Effects of Soaking and Germination Treatments on the Nutritional, Anti-Nutritional, and Bioactive Characteristics of Adzuki Beans (Vigna angularis L.) and Lima Beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.)

Lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus) and adzuki beans (Vigna angularis) are some of the most nutritious underutilized pulses that are significant in being used as basic ingredients for the preparation of various food products. The present study aimed to determine the impact of soaking and germination on nutritional and bioactive components, in vitro protein digestibility, reducing power, metal chelating capacity, antioxidant activity, and anti-nutritional components of lima and adzuki beans. The findings showed that during the germination treatment, the in vitro protein digestibility of lima and adzuki beans increased by 14.75 and 10.98%, respectively. There was an increase in the antioxidant activity of lima beans by 33.48% and adzuki beans by 71.14% after 72 h of germination, respectively. The reducing power assay of lima and adzuki beans indicated an increase of 49.52 and 36.42%, respectively, during germination. Similarly, the flavonoid and metal chelating activity increased in lima and adzuki beans after 72 h of germination. In contrast, the anti-nutrients, such as phytic acid, tannin content, and trypsin inhibitor activity, decreased significantly p < 0.05 after 72 h of germination. These results are encouraging and allow for utilizing the flour obtained from the germinated beans in functional bakery products, which can contribute to eradicating protein deficiency among some population groups. At the same time, promoting soaking and germination of the beans as a way to enhance the nutritional quality and reduce anti-nutrients can contribute to the interest in these underutilized pulses. They could be seen as an additional tool to improve food security.

Genetic analysis of iron, zinc and grain yield in wheat-Aegilops derivatives using multi-locus GWAS

BACKGROUND

Wheat is a major staple crop and helps to reduce worldwide micronutrient deficiency. Investigating the genetics that control the concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in wheat is crucial. Hence, we undertook a comprehensive study aimed at elucidating the genomic regions linked to the contents of Fe and Zn in the grain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed the multi-locus genome-wide association (ML-GWAS) using a panel of 161 wheat-Aegilops substitution and addition lines to dissect the genomic regions controlling grain iron (GFeC), and grain zinc (GZnC) contents. The wheat panel was genotyped using 10,825 high-quality SNPs and phenotyped in three different environments (E1-E3) during 2017-2019. A total of 111 marker-trait associations (MTAs) (at p-value < 0.001) were detected that belong to all three sub-genomes of wheat. The highest number of MTAs were identified for GFeC (58), followed by GZnC (44) and yield (9). Further, six stable MTAs were identified for these three traits and also two pleiotropic MTAs were identified for GFeC and GZnC. A total of 1291 putative candidate genes (CGs) were also identified for all three traits. These CGs encode a diverse set of proteins, including heavy metal-associated (HMA), bZIP family protein, AP2/ERF, and protein previously associated with GFeC, GZnC, and grain yield.

CONCLUSIONS

The significant MTAs and CGs pinpointed in this current study are poised to play a pivotal role in enhancing both the nutritional quality and yield of wheat, utilizing marker-assisted selection (MAS) techniques.

Consensus genomic regions associated with grain protein content in hexaploid and tetraploid wheat

A meta-analysis of QTLs associated with grain protein content (GPC) was conducted in hexaploid and tetraploid wheat to identify robust and stable meta-QTLs (MQTLs). For this purpose, as many as 459 GPC-related QTLs retrieved from 48 linkage-based QTL mapping studies were projected onto the newly developed wheat consensus map. The analysis resulted in the prediction of 57 MQTLs and 7 QTL hotspots located on all wheat chromosomes (except chromosomes 1D and 4D) and the average confidence interval reduced 2.71-fold in the MQTLs and QTL hotspots compared to the initial QTLs. The physical regions occupied by the MQTLs ranged from 140 bp to 224.02 Mb with an average of 15.2 Mb, whereas the physical regions occupied by QTL hotspots ranged from 1.81 Mb to 36.03 Mb with a mean of 8.82 Mb. Nineteen MQTLs and two QTL hotspots were also found to be co-localized with 45 significant SNPs identified in 16 previously published genome-wide association studies in wheat. Candidate gene (CG) investigation within some selected MQTLs led to the identification of 705 gene models which also included 96 high-confidence CGs showing significant expressions in different grain-related tissues and having probable roles in GPC regulation. These significantly expressed CGs mainly involved the genes/gene families encoding for the following proteins: aminotransferases, early nodulin 93, glutamine synthetases, invertase/pectin methylesterase inhibitors, protein BIG GRAIN 1-like, cytochrome P450, glycosyl transferases, hexokinases, small GTPases, UDP-glucuronosyl/UDP-glucosyltransferases, and EamA, SANT/Myb, GNAT, thioredoxin, phytocyanin, and homeobox domains containing proteins. Further, eight genes including GPC-B1, Glu-B1-1b, Glu-1By9, TaBiP1, GSr, TaNAC019-A, TaNAC019-D, and bZIP-TF SPA already known to be associated with GPC were also detected within some of the MQTL regions confirming the efficacy of MQTLs predicted during the current study.

