Arsenic aggravated reproductive toxicity in male rats exposed to lead during the perinatal period.

The aim of this study was to assess the reproductive toxic effects of arsenic on adult Wistar rats exposed to lead during the perinatal period. The pregnant rats were allowed ad libitum access to tap water containing 819 mg of lead (Pb) per L or without Pb from conception until weaning. Litter size, survival rate and developmental milestones of the pups delivered by Pb exposed dams were comparable to those of the control rats. Conversely, the pups exposed to Pb during the perinatal period exhibited significant delay in cliff avoidance, negative geotaxis, surface righting reflex, ascending wire mesh and testis descent. The control and perinatal Pb-exposed male rats were maintained on tap water containing 2.3 mg of arsenite (As) per L or without arsenite from the pubertal period (post-natal day 55) to adulthood (post-natal day 115) and assessed for reproductive end points. The results revealed that the (1) relative weights of the testis, epididymis, seminiferous tubules and ventral prostate; (2) daily sperm production; (3) epididymal sperm density and (4) numbers of motile, viable, and HOS tail swelled sperm declined significantly in the rats exposed to either Pb or As. The activity levels of testicular 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were also significantly decreased in the experimental rats. Significant elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation in association with reduced activities of antioxidant enzymes in the testis and different epididymal regions was recorded in the experimental rats. In the fertility study, although each male in the control and experimental groups produced a copulatory plug and impregnated a female, the mean conception time significantly increased in the experimental groups. The mean number of implantations decreased significantly in the females mated with the experimental males. Moreover, the results of the present study also indicate that reproductive alterations were more deteriorated in the Pb-exposed rats treated with arsenic when compared to individual exposures. In conclusion, the data clearly suggest that reproductive toxicity in male rats exposed to Pb during the perinatal period is exacerbated by As treatment during the pubertal period.

A study of promotional advertisements of drugs in a medical journal: an ethics perspective.

The study assessed 54 advertisements of 145 different drugs, published over one year (from December 2011 to November 2012) in an Indian medical journal, circulated widely mainly among general practitioners (GPs). The ethical guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) and Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) for medicinal drug promotion were applied. The brand name was mentioned in all advertisements (100% compliance both with the WHO and OPPI criteria) and the names of the active ingredients were also mentioned in 128 (90.14%) advertisements. However, major adverse drug reactions were mentioned in only two advertisements (1.37%); precautions, contraindications and warnings in only two (1.37%); and major interactions in only one (0.68%). Only three advertisements (2.06%) were well substantiated with references. To ensure the ethical promotionof drugs among GPs, journals must introduce compulsory review and appraisal of promotional advertisements by a dedicated review board, including at least one member trained in pharmacology and one representative from the medical division of a pharmaceutical company.

Interaction of charged particles with localized electrostatic waves in a magnetized plasma.

Charged particle interaction with localized wave packets in a magnetic field is formulated using the canonical perturbation theory and the Lie transform theory. An electrostatic wave packet characterized by a wide range of group and phase velocities as well as spatial extent along and across the magnetic field is considered. The averaged changes in the momentum along the magnetic field, the angular momentum, and the guiding center position for an ensemble of particles due to their interaction with the wave packet are determined analytically. Both resonant and ponderomotive effects are included. For the case of a Gaussian wave packet, closed-form expressions include the dependency of the ensemble averaged particle momenta and guiding center position variations on wave packet parameters and particle initial conditions. These expressions elucidate the physics of the interaction which is markedly different from the well known case of particle interaction with plane waves and are relevant to a variety of applications ranging from space and astrophysical plasmas to laboratory and fusion plasmas, as well as accelerators and microwave devices.

Kinetic theory for distribution functions of wave-particle interactions in plasmas.

The evolution of a charged particle distribution function under the influence of coherent electromagnetic waves in a plasma is determined from kinetic theory. For coherent waves, the dynamical phase space of particles is an inhomogeneous mix of chaotic and regular orbits. The persistence of long time correlations between the particle motion and the phase of the waves invalidates any simplifying Markovian or statistical assumptions--the basis for usual quasilinear theories. The generalized formalism in this Letter leads to a hierarchy of evolution equations for the reduced distribution function. The evolution operators, in contrast to the quasilinear theories, are time dependent and nonsingular and include the rich phase space dynamics of particles interacting with coherent waves.

Transient dynamics of charged particles interacting with localized waves of continuous spectra.

A modified canonical perturbation method is employed for analyzing the charged particle dynamics as they interact with localized waves with continuous spectrum. In contrast with periodic Hamiltonian models, where the method has already been applied in a multitude of respective systems, the system in hand is inherently aperiodic. The localized waves have the form of amplitude modulated electrostatic fields, ranging from ordinary wave packets to ultrashort pulses. The analytically obtained approximate invariants of the motion contain rich information for the structure of the phase space and the respective distribution functions.

Controlled optimization of mode conversion from electron Bernstein waves to extraordinary mode in magnetized plasma.

In the CDX-U spherical torus, agreement between radiation temperature and Thomson scattering electron temperature profiles indicates approximately 100% conversion of thermally emitted electron Bernstein waves to the X mode. This has been achieved by controlling the electron density scale length (L(n)) in the conversion region with a local limiter outside the last closed flux surface, shortening L(n) to the theoretically required value for optimal conversion. From symmetry of the conversion process, prospects for efficient coupling in heating and current drive scenarios are strongly supported.

Seip-lawrence Syndrome (Three Cases in a Family).

A, rare episode of Seip-Lawrence syndrome manifesting in all three case siblings of consanpinous parents is reported. Two children we're male and one female. They exhibited low intelligence,' gaunt facies, depressed bridge of nose, large low-sct ears, thick lips and protruberant abdomen. Skin was showing hypermelanosis, hypertrichosis, absence of subcutaneous fat and acan nigricaFNx01s with' very prominent perianal rUgO6itiS In addition, the first child was short statured having hypertrophic Clitoris, hepatomcoy, left ventricular hypertro hy, hyperglycaemia and glycossuria- without ketoacidosis. The second child was, having enlargement of penis, left ventricular hypertrophy,,hepatospienomegaly and abnormal GTT. The third and the youngest child was having only cutaneous changes and no viscoromegaly or biochemical abnormality. Nou Of these patients were having gigantism and advanced bone age.