Factors influencing nearshore hypoxia in the southeastern Arabian Sea: A sensor-based study

Seasonal upwelling and the associated incursion of hypoxic waters into the coastal zone is a widely studied topic over different upwelling zones. However, its persistence or variations over short time scales are poorly addressed. The present study, therefore, brings out a first report on hourly variations in the temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen recorded by an environmental data buoy equipped with sensors, deployed in the nearshore waters of Alappuzha (southeastern Arabian Sea) from April to August 2022. The characteristic feature of the Alappuzha coast is the development of mud banks during the southwest monsoon, providing a tranquil environment suitable for continuous sensor-based measurements when the sea remains turbulent elsewhere. The results showed that despite an advance in the upwelling intensity, there is a significant variation in the oxygen concentration in the study domain on a diurnal scale. In general, the nearshore region was under hypoxia during the first half of the day (00:00 to 12:00 h), which increased steadily to reach normoxic and supersaturated levels during the rest of the day (12:00 to 24:00 h). Statistical analysis showed that winds significantly correlate to the coastal environment's subsurface oxygen concentration. During the morning hours, the wind was weak, and the water column remained stratified over the subsurface hypoxic water layer. The situation changed in the afternoon (12:00 h onwards), as there was a steady increase in the local wind speed (>5 m/s), which was sustained during the rest of the day. A local wind speed >5 m/s can disturb the stratification and enhance the mixing process from 12:00 to 24:00 h. The total kinetic energy of 11.5 J/m3 is the threshold for this oxygen supersaturation. These findings emphasize the role of wind-induced mixing in alleviating coastal hypoxia, highlighting the need for further biogeochemical and ecological investigations into the impacts of alternating oxic-hypoxic conditions in nearshore waters.

International comparison of hip fracture rates in 1988-89

A comparison of hip fracture rates among nine countries (Canada, Chile, Finland, Hong Kong, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States and Venezuela) was made using national hospital discharge data for the same time interval. The rates increased by age and were higher for females than males in all nine countries. When based on overall discharge rates, the incidence of hip fracture appeared high in three European countries (Finland, Scotland and Sweden) relative to the other countries. However, when transfer cases were removed and adjustments made for differences in case definition, the risk of hip fracture for both men and women was much similar among the four European and two North American countries, but higher than in Hong Kong. Rates of fracture were lowest in Venezuela and Chile, varying from three to 11 times less than for residents of the other seven countries. Although there are limitations in using hospital discharge data as a measure of incidence, the wide variation in the risk of hip fracture across the nine countries appears real but differences between North American and north European countries may not be as great as previously reported. Such cross-national comparisons may help clarify different etiologic hypotheses.

Effect of leucopelargonin derivative from Ficus bengalensis Linn. on diabetic dogs

Dimethoxy ether of Leucopelargonidin-3-0-alpha-L rhamnoside isolated from the bark of the Indian Banyan tree Ficus bengalensis Linn. was tested for antidiabetic effect. At a medium effective dose (100 mg/kg) on oral administration, the compound showed significant hypoglycemic and serum insulin raising action in normal as also moderately diabetic dogs (induced by alloxan) during a period of two hours. The mechanism of action of the glycoside compound seems to be similar to that of drugs which stimulate insulin secretion. On acute and chronic administration in single doses of 0.2-1.8 g/kg to different groups of mice and daily administration of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg to rats for a period of one month respectively did not show any toxic effect and the compound was not lethal even at the high dose of 1.8 g/kg in experimental animals.

