Drug consumption pattern in low socio-economic group in an urban community

117 families, having a total population of 558 were studied regarding drug consumption pattern. It was found that the average no. of episodes per person was 0.99 of which drugs were consumed for 72% of episodes. Significant difference was observed in consumption of drugs between males and females. Allopathic medicines were consumed for 93.3% of the episodes and the major source (53.8%) of medical care was from private practitioners. It was seen that the number of drugs consumed per episode of sickness rose as the per capita income increased. Vitamins and Minerals (22.3%) were the main group of drugs consumed. Drugs acting on the alimentary system (17.5%), Respiratory System (14.7%), Antimicrobials (14.6%) and Analgesics (10.8%) contributed to 80% of drug intake.

Glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) diesterase related alterations in the oxygen consumption profile of rat spermatozoa in differing functional states

The functional interaction of the estrogen-induced uterine enzyme glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) diesterase with epididymal rat sperm before and after incubation under capacitating conditions was investigated indirectly, by measuring the glycerol phosphate (GP) released on enzymatic hydrolysis of GPC and using oxygen consumption as a measure of oxidative phosphorylation by the sperm. Freshly released, washed sperm metabolized GP but not GPC. Utilization of GP was found to be inhibited by 2 microM oligomycin but was enhanced dose-dependently in the presence of the uncoupling agent, 2,4-dinitrophenol, indicating that the process was essentially similar to that occurring in somatic mitochondria in that it involved electron transport via ubiquinone and the cytochrome system and was coupled to ATP synthesis. However, on incubation of sperm under conditions supporting capacitation, which led to a striking increase in oxygen consumption, the presence of GP decreased oxygen uptake significantly, in a manner similar to that occurring in the presence of the glycolysable substrate, glucose. The implications of these GPC diesterase-induced metabolic alterations in sperm function are discussed.

Detection of canine homologs of human MYC, BCL2, IGH, and TCRB genes by Southern blot analysis

Subsets of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in humans have been shown to involve activation of protooncogenes such as MYC and BCL2 resulting from chromosome translocation involving the IGH and TCR genes. Malignant lymphomas in the canine present histologic and clinical subsets similar to those in humans. To study the genetic nature of these lymphomas, we undertook this study to determine, by Southern blotting analysis, the extent of homology between the human and canine genes MYC, BCL2, IGH, and TCRB using human gene probes. Our results, presented here, show that the organization of these genes in the two species is very similar.

Cardiorespiratory changes induced by vertebral artery injection of sodium cyanide in cats

Brain stem hypoxia caused by vertebral artery injection of sodium cyanide (NaCN) (1-20 micrograms) in artificially ventilated cats depressed phrenic and stimulated sympathetic nerve activity with a simultaneous increase in arterial blood pressure. Larger doses of NaCN caused greater effects. Hypercapnia produced by inhalation of 7% CO2 in O2 tended to reduce NaCN-induced responses on phrenic activity but not on blood pressure or sympathetic activity. Infusion into the vertebral artery with hypoxic saline (3% CO2 in N2) altered blood pressure, also affecting phrenic and sympathetic nerves similarly to NaCN administration. However, washout of CO2 by infusion of 100% O2 bubbled saline at high flow rates (3.6 ml/min) depressed phrenic as well as sympathetic activity and blood pressure. Spinal transection at the first cervical level eliminated sympathetic excitatory response to intravertebral cyanide injection. However, a large dose of NaCN (600 micrograms) given intravenously in spinal animal excited sympathetic activity. We conclude that intravertebral injection of NaCN can be used to study the effects of local hypoxia of the brain stem on cardiorespiratory responses and that hypoxia acts at both these sites (brain stem and spinal cord) to stimulate sympathetic excitation.

