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.

Nonlinear radiation effect on MHD Carreau nanofluid flow over a radially stretching surface with zero mass flux at the surface.

A mathematical model is envisaged to study the axisymmetric steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Carreau nanofluid flow under the influence of nonlinear thermal radiation and chemical reaction past a radially stretched surface. Impact of heat generation/absorption with newly introduced zero mass flux condition of nanoparticles at the sheet is an added feature towards novelty of the problem. Further, for nanofluid the most recently organized model namely Buongiorno's model is assumed that comprises the effects thermophoresis and Brownian motion. Utilizing suitable self-similar transformations, the set of partial differential equations with high nonlinearity are converted into a dimensionless system of ordinary differential equations. Set of these transmuted equations are numerically solved by MATLAB built-in function bvp4c. Impact of germane parameters on all involved profiles are plotted to examine the heat and mass transfer characteristics. This study reveals that the temperature distribution is an escalating function of the heat generation and nonlinear radiation parameters. Also, it is noted that the incrementing values of chemical reaction parameter lowers the nanoparticles concentration profile. A comparison of the present investigation with already published explorations in limiting case is also added to authenticate the presented results; hence reliable results are being presented.

Measurement of radon exhalation rate and soil gas radon concentration in areas of southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Plastic track detectors were used to measure the radon concentration and exhalation rate from the soil samples. The samples were collected from areas of southern Punjab, Pakistan. In a laboratory experiment, passive alpha dosemeters were installed inside cylindrical bottles containing the soil samples. The radon concentrations and the radon exhalation rate were found in the ranges of 34 +/- 7 to 260 +/- 42 Bq m(-3) and 38 +/- 8 to 288 +/- 46 mBq m(-2) h(-1), respectively. The on-site measurements of radon in the soil gas were also carried out in these areas using a scintillation alpha counter. The concentration of radon in the soil gas was found in the range of 423 +/- 82-3565 +/- 438 Bq m(-3).

Cardiac amyloidosis in a patient with multiple myeloma: a case report and review of literature.

We report a case of a 52-year-old man with multiple myeloma and rapidly progressive heart failure who died unexpectedly from a probable arrhythmia. Postmortem examination revealed infiltrative amyloid cardiomyopathy, a rare cause of predominantly diastolic myocardial disease. Cardiac amyloidosis should be considered in any patient presenting with congestive heart failure, preserved systolic function, and a discrepancy between a low QRS voltage on electrocardiography and an apparent left ventricular hypertrophy on sonogram. The pattern of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction changes during the course of amyloidosis and the classically described restrictive physiology occurs only in advanced stages of the disease.

Short-term results of a randomized trial comparing remote endarterectomy and supragenicular bypass surgery for long occlusions of the superficial femoral artery [the REVAS trial].

OBJECTIVE: Techniques for surgical repair of Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) C and D lesions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) are supragenicular bypass grafting or the less invasive remote endarterectomy (RSFAE). This trial compares the patency rates of both techniques. DESIGN: Randomized, multicenter trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 116 patients were randomized to RSFAE (n=61) and supragenicular bypass surgery (n=55). Indications for surgery were claudication (n=77), rest pain (n=21), or tissue loss (n=18). RESULTS: Median hospital stay was 4 days in the RSFAE group compared with 6 days in the bypass group (p=0.004). Primary patency after 1-year follow-up was 61% for RSFAE and 73% for bypass (p=0.094). Secondary patency was 79% for both groups. Subdividing between venous (n=25) and prosthetic grafts (n=30) shows a primary patency of 89% and 63% respectively at 1-year follow-up (p=0.086). CONCLUSION: RSFAE is a minimally invasive adjunct in the treatment of TASC C and D lesions of the SFA, with shorter admittance and a comparable secondary patency rate to bypass. The venous bypass is superior to both RSFAE and PTFE bypass surgery, but only 45% of patients had a sufficient saphenous vein available. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00566436.

Subacute diencephalic angioencephalopathy: biopsy diagnosis and radiological features of a rare entity.

