Application of thin layer activation technique for monitoring corrosion of carbon steel in hydrocarbon processing environment.

Acidic crude oil transportation and processing in petroleum refining and petrochemical operations cause corrosion in the pipelines and associated components. Corrosion monitoring is invariably required to test and prove operational reliability. Thin Layer Activation (TLA) technique is a nuclear technique used for measurement of corrosion and erosion of materials. The technique involves irradiation of material with high energy ion beam from an accelerator and measurement of loss of radioactivity after the material is subjected to corrosive environment. In the present study, TLA technique has been used to monitor corrosion of carbon steel (CS) in crude oil environment at high temperature. Different CS coupons were irradiated with a 13 MeV proton beam to produce Cobalt-56 radioisotope on the surface of the coupons. The corrosion studies were carried out by subjecting the irradiated coupons to a corrosive environment, i.e, uninhibited straight run gas oil (SRGO) containing known amount of naphthenic acid (NA) at high temperature. The effects of different parameters, such as, concentration of NA, temperature and fluid velocity (rpm) on corrosion behaviour of CS were studied.

Toxicity of a novel herbomineral preparation las01 on human cancer cell lines and its safety profile in humans and animals.

Polyhedral formulations based on Rasayana therapy described in Charaka Samhita showed remarkable improvement in quality of life of various cancer patients who have been found to be refractory or poor responders to modern chemotherapy and radiation treatment. One of the most recent novel herbomineral preparation, Las01 prepared absolutely as per the instruction given in the ancient Ayurvedic literature has been found to be effective as a potent anticancer drug in the human cell lines, the MCF-7 and Hela cancer cell lines. This novel preparation of Las01 is also found to be devoid of toxicity both in animals as well as in human subjects, which is the main drawback of chemotherapeutic agents used in modern system of medicine. Our results warrant multicentric clinical trials on a large scale which seems to be a future promising drug to cure incurables cancer patients.

A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical evaluation of extract of Andrographis paniculata (KalmCold) in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection.

A randomized, double blind placebo controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of KalmCold, an extract of Andrographis paniculata, in patients with uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). The assessment involved quantification of symptom scores by Visual Analogue Scale. Nine self evaluated symptoms of cough, expectoration, nasal discharge, headache, fever, sore throat, earache, malaise/fatigue and sleep disturbance were scored. A total of 223 patients of both sexes were randomized in two groups which received either KalmCold (200 mg/day) or placebo in a double blind manner. In both the treatments, mean scores of all symptoms showed a decreasing trend from day 1 to day 3 but from day 3 to day 5 most of the symptoms in placebo treated group either remained unchanged (cough, headache and earache) or got aggravated (sore throat and sleep disturbance) whereas in KalmCold treated group all symptoms showed a decreasing trend. Within groups, mean scores of symptoms in both the groups decreased significantly (p < or = 0.05) from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 while from day 3 to day 5 all symptoms except expectoration in placebo group did not improve significantly whereas in KalmCold treated group all symptoms improved significantly (p < or = 0.05) except earache. Comparing mean between both groups, all symptoms at day 1 and day 3 were found to be the same while at day 5 all symptoms except earache in KalmCold treated group improved significantly (p < or = 0.05) than placebo group. Similarly, within groups, overall scores of all symptoms in both the groups decreased significantly (p < or = 0.05) from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 while from day 3 to day 5 placebo group did not improve significantly whereas KalmCold treated group showed significant improvement (p < or = 0.05). On between groups analysis, KalmCold group showed significant reduction (p < or = 0.05) in overall symptom scores as compared to placebo group. In both placebo and KalmCold treated groups, there were only a few minor adverse effects with no significant difference in occurrence (Z = 0.63; p > 0.05). The comparison of overall efficacy of KalmCold over placebo was found to be significant (p < or = 0.05) and it was 2.1 times (52.7%) higher than placebo. The findings of this study revealed that KalmCold was effective in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.

Spasmolytic activity of a herbal drug isolated from Tephrosia purpurea in guinea pigs.

We investigated the spasmolytic activity of herbal drugs isolated from Tephrosia purpurea on guinea pigs for the treatment of asthma in India. For this investigation, the herbal drug was extracted with 70% ethanol in soxhlet apparatus. After purification and isolution, the drug was used in experimental animals to observe prophylactic activity. For anaphylactic activity, horse serum 0.5 ml along with triple antigen (0.5 ml) was induced in guinea pigs. To observe prophylactic activity, male guinea pigs weighing about 250-450 gms were killed by cervical dislocation and the trachea was isolated. Each trachea was cut in to six segments. Each segment consists of three cartilage rings. Each end of tracheal muscles was attached to the bronchospasm transducers for isometric recording of the tension charges on a polygraph. The results of experiments clearly showed the spasmolytic activity of the drug. The preliminary phytochemical investigation, however shows the presence of glycoside saponins.

