Effect of tranquilizers on the total acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain tissue of Arvicanthis niloticus

The effect of reserpine and meprobamate on the total acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain tissue of the kusu rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, was studied. The total acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity were determined 1 hr after i.p. injection of different doses of reserpine (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml/100 g body wt) and meprobamate (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/ml/100 g body wt). The effect of different time intervals (1, 10, 30 min, 1, 2.5, 5, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hr) on the total acetylcholine content and acetylcholinesterase activity was investigated after i.p. injection of 0.5 mg of reserpine and 12.5 mg of meprobamate/ml/100 g body wt. Both reserpine and meprobamate caused an increase in the total ACh content in the brain tissue of Arvicanthis niloticus which was suggested to be due to a decrease in the release of ACh, since both reserpine and meprobamate inhibited AChE activity after some tested periods. The effect of meprobamate was observed to be stronger than that of reserpine.     

Sectoring of fungal colonies induced by low concentrations of fernasan

An inhibitor of Aspergillus flavus has been isolated from peanuts and identified as 5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone. Authentic 5,7-dimethoxyisoflavone, synthesized from benzyl-2-hydroxy-4,6 dimethoxyphenyl (3), and the isolated compound display identical ultraviolet spectra in methanol, in methanol+sodium methoxide, and in methanol+AlCl₃; similar behavior in solvent extraction, column chromatography, TLC, and fungal inhibition.     

A new method for demonstrating argyrophil cells of the pancreas and intestines

A new method for demonstrating argyrophil cells of the pancreas and intestinal tract using a combined silver and reducing solution in sections of formaldehyde fixed tissue is described. Impregnating sections in a 60 C water bath, the procedure takes about 25 min. A microwave version that takes about 5 min is also given. Results are similar to those obtained with the Grimelius method for argyrophil cells.     

Isolation of aflatoxin from Acacia and the incidence of Aspergillus flavus in the Sudan

A series of environmental and clinical isolates of Sporothrix schenckii being studied in our laboratories under standard conditions of temperature, humidity and media, displayed, in some of the isolates, large dematiaceous hyphae. The large hyphae could be seen to produce the fine hyphae associated with S. schenckii on which typical microconidia developed. Typical microconidia also developed occasionally on the large hyphae, and strands of the unusually large hyphae also were seen to form arthroconidia. Some strains formed large, thin-walled cells on thin and/or thick hyphae resembling the balloon cells seen in mature colonies of Trichophyton tonsurans.All strains which have demonstrated these various and unusual structures histopathologically produced typical sporotrichosis in laboratory animals. When reisolated from these animals, the cultures again exhibited the unusual structures, as well as those typical of S. schenckii.     

CYTOGENETIC STUDIES IN CLARKIA,SECTION PRIMIGENIA. IV. A CYTOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CLARKIA GRACILIS

Clarkia gracilis (2n = 28) is an allotetraploid which combines genomes from two subsections of section Primigenia. Natural populations consist of plants homozygous for a single chromosome arrangement, which may differ from the arrangements in other populations by one or more reciprocal translocations. One arrangement, the “standard,” was widespread. Cytological observations on plants derived from crosses between populations of C. gracilis, and on triploid plants derived from crosses with C. amoena subsp. huntiana, one of the parents of the tetraploid, were used to determine the end arrangements present. Ten arrangements were identified, and it was found that the standard amoena subgenome of C. gracilis is identical in end arrangement to the previously defined standard arrangement of the diploid C. amoena. Hence a race of C. amoena with this arrangement was involved in the hybridization which gave rise to C. gracilis. Evidence was found that other arrangements of C. amoena have probably been introduced into C. gracilis by subsequent introgressive hybridization. Cytological differences, coupled with differences in morphology, ecology, and distribution indicate that C. gracilis should be subdivided into four subspecies instead of the three presently recognized.     

Oligonucleotides with novel, cationic backbone substituents: aminoethylphosphonates.

Oligonucleotide (2-aminoethyl)phosphonates in which the backbone consisted of isomerically pure, alternating (2-aminoethyl)-phosphonate and phosphodiester linkages have been prepared and characterized. One of these single isomer oligonucleotides (Rp) formed a more stable duplex with DNA or RNA than its corresponding natural counterpart. Hybrid stability was more pH-dependent, but less salt-dependent than a natural duplex. The specificity of hybridization was examined by hybridization of an oligonucleotide containing one (2-aminoethyl)phosphonate to oligonucleotides possessing mismatches in the region opposite to the aminoethyl group. In contrast to oligonucleotides containing (aminomethyl)-phosphonate linkages, oligonucleotide (2-aminoethyl)phosphonates were completely stable to hydrolysis in aqueous solution. These oligonucleotides were resistant to nuclease activity but did not induce RNase H mediated cleavage of a complementary RNA strand. Incubation in a serum-containing medium resulted in minimal degradation over 24 hours. Studies of cell uptake by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy demonstrated temperature dependent uptake and intracellular localization. (2-Aminoethyl)phosphonates represent a novel approach to the introduction of positive charges into the backbone of oligonucleotides.     

The SF36 health survey questionnaire: an outcome measure suitable for routine use within the NHS?

OBJECTIVE--To assess the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the short form 36 (SF 36) health survey questionnaire (a shortened version of a battery of 149 health status questions) as a measure of patient outcome in a broad sample of patients suffering from four common clinical conditions. DESIGN--Postal questionnaire, followed up by two reminders at two week intervals. SETTING--Clinics and four training practices in north east Scotland. SUBJECTS--Over 1700 patients aged 16-86 with one of four conditions--low back pain, menorrhagia, suspected peptic ulcer, or varicose veins--and a comparison sample of 900 members of the general population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--The eight scales within the SF36 health profile. RESULTS--The response rate exceeded 75% in the patient population (1310 respondents). The SF36 satisfied rigorous psychometric criteria for validity and internal consistency. Clinical validity was shown by the distinctive profiles generated for each condition, each of which differed from that in the general population in a predictable manner. Furthermore, SF36 scores were lower in referred patients than in patients not referred and were closely related to general practitioners'' perceptions of severity. CONCLUSIONS--These results provide support for the SF36 as a potential measure of patient outcome within the NHS. The SF36 seems acceptable to patients, internally consistent, and a valid measure of the health status of a wide range of patients. Before it can be used in the new health service, however, its sensitivity to changes in health status over time must also be tested.     

Survival of Curvularia lunata var. aeria in soil

Spore suspensions from 7 day old cultures of Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn var. aeria (Batista, Lima and Vasconcelos) M.B. Ellis were added to soil samples originally devoid of Curvularia propagules. The test fungus disappeared after six weeks of inoculation irrespective of soil amendments, like the application of green manure, urea, superphosphate, or soil cropped to Sorghum (dura) or cotton seedlings.