Seasonal fluctuation in lipid and cholesterol content of ovary, liver and blood serum in relation to annual sexual cycle in Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Seasonal fluctuation in lipid content of ovary and liver and cholesterol content of ovary, liver and serum in relation to annual reproductive cycle in H. fossilis has been worked out. Reduction in lipid content of liver was associated with decrease in hepatosomatic index (HSI) in prespawning and spawning phases. But there was an obvious increase in the lipid level of ovary in the above phases which coincided with enhanced gonadosomatic index (GSI) records. Serum and ovary showed a subsidence in their cholesterol contents in prespawning followed by increased level during spawning period. Substraction in liver cholesterol started in prespawning and continued till spawning phase and thereafter regained upward trend. Lipid and cholesterol levels in all organs studied along with GSI and HSI returned to initial values by the end of postspawning stage. Administration of clomid, sexovid, PGE1 and PGF2 alpha for a week did not induce any change in HSI, GSI, lipid and cholesterol values of liver and serum. However, these drugs were effective in suppressing the ovarian cholesterol within a week. The above drugs seem to affect cholesterol level indirectly since they trigger gonadotrophin secretion which in turn probably accelerated cholesterol utilization in ovary for increased steroid hormone output.

Ipsilateral absence of tonsil and microtia with ectopic salivary gland. A case report

This case of congenital unilateral absence of the faucial tonsil and microtia, with atresia of the external auditory canal, and an ectopic salivary gland has not been reported previously; it differs from other congenital abnormalities reported earlier.

Cell studies in prolymphocytic leukaemia

A case of prolymphocytic leukaemia, showing several features not yet reported in this disease, is reported. The majority of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and bone marrow had markers of both B- and T-lymphocytes. The simultaneous presence of receptors for sheep RBC and surface immunoglobulins on individual cells was demonstrated and the endogenous origin of these markers was established. The lymphocytes had some of the functional characteristics seen in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CCL). In vitro cell death in the presence of colchicine (colchicine ultrasensitivity) and polystyrene bead column retention were of the same order as seen in CLL. In contrast with the findings in CLL, these cells were markedly radioresistant in vitro. The dominant clinical features--anaemia and constitutional symptoms--appeared to be related to hypersplenism associated with massive splenomegaly. The relevance of these findings is discussed.

Excitation of surface electromagnetic waves on water

Excitation of surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) on water was studied using optical coupling techniques at microwave frequencies. Excitation of SEW was also achieved using direct horn antenna coupling. The transmitted SEW power was increased by adding acid and salt to water. The horn antenna gave the maximum excitation efficiency 70%. It was increased to 75% by collimating the electromagnetic beam in the vertical direction. Excitation efficiency for the prism (0 degrees pitch angle) and grating couplers were 15.2% and 10.5% respectively. By changing the prism coupler pitch angle to +36 degrees , its excitation efficiency was increased to 82%.

Synthesis of substituted 1-hydroxy-2-naphthanilides as potential cestodicidal agents

A series of substituted 1-hydroxy-2-naphthanilides 4--14 has been synthesized by treating 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acids 2 with substituted anilines 3. The nitronaphthanilides, on reduction and subsequent treatment with thiophosgene, gave the corresponding substituted 2-naphthanilide isothiocyanates 30--33. Substitution of the chlorine of 8 by various cyclic amines gave 3'-nitro-4'-substituted 1-hydroxy-2-naphthanilides 15--21. Various 3-aryl-4-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1,3-naphthoxazine-2-thiones 34-43 and 3 aryl-2,4-dioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,3-naphthoxazines 44--51 have been prepared by reacting the corresonding naphthanilides with thiophosgene and ethyl chloroformate, respectively. All the compounds were tested for their cestodicidal activity against Hymenolepis nana infection in rats; 30 was found to be the most active compound of the series, showing 100% clearance of infection at a single oral dose of 7.5 mg/kg.

Measurement of thermoelectric power of solids up to 10 GPa

A method of measuring thermoelectric power of solids as a function of pressure up to nearly 10 GPa is described. A tungsten carbide opposed anvil setup is used to generate the pressure.

A guideline to the management of patent ductus arteriosus in infants and children

Experience with multiple ligation of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, is presented. One hundred and sixty-one consecutive cases between January 1971 and December 1974 have been reviewed. Fifty-four children (33%) were less than one year of age. In the majority of cases the diagnosis was made on clinical grounds. Cardiac catheterization and angiography were carried out when associated intracardiac lesions were suspected. The overall mortality was 2.5%. All the deaths occurred in infants less than six months of age who had associated cardiac lesions. There were no deaths in patients who had an uncomplicated PDA or who were more than one year of age. Multiple ligation of the PDA is a simple and safe operation. The risk of operative treatment is affected more by the presence of associated cardiac lesions and the age of the patient than by the surgical technique employed.