Monoconjugated bilirubin is a major component of hemolysis-induced gallstones in mice

The role of bilirubin conjugates in the formation of pigment gallstones is not known. In this study, we completely solubilized and then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography specimens of black pigment gallstones from eight nb/nb mice with hereditary hemolytic anemia. Each dried gallstone specimen of about 200 micrograms was dissolved in 5 ml of dimethyl sulfoxide/0.15 M HCI/50 mM disodium-EDTA (8:1:1 by volume) at room temperature. Stone dissolution was complete by 30 min as monitored by the A456 and direct observation, and no oxidative products of bilirubin were observed in the visible spectrum, 350 to 750 nm. By high-performance liquid chromatography, the intact tetrapyrroles were separated as diconjugated and monoconjugated bilirubins; unconjugated bilirubin was resolved as XIII, IX and III alpha-isomers. The isocratic solvent system used was 0.1 M di-n-dodecylamine acetate/0.1 M di-n-octylamine acetate (4:1, v/v) in methanol, pH 7.4, at a flow of 1 ml per min. Diconjugated bilirubin accounted for 6.0 +/- 2.4 molar % (mean +/- S.E.), monoconjugated bilirubin for 37.4 +/- 8.4% and unconjugated bilirubin for 56.3 +/- 8.9% of the solubilized pigments. The IX alpha-isomer represented 96 +/- 1.9% of the unconjugated bilirubin. The presence of bilirubin conjugates in gallstones was confirmed by ethylanthranilate diazotization: the conjugated azodipyrrole in stone had the same retention time as that of conjugated azodipyrrole from rat and mouse bile. A majority of the bilirubin conjugates was sensitive to beta-glucuronidase of liver origin, indicating that the C-1 glucuronide ester was present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic and ultrastructural characterization of guinea pig alveolar type II cells isolated by centrifugal elutriation

Direct biochemical studies of the whole lung have been quite misleading because of the heterogeneity of the lung cell types. One of the advantages of studying the isolated cells is to be able to correlate specific metabolic functions with intracellular molecular events and to differentiate factors that affect the type II cell function directly. In the present study we have isolated type II cells from guinea pig lung with elastase and purified them by centrifugal elutriation. These cells fluoresce with phosphine 3R as the dye is specifically taken up by the lamellar bodies. In the electron micrographs, the type II cells display punctate villi, which underwent fragmentation in those cases where metrizamide density gradient was used. Mitochondria are scattered throughout the cytoplasm, and smooth endoplasmic reticulum is sparse. Type II cells possess large irregularly shaped nuclei with peripheral areas of dense hemochromatin and at least one prominent nucleolus. Ovoid lamellar bodies are the most prominent cellular inclusions. These bodies are present throughout the cytoplasm and contain a substructure of whorling and concentric laminations. Biochemical studies indicate that type II cells prepared by centrifugal elutriation are metabolically well preserved as seen from incorporation of [14C]leucine into cellular proteins, [methyl-14C]choline into cellular disaturated phosphatidylcholine and CDP[methyl-14C]choline into mitochondrial and microsomal phosphatidylcholine. Superiority of centrifugal elutriation over the commonly employed combination of discontinuous metrizamide gradient and cell elutriation is evident from the present study.

Correlation of sulphadimidine acetylation test in urine and blood for isoniazid phenotyping

Sulphadimidine acetylation was determined in 110 cases in samples obtained from urine and blood. A trimodal distribution was observed by both the methods. The correlation co-efficient "r" for the two methods was 0.46.

Incidence of isoniazid acetylation phenotypes in North Indians

Isoniazid acetylation phenotypes were determined in 110 cases (55 of pulmonary tuberculosis and 55 of nontubercular chest diseases) by sulphadimidine acetylation test (Bratton and Marshall method). Cases with more than 65% of acetylated sulphadimidine in urine at 6th h were classified as fast acetylators, those with less than 50% as slow acetylators and others with values between 50-65% as intermediate acetylators. There were 39.09% fast, 46.36% intermediate and 14.55% slow acetylators. Possible factors for difference in results from other Indian studies have been discussed. Sulphadimidine acetylation showed no variation due to presence of disease, age, sex, religion, place of origin, height, weight and smoking habits. However, 79% of those who took alcohol regularly turned out to be fast acetylators.

Alteration of hepatic drug metabolism in female patients with congestive cardiac failure

Antipyrine was used to assess the status of drug metabolism in ten female patients with congestive cardiac failure. Ten age-matched female subjects were used as controls. Patients showed a 40% increase in antipyrine plasma half-life (APH). Elimination constant (Ke) was decreased by 19% in patients as compared to controls. The area under the curve (AUC) was increased by 32% in the patient group. The routine liver function tests did not show any significant alteration in the patients. Increase in APH and AUC and decrease in Ke suggest impaired hepatic drug metabolism in patients with congestive cardiac failure.

