Intravasal application of BCG (Bacille Calmette Guerin) is not an effective method for control of fertility in the male: a preliminary report

Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) was applied intravasally in male rats with the hope of developing a method for control of fertility in the male. Our results, however, suggest that this approach is not feasible for control of male fertility.

Homocystinuria: a family with peculiar genetic transmission

Homocystinurias are a relatively rare group of seven distinct genetic disorders of amino acid metabolism characterised by increased concentration of sulphur containing amino acid homocysteine in the blood and urine. Its transmission is believed to be autosomal recessive. We reported a family with four females siblings spared and three male siblings affected. This case is reported because of its rarity and peculiar genetic transmission.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase in head and neck malignancy patients

50 patients of head and neck malignancy were selected for this study while excluding those associated with renal, hepatic, cardiac and metabolic diseases. Age and sex matched even number of controls were also included for comparison. Serum LDH levels in the control group were 124.2 +/- 3.50 I.U./L. Higher levels of LDH were observed in patients with malignancy of head and neck (335.50 +/- 21.60 I.U./L, P < 0.001). Serum LDH level was also related to histopathological stage of malignancy, being higher in poorly differentiated tumour as compared to moderate and well differentiated malignancy. Patients without metastasis had insignificantly lower serum LDH levels as compared to those with metastasis.

Phytomonitoring of urban-industrial pollutants: A new approach

Biological effect monitoring of urban-industrial pollutants was carried out using an 'air pollution tolerance index' (APTI) of plants. For the purpose four leaf parameters - namely, ascorbic acid, total chlorophyll, relative water content and leaf extract pH - were combined together in a formulation signifying the APTI of plants. The index indicated the plant response at the cell membrane and chloroplast levels. SitesP 1,P 2 andP 3 were selected in western parts of Varanasi, India, near the junction of a national highway and a railway track. The control site was selected in the University campus. In the prevailing wind direction from siteP 1, pollution zones I, II and III were marked. None of the four above mentioned plant parameters indicated a consistent response to pollutants. However, the APTI showed the most sensitive and consistent response of plants to urban-industrial pollutants. The APTI of plants showed a marked gradation as the pollutant load decreased from zone I, II and III to the control site. The APTI can be used as a good indicator of the impact of pollution on plants.

Inhibition of hog liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase by 5-substituted 5,8-dideaza analogues of folic acid bearing a terminal L-ornithine residue

Five new N alpha-(5,8-dideazapteroyl)-L-ornithines have been prepared using multistep synthetic sequences. These include N alpha-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-5,8-dideazapteroyl]-L-ornithine, 3, as well as N alpha-[5-(trifluoromethyl)-5,8-dideazaisopteroyl]-L-ornithine, 4, and its 5-fluoro and 5-chloro analogues. Both of the compounds containing a 5-(trifluoromethyl) group (3 and 4) were found to be excellent inhibitors of homogeneous hog liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase, having Ki values in the same range as N alpha-(5-chloro-5,8-dideazapteroyl)-L-ornithine, 2, (approximately 10 nM). However, the bridge-reversed isomer of 2 was 60-fold less inhibitory than 2.

Bilateral transfer deficit in schizophrenia

Right-handed chronic schizophrenics, left-handed normals, and right-handed normals were tested on a measure of bilateral transfer of motor skill in contralateral hands. Schizophrenics compared with normals showed significantly poor bilateral transfer of skill in terms of errors committed; the group difference was nonsignificant in terms of response time. Results suggested a breakdown in perceptual-motor coordination in schizophrenia.

Tuberculous pyomyositis in a renal transplant recipient

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Although these patients are susceptible to many types of infection, soft tissue infections are rare. We report a case of tuberculous pyomyositis involving the left erector spinae muscle but with no other manifestations of tuberculosis. The diagnosis was suspected from the CT scan appearance and confirmed by microscopy and culture of the pus. Surgical incision and drainage, together with antituberculosis therapy, cured the infection. The relevant literature is briefly reviewed.