Successful correlation of type C complete atrio-ventricular (A-V) canal in infancy

Herein, a successful repair of Type C complete A-V canal in infancy is reported. With a better understanding of anatomy as well as improved perioperative care it appears the primary repair is more reasonable approach than the high risk palliative operation (pulmonary artery banding), when surgery is required in such disease.

Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids in rats

The effect of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) upon brain and blood catecholamines, ammonia, and amino acids has been studied in rats subjected to increasing doses of the drug. Time dependent effects after injection have also been studied. Systemically injected 6-OHDA significantly, acutely reduced brain adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), total catecholamines (TC), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamic acid (Glu); concomitantly brain ammonia (NH3) increased. In blood, NA and TC were reduced and A and NH3 increased. The changes in brain monoamines are surprising since it has been reported that 6-OHDA does not cross the blood-brain barrier. We have proposed that these changes result from a general stress response or a reflex peripheral sympathetic response to falling blood pressure which in some manner communicates to the central nervous system. As the dose of 6-OHDA increased, brain NH3 increased and Glu decreased. A similar effect was seen from a single dose as the time after injection for sampling brain and blood constituents increased. Blood ammonia increases without change in Glu, glutamine, or asparagine. The source of NH3 may be from deamination of adenine nucleotide or catechols released from nerve terminals under the abnormal stimulus of 6-OHDA.

Effect of 6-hydroxydopamine on brain and blood catecholamine, ammonia, and amino acid metabolism in rats subjected to high pressure oxygen induced convulsions

Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on rat brain and blood adrenaline (A), noradrenaline (NA), ammonia (NH3), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and amino acid metabolism prior to and after high pressure oxygen (OHP) induced convulsions have been studied. 6-OHDA reduces GABA and glutamate (Glu) rior to OHP exposure in rat brain so that the concentration is even equal to that seen in nondrugged animals after convulsion. Concomitantly, 6-OHDA reduces the latency of OHP-induced convulsion significantly, and increases brain NH3, glutamine, and asparagine significantly. Although 6-OHDA, in increasing dosage, elevates blood A concentration, convulsion produces a significant further increase in A. Blood NA was not significantly changed in drugged, convulsed animals and was much less than blood NA concentrations in nondrugged convulsed animals. Increasing doses of 6-OHDA also increase NH3 in the blood significantly and convulsion increases its concentration further. Latency of convulsion seems to be related to certain monoamine levels since in some drugged animals where A and total catecholamines are still reduced 96 h after the first of two doses of 6-OHDA, NA concentrations are recovered to relatively normal and the convulsion latency time is also increased although it remains significantly abbreviated from undrugged animals' convulsion time. Low brain GABA levels seem to be a prime effector of convulsive activity.

Left ventriculotomy for closure of muscular ventricular septal defects. Treatment of choice

Closure of muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) through the right atriotomy or right ventriculotomy may be difficult. These VSDs are often located behind the hypertrophied trabeculae carnae or papillary muscle. Residual or recurrent VSD may result from the difficult approach. Between March 1971 and December 1975, we have used the left ventriculotomy near the apex for closure of muscular VSDs in ten children. The patients' ages ranged from five months to eight years and three months. The diagnosis was established by cardiac catheterisation and left ventricular angiocardiogram in all patients. Six patients had multiple VSDs; in four patients VSD in the muscular septum was present (three apical, one midseptal). Operations were performed on cardiopulmonary bypass with moderate hypothermia and intermittent anoxic arrest. VSDs in the membranous septum were closed through the right atrium. Muscular VSDs were approached through a small vertical incision in the left ventricle near the apex. The postoperative course was uneventful in eight patients. Two patients, aged 16 months and eight years, died; histology showed grade IV pulmonary vascular disease in both. All survivors are well four months to five years after the operation, without clinical evidence of residual or recurrent VSD.

Ovarian 32P uptake in the homoplastic hypophysectomized catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis as an end point for gonadotropin bioassay

Ovarian 32P incorporation in hypophysectomized Heteropneustes fossilis in response to pituitary gland extract pooled from same species and mammalian gonadotropic preparations were studied. Maximum 32P uptake by ovary was obtained when a tracer dose of radiophosphorus was given 30 minutes after LH injection and fish were sacrificed 12 hours after the tracer shot. A log-dose response was observed between ovarian 32P uptake and gonadotropic content of pituitary extract or LH in hypophysectomized H. fossilis. This response was specific because FSH, TSH, prolactin and growth hormone injections failed to induce dose dependent and significant 32P uptake by ovary in similar assay recipients. However, FSH along with LH at higher dosage yielded an additive response. Also a parallelism of log-dose response was obtained between fish pituitary gonadotropin and ovine LH. Index of precision (lambda) was less than 0.214. Since donors and recipients were of the same species this bioassay of 12.5 hours for estimation of total gonadotropic potency seems to be rapid, reliable, sensitive and free from phylogenetic species specificity interaction between hormone and its receptor.

