Effect of acetylcholine acetyl-hydrolase (E.C. 3.1.1.7) inhibition on the accumulation of pp' DDT in various brain regions of rats

The concentration of pp' DDT given intraperitoneally in rats was determined in different brain regions. Maximum accumulation of pp' DDT was found in the corpus striatum, followed by cerebellum and cerebral cortex in that order; following pretreatment with paraoxon the concentrations of pp' DDT were increased in all brain regions studied

A possible neurochemical basis of the central stimulatory effects of pp'DDT

The striatal neurochemical changes induced by pp'DDT (600 mg/kg) in mice were: an increase in the concentration of free ammonia, a decrease in the level of GABA and a reduction in the level of acetylcholine. These changes were maximal 5 h after treatment with pp'DDT, when the animals developed 'severe' convulsions. The convulsions and striatal neurochemical changes were modified to different degrees by barbiturates. Phenobarbitone protected all the animals from pp'DDT-induced convulsions. The levels of striatal acetylcholine and GABA in these animals were within normal limits. Prominal reduced the severity of convulsions in pp'DDT-treated animals. The levels of striatal acetylcholine and GABA were significantly lower than control values in these animals. Primidone neither modified the convulsions nor the striatal neurochemical changes in pp'DDT-treated animals. The increase in the concentration of free ammonia, in pp'DDT-treated animals, was not modified by barbiturates. Aminooxyacetic acid raised the GABA level above normal and abolished the convulsions in pp'DDT-treated animals; the level of acetylcholine was within normal limits in these animals. Hydroxylamine produced a similar but less marked effect. Pyridoxine had no effect on convulsions or striatal neurochemical changes induced by pp'DDT. The increase in the concentration of free ammonia in pp'DDT-treated animals was not modified by these agents. It is likely that pp'DDT produced stimulatory effects by increasing the concentration of free ammonia which may be involved in reducing the level of GABA, while changes in the level of acetylcholine may be an effect of pp'DDT-induced convulsions.

Comparative blood values of Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis

Hematological and clinical biochemistry values of two species of monkeys (Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis) were measured by using auto-analyzers. WBC and RBC counts of M. fascicularis were high and Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC values of M. fascicularis were low in comparison with those of M. mulatta. Albumin and creatinine levels of M. fascicularis were lower than those of M. mulatta. Total protein and A1P values of female M. fascicularis were higher than those of female M. mulatta. Differences between the sexes were observed in MCV, inorganic phosphorus, total protein, albumin and creatinine in M. mulatta, whereas in M. fascicularis, such differences were demonostrated as to creatinine, phospholipids and triglycerides.

Physiological and psychiatric investigations into a group of mentally handicapped subjects with self-injurious behaviour

Seventeen mentally handicapped patients with SIB (head banger) group are compared with a non-SIB group of similar grade and their behavioural and psychiatric ratings described. The recognition of a specific syndrome in SIB group is demonstrated and shown to lead to serious psychiatric disturbances. The importance of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment intervention among such a group is described.

Role of striatal acetylcholine and free ammmonia in the central stimulatory effects of pp'DDT in rats. Protective effects of barbiturates

pp'DDT (600 mg/kg, orally) produced an increase in the level of free ammonia and a decrease of acetylcholine in the corpus striatum of rats. These effects were maximal 5 h after the administration of pp'DDT. The animals showed tremors after 2 h, mild or moderate convulsions after 3.5 h and severe convulsions 5 h after treatment with pp'DDT. The neurochemical changes and convulsions induced by pp'DDT were modified to different degrees by barbiturates. Phenobarbitone sodium abolished the convulsions while prominal reduced the severity of convulsions in pp'DDT treated animals. The level of striatal acetylcholine in pp'DDT-phenobarbitone treated animals was not significantly different from the control values. In prominal-pp'DDT treated animals, it was slightly but significantly reduced. Primidone neither changed the severity of convulsions nor the level of striatal acetylcholine in pp'DDT treated animals. Further barbiturates had no significant effect on the level of free ammonia in pp'DDT treated rats. The results suggest that changes in the level of acetylcholine are not the cause but an effect of pp'DDT induced stimulatory effects or convulsions, mediated through an increase in the level of free ammonia or some other mechanism.

Clinicopathological studies of oculo cerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe, Terrey and MacLachlan

A thirty-three-year-old male with Lowe's syndrome had cataract; nystagmus, buphthalmos, prominent frontal bossing, growth and mental retardation, aminoaciduria, proteinuria, rickets, areflexia, genu valgum, piercing cry and head-banging being among the presenting features. The rickety changes improved over a period of years with the administration of vitamin D2. Pathological changes include: (1) tubular damage in the kidneys and hypertrophies of Bowman's capsules; (2) small brain with ventricular dilatation with thickened meninges, small corpus callosum, small size of pyramidal tracts and medial leminisci, neurofibrillary tangles in the pyramidal cells of the Ammon's horn and frontal lobe; (3) eye changes of buphthalmos, congenital cataracts and thickening of Descemet's membrane; (4) testicular atrophy--both testes showing peritubular fibrosis with an increase of fibrous tissue in the interstitial tissue. Azoospermia was present linked with poor development of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The lumina of the seminiferous tubules were filled with foamy exudate.

Role of striatal dopamine in delayed neurotoxic effects of organophosphorus compounds

Mipafox administered to rats daily for 35 days produced ataxia and a reduction in the level of dopamine in the corpus striatum. Treatment with Leptophos for the same period produced slight motor dysfunction and a small but significant reduction in the level of striatal dopamine. Fenitrothion neither produced motor dysfunction nor changed the level of striatal dopamine. The cholinesterase activity of corpus striatum was inhibited by all the compounds. The results suggest the possible involvement of striatal dopamine in the delayed neurotoxic effects of certain organophosphorus compounds.

Isolated loop of Intestine presenting as a lateral neck lump: unusual presentation of neck teratoma

Dermoid cysts are benign congenital lesions usually presenting as midline neck mass. They rarely appear in the lateral neck region. There is a report of dermoid cyst along with an isolated loop of intestine presenting as lateral neck swelling in a 10-year-old boy. The intestinal loop was completely separated from the pharynx and full of muconeum was found after opening the loop. Complete excision was done. After a thorough search, we conclude that this is the first reported case of neck teratoma presenting as loop of intestine. Key words: Dermoid; Teratoma; Primitive loop of intestine. DOI: 10.3329/bjo.v16i2.6850Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 16(2): 133-135