Determination of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione and malonyldialdehyde in uremia

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD: EC 1.15.1.1), catalase (EC 1.15.1.6), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD: EC 1.1.1.49), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were studied in 27 patients with chronic and 11 patients with acute renal failure. A comparison with 15 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects showed that patients with both acute and chronic renal failure had significantly low G-6-PD (p less than 0.05) values whereas SOD, catalase and MDA showed significantly elevated levels (p less than 0.05). After adequate dialysis or renal transplantation the SOD, G-6-PD, catalase and MDA values returned to normal. The findings suggest that the erythrocyte SOD, catalase, and G-6-PD can undergo an adaptive alteration which however appears reversible.

Enhanced antipyrine metabolism in cigarette smokers in Indian population

A single oral dose of mg/kg body weight of antipyrine was administered to 10 chronic cigarette smokers and to 9 appropriate control healthy volunteers. Plasma antipyrine half-life (t 1/2 beta) was shortened significantly (p < 0.05) in cigarette smokers as compared to the non-smokers control group. Antipyrine was cleared from the blood faster in cigarette smokers, with a mean increase in metabolic clearance rate from 0.637 ml/min/kg in nonsmokers to 0.831 ml/min/kg in cigarette smokers. Concern as to enhanced metabolism of other drugs is probably warranted in cigarette smokers.

The effects of aminoethyl phosphonic acid on hepatic microsomal drug metabolism and ultrastructure of normal and cholesterol fed rats

The effects of parenteral administration of aminoethyl phosphonic acid (AEP) on the liver microsomal drug metabolism and ultrastructure were studied in normal and 1% cholesterol-fed albino rats. AEP administration to rats fed a stock-diet resulted in decreased demethylation of aminopyrine with a concomitant fall in cytochrome P-450 level. Aniline hydroxylation remained unaltered. AEP injection to cholesterol-fed rats, caused marked reduction in both aminopyrine demethylation and aniline hydroxylation, with a significant increase in cytochrome P-450 level. AEP injection to both control and cholesterol-fed animals produced a modest increase in Bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase. RNA:DNA ratio showed remarkable elevation in rats fed the cholesterol diet with AEP injection. AEP injection caused an atypical smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a marked loss of nuclear euchromatin. Effect of AEP was more pronounced in rats receiving the cholesterol-diet. AEP administration thus induces structural and drug metabolic enzyme alteration in liver.

A factor in milk which influences cholestermia in rats

Rats fed cholesterol show an adaptive response over several weeks with lowering of the initial rise of choleseremia to near normal levels. This reducation of cholesteremia is augmented by including milk powder in the diet. A similar effect is obtained by feeding 0.1% beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaric acid (HMG) in the diet. The evidence suggests that milk powder contains HMG.

The role of small intestine and kidney in bromosulphthalein conjugation

1. The roles of the kidney and the small intestine in the conjugation of bromosulphthalein have been compared with that of the liver. 2. Studies with homogenates indicated that the liver has a higher bromosulphthalein-glutathione-conjugating activity than the intestine and kidney. The reduced glutathione content of the liver is greater than that of the small intestine and kidneys, which contain comparable amounts. 3. Experiments in vitro with tissue slices confirmed that the three organ are able to extract significant amount of bromosulphthalein. In carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic necrosis the uptake and conjugation of the dye by the liver were reduced but were increased in the kidney and unchanged in the small intestine. 4. After an intravenous injection of bromosulphthalein, the percentages conjugated in the liver, kidney and gut were similar.