Adrenocortical insufficiency in smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis

We studied 40 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. All were positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in the sputum. Their mean age was 30 yrs (range 10-50 yrs) and the duration of illness was 26.3 +/- 2.3 months. Radiologically minimal, moderately advanced and far advanced lesions were present in 7 (17.5%), 9 (22.5%) and 23 (57.5%) patients respectively. One patient with endobronchial lesion had no radiological evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. Clinically, 14 patients (35%) had one or the other features of adrenocortical insufficiency. Postural hypotension was the commonest feature and was present in 11 patients (27.5%), followed by nausea and vomiting (20%), loss of axillary hair and libido (10%), skin and mucosal pigmentation in 7.5% of the cases. ACTH stimulation revealed incomplete adrenocortical insufficiency (partially responsive adrenal) in 5 patients (12.5%) and complete adrenocortical insufficiency (non-responsive adrenal) in 2 patients (5%). Patients with features of adrenal insufficiency had significantly longer duration of illness (p < 0.001) but there was no correlation with extent or type of lesion.

Kala-azar in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh

Door to door search during 1991 in 85 villages in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh revealed 29 sporadic cases of Kala-azar in four villages. Epidemiological investigations indicated indigenous transmission in Phulwaria village (PHC: Dubhar) with 25 cases while the remaining three villages showed four imported cases from the endemic states. No kala-azar cases had been reported in Ballia between 1947 and the present investigation. Phlebotomus arqentipes, the known vector of kala-azar in India, was encountered in 10 PHCs including the four villages having kala-azar cases. Regular vigilance in Ballia and the neighbouring districts in Uttar Pradesh bordering Bihar is suggested in view of indigenous transmission detected in one village with multiple infection in families. The presence of high vector density, ambient environmental factors and absence of regular residual insecticidal spray warrant constant surveillance in Kala-Azar prone areas in Uttar Pradesh.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of N alpha-(5-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl)-L-ornithine

A novel folic acid analogue, N alpha-(5-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl)-L-ornithine, 3, was prepared via a multistep synthetic sequence. The key steps involved the conversion of 5-deazapteroic acid to its N10-formyl derivative followed by catalytic hydrogenation of the pyridine ring and subsequent heating in dilute sodium hydroxide to afford the new 5-deaza-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroic acid. After trifluoroacetylation, this compound was coupled to N delta-(tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl)-L-ornithine using conventional peptide bond forming conditions. Deprotection first in base and then in acid gave the title compound. Compound 3 was an effective inhibitor of hog liver folylpolyglutamate synthetase (Kis, estimated = 64 nM), and was shown to retard the formation of polyglutamates of a structurally related folic acid analogue in HCT-8 cells in vitro.

Effect of fenfluramine on serum T3, T4 and TSH levels in obesity

A prospective, randomised case-control trial of an anorectic drug, fenfluramine was conducted on 30 patients of simple obesity. The study revealed that the drug was well tolerated, non-toxic and effective in reducing the body weight and normalising the thyroid profile. Reduction in body weight, rise in serum thyroxine (T4) and fall in serum triiodothyronine (T3) was highly significant (p less than 0.01) in drug treated group as compared to controls (p less than 0.05) after 12 weeks of therapy. There was also fall in serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels but without any statistical significance.

Immuno-modulation by exercise: review

Chronic and exhaustive exercise leads to a decline in mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation in-vitro and in-vivo. This is suggestive of decrease in cellular and humoral immunity. Majority of workers are of opinion that exercise-induced immunosuppression is related to the production of glucocorticoids in response to the stress associated with exercise.

Degree of asymmetry in lateral preferences: eye, foot, ear

Lateral asymmetry in eye, foot, and ear preference was measured using a 15-item questionnaire administered to 442 subjects. Degree and magnitude of asymmetry were greatest for eye, followed by foot and ear. Intercorrelations of lateral preferences were all positive and significant. Two primary factors, eyedness and earedness, were established.

A study on the prevalence of chronic bronchitis in workers exposed to smoke and irritant fumes in a railway workshop

In the present study 108 full time workers employed in various sections of a railway workshop and exposed to smoke and irritant fumes, and 45 matched control subjects from local administrative staff were investigated to find prevalence of chronic bronchitis. In all 18 (16.7%) workers and 4 (8.9%) control subjects had clinical evidence of chronic bronchitis. Peak expiratory flow rate less than 300 L/min was observed in 54.6% workers and 2.2% control subjects. A significantly higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis was seen in workers. The advancing age, smoking and duration of exposure had significant influence on prevalence of chronic bronchitis.

Giant calculus in anterior urethral diverticulum

The case of probably the largest stone in a giant anterior urethral diverticulum presenting with septicemia and renal failure is reported. Stage surgical reconstruction had an excellent result.