Nonvagal modulation of hypoglossal neural activity

Upper airway dilating muscle activity is characterized by an early-peaking pattern which serves to dilate or stiffen the upper airway at the time when the greatest negative intraluminal pressure is generated by contraction of chest wall muscles. This pattern has been attributed to phasic afferent inputs from pulmonary stretch receptors. The present study examines the hypothesis that nonvagal factors may also influence the discharge pattern and coordination of upper airway and chest wall muscle activities. Therefore, in anesthetized, paralyzed, vagotomized and artificially ventilated cats, we examined the effects of changes in respiratory drive produced by activation of cholinergic and GA-BAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors at the ventrolateral aspects of the medulla oblongata on phasic intrabreath discharge patterns of hypoglossal and phrenic nerves. Cholinergic agents (acetylcholine, carbachol, methacholine, physostigmine) applied directly to chemoreceptive areas on the ventral medullary surface increased hypoglossal activity, and in addition converted inspiratory discharge from an augmenting to a decrementing pattern of activity. The reverse effect on the discharge pattern of hypoglossal activity was observed with a decrease in respiratory drive. While the amplitude of the phrenic nerve discharge was also affected by these interventions, the augmenting discharge pattern of phrenic nerve activity did not change. These results suggest that the early peaking pattern of hypoglossal nerve discharge in vagotomized cats also depends on the level of respiratory drive, and is not solely dependent on vagal afferent inputs. In addition, the data suggest that structures near the ventral surface of the medulla are influential in shaping the pattern of hypoglossal nerve activity and maintaining balanced activity of upper airway and chest wall muscles.

Purification and characterization of rat uterine glycerylphosphorylcholine diesterase and its tissue-specific induction by 17 beta-estradiol

The rat uterine enzyme glycerylphosphorylcholine (GPC) diesterase found in the proestrous secretions was purified and characterized biochemically with respect to its subunit mol wt, native size, pI, and amino acid and carbohydrate composition. The 30-kDa protein was assessed to have a native mol wt of 105 kDa, as determined by analytical gel filtration. It had a basic pI with an unusually high carbohydrate/protein ratio (0.83:1). The estrogen inducibility of the protein was identified by its de novo synthesis in vitro after in vivo 17 beta-estradiol administration. For this experiment, uteri from estradiol-treated immature rats were incubated in the presence of [14C]glucosamine, and the 14C-labeled total glycoconjugates were then subjected to the enzyme purification procedure. The peak enzyme fraction was observed to correspond to one of the 14C-labeled protein peaks in the elution profile of the glycoconjugates. Assay of GPC diesterase activity showed significant enhancement only in the uterus, not in other organ systems, after in vivo estradiol treatment, and this hormone-stimulated increase was inhibited by nafoxidine, a potent estrogen antagonist. The enzyme activity profile of the three main separated uterine cellular types showed that the enzyme was secreted by epithelial cells. No antigenic homology of the enzyme was observed with GPC diesterase from nonmammalian sources. The results suggested that GPC diesterase was one of the estrogen-regulated proteins of the preovulatory uterine fluid of rats, and the availability of a purified preparation of the enzyme could serve as a useful tool to study the mechanism of estrogen action.

Length of stay of in-patients of a gynaecological ward in a sub-divisional hospital in West Bengal

Bed utilisation efficiency and hospital resource utilisation are of prime importance to remove the "Hospital Bottlenecks" which in turn reduces length of stay of in-patients. The present study on in-patient system in Gynaecology Ward of a non-teaching hospital revealed that a considerable number of bed days were unnecessarily lost during various activities related to investigation, operation and post-operative stay. Overall length of stay found in this study (14.02 days) is considerably higher than Indian optimum. Average time-lags found between admission to pre-operative investigation and post-operative stay were 3.25 days and 10.22 days respectively.

Alteration of phrenic high frequency oscillation by local cooling of the ventral medullary surface

Cooling of small sites on the ventral medullary surface of the cat produces a decrease in frequency of phrenic high frequency oscillation (HFO). The effect on HFO frequency of cooling near the hypoglossal rootlets, but not the effect of cooling near the inferior cerebellar artery, can be completely offset by raising arterial pCO2 to restore phrenic activity to its precooling level. Thus, structures near the ventral medullary surface are important for generation or propagation of phrenic HFO. The effect of cooling of the 'intermediate area' cannot be entirely explained as depression of putative central chemoreceptor activity.

