Screening of local plant extracts against a human leukemia cell line

A number of crude extracts from folk medicinal plants were screened for cytotoxicity against the human T-cell leukemia cell line. Fixed aliquots from a quantified cell suspension were incubated for three days in the presence of a control and several different concentrations of the given plant extract

Increase cholinesterase activity in psychiatric patients treated with fluphenazine, lithium and amitryptyline - Abstract

This study was planned to determine the effects of antipsychotic and antidepressant drug therapy on serum cholinesterase in an out-patient sample population in Trinidad. Inhibition of cholinesterase by dibucaine (dibucaine number) and esterase activity were measured. Mean dibucaine number (81.9 ñ 2.37) in psychiatric patients was not different from the normal population (81.9 ñ 2.55). Quantitative esterase levels were significantly higher (12.37 ñ 3.57 U/ml; p<0.05) in comparison to the normal Trinidadian population (10.05 ñ 2.67 U/mL). Cholinesterase levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in female schizophrenics than in depressed patients. A relationship between elevated enzyme activity and pathology of the disease or drug therapy could not be determined since most patients were on long term pharmacotherapy. The evaluation of cholinesterase activities in out patients indicates that drugs such as fluphenazine, lithium carbonate and amitriptyline may be associated with increase enzyme activity.(AU)

A 'silent' cholinesterase gene detected by western blotting

A 38 year old Asian Indian female with a history of prolonged succinylcholine-induced apnoea was shown to have negligible levels of serum cholinesterase as determined by the dibucaine number test and quantitative enzyme estimation by the modified Ellman method. Electrophoresis of the patients's serum on a 5-20 percent gradient gel stained with Fast Red TR and O-naphthyl acetate detected no cholinesterase inesterase gene in this individual. A family study was initiated to include 19 other members; a similar pattern of cholinesterase activity could be demonstrated in a sister of proband. Western blotting was performed on the sera of the two sisters and selected family members. The cholinesterase antigenic banding pattern of the sisters' sera expressing the 'silent' gene was similar to controls, with additional bands. The cholinesterase gene segregating in this family correspond to the Type II 'silent' gene was similar to controls, with additional bands. The cholinesterse gene segregating in this family correspond to the Type II 'silent' gene variant which has about 3 percent of usual enzyme activity (AU)

Existence of a silent gene for pseudocholinesterase in a Trinidad population

Although the values reported were higher than those reported for Caucasians, differences in dibucaine number for pseudocholinesterase values among the three ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago, were not significant. Eight individuals had intermediate dibucaine numbers values between 40 and 70; one of them was African, 3 were East Indians, and 4 Mixed. Two of the mixed group were of Portuguese lineage and had significantly lower dibucaine numbers and enzyme concentration. Two sisters of East Indian origin had an inestimable dibucaine number and their pseudocholinesterase values were just detectable, suggesting the presence of a 'silent gene' for pseudocholinesterase. These studies, which are being extended, suggest that the dibucaine number should be estimated prior to succinylcholine administration in patients in Trinidad and Tobago who are at risk of apnoea

Existence of a silent gene for pseudocholinesterase in a Trinidad population

Although the values reported were higher than those reported for Caucasians, differences in dibucaine number for pseudocholinesterase values among the three ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago, were not significant. Eight individuals had intermediate dibucaine numbers values between 40 and 70; one of them was African, 3 were East Indians, and 4 Mixed. Two of the mixed group were of Portuguese lineage and had significantly lower dibucaine numbers and enzyme concentration. Two sisters of East Indian origin had an inestimable dibucaine number and their pseudocholinesterase values were just detectable, suggesting the presence of a 'silent gene' for pseudocholinesterase. These studies, which are being extended, suggest that the dibucaine number should be estimated prior to succinylcholine administration in patients in Trinidad and Tobago who are at risk of apnoea (AU)

Slient cholinesterase gene in an East Indian family in Trinidad - abstract

During a study to determine the frequency distribution of the enzyme pseudocholinesterase (Cholinesterase) in the population of Trinidad, an East Indian individual developed prolonged respiratory apnoea on administration of a routine dose of suxamethonium. This paper reports the results of analyses of the frequency distribution of pseudocholinesterase in the sera from the index case and 19 family members. Cholinesterase was detected qualitatively in the serum, using the Dibucaine Number (DN) and Fluoride Number (FN) tests (normal values: 78.8 per cent and 61.4 per cent, respectively), and quantitatively, using the modified Ellman method (normal plasma levels: 8:44 ñ 1.78 u/ml). Patients with low activity of the enzyme (inhibited < 20 per cent by dibucaine) are "suxamethonium-sensitive". DN and FN values in the serum of the index case could not be determined because of the negligible enzyme activity (0.17 u/ml). Of the 6 of 7 siblings available for testing, 1 was found with undeterminable DN and FN values and even lower enzyme activity (0.09 u/ml). The proband's marital partner, 2 children and father had normal enzyme patterns. This condition of `trace' enzyme activity is controlled by a `silent gene' (AU)

Preliminary evaluation of a new curriculum -incorporation of problem based learning(PBL) into the traditional format

An account of the establishment of Problem Basd Learning(PBL) curriculum at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex Republic of Trinidad and Tobago provides the forum for a critical analysis of this process and for dialogue with current relevant literature on similar attempts elsewhere. Initial resistance to change and the assessment of the new system is discussed in the light of the fact that this is the first Caribbean territory to use Problem Based Learning as the major instrument to be employed in tertiary level medical education. The analysis uncovers a model of practitioner/researcher which provides a useful conceptual and operational framework for the articulation of the role of those engaged in effecting and studying the management of change.(AU)

General principles of drug action and drug laws of Trinidad and Tobago

A manual for the course "General principles of drug action"

General principles of drug action and drug laws of Trinidad and Tobago

A manual for the course "General principles of drug action"

Screening of local plant extracts against a human leukemia cell line

A number of crude extracts from folk medicinal plants were screened for cytotoxicity against the human T-cell leukemia cell line. Fixed aliquots from a quantified cell suspension were incubated for three days in the presence of a control and several different concentrations of the given plant extract