: Part VI--Screening of some marine flora from Indian coasts.

Alcoholic extracts of 50 botanically identified species of marine flora have been screened for a wide range of biological activities. Of these, 2 extracts exhibited anti-amoebic and antiviral activity each, 3 of them had anti-implantation activity; 9 had hypoglycaemic activity while hypotensive activity was associated with 11 extracts; 14 extracts were found to be diuretic and 1 of them had anti-inflammatory activity. Further, 10 of these extracts exhibited 2 types of activities while a combination of 3 and 4 types of activities was observed in one extract each. Follow-up studies have been carried out in some plants with confirmed activity. The active principles and results of these studies are reported.


Metabolism of very low density lipoproteins--effect of sardine oil.

The effect of feeding fish oil on the metabolism of lipoproteins was studied in rats. Rats were fed diet containing 10% sardine or groundnut oil for 6 weeks. There was a significant decrease in the total cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides as well as the amount of the lipids associated with VLDL and LDL in serum in fish oil-fed rats. The synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins particularly apoB containing lipoproteins by primary cultures of hepatocytes from these rats were studied by 14(C)-acetate or 3(H)-leucine labelling. Primary cultures of hepatocytes derived from sardine oil-fed rats showed reduced incorporation of 3(H)-leucine into apoB containing lipoproteins secreted into the medium when compared to those fed groundnut oil, indicating a decreased synthesis and secretion of apoB. This was further confirmed by significantly lower incorporation of 14(C)-radioactivity into total and individual lipids of VLDL secreted into the medium, as well as that associated with different lipids in cell layer. The activity of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue and aorta was significantly higher in rats fed sardine oil which may cause an increased clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from circulation. These results indicate that the fish oil exerts hypolipidemic effect particularly by decreasing the synthesis and secretion of VLDL by liver and possibly by an increased clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from circulation.


Antidiabetic effects of S-allyl cysteine sulphoxide isolated from garlic Allium sativum Linn.

S-allyl cysteine sulphoxide (SACS), a sulphur containing amino acid of garlic which is the precursor of allicin and garlic oil, has been found to show significant antidiabetic effects in alloxan diabetic rats. Administration of it at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight decreased significantly the concentration of serum lipids, blood glucose and activities of serum enzymes like alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase and liver glucose-6-phosphatase. It increased significantly liver and intestinal HMG CoA reductase activity and liver hexokinase activity.


Control of zoopathogenic fungi in vitro by polyamine biosynthesis inhibitors.

Effect of inhibitors of polyamine (PA) biosynthesis, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), methylglyoxal bis (guanylhydrazone)--MGBG and bis (cyclohexylammonium) sulphate (BCHA) on mycelial growth of three clinically important fungi-Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Aspergillus flavus was examined in vitro. All inhibitors at concentrations 1 to 50 mM produced greater inhibition of mycelial growth in all fungi tested in a dose-dependent manner. MGBG was the most effective inhibitor, and T. mentagrophytes was the most sensitive fungus to all inhibitors followed by M. gypseum and A. flavus. The results suggested that control of fungal diseases in animals and human beings with specific inhibitors of PA biosynthesis is possible.


Toxicity of dimethoate on urinary hydroxyproline in rats.

The effect of the administration of three different concentrations (2.25, 1.13 and 0.56 mg/100 g body weight) of dimethoate on the urinary excretion of total, non dialysable and free hydroxyproline were studied in female albino rats. Compared to controls, the urine contents were significantly lower in higher concentration (2.25 mg/100 g body weight) of dimethoate treated rats. The results clearly indicate that the urine contents were not much affected in lower concentration (0.56 mg/100 g body weight) of dimethoate treated rats compared to the other concentrations (1.13 and 0.56 mg/100 g body weight) of dimethoate treated rats.


Antifilarial activity of Centratherum anthelminticum seed extracts on Setaria cervi.

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of C. anthelminticum was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm and nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi. Ethylacetate, acetone and methanol extract showed similar effect, of causing inhibition of spontaneous motility of the nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi characterized by decreased amplitude and frequency of contractions. The inhibitory effect on the motility was reversible. Further, the extracts did not involve the blockade of cholinergic receptors as evidenced by the presence of unaltered stimulant response of acetylcholine in the presence of drug in bathing fluid.


Detection of autoreactive antibodies to serum IgG and IgA in amoebic liver abscess cases.

Assessment of autoreactive antibodies in response to healthy human serum IgA and IgG was performed by indirect haemagglutination assay on serum samples from 81 amoebic liver abscess cases for IgA and 70 for IgG. Appropriate controls were taken simultaneously. IgA, IgG were isolated and purified from a healthy human serum through Sephadex G-200 and protein A CL 4B sepharose chromatography. These immunoglobulins were used for the detection of its own antibodies in amoebic liver abscess cases. This revealed that 43.20% and 48.50% of the cases were positive for IgA and IgG respectively, where as only 19.35% and 28.30% of the controls were in positive category (IgA and IgG respectively). The mean titres with standard deviation of the autoreactive antibodies to serum IgA both in ALA cases and controls shows a highly significant difference between tests and controls (P less than 0.001). Similarly the mean titres with standard deviation both in ALA and controls for the serum IgG differed significantly (P less than 0.001). This suggests the presence of autoreactive antibodies against serum IgA and IgG in amoebic liver abscess cases.


Effect of aspirin on serum lipoprotein profile in rats subjected to myocardial stress by isoproterenol.

The effect of isoproterenol on the levels of serum lipoprotein profile were studied in rats. Rats were treated with isoproterenol (200 mg/100 g body weight, sc twice at an interval of 24 hr) for 2 days. Aspirin was administered orally 1.2 mg/100 g body weight, daily for 60 days. Isoproterenol treated rats showed decrease in the activities of hepatic and extrahepatic lipoprotein lipase. HDL cholesterol level was found to be decreased, significantly with increase in LDL cholesterol in isoproterenol treated rats. Aspirin treated rats showed marked reversal of these metabolic changes. The lipoprotein changes were minimum in rats treated with both aspirin and isoproterenol.


Hepatitis E: evidence for person-to-person transmission and inability of low dose immune serum globulin from an Indian source to prevent it.

This study was undertaken to assess the role of person-to-person transmission in hepatitis E and the ability of immune serum globulin (ISG) from an Indian source to prevent such transmission. Seventy six subjects (62 household contacts of patients with sporadic hepatitis E and 14 controls with no household contacts) were studied clinically, biochemically and serologically at entry and fortnightly thereafter for the next 8 weeks. Thirty two household contacts received 2 mL of 16.5% ISG 16.5% while the other 30 household contacts and 14 controls received 2 mL of normal saline intramuscularly at entry. Eighteen (29%) household contacts and none of the control subjects developed biochemical evidence of acute hepatitis E (p less than 0.01). The enzyme elevation occurred after a mean interval of 31.0 +/- 4.5 days from the onset of disease in the index case. This suggested that the disease in the case contacts had been contracted by household contact with the index case and not by simultaneous infection of the index case and the household contact. The incidence of disease was similar in the household contacts receiving ISG and normal saline (25% and 33.3% respectively, p = ns). ISG had no effect on the time interval to SGPT rise or on the severity of disease in household contacts.


Hepatic lesions caused by excretory and secretory products of Ascaris lumbricoides in golden hamster.

