Comparison of performance of various sphygmomanometers with intra-arterial blood-pressure readings.

Seven types of sphygmomanometer were used in random order on each of nine hypertensive patients and the readings compared with simultaneous intra-arterial blood-pressure recordings. All the devices gave significantly different values for systolic pressure, and only two measured diastolic pressure without significant error. Systolic pressure was consistently underestimated (range 31-7 mm Hg), and all but one instrument overestimated diastolic pressure (range 10-2 mm Hg). The variability of readings was least with the standard mercury sphygmomanometer and the random-zero machine, while with some of the more automated devices single readings were in error up to -68/33 mm Hg. The strong correlations found between intra-arterial and cuff systolic pressures with all devices tested and significant correlations for diastolic pressure with all but one device indicate that, with one possible exception, the sphygmomanometers would give accurate results where a change in blood pressure was the main concern.     

Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization of Lead Treated Soils in the Eastern Mediterranean Region,Turkey

The aim of this study was to determine the first effect of lead on microbial activity in soil. The study was carried out in the soil samples from four different radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. radicula, Brassicaceae) fields along the highway in a district (Kadirli, Osmaniye) of the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Turkey. After the calculation of Pb contents, the Pb amounts of the soil samples were brought up to 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 by treatment with Pb(NO ₃ ) ₂ , and the samples for the carbon and the nitrogen mineralization were incubated under controlled conditions (28°C, constant moist). The carbon mineralization was determined by a CO ₂ respiration method for 30 days. The nitrogen mineralization was observed in vitro for 6 weeks. The untreated group was statistically different from the 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 treatments in the aspect of the C(CO ₂ ) outlet during mineralization (P ≤ 0.05), but difference between the 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 treatments was not significant. NH ₄ -N and NO ₃ -N contents of each soil were shown differences between across treatments. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the addition of 50 and 100 mg Pb kg^?1 provided a toxic effect threshold for the microbial activity into 30 days.     

Incidence of mycoflora and mycotoxins in some edible fruits and seeds of forest origin

Twelve fungi namelyAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, A niger, A ochraceus, Actinomucor repens, Capnodoium spp., Curvularia lunata, Fusarium pallidoroseum, F solani, F verticillioides, Penicillium citrinum and Rhizopus stolonifer were recorded from samples ofAegle marmelos, Aesculus indica, Buchanania lanzan andPinus gerardiana. In case ofPrunus amygdalus only Rstolonifer was recorded. A significant variation in pattern of mycoflora incidence was observed in terms of source and season. Fungal infestation in most of the substrates was found to be highest during monsoon. Aflatoxins were the most common mycotoxins elaborated by different isolates ofA flavus obtained fromA marmelos, B lanzan andP gerardiana. The amount of aflatoxins produced by the toxigenic isolates ofA flavus was in the range of traces to 0.9–26.0 μg/ml inA marmelos, 0.8–17.5 μg/ml inP gerardiana and 0.65–13.2 μg/ml inB lanzan. The percentage toxigenicity was comparatively lower in the isolates of other mycotoxigenic fungi. Aflatoxins were detected almost in all the samples analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. However, traces of zearalenone were detected inA marmelos. The concentration of aflatoxin B₁ was in the range of 0.13–0.75 μg/g inA marmelos, 0.09–0.60 μg/g inP gerardiana and 0.01–0.20 ug/g inB lanzan. Mycotoxins were not detected inAesculus indica andPrunus amygdalus.     

Effects of Clonidine Withdrawal: Possible Mechanisms and Suggestions for Management

A severe rebound rise in blood pressure with agitation and insomnia had been noted in five patients when they had previously ceased clonidine (Catapres) This has been shown to be reproducible in these patients and to be associated with a significant increase in urinary catecholamine excretion. The blood pressure can be controlled and the symptoms alleviated promptly by alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blockade using intravenous phentolamine and propranolol.