Effects of apomorphine on behavioural activity and brain catecholamine synthesis in normal and L-triiodothyronine-treated rats

Summary The effect of chronic apomorphine treatment on behavioural activity as well as brain dopamine metabolism was studied in normal and neonatally L-triiodothyronine-treated rats. Neonatal hyperthyroidism was accompanied by an increase in spontaneous locomotor activity as well as by enhanced synthesis and release of dopamine as evidenced by increased catecholamine synthesis in crude synaptosomal preparation (P₂ pellet), elevated tyrosine hydroxylase activity and higher concentrations of homovanillic acid and 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in striatum of rats. Repeated apomorphine treatment (1 mg/kg/day s.c.) for 15 days, beginning from the 15th day of age, produced hypermobility and stereotyped behaviour (consisting of sniffing, gnawing, rearing) which appeared to be more pronounced in neonatally hyperthyroid rats than in normal controls. In addition, apomorphine-treated hyperthyroid animals marched in a row with straub tail, and displayed increased aggressiveness and bizarre social behaviour consisting of mock fighting when left in pairs. In contrast to normal rats, apomorphine-treated hyperthyroid animals displayed marked hyperactivity which was evident even at 24 hours after the last injection of apomorphine. Administration of apomorphine resulted in significant decreases in striatal tyrosine hydroxylase, catecholamine synthesis in crude synaptosomal preparation (P₂ pellet) as well as dopamine metabolite levels in brains of both normal and hyperthyroid animals. Our present data showing that apomorphine potentiates behavioural activity in hyperthyroid rats suggest that L-triiodothyronine and apomorphine probably share certain features common to activating dopaminergic neurons in the brain.     

Carcinoma of the maxillary antrum — A 10 year experience

A retrospective analysis was performed of 250 cases of carcinoma of the maxillary antrum seen over a 10 years period (1975–1984). 98.24% patients were seen in T3 and T4 stages (UICC 1985). 40.7% patients presented with clinically palpable nodes. 42.9% patients were treated by radical radiation and 18.6% by a combination of preoperative radiation followed by surgery. Rest 38.5% patients were treated with palliative intention. Three year disease free survival was 39.58% with radiation alone and 51.91% with combined modality treatment which includes patients salvaged by surgery. Failures were mainly at the local site, 75.86% with radiation alone and 60% with combined modality treatment. Combined modality treatment, preferably preoperative radiation followed by radical surgery, gives the best results in the management of carcinoma of the maxillary antrum.     

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma - larynx

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma, Larynx has been an uncommon site of this tumour which is said to have aggressive biological behaviour with high incidence of cervical and distant metastasis along with second primary. Two cases of laryngeal basaloid squamous cell carcinoma are reported with relevant review of literature. The submucosal spread of tumour is highlighted alongwith role of preoperative radio therapy.     

Comparing sulindac with indomethacin for closure of ductus arteriosus in preterm infants

Objectives: A prospective study comparing the efficiacy and side-effects of oral sulindac with intravenous indomethacin in clinically stable preterm infants (<1750 g) requiring non-invasive closure of haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.
Methodology: As maturity and birthweight are the two major determinants of ductal closure, infants were matched as closely as possible for these parameters. An eligible patient was first assigned to the sulindac group and a subsequent patient with similar gestational age (± 1 week) and birthweight (±100 g) to the previously recruited infant would automatically receive indomethacin. A total of eight infants were enrolled in each group.
Results: The ductus arteriosus was successfully closed in all eight infants receiving indomethacin, and in seven of eight infants receiving sulindac. No significant differences were found with regards to the ductal size between the two groups at diagnosis or on each of the consecutive days of treatment ( P >0.25). More renal adverse effects were encountered in the indomethacin group. Significant differences in changes from baseline value for urine output, plasma sodium, urea and creatinine concentrations were noted at 24, 48 and 72 h after commencement of treatment between the two groups ( P <0.05). All the parameters returned to normal or pre-treatment levels 48 h after stopping therapy. Unexpectedly, severe gastrointestinal complications were encountered in the sulindac group.
Conclusions: Sulindac is capable of promoting ductal constriction in clinically stable preterm infants without compromising the renal function. The spectrum of gastrointestinal complications observed in sulindac treated infants were similar to those described for indomethacin. The use of sulindac for ductal closure in the preterm infant should remain experimental.     

A follow-up study of infants ≤ 2000 g birthweight treated in central Queensland

This follow-up study was undertaken in an effort to ascertain the morbidity in the survivors of infants ≤2000 g birthweight cared for in the two Rockhampton intensive care nurseries.