To ascertain the role of excretory and secretory (ES) products of Ascaris lumbricoides in liver damage. The ES products of A lumbricoides were collected in vitro and their SDS-PAGE analysis was done. Feeding and subcutaneous injection of ES products were done in hamsters. Estimation of serum proteins, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and histology of liver were carried out. Control animal experiments were done concurrently. The ES products of A lumbricoides contained several proteins ranging in molecular weight from 14 to 205 Kd. Prolonged feeding of ES products caused elevation of ALT and amyloid deposition in the liver, whereas short term feeding or subcutaneous challenge caused focal cell necrosis and granuloma formation in the liver. ES products of A lumbricoides can produce liver damage.


Evaluation of radical treatment of carcinoma esophagus using a combination of external beam and intracavitary irradiation.

Twenty five patients with squamous cell carcinoma arising from the middle third of the esophagus were treated radically, with external radiation, to a dose of 55-60 Gy. All patients had lesions less than 6 cm in length with no extra-esophageal spread on computed tomography scan. Eleven of these patients received additional intracavitary radiation to a dose of 12 Gy, 1 cm from the source axis in two sessions of 6 Gy each, a week apart. There was no significant difference in the relief of dysphagia and survival among these receiving and those not receiving intracavitary radiation. Addition of intracavitary radiation to radical external radiation was associated with significant complications like stricture and fistulae formation, which accounted for the poor results.


A prospective study of radiation induced damage of pancreatic ducts.

To study radiation-induced pancreatic duct damage, endoscopic retrograde pancreatograms of 11 patients with primary gastric lymphoma who had completed chemotherapy and moderate dose external radiation therapy were compared with those of 22 normal subjects. No significant alteration was seen in the length and caliber of the main pancreatic duct and number of side branches. Clubbing of one or two side branches was observed in four patients who had received radiation (p = ns). We conclude that significant structural changes do not develop in the pancreas following moderate dose upper abdominal radiation.


Evaluation of peritoneovenous shunt in refractory cirrhotic ascites in Indian patients.

Ten patients with tense and refractory cirrhotic ascites underwent a modified peritoneovenous shunt procedure. Nine patients responded with complete resolution of ascites, mean weight gain of 5 (range 0-8) Kg, and rise in serum albumin level of 0.6 g/dL. Six patients improved from Child's class B to A. The longest survival period was 2.3 years. The main constraint in a developing country is the high cost of the shunt.


Symptomatic solitary giant congenital cysts of liver.

Three cases of non-parasitic liver cysts are reported. Each of them presented with upper abdominal pain and enlarged liver, and a cyst of enormous size was detected by ultrasound and isotopic scan. Residual cavity following cyst surgery was obliterated by different surgical techniques.


Transient achalasia of esophagus in tetanus.

A case with tetanus presenting with progressive dysphagia due to lower esophageal dysfunction is described. A barium swallow at the onset of symptoms showed esophageal dilatation with a smooth tapering at the lower end suggestive of achalasia cardia. The patient recovered from tetanus over the ensuing three weeks; repeat barium swallow at this time was normal, suggesting that esophageal dysfunction was a manifestation of tetanus.


Explosive Campylobacter jejuni diarrhea in immunoproliferative small intestinal disease.

Campylobacter jejuni is an infrequent cause of self limiting acute diarrheal disease in adults in the Indian subcontinent. We report the occurrence of a life threatening diarrhea due to C jejuni infection in a patient with immunoproliferative small intestinal disease. We postulate that immunosuppression due to malignancy, malnutrition and cancer chemotherapy was responsible for the unusually severe diarrhea.


Organoaxial volvulus of the stomach following corrective surgery for gastric outlet obstruction.

We report an unusual complication following vagotomy and pyloroplasty for chronic gastric outlet obstruction. Persistence of increased gastric aspirate led to the diagnosis of organoaxial volvulus of the stomach on barium studies. We postulate that laxity of the gastric suspensory ligaments after gastric decompression and postoperative adhesion were responsible for its development.


Susceptibility of south Indian strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to tuberactinomycin.

A total of 114 strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from sputum samples of 114 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis in south India, were coded and tested for their in vitro susceptibility to tuberactinomycin (Tum) incorporated in Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium. Of these strains, 95 (83.3%) and 15 (13.2%) were susceptible to Tum at 25 and 50 mg/l respectively. Only 4 (3.5%) strains were inhibited at 100 mg/l or more. Of the 37 drug sensitive strains, 2 (5.4%) were not susceptible to Tum at 25 mg/l compared to 17 (22.1%) of 77 strains-resistant to one or more of antituberculosis drugs (P less than 0.02). The drug susceptibility pattern of the strains revealed that there was no significant association of resistance between Tum and streptomycin or rifampicin or ethambutol or ethionamide or isoniazid. However, 15 (53.6%) of 28 kanamycin (K) resistant strains were not susceptible to Tum at 25 mg/l. This cross resistance between Tum and K was further studied in 24 and 15 K sensitive and resistant strains respectively, by correlating their proportion resistance at 16 mg/l and it was found to have a significant positive correlation (r = 0.55; P less than 0.01).


Filter paper blood spot test for detection of anti-ND-BSA antibodies in school children.

For identifying individuals at 'high risk' for developing leprosy, a simplified technique of collection of blood samples on filter paper for detection of anti -ND-BSA antibodies, was optimised. Anti-ND-BSA antibody reactivity on the filter paper was lost on storage at room temperature, but was stable at least for a period of 8 wk at lower temperature. Among the 1495 children screened, 166 (11.1%) were lepromin negative and 122 (8.2%) positive for anti-ND-BSA antibody. In the first phase, 7 of 871 children followed up for 2 yr developed leprosy, while in the second phase 2 of 624 children followed-up for 9 yr developed leprosy. The positivity and negativity of anti-ND-BSA antibodies and lepromin in these I children indicate that the positive status for anti-ND-BSA antibodies has a better predictive value than negative lepromin reactivity. Measurement of anti-ND-BSA antibodies was also of value for monitoring the efficacy of therapy and course of the disease. Extrapolation of the two tests to the total population of children evaluated showed that an individual with negative lepromin reactivity along with presence of anti-ND-BSA antibodies is at a higher risk for developing leprosy than those who have both the tests normal. Lepromin reactivity alone was not of much value for the prediction for development of the disease. However, the presence of anti-ND-BSA antibody was a better indicator for the development of the disease. The probability of developing leprosy in a child with any one of the tests abnormal was higher as compared to a child having all the tests normal.


Nonradioactive polynucleotide gene probe assay for the detection of three virulence toxin genes in diarrhoeal stools.

The present study describes a nonisotopic DNA-DNA hybridization assay for the detection of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in which the probes were labelled with the hapten molecule digoxigenin and after hybridization, DNA hybrids were detected by antidigoxigenin alkaline phosphatase conjugate. A blinded study carried out on a battery of enterotoxigenic and nonenterotoxigenic Esch. coli by dig-probe hybridization assay were compared with the results of a radiolabelled toxin gene probe hybridization assay (performed earlier). The three digoxigenin labelled probes gave a 100 per cent specificity and sensitivities of 95.45, 100 and 100 per cent for LT, STh and STp respectively. These results were comparable to those with the radioactive probes.


Serovar, biotype, phage type, toxigenicity & antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Vibrio cholerae isolated during two consecutive cholera seasons (1989-90) in Calcutta.

