Malate and lactate dehydrogenases of a freshwater catfish: impact of endosulfan

A sublethal concentration of technical grade endosulfan (END) inhibited 35 to 55% of the activities of cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (cMDH), mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (mMDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the liver and the skeletal muscle of a freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus, after 7 days of exposure. The activity remained in the inhibited state up to 28 days. The withdrawal of END from the medium after 1 week of exposure gradually restored the activities to control levels within 21 days in the skeletal muscle and 28 days in the liver. The administration of actinomycin D or cycloheximide between the 14th and the 21st day of the withdrawal of END almost completely inhibited the withdrawal-dependent recovery in the activities of all the three enzymes. This indicates de novo synthesis of the enzymes during the recovery period. A conjoint treatment of END and triiodothyronine (T3) raised the activities of cMDH, mMDH, and LDH in the liver and the skeletal muscle up to the control levels. This shows that the inhibitory effect of END may be relieved in presence of T3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed few changes in the pattern of cytoplasmic proteins of the liver and the skeletal muscle in response to exposure to END.     

Smoking and lung functions in sportsmen.

Ten smoker sportsmen and 17 non-smoker sportsmen and 41 smoker non-sportsmen were studied. Lung function was assessed by means of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), the ratio of FEV1 to FVC (FEV1%) and Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR). For the smokers, all the tests were conducted before smoking (BS) and 30 min after smoking (AS) two cigarettes consecutively to observe the acute effect of smoking. In the smoker sportsmen there was no significant difference between BS and AS measures of lung function. Before smoking smoker sportsmen had lower values for FEV1, FEV1% and PEFR than non-smoker sportsmen (p less than 0.05). However, smoker sportsmen show higher BS values of FEV1 (p less than 0.01), FEV1% (p less than 0.01) and PEFR (p less than 0.05) compared with those of smoker non-sportsmen who had similar smoking indices. These results indicated that the smoker sportsmen, despite exhibiting some degree of lung function impairment in relation to non-smoker sportsmen, still maintained rather better lung function status than the smoker non-sportsmen.     

Immunomodulatory Effects of γ-HCH (Lindane) in Mice

Mice were fed for 24 weeks with three different subtoxic dosages of γ-HCH (0.012, 0.12 and 1.2 mg/kg) mixed in powdered feed. The immunological profile was assessed at an interval of one month during the entire exposure period. Both the cell mediated and humoral components of immunity showed a biphasic response characterized initially by stimulation followed by suppression in a dose dependent manner. However, γ-HCH did not affect the functional properties of peritoneal macrophages. Histological changes in lymphoid organs were in accordance with the biphasic immunomodulatory effects of γ -HCH.     

Verrucous carcinoma maxilla — A case report

A case of veruccous carcinoma of the maxilla extending to alveulus and palate is reported. Treated with radical maxillectomy: there has been no recurrence within one year. The coexistance of submicous fibrosis and veruccous carcinoma is observed and the histological features of the later are highlighted.     

Optimizing Cancer Radiotherapy with 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Dose Escalation Studies in Patients with Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background and Purpose:  

Higher rates of glucose utilization and glycolysis generally correlate with poor prognosis in several types of malignant tumors. Own earlier studies on model systems demonstrated that the nonmetabolizable glucose analog 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) could enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy in a dose-dependent manner by selectively sensitizing cancer cells while protecting normal cells. Phase I/II clinical trials indicated that the combination of 2-DG, at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg body weight (BW), with large fractions of γ-radiation was well tolerated in cerebral glioma patients. Since higher 2-DG doses are expected to improve the therapeutic gain, present studies were undertaken to examine the tolerance and safety of escalating 2-DG dose during combined treatment (2-DG + radiotherapy) in glioblastoma multiforme patients.     

Effects of selective dopamine-1 receptor activation on intraocular pressure in man

The lack of specific agonists and antagonists has, until recently, precluded investigation of a role for dopamine receptors in the control of intraocular pressure. In the present study, we have examined the effects of fenoldopam, a novel selective dopamine1 (DA1) receptor agonist, on intraocular pressure, in eight healthy human volunteers. Fenoldopam, infused intravenously at 0.5 micrograms kg-1 min-1, increased intraocular pressure from 14.6 +/- 0.9 to 17.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg (P less than 0.05) while a control saline infusion had no effect. Pupil diameter and blood pressure did not change. In the same subjects, i.v. norepinephrine or angiotensin II both increased intraocular pressure--from 13.8 +/- 1.4- to 17.6 +/- 1.4 mmHg and from 13.4 +/- 1.3- to 17.5 +/- 1.7 mmHg respectively (P less than 0.05), and mean arterial pressure by about 20 mmHg. These data suggest that: (1) DA1 receptor activation can modulate intraocular pressure; (2) the intraocular pressure effects of the DA1 receptor agonist, fenoldopam, are independent of changes in systemic blood pressure, in contrast to those of norepinephrine or angiotensin II where intraocular and systemic blood pressures increase in parallel; (3) the ability of a DA1 receptor antagonist to lower intraocular pressure merits investigation.