Aggregation behaviour in Panstrongylus megistus and Triatoma infestans: inter and intraspecific responses.

We tested the aggregation response to inter and intraspecific chemical signals in Panstrongylus megistus and Triatoma infestans. As previously described for T. infestans, larvae of P. megistus significantly aggregated on papers impregnated with their own excrement and on papers marked with cuticular substances deposited on surfaces on which these insects had walked. T. infestans bugs also aggregated on papers impregnated by faeces or by cuticular substances of P. megistus, and P. megistus aggregated on papers contaminated by faeces or by cuticular substances of T. infestans. The response of P. megistus to its cuticular substances was significantly stronger than that to its faeces. The non-specificity of the two signals is discussed in the context of the ecological relationship between both species.     

Temporomandibular joint: MR assessment of rotational and sideways disk displacements

The accuracy of coronal and sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was examined in the assessment of rotational and sideways displacements of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk. Rotational disk displacement implies a combination of anterior and medial or lateral displacements, whereas sideways displacement implies pure medial or lateral displacement without an anterior component. Multiple 3-mm-thick coronal and sagittal MR images were obtained of 18 fresh TMJ autopsy specimens and compared with the observations in corresponding coronal cryosections. MR imaging correctly delineated the mediolateral position of the disk in 15 joints (83%) and incorrectly delineated it in three joints (17%). Osseous anatomy was correctly assessed in 17 joints (94%). On cryosections, six joints (33%) showed medial disk displacement and two joints (11%) showed lateral displacement. In five of these eight joints the medial or lateral displacement occurred in conjunction with an anterior displacement, that is, rotational displacement. Clinical MR imaging in 37 patients (61 joints with coronal images) showed medial or lateral disk displacement in 16 joints (26%). This study suggests that rotational and sideways displacements of the TMJ disk are an important aspect of internal derangement. The multiplanar capabilities of MR are suitable for an assessment of these abnormalities.     

Anticonvulsant and convulsant effects of organic solvents.

Previous studies suggest that organic solvents show anticonvulsant and convulsant effects, respectively at low and high doses. In the present study the first experiment was designed to determine low and high doses of injected acute n-hexane, ethyl acetate and toluene in mice through LD50 estimations. In the second experiment, high doses (around LD50) were employed to evaluate the convulsant effects. Finally, the third experiment evaluated the ability of low doses to prevent electroshock- and PTZ-induced convulsions. Results showed that n-hexane increased the severity of the electroshock-induced seizures only at low doses and had no anticonvulsant effects. Ethyl acetate produced generalized clonic seizures and deaths at high doses and was ineffective to prevent electroshock- and PTZ-induced seizures at low doses. Toluene induced forelimb clonus at high doses and protected against electroshock-induced seizures at low doses. Therefore, the biphasic property on convulsant activity seems to be a feature not shared among organic solvents.     

一些酸性药物的荧光分析法

以水杨酸为靶药,从31个染料中选出焦宁,能在磷酸氢二钠液中与水杨酸结合成复合物,溶于氯仿中,吸出氯仿层,挥干后加水,测复合物中焦宁荧光(λ_ex 542nm,λ_em 566nm),灵敏度为5 ng/ml。本法用作柳珊瑚酸、氟灭酸、甲灭酸、甲氯灭酸、萘醌磺酸、牛磺胆酸及三氯醋酸的分析、灵敏度在10～50 ng/ml。用本法作血中水杨酸分析,血样先制成无蛋白滤液,再与焦宁生成复合物后测定,灵敏度达10 ng/ml血,重复性好,回收率高(99%)。