Small rodent communities and their associated damage to wheat-groundnut agriculture systems

Abstract Rodents can cause significant damage to wheat-groundnut crops in developing countries, as well as to stored produce and infrastructure, affecting food security and income of small-holder farmers. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogea) are important cash crops for local farmers in Pakistan. Field experiments were performed to assess the extent of rodent damage to wheat-groundnut crops throughout their growth stages (i.e, germination, flowering/peg formation and maturity) in the agro-ecological zones of Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan. We used a quadrat method to record the number of damaged crop plants. On the basis of the trapping data four rodent species were captured from wheat-groundnut cropping systems which were responsible for causing damage, i.e., lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis) was the main species, followed by the short-tailed mole rat (Nesokia indica), the Indian gerbil (Tatera indica) and the bush rat (Golunda ellioti). In both crops, the maximum damage was recorded at crop maturity (10.7 and 14.4%, respectively). The lowest reported damage to wheat and groundnuts was at the germination stage (3.5% and 6.0%, respectively). The lower damage reported at germination could be due to availability of non-crop vegetation at field borders that may be a potential factor influencing damage. Our findings clearly show the considerable amount of damage caused by rodents to wheat-groundnut at maturity across all the agro-ecological zones of Pothwar and indicated that the small mammal composition was more related to maturity stage/season of crops, when the availability of food and climatic condition were favorable and having security under crop shelter. More detailed studies are needed to fully understand the population and breeding ecology of the relevant rodent pest species in relation to damage patterns to optimize management beyond individual structural measures.

Unsteady nanofluid flow over a cone featuring mixed convection and variable viscosity

This article addresses unsteady nanofluid flow over a cone with MHD and mixed convection effects. Effects of variable viscosity and viscous dissipation are also considered. The resulting system of equations is tackled through the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The impact of different influential variables on skin friction coefficient, heat and mass flux are discovered through numerical tables and graphs. It is noted that the surface drag force in x and y directions increases against the buoyancy force parameter. Also, it is observed that the tangential and azimuthal velocity decrease against the variable viscosity parameter. Furthermore, the temperature of fluid is observed to decay against the unsteady parameter but it increases against the Eckert number.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Thiazolidinone-Triazoles Derivatives as Antidiabetic Agents: Pharmacokinetics, Molecular Docking, and In Vitro Antidiabetic Properties

Mechanochemistry is an eco-friendly and solventless method. In the present study, the surface of a custom-made closed mortar and pestle is used as a catalyst to synthesize thiazolidinone-triazole derivatives successfully. The compounds were subjected to potential antidiabetic activity. The results showed that para-chloro-substituted derivative (9c) is most active with IC50 values of 10±1.56. All three compounds 9a-9c with a maximum of 20% inhibition for ALR1 represent superior selectivity toward the targeted ALR2 to act as a lead in the search for new antidiabetic agents.

Hydrogen sulphide alleviates cadmium stress in Trigonella foenum-graecum by modulating antioxidant enzymes and polyamine content

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity reduces growth and yield of crops grown in metal-polluted sites. Research was conducted to estimate the potential of hydrogen sulphide (H₂ S) to mitigate toxicity caused by Cd in fenugreek seedlings (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Different concentrations of CdCl₂ (Cd1-1 mM, Cd2-1.5 mM, Cd3-2mM) and H₂ S (HS1-100 µM, HS2-150 µM, HS3-200 µM) were assessed. Seeds of fenugreek were primed with sodium hydrosulphide (NaHS), as H₂ S donor. Seedlings growing in Cd-spiked media treated with H₂ S were harvested after 2 weeks. Cd stress affected growth of fenugreek seedlings. Cd toxicity decreased leaf relative water content (LRWC), intercellular CO₂ concentration, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and transpiration. However, application of H₂ S significantly improved seedling morphological attributes by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, i.e. APX, CAT and SOD, in Cd-contaminated soil. H₂ S treatment also regulated phenolic and flavonoid content. H₂ S-induced biosynthesis of spermidine (Spd) and putrescine (Put) could account for the enhancement of growth and physiological performance of fenugreek seedlings under Cd stress. H₂ S treatment also reduced H₂ O₂ production (38%) and electrolyte leakage (EL, 51%) in seedlings grown in different concentrations of Cd. It is recommended to evaluate the efficacy of H₂ S in alleviating Cd toxicity in other crop plants.