Characteristics of V. cholerae isolated from patients of acute secretory diarrhoea admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Calcutta during two consecutive cholera seasons (1989 and 1990), with special emphasis on biotyping and toxigenicity, were investigated. The isolation rates of V. cholerae during 1989 and 1990 were 78 and 85.1 per cent respectively, with Inaba serotype dominating in 1989 and Ogawa in 1990. All the V. cholerae 01 strains isolated in this study belonged to biotype Eltor with phage type 4 dominating (48.8%). Most of the strains of V. cholerae were resistant to 10 and 150 micrograms/ml of 0/129 vibriostatic agent. Similarly, majority of the V. cholerae strains were resistant to furazolidone (95.7%), cotrimoxazole (83%) and tetracycline (63.1%) and several resistance patterns were encountered. All the V. cholerae 01 strains examined produced cholera toxin (CT) in amounts ranging between greater than 70 pg/ml and greater than 2.5 ng/ml. In contrast, all but one of the non-01 strains isolated in this study did not produce CT. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of non-01 V. cholerae mediated diarrhoea.


Biological characterisation of group F streptococci causing human infections.

Fifty five strains of group F streptococci (GFS) isolated from clinical samples of 53 patients with diverse diseases, were characterised by a battery of physiological tests. Among them 37 (67%) were Streptococcus anginosus F, 14 (25%) were Strep. intermedius, two of which were mannitol positive and 4 (7%) were Strep. constellatus. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations of penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin, gentamicin and cefazolin showed that despite their biochemical heterogeneity, all strains were uniformly susceptible to these antibiotics. Except for bacteraemia, other diseases due to GFS responded well to surgical drainage and/or antibiotics.


Comparative efficacy of fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, ureidopenicillins & newer cephalosporins against Pseudomonas species.

A total of 74 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 18 strains of Ps. putrefaciens were tested for sensitivity to 14 different antimicrobial agents. Ps. aeruginosa were mostly sensitive to netilmicin (81%), piperacillin (78%), amikacin (73%), azlocillin (70%), ceftazidime (69%) and pefloxacin (65%). Only 66 per cent strains of Ps. putrefaciens were sensitive to netilmicin, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone. The MIC values of the different drugs for the sensitive strains were comparable with the results of susceptibility testing. The Ps. putrefaciens strains showed greater resistance than Ps. aeruginosa.


Role of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in infertility due to tubal factor.

The prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. trachomatis was determined in 185 infertile women who underwent laparoscopy, and 110 pregnant women with no known infertility problems. In addition, chlamydial antigens were evaluated by EIA in cervical samples taken from all subjects. Subjects with tubal infertility had the highest prevalence of chlamydial antigen and antibody (P less than 0.01). While the percentage of subjects with antigen and antibody positive was 11.6 per cent, those with antigen negative and antibody positive averaged 55.8 per cent among women with tubal related infertility. The results of our study provide additional support to the concept that infertility of tubal etiology often is a sequela of a previous chlamydial infection.


Mycoplasma hominis in women with bacterial vaginosis.

An association between M. hominis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) was looked for in total 205 women characterized as having BV. Vaginal specimens from these patients were studied for the presence of amines, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, clue cells, and lactobacilli, and were also cultured to isolate Gardnerella vaginalis, M. hominis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans and anaerobes. G. vaginalis was found to be the most common isolate from 132 cases (64.3%). M. hominis was isolated from 90 cases (43.9%). 62 per cent of M. hominis isolates were associated with G. vaginalis. 100 age matched control group revealed low prevalence of G. vaginalis and M. hominis whereas the difference in isolation rate of anaerobes was not significant. Anaerobes were found in association with M. hominis in 40 per cent cases. The treatment of these patients was decided after knowing the etiological agent.


Bacteriology of ophthalmic infections with special reference to anaerobes.

A total of 138 eye specimens were processed for aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Clinical data were obtained from 50 patients with unilateral ophthalmic infection. Cultures from the uninfected eye of 38 of these 50 patients were also processed for comparison. In addition, 50 cultures were obtained from one or both eyes of 30 healthy controls who had no eye infection. Anaerobes and aerobes were isolated from infected eyes of 6 (12%) and 37 (74%) patients respectively. No growth was observed in infected eye of 8 (16%) patients. A mixture of aerobes and anaerobes were recovered only in 2 cases. Of the total 47 aerobic isolates from infected eye specimens, Staphylococcus aureus (11), coagulase negative staphylococci (12) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (9) were predominant isolates. Six anaerobes isolates included Gram positive nonsporing anaerobic bacilli (4 including Propionibacterium acne) as predominant isolates. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from a case of post operative endoophthalmitis. From the uninfected eye of same patients though the number and types of aerobic bacteria were similar, none grew any anaerobes. Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were isolated in 70 and 6 per cent of eye swabs respectively from the healthy controls.


Dermatonecrotic lesions in rabbits caused by neuraminidase.

In an attempt to study the role of neuraminidase in cholera vibrio pathogenesis, the dermatonecrotic effect of a purified neuraminidase preparation was studied in rabbits. The experiments demonstrated that dermatonecrotic lesions resulted from intracutaneous injection of a purified neuraminidase preparation (0.5 specific human dose or 1 NU) as well as significant doses of cholera toxoid containing the enzyme (4,12,18 specific human doses).


A cost benefit analysis of fish culture strategy towards the control of mansonioides in Shertallai, Kerala state.

The cost benefit analysis of fish culture as a means for vector control towards the containment of Brugian filariasis in Shertallai, a highly endemic tract for this disease in Kerala was carried out. While the financial gain accrued to the community was to the tune of Rs. 1,82,052 in ponds (under monoculture) with Chinese grass carp from 763 ponds, it was Rs. 1,83,740 from 1000 ponds under polyculture with Catla catla, Cyprinus carpio, Labeo rohita, Labeo fimbriatus, Cirrhina mrigala and Ctenopharyngodon idella (Chinese grass carp). Monoculture with Giant gourami (Osphronemous goramy) fetched an income of Rs. 7,654 to the community from 128 ponds. A marked reduction in weed reinfestation/vector breeding was observed in ponds under fish culture than other without fishes. The study clearly indicates that fish culture is an ideal strategy for Mansonioides control as it can bring perceptible benefits to the community.


Septal polydipsia in rats is a primary polydipsia not mediated by dopamine.

Bilateral lesions of nucleus septal lateralis resulted in a sustained and significant increase in water intake, without any change in food intake. Intracerebral injection of dopamine (DA) or of spiperone (a central D2-receptor antagonist) did not elicit any change in water or food intake. The polydipsia resulting from septal lesions is thus a primary polydipsia, which is independent of food intake, and is not mediated by neurotransmitter dopamine.


Effect of short term 'Pranayam' practice on breathing rate and ventilatory functions of lung.

Thirty three normal male and forty two normal female subjects, of average age of 18.5 years, underwent six weeks course in 'Pranayam' and their ventilatory lung functions were studied before and after this practice. They had improved ventilatory functions in the form of lowered respiratory rate (RR), and increases in the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at the end of 1st second (FEV1%), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR-lit/sec), and prolongation of breath holding time.


Effect of short term administration of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.) on reproductive behaviour of adult male rats.

Effect of feeding Tulsi leaves along with the normal diet, on the reproductory behaviour of adult male Wistar rats, was studied. Experimental animals were given Tulsi extract in graded doses of 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg along with the normal diet while control group only had similar normal diet. Each dose was given for 15 days and reproductory behaviour monitored in terms of score, on every alternative day. There was significant decrease in sexual behavioural score, when Tulsi leaves extract dose was increased to 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg.


Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in presence of calcium gluconate in goats.

The concentration of oxytetracycline (OTC) in plasma, after single dose i.v. administration at 10 mg kg-1, was determined during pre and post induced-hypercalcemia in goats. The pharmacokinetic variables were then calculated. Hypercalcemia caused several changes in the determined variables. The CPmax and CPmin of OTC observed at 0.08 and 4 hr in normal goats were respectively 34.50 +/- 1.65 and 1.19 +/- 0.14 micrograms ml-1, while the CPmax and CPmin of OTC in presence of calcium at 0.08 and 8 hr were 20.81 +/- 2.18 and 1.04 +/- 0.05 micrograms ml-1 respectively. Hypercalcemic state in goats increased t1/2 (alpha) (0.19 +/- 0.02 hr), t1/2 (beta) (2.77 +/- 0.03 hr), AUC (37.67 +/- 0.83 micrograms x hr x ml vd (area) (1.07 +/- 0.03 L kg-1) and vd (ss) (0.95 +/- 0.04 L kg-1) values of OTC compared to normal goats. The semilogarithmic plot of plasma level-time profile of OTC administered i.v. showed biphasic decline suggestive of two compartment open model 'kinetics' in both normal and hypercalcemic animals.


Blood basopenia as an indicator of ovulation.

Direct basophil counts were done on capillary blood samples in thirteen normal young women, during the different phases of their menstrual cycles. Mean basophil counts during the follicular and progestational phases were 36.6/cumm and 39.3/cumm respectively. A significant midcycle fall in counts of 36% and a premenstrual fall of 22% were observed. These changes are probably due to migration of the cells from the peripheral blood into the rupturing follicle of the ovary and into the ischemic premenstrual endometrium.


Peak expiratory flow rate in adolescent male swimmers of all India rural swimming meet.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), an important test to assess overall lung function, was determined in 84 male adolescent subjects, out of which there were 46 and 38 nonswimmers (NS). Their ages varied between 9 to 15 years. It was observed that a significant spurt in PEFR value occurs in S at the age of 12 years. A similar spurt in growth (height & weight) in S, not so apparent in NS, was also observed at the same age period. The enhanced growth was recorded in S at all age groups in comparison with those of NS. It was further observed that with increase of height, the PEFR also increased in both the groups however significant by higher values (P less than 0.05) were obtained in S, as compared with NS having the same height.


Evaluation of anxiety status in medical students prior to examination stress.

Pulse rate (PR), blood pressure (BP), auditory reaction time (ART), galvanic skin resistance (GSR), and eosinophil count (EC) were determined in 30 male and 25 female medical students appearing for the I MBBS viva-voce examination. Two readings were taken viz 2 months (control) and 20 min prior to the examination. A statistically significant increase was seen in the PR and BP while a significant decrease was observed in ART, GSR and EC before the examination as compared to the control readings. There was a significant correlation between the PR and ART.


Immunotoxic responses of cypermethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide in rats.

The study was undertaken to evaluate immunotoxic effects of cypermethrin administered orally (in ground nut oil) to male albino rats at dose levels (mg/kg) of 0 (control), 5, 10, 20 and 40 once daily for 90 days. Cypermethrin administration produced a significant leucopenia at 40 mg/kg on day 90. A dose dependent decrease (P greater than 0.05) in delayed type hypersensitivity reaction was noticed on day 61 post treatment. Humoral response as evidenced by serum haemagglutinin and haemolysin titres did not show any definite pattern on day 90. However, a significant decrease in spleen weights and significant increase in adrenal weights was recorded in rats receiving the highest test level. Total body weights and liver weights did not show any significant change with any of the dose level studied. Results of the study reveal that low doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) did not have any adverse effect on the immuno-competence of rats.


Comparison of the protective effect of Withaferin-'A' and hydrocortisone against CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Protective effect of Withaferin-'A' against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity has been assessed and the compound at 10 mg/kg dose was found to possess significant protective effect. A comparison of this protective effect with that of hydrocortisone showed it to be as effective as hydrocortisone dose per dose.


Failure to reduce experimental myocardial infarct size with ibuprofen pre-treatment in rats.

The prophylactic role of ibuprofen in experimental myocardial infarction has not been reported. Twenty-four rats pre-treated with ibuprofen (30 mg/kg), po, for 21 days were subjected to myocardial infarction by administration of isoprenaline hydrochloride (85 mg/kg), sc, on two consecutive days. An equal number of rats were given saline to serve as control. Heart specimens were taken for macroscopic and microscopic examination after 1 day, 5 days, 12 days and 21 days, following myocardial infarction. Ibuprofen pre-treatment caused a significant increase in infarct size at all the intervals studied (P less than 0.01), indicating that ibuprofen exerted a harmful effect in increasing the size of experimental myocardial infarction.


Aggravating action of hydralazine on ethanol-induced gastric lesions.

Endogenous nitric oxide has been proposed as one of the mediators of gastric cytoprotection. We studied the effect of the vasodilator hydralazine which acts via nitric oxide and thus is expected to have a gastroprotective action. However, hydralazine aggravates ethanol-induced gastric lesions. This effect is not influenced by pretreatment with the selective alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist prazosin but is abolished by the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril suggesting the involvement of the renin-angiotensin system.


Evaluation of semen quality in a local Libyan population.

Semen analyses was carried out in a population of 1250 randomly selected Libyan males. Two semen samples collected from each volunteer were subjected to the routine analyses following the World Health Organization recommendations. The Libyan population had a higher percentage of men with sperm density in the range of 40-60 millions/ml. The percentage of men with sperm counts above 100 millions/ml is comparatively lower than that is reported by MacLeod and Gold (9). The seminal plasma transferrin levels showed a positive correlation with sperm density and alpha-glucosidase activity with sperm motility.


Effect of Santhi Kriya on certain psychophysiological parameters: a preliminary study.

Santhi Kriya is a mixture of combined yogic practices of breathing and relaxation. Preliminary attempts were made to determine the effect of Santhi Kriya on certain psychophysiological parameters. Eight healthy male volunteers of the age group 25.9 +/- 3 (SD) years were subjected to Santhi Kriya practice daily for 50 minutes for 30 days. The volunteer's body weight, blood pressure, oral temperature, pulse rate, respiration, ECG and EEG were recorded before and after the practice on the 1st day and subsequently on 10th, 20th and 30th day of their practice. They were also given a perceptual acuity test to know their cognitive level on the 1st day and also at the end of the study i.e., on the 30th day. Results indicate a gradual and significant decrease in the body weight from 1st to 30th day (P less than 0.001) and an increase in alpha activity of the brain (P less than 0.001) during the course of 30 days of Santhi Kriya practice. Increase of alpha activity both in occipital and pre-frontal areas of both the hemispheres of the brain denotes an increase of calmness. This study also revealed that Santhi Kriya practice increases oral temperature by 3 degrees F and decreases respiratory rate significantly (P less than 0.05) on all practice days. Other parameters were not found to be altered significantly. It is concluded that the Santhi Kriya practice for 30 days reduces body weight and increases calmness.


Effect of dothiepin on nociceptive response in diabetic rats.

