Improved detection of intraventricular cysticercal cysts with the use of three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state MR sequences.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Before the advent of MR imaging, intraventricular cysts were difficult to diagnose noninvasively. Among the invasive procedures used were contrast ventriculography and CT ventriculography. MR imaging, with its multiplanar imaging capabilities, excellent depiction of tissue contrast, and versatile parameters, is an important tool in the assessment of intraventricular cystic lesions. We investigated the role of three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS) MR sequences in the evaluation of intraventricular cysticercal cysts. METHODS: The study group comprised 11 patients with intraventricular cysticercal cysts. MR studies included spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted, turbo-SE T2-weighted, and 3D-CISS sequences. All images were obtained on a superconducting 1.5-T MR unit. The routine and 3D-CISS sequences were reviewed and interpreted separately by two neuroradiologists. RESULTS: All patients underwent surgery for excision of intraventricular cysticercal cysts. Eight patients had cysts in the fourth ventricle, two in the lateral ventricle, and one in the third ventricle. SE T1-weighted images showed the cystic wall in nine cases, the scolex in four, and the cystic fluid in two. Turbo-SE T2-weighted images showed the cystic wall and scolex in three and four cases, respectively. The routine sequences did not show the scolex, cystic wall, or cystic fluid together in any of the 11 patients. 3D-CISS images showed the scolex in all 11 patients and the cystic wall and cystic fluid in eight patients each. In seven of the 11 patients, 3D-CISS images showed the scolex, cystic wall, and fluid together. CONCLUSION: The 3D-CISS sequence is more sensitive and specific than routine SE sequences in the diagnosis of intraventricular cysticercal cysts.

Regulation of estrous cycle in hysterectomized albino rats by activation of follicular development.

Wistar strain albino rats were hysterectomized and the estrous cycle was compared with sham operated controls. Duration of estrous cycle in hysterectomized rats increased markedly with significant delay in the luteal phase and this was correlated to the inhibited follicular development of ovary. When these rats were treated with PGF2 alpha and PMSG and subjected to physical exercises, the estrous cycle was synchronised and the ovaries of such animals had active follicular development. Thus the deranged operation of sexual cycle in hysterectomized rats was regulated through physical exercises.

The role of cadmium in induction of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

Experiments were carried out in rabbits to determine the effects of prolonged treatment of cadmium (8 mg/kg/day) for a period of 6 months on histopathological changes and biochemical alterations of lipid profiles in various tissues compared to normal rabbits. No ECG changes were observed before and at the end of cadmium treatment. Histopathological studies of the coronary artery revealed atherosclerotic changes. Total lipids, cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids were significantly increased in heart and kidney, but decreased in serum and liver. Triglyceride content was increased significantly in heart and kidney with a significant depletion in liver and serum. It is postulated that atherosclerotic changes in rabbits probably occurred through toxic effects of cadmium but the exact mechanism needs to be elucidated.

Effect of prolactin on accessory sex organs of prepuberal male albino rats: an in vitro study.

The in vitro studies on the effect of hypophysial gonadotropins (PRL, FSH, LH) on the maturation events of accessory sex organs in prepuberal male rats revealed that prolactin (PRL) alone has both direct as well as androgen mediated effect on the maturation activities. The effect of PRL is age dependent and it had higher activation on the gland system than the duct system.

Regulation of hysterectomy induced derangements in ovarian carbohydrate metabolism in albino rats. II. Role of prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Wistar strain albino rats were subjected to bilateral hysterectomy surgically and the ovarian carbohydrate metabolism of these animals was compared with sham operated controls. The ovarian glycogen content of hysterectomized animals was elevated with inhibition of glycogenolysis, hexose mono and diphosphate pathways and oxidative metabolism. Administration of PGF2 alpha to hysterectomized animals led to activation of ovarian glycogenolysis and other pathways of carbohydrate metabolism of hysterectomized animals was restored towards normal level after PGF2 alpha substitution.

Effects of bilateral hysterectomy on the hepatic lipid reserves in rats.

Wistar adult female rats have been hysterectomized. Compared to controls, these hysterectomized animals presented significant increase in body weight, due to lipid accumulation. Their liver had significantly higher tissue somatic index due to identical deposition of lipid fractions. Development of these lipid reserves can be related to ovary inactivation, as shown by estradiol low levels in blood.

In vitro effects of gossypol and lactic acid on rat uterus and ovary during implantation and antiimplantation.

ATPase activity of uterus and ovary was markedly elevated in presence of gossypol and decreased in presence of lactic acid indicating activation and inhibition of energy metabolism by gossypol and lactic acid respectively. The elevated levels of glycogen in uterus indicate inhibition of glycogenolysis as supported by phosphorylase activity. Whereas in ovary the glycogen depletion indicates activation of glycogenolysis supported by phosphorylase activity. The activity levels of aldolase and G-6-PDH decreased in the uterus in presence of gossypol and increased in presence of lactic acid. The same were elevated in ovary indicating the activation of hexose mono and diphosphate pathways. Lactic acid accumulated in presence of both gossypol and lactic acid with a depletion in level of pyruvic acid in both the tissues. This situation in the uterus indicates the condition of anti-implantation in presence of both gossypol and lactic acid. The NAD-LDH activity was inhibited in presence of gossypol and activated in presence of lactic acid in both tissues.

