Deposition kinetics, metabolism and urinary excretion of sulfathiazole following oral administration in sheep

Deposition kinetics, metabolism and urinary excretion of sulfathiazole were investigated in German black head sheep following single oral administration (100 mg/kg). Kinetic evaluation of plasma levels was performed using a two-compartment best fit model. Sulfathiazole is significantly metabolized to N4-acetyl metabolite in the rumen fluid. The drug is very poorly absorbed since the minimum effective concentration in plasma was not attained at any time following oral administration. The prolonged elimination half-life in sheep may be due to a low rate of drug absorption from the rumen and gastro-intestinal tract. Sulfathiazole was mainly excreted in the urine as free drug and N4-acetyl metabolite.

Epididymal histoplasmosis diagnosed by isolation of Histoplasma capsulatum from semen

An autochthonous case of epididymal histoplasmosis masquerading as tuberculosis in a 55-year-old male patient is reported from India. It was diagnosed by culture of Histoplasma capsulatum from semen and by demonstration of the fungus upon re-examination of epididymal biopsy sections previously misinterpreted as tuberculous granuloma. The patient's main complaints were painful epididymal swelling, occasional fever and cough. He was treated successfully by excision of epididymis and vas deferens combined with amphotericin B therapy. This is believed to be the first case of epididymal histoplasmosis to be reported outside the American continent and the fourth of its type reported in the English literature. The case is also noteworthy in that H. capsulatum was isolated for the first time from semen, and it underlines the importance of mycological culture of semen specimens for diagnosis of genitourinary infections of obscure etiology.

Pattern and surgery for oesophageal carcinoma in Saudi Arabia

Forty-three patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus are presented, 30 of whom were male and 13 female, with ages ranging from 42 to 88 years. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.6 months. Of patients, 65.2% were in stage III and 30.2% in stage IIA. Stages I and IV were encountered in one patient each. Twenty-five were Saudis and 14 non-Saudis. Of the Saudi patients, 64.3% were from the Qaseem region. 48.8% had subtotal oesophagectomy with neck anastomosis and 51.2% had limited oesophagectomy with intrathoracic anastomosis. The mortality rate was 11.6% The 5-year survival rate was 33.3%. We found sex, histology, stage of disease and extent of oesophageal resection influence long-term survival.

Study of serum prealbumin and serum alpha fetoprotein in cases of fulminant hepatic failure

We studied serum prealbumin (SPA) and serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) to assess liver cell injury and prognosis in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). We studied 21 patients of FHF of viral etiology, 10 acute viral hepatitis (AVH) and 10 healthy controls. Initial (on the day of admission) AFP levels were significantly elevated in FHF group (30.28 +/- 63.58 ng/ml, p < 0.01 compared to AVH and control group in whom it was undetectable. Serum AFP correlated well with deranged Liver Functions (LFT). In the Survivors (n = 4) of FHF, serial estimations (on Day 5 and Day 10 of admission) revealed declining AFP Levels, correlating with clinical recovery. SPA on admission was significantly reduced in FHF group (15.10 +/- 9 mg/dl p < 0.05) compared to AVH (37.0 +/- 9.34 mg/dl) and control group (40.25 +/- 5.92 mg/dl). Low SPA also correlated with deranged LFT. Serial estimations in the survivors (Day 5, Day 10) revealed rising SPA which correlated with clinical recovery.

In vitro metabolism of sulfathiazole in rumen fluid and its metabolism and disposition kinetics following intraruminal administration in sheep