In alloxan-diabetic rats of 4 wk duration with blood glucose levels of about 300 mg/100 ml, the tail flick reaction time (TFRT) to thermal stimuli was significantly elevated (P less than 0.25), indicating hypoalgesia. Intraperitoneal dothiepin, injections of 25 mg & 50 mg/kg body weight per day did not significantly alter the TFRT, either in control or in diabetic rats, following either acute (one dose), or short term (once a day for five days) administration. It is concluded that at least in the dosage schedule used herein, dothiepin does not influence hypoalgesia of diabetic neuropathy.


Biochemical and pathological changes in response to hyperoxia and protection by antioxidants in rats.

A significant decrease in blood haemoglobin, reduced glutathione and protein in lung and liver, without any change in blood reduced glutathione, was observed in rats exposed to 80% oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide induced erythrocyte haemolysis was significantly increased following exposure to hyperoxia. The lungs of rats exposed to hyperoxia showed perivascular edema. Simultaneous treatment with antioxidants, vitamin A, C, or E, protected the animals against oxygen toxicity.


Cranial sonography in preterm infants.

Fifty preterm newborn infants with gestational age of 28-36 weeks were subjected to real time cranial sonography to (a) evaluate the ventricular system and brain parenchyma, (b) determine the incidence of intracranial abnormalities, and (c) to establish the utility and advantages of routine cranial sonography in preterm infants. The lateral ventricular width varied from 6-12 mm (8.67 +/- 1.85 mm) while hemispheric width ranged between 3.68 to 3.95 cm with a mean of 3.84 +/- 0.25 cm. The lateral ventricular ratio ranged from 20.9 to 26.4% and it showed progressive decrease with increasing gestational age. Cavum septum pellucidum was found in 68% of the preterms. Incidental intracranial pathologies were detected in 12% of the preterms screened.


Role of ultrasound guided percutaneous antegrade pyelography (USPCAP) in the diagnosis of obstructive uropathy.

Ultrasound guided percutaneous antegrade pyelography (USPCAP) was performed in 6 cases between 1 month and 8 years age, presenting with obstructive uropathy. The procedure in this age group was characterized by (i) ease of performance without sedation in the neonates and with sedation in older children, and (ii) use of smaller needles and catheters. The procedure enabled delineation of the intimate anatomy of complicated urological abnormalities such as obstructed duplex system, primary megaureters, posterior urethral valves, prune belly syndrome, obstructive hydronephrosis and vesicoureteric reflux. Percutaneous renal puncture may be established rapidly using ultrasonic guidance in severely ill pediatric patients with obstructive uropathy. B-mode ultrasonography has proved to be rapid, accurate and free of radiation hazards, making it applicable to children with little or no sedation. Guided by ultrasound, percutaneous antegrade pyelography should be considered in the few, selected children with obstructive uropathy when the diagnosis is critical for management and difficult with the usual imaging procedures.


Normal ventricular size and ventriculo-hemispheric ratio in infants upto 6 months of age by cranial ultrasonography.

Fifty cases each of preterm (greater than 34 weeks), full term and one month to six months age (400 total) were subjected to cranial ultrasonography for determination of ventricular size and ventriculohemispheric ratio. Ventricular size steadily increased from 4.64 +/- 1.84 mm in preterm to 10.72 +/- 2.92 mm in six months old infant. Ventriculohemispheric ratio increased from 0.12 +/- 0.052 in preterm to 0.17 +/- 0.056 in three months of age. Then steady level was maintained at 0.17 +/- 0.064 upto six months of age.


Multidrug resistant typhoid fever: therapeutic considerations.

Forty six blood culture positive cases were studied during the current outbreak of multidrug resistant typhoid fever (MRTF). The present outbreak was caused by E1 phage type and organisms were resistant to all commonly used drugs for the treatment of typhoid fever, viz., chloramphenicol (78%), co-trimoxazole (76%) and ampicillin (68%). Treatment failures with chloramphenicol (45.5%) corroborated well with in vitro resistance. No treatment failure was seen with chloramphenicol and ceftriaxone, when these drugs were used in cases infected with sensitive strains. Among the alternative drugs used in cases with in vitro sensitivity, successful clinical response was seen with ceftriaxone (4/4) and cefotaxime (8/9) as compared to cephalexin (3/5) or a combination of cephalexin and furazolidone (9/12).


Assessment of newborn baby's temperature by human touch: a potentially useful primary care strategy.

Fifty healthy term neonates delivered at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital were assessed by three pediatricians for skin temperature to the nearest +/- 0.5 degrees C at the three body sites, i.e., mid-forehead, abdomen and dorsum of right foot by touch. The predicted temperatures at different sites were compared with simultaneously recorded temperatures at the same sites with the help of an electronic thermometer having a sensitivity of +/- 0.1 degree C. Rectal temperature was also recorded in all the babies with a rectal thermister to compare the variations between the core and skin temperatures. There was a good correlation between the skin temperatures of the babies as perceived by touch and values recorded with the help of an electronic thermometer. All the hypothermic babies were correctly picked up by all the observers. There was good correlation between core temperature and skin temperature at different sites except forehead. It is amazing that even during the month of May, when ambient temperature was maintained between 26-28 degrees C, nearly one fifth of the healthy term babies were under cold stress as evidenced by greater than 2 degrees C difference between the core and peripheral skin temperatures. It is recommended that health professionals and mothers should be explained the importance of evaluating the core and peripheral skin temperature by touch for early identification of babies under cold stress in order to prevent occurrence of life threatening hypothermia.


Exchange transfusions via peripheral vessels.

During a 15 month period, partial exchange transfusions (ET) were done in 40 neonates with polycythemia, and double volume ET attempted in 7 neonates with hyperbilirubinemia via peripheral vessels. The procedure was effective and not associated with any complications for partial ET. During double volume ET minor complications were noted in 2 cases, both of whom recovered and subsequently successfully underwent supraumbilical ET. Of the 5 cases who had uneventful double volume exchanges, there was a significant drop in indirect serum bilirubin following the procedure. The mean pre-ET serum indirect bilirubin in these 5 cases was 334 mumol/L and mean post-ET level was 179 mumol/L with a mean drop of 155 mumol/L (46% drop). Technical difficulties in catheterization may be overcome with greater expertise and use of heparin to flush arterial catheters.


Stool electrolytes in acute dehydrating gastroenteritis.

Stool electrolytes were studied in 100 cases of gastroenteritis. The duration of illness was 24-48 hours in 32% and 72-96 hours in 28% of the cases. On stool culture, 43% children had no growth, 23% had Enteropathogenic E. coli and 10% had cholera and rotavirus each. The stool sodium loss was more in cholera and shigella cases, diarrhea of shorter duration and in children between 24-30 months of age. Potassium loss in the stool was more in shiegella cases, diarrhea of short duration and in children between 30-36 months of age. In cases of gastroenteritis with severe malnutrition, stool sodium loss was less; stool potassium loss was not affected by the nutritional status. Total electrolytes lost in stools can be estimated by knowing purging rate and rehydration therapy can be planned accordingly.


Growth, behavior, development and intelligence in rural children between 1-3 years of life.

