Effects of coal-fired thermal power plant discharges on agricultural soil and crop plants

The physicochemical properties of the upstream and downstream waters from the Upper Ganga canal, discharged cooling tower water, machine washings, and scrubber and bottom ash effluents of a 530 MW Kasimpur coal-fired thermal power plant have been determined, and their effects directly on fertile soil and indirectly on pea (Pisum sativam) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) crops have also been studied. The effluents were found to be alkaline in nature. The scrubber and bottom ash effluent was found to contain large amounts of solids and had high biochemical and chemical oxygen demands. All the effluents were found to be responsible for altering the chemical composition of the soil. The soils irrigated with the different effluents exhibited an increase in pH, organic matter, calcium carbonate, water-soluble salts, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, and nitrogen and phosphorus contents while potassium content decreased, probably due to being leached to the lower layers of the soil. The effects of 100, 50, and 0% (tap water control) dilutions of cooling tower, machine washings, and scrubber and bottom ash effluents on the germination and growth of pea and wheat crops were also monitored. Using the undiluted effluents, there was 100% germination for both the crops when the irrigation was done with cooling tower effluent. The germination was restricted to 90% for the two crops when irrigated with machine washings effluent, and to 80 and 70% for pea and wheat, respectively, when irrigated with scrubber and bottom ash effluent. The samples of upstream and downstream canal water were also used for irrigating soils with and without crop plants in order to ascertain the impact of the effluents on the canal water and its subsequent effect on the crops. The soils irrigated with downstream canal water were found to contain slightly more calcium carbonate, phosphorus, and ammonia-nitrogen than those receiving upstream canal water. Though 100% germination was obtained in both the cases, the growth of the plants irrigated with the downstream canal water was found to be slightly reduced.     

Effects of toxin II from the sea anemone Anemonia sulcata on contractile and electrical responses of frog skeletal muscle fibres

The effects of Anemonia sulcata toxin II (ATX-II) were studied on mechanical and electrical activities of frog muscle fibres isolated from semitendinosus or tibialis anterior muscles of Rana temporaria (2.8-7.7 degrees C). In concentrations ranging between 7.7 and 100 microM, ATX-II greatly potentiated the isometric twitch of single muscle fibres in a time-dependent manner. Increase in twitch amplitude by ATX-II was associated with an increase in time to peak tension and time from peak tension to half relaxation. ATX-II caused no change in maximum force production during fused tetanus, but the tension was maintained for several seconds after the cessation of stimulation. Such long tetanic contractions were also obtained in low-Na Ringer solution, but their duration was somewhat shorter. No specific action of ATX-II was detected on relaxation kinetics during a tetanus. The twitch potentiating effect of ATX-II was markedly increased by 3,4-diaminopyridine. Action potentials recorded from single muscle fibres in the presence of ATX-II showed a delayed onset of repolarization with a reduced rate of fall. In addition, ATX-II caused repetitive spontaneous firing of action potentials after the cessation of tetanic stimulation. ATX-II (3.3 - 10 microM) also increased action potential duration by reducing the rate of repolarization in surface fibres of formamide-treated sartorius or cutaneous pectoris muscles (20 degrees C) stimulated indirectly or directly. The potentiation of twitch force and the prolongation of contractions caused by tetanic stimulation can be attributed to the membrane action of ATX-II, which leads to prolongation of action potentials, to repetitive muscle firing and to the appearance of plateau potentials.     