The antimicrobial agents may undergo a change in the complex stomach particularly in the rumen as a result of microbial fermentation in ruminants. Present investigation deals with the influence of ruminal fluid probably the role of ruminal microorganisms on the degradation of sulfathiazole in vitro and its metabolism and disposition following its single intraruminal administration (100 mg/kg) in adult german black head sheep. Sulfathiazole is metabolized to N4-acetyl sulfathiazole in the rumen fluid after its in vitro incubation at different concentrations (10-60 micrograms/ml) for varying time intervals (1-6 h) at a temperature of 38 +/- 0.5 degrees C. Likewise in vivo it is significantly metabolized to its N-acetyl metabolite in the rumen after an intraruminal administration. The levels of sulfathiazole are maintained above minimum effective therapeutic concentration (40 micrograms/ml) for more than 24 h in rumen fluid. The drug is poorly absorbed into the circulation after intraruminal administration since the levels in plasma could not reach up to minimum effective therapeutic concentration at any time. The biological half-life of sulfathiazole was found to be 16.7 h following single intraruminal administration. Results of this investigation suggest that oral or intraruminal application of sulfathiazole has only local effects in the rumen fluid. A systemic treatment is not possible after this path of application.

Occurrence of three-stranded DNA within a RecA protein filament

A RecA protein-generated triple-stranded DNA species can be observed by electron microscopy, within narrowly defined conditions. Three-stranded DNA is detected only when initiation of normal DNA strand exchange is precluded by heterologous sequences within the duplex DNA substrate, when ATP is hydrolyzed, and when the DNA is cross-linked with a psoralen derivative prior to removal of RecA filaments. When adenosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) is used, only the product hybrid duplex DNA can be cross-linked within the RecA filament. The third strand is either displaced or interwound in a conformation that does not permit cross-linking. When ATP is hydrolyzed by RecA, all three strands are cross-linked within the filament in a complex pattern that suggests a dynamic structure. This structure is altered when RecA protein is removed before cross-linking. Hsieh et al. (1990) and Rao et al. (1991, 1993) have proposed, on the basis of nuclease protection and chemical modification studies, that a stable triple-stranded DNA species can persist after removal of RecA protein. We have been unable to visualize these triple-stranded structures by the methods used in the present investigation. When RecA removal was followed immediately by interstrand cross-linking, only the two strands of the hybrid duplex DNA were cross-linked.

Elevated lipid peroxidation and vitamin E-quinone levels in heart ventricles of streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats

Diabetic patients develop cardiomyopathy characterized mainly by left ventricular contractile dysfunction and congestive heart failure. This study has investigated the effects of diabetes and insulin treatment on lipid peroxidation, vitamin E, and vitamin E-quinone levels in the heart ventricles of rat made diabetic by streptozotocin treatment. Controls were injected with buffer alone; a subgroup of diabetic rats were injected daily with insulin for 2 months. Membrane lipid peroxidation was measured by determining the thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactivity. Vitamin E and vitamin E-quinone were measured by using the high pressure liquid chromatography. There was a significant (p < 0.02) increase in the vitamin E-quinone in the heart ventricles of diabetic rats (0.33 +/- 0.05 microgram/mg phospholipid) compared with control rats (0.19 +/- 0.02). This increase was prevented in insulin-treated diabetic rats (0.20 +/- 0.03). Vitamin E levels were higher (14.15 +/- 1.17 micrograms/mg phospholipid) in diabetic rats compared to control rats (9.93 +/- 1.29 (p < 0.03). However, insulin treatment to diabetic rats did not cause any change in vitamin E levels (11.75 +/- 1.02) compared with diabetic rats. TBA reactivity was higher in the heart ventricles of diabetic rats (1.09 +/- 0.11 nmole/mg phospholipid) compared with controls (0.78 +/- 0.08, p < 0.04). Insulin treatment to diabetic rats prevented the increase in the lipid peroxidation (0.79 +/- 0.07); there were no statistically significant differences in TBA-reactivity levels in heart ventricles of insulin-treated diabetic and control rats. This study documents accumulation of vitamin E-quinone and lipid peroxidation products in heart ventricles in diabetic rats, which may have a role in the altered contractile property of the heart ventricles in diabetes.