Effect of bovine lactoferrin on seroconversion following polio vaccine administration in children: protocol for a double-blinded randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The oral polio vaccine (OPV) has substantial results in eliminating wild poliovirus and the vaccine of choice in polio eradication. However, the mucosal immunity induced by the OPV is still uncertain. Literature has shown that bovine lactoferrin (BLF) is a safe and useful protein found in cow's milk with extraordinary antimicrobial, antiviral, antiinflammatory and immune-modulatory functions that help children's gut to fight against micro-organisms like poliovirus. However, limited data exist regarding the effect of BLF on polio vaccine immune response. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of BLF in enhancing mucosal and humoral immunity in children following the administration of oral and inactivated polio vaccines.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a two-arm double-blinded randomised controlled trial comparing 462 neonates (231 in both groups) receiving either BLF or placebo with breast milk. The intervention is administered from day 1 till 6 weeks of age to a full-term healthy singleton newborn born at the Aga Khan University Hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan. The primary outcome is the seroconversion, 1 month after the receipt of two doses of OPV (at 10 weeks). For descriptive statistical analysis, Stata will be used, the frequency with percentages will be reported to describe baseline characteristics of the participants. A χ² test will be used to compare categorical variables and a simple t test to compare continuous variables. The proportion of seroconversion and shedding will be compared using χ² test or Fisher's exact test.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Ethics approval has been granted by the Ethics Review Committee (ERC) of Aga Khan University for the proposed trial (ID: 2019-1955-5013). Furthermore, the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan has also approved the study for human subject research (ID: 4-87/NBC-443/19/669). Study findings will be disseminated through presentations at scientific conferences and educational practice workshops and will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04432935; ClinicalTrials.gov.

Aging phenotype(s) in kidneys of diabetic mice are p66ShcA dependent

The p66ShcA protein controls cellular responses to oxidative stress, senescence, and apoptosis. Here, we test the hypothesis that aging phenotype(s) commonly associated with the broad category of chronic kidney disease are accelerated in diabetic kidneys and linked to the p66ShcA locus. At the organ level, tissue stem cells antagonize senescent phenotypes by replacing old dysfunctional cells. Using established methods, we isolated a highly purified population of stem cell antigen-1-positive mesenchymal stem cells (Sca-1⁺ MSCs) from kidneys of wild-type (WT) and p66 knockout (p66 KO) mice. Cells were plated in culture medium containing normal glucose (NG) or high glucose (HG). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism was substantially increased in WT MSCs in HG medium in association with increased cell death by apoptosis and acquisition of the senescent phenotype. DNA microarray analysis detected striking differences in the expression profiles of WT and p66 KO-MSCs in HG medium. Unexpectedly, the analysis for p66 KO-MSCs revealed upregulation of Wnt genes implicated in self-renewal and differentiation. To test the in vivo consequences of constitutive p66 expression in diabetic kidneys, we crossed the Akita diabetic mouse with the p66KO mouse. Homozygous mutation at the p66 locus delays or prevents aging phenotype(s) in the kidney that may be precursors to diabetic nephropathy.