Effect on the reproductive functions of female rhesus monkeys of feeding irradiated wheat flour and potato diet

We investigated the effects on reproductive functions of feeding adult rhesus monkeys on a diet of irradiated wheat flour and potato. Wheat flour and potatoes were exposed to 75000 and 10000 rad, respectively, of gamma-irradiation and then fed to the animals. Various parameters of reproductive function were compared with those of animals fed on unirradiated food. These were: external changes in the reproductive organs, menstrual cycle, vaginal cytology, assay of urinary hormones (oestrogens and pregnanediol), and post-mortem histopathological examination of the reproductive organs. At the end of 3 months, the experimental and control animals behaved similarly with regard to their reproductive functions.

Variations of some plasma components after closed fractures

1) Variations in the serum concentrations of total proteins and the electrophoretic fractions, glycoprotein, mucoprotein, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline, and acid phosphatases were analyzed until the 30th day following uncomplicated fracture of shafts of long bones of the limbs in 25 cases. 2) A significant fall of albumin with concomitant rise of alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta globulins were noted until 30th day. 3) Mucoprotein, glycoprotein, and fibrinogen showed parallel elevations with that of alpha and beta globulins. 4) The peak values of alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulins, mucoprotein, and fibrinogen were registered on the 10th day after trauma. Albumin showed maximum fall on the 10th day in all these cases. 5) Glycoprotein showed a peak value on the 5th day. 6) Total protein and gamma globulin remained almost unchanged throughout the studies. 7) Beta globulin showed higher values and paralleled more closely the fibrinogen and erythrocyte sedementation rates. 8) The elevations of beta globulin, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were higher, and persisted beyond 30 days in lower-limb fractures as compared to upper-limb fractures. 9) Serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase were not significantly different following fractures and therefore did not reflect much physiologic variation. 10) The most significant changes in the levels of plasma fractions studied were conspicuous on the 10th day and lasted for about 1 month.

Estimation of hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase in patients with noncirrhotic portal fibrosis and liver disease: Significance and limitations

Using a micromethod, hepatic bilirubin UDP-glucuronyl transferase has been assayed in percutaneous needle biopsy samples obtained from patients with infectious hepatitis, postnecrotic cirrhosis, Gilbert's disease, noncirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), granuloma of the liver, and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. The results were compared with those obtained from 10 control subjects. Patients with cirrhosis and infectious hepatitis revealed normal bilirubin transferase levels, whereas those with Gilbert's disease showed significantly low enzyme levels. Many patients with NCPF, some with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction, and patients with granulomatous involvement of the liver demonstrated significantly low levels. This low hepatitic-enzyme activity was not associated with hyperbilirubinemia. The mechanism of such low values in NCPF and other disorders is not known. It is postulated that low heaptic-enzyme activity in noncirrhotic portal fibrosis is due to sparse smooth endoplasmic reticulum. This study also emphasizes that serum bilirubin may remain normal with very low hepatic-enzyme activity. Although induction of the microsomal enzyme bilirubin transferase was observed following phenobarbitone administration in noncirrhotic portal fibrosis, this was not apparent in patients with cirrhosis, possibly due to maximal enzyme induction having been achieved by endogenous substrate.

Impaired hepatic release of triglycerides: a possible cause of acute alcoholic fatty liver in the Rhesus monkey

1. The mechanism of development of acute alcoholic fatty liver in the Rhesus monkey was investigated by studying the effect of Triton WR-1339 on plasma triglycerides. 2. After ethanol infusion, the rise in plasma triglyceride produced by Triton was greatly reduced and there was an accumulation of triglyceride in the liver. 3. Thus findings suggest that acute alcoholic fatty liver in Rhesus monkeys is probably due to a defect in the release of triglyceride from the liver.

Acute alcoholic fatty liver in the Rhesus monkey

1. The effect of intravenous infusion of ethanol on the concentration of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) and triglycerides (TG) and on hepatic triglyceride content was studied in Rhesus monkeys.

2. A minor fall in the plasma FFA was observed after the infusion of ethanol, followed by a rise in FFA which was prevented by a beta-receptor blocking agent.

3. Ethanol administration increased the liver triglyceride level.

4. Prior treatment with a beta-receptor blocking agent which apparently blocked the adrenergic process did not prevent accumulation of triglycerides in the ethanol-treated animals.