Maturation events of epididymis in albino rats during puberal transition under hypo and hyperprolactinemia.

Hypoprolactinemia inhibited epididymal energy metabolism and steroidogenesis and retarded growth of epididymal structure. Hyperprolactinemia promoted the above parameters. Bromocriptine had no direct effect on epididymis, while prolactin directly influenced the tissue metabolism. The epididymal maturation seems to be dependent on the circulating levels of prolactin.

Effect of hypo and hyperprolactinemia on the testicular maturation of Wistar rats during puberal transition.

In Wistar rats, the structural and metabolic organization of the testis was influenced by the blood concentration of prolactin. The androgen dependent enzyme activities in plasma as well as in testis were higher under hyperprolactinemia and lower under hypoprolactinemia, as induced by bromocriptine. While prolactin had direct effect on the testicular functions, bromocriptine seemed to exert its influence through blocking hypophysial prolactin.

Pattern of lipid profiles in cardiovascular tissues of hysterectomized albino rats.

Heart, dorsal aorta and plasma significantly accumulated the lipid components such as triacylglycerol, cholesterol and glycerol in two months period of hysterectomy which may lead to the development of cardiovascular disorders. Administration of PGF2 alpha decreased the lipid fractions of cardiovascular tissues probably due to luteolysis and ovarian activation.

Effect of prolactin and bromocriptine administration on epididymal function--a biochemical study in rats.

The pattern of androgen dependent enzyme activities of epididymis was studied after the administration of prolactin and bromocriptine in albino rats. Prolactin activated the glycogenolysis and hexose mono and diphosphate pathways, which would be essential for sperm maturation. But bromocriptine inhibited these activities of epididymis. Hence role of bromocriptine in decreasing epididymal function has been suggested.

Tissue compensatory metabolic profiles in Tilapia mossambica (Peters) on acclimation to sublethal acidic and alkaline media. Gill glycogen metabolism.

Freshwater Fish, Tilapia mossambica (Peters) was acclimated to sublethal acidic and alkaline media and branchial tissue glycogen metabolism was studied. In acidic media, the glycogenolysis is elevated in the tissues and glycolysis is suppressed. In contrast, in alkaline media, the tissue glycolytic pathway is accelerated with accumulation of organic acids. In both the cases tissue had elevated G-6-PDH activity indicating stress conditions on the tissue metabolism. The tissue compensatory changes provided survival value to the fish under altered pH media.

Effect of prolactin and bromocriptine administration on testicular metabolism in albino rats.

Prolactin (PRL) and bromocriptine were administered subcutaneously to adult male albino rats and their effects on testicular metabolism have been analysed. PRL enhanced the activities of testicular androgen-dependent enzymes. In contrast, bromocriptine inhibited these enzyme activities, which was correlated to the blocking of PRL release by this agent. Hence, direct participation of PRL on the testicular function was evident.

Pattern of protein profiles of reproductive organs after induced bilateral cryptorchidism in albino rats.

Bilateral cryptorchidism was induced surgically in albino rats and pattern of protein profiles was studied in reproductive organs. Cryptorchidism activated tissue proteolysis leading to overall degradation in soluble and structural protein fractions and in amino acids leading to prevalence of negative nitrogen balance in the reproductive organs. The testicular hypoalbuminic and hypoglobulinic conditions seem to be responsible for oligo-astheno-spermia associated with cryptorchidism.

Impact of prolactin on the growth rate pattern and biochemical components of accessory sex organs of male albino rats during puberal transition.

Prolactin (PRL) was administered subcutaneously to different age-groups of male albino rats across the puberal transition. The tissue somatic indices (TSI) and organic components of accessory sex organs were increased in the presence of PRL at all the age-groups. The participation of PRL in the acceleration of maturation events of accessory sex organs was age-dependent.

Metabolic profiles of prostate gland after the administration of prolactin and bromocriptine.

Wistar strain male albino rats were treated with prolactin (PRL) and bromocriptine to induce hyper- and hypoprolactinemia respectively and prostatic metabolic profiles were analysed. The energy metabolism of prostate was activated by PRL and inhibited by bromocriptine. The androgen-dependent metabolic phases of ventral prostate such as glycogenolysis, glycolysis, hexose monophosphate shunt were activated in the presence of PRL and inhibited in the presence of bromocriptine. The activities of markers of monosaccharide formation were elevated by PRL and inhibited by bromocriptine. The amino-acid oxidations and transaminations were accelerated by PRL and suppressed by bromocriptine. Hence, PRL-mediated activation of seminal plasma in the ventral prostate is suggested.