In a rural cohort of 625 children registered from 1981 to 1983 in 10 villages of K.V. Block, Varanasi, 196 children were assessed for physical growth, development, intelligence and concept development between 1 and 3 years of age. Home environment was also assessed using Caldwell Home inventory. These rural children remained below 3rd centile of NCHS standard for weight, height, skull and mid-arm circumferences throughout the study. Malnourished children scored poorly in all the areas of development, i.e., motor, adaptive, language and personal social, 9% in Grade I and 16.6% children in Grade II + III had IQ less than 79 (inferior). Concept for color shape and size was poorly developed in malnourished children. Maternal involvement and stimulation was strongly associated with better behavior development and intelligence. Multiple regression analysis showed that the effect of home environment on development and intelligence was of a higher magnitude as compared to status and family variables and nutritional status during 1-3 years of age.


Comparative evaluation of calf, thigh and arm circumferences in detecting low birth weight infants--Part II.

In an earlier study usefulness and validity of calf circumference in the identification of low birth weight (LBW) infants was reported. To evolve a simple indicator in identifying LBW in community, comparative evaluation of three simple measurements, i.e., circumferences of calf (CC), thigh (TC) and arm (AC) was done with respect to their sensitivity and specificity. Though all the three measurements showed a high degree of correlation with the birth weight, calf circumference tended to be most sensitive in identifying almost 95% of LBW infants. Having established the superiority of CC, a two color tape demarcating LBW zone from normal birth weight using 10 cm CC as cut off point was tested by two independent investigators and two ANMs. It was observed that only 5% of cases were misclassified either as LBW or normal weight by the tape with hardly any inter individual variation. Measurement of calf circumference being simple and easy even in the hands of paramedics, it would be used as indicator of LBW and neonatal mortality in the community.


The impact of methodological changes in gerontology.

The impact of methodological changes on gerontology is illustrated by discussing the example of the age-cohort-period problem as an innovation in research design, and examining the case of confirmatory factor analysis as an illustration of how methodological innovation informs theory.


Generations and the generation of theory in social gerontology.

The process of theorizing, creating theoretical explanations, and disseminating theoretical perspectives is most frequently discussed in terms of disembodied ideas. A more insightful rendering of how theory is used in the sociology of aging literature would attend to the real individuals who promulgate the ideas. Looking at theorizing as a career-related activity engaged in by scholars who are prone to the same demographic imperatives as other human beings is a way of shedding more light on the many uses of theory. The concept of theoretical generations is utilized as a means of accounting for the succession of models and explanatory frameworks.


The gerontological imagination: social influences on the development of gerontology, 1945-present.

This article presents a framework for the analysis of the development of gerontology since 1945. Three distinct historical periods and several forces that have shaped the field are examined. These forces reside in the political, economic, sociocultural, technological, and knowledge realms of society. An analysis of the continuities and discontinuities over time provides a contrast between the historical periods identified. Despite the ideology of a continuous linear disciplinary progression, we find that discontinuities have been increasingly significant in shaping the experience of aging. Yet the field of gerontology lags in reflecting many of these changes. This incongruity calls the field to reassess its paradigmatic foundations and the empirical and theoretical work conducted within them. The implications for the disciplines and practice of gerontology are explored through a review of C. Wright Mills' contribution to a revival of the "gerontological imagination."


Continuity and change revisited.

This concluding article summarizes key points about continuity and change in gerontology as described in the four previous articles. Synthesis and discussion is focused on five major areas in which gerontological continuity and change are evidenced: 1) transformation of basic themes over time; 2) gerontology's identity crisis; 3) the social ideology of gerontology; 4) evolution and refinement of gerontological ideas and methods; and 5) temporal frameworks. The author raises questions about unsolved issues and suggests the eventual need to examine the roles of individuals in shaping the field of study called gerontology.


The continuity of gerontological themes.

Based on the premise that scientists should periodically examine the history of their ideas and methodologies, this article focuses on the issue of continuity in the evolution of scientific knowledge about aging. Taking a twenty-five-year perspective, selected research questions and priorities in the biomedical, behavioral, and social domains of aging are used to exemplify the continuity of the gerontological knowledge base. This article concludes that there is considerable evidence of continuity, despite the strong influences of changing cohorts of people and external forces that have shaped new ideas and research questions in gerontology.


Rabies antibody titers in vaccinees: protection, failure and prospects.

Treatment of symptomatic rabies is a challenging task as no effective drug is yet available. Hence, prophylactic immunization is an important step. The development of adequate level of antibody (greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml serum) is necessary for protection against the disease. In contrast to the nerve tissue vaccines, tissue culture vaccines particularly human diploid-cell strain type is highly potent and least reactogenic. To minimize the costs of immunization by this expensive vaccine, small dose intradermal administration has been advocated for developing countries with endemic rabies. Concurrent use of serum and antimalarials may interfere with adequate immune response. Efforts are in progress for the development of more potent subunit and recombinant antirabies vaccine for future human use. This review makes an attempt to study the antibody levels in the vaccinees regarding its role in the protection and failure against clinical and experimental rabies.


Plasma lipid peroxides in coronary heart disease.

The relation between plasma lipid peroxide and coronary heart disease was investigated at Harapan Hospital in Kita Jakarta. Ninety-eight patients (83 males and 15 females), below 75 years old were included in the study. The samples consisted of 47 cases with angina and 22 cases with myocardial infarction which were proven to suffer from coronary atherosclerosis by the presence of clinical symptoms, ECG abnormalities, angiography and myocardial enzyme measurement. Controls were patients who did not show any abnormalities in the parameters used. Controls and patients were classified into several groups based on the presence or absence of risk factors (smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, family history). The results of the study showed that plasma lipid peroxide in patients with angina and myocardial infarction which were 3.26 +/- 1.07 mumol and 3.20 +/- 0.82 mumol/l, respectively, were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than controls 2.50 +/- 0.45 mumol/l. There was no differences in total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride contents between control and patients with coronary heart disease; whereas HDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in the patients with angina, 38.7 +/- 10.5 mg/dl vs 31.5 +/- 6.76 mg/dl in patients with myocardial infarction. Univariate analysis of various risk factors revealed a strong correlation between plasma lipid peroxide and the chance in developing coronary heart disease. The present study showed that plasma lipid peroxide was increased in coronary heart disease and that it might be used as a determinant in the assessment of the severity of the disease. An investigation on the effects of antioxidants in these patients is planned.


Dermal, serological and CSF changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with and without intrathecal interferon beta treatment.

In 12 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) participating in a therapeutic trial with intrathecally applied human fibroblast interferon-beta (IFN-beta) and in 9 untreated ALS patients, we found significantly elevated circulating serum IgG immune complexes (CIC), quantitative immunoglobulin changes, and creatine kinase (CK) elevation; CK reached significantly more often pathological levels in non-bulbar disease. Dermal ultrastructural changes were equally present in all treated as well as untreated ALS patients. Some time ago IL-6 was quantitatively cleaned out of the Fiblaferon-preparation. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) rose during intrathecal IFN therapy in 9/10 ALS patients. In 4/4 adequately monitored motoneuron patients, this elevation coincided with a decrease of serum CK, while ESR and CK did not correlate in 60 non-ALS non-IFN neurological controls. Collagen ultrastructure, CSF total protein or barrier function, immune complexes, immunoglobulin quantitation and serum CK may contribute to differentiated diagnosis and should be included in future study protocols.


Efficacy of ibuprofen in pediatric patients with fever.