Microbial consortium with nitrogen fixing and mineral solubilizing attributes for growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Bioinoculants provide better opportunity for ecological farming practices to improve the plant growth and enhanced crop productivity. Different types of bioinoculants containing single microbial culture and multiple microbial strains in single formulation could be used for agricultural sustainability. The different efficient microbial strain in single formulation as a consortium is an emerging trend in the present era. The present study deals with the isolation of nitrogen fixing, phosphorus and potassium solubilizing microbes from rhizospheric soil and root's internal tissues of different cereal/pseudocereal crops and their application as a microbial consortium for the growth of cereal crops. A total of 152 rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria were isolated and screened for the plant growth promoting (PGP) traits of nitrogen fixation, solubilization of phosphorus, and potassium. Among all the isolates, nine were found to fix nitrogen, fifteen and eleven exhibited phosphorus and potassium solubilization activity, respectively. Three selected efficient bacterial strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Erwinia sp. EU-B2SNL1 (N-fixer), Chryseobacterium arthrosphaerae EU-LWNA-37 (P-solubilizer), and Pseudomonas gessardii EU-MRK-19 (K-solubilizer). The inoculation of these three bacterial strains on barley crop as single inoculum and as microbial consortium enhanced the growth and physiological parameters including root/shoot length and biomass, chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenolics, flavonoids and soluble sugar content in comparison with untreated control. The microbial consortium was found to be more effective as compared to single inoculum. The microbial consortium of nitrogen fixing and mineral solubilizing microbes could be used as biofertilizer for plant growth and soil health.

Phytase Mediated Beneficial Impact on Nutritional Quality of Biofortified Wheat Genotypes

Background:

Biofortification has been proposed as an intervention towards alleviation of micronutrient deficiency in the population of developing countries. However, the presence of anti- nutritional factor phytic acid in staple cereals chelates divalent cations and decreases their bioavailability for monogastric animals. Thus, the use of phytase enzyme for hydrolysing phytate-P and enhancing the amount of free divalent cations is of great importance.

Methods :

In this study, two phytases i.e. APF1 phytase from fungal source and commercial wheat phytase were supplemented with flours of biofortified wheat genotypes and their impact on food quality parameters was accessed. Since commercial wheat phytase is costly, it was used as known phytase to compare the application of APF1 phytase. The phytic acid content was reduced in the range of 70 to 84% with APF1 phytase and 79 to 89% with the wheat phytase as compared to untreated samples, respectively. In contrast to phytate, the dialyzability of important micronutrients Fe and Zn enhanced in the range of 21.9 to 48% and 39.5 to 96% with APF1 phytase and, 6.10 to 30% and 23.2 to 81% with wheat phytase, over untreated samples, respectively.

Results and Discussion:

A decrease in tannin content was observed in the range of 8 to 23% and 7 to 23% after treatment with APF1 and wheat phytase, respectively. The phytase treatment has resulted in increased soluble protein content and inorganic phosphate content to different level over untreated samples.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that APF1 phytase was comparatively more effective for enhanced nutritional quality of wheat flour through phytase supplementation for its food based applications.