Effect of DDT on plant mineral nutrition

DDT added to soil at a concentration of 50 microg g(-1) had no inhibitory effects on germination and plant growth of barley, mung and rice, but considerably inhibited the oilseed species tested in the laboratory. The uptake of one or other ions was affected in varying degrees, with plants grown in DDT-treated soils. Detailed field studies of a peanut crop further confirmed the inhibition of ion uptake with DDT, especially Ca(2+) and K(+). Reduced uptake of (86)Rb by germinated peanut seeds in the presence of DDT further supported the observations made with K(+). Cell number and length in plants were reduced in plants grown in DDT-treated soil and the role of calcium is discussed. It appears that growth inhibition in oil seed plants may arise from the low levels of Ca(2+) and K(+) in plants grown in DDT-treated soils.

Coverage evaluation surveys amongst children in some blocks of West Bengal

Immunisation coverage evaluation was carried out in 9 Blocks of West Bengal amongst 12-23 months old children. Fully immunised status of 5 blocks were under 16%. Poor measles vaccine coverage thought to be the reason. Other vaccine coverage was more than 60%, in most of the blocks excepting Hilly Balurghat and Tamluk. "Child ill-not brought" was the important reason for immunisation failure in most of the blocks.

Immunological status of women with prolonged oral contraceptives and occurrence of giardiasis

Immunological status of 14 women taking oral contraceptive for prolonged period (more than 6 months, low dose pill) was studied. Phytohaemagglutinin induced lymphocytes stimulation (PILT) was found to be significantly depressed in these subjects though T-lymphocyte subpopulation was found to be normal. Serum IgA and IgG levels in these cases were found to be normal but IgM level was increased. Though incidence of G lamblia infection was reported to be high in immunocompromised subjects, it was found only one out of 14 subjects taking oral contraceptive harboured the protozoa.

Type I protein S deficiency and skin necrosis

A kindred with Type I protein S deficiency is described in which the index case developed skin necrosis during induction of oral anticoagulant therapy for deep venous thrombosis. Two other family members with protein S deficiency have been detected, and demonstrate the clinical variability of this condition.

Respiratory effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate on the ventrolateral medullary surface

We studied the central effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on respiration in 18 artificially ventilated cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Unilateral topical application of NMDA (1 x 10(-8) mol) to the intermediate region of the ventrolateral medulla exaggerates the phrenic response to CO2 at end-tidal PCO2 levels of less than 50.0 Torr. At higher end-tidal PCO2 levels, however, such differences disappear. Unilateral NMDA application increases the activity of the right and left phrenic nerves equally. Furthermore, the magnitude of the phrenic response after unilateral application of NMDA was not different from that after bilateral application. NMDA also had a vasopressor action when applied to the ventrolateral medullary surface. In contrast to respiratory responses, bilateral application of NMDA caused a significant increase in blood pressure compared with unilateral application of NMDA. Application of the NMDA antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid abolished both the blood pressure and respiratory effects of NMDA. These results suggest that CO2 and NMDA may act on a common respiratory premotoneuron to produce stimulation of breathing. Because blood pressure responses, unlike respiratory responses, were greater after bilateral application than after unilateral application of NMDA, it is suggested that the neural substrates for the two effects of NMDA seem to be different.

Glycerylphosphorylcholine diesterase activity of uterine fluid in conditions inducing secondary sex ratio change in the rat

Food restriction or decreasing the ratio of [Na+, K+] to [Ca++, Mg++] in the diet of female rats before conception favoured the production of female offspring. Seven days of food deprivation decreased uterine fluid GPC diesterase activity in female rats, whereas long-term food restriction (21 days), rather than decreasing the enzyme activity, apparently stimulated it. Dietary Ca and Mg supplementation, likewise, produced significant decrease in GPC diesterase activity. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the levels of uterine GPC diesterase and secondary sex ratio change, which indicates that these dietary techniques of sex-ratio manipulation may modulate the uterine fluid GPC diesterase activity and influence sex determination in utero.

Sustained hypertransfusion and induction of a transplantable myeloid leukemia in RLV-A-infected BALB/c mice

Infection of BALB/c mice with the RLV-A virus typically results in an erythropoietic dysplasia characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, erythroblastosis, erythroblastemia and severe anemia without reticulocytosis. Mice hypertransfused weekly with 75%-packed red cells for 42 days prior to RLV-A infection and viral potency controls manifested this typical RLV-A response. Mice that were hypertransfused prior to and following RLV-A infection never developed the "typical" RLV-A pathogenesis. Instead, a transplantable myeloid leukemia was established. Although the reason for altered pathogenesis remains uncertain, it seems plausible that continued hypertransfusion, presumably after establishment of an altered granulopoietic microenvironment, resulted in a completely different viral expression and development of the transplantable myeloid leukemia.