Meningiomas with vertebrobasilar artery encasement: review of 17 cases

Seventeen patients with petroelival and foramen magnum meningiomas encasing the vertebral or basilar arteries and their branches were surgically excised over a 3-year period. All six cases with vertebral artery encasement were totally excised. One vertebral artery was occluded, one was repaired, and one was replaced with a vein graft. None of the patients had a permanent major neurologic deficit. In one patient with vertebral and basilar artery encasement, a hypoplastic vertebral artery was occluded and the tumor was totally excised. She had a transient worsening of hemiparesis, presumably due to the dissection of tumor from the brainstem. Among the ten patients with encasement of the basilar artery and branches, injury to the basilar artery occurred in two patients, both were repaired. Injuries to one superior cerebellar artery, one anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and one perforating vessel could not be repaired. Three patients sustained major neurologic deficits, but only in two did this result in permanent functional deterioration. Three of the ten patients had a gross total resection, five had subtotal resection (90% or more of tumor volume), and two had resection of 70% of the tumor volume. Eight patients had improvement in their Karnofsky scores. None showed recurrence or regrowth on follow-up ranging from 2 to 6 years. Greater difficulty with dissection was experienced in previously operated patients, and in patients who did not have an arachnoid plane between the brainstem and the tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging was the most useful preoperative test. It is concluded that meningiomas with vertebrobasilar artery encasement can be removed successfully with modern skull base surgery techniques. The surgeon needs to exercise caution and judgment in deciding how far the removal of these lesions should be pursued.

Comparative pathologic changes in broiler chicks on feed amendedwith Fusarium proliferatum culture material or purified fumonisinB1 and moniliformin*

Feed amended with autoclaved culture material (CM) of Fusarium proliferatum containing fumonisin B1 (FB1) (61-546 ppm), fumonisin B2 (FB2) (14-98 ppm) and moniliformin (66-367 ppm) was given to 228 male chicks in three separate feeding trials. In a fourth feeding trial, purified FB1 (125 and 274 ppm) and moniliformin (27 and 154 ppm) were given separately and in combination (137 and 77 ppm, respectively). Chicks that died during the trial periods, survivors and controls were subjected to postmortem examination. Specimens (liver, kidney, pancreas, lung, brain, intestine, testis, bursa of Fabricius, heart and skeletal muscle) were examined grossly and preserved for subsequent histopathologic and ultrastructural examination. Prominent gross lesions in affected birds fed diets amended with CM or purified FB1 and moniliformin included ascites, hydropericardium, hepatopathy, nephropathy, cardiomyopathy, pneumonitis, gizzard ulceration, and enlarged bursa of Fabricius filled with caseous material. The various concentrations of FB1 and moniliformin in the amended rations produced well-defined dose-response lesions in all groups in all four trials. Histopathologic changes included hemorrhage, leucocytic infiltration, fatty change or infiltration, individual cell necrosis and fibrosis in liver, kidneys, lungs, heart, intestines, gizzard, bursa of Fabricius and pancreas. Edema and hemorrhage were prominent in brains of treated birds. Ultrastructural changes included cytoplasmic and nuclear enlargement of cells in affected liver, lungs, kidneys, heart and pancreas. There were thickened membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum with loss of ribosomes and vacuolated or deformed mitochondria.

AAOMP case challenge: hemorrhagic gingival mass

This 24-year old black female presented with a chief complaint of this gingival mass. She states she first noticed the lesion about three months ago and it has gotten progressively larger. What is your diagnosis?

Phase I and pharmacologic study of a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel followed by cisplatinum and 5-fluorouracil in patients with advanced solid tumors