Effect of gibberellins and ascorbic acid treatment on phytic acid and micronutrients dialyzability in germinated biofortified wheat seeds

Introduction: Phytic acid chelate minerals, including Fe and Zn and render them inaccessible once ingested by human beings. The evaluation of differences in the dialyzability of macronutrients including Fe and Zn in various wheat derivatives is therefore important for the enhancement of nutritional quality of grains. Objectives: The objective of current study was to improve the micronutrient content in wheat grain. Methods: During germination (12, 24, 48, 72, 96 h), effects of gibberellins and ascorbic acid on phytic acid content as well as dialyzability of iron and zinc of wheat derivatives were determined. Results: The phytic acid content in wheat flour was determined and it was found 7.61 to 7.48 mg/g. After the treatment with gibberellins, it was significantly reduced from 8.68 to 21.6 % and 9.65 to 20.9 % with ascorbic acid. In wheat flour dialyzabilty of Fe was 4.53 to 8.97 mg/kg. After germination, Fe content was increased from 9.77 to 32.0 % with gibberellin, and 13.9 to 31.0 % with ascorbic acid. Moreover, with gibberellins, Zn content was increased from 8.68 to 21.6 % and 9.65 to 20.9 % with ascorbic acid, respectively. Conclusion: These results suggested that gibberellins as well as ascorbic acid can be exploited to improve the dialyzability of iron and zinc content due to reduced antinutrient i. e phytic acid and make the minerals available for the absorption in monogastric animals including human beings.

Transfer of HMW glutenin subunits from Aegilops kotschyi to wheat through radiation hybridization

High molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMWGS) are responsible for dough elasticity and bread making quality of bread wheat. Related wild non-progenitor species, Aegilops kotschyi possesses higher molecular weight x and y glutenin subunits than the bread wheat cultivars. A wheat-Aegilops substitution line with 1U chromosome was used for the transfer of (HMWGS) of 1U to wheat by using pollen radiation hybridization approach. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis profiling showed different patterns of allelic variations with either the presence or absence of HMWGS, Glu-1A (1, null), Glu-1B (7, 7 + 8, 17 + 18) and Glu-1D (5 + 10, 2 + 12, null). The pollen irradiated wheat-Aegilops derivatives, B-56-1-4-2, B-56-1-4-3, B-14-1 and B-14-2 with Glu1Ux and 1Uy and absence or presence of some Glu-1A and Glu-1B HMWGS showed high micro SDS sedimentation test (MST) values while B-16-1 and B-16-2 had moderate MST values and high protein content. However, B-58-3 with transfer of Glu-1Ux + 1Uy for Glu-1D showed very low MST values indicating that Glu-1Ux + 1Uy enhance MST value only in the presence of Glu1D HMWGS. The transfer/substitution of alien HMW-GS for Glu-1A and or Glu-1B loci only can lead to improved bread making quality of wheat.

Transfer of useful variability of high grain iron and zinc from Aegilops kotschyi into wheat through seed irradiation approach

PURPOSE

To transfer the 2S chromosomal fragment(s) of Aegilops kotschyi (2S(k)) into the bread wheat genome which could lead to the biofortification of wheat with high grain iron and zinc content.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Wheat-Ae. kotschyi 2A/2S(k) substitution lines with high grain iron and zinc content were used to transfer the gene/loci for high grain Fe and Zn content into wheat using seed irradiation approach.

RESULTS

Bread wheat plants derived from 40 krad-irradiated seeds showed the presence of univalents and multivalents during meiotic metaphase-I. Genomic in situ hybridization analysis of seed irradiation hybrid F2 seedlings showed several terminal and interstitial signals indicated the introgression of Ae. kotschyi chromosome segments. This proves the efficacy of seed radiation hybrid approach in gene transfer experiments. All the radiation-treated hybrid plants with high grain Fe and Zn content were analyzed with wheat group 2 chromosome-specific polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers to identify the introgression of small alien chromosome fragment(s).

CONCLUSION

Radiation-induced hybrids showed more than 65% increase in grain iron and 54% increase in Zn contents with better harvest index than the elite wheat cultivar WL711 indicating effective and compensating translocations of 2S(k) fragments into wheat genome.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluation of intermediate coronary lesions in patients with NSTEMI

INTRODUCTION

Coronary angiography is commonly performed following non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to assess the need for revascularization. Some of these patients have myocardial infarction (MI) with no obstructive coronary atherosclerosis (MINOCA). Patients without severe obstructive lesions are usually treated conservatively. However, coronary angiography has known limitations in the assessment of lesion severity. We report our experience of using coronary Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in a series of patients without severe obstructive coronary lesions.

METHODS

165 patients underwent coronary OCT at Vancouver General Hospital. NSTEMI was the clinical presentation in 70 patients and 26 had angiographically intermediate lesions with 40%-69% diameter stenosis. Prior to OCT image acquisition, intracoronary nitroglycerin 100-200μg was administered. Blood in the vessel was displaced using contrast media by manual injections.