Chronic suppurative otitis media caused by Paecilomyces variotii

A case of chronic suppurative otitis media is described in a patient with a chronic cold and cough. The presenting symptoms were otorrhoea, perforation of the tympanic membrane and granulation in the air cells of the left mastoid cavity. X-ray showed sclerotic mastoid and partial cellular obliteration. Histologic sections revealed aggregated fungal masses, filamentous hyphae and single-celled structures of Paecilomyces variotii. The infection responded to topical ketoconazole therapy. This is the first reported case of chronic suppurative otitis media caused by P. variotii.

Maximal thymectomy for myasthenia gravis

Maximal thymectomy was carried out in 48 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). There were 18 males and 30 females. Thymic hyperplasia was found in 38, and atrophic thymus in 8, patients. Two patients had thymoma. In the non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis complete remission was achieved in 16 patients (34.8%) and pharmacological remission in 20 patients (43.5%) thus giving a total remission in 36 (78.3%) patients. Six patients (13%) improved. There was no improvement in four patients. Thus, the overall benefit from thymectomy was 91.4% in this series. We found that sex, age at onset of disease and steroid therapy influenced the outcome of thymectomy. On the other hand, duration of disease, anti-acetylcholine receptor (AntiAchR) antibodies and thymic histology did not have any bearing on the complete remission rate.

Lipofuscin products, lipid peroxides and aluminum accumulation in red blood cells of hemodialyzed patients

This study examines whether there is a relationship between aluminum overload and the accumulation of lipofuscin products (aging pigments) and lipid peroxides in red blood cells (RBC) of hemodialyzed patients. Lipid peroxides levels were assessed by the thiobarbituric acid reactivity; lipofuscin products were assessed by determining fluorescence in the lipid extracts at excitation 360 nm and emission 440 nm. Aluminum was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Controls were age-matched normal volunteers. Data show that there was a significant increase in the lipid peroxides and lipofuscin products in hemodialyzed patients compared with controls even after normalization with hemoglobin or phospholipids in RBC. Further, the increase in the lipid peroxides and lipofuscin products significantly correlated with the levels of aluminum accumulation in RBC of hemodialyzed patients. This study suggests that aluminum overload has a role in increased membrane peroxidation, which in turn can cause reduced RBC life span and contribute to anemia in chronic renal failure patients.

Maternal and neonatal plasma transthyretin (prealbumin) concentrations and birth weight of newborn infants

Animal studies have shown that maternal protein deficiency during pregnancy affects fetal birth weight. This study has examined whether or not the fetal birth weight of full-term newborns has any relationship with the acute protein nutrition status of the mother. Protein nutrition status was assessed by measuring the plasma transthyretin (prealbumin) concentrations. Plasma transthyretin concentrations (mean +/- SE) from the cord blood of 20 newborns (10.9 +/- 0.5 mg/dl) were significantly lower (p < 0.000000001) compared with respective maternal concentrations (17.8 +/- 0.8). There was a significant correlation of transthyretin concentrations between mother and newborns (r = 0.61, p < 0.005), and of newborn birth weight with plasma transthyretin concentrations of newborns (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) and mothers (r = 0.51, p < 0.03). This study documents a relationship of fetal birth weight with maternal and newborn plasma transthyretin concentrations.

A study of 200 cases of congenital limb deficiencies

An analysis of 200 patients with congenital limb deficiency who attended the Artificial Limb Centre, Pune from January 1984 to April 1990 is presented. This group is representative of the congenital limb deficient population of the country. The commonest deficiencies were transverse phalangeal total/partial deficiency and transverse forearm partial deficiency (below elbow) in upper limbs, whereas transverse metatarsal total/partial deficiency and transverse leg partial deficiency (below knee) were commonest in lower limbs. Transverse forearm partial deficiency was more common in female, while transverse leg partial deficiency was more common in male children, 16 patients did not require any treatment, 6 needed only surgical correction. Some 30 patients needed surgery before prosthetic fitting, while 148 patients required only prostheses. Some 68% of patients achieved satisfactory to excellent results; 18% showed poor rehabilitation. No definitive cause for the deformities could be isolated; however, many parents believed that possible exposure to the eclipse during pregnancy was the cause of the deficiency. The eldest child was most affected.