Study of pterion in skulls of Awadh area--in and around Lucknow.

Two hundred and three skulls of known sex (100 male and 103 female) were studied to find out the variations of Pterion. Sphenoparietal variety of Pterion was seen predominantly along with frontotemporal and stellate varieties.

Effects of neem seed derivatives on behavioral and physiological responses of the Cosmopolites sordidus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Both in a choice and multi-choice laboratory tests, fewer adults of the banana root borer, Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar), settled under the corms of the susceptible banana "Nakyetengu" treated with 5% aqueous extract of neem seed powder or cake or 2.5 and 5% emulsified neem oil than on water-treated corms. Feeding damage by larvae on banana pseudostem discs treated with 5% extract of powdered neem seed, kernel, or cake, or 5% emulsified neem oil was significantly less than on untreated discs. The larvae took much longer to locate feeding sites, initiate feeding and bore into pseudostem discs treated with extract of powdered neem seed or kernel. Few larvae survived when confined for 14 d on neem-treated banana pseudostems; the survivors weighed two to four times less than the larvae developing on untreated pseudostems. Females deposited up to 75% fewer eggs on neem-treated corms. In addition, egg hatching was reduced on neem-treated corms. The higher the concentration of neem materials the more severe the effect.

Effect of dopamine agonists and antagonists on the lorazepam withdrawal syndrome in rats.

1. The effects of dopaminergic agonists and antagonists were investigated on withdrawal signs in lorazepam-dependent rats. Physical dependence was developed by giving lorazepam admixed with food in the following dose schedules: 10 x 4, 20 x 4, 40 x 4, 80 x 4 and 120 x 7 mg/kg, daily for x days. 2. The parameters observed during the periods of administration of lorazepam and after its withdrawal were spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), reaction time to pain, foot shock aggression (FSA) and audiogenic seizures. 3. During the withdrawal period, rats were divided into groups of 10 rats each. One group did not receive any drug and served as the control withdrawal groups. Three other groups received, separately, one of the following dopamimetic drugs: (i) 200 mg/kg per day, i.m., L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA; +50 mg/kg per day, i.m., carbidopa); (ii) 2 mg/kg per day, i.m., amphetamine; or (iii) 1 mg/kg per day, i.m., apomorphine. The remaining groups received one of the following dopamine antagonists: (i) 0.1 mg/kg per day, i.m., SCH 23390; (ii) 0.5 mg/kg per day, i.m., haloperidol; (iii) 0.5 mg/kg per day, i.m., centbutindol; and (iv) either 1 or 20 mg/kg per day, i.m., clozapine. 4. The withdrawal signs observed in the control group were hyperkinesia, hyperaggression and audiogenic seizures. 5. L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (+ carbidopa), amphetamine and apomorphine potentiated hyperaggression and audiogenic seizures. The dopamine D2 receptor antagonists haloperidol, centbutindol and clozapine (at 20 mg/kg, i.m.) blocked all withdrawal signs. The D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 inhibited hyperkinesia and hyperaggression. The D4 receptor antagonist clozapine (at 1 mg/kg, i.m.) had no effect on any of the withdrawal signs. 6. It may be concluded that dopamine D2 receptors exert a dominant facilitatory influence, with partial contribution of D1 receptors, on the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

Evaluation of antiallergic activity (type I hypersensitivity) of Inula racemosa in rats.

Alcoholic extract of root of Inula racemosa, was studied for its antiallergic effect in experimental models of type I hypersensitivity, viz. egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and mast cell degranulation in albino rats. The alcoholic extract was prepared by the process of continuous heat extraction. LD50 of this extract was found to be 2100 +/- 60 mg/kg, i.p. Assessment of protection against egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxix by different doses of Inula racemosa was done by giving drug intraperitoneally or orally for seven days or once only. Mast cell degranulation studies were done by using compound 48/80 as degranulation agent with same dosage schedule. Inula racemosa (i.p. as well as p.o.) showed significant protection against egg albumin induced PCA. Protection against compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation by alcoholic extract of Inula racemosa (single dose) was similar to that of disodium cromoglycate. The seven days drug treatment schedule showed greater protection than disodium cromoglycate intraperitoneally. The results suggest that Inula racemosa possesses potent antiallergic properties in rats.

Evaluation of metronidazole toxicity: a prospective study.