RESULTS

OCT of the angiographically intermediate lesions showed larger minimal luminal area (MLA) than the angiographically severe lesions (MLA 3.3mm(2)±1.8mm(2) vs. 1.6mm(2)±0.6mm(2), p<0.001) and less severe % lumen area stenosis (54.2%±11.4% vs. 70.9%±6.8%, p=0.001). Plaque rupture or intracoronary thrombus was detected in 8/26 (31%) patients. PCI with stent deployment was performed in 16 patients (62%).

CONCLUSION

In stabilized patients with NSTEMI and angiographically intermediate disease, OCT examination confirmed the lack of severe anatomical stenosis in most patients. However, OCT also identified coronary lesions with unstable features. Further research is needed to help guide management of this subgroup of patients.

The role of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the prevention of post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis

Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common major complication associated with ERCP. Beginning with an overview of the risk factors for the development of PEP, this review introduces the mechanism of injury in PEP and the role of pharmacological prevention. NSAIDs are increasingly found to offer prevention against the development of PEP, and their mechanism and supportive data are summarized, especially in relationship to the practice of prophylactic pancreatic duct stenting.

Development and validation of RP-HPLC method for sildenafil citrate in rat plasma-application to pharmacokinetic studies

Sildenafil citrate (SIL) is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and other chronic disorders. For the pharmacokinetic investigation of SIL we developed a simple and sensitive method for the estimation of SIL in rat plasma by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The drug samples were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with 300 μl of acetonitrile and 5 ml of diethyl ether. Chromatographic separation was achieved on C18 column using methanol:water (85:15 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 ml/min and UV detection at 230 nm. The retention time of SIL was found to be 4.0 min having a separation time less than 5 min. The developed method was validated for accuracy, precision, linearity and recovery. Linearity studies were found to be acceptable over the range of 0.1-6 μg/ml. The method was successfully applied for the analysis of rat plasma sample for the application in pharmacokinetic study, drug interaction, bioavailability and bioequivalence.

Efficacy of the 6-month thrice-weekly regimen in the treatment of new sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis under clinical trial conditions

BACKGROUND

Under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India, patients with new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis are treated with a thrice-weekly regimen of antitubercular drugs (2H(3)R(3)Z(3)E(3)/4H(3)R(3) [H isoniazid, R rifampicin, Z pyrazinamide and E ethambutol]) for 6 months. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the efficacy andtolerability of this regimen under clinical trial conditions in HIV-negative patients with newly diagnosed smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed the data on patients assigned to the control regimen (2H (3)R(3)Z(3)E(3)/4H(3)R(3)) in two clinical trials during 2001-06 at the National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India.

RESULTS

Of the 268 patients treated with this regimen, data for efficacy analysis were available for 249. At the end of treatment, of 249 patients, 238 (96%) had a favourable status. Treatment failure occurred in the remaining 11: 7 in whom the organisms were initially drug-susceptible and 4 with initial drug resistance. Of the 238 patients who had a favourable status at the end of treatment, 14 (6%) had recurrence of tuberculosis during the following 24 months. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 245 (94%) of 262 patients had a favourable status at the end of treatment. Of the 28 patients with initial drug resistance, 24 (86%) had a favourable outcome. Only 4 of these 24 patients were found to have recurrence of tuberculosis in 2 years of follow-up. Among the 221 patients initially infected with drug-susceptible organisms, drug resistance did not develop in any of the 7 patients in whom the treatment failed or the 10 who had recurrence of tuberculosis. Further, 5 of the 7 patients in whom the treatment failed continued to excrete drug-susceptible bacilli at 6 months. Adverse drug reactions were observed in 38 (14%) of the 262 patients. Only 3 (1.1%) needed a modification in the treatment.

CONCLUSION

This thrice-weekly 6-month regimen of antitubercular drugs, when administered under full supervision, is associated with a high rate of favourable treatment outcomes in HIV-negative patients with newly diagnosed sputum smearpositive pulmonary tuberculosis. There are few adverse drug reactions in these patients.

The role for prudence before describing novel infectious etiologies for acute pancreatitis. The experience of one institution before describing influenza B pancreatitis

CONTEXT

While the majority of acute pancreatitis is secondary to alcohol and gallstones in the developed world, infectious causes are recognized and recent evidence has linked influenza A to acute pancreatitis.