A Phase I and pharmacological study of paclitaxel administered as an outpatient, 3-h i.v. infusion just before a 5-day regimen of daily cisplatinum (CP) and a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was performed in patients with advanced solid tumors. A secondary objective was to determine the objective response rate to this regimen. Forty-two patients were enrolled and were evaluable for toxicities. Eighteen patients were previously untreated, whereas the rest had received prior treatment with radiation (J. H. Schiller et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 12: 241-248, 1994), chemotherapy (M. J. Kennedy et al., Clin. Cancer Res., 4: 349-356, 1998), or both modalities (J. H. Schiller et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 12: 241-248, 1994). The paclitaxel dose was escalated from 100-135-170-200-225 to 250 mg/m2, whereas i.v. 5-FU and CP doses were fixed at 1.0 g/m2/day continuous infusion and 20 mg/m2/day, respectively, daily for 5 days. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; 5 microg/kg/day) was administered s.c. from day 6, routinely after 250 mg/m2 dose of paclitaxel or after a lower dose of paclitaxel if ANC <500/microl or febrile neutropenia was observed. Patients were treated every 28 days. Plasma and urine samples were collected to determine the pharmacokinetics of paclitaxel. In previously untreated patients, the maximally tolerated dose of paclitaxel in the drug regimen was determined to be 170 mg/m2 without and 250 mg/m2 with G-CSF support. At the higher dose level, mucositis and thrombocytopenia were dose-limiting. In previously treated patients, these toxicities were observed at all dose levels of paclitaxel > or =135 mg/m2. With increasing doses of paclitaxel, a disproportionate increase in the peak concentrations, as well as the area under plasma concentration time-curve, was seen. This nonlinearity was due to saturable total body clearance and volume of distribution of paclitaxel (P < 0.001). The apparent plasma elimination half-life was unaffected by the dose of paclitaxel. CP and 5-FU had no apparent effect on the metabolism of paclitaxel. Among 32 patients evaluable for response, 22 demonstrated an objective response, including five complete remissions. Therefore, a regimen of 3-h infusion of 250 mg/m2 paclitaxel before CP and FU is tolerable with G-CSF (as above) support in previously untreated patients. The regimen also seems to be highly active against breast and esophageal cancers.

Academic deans' perceptions of current and ideal curriculum emphases

This study assessed the current and ideal for dental curriculum emphasis of thirty-three curriculum topic areas and evaluated barriers to curriculum change. A forty-six item survey was mailed to the academic deans of all U.S. dental schools with an 86 percent e response rate (n = 57). The means of their responses for current curricular emphasis and ideal emphasis on the thirty-three topic areas were compared. "Health promotion/disease prevention," "primary care," and "effective patient-provider relationships/communication" were the three topic areas rated most highly (for ideal emphasis) by the academic deans. "Case management," "outpatient/ambulatory care," and "continuous quality improvement" also received high mean scores for ideal emphasis. The most significant barrier to curriculum reform was "an already crowded curriculum." The academic deans reasserted the traditional emphasis in dentistry on primary care. There also appears to be considerable support for educational programs that will foster better patient relationships and greater quality assurance and control.

Cytokine production by oral and peripheral blood neutrophils in adult periodontitis

Proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) also possess bone-resorptive properties, and are generally considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. In the present study, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta production by oral and peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was examined in 40 patients with adult periodontitis and 40 orally healthy matched controls. Oral PMN released considerable amounts of both cytokines in unstimulated culture, and there was no difference between patients and controls when the cytokine levels were corrected for cell number. However, when the effect of disease activity was examined, cytokine release by oral PMN was found to be greatest in patients with advanced periodontitis. Within the healthy control group, IL-1 beta production by oral PMN was significantly higher in males (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.0008). Examination of IL-1 beta production by peripheral blood PMN exposed to recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor revealed no difference between the patient and control groups. In contrast, IL-1 beta production by peripheral blood PMN was significantly reduced in patients with advanced disease (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.02), and peripheral PMN IL-1 beta synthesis was greater in female controls (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.054). No effect of race on cytokine production could be discerned in patients or controls. These results indicate that several factors influence cytokine production in oral health and disease, and that a dichotomy in cytokine gene expression exists between oral and peripheral blood PMN in adult periodontitis.