Multiple mechanisms of ethanol-induced gonadal toxicity to adult male rats

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying the alcohol-induced pathogenesis of testis, acute as well as chronic studies were undertaken in adult male rats. Ethanol reduced significantly the plasma and testicular testosterone contents in treated rats even at moderate dose levels. The alterations in pituitary gonadotrophins, LH and FSH, demonstrated a central defect in the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal axis. Major microsomal enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of testosterone, viz. 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroidogenic mixed function oxidases were markedly inhibited in a dose and duration dependent manner. The terminal enzyme 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was, however, unaffected by ethanol treatments except at a higher dose level of 6 g/kg body wt. Although, the activity of testicular alcohol dehydrogenase was relatively unchanged, a marked induction in the activity of cytosolic conjugation enzyme, GSH-s-transferase was noticed. The present study demonstrates the major role of the metabolism of ethanol in the underlying cause for in vivo toxicity of ethanol and warrants its further consideration.

Ethanol potentiates in vivo hepatotoxicity of endosulfan in adult male rats

In an attempt to evaluate the effect and interaction of ethanol on endosulfan-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo to adult male rats, both, endosulfan (7.5 mg/kg body wt) and ethanol (1.5 g/kg body wt) were studied separately as well as in combination after a chronic oral exposure of 30 days. When fed separately, both the agents were found to induce microsomal mixed function oxidase (MFO) system in treated animals. A simultaneous induction in the activity of cytosolic GSH-s-transferase was found to be associated with significantly induced ascorbate-induced microsomal lipid peroxidation. Both endosulfan and ethanol showed increasing trends in the activities of reducing equivalent (NADPH)-generating enzymes in liver. The activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase was, however, found to be relatively unaffected. When ethanol was administered in combination with endosulfan, the observed effects on the activities of major drug metabolizing enzymes, microsomal lipid peroxidation and NADPH generation were further pronounced. Findings demonstrated the MFO inducing capability of both endosulfan and ethanol, and showed further that chronic ethanol ingestion might potentiate the in vivo hepatotoxicity of endosulfan if administered in combination.

Does the Kaufman prosthesis still have a place? Review of thirteen years' experience

The cases of 57 patients who underwent implantation of a Kaufman prosthesis for urinary incontinence at this center are reviewed. All except one of the patients were incontinent following prostatic surgery. Although many of the patients required revision or adjustments after the initial implantation, 55 percent of the cases eventually had a satisfactory outcome. Patients rendered incontinent after retropubic prostatectomy had a higher success rate with the Kaufman prosthesis than patients after other types of prostatectomy. This simple and relatively inexpensive device can still play a useful role in the treatment of patients with mild and moderate stress incontinence following prostatectomy.

Studies in enteric anthelmintics: activity profile of prodrug of a bisbenzimidazole [1]

The comparative anthelmintic activity of a possible prodrug, 2,2'-dicarbomethoxyamino-5,5'-dibenzimidazolyl methanol (2) with its parent compound 2,2'-dicarbomethoxyamino-5,5'-dibenzimidazolyl ketone (1) and the reference drug mebendazole (3a) is reported. At a dose of 25 mg/kg, compound 2 was 100% effective against Ancylostoma ceylanicum in hamsters. Compound 2 also exhibited a similar order of activity against Syphacia obvelata, Hymenolepis nana and H. diminuta at a dose of 100 mg/kg. The drug exhibited lethal effects against metamorphic forms of A. ceylanicum at a dose of 100 mg/kg. However the trichostrongylids, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis remained unaffected up to a dose of 250 mg/kg of 2. Both 1 and 3a exhibited inferior activity than 2 except against adult A. ceylanicum. The activity of 1 and 2 has been explained on the basis of their ability to resist systemic hydrolysis resulting in higher concentration of the active drug in biophase.

Growth hormone response to clonidine in obese children

Basal and stimulated serum growth hormone (GH) levels after exercise, insulin induced hypoglycemia (IIH) and oral clonidine were evaluated in 20 (16 M, 4 F) normal statured obese (body mass index greater than or equal to 25 kg/M2) children. Basal serum GH levels (mean +/- SEM, 2.0 +/- 0.38 ng/ml) were not different from basal levels in non-obese children. The mean peak levels were 3.16 +/- 1.17 ng/ml, 2.15 +/- 0.36 ng/ml and 3.15 +/- 1.12 ng/ml (+/- SEM) after exercise, IIH and oral clonidine, respectively. The positive responses (peak level of serum GH greater than 7 ng/ml) were seen in 10% with exercise, in 10% with clonidine and in none with IIH test. These observations suggest that GH response to oral clonidine is subnormal in obese children.