Subacute diencephalic angioencephalopathy (SDAE) is a rare and fatal disease of unknown etiology that involves the thalami bilaterally. To date, there have been four cases reported, in which the diagnosis was established only after post mortem examination of the brain. We report two male patients, ages 69 and 41 years, who presented with progressive dementia and somnolence. Radiological evaluation revealed enhancing lesions involving both thalami. The differential diagnosis included a number of neoplastic, inflammatory and vascular processes. In both cases, pathological evaluation of biopsy specimens suggested the diagnosis of SDAE. Despite supportive care, the disease progressed rapidly and both patients died within weeks after initial presentation. The diagnosis was confirmed at autopsy in both cases. SDAE is a rare cause of bithalamic disease that can be mistaken for a neoplasm as well as a number of conditions that necessitate different treatment choices. The histopathological findings can establish the diagnosis when combined with radiological and clinical information. This report emphasizes the utility of stereotactic biopsy in early diagnosis of SDAE.

Inflammatory response in bacterial meningitis: cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Inflammatory response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral injury in bacterial meningitis. In this study, we evaluated the cytokine levels of interleukin 1-beta (IL1 beta), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL6) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and determined their correlation with acute clinical complications and with changes in CSF biochemistry. Interleukin 6, TNF alpha and IL1 beta were present in 9/9, 3/9 and 4/9 patients, respectively. The CSFs with detectable TNF alpha or IL1 beta had higher levels of IL6 (p < 0.02), protein (NS) and lower glucose levels (p < 0.02), compared with those in which TNF alpha and IL1 beta were absent. Tumour necrosis factor alpha and IL1 beta levels also correlated with the presence of prolonged fever, fits, spasticity and death (logTNF alpha: r = 0.70, p < 0.05; logIL1 beta: r = 0.62, p = 0.08). The cytokine levels reflect the degree of inflammatory response and are positively correlated with the severity of acute clinical complications. Modulation of this inflammatory response in bacterial meningitis may improve its morbidity and mortality.

A clinical study of obstructive jaundice among Singapore infants.

Fifty infants with obstructive jaundice were reviewed. Other than jaundice, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were the other common presentations. The mean age of referral was 9.4 weeks. This was unsatisfactory as the prognosis depends on the age of corrective surgery. Majority of the non surgical cholestasis were due to idiopathic hepatitis. These patients did well as all of them were asymptomic and had no evidence of liver disease at 2 years of age.

Gallamine disposition in surgical patients with chronic renal failure.

1 Plasma levels of gallamine and the elicited neuromuscular response have been measured in seven patients with compromised renal function who received a single 2 mg/kg dose and in a further patient who received an initial dose of 2 mg/kg followed by two additional doses of 1 mg/kg. 2 The plasma level-time data from all patients was adequately explained by a biexponential equation interpreted as a two-compartment open mammillary model. 3 Comparison of the model-independent pharmacokinetic parameters for gallamine between these patients and a group of normal patients revealed that the elimination phase half-life (T and one-half beta) was significantly prolonged in renal failure with a marked reduction in the plasma clearance of gallamine. 4 Gallamine had larger apparent volumes of distribution in the presence of renal failure than those found in normal patients. 5 The peak paralysis levels attained and the associated plasma concentrations of gallamine were similar in patients with and without renal failure. 6 At this low dosage the rate of recovery from paralysis in renal failure patients, though similar to that noted normally, appeared to be somewhat slower in some patients. 7. The results suggest that gallamine is not to be preferred to other nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in patients with renal failure.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of the non-depolarising muscle relaxants.