Radiological and neurophysiological changes in Japanese encephalitis

Six patients with Japanese encephalitis, four males and two females whose age ranged between 2 and 47 years, were subjected to neurophysiological and radiological studies. An EEG in five of the patients showed diffuse delta wave activity and one had an alpha coma. Delta activity seems to be due to thalamic involvement, which was seen on CT of two and MRI of all the patients. The thalamic lesions were characteristically bilateral and were haemorragic in five. Changes on MRI included abnormalities of the brainstem in three and the basal ganglia and spinal cord in one patient each. Lower motor neuron signs were present in three patients but abnormal MRI signals in the spinal cord were present in only one out of three patients in whom spinal MRI was carried out. Central motor conduction time in the upper limb was prolonged in three patients (five sides) and in the lower limbs in one (both sides), which was consistent with involvement of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord. Changes in MRI and EEG in the acute stage may provide early diagnostic clues in patients with Japanese encephalitis.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: an unusual cause of acute renal failure

Carbon monoxide poisoning in a family of 3 persons resulted in renal failure with neurological damage in a 40-year-old husband and a fatal neurological injury in 35-year-old wife whereas the newborn child survived without any ill effects. Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria secondary to anoxia was the probable cause of acute renal failure. The recognition of nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis-related acute renal failure is important in preventing fatality if neurological salvage is done at the right time.

Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of gonococcal isolates

A total of 151 isolates of gonococcal urethritis were processed for antibiotic susceptibility pattern by single disc diffusion technique. 17.88% isolates were found to be penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Only 82.12% and 94.04% of the isolates were sensitive to penicillin and gentamicin respectively, whereas all the isolates were sensitive to fluoroquinolones namely norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin.

On the role of ATP hydrolysis in RecA protein-mediated DNA strand exchange. III. Unidirectional branch migration and extensive hybrid DNA formation

We have identified two functions for RecA-mediated ATP hydrolysis during DNA strand exchange. First, ATP hydrolysis renders RecA protein-mediated DNA strand exchange unidirectional (5' to 3' with respect to the single-stranded DNA). In the presence of a nonhydrolyzable analog adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S), DNA strand exchange is bidirectional. Second, ATP hydrolysis is required for extensive formation of hybrid DNA. In the presence of ATP hydrolysis, the length of the exchanged region is limited only by the available homology, whereas in the absence of ATP hydrolysis, only 2 kilobase pairs or less of hybrid DNA are formed before branch migration is blocked in the majority of paired intermediates. Both of these functions of RecA protein-mediated ATP hydrolysis are crucial in ensuring the effectiveness of recombinational DNA repair, especially when the lesion to be repaired is distant from the initial crossover point.

Biochemical studies on goat oocytes: Timing of nuclear progression, effect of protein inhibitor and pattern of polypeptide synthesis during in vitro maturation

Temporal progression of nuclear events of goat oocytes matured in vitro was studied by adding a specific inhibitor to the culture medium at different time points, to investigate protein synthesis requirements and its pattern during in vitro maturation. Goat cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in TCM 199, fixed at different time intervals and stained with orcein to assess nuclear changes. The germinal vesicle (GV) stage was found to be present at 0 h, chromosomal condensation stage was observed at 8 h, metaphase I at 12 to 14 h, and metaphase II was begun after 16 h of maturation and was nearly completed at 24 h. Protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, blocked oocyte maturation at germinal vesicle breakdown(GVBD), if added to the maturation medium between 0 to 4 h, suggesting that protein synthesis is required for GVBD. The transition from metaphase I to metaphase II was also protein synthesis-dependent, as observed when cycloheximide was used between 8 to 10 h of culture. When cycloheximide was added from 12 h of culture onwards, nuclear progression to metaphase II was progressively restored, but many chromosomal abnormalities were noted. Changes in the protein synthesis pattern were studied by radiolabeling of oocytes with [(35)S]-methionine at 0, 7, 12 and 24 h of culture, corresponding with GV, GVBD, metaphase I and metaphase II stages. A polypeptide of 28.1 KDa appeared as a major band at the GV stage, and its size decreased greatly and disappeared after the GVBD stage. Three new polypeptides (35, 36.5 and 39 KDa) appeared at GVBD and were detectable at metaphase II. In conclusion, the synthesis of proteins is required for the maintenance and transition of goat oocytes from GV to metaphase II during in vitro maturation.