CASE REPORT

We report a patient with acute pancreatitis deemed secondary to influenza B virus; however considering this would be the first reported case, retesting showed that the initial PCR was falsely positive and a system-wide contamination discovered that unearthed other false negatives.

CONCLUSIONS

While research must continue to describe novel infectious etiologies of acute pancreatitis, caution must be exercised before new associations are described. New tests are leading to increasing incidence and prevalence of disease and while such testing generally has high sensitivity and specificity, the role for false results still exists.

Scarring in acne patients--a study done at Isra University Hyderabad

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical presentation of acne in the Out Patient Department of Isra University Hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective study was done. The 100 patients with acne, who attended the Out Patient Department of Dermatology in Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, from September 2007 to February 2008, were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 100 patients with acne there were 65 female and 35 male patients. The patient ages ranged from 11 to 35 years, most being in the age range from 15 to 19 years (mean, 18.70 +/- 4.50 years). Family history was positive in 49% of patients. Involvement of face was seen in 100% of patients. Scarring was observed in 59% patients. Premenstrual flare was seen in 70% female patients. Most patients, 83% had pruritus in lesions. Face (cheeks, forehead and lower part of the face) were the most common sites to be involved.

CONCLUSION

Acne is one of the common diseases, seen in the Out Patient Department, of Isra University Hospital. Study, concludes that female patients were more affected by acne and its complications like scarring as compared to the male patients.

Efficacy of aloe vera gel in the treatment of vulval lichen planus

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of aloe vera gel and placebo in the topical management of vulval lichen planus.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Department of Dermatology, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad, from January 2007 to January 2008.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty-four female patients were randomized into two groups to receive aloe vera gel or placebo for local application for 8 weeks. Clinical data and treatment response was graded according to Thongprasom criteria. Z-test was used for comparing response between the groups.

RESULTS

Thirty-four consecutive patients participated in the study. We found erosive and ulcerative lesions in 83% and 17%, respectively. The most common site of vulval lichen planus was the labia minora. Fourteen (82%) out of 17 patients treated with aloe vera had a good response i.e. clinically improved by at least 50% after 8 weeks of treatment, while one (5%) of 17 placebo-treated patients had a similar response (p < 0.001). Furthermore, one patient (5%) treated with aloe vera had a complete clinical remission. No side-effects were found in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Aloe vera gel was a safe and effective treatment for patients with vulval lichen planus.

Pulmonary vein isolation and linear lesions in atrial fibrillation ablation

BACKGROUND

Various strategies have been used for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. It is unclear whether adding linear lesions to pulmonary vein (PV) isolation has significant advantages.

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the clinical benefit of adding linear lesions in patients undergoing PV isolation for AF.

METHODS

One hundred patients (63 male and 37 female; mean age of 59 +/- 11 years) with documented paroxysmal AF were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups. The first group underwent PV isolation alone. The second group underwent PV isolation and had two linear lesions created; one line between the superior PVs, and a second line from the left inferior PV to the mitral valve annulus. Patients' clinical progress after the ablation was evaluated and compared at 1, 3, and 9 months after their respective ablation procedures.

RESULTS

The linear lesions group maintained sinus rhythm and had fewer symptoms than the lone PV isolation group (86 vs. 58%, respectively) (p < 0.05) at 1 month. At 9 months, when patients who reverted to AF underwent additional management to regain sinus rhythm (90 vs. 82%, respectively) (p = NS), there was no statistical difference between the groups regarding the use of antiarrhythmics, the need for electrical cardioversion, and subjective improvement.

CONCLUSION

The addition of linear lesions to PV isolation more effectively achieved sinus rhythm initially and fewer patients required additional management to maintain their rhythm when compared to patients who underwent lone PV isolation. However, at 9 months, the overall results were similar in both groups.

The E-Z(easy) clamp--a new instrument to facilitate medial ectropion repair

The medial spindle/retropunctal diamond procedure is a useful technique to correct medial ectropion. Unfortunately, the procedure is difficult, due to the limited size of the surgical field, the bleeding that is seen when the marginal artery is encountered and because of the ever present risk of damaging the canaliculus. We have developed a clamp that overcomes the anatomical opposition outlined above and at the same time improves access to the surgical field.