Methodology:

The records of all infants ≤2000 g delivered in or transferred to Rockhampton during the 11 year period 1979 through 1989 inclusive were extracted. Efforts were made to contact and examine all of these children. Those found to be disabled were assessed as being mildly, moderately or severely affected.

Results:

Of the 482 infants of birthweight ≤2000 g treated in the period under review, 393 survived to be discharged from hospital. Eight were known to have died subsequently. Of the remaining 385 children, 288 (74.8%) were able to be contacted and their health status determined. A total of 36 infants were found to have significant disabilities. Twenty-four were mildly affected, five moderately and seven severely affected. Severe disability in infants of ≤1000 g was 16% (3/19).

Conclusions:

The incidence of disability was established in 74.8% of the surviving population, It was not dissimilar to the incidence of disability in similar birthweight groups in some Australian tertiary centres for the years under study. It is emphasized that the follow-up was incomplete and recognized that the survival rates and incidence of disability in survivors has improved in tertiary centres since the time frame of this study.     

Tracheoesophageal fistula: New option in management

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a life threatening condition. Patients not managed surgically ultimately die of their disease. Surgical management is the treatment of choice. We present a case of a patient that developed a tracheoesophageal fistula after tracheostomy. Surgical repair was done which failed due to infection. The patient was managed with the help of an esophageal stent and Trichloroacetic Acid cautery. This approach can be used in selected patients, depending upon the size and site of TEE Larger fistulae and those situated lower down e.g. supra carinal cannot be managed by this technique.     

Anti fi larial potential of the fruits and leaves extracts of Pongamia pinnata on cattle filarial parasite Setaria cervi

The effect of aqueous and alcohol extracts of the fruits and leaves of Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Merr. (Syn. Pongamia glabra Vent, leguminosae) on the spontaneous movements of both the whole worm and the nerve-muscle preparation of Setaria cervi and on the survival of micro fi lariae in vitro was studied. The aqueous and alcohol extracts of fruits and the alcohol extract of leaves caused an inhibition of spontaneous movements of the whole worm and the nerve-muscle preparation of S. cervi. The initial stimulatory effect was not observed with the aqueous extract of fruits on the nerve-muscle preparation. The concentration required to inhibit the movements of the whole worm preparation was 250 micro g/mL for aqueous, 120 micro g/mL for alcohol extract of fruits and 270 microgram/mL for alcohol extracts of the leaves. The concentrations of P. pinnata extracts required to produce an equivalent effect on the nerve-muscle preparation were 25 micro g/mL, 5 micro g/mL and 20 micro g/mL, respectively, suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier.     

Physiologic Transdermal Estradiol Replacement Mimics Effects of Endogenous Estrogen on Bone Outcomes in Hypoestrogenic Women with Anorexia Nervosa

Background: While physiologic estrogen replacement results in increases in areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in hypoestrogenic adolescent girls and young adult women with AN, data are lacking regarding its impact on measures of volumetric BMD (vBMD), bone geometry, and structure. Methods: 23 young women with anorexia nervosa (AN) and 27 normal-weight healthy controls (HC) between 14–25 years old were followed for 12 months. AN participants received transdermal 17β-estradiol (continuously) with 10 days of cyclic oral progesterone (100 mg daily) every month for the study duration (AN-E+). DXA was used to measure aBMD and body composition, high resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HRpQCT) to assess vBMD, bone geometry and structure at the distal radius and tibia, and microfinite element analysis to estimate strength. Results: Groups did not differ for age. Median baseline BMI z-scores were −1.13 (−1.58, −0.38) in AN-E+ vs. 0.08 (−0.40, 0.84) in HC (p < 0.0001). For most HRpQCT parameters and strength estimates, young women with AN receiving physiologic estrogen replacement demonstrated similar changes over 12 months as did normoestrogenic HC. Additionally, radial cortical tissue mineral density, cortical vBMD, and failure load increased (p = 0.01; p = 0.02; p = 0.004 respectively) over 12 months in AN-E+ compared to HC. Conclusions: With physiologic estrogen replacement, bone accrual improved in AN to approximate changes observed in normoestrogenic controls followed without any intervention, with additional benefits observed for cortical tissue mineral density, cortical vBMD, and failure load at the radius in AN vs. controls. Thus, this strategy for estrogen replacement effectively mimics the effects of endogenous estrogen on bone structure and estimated strength.