Acute toxicity of propylene glycol: an assessment using cultured proximal tubule cells of human origin

The present study assess the acute toxicity of propylene glycol (propane-1,2-diol, PD) using cultured human proximal tubule (HPT) cells as the model. Confluent monolayers of HPT cells were treated with 0-263 mM (0-2%) isotonic solutions of racemic, sinister, and rectus PD (rac-, S-, and R-PD, synonym: DL-, L-, and D-PD, respectively). Release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and of preloaded 51Cr as markers of in vitro toxicity, were increased by PD in a time- and concentration-related manner, suggesting significant PD-induced damage of the HPT cell membrane. These toxic effects reached an apparent maximum within 2 hr. Further studies were performed to determine whether adverse effects of PD may occur prior to development of membrane damage. Because significant membrane damage was not apparent during the first 15 min of PD exposure, cellular release of lactate and accumulation of glucose were studied after preincubating cells in PD (treated) or pH 7.4 buffer (control) for 10 min. PD significantly increased the subsequent release of lactate by concentration- and enantiomer-dependent mechanisms with R-PD being the most potent agent. PD also inhibited the Na(+)-independent, carrier-mediated glucose accumulation without significant effects on the Na(+)-dependent pathway. These data suggest a rapid onset of cellular toxicity even when the plasma membrane integrity and viability remained apparently normal. The present studies show significant toxic effects of PD and suggest that a primary culture of HPT cells may be useful in evaluating the toxicity of xenobiotics.

Effect of high glucose on cellular proliferation and lipid peroxidation in cultured Vero cells

Nephropathy is common among the diabetic population. However, the molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycemia can cause alteration in kidney structure and function is not known. In this study, we examined the effect of high glucose levels on cellular growth and membrane lipid peroxidation in Vero cells, an African green monkey kidney cell line. Cell growth was assessed by a tetrazolium salt reduction test (MTT); and lipid peroxidation was measured by thiobarbituric acid reactivity. Our results show that elevated levels of glucose (25, 50 and 100 mM) can cause up to 50% reduction in cell growth in cultured Vero cells as compared with controls (8 mM). Also, we observed a significant increase in the amount of oxidative damage in Vero cells cultured with elevated glucose concentrations. This study demonstrates that hyperglycemia can cause increased lipid peroxidation and affect the cellular proliferation in a monkey kidney cell line.

Fungitoxic effect of some organic volatile substances against fungi causing otomycosis

The fungitoxic effect of seven volatile substances (ammonia, carbon disulphide, petroleum benzene, carbon dioxide, methanol, glacial acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide) against five fungi, i.e. Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Absidia corymbifera, Penicillium nigricans and Candida albicans, was determined on the basis of their dry mycelial weight and sporulation or budding activity. These organisms were isolated from patients suffering from fungal infections of the ear. All the volatile substances tested were found to inhibit mycelial growth and sporulation or budding.

Topical liposome system bearing local anaesthetic lignocaine: preparation and evaluation

Topical multiple lamellar vesicular liposomes were formulated by using the method reported by Bangham (1968). The liposomes, composed of different lipid and charge-bearing components such as stearylamine or dicetylphosphate, were characterized for average size, size distribution, charge lamellae and drug loading. The negatively charged liposomes showed high drug loading and were incorporated in different topical vehicles, i.e. gels and ointment. These were evaluated for in vitro drug skin permeation profile. The selected formulations were evaluated for in vivo performance using the pinprick method. The results revealed localized and prolonged activity of local anaesthetic contained in liposomes when compared with equivalent conventional topical application.