Muscle relaxants are of great benefit to the anaesthetist as adjuncts to anaesthesia. These drugs are used to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to reduce muscle tone during surgery, and may also find application in assisting ventilator care in the intensive care situation. The pharmacological effect of the relaxants may be readily assessed by the anaesthetist by means of a variety of techniques to quantify muscular activity in response to electrical stimulation. A number of factors may modify the effects of the muscle relaxants including anaesthetic agents, hypothermia, patient age and disease status and a variety of drugs. The disposition kinetics of the muscle relaxants have been well characterised although information on protein binding and placental transfer is somewhat scanty. A common characteristic of their pharmacokinetics is multicompartmental behaviour. Clearance of the relaxants ranges from total elimination by the kidneys (gallamine) to substantial hepatic clearance (fazadinium), and thus their clearance may be adversely affected by renal or hepatic disease. Dosage regimens have been designed using knowledge of the disposition kinetics of the relaxants to provide for continuous adequate relaxation during prolonged surgical procedures. With the use of sophisticated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models good relationships have been demonstrated between plasma concentrations of the relaxants throughout the entire range of relaxant response.

Pharmacokinetic studies in man with gallamine triethiodide. I. Single and multiple clinical doses.

Plasma concentrations of gallamine were determined in 6 patients undergoing anaesthesia for elective surgery receiving a single intravenous bolus dose of 2 mg/kg and in a further 11 patients requiring additional doses (0.5 to 2 mg/kg) of the relaxant. The two-compartment open model was found to characterize adequately both the single and multiple dose data. No significant differences were noted when the model-independent pharmacokinetic parameters between the two groups of patients were compared with the exception of the distribution phase half-life (t1/2 alpha) (6.70 min single vs 9.19 min multiple p less than 0.05). Mean values for the pooled data for the half-life (t1/2 beta), plasma clearance (Clp) and volume of distribution (Vd beta) were 134.58 min, 1.20 ml/min/kg and 225.28 ml/kg respectively. Evoked twitch response was monitored in each patient to assess the degree of neuromuscular blockade. In only one patient was the bolus dose sufficient to produce complete (100%) blockade, thus the degree of maximal response varied between 78 to 100% and took some 3 to 10 minutes after dose administration. The concurrently measured gallamine plasma concentrations ranged from 9.30 to 19.20 micrograms/ml. Linear regression of the offset data (20 to 80% paralysis) in 10 patients revealed a recovery rate of 0.35 to 1.33%/min. For 5 patients where offset data was available over the entire range of response (0 to 100%) the calculated mean effective plasma concentrations for gallamine at 50 and 95% paralysis (ECp50, ECp95) were found to vary between 3.43 to 10.28 micrograms/ml, and 5.66 to 23.37 micrograms/ml respectively.

Pharmacokinetic studies in man with gallamine triethiodide. II. Single 4 and 6 mg/kg i.v. doses.

Fourteen patients undergoing elective surgery were studied at two levels of gallamine dosage. Seven patients received a single bolus dose of 4 mg/kg, and the remainder received 6 mg/kg. The venous plasma concentration-time data from both groups were characterized in terms of a two-compartment open model. No significant differences in the various pharmacokinetic parameters were noted. However the distribution and clearance terms from these two patient groups were significantly higher than those obtained with a previous group of patients receiving lower (2 mg/kg) single and multiple doses. Assessment of neuromuscular twitch response showed that maximum blockade was attained in all patients within 5 min with the time to peak effect being dose dependent. Recovery from paralysis as assessed at 99, 95 and 90% paralysis indicated that the duration of action was similarly dose dependent. The concurrently measured plasma concentrations showed wide variation but were higher at more profound levels of paralysis. Arterial blood samples for 5 patients receiving the 4 mg/kg gallamine dose were taken simultaneously with the venous samples over the first sixty minutes. No significant arterio-venous differences in gallamine plasma concentration were noted at any time interval in all subjects.

Incidence of peptic ulcer in the Zambian African - a radiological study.

Five hundred and sixty-eight (568) consecutive barium meal examinations have been studied. 152 showed peptic ulcer. There were 146 duodenal and six gastric ulcers. Eight were post-bulbar ulcers, and multiple ulcers were seen in only 4. Clinically, none had pancreatic adenoma. The ratio of male to female was as follows:- referral 4.7 to 1.0; of those who had peptic ulcer, 4.1. The incidence of peptic ulcer was equally distributed in all social classes.