We studied the efficacy of ibuprofen in 56 infants and children (age 0.5-12 years) with rectal temperature greater than or equal to 38.3 degrees C, using a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design. Ibuprofen liquid was given as a single dose, 5 mg/kg to 18 patients (group I) and 10 mg/kg to 18 patients (group II); placebo was administered to 20 patients (group III). Temperature and vital signs were measured every 0.5-1.0 hours for 8 hours. Multiple blood samples were also collected over this period; ibuprofen plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC. The mean temperature was 38.3 degrees C in group I, 38.1 degrees C in group II, and 38.9 degrees C in group III during 8 hours after drug or placebo administration. The temperature was significantly lower in group I vs III (ibuprofen 5 mg/kg vs placebo) (p less than 0.0005), and group II vs III (ibuprofen 10 mg/kg vs placebo) (p less than 0.0001). The temperature was also markedly different for patients in group I vs II (ibuprofen 5 mg/kg vs ibuprofen 10 mg/kg) between 4 and 8 hours after the dose (p less than 0.01). The duration of action was longer for ibuprofen 10 mg/kg than 5 mg/kg. The mean maximum decrease from baseline temperature was 1.3 degrees C, 1.8 degrees C and 0.8 degrees C for group I, II and III, respectively. The maximum reduction in temperature occurred at 3-4 hours in the ibuprofen groups, and at 7 hours in the placebo group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


Hemorrheological and circulatory effects of Gincosan.

Gincosan is a combined preparation containing 60 mg ginkgo biloba and 100 mg ginseng, standardized of 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 4% ginsenosides. Hemorrheological and circulatory effect as well as blood pressure behavior after the administration of gincosan were studied in an acute trial on 10 voluntary subjects with a mean age of 26 years. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly both for the large-dose (120 mg ginkgo biloba +200 mg ginseng) and low-dose administration (60 mg ginkgo biloba +100 mg ginseng). Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased only in the high dosage group. The pathologically increased spontaneous platelet aggregation is reduced by both dosages. Erythrocyte velocity in nail fold capillaries increased significantly only in the high dosage group. The parallel group comparison of the high dosage and placebo group showed that they differ only significantly concerning the erythrocyte rigidity, erythrocyte velocity in nail fold capillaries and spontaneous platelet aggregation. A trend towards a decrease in the systolic blood pressure is revealed (p less than 0.1).


Renal effects of imidazole-2-hydroxybenzoate in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.

A double-blind crossover study versus placebo of the renal effects of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate was conducted in 10 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. The administration of the drug (750 mg, t.i.d., for three days) did not affect renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, free water clearance nor the urinary excretion of sodium or potassium. Values of plasma renin activity also did not change after drug administration. Direct tubular damage from imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate was also excluded by normal excretion of beta-2-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. Urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha output were comparable during imidazole 2-hydroxybenzoate and placebo administration. These data indicate that this nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug does not affect the renal function in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.


Oligohydramnios induced by maternal indomethacin therapy.

Indomethacin is a potent tocolytic agent used in premature labor. The most observed adverse effect was the constriction of ductus arteriosus, causing persistent fetal circulation postnatally. Until recently, decrease in amniotic fluid during treatment with indomethacin has been shown partly by subjective methods. In comparison with posttreatment results, using "amniotic fluid index", transient decrease in amniotic fluid was determined semi-quantitatively.


Presentation of results from bioequivalence studies.

Based on general guidelines and requirements for the design and analysis of bioequivalence studies, specific recommendations are made for the presentation of results, both in tabular and graphical form. This is done by means of two examples, one of a single-dose study and one of a multiple-dose study. The recommendations in this paper are twofold. Firstly, a complete and rather detailed presentation of results is given, which practically corresponds to the standard of research reports. Secondly, a subset of this is suggested for publication. It gives the essential results for bioequivalence assessment in a standardized form. From an editorial point of view, it would be highly appreciated if the papers submitted for publication were always accompanied by a complete presentation including the individual concentration/time data and the various steps of calculation. This would speed up peer review and ultimately improve and harmonize the standard of bioequivalence publications.


The effect of nerve blockade on forearm and finger skin blood flow during body heating and cooling.

To determine the role of the active cutaneous vasodilatator response in forearm and finger skin, direct assessment of only skin blood flow was performed before and after musculocutaneous and median nerve blockade during whole body heating and cooling. Forearm laser Doppler flow (LDF forearm), forearm heat thermal clearance (HTC forearm), and finger laser Doppler flow (LDF finger) were monitored in the nerve blocked skin and contralateral untreated skin (control). In the pre-blockade period, no significant differences were found between experimental and control arm skin. After nerve block a significant increase occurred only in LDF finger, which rose from 4.3 +/- 0.6 to 6.0 +/- 0.5 volts (p less than 0.05). During whole body heating LDF forearm and HTC forearm increased significantly on both arms. The increase in LDF forearm was greater (p less than 0.05) in control (18.3 +/- 1.2 volts) than in nerve blocked skin (14.6 +/- 1.8 volts) and occurred earlier. The same tendency was observed in HTC forearm between nerve blocked skin (0.522 +/- 0.06 W.m-1.degrees C-1) and control 0.671 +/- 0.037 W.m-1.degrees C-1) (NS). LDF raise up to 6.6 +/- 0.5 and 6.8 +/- 0.5 volts in the blocked finger and in the control respectively. During cooling LDF finger in the control decreased to 1.3 +/- 0.1 volt and was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than in the resting period, and lower than that in the nerve blocked finger (3.4 +/- 0.8 volts) (p less than 0.05). We conclude that the active vasodilatator system plays an important role as far as the timing and the amplitude of the cutaneous vasodilatator response to whole body heating in the forearm but not in the finger. At thermal neutrality, the vascular vasoconstrictor tone is high to the finger but not to the forearm. The vasoconstrictor response to cooling occurred only in the finger.


Microangiopathy in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV.

In two patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV, an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by fragility of large vessels, excessive bruising, and deficiency in type III collagen, capillary microscopy was performed at the nailfold. Indocyanine green and Na-fluorescein were used as fluorescent tracers. Both patients exhibited microangiopathy of the skin capillaries with microbleedings, presence of microaneurysms and increased transcapillary diffusion. Microvascular involvement appears to be an additional manifestation of the syndrome.


Spontaneous oscillations of laser Doppler skin blood flux in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

In the present study, local temporal fluctuations of skin perfusion were non-invasively measured at the forefoot and calf in 374 limbs of 226 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) by means of Laser-Doppler-Flowmetry (LDF). Within the scope of a purely descriptive evaluation, each recording was classified according to four previously defined LDF oscillation types named 'aperiodical', 'sinoidal', 'missing waves', and 'small waves'. The prevalences of these curve patterns distinctly varied with both the macrohemodynamic compensation and clinical severity of PAOD. While type 'aperiodical' predominated in case of a normal or only slightly affected circulation, type 'sinoidal' accumulated in legs with marginal collateralization. In contrast, 'missing waves' and 'small waves' mainly occurred in feet affected by severe PAOD. Which pathophysiological mechanisms are responsible for the different LDF oscillation types still remains to be clarified. Retrospectively, in case of a confirmed PAOD, the diagnosis of critical limb ischemia could not be established and wound healing could not be predicted by means of LDF pattern analysis.


Alteration of microvascular responses to serotonin in the diabetic rat.