Effect of electrical stimulation on arteriogenesis and angiogenesis after bilateral femoral artery excision in the rabbit hind-limb ischemia model

The effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on arteriogenesis (the opening of preexisting collaterals) and angiogenesis (formation of new capillaries) were studied after acute bilateral hind limb ischemia was induced via bilateral femoral artery excision in a rabbit model. The study evaluated the rabbit hind limbs' normal response to acute ischemia and to application of ES by calculating changes in arterial and capillary densities. Comparisons were made with our prior study, in which the femoral artery was unilaterally excised, as we attempted to expand on the topics of arteriogenesis and angiogenesis. Twelve adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 series. In Series 1, the control group, both femoral arteries were excised and no ES was applied. In Series 2, both femoral arteries were excised and ES was applied to the left limb. One lead was implanted into the left adductor muscle near the site of the excised left femoral artery (Series 2), and a stimulator (Thera, Medtronic, Inc, Minneapolis, MN) was implanted in a separate pocket. ES was applied at a rate of 3 V, 30 contractions per minute, beginning immediately after surgery and continuously for 1 month. Angiography was performed in all 12 rabbits 1 month after surgery to establish the anatomy of the collateral vessels and to demonstrate that the femoral artery stump continued to be an end artery. Contrast-opacified arteries (COAs) that crossed the grid's midline, and the total number of grid lines intersected by COAs, were tallied according to an established method. Capillary density was calculated as the number of capillaries per square millimeter of muscle. In Series 1, after 1 month, the number of COAs crossing the grid's midline was 4.5 +/-1.5 on the left and 4.8 +/-1.2 on the right side. In Series 2, the number of COAs crossing the grid's midline was 7.9 +/-1.8 on the left side (p<0.05 vs Series 1) and 5.9 +/-1.6 on the right side of the same rabbit (p=NS vs Series 1). In Series 1, 36.7 +/-5.4 and 30.5 +/-7.7 total intersections were crossed by COAs on the left and right sides, respectively. In Series 2, total grid intersections crossed by COAs were 48.4 +/-8.5 and 47.5 +/-9.1 in the left and right sides, respectively (p<0.001 vs series 1). Baseline capillary density before femoral artery excision was 180.2 +/-21.3/mm(2). The capillary densities on the left sides were 94.2 +/-19.1 and 264.5 +/-7.6 in Series 1 and 2, respectively (p<0.001). The right sides showed a similar pattern with capillary densities of 88.5 +/-37.2 and 135.8 +/-6.8 (p<0.05) in Series 1 and 2, respectively. When capillary density was compared on the left and right sides of the same rabbit in Series 2, a statistically significant increase was also found; 264.5 +/-7.6 vs 135.8 +/-6.8 (p<0.001) in the left and right sides, respectively. Comparisons of the effect of electrical stimulation and the body's normal physiologic response to acute ischemia revealed a significant increase in the opening of preexisting collaterals (arteriogenesis) and the promotion of capillary density (angiogenesis) with the use of electrical stimulation.

Novel uses of intracardiac echocardiography with a phased-array imaging catheter

A newer phased-array ultrasound imaging catheter (AcuNav, Siemens, Moutainview, Calif) provides comprehensive anatomic and physiologic data during cardiac interventions. The role of this catheter in percutaneous closure procedures, transseptal ablative procedures, and valvular interventions has been reported. We describe an expanded role of intracardiac echocardiography using AcuNav imaging catheter (Siemens) in 2 clinical situations.

The role of knowledge and beliefs in help seeking behaviour for cancer: a quantitative and qualitative approach

The study involved quantitative methods to assess the relationship between knowledge about cancer related symptoms and help seeking behaviour and qualitative methods to explore the role of patient's beliefs about cancer in explaining the gap between knowledge and behaviour. Patients (288) (response rate 72%) from one urban general practice completed a questionnaire consisting of 25 symptoms which they rated for whether they were cancer symptoms (knowledge) and whether the symptoms would prompt them to visit the doctor (hypothetical help seeking behaviour). Twenty patients were then selected who represented a range of knowledge levels and help seeking behaviour and interviewed about their beliefs about cancer. The results showed that the majority of patients had fair knowledge and appropriate help seeking behaviour and indicated a significant association between these variables. However, this relationship was not absolute and although significant the correlation was low. Accordingly, although the subjects knew which symptoms were indicative of cancer, this knowledge was not entirely predictive of their help seeking behaviour. The interviews provided insights into the beliefs which may explain the knowledge/behaviour gap. In particular, analysis of the interviews indicated that the interviewees represented cancer in terms of feelings of fear and death, that they described the process of symptom recognition as involving a fear of finding out the truth, they regarded screening programmes as something to be avoided and understood the causes of cancer either in terms of personal behaviour and internal causes which may result in recriminations or external causes which were beyond their control. The results are discussed in terms of the role of beliefs in mediating the association between knowledge and behaviour and the possible implications for developing educational programmes.