Mustard operation for transposition of the great arteries in a 3-day-old infant, complicated by acute renal failure

A successful operative treatment of a three day old girl with transposition of the great arteries is described. Post-operative course was complicated by furosemide resistant anuria which was treated by peritoneal dialysis. At the age of eight months, she is a pink, active baby, developing normally. This case report demonstrates the importance of aggressive treatment of severe congenital heart lesions in the first few days of life. The importance of post-operative care is emphasized.

Synthesis of 5-chloro-3'-nitro-4'-substituted salicylanilides, a new series of anthelmintic and antimicrobial agents

A number of 5-chloro-3'-nitro-4'-substituted salicylanilides (6--23) have been synthesized by treating 4',5-dichloro-3'-nitrosalicylanilide (5) with various sodium aryl oxides, alkoxides, or amines. These compounds have been tested against Hymenolepis nana infection in rats and have also been evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria and fungi. In the former test 17 was the most active cestodicidal agent showing activity at 30 mg/kg. In the antimicrobial screening, 22 inhibited the growth of all the bacteria and fungi used while 6 was active against the penicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.00609 microgram/mL.

Preoperative intra-aortic balloon assist in high risk revascularization patients

Sixty-five high risk myocardial revascularization patients had preoperative IABP with two operative deaths. Only six patients needed rapid institution of cardiopulmonary bypass after anesthesia induction despite marked blood pressure drop in half the patients. There were only two instances of postpump power failure. Preoperative IABP is a valid method of limiting morbidity associated with coronary surgery in high risk patients.

Respiratory characteristics of a microporous membrane oxygenator

A microporous membrane oxygenator has been used in 258 clinical perfusions for cardiac surgery. In 132 perfusions the oxygenator was ventilated with 100% O2, and in 126 perfusions 98% O2-2%CO2 was used. Patients' BSA was 0.4-2.3 M2. Bypass duration was up to 563 min. In the group ventilated with 100% O2, average PaCO2 was 30 mmHg, with arterial pH of 7.48. 98% O2-2% ventilation resulted in an average PaCO2 of 36 mmHg, with arterial pH of 7.41. CO2 transfer is influenced by gas flow rate, and data from selected cases demonstrate that increasing gas flow results in decreasing PaCO2, while decreasing gas flow increases PaCO2. The thickness of the blood film is decreased by increasing the "shim" pressure, so that increasing the "shim" presure results in higher PaO2. Oxygen saturation averaged 99% for the entire series. Addition of CO2 to the oxygen and appropriate changes in gas flow and "shim" pressure permit changes to be made in the ventilation of the device during perfusion to achieve desired levels of PaO2 and PaCO2 under widely disparate conditions of temperature and flow.

Effect of methallibure on gonadotrophic content, ovarian 32P uptake and gonadosomatic index in the freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch)

Gonadotrophin content in the pituitary gland and blood serum as well as ovarian 32P uptake were studied in response to methallibure treatment in H. fossilis. There was a marked reduction in the gonadotrophic activity of the pituitary gland and blood serum within 3 weeks of methallibure treatment (100 microng/g). A simultaneous significant reduction was also recorded in the ovarian activity of these fish. The fall in ovarian activity caused by methallibure could not be prevented by the administration of LH, FSH or LH+FSH. After cessation of methallibure treatment, LH+FSH (50 microng each) administration restored ovarian activity. It is evident from these results that methallibure alters the secretion of gonadotrophin, and also prevents its action on the ovary.

Preoperative intra-aortic balloon support in surgery for left main coronary stenosis

Twenty-six patients with left main coronary (LMC) stenosis were operated upon with preoperative intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) support. There was no mortality, and no morbidity attributable to the balloon catheter. The most delicate facet of revascularization surgery in this entity is the pre-cardiopulmonary bypass phase including anesthesia induction during which blood pressure fluctuation may further diminish severely compromised coronary flow. Although systolic pressure dropped to below 100 mm Hg in 50% of patients during induction, there were only two patients with electrocardiographic evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction, and only one who needed rantic institution of cardiopulmonary bypass just after induction. Perioperative logistics were quite trouble free in all 26 patients, in marked contrast to 5 LMC patients operated upon prior to our preoperative IABP concent; 3 of these deteriorated upon induction, with two deaths resulting. Preoperative IABP is a reasonable supportive adjunct in surgery for LMC stenosis.