Serohematologic alterations in broiler chicks on feed amended with Fusarium proliferatum culture material on fumonisin B1 and moniliformin

Two hundred twenty-eight male broiler chicks (Columbia x New Hampshire) were given feed amended with autoclaved culture material of Fusarium proliferatum containing fumonisin B1 (FB1) at 61, 193, and 546 ppm, fumonisin B2 (FB2) at 14, 38, and 98 ppm, and moniliformin at 66, 193, and 367 ppm in 3 separate feeding trials (amounts of toxin in each trial, respectively). Birds were started on amended rations at days 1, 7, and 21 and continuing for 14 days. Of serum chemistry parameters, only glucose was significantly decreased. Significant increases were noted in serum cholesterol, sodium, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase. Of the hematologic parameters, significant decreases were noted in red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and white blood cell counts. Immunologic changes included impaired anti-Newcastle disease antibody hemagglutination inhibition titers associated with relative decreases in total serum globulins and increases in albumin/globulin ratios. The changes were noted in all treatment groups when compared to controls.

Studies on new phosphodiesterase inhibitors. I. Synthesis of 1-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-2(4)-fluorobenzenes and 1-(2-hydroxy-3-morpholinopropoxy and piperazino)fluorobenzene derivatives

A series of 1-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-2(4)-fluorobenzenes and their corresponding 1-(2-hydroxy-3-morpholinopropoxy and piperazino)fluorobenzene derivatives (8a--f) were synthesised via a short synthetic route in good chemical yields and were evaluated for inotropic and chronotropic activity in isolated guinea-pig atria preparation. The compounds act as potential phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors with desirable biological activity and have considerable promise in heart therapy.

Egg shell penetration tendency of different Salmonella serotypes by attached ring color method

To investigate the extent of Salmonella penetration through the egg shell, 200 eggs were dipped in red (for 3 minutes) and then in green (for 6 minutes) aqueous bland food color solution for the detection of positive penetration test areas. Each egg with positive penetration area, 5 spots of 1 cm in diameter, was marked for the attachment of steel cylinders (1 cm in diameter and height). These cylinders were filled with the test strain of Salmonella. Among 19 serotypes S. pullorum and S. gallinarum were nonmotile while the other 17 were motile. Among a total of 180 eggs (900 points) maximum (30%) penetration was in area III, where salmonellae invaded through cuticle, shell, inner and outer shell membranes, followed by area II (14.77%) and area I (4.6%). It was very well evident that penetration of salmonellae to the contents of eggs was maximum, while in area II the penetration was to outer shell membrane and in the least cases through the cuticle and shell. Penetration in area I is not significant and to some extent in area II as well, while invasion in area III is highly significant.

Lymphocyte cytotoxicity and erythrocytic abnormalities induced in broiler chicks by fumonisins B1 and B2 and moniliformin from Fusarium proliferatum

Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from broiler chicks that had ingested feed amended with autoclaved Fusarium proliferatum culture material containing fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2) and moniliformin. Lymphocyte viability was determined for birds that were placed on amended rations at day 1 or day 7 of age at three different levels of mycotoxins, ranging from 61-546 ppm FB1, 14-94 ppm FB2 and 66-367 ppm moniliformin. Reduction of the tetrazolium salt, MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide], to yield MTT formazan, based on mitochondrial metabolic activity, was used to assess cell viability. Lymphocyte cytotoxic effects were observed in all treatment groups on day 21; chicks that started on amended feed at day 1 of age were affected more than those that started at day 7. Abnormal erythrocytes resembling early stages of erythroblasts were observed in peripheral blood from test chicks. Abnormally shaped red cells (poikilocytes) having a spindle-shape with one or both ends pointed were present. Some red cells appeared to be undergoing mitosis. Both reduced lymphocyte viability and abnormal erythrogenesis occurred in chicks given feed amended with F. proliferatum culture material containing FB1, FB2 and moniliformin.