Involvement of ventral medullary surface in respiratory responses induced by 2,4-dinitrophenol

We examined the contribution of the neural elements near the ventral medullary surface (VMS) to the respiratory response caused by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). Two series of experiments were performed on 12 vagotomized and sinoaortic denervated cats. The first series examined the effect of focal cooling of the VMS on the respiratory response to DNP in four spontaneously breathing, anesthetized cats. When the VMS temperature was 37 degrees C, systemic administration of DNP increased minute ventilation under nearly isocapnic conditions, and focal cooling of the intermediate area of VMS to 20 degrees C attenuated the ventilatory augmentation caused by DNP. To eliminate the influence of anesthetics, a second group of experiments was performed on eight decerebrate, artificially ventilated cats while phrenic nerve activity was monitored as an index of respiration. AgNO3 (10%) was topically applied to the VMS until the respiratory response to inhaled CO2 was abolished. Apnea occurred in seven of eight cats after AgNO3, whereas in the remaining one animal, tidal phrenic activity decreased substantially. Systemic administration of DNP produced no respiratory excitation in any of the animals. On the other hand, rhythmic respiratory activity could be provoked by electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor area and carotid sinus nerve and by excitation of somatic afferents. Histological examination of the brain stem showed that the AgNO3 had penetrated no more than 350 microns from the ventral medullary surface. These results indicate superficial structures of the VMS are of potential importance in mediating the respiratory responses to hypermetabolism.

Integration of cardiorespiratory responses in the ventrolateral medulla

Interventions confined to the region adjacent to the VMS can produce both respiratory and circulatory effects. Although it has been suggested that both breathing and vasomotor changes arise from the same neural elements near the VMS, our own investigations indicate that the neurons involved are closely linked but not identical. This belief is supported by recent studies which show that AII and angiotensin antagonists microinjected into the rostral portion of the VMS can significantly modify blood pressure and respiration but can produce effects of different sign. These observations, coupled with previous studies of the VMS, indicate the possibility that regions near the VMS may contribute to integration of circulatory and respiratory responses.

Effects of DDT on the growth of crop plants

The effects of DDT on the germination and growth of plants were studied using many crop species. Of the species tested, oil-rich seeds of plants, such as peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and mustard (Brassica juncea), were more prone to DDT induced inhibition of germination and subsequent plant growth than cereals, pulses and fibre crops, like rice (Oryza sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), mung bean Vigna radiata), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). Studies with (14)C labelled DDT showed that insecticide uptake by seeds was directly proportional to seed size. However, there was no direct relationship between DDT uptake by the seeds and its subsequent translocation to the growing regions or the degree of growth inhibition. Data suggest that oil content of the seeds per se has a bearing on the susceptibility or tolerance of a plant to DDT. It is suggested that lipids of the plant cell solubilize and disperse DDT in the cytoplasm, which, in turn, affects normal metabolism within the cell.

Naloxone enhances the response to hypercapnia of spinal and cranial respiratory nerves

To assess the effects of endogenous opiates on respiratory muscle responses to CO2, naloxone was administered intravenously to paralyzed, vagotomized and artificially ventilated cats anesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Neural activity was recorded from the phrenic, hypoglossal (HG), glossopharyngeal (GP) and recurrent laryngeal (RL) nerves. Before naloxone, phasic activity began first in the phrenic at a PETCO2 of 30.0 +/- 1.8 Torr, followed by the RL at a PETCO2 of 33.5 +/- 1.7 Torr, the HG at a PETCO2 of 39.9 +/- 2.1 Torr and the GP at a PETCO2 of 42.5 +/- 2.2 Torr during CO2 rebreathing. Naloxone had no significant effect on the apneic threshold of any of the nerves studied. Naloxone did, however, increase respiratory frequency (P less than 0.01) mainly by causing a significant (P less than 0.01) shortening of TE as it had no significant effect on TI. Naloxone also significantly increased the rate at which peak nerve activity increased with CO2 in the HG (P less than 0.01) and the GP (P less than 0.01) nerves, but not in the phrenic and RL nerves. Instead, the maximum activity produced by hypercapnia and the PETCO2 level at which maximum activity occurred in the phrenic, but not the RL, increased after naloxone. The result of these effects was that naloxone extended the range over which the HG and GP behaved proportionally with the phrenic, but it did not change the curvilinear nature of these relationships.

