Diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters in the Iranian fat-tailed sheep

In order to study the diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters in the Iranian fat-tailed sheep, an experiment was conducted using five male adult Iranian fat-tailed sheep. Diurnal variation of serum biochemical parameters was determined by blood collections made every 2 h during 7 days of winter. Serum biochemical parameters measured were as follows: nonelectrolytes (total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), electrolytes (calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium), enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH) and cortisol. In all, there was no significant difference in any of the serum biochemical parameters, except for cortisol concentration, which was highest in 0600–0800 hours. From 0600 to 0800 hours, serum cortisol concentrations were significantly higher than those observed from 12 noon. It is concluded that diurnal variation was only observed in serum cortisol concentration.     

Activity of combinations of ceftazidime, imipenem and pefloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The chequerboard technique was used to look for synergistic combinations of ceftazidime, imipenem and pefloxacin. The synergistic combinations were used in vivo in mice experimentally infected with Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro ceftazidime/imipenem, ceftazidime/pefloxacin and pefloxacin/imipenem combinations showed synergistic effects against Staphylococcus aureus and S. typhimurium and additive effects against P. aeruginosa. Only the ceftazidime/pefloxacin combination was synergistic against E. coli while the ceftazidime/imipenem and pefloxacin/imipenem combinations resulted in additive effects. In vivo, combination of ceftazidime/imipenem against E. coli infection and the pefloxacin/imipenem combination against S. typhimurium infection were protective.     

Hepatoprotective,antinociceptive and antioxidant activities of cimetidine,ranitidine and famotidine as histamine H2 receptor antagonists

The antioxidant, antinociceptive and hepatoprotective effects of H₂ receptor blockers were examined with different experimental models. Antioxidant activities were determined by employing various in vitro assay systems such as 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity assays, reducing power determination assays, nitric oxide‐scavenging activity assays and hydrogen peroxide‐scavenging activity assays. Antinociceptive effects were determined using the hot plate test in mice. The hepatoprotective effects of cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) were determined by measuring the levels of serum enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in mice. We found that the IC₅₀ values of cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine on DPPH radical‐scavenging activity were 671 ± 28, 538 ± 21 and 955 ± 43 μg/mL, respectively. Famotidine showed very strong nitric oxide‐scavenging activity. All three compounds showed very weak hydrogen peroxide‐scavenging activity. Moreover, the compounds did not exhibit any reducing power activity until concentrations of 1.6 mg/mL. All compounds also showed a dose‐dependent and marked analgesic activity in mice relative to controls. Pretreatment of mice with cimetidine, ranitidine or famotidine for three consecutive days reduced CCl₄‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Treatment with 200 mg/kg ranitidine reduced AST, AST and ALP serum levels, while 200 and 40 mg/kg of cimetidine and famotidine, respectively, reduced AST and ALP serum levels. H₂ blockers exhibited varying levels of antioxidant activities in various assays. Our results indicate that the antioxidant activities of H₂ blockers have an analgesic activity and protective effect on CCl₄‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice. These effects were greater with ranitidine than with the other compounds.     

A survey of acute and chronic disease associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection. A Norwegian 10-year follow-up study on 458 hospitalized patients.

The aim of the present study was to further elucidate acute and chronic manifestations of Yersinia enterocolitica infection. During the period 1974-83, 458 hospitalized patients were diagnosed by antibody response and/or isolation of the microorganism. 64 patients had suffered from chronic conditions as rheumatic disease, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, nephritis or thyroid disease for some time. Acute hepatic, renal, cardiac, pulmonary, pancreatic or neurologic involvement were observed in a substantial portion of patients; several had multiorgan disease. Acute insulin-dependent diabetes was seen in 2 patients, malignant mesothelioma in 2, and specific lymph node inflammation in 1. The patients were followed for 4-14 years (1987). 36/160 readmitted patients had abdominal pain and 26 had diarrhea; chronic colitis was demonstrated in 4. Some patients developed rheumatic conditions; others developed chronic disease of liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, thyroid or nervous system. Chronic liver disease, in 22 patients, was correlated with positive tests for antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor; and might influence development of malignant disease, and mortality. A variety of acute and chronic clinical pictures may be associated with Y. enterocolitica infection, and further clinical research is required in this field.     

Pathological changes associated with experimental 900-MHz electromagnetic wave exposure in rats

The aim of this study was to determine a possible relationship between whole-body 900-MHz Global System for Mobile Communication-like electromagnetic field (GSM-EMF) exposure and pathological changes in vital organs of Sprague–Dawley rats. Twenty adult male rats were used in four equal independent groups—control (without EMF) and low-, moderate-, and high-exposure groups—according to the time of exposure to EMF (1, 2, and 4 h). The exposure was performed for 30 consecutive days. Tissue samples of the heart, liver, and left kidney were collected and fixed in 10 % buffered formalin for histopathological examination. Some pathological lesions, especially in the kidney (congestion and inflammation) were seen. Our results demonstrate that the use of GSM-like EMF at these intensities and duration can induce pathological lesions in the heart, liver, or kidney, but these are not EMF specific.     

Studies on the relationship between haemoglobin types of adult Turkoman horses and the concentrations of haemoglobin,copper, ceruloplasmin and iron

 The relationship between haemoglobin types of adult Turkoman horses and the concentrations of haemoglobin, copper, ceruloplasmin and iron was studied. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 50 clinically healthy Turkoman horses according to their age (2–3, 3–5 and >5 years) and sex. Haemoglobin electrophoresis showed two haemoglobin types: Hb A1 (96.02%) and Hb A2 (3.98%). Age and sex had no significant effect on haemoglobin type, nor on the concentrations of haemoglobin, copper, ceruloplasmin and iron. There was no correlation between the concentrations of haemoglobin, copper, iron, ceruloplasmin, and Hb A1 or Hb A2. Received: 3 July 2002 / Accepted: 6 November 2002     

An Intelligent Computer-Based System for Sign Language Tutoring

ABSTRACT

A computer-based system for sign language tutoring has been developed using a low-cost data glove and a software application that processes the movement signals for signs in real-time and uses Pattern Matching techniques to decide if a trainee has closely replicated a teacher's recorded movements. The data glove provides 17 movement signals from Bend sensors and push down switches and is used initially by the teacher to record selected signs. A trainee can study an animated 3D model of a hand and arm showing the recorded sign movements at leisure, before using the data glove to try and replicate the sign. Four Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) teachers provided 65 common posture and gesture signs, and then 10 trainees from the local community were asked to evaluate the system. They achieved an overall average accuracy of 93.8% in replicating the signs, despite finding the gestures harder than the postures to perform, and found approximately 18% of the signs difficult because of particular thumb/finger and wrist bending angles. Both the teachers and the trainees were familiar with these signs, and a usability questionnaire revealed that they preferred this approach to sign-language tutoring than the traditional human based method they had already experienced.