Mortality in broiler chicks on feed amended with Fusarium proliferatum culture material or with purified fumonisin B1 and moniliformin

Two hundred twenty-eight male chicks (Columbia x New Hampshire) were given feed amended with autoclaved culture material (CM) of Fusarium proliferatum Containing fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2) and moniliformin in 3 separate feeding trials. Purified FB1 and moniliformin were given separately and in combination in a fourth feeding trial. Birds were given amended rations at day 1 (Trial 1 and 4), day 7 (Trial 2), and day 21 (Trial 3) and their respective ration was given for 28 days (Trial 1), 21 days (Trial 2), 7 days (Trial 3), and 14 days (Trial 4). FB1 concentrations were 546, 193, and 61 ppm; FB2 were 98, 38 and 14 ppm; and moniliformin were 367, 193, and 66 ppm in the first 3 feeding trial regimens. Chicks in Trial 4 were given dietary concentrations of purified FB1 at 274 and 125 ppm, and moniliformin at 154 and 27 ppm. FB1 and moniliformin, both alone and in combination, produced dose-responsive clinical signs, reduced weight gains and mortality in chicks. Age of birds given amended feeds had little difference in the clinical response; however, those given the rations from days 7 or 21 were slightly less susceptible than those given rations beginning at 1 day of age. Additive effects were noted when the toxins were given in combination. When toxins were given separately, adverse effects took longer to occur. A system to monitor pattern and rate of defecation (RD) was developed for assessing the chicks' approach to feed, water and heat source as illness progressed. Our results indicate that chicks fed corn heavily infected with F. proliferatum under field conditions could suffer acute death similar to that described for 'spiking mortality syndrome' during the first 3 weeks of age.

Embryopathic and embryocidal effects of purified fumonisin B1 or Fusarium proliferatum culture material extract on chicken embryos

One hundred eight fertile eggs (Columbia x New Hampshire) were assigned to 10 groups of 10 eggs each (2 control groups had 14 eggs each). Five groups of eggs were inoculated on day 1 of incubation, while the other 5 groups were inoculated on day 10. The inoculum of the 4 treatment groups on both day 1 and 10 consisted of 1,10, or 100 microM purified fumonisin B1 (FB1) or a culture material extract (CME) of Fusarium proliferatum, having known amounts of FB1, FB2 and moniliformin (FB1 20 microM; FB2 4 microM and moniliformin 7 microM). Inoculum consisted of the respective toxin(s) dissolved in 100 microliters double distilled, autoclaved water (diluent). Control eggs were inoculated with diluent only. Mortality was both dose- and time-responsive in all treatments. Eggs inoculated on day 1 with 1 microM FB1 had 50% mortality; 10 microM FB1 had 70% mortality; 100 microM FB1 had 100% mortality; and CME had 100% mortality. Eggs inoculated on day 10 with 1,10 or 100 microM FB1 or CME had 30, 60, 90 and 80% mortality, respectively. Normal chicks were hatched from all control eggs. The median death times (MDT50) were inversely dose-responsive in all treatments, ranging from 3.0 to 7.4 days in embryos exposed on day 1 and from 3.2 to 9.0 days in those exposed on day 10. Early embryonic changes in exposed embryos included hydrocephalus, enlarged beaks and elongated necks. Pathologic changes were noted in liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, musculoskeletal system, intestines, testes and brain toxin-exposed embryos.

Regional changes in central nervous system thyrotropin-releasing hormone after pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in dogs