Respiratory and vasomotor responses to focal cooling of the ventral medullary surface (VMS) of the rat

Experiments were performed on anesthetized, paralyzed and artificially ventilated rats after denervation of the vagus and carotid sinus nerves. The electrical activity of the phrenic and cervical sympathetic nerves (CS) along with the arterial blood pressure (BP) were monitored. Graded unilateral cooling of the ventral lateral surface (VMS) from 37 degrees C to 10 degrees C between 6th and 12th nerve rootlets did not affect the phrenic activity. Whereas, a significant depression or apnea was seen with cooling of an area between 1st cervical and 12th nerve rootlets. Bilateral cooling also produced similar respiratory responses. Respiratory depression could also be obtained during higher respiratory drive (7% CO2 in O2). On the other hand, a significant fall in BP and reduction in CS activity were observed with unilateral cooling in any of these VMS areas. However, the magnitude of BP decrease was less with 7% CO2 in O2 compared to 100% O2 breathing.

Cytogenetic analyses of somatic chromosomes in a transplantable monomyelocytic leukemia in BALB/c mice

In vivo cytogenetic analyses have been performed using G-, C-, and nuclear organizing region (NOR)-banding techniques, and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) on a transplantable monomyelocytic leukemia (MML) initially induced in female BALB/c mice by the Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV). Centromeric associations have been found to be greatly increased in MML transplanted mice. Transplantability of the disease has been demonstrated at the cytogenetic level by the presence of female cells in males transplanted with MML cells. G-banding analysis has shown the existence of a marker deleted chromosome 18 in all tissues examined (bone marrow, spleen, and peripheral blood) restricted to female transplanted cells. The NOR-banding analysis has shown a slight increase in the number of Ag-NOR sites per metaphase in MML transplanted mice compared with controls and the existence of an extra chromosome having NOR in MML transplanted mice. No differences were found in C banding between controls and MML transplanted mice. In MML transplanted males, female transformed cells showed a significant reduction in SCE frequency compared with host male cells or controls.

Correlation of polarized absorption spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction studies of crystalline cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase of pig hearts

Absorption spectra of large, well-formed crystals of cytosolic aspartate aminotransferase have been recorded using plane polarized light. Making use of measurements of crystal thickness we have calculated extinction coefficients with the electric vector of the light parallel to both the a and c axes of the crystals of the enzyme in space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). The spectra have been resolved into components with lognormal distribution curves and the resulting integrated intensities have been used to calculate the c/a polarization ratios for the absorption bands of the bound co-enzyme pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. From the polarization ratio and the co-ordinates of the co-enzyme ring atoms, provided by X-ray crystallography, we have assigned principal molecular directions of the transition dipole moment within the plane of the co-enzyme ring. Of two possible orientations, only one predicts the correct crystal extinction coefficients for the 436 nm band. In this orientation, when viewed from the B face of the ring (i.e. looking into the active site of the enzyme), the transition moment is related to the N-1-C-4 axis of the ring by counterclockwise rotation by 27 degrees. A tentative assignment of the principal molecular directions of the transition moment has also been made for the 368 nm band of the high pH form of the enzyme. In each case, the plane of the co-enzyme ring was located from the atomic co-ordinates of the ring atoms and of those atoms attached directly to the ring. The projection of the N-1 to C-4 axis on to this plane was used to evaluate the orientation of the transition moment, which was presumed to lie precisely within the plane of the ring. We have tilted this plane systematically to evaluate the error in transition moment direction resulting from uncertainties in the atomic co-ordinates. When 2-methylaspartate is diffused into the crystals if forms a Schiff base with the co-enzyme in which the ring has tilted about 32 degrees from its original position and the polarization ratio of the 436 nm band drops from 1.6 in the free enzyme to about 0.38. On the assumption that the orientation of the transition moment within the co-enzyme does not change during this rotation, this value of the polarization ratio is within experimental error of that predicted from X-ray structures on the two forms. The 2-methylaspartate binds only to subunit 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)