Specificity of 1-triacontanol as a plant growth stimulator and inhibition of its effect by other long-chain compounds

The effect of several analogs of 1-triacontanol (TRIA), differing in C-chain length (16-32), the position of the hydroxyl group and the terminal functional group, were tested alone and in combination with TRIA on the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings. Applied alone, none of the compounds caused an increase in growth; thus, chain length (30 C) and presence and position (terminal) of the hydroxyl group appear to be specific for the growth-promoting activity of TRIA. When applied simultaneously with TRIA, all analogs inhibited the response to the latter in all three test plants, whether applied in the nutrient solution, as foliar spray or by seed soaking. 1-Octacosanol inhibited the response of rice seedlings to 2.3 x 10(-8) M TRIA at concentrations as low as 2.4 x 10(-12) M. Thus preparations of TRIA and application equipment must be free from trace amounts of other long-chain compounds if they are to be used to increase plant growth.

Indomethacin and naproxen suppositories in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

A double-blind cross-over study of 35 out-patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed that Naproxen and Indomethacin suppositories were both effective forms of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis, both being significantly superior to placebo in terms of relief of morning stiffness.

Byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease in U.S. cotton gins

A pilot study of cotton gin workers was undertaken in the ginning industry so as to determine if a definitive study could be undertaken and to make some first order estimates of byssinosis and chronic respiratory disease and to compare the findings to those reported in the African and European gins. Baseline medical data were collected on 203 gin workers and 260 controls, consisting of a medical symptom questionnaire, a chest x-ray and the forced expiratory spirogram pulmonary test. Results revealed a prevalence of functional reactors equal to that found in the textile industry and other gin studies (44%) as determined by spirometric testing, without any association to smoking history. The major reaction group within the ginning population was those working in the baling press area. These same workers demonstrated evidence of chronic depressions in their spirometry data. No excess of chronic respiratory disease as determined by the questionnaire was detected within the gin worker population.

Reducing the pill swill: an audit of clinical pharmacy

A drug surveillance programme involving pharmacists in a general medical ward has been shown to reduce the number of drugs prescribed to patients and also to reduce the number of dispensing errors. The evidence presented suggests that continuing involvement of pharmacists in patient care at the ward level is required to maintain the improved prescribing habits.

Schistosomiasis haematobium

In our patient, schistosomiasis haematobium was not diagnosed and was treated as a urinary tract infection by several physicians. Physicians are urged to become increasingly aware of the need to recognize strange and exotic diseases normally not present in this country.

Circulating thymic-hormone activity in congenital immunodeficiency

Circulating thymic-hormone activity was assayed by measuring Thy 1-2 antigen induction on null lymphocytes from athymic mice incubated with human plasma or serum. Plasma from 19 normal children aged under 10 had inductive activity equivalent to 10-6-16-2 ng thymopoitin/ml. Plasma from 15 infants were severe combined immuno-deficiency, 2 of whom had appreciable immunoglobulin synthesis, and from 2 infants with DiGeorge syndrome had little or no inductive activity. Successful reconstitution with thymus or bone-marrow grafts and with red-cell infusions (if adenosine-deaminase deficiency is present) was followed by a rise in circulating thymic-hormone activity.

Medical student performance skills in otolaryngology

A clinical rating scale was developed to assess clinical skills of third-year medical students completing a two-week required clerkship in otolaryngology. Thirty-seven students in six consecutive small groups were rated with the instrument by themselves, their student peers, and the departmental staff, and the ratings compared. The instrument was usable and aceeptance was good. Agreement among the differenet rating bodies was poor, but single observations by staff or peers were suitably reliable when multiple raters were used. The "halo effect" was particularly evident in staff ratings.

Coeliac plexus block with alcohol for relief of upper abdominal pain due to cancer

One hundred cases of coeliac plexus block in which absolute alcohol was used as a sclerosing agent, performed over a period of 10 years between 1963 and 1973, are analysed. A success rate of 91% in relieving the pain of advanced intra-abdominal malignant disease is claimed and reasons for failures are advanced. The technique described is relatively simple and a 3-day hospital stay is all that is required. It is recommended that this procedure be carried out before the invalid is subjected to repeated injections of narcotic drugs or any form of surgery for pain relief.

A photometric study of the color of health gingiva

An apparatus was developed that was found suitable for measuring gingival color in terms of reflectance at 6328 A. A total of 445 readings were taken on 95 Caucasian subjects in order to determine certain properties of healthy gingival color. It was determined that: 1. Healthy adult gingival color ranged in reflectance from 17% to 45% of the magnesium oxide standard, with a mean of 32%. 2. Gingival color of children was lighter than that of adults. The reflectance of children's gingiva ranged from 31% to 43%, with a mean of 35%. 3. Gingival color did not vary with the sex of the individual. 4. Gingival color was lighter in individuals with blonde hair than in individuals with brown hair. 5. Gingival color was darker in individuals with darker eye color. 6. Gingival color was lighter in individuals with geographic origins that are commonly related to lighter complexions. 7. Gingival color did not vary with age, within the adult range covered in this study. 8. Gingival color did not vary with the following physiological and physical factors: menstrual period, use of oral contraceptives, smoking habits, moistness or dryness of the gingiva, which side was measured, time of day, or time after toothbrushing, smoking a cigarette, eating an apple, or drinking a hot beverage.

Application of visual-analogue scales to the measurement of functional capacity

Visual-analogue scales can be used to measure the subjective aspect of functional ability but, in a group of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, the severity of impairment of two predetermined functional tests was low in comparison with the severity of pain. Measurements of the ability to carry out these two functions, using visual-analogue and descriptive scales, and also using the time taken to perform the tasks, were not useful measures of the effectiveness of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Poor correlations were obtained between different measures of the same function and between different functions measured in the same way.

The action of isoproterenol on phenylthiourea induced pulmonary edema

Isoproterenol inhalation increases the pulmonary edema induced in rats by phenylthiourea. Propranolol decreases this response while phenoxybenzamine has no effect upon it. It is proposed that the observed increase in toxicity is related to the beta-adrenergic effects of the isoproterenol and that the specific mechanism responsible might be an increase in pulmonary capillary hydrostatic pressure which is secondary to an increase in pulmonary blood flow.