Influence of lecithin on mitochondrial DNA and age-related hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: Lecithin is a polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PPC), which are high energy functional and structural elements of all biologic membranes. PPC play a rate-limiting role in the activation of numerous membrane-located enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which are important antioxidants protecting cell membranes from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-induced damage to mitochondrial DNA may lead to reduced mitochondrial function in the cochlea and resultant hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The effects of lecithin on aging and age-associated hearing loss were studied in rats by measuring hearing sensitivities using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). In addition, mitochondrial function as a measure of aging was assessed by determining mitochondrial membrane potentials using flow cytometry and by amplifying mitochondrial DNA deletions associated with aging. Harlan-Fischer rats aged 18 to 20 months (n = 14) were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group was supplemented orally for 6 months with lecithin, a purified extract of soybean phospholipid (Nutritional Therapeutics, Allendale, NJ). RESULTS: The data obtained were compared with the control group. ABRs were recorded at 2-month intervals and showed significant preservation of hearing sensitivities in the treated subjects. Flow cytometry revealed significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potentials in the treated subjects, suggesting preserved mitochondrial function. Finally, the common aging mitochondrial DNA deletion (mtDNA(4834)) were amplified from brain and cochlear tissue including stria vascularis and auditory nerve. This specific deletion was found significantly less frequent in all tissues in the treated group compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: These experiments support our hypothesis and provide evidence that lecithin may preserve cochlear mitochondrial function and protect hearing loss associated with aging.     

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase: Nuclear translocation participates in neuronal and nonneuronal cell death

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) protein levels increase in particulate fractions in association with cell death in HEK293 cells, S49 cells, primary thymocytes, PC12 cells, and primary cerebral cortical neuronal cultures. Subcellular fractionation and immunocytochemistry reveal that this increase primarily reflects nuclear translocation. Nuclear GAPDH is tightly bound, resisting extraction by DNase or salt treatment. Treating primary thymocytes, PC12 cells, and primary cortical neurons with antisense but not sense oligonucleotides to GAPDH prevents cell death. Because cell-death-associated nuclear translocation of GAPDH and antisense protection occur in multiple neuronal and nonneuronal systems, we propose that GAPDH is a general mediator of cell death and uses nuclear translocation as a signaling mechanism.     

Computer-derived equations for predicting survival postoperatively. Their usefulness and limitations

We used multivariate analysis to determine whether survival following perforations of the gastrointestinal tract could be accurately predicted from preoperative data. Of 12 variables tested, four were found to have predictive value. These were age, pulmonary disease, preoperative shock, and the attending surgeon. When these four variables were employed in a logistic regression equation on 42 patients, it correctly predicted which 21 patients died before leaving the hospital. To produce an equation useful for other hospitals, we recalculated it without the attending surgeon variable. Again, the equation was used to predict survival. The correlation of predicted vs observed outcome remained high, and, using a 2 x 2 chi 2 test, the correlation was significant. We then cross validated the three-variable model on data from a second hospital. The model accurately predicted the new data equally well. We believe that predictive models can identify risk factors in a variety of patient populations and can determine who is likely to benefit from specific treatment modalities.     

Hydatid cyst of gall bladder.

Gall bladder hydatid cyst is a rare entity. Concurrent occurrence of gall blader hydatid cysts along with liver cysts, especially with the biliary channels clear of cysts, is very rare. We report a 27-year-old man with a gall bladder hydatid cyst that was diagnosed only after opening the resected specimen of the gall bladder.     

Perurethral ultrasound-guided ovum pickup

Either a percutaneous-transvesical, a transvaginal, or a perurethral-transvesical approach can be used for oocyte recovery under ultrasound guidance in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program. After having experienced these three different approaches in our program, we preferentially used the perurethral-transvesical approach as our routine technique for oocyte recovery under ultrasound guidance. We feel that this method is easier to perform and also carrier less risk for contamination. From January to December 1986, 186 oocyte retrievals under ultrasound guidance were performed. In 7 cases no oocytes were found despite normal ovarian stimulation. A total of 767 oocytes was collected; the fertilization rate was 71.8%. Forty pregnancies were achieved (21.5% per attempt or 27.7% per embryo replacement). Except for transient hematuria, no complications were observed.     

Neurogenic bladder in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

This is the first report of incidence of neurogenic bladder in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and emphasizes that it is a significant cause of various voiding dysfunctions in these patients. Neurologic disease occurs in about one third of patients with AIDS. Both central and peripheral nervous systems may be involved. Urodynamic evaluation is necessary for assessment and management of neurogenic voiding disorders in this group of patients.