Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose tolerance and other variables in obese black adolescent girls.

Obesity is very common in South Africal Black girls aged 18 - 20 years. Severely obese White women have greatly reduced values for serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In a series of Black girls studied in rural and urban areas, mean values for HDL cholesterol were not significantly different in the obese compared with the non-obese groups. There were also no significant differences between obese and non-obese groups in mean serum cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, and blood glucose at fasting and 1 hour after a glucose drink. The same finding prevailed regarding blood pressures. All values for blood components were biologically more favourable in Black than in White adolescent girls (reported values). Mean sugar intakes of the obese were not significantly lower. Evidently, the metabolic and other disabilities linked with obesity in young White women have no counterpart in obese Black adolescent girls.     

Effect of a sea snake (Enhydrina schistosa) venom on the ganglionic nicotinic actions of acetylcholine

The effects of venom from a common sea snake, Enhydrina schistosa, on the actions of acetylcholine in the superior cervical ganglion, the adrenal medulla and in the atropinized cat were investigated. The crude venom reduced nictitating membrane responses to preganglionic nerve stimulation and intra-arterial injection of acetylcholine, without lowering the responses to postganglionic nerve stimulation or intra-arterial adrenaline. In the eviscerated cat, the venom also antagonized rises in heart rate and blood pressure induced by in-injections into the coeliac artery of acetylcholine but not those of histamine. Pressor effects due to splanchnic nerve stimulation and carotid artery occlusion were blocked. In the atropinized cat, the venom depressed heart rate and pressor responses to intravenous acetylcholine, but not the responses to adrenaline. It was concluded that the venom antagonized the actions of acetylcholine at autonomic ganglia and the adrenal medulla.     

Use of services for the mentally retarded in the African-American community

Mentally retarded individuals, their families, and professionals in the service delivery system in the African-American community were interviewed concerning the use of services for the mentally retarded. It was found that African-Americans underutilized available services. Reasons for this included aspects of the service delivery system and features of African-American Culture. Recommendations were made for increasing the use of services.