Metronidazole is an antimicrobial, antiprotozoal agent that has been widely used in the treatment of a variety of infections. Some therapeutic indications necessitate prolonged treatment with metronidazole. Peripheral neuropathy is a potential metronidazole-induced toxicity, which has been reported in only a few isolated retrospective studies. This prospective study was designed to determine the toxic profile of metronidazole in patients undergoing long-term treatment with this drug. In the present study, 17 patients of both sexes, aged between 20 and 50 years, with body weights ranging from 46 to 62 kg and who were suffering from various medical ailments were recruited. The patients received 400 mg t.i.d. oral metronidazole in a total dose of 16.8-39.6 g for 2-4 weeks. It was found that patients usually suffered from some of the toxic symptoms of metallic taste, headache and dry mouth and to a lesser extent nausea, glossitis, urticaria, pruritus, urethral burning and dark colored urine. Symptoms were irrespective of sex and directly proportional to duration of therapy. Deep tendon ankle jerks were maximally reduced in four patients and sense of vibration at the level of olecranon and patella was affected in two patients. Distal latency and velocity of the sural and posterior tibial nerves were significantly affected (p < 0.01) compared with control values. These results indicate possible motor-sensory neurotoxicity involving the lower limbs due to long-term metronidazole therapy.

A primate model of anxiety.

Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 30 mg/kg, i.m.) produced an acute anxiogenic effect on the behaviour of a social colony of rhesus monkeys acclimatized to laboratory conditions. The animals exhibited hypervigilance, aggressiveness, tachypnea, piloerection and frequent change of posture and also had raised plasma cortisol levels. These effects of PTZ were antagonized by benzodiazepines (diazepam; 1 mg/kg, i.v. and alprazolam; 0.05 mg/kg, p.o.). Non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug (buspirone; 10 mg/kg, p.o.) blocked the behavioural effects but not the rise in plasma cortisol concentration. On the other hand, pretreatment with hypnosedative (promethazine; 5 mg/kg, i.m.) or anticonvulsant (sodium valproate; 40 mg/kg, p.o.) agents did not attenuate the effects of PTZ indicating the specificity of its anxiogenic response. The model, thus, seems suitable for evaluation of potential anxiolytic agents.

Interferon-inducer polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid: a potent anti-gastric ulcer agent and inhibitor of the gastric proton pump in rats.

1. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:Poly C), an interferon inducer was studied for its effect on gastric ulceration in rats. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (1, 2 and 4 mg/kg, i.m.) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of gastric ulcers induced by aspirin, cold restraint stress and pylorus ligation (Shay's model). Protective dose (PD50) +/- SEM values of Poly I:Poly C on these models of ulcers were 1.9 +/- 0.2, 2.3 +/- 0.4 and 2.8 +/- 0.4 (mg/kg, i.m.) respectively. 2. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (10-60 micrograms) produced dose-dependent inhibition of gastric proton pump (H+/K(+)-ATPase) activity in the gastric parietal microsomal fraction. The concentration of Poly I:Poly C causing a 50% inhibition (IC50) +/- SEM was found to be 17.6 +/- 1.2 micrograms. 3. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid caused a significant decrease in free and total acid and pepsin and an increase in mucin content in Shay (pylorus-ligated) rat. 4. Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid did not exert a significant influence on isolated tissue preparations for anti-cholinergic (acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea-pig ileum) and H2-anti-histaminic (histamine-induced contraction of rat uterus and guinea-pig auricle) activities. 5. Thus, the present study indicates that Poly I:Poly C may possess anti-gastric ulcer activity as a result of inhibition of the gastric proton pump.

Quantification of behaviour in social colonies of rhesus monkey.

It is necessary to use experimental animals with behavioural, physiological and disease susceptibility pattern similar to man so that the results have a clinical predictive value. For such studies the non-human primate is the animal of choice. Rhesus monkey is a good choice for this purpose but information about its behaviour is fragmentary. In order to obtain a quantitative baseline data for psychopharmacological studies, a protocol has been developed to score various social and solitary behaviours in adult male and female rhesus monkeys. The study was conducted on rhesus monkeys in a social colony of one male and seven female living in a semi-restricted environment. The behavioural patterns were quantitated so as to compare effect on various components of behaviour. Aggressiveness and vigilance were prominent in the male while social affiliative behaviour was dominant in the female. Other behavioural responses were of similar magnitude in both sexes. It is however necessary to have data with some standard CNS active agents on these behavioural protocol. Therefore, initially the behavioural effects of amphetamine and haloperidol were studied. Significant effects observed following d-amphetamine (1-4 mg/kg, im); it induced dose dependent suppression of social behaviour (approach, contact, grooming), feeding, hypervigilance, stereotypy and oral hyperkinesia. On the other hand haloperidol (0.01-0.04 mg/kg, im) produced decrease in social and solitary behaviour and marked cataleptic posture. It is possible to quantitate drug effects on various aspects of behaviour of the rhesus monkey and to develop neuropsychitric models with the help of this protocol for use in study of drug effects on behaviour.