We have recently shown that seizures induce significant and sustained elevations of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in specific extrahypothalamic rat brain regions associated with epileptic foci including amygdala, hippocampus, pyriform cortex, and anterior cortex. Seizures were induced in dogs to further study the effect on central nervous system TRH in a species known to show epileptiform seizures. Adult mongrel beagles were given pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) to induce generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Two groups of dogs were given either PTZ or saline every other day for four intravenous injections. Major motor seizures were observed visually and by electroencephalography with each PTZ injection, and these lasted from 3 to 10 minutes. Forty-eight hours after the fourth seizure, the dogs were killed and brains were removed, dissected, and stored at -90 degrees. After acetic acid extraction, extracts were assayed for TRH content by specific radioimmunoassay. Significant (P < 0.05) postictal TRH increases were seen in frontal cortex (1.5-fold), dorsal hippocampus (2.2-fold), pyriform cortex (2.5-fold), and amygdala (2.1-fold). Cerebellum, medulla, thalamus, hypothalamus, and septum showed no postictal changes in TRH. This report is the first to demonstrate TRH elevations in specific central nervous system regions associated with epileptic foci in the dog. Our results continue to stress the importance of the pyriform/periamygdaloid region as a key limbic region of endogenous TRH action in response to seizures and provides further evidence that TRH is either directly or indirectly involved in seizure modulation. Additional recent data from our laboratory and others suggest that this modulation is intrinsic to the hippocampus and may be anticonvulsant in nature.

Surgical management of clival meningiomas

The surgical management of intradural clival tumours is difficult due to the relative inaccessibility of the clivus through traditional neurosurgical approaches, and the intimate relationship of such tumours to critical neurovascular and brainstem structures. This report concentrates on the experience with clival meningiomas, which are the most common intradural clival tumours. Between July 1983 and July 1990, 52 patients with petroclival meningiomas underwent surgical excision of their tumours. A variety of skull base approaches were utilized to obtain wide tumour exposure with minimal brain retraction. Large or giant tumours required multiple approaches and staged removal of tumour. Tumour resection was evaluated by a standard protocol of postoperative MR or CT scans. Total tumour resection was achieved in 38 cases (73%), subtotal resection in 11 (21%) and partial resection in 3 (6%). Follow-up has ranged from 4 to 83 months. Two patients had recurrence of tumour requiring re-operation with one receiving additional external beam radiation. Two postoperative deaths occurred, one from pneumonia and another from infectious complications. The most common postoperative morbidity were lower cranial nerve palsy, aspiration peumonia and temporary hemiparesis.

Modifications in the surgical correction of trigonocephaly

A modified technique for the surgical correction of trigonocephaly is presented. The technical modifications are designed both to increase the stability of fixation of the supraorbital bar and lateral canthal advancements and to increase interorbital distance and anterior cranial fossa volume when utilized in those patients who exhibit the full expression of trigonocephaly, including midline ridging, bifrontal recession, hypotelorbitism, shortened anterior cranial fossa, deficient projection of lateral orbit, and bitemporal narrowing. It is a modification of the supraorbital bar remodeling/advancement procedure as originally described by Marchac with the introduction of a nasofrontal osteotomy and superior osteotomy bone graft and midline miniplate fixation of the supraorbital bar to the nasofrontal junction. Its use in 20 patients has been favorable.

The effectiveness of the Titan-S sonic scaler versus curettes in the removal of subgingival calculus. A human surgical evaluation

This study evaluated clinically the effectiveness of hand versus sonic subgingival scaling and root planing in the removal of calculus by visually examining the root surface at the time of periodontal flap surgery. Consideration was given to the method of instrumentation, probing depth, number of roots, and type of tooth surface. Eleven patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease were evaluated. Four subjects were scaled and root planed with the Titan-S only, four with curettes only, and three with the Titan-S + curettes. At reevaluation 3 to 6 weeks after scaling and root planing, the decision to perform periodontal flap surgery was made based upon probing depth, bleeding upon probing, previous access to the root surface, furcation involvement, and the patient's level of oral hygiene. A full thickness mucoperiosteal flap was elevated to gain access to the root surface and measure the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the residual calculus. A total of 690 surfaces were evaluated surgically. The percentage of surfaces with residual calculus for each method of instrumentation was: Titan-S only (31.9%), curettes only (26.8%), and Titan-S + curettes (16.9%). Overall, 15.7% of the surfaces probing 0 to 3 mm, 29.3% of the surfaces probing 4 to 5 mm, and 44.4% of the surfaces probing 6 to 12 mm had residual calculus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A clinical comparison of the effect on the gingiva of the Prophy-Jet and the rubber cup and paste techniques