An in vitro study of the quality of root fillings in teeth obturated by lateral condensation of gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators

The aim of this in vitro study was to assess the quality of root canal obturation and degree of linear apical dye penetration in teeth root filled with either laterally condensed gutta-percha or Thermafil obturators. A total of 150 teeth with single roots were included in the study. All canals were prepared using a standard step-back technique with anticurvature filing. Radiographs taken of the teeth to show the maximum degree of canal curvature were then exposed and the angle, radius and position of curvature determined. This information about the canals, together with their working length and diameter at end-point, was used to divide the teeth into two experimental and two control groups. A total of eight teeth were excluded because of technical difficulties, 65 were filled with Thermafil obturators, 63 were filled with laterally condensed gutta-percha whilst 14 teeth remained unfilled and acted as controls. Following obturation, the teeth were radiographed in two planes and the technical quality of fill assessed on a four-point scale. All access cavities were then sealed and the teeth immersed in dye for 48 h before being split longitudinally. Linear dye penetration via the apical foramen was then assessed. Canal obturation with Thermafil obturators (0.7 min) was significantly quicker (P < 0.001) than lateral condensation (6.4 min). Apical extrusion of sealer and gutta-percha occurred significantly more often with Thermafil obturators but there was little difference in the technical quality of the fillings and no significant difference in dye penetration. Under the conditions of this study. Thermafil obturators proved a satisfactory alternative to lateral condensation of gutta-percha.

Assessment of histamine release and kinin formation in man: identification of kinin degradation products and characterization of a lymphocyte-dependent histamine releasing factor

Factors traditionally associated with histamine release include IgE antibody plus antigen and the anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a, and C5a. Yet histamine release is thought to occur in disorders such as chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis in which the above mechanisms do not appear operative. We have partially purified a factor from stimulated human mononuclear cells which causes basophil histamine release. It is homogeneous by gel filtration with a molecular weight of about 35,000 daltons and has two molecular forms when assessed by ion exchange chromatography, isoelectrofocusing in gels and chromatofocusing. The purified material, when radiolabeled, gives a single band upon two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and radioautography. This factor may therefore represent one mechanism in which delayed hypersensitivity and histamine release are linked. We are also developing methods to better assess the kinin-forming system in allergic diseases. Assays for enzyme inhibitor complexes are the most sensitive and specific methods for inferring activation in plasma. These include quantitation of activated Hageman factor-C1 INH complexes and kallikrein-C1 INH complexes each of which appears elevated in cutaneous late-phase reactions. However, bradykinin assessment is fraught with difficulties including spurious generation and rapid inactivation. Using high performance liquid chromatography we have separated bradykinin from kallidin, des-Arg9-bradykinin (the degradation product of carboxypeptidase N) as well as the fragments Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe, Ser-Pro, and Phe-Arg, the degradation products formed by angiotensin-converting enzyme. These can be assayed in purified mixtures, can be detected upon addition of bradykinin to human plasma and are formed by kaolin treatment of plasma.

DNA homologies among homothallic, pseudo-homothallic and heterothallic species of Neurospora

Highly purified DNAs from three homothallic species Neurospora africana, N. dodgei and N. lineolata; three reference strains representing authentic heterothallic species, N. crassa, N. intermedia and N. sitophila; and two strains of pseudo-homothallic species N. tetrasperma were characterized by spectrophotometry and DNA reassociation using hydroxyapatite chromatography. All of these known species are closely related on the basis of DNA characteristics such as base composition and thermal denaturation profiles of major DNA components. Minor components of ascospore DNA was, however, only 5-7% of total DNA instead of 15-20% minor component DNA shown by mycelial DNA. Species belonging to same group were not distinguishable morphologically, but all of these species were distinguishable by DNA:DNA homology studies. Greater DNA homology was noticed between DNAs of heterothallic species and DNAs of pseudohomothallic species than DNA of true homothallic species. Difference on DNA-nucleotide sequences among homothallic species was very little. Pseudo-homothallic species N. tetrasperma was found to be distinctly different from homothallic species but closer to heterothallic species based on such studies.