Evaluation of inhibitory effect of diphenhydramine on benzodiazepine dependence in rats.

Effect of diphenhydramine was investigated on withdrawal signs in lorazepam dependent rats. Physical dependence was produced by giving lorazepam admixed with the food in the following dose schedule: 10 x 4, 20 x 4, 40 x 4, 80 x 4 and 120 x 7 (mg/kg, daily x days). The parameters observed during the periods of administration of lorazepam and after its withdrawal were spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), body temperature, reaction time to pain, foot shock aggression (FSA) and audiogenic seizures. Diphenhydramine was administered orally in the dose schedules of once daily (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) and twice daily (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) in separate groups during the withdrawal period. The withdrawal signs observed in control group (without diphenhydramine) were hyperkinesia, hyperthermia, hyperaggression and audiogenic seizures. Hyperkinesia and hyperthermia were blocked in all the groups of diphenhydramine-treated rats. FSA was inhibited only by diphenhydramine (10 and 20 mg/kg) given twice daily. Audiogenic seizures were completely blocked by once daily (20 and 40 mg/kg) as well as twice daily (20 mg/kg) doses of diphenhydramine. It may be concluded that diphenhydramine exerts a protective effects on benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

Effect of calcium channel blockers on withdrawal syndrome of lorazepam in rats.

Effects of calcium channel blockers were investigated on withdrawal signs in lorazepam dependent rats. Physical dependence was produced by giving lorazepam admixed with the food in the following dose schedule: 10 x 4, 20 x 4, 40 x 4, 80 x 4 and 120 x 7 (mg/kg daily x days). Parameters such as body weight, food intake, spontaneous locomotor activity (SLA), body temperature, reaction time to pain, foot shock-aggression (FSA) and audiogenic seizures were observed during the period of administration of lorazepam and after its withdrawal. Calcium channel blockers viz. verapamil, nifedipine and nimodipine in different doses were administered orally twice daily in separate groups during the withdrawal period. The withdrawal signs observed in control group (without calcium channel blockers) were hyperkinesia, hyperthermia, hyper-aggression and audiogenic seizures. The administration of verapamil (5-20 mg/kg), nifedipine (1.75-7 mg/kg) and nimodipine (5-20 mg/kg) during the withdrawal period of lorazepam showed dose dependent significant blockade of all the withdrawal signs. Audiogenic seizures were completely blocked by 20 mg/kg dose of verapamil and nimodipine while nifedipine was partially effective. It may be concluded that calcium channel blockers exert protective effects on benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.

Phytotoxicological evaluation of Tagetes erectes on aquatic stages of Anopheles stephensi.

Petroleum ether (5%) in ethyl acetate fraction of Tagetes erectes showed toxic activity against second and fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi below 100 ppm concentrations. The LC50 values for second and fourth instar larvae were calculated to be 43 and 58 ppm respectively. The second instar larvae were more susceptible than the fourth instar larvae. The extract did not affect the larval developmental period. The growth index of treated mosquitoes was significant in comparison with that of the control and untreated sets (p < 0.01). Treatment with the extract had a significant effect on the mortality and reduction in the adult emergence of the vector.

Discrete and confluent Lisch nodules in neurofibromatosis type 1.

Discrete and confluent iris hamartomas in a 42-year-old man with neurofibromatosis type 1 is reported.

The predictive value of the relative lens position in primary angle-closure glaucoma.

The relative lens position has been considered to be an important determinant in primary angle-closure glaucoma, but its predictive value needs to be assessed. Therefore, in this tertiary-care center-based case-control study, 70 cases and an equal number of controls were investigated to analyze this association. It was found that, after controlling for age, sex, and refractive error, the relative lens position and anterior chamber depth had a strong association with the disease in separate logit models (P < .01). The predictability of the separate logit models with the relative lens position and anterior chamber depth was found to be statistically significant (-2 x maximized logarithmic likelihood, 93.94 and 19.39, respectively, P < .01). Because the relative lens position represents a composite measure from a set of variables, it can be used as a significant predictive alternative to anterior chamber depth in the genesis of this disease.

Larvicidal and chemosterilant activity of Annona squamosa alkaloids against Anopheles stephensi.

Alkaloids isolated from Annona squamosa have shown larvicidal growth-regulating and chemosterilant activities against Anopheles stephensi at concentrations of 50 to 200 ppm. Adults exposed as larvae to different treatments showed reduced fecundity and fertility in females. Mortality in the larvae, pupae and adults produced about a 52-92% decrease in the laboratory experiment. The total developmental period was slightly reduced from the control. Treatment with the alkaloids had a significant effect on the mortality, emergence and reproductive physiology of An. stephensi.