This clinical trial compared the effect on the gingiva of the Prophy-Jet and the rubber cup and paste techniques of stain and supragingival plaque removal. Twenty-one human subjects with healthy gingiva or slight gingivitis participated. A split mouth design was used. The Prophy-Jet caused a statistically significant increase (P less than 0.05) in gingival irritation immediately posttreatment, but the differences were not deemed clinically significant. There were no statistically significant (P less than 0.05) or clinically significant differences in the effect on the gingiva between the two techniques at 7 and 21 days posttreatment. There was no lasting difference in gingival trauma between the two methods of stain and supragingival plaque removal in subjects with healthy gingiva or slight gingivitis.

Parotid saliva agglutinins for sheep erythrocytes as a measure of ongoing inflammation in periodontal disease

The level of parotid saliva agglutinins to sheep erythrocytes (PSAE) may be directly related to the severity of ongoing inflammation. PSAE were titrated in a population of 19 individuals with no clinical evidence of gingivitis or periodontitis. In these normal individuals PSAE were detected at an average salivary dilution of 1:8. However, 31 patients receiving treatment for periodontitis had PSAE at an average dilution of 1:26. Furthermore, the parotid saliva of those periodontal patients had significantly higher IgA and protein concentrations than the healthy group. The salivary flow rate and the IgA to protein ratio were similar in both groups. The elevated titer of PSAE may be due in part to heterogenic stimulation of B cells in periodontal tissues and therefore may be related to the rate of the ongoing inflammatory disease process.

Human gingival fibroblast collagenase: purification and properties of precursor and active forms

Human gingival fibroblast procollagenase has been purified to apparent homogeneity from serum-free and serum-supplemented fibroblast culture medium by a combination of ammonium sulfate precipitation, CM-cellulose chromatography, and gel-filtration on Bio-Gel P-150. Sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic studies suggests that the purified fibroblast proenzyme is comprised of two closely related zymogens with the estimated Mr of 57,000 and 52,000. Upon densitometric scanning of the gels, the ratio of the two proenzyme forms was about 1 : 4 (57 : 52 kdal). Limited proteolysis of the fibroblast procollagenase with trypsin resulted in the conversion of both proenzyme forms into active enzyme forms of Mr 48,000 and 44,000, respectively. Amino acid analysis of the active enzymes and proenzyme forms revealed that the active enzymes contained fewer basic amino acids than do the proenzyme forms. The purified trypsin-activated fibroblast collagenase hydrolyzed type I collagen fibrils, cleaved tropocollagen in solution at 24 degrees C into TCA and TCB fragments, and cleaved the synthetic peptide substrate, DNP-peptide III, at the Gly-Ile bond. The gingival fibroblast collagenase exhibited a pH optimum of 7.5, was completely inhibited by EDTA or dithioerythritol but was not inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide or phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and appeared to cleave human type III collagen approximately 10-fold faster than homologous type I collagen. In addition, comparison of the biochemical properties of the precursor and active forms of human gingival fibroblast collagenase with the precursor and active forms of human skin fibroblast collagenase, previously characterized by Stricklin and co-workers (Biochemistry 17: 2331-2337, 1978), revealed that they were similar in Mr, amino acid composition, and substrate specificity. Furthermore, the human gingival and skin fibroblast procollagenases were immunologically identical.

Identification of a cathepsin b-like protease in the crevicular fluid of gingivitis patients

Crevicular fluid from gingivitis patients contains significant levels of a cysteine protease which was characterized as the lysosomal protease cathepsin B, as judged by substrate specificity, thiol dependence, pH optimum, kinetic parameters, pH stability, and inhibitor sensitivities. A highly-sensitive fluorometric assay procedure was used to establish the mean level of cathepsin B activity for 25 gingivitis patients.