This study examined the microvascular response to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in short-term streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 5-HT was applied topically to the neurovascularly intact and environmentally controlled cremaster muscle of the two-week diabetic rat. Intravital microscopy was used to measure the diameters of large arterioles (First-order; A1) and small arterioles (Third-order; A3), and the FITC-albumin leakage in small venules (Third-order; V3). The diabetic animals were divided into two groups based on the dilator capacity of the A3 arterioles: the Diabetic-Tone group had a dilator capacity of 98 +/- 14.5% compared to 11 +/- 4.1% for the Diabetic No-Tone animals. 5-HT caused significantly greater constriction of A1 arterioles in Diabetic-Tone animals (-40 +/- 6%) than in either the Control (-19 +/- 6%) or Diabetic No-Tone (-18 +/- 5%) animals. 5-HT dilated the A3 arterioles to a similar degree in both the Diabetic-Tone and Control groups, but the Diabetic No-Tone group did not dilate to 5-HT because the A3 arterioles in these animals possessed no basal tone. Control animals showed a large 5-HT concentration-dependent increase in leakage of albumin in V3 venules, but this response was inhibited in the Diabetic-Tone animals. The 5-HT-induced leakiness in the Diabetic No-Tone group was intermediate between the other two groups. These results show that large arteriole constriction and small venule permeability responses to 5-HT are altered early in the development of diabetes, and are different in those animals with and without basal arteriolar tone. These data suggest that streptozotocin-induced diabetes alters microvascular function in striated muscle by at least two different cellular mechanisms.


Attenuation of hypoxic response in cerebral microcirculation following deprenyl.

Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebrocortical microflow (CMF) and local pO2 were measured in the rat brain cortex during normoxia and hypoxic hypoxia before and after administration of the monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor deprenyl (0.1 mg/100 g b.wt. i.v.). CBF was measured using intraarterial 133-Xenon injection technique. Both, CMF and pO2 were measured using polarographic multiwire surface electrodes. In the control group without deprenyl CBF increased during hypoxaemia (PaO2 = 44.7 +/- 9.3 mm Hg) by 215% while CVR decreased to 27% of the normoxic control value. Hypoxaemia (PaO2 = 34.4 +/- 3.9 mm Hg) also led to a mean increase of CMF by 38% of the normoxic control (p less than 0.02) while the local cerebrocortical pO2 fell from 20.1 +/- 5.1 mm Hg to 5.2 +/- 1.9 mm Hg (p less than 0.02). The administration of deprenyl during normoxia did not cause any significant changes of CBF and CMF although both increased by 29% and 28%, respectively. The increase of CBF during hypoxaemia (PaO2 = 34.9 +/- 6.3 mm Hg) following deprenyl administration, although diminished, was still present (101%, p less than 0.01). CMF decreased under these conditions by 30% on average (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that MAO-B may be involved in the local regulation of cerebrocortical capillary blood flow during hypoxia.


Age and site variability of skin blood perfusion in the hairless mouse ear determined by laser Doppler flowmetry.

Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) was used to characterize skin blood perfusion variations present within the Homozygous Hairless mouse ear microvasculature as a function of 1) arteriolar level within the microvasculature, 2) animal age and 3) LDF probe distance above the tissue being studied. To this end blood perfusion measurements (arbitrary perfusion units) were made in the ear at vascular sites in the vicinity of primary vessels (site A), secondary vessels (site B), tertiary vessels (site C), and peripheral zones distant from larger vessels. These were done without any invasive procedures save anesthesia administration and were carried out at three different tissue-probe distances (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mm) on three groups of eight mice each with ages of three, five and eight weeks. Results show a significant gradient in perfusion from sites A to D in each age group and a significant increase in perfusion with increasing age. The effect of probe-tissue distance variations on perfusion values was found to be significant between 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm but overall differences were small. In addition to these specific findings the present results demonstrate the potential of LDF as a means of detecting, evaluating and correlating perfusion changes, either by itself or as a complementary method to detailed microvascular measurements using conventional in vivo microscopy.


Renal microvascular perfusion evaluated by single fibre laser Doppler flowmetry.

The single fibre laser Doppler flowmetry technique has been designed to perform continuous quantification of microvascular perfusion deep in tissue. In this study we have evaluated the use of the technique in renal tissue. A total number of 164 recordings were analyzed. Fluctuations in perfusion related to heart rate and respiration were observed. The possible nature of the low-frequency flow motion waves (10-12 min-1) is discussed. No significant difference in perfusion level could be detected between the upper, the middle and the lower parts of the kidneys (p greater than 0.69), or between the cortex and the medulla (p = 0.77). The spatial variation, expressed as the difference between two consecutive measurements, was large. The median and mean values of groups of data are however reproducible. When the renal artery is reopened after 30 sec of occlusion, the pre-occlusive flux levels are regained after approximately 1.5 sec. The single fibre laser Doppler flowmetry technique can be used for renal microcirculatory studies, but comparative studies with other methods have to be performed.


Supportive housing: a consumer evaluation study.

The current debate about how to provide housing for persons with persistent psychiatric disabilities should be informed by empirical information from a variety of sources. Data from a study of 17 residents discharged from Regeneration House Inc., illustrates the value of consumer perceptions in the evaluation of supportive housing. Extensive exploration of the positive and negative aspects of living in a group home from the perspective of experienced residents provides useful input for programme planning. The implications of the findings for the individual programme and the wider field are discussed.


Attitudes towards mental patients.

A study of attitudes towards mental patients was made using a questionnaire developed by Lehtinen and Väisänen. Five hundred and fourteen persons from different parts of Finland filled in the questionnaire. The attitudes were generally positive, although, as in other studies, the attitudes of those older and less educated were more negative compared with the other groups. This result was interpreted as a generational effect, which will vanish as the educational level of the population increases. The questionnaire also included questions about the attitudes and behaviour of 'other people'. The attitudes of 'other people' were thought to be very negative compared with one's own attitudes.


'Not waving but drowning': psychiatric inpatient services in East Lambeth 1990.

This paper presents the results of the latest in a series of surveys of an inner-city public psychiatric inpatient service. Severe pressures on the service had led to the purchase of inpatient beds in the private hospital sector and intensive care facilities in a large psychiatric hospital. On a census day the nominal occupancy for the inpatient unit was 117%. Implications of the survey, trends over time and possible solutions to the difficulties of the inpatient unit are discussed.


Pretreatment expectations of New Zealand clients receiving cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy: comparison with a North American sample.

A study of New Zealand clients' expectations of psychotherapy was conducted using the Psychotherapy Questionnaire (PQ). The PQ was administered to 141 New Zealand clients attending their first appointment with a clinical psychologist. The New Zealand clients' expectations were compared to previous research using a sample of USA clients who also completed the PQ prior to their first visit with a therapist. Those differences between the NZ and USA samples were consistent with previous research comparing the expectations of non-American samples. In general the NZ sample expected to be more passive in therapy than the USA sample and did not expect to have to discuss difficult or uncomfortable topics. Despite these differences there were suggestions that NZ and USA clients may have more similarities than differences with regard to their expectations about psychotherapy.


Lay explanations of symptoms of mental ill health in Kuwait.

The cognitive schemas of 208 subjects were elicited in relation to 12 hypothetical symptoms which are most commonly presented by patients suffering from psychiatric disorder. Three types of explaining schemas were recognised as physical, psychosocial and supernatural explanations. Somatic symptoms tended to have physical explanations and emotional symptoms tended to have psychosocial explanations although both are known in clinical practice to indicate psychiatric disorder and to disappear together when the disorder recovers. Supernatural explanations were most likely in elderly males and in extended families. Symptoms associated with supernatural cognitive schemas fit in with the cultural background and not with the level of modern education achieved.