Artificial liposomes as a model for studying the lipid peroxidation effect of p-phenylene diamine

The effect of p-phenylene diamine on the peroxidation of liposomized samples of lecithin and peanut oil was studied under optimal conditions. The p-phenylene diamine was found to affect the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive products of lipid peroxidation and the efficacy of various free radical scavengers.     

Insulin response in obese and nonobese offspring of conjugal Indian diabetic parents with increasing glucose intolerance

Pancreatic beta cell function in response to glucose was assessed in three different groups of offspring of conjugal diabetic parents (OCDP): those with normal glucose tolerance, those with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and those with diabetes. Serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI), C-peptide (CP), insulin/glucose (I/G) ratio, and IRI/CP ratios were estimated at fasting and 90 min after glucose load. Insulin secretion, measured as CP, was found to be low even in normal nonobese OCDP, but the change was not reflected in IRI value as the IRI/CP ratio was found to be elevated. The values decreased with increasing glucose intolerance. In obese OCDP, all the parameters were abnormal even among those with normal glucose tolerance, and further deterioration occurred with increasing glucose intolerance. The study shows that insulin secretory defects are detectable even in normal OCDP, and these changes deteriorate with increasing glucose intolerance. Differences are noted in the peripheral concentrations of IRI and CP between obese and nonobese OCDP before development of diabetes. After development of diabetes mellitus, these differences disappear, and the CP and IRI values in both groups are similar and low.     

Influence of chronic melatonin implantation on circulating levels of catecholamines, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, glucose, and free fatty acids in the pigeon

Subcutaneous implantation of melatonin pellets (2 mg melatonin + 30 mg beeswax) for a period of 12 weeks, with reinforcement of implants every 2 weeks, caused significant increases in plasma levels of glucose and growth hormone (GH). Plasma levels of thyroxine (T4) were lower and the triiodothyronine (T3)/T4 ratio was higher in the melatonin-treated pigeons. However, melatonin treatment produced no significant effect on plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFA), T3, epinephrine (E), and norepinephrine (NE), although trends (P greater than 0.05) toward slight increases in FFA and T3 and decreases in E and NE were apparent. Since melatonin treatment caused increases in the levels of plasma glucose and GH and not in those of the other substances measured, it is suggested that melatonin enhances carbohydrate metabolism in preference to lipid metabolism in resting pigeons during the day (photophase) when pineal and circulating levels of melatonin are normally lower than during night (scotophase).     

Effect of intratracheal injection of zinc oxide dust in guinea pigs

Intratracheal injection of zinc oxide dust, a component of many cosmetic preparations caused elevation of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and lung of guinea pigs. Clearance of zinc oxide dust from lungs through zinc-carrying proteins was evident.     

The severity of late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications related to fraction size in irradiation treatment of carcinoma cervix stage III B

A retrospective analysis of late rectal and recto-sigmoid complications was carried out of the 203 patients with stage III B carcinoma of uterine cervix, treated using radiation therapy alone during January 1979 to December 1983. The patients were treated with a combination of external irradiation and single intracavitary insertion. External irradiation was randomised to one of the four different fractionation regimens having dose per fraction of 2 Gy, 3 Gy, 4 Gy and 5.4 Gy, delivering with five fractions/week, three fractions/week, two fractions/week and one fraction/week, respectively. The total doses in four different regimens were adjusted using the TDF model. There were 39 cases of late radiation induced rectal and recto-sigmoid complications. The complication rate was correlated with the dose per fraction and TDFs delivered in each regimen. The complication rate of 8.2% for 2 Gy per fraction was increased to 33.33% for 5.4 Gy per fraction. It was found that there is strong correlation (P less than 0.05) between size of dose per fraction and the risk of late complications. Present analysis shows that the empirical models as the NSD and TDF do not predict correctly, the late normal tissue damage for different dose fractionations.     

Associations between psychological stress and smoking,drinking, obesity,and high blood pressure in an upper middle‐income country in the African region

The direction and magnitude of the associations between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) and psychological stress continue to be debated, and no data are available from surveys in the African region. In this study, we examine the associations between CVRFs and psychological stress in the Seychelles, a rapidly developing small island state in the African region. A survey was conducted in 1,240 adults aged 25–64 years representative of the Seychelles. Participants were asked to rank psychological stress that they had experienced during the past 12 months in four domains: work, social life, financial situation, and environment around home. CVRFs (high blood pressure, tobacco use, alcohol drinking, and obesity) were assessed using standard procedures. Psychological stress was associated with age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Overall, there were only few consistent associations between psychological stress and CVRFs, adjusting for age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Social stress was associated with smoking, drinking, and obesity, and there were marginal associations between stress at work and drinking, and between financial stress, and smoking and drinking. Psychological stress was not associated with high blood pressure. These findings suggest that psychological stress should be considered in cardiovascular disease prevention and control strategies.     

Intelligent power wheelchair use in long-term care: potential users’ experiences and perceptions

Purpose: Long-term care (LTC) residents with cognitive impairments frequently experience limited mobility and participation in preferred activities. Although a power wheelchair could mitigate some of these mobility and participation challenges, this technology is often not prescribed for this population due to safety concerns. An intelligent power wheelchair (IPW) system represents a potential intervention that could help to overcome these concerns. The purpose of this study was to explore a) how residents experienced an IPW that used three different modes of control and b) what perceived effect the IPW would have on their daily lives.

Materials and methods: We interviewed 10 LTC residents with mild or moderate cognitive impairment twice, once before and once after testing the IPW. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide, audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analyses.

Results: Our analyses identified three overarching themes: (1) the difference an IPW would make, (2) the potential impact of the IPW on others and (3) IPW-related concerns.

Conclusions: Findings from this study confirm the need for and potential benefits of IPW use in LTC. Future studies will involve testing IPW improvements based on feedback and insights from this study.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Intelligent power wheelchairs may enhance participation and improve safety and feelings of well-being for long-term care residents with cognitive impairments.

• Intelligent power wheelchairs could potentially have an equally positive impact on facility staff, other residents, and family and friends by decreasing workload and increasing safety.