Biosocial factors affecting menarche in a mixed Nigerian population.

A prospective study of school girls in a mixed Nigerian population revealed that the mean menarcheal age was 13.98 +/- 1.30 years. The mean menarcheal age was influenced by the social class of the parents, being higher in the lower social class, there were considerable variations in the biologic measurements (height, weight and body mass index) among girls who attained menarche.     

How negative are we to the idea of suicide prevention?

Assessment of attitudes amongst health care professionals to suicide prevention reveals a considerable degree of doubt with regards to its feasibility and appropriateness. The various professional groups may vary considerably in the degree of negative attitudes which they exhibit. Such findings suggest that there is an urgent need to ensure that health care professionals are fully informed about the key facts concerning suicide and preventive strategies. Key elements of clinical practice and service organization with regards to suicide prevention are discussed.     

Examination of microvascular structures of midcortical region in sheep kidneys: a three dimensional approach

Polyester-crystic cast was observed to reach the peritubular capillary plexus following injection in sheep kidneys. Microvascular structures in this region are also reported in this study. Glomeruli were found to vary in size and shape. Diameters of afferent arterioles were larger than those of efferent arterioles. The glomerulus is supplied by more than one afferent arteriole, and in some regions, the blood in afferent arterioles joins collateral circulation via the intercapillary plexus. Morphological properties at the end of the peritubular capillary plexus were found to be remarkably significant.     

Spectroelectrochemical studies of tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines adsorbed on the basal plane of graphite in the presence of cysteine

Cobalt and iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines (M-TSPc) have been studied by electroreflectance spectroscopy in the adsorbed state on the basal plane of HOPG in a borate buffer (pH 9). Since both complexes exhibit electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of cysteine, we looked at the changes of the visible spectra of the adsorbed complexes upon adding millimolar amounts of cysteine to the electrolyte. Under zero-current conditions (open circuit) the addition of cysteine causes large changes in the reflectance spectra of both Co-TSPc and Fe-TSPc. In the case of Co-TSPc the spectra resemble that of Co(I)TSPc whereas for Fe-TSPc bands at 424 and 626 nm are observed. The open circuit potential shifts to values close to the standard potential of the M(II)/M(I) couple. We attribute these changes, particularly in the case of Fe-TSPc, to the formation of a radical adduct between the adsorbed phthalocyanine and the cysteine molecule, with partial electron-transfer from the cysteine to the metal center. Evidences for these adducts is not found when polarizing the electrode, which shows that they behave as very unstable intermediates in the catalytic process.