Studies on Cercariae from Kuwait Bay. X. Description and surface topography of Cercaria kuwaitae X sp. n. (Digenea: Renicolidae)

A new renicolid cercaria, Cercaria kuwaitae X sp. n., from the prosobranch gastropod Cerithium scabridum from Kuwait Bay is described. The new cercaria is nonstyleted gymnocephalous with voluminous Y-shaped excretory vesicle, flame cell formula 2[(3 + 3 + 3) + (3 + 3 + 3)] = 36, and without caudal fins. Surface topography of the new cercaria is studied by scanning electron microscopy. Domed papillae are abundant on the anterior and lateral aspects of the body, ciliated papillae are sparse dorsally. The ventral sucker bears nine domed papillae. Domed papillae form two circles around the oral sucker with three circles of spines in between. This is the first renicolid cercaria to be recorded in a gastropod from the Arabian Gulf region.     

Sites of alcohol and volatile anaesthetic action on GABA(A) and glycine receptors

Volatile anaesthetics have historically been considered to act in a nonspecific manner on the central nervous system. More recent studies, however, have revealed that the receptors for inhibitory neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine are sensitive to clinically relevant concentrations of inhaled anaesthetics. The function of GABA(A) and glycine receptors is enhanced by a number of anaesthetics and alcohols, whereas activity of the related GABA rho1 receptor is reduced. We have used this difference in pharmacology to investigate the molecular basis for modulation of these receptors by anaesthetics and alcohols. By using chimaeric receptor constructs, we have identified a region of 45 amino-acid residues that is both necessary and sufficient for the enhancement of receptor function. Within this region, two specific amino-acid residues in transmembrane domains 2 and 3 are critical for allosteric modulation of both GABA(A) and glycine receptors by alcohols and two volatile anaesthetics. These observations support the idea that anaesthetics exert a specific effect on these ion-channel proteins, and allow for the future testing of specific hypotheses of the action of anaesthetics.     

Rational use of rubella vaccine for prevention of congenital rubella syndrome in the Americas

Seventy-three spinal cord injured patients with central cord syndrome who had undergone inpatient rehabilitation, were studied retrospectively with regard to their demographic, neurologic and functional characteristics. There were 67 males and six females with a mean age of 53.5 years. Falls was the commonest mechanism of injury (54.8%) followed by motor vehicle accidents. Eleven patients sustained cervical fractures and 41 had radiological evidence of cervical spondylosis. Seventeen patients had sensory impairment and significant spasticity was present in 14 patients. Significant improvements in the admission/discharge ASIA motor scores and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scores (P < 0.001) were noted after rehabilitation. Ninety-two percent of patients were continent of bladder on discharge compared to 64.4% on admission. Multiple regression analysis revealed three factors associated with a better functional outcome, namely, higher admission MBI scores, absence of spasticity and younger age (P < 0.05).     

Combination cytotoxic effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and 5-fluorouracil with and without leucovorin against human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

Both cisplatin (CDDP) and leucovorin (LV) have been shown to enhance cytotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (FUra) against murine and human neoplasms by increasing intracellular reduced folate concentrations. We were interested in their use in a combination to inhibit non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth and therefore conducted an in vitro study to investigate the cytotoxic activities of combinations of CDDP plus FUra, with and without LV (20 microM), against seven NSCLC cell lines. A tetrazolium assay with application of the classical isobole method was used to test drug combinations. We found that LV enhanced FUra but not CDDP cytotoxicity and that the degree of enhancement was negatively correlated with the effect of FUra. There was an overall additive combination effect of CDDP plus FUra, although there may be synergy at higher effect levels. There was synergy to a combination of CDDP, FUra, and LV, presumably primarily related to the synergistic effects of adding LV to FUra. In summary, LV and CDDP enhanced FUra cytotoxicity in a complementary fashion and there was clear synergy of a combination of CDDP, FUra, and LV against a panel of NSCLC cell lines. Our in vitro results provide a rationale for controlled clinical studies of this three-drug regimen in patients with NSCLC.     

Percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the nondilated biliary system

Although reticulocyte counts can be reliably performed for up to 48 h after storage in EDTA, it is unclear whether this is applicable to the pediatric age group. In order to evaluate this, manual reticulocyte counts were performed on 20 specimens from pediatric patients stored at 4 degrees C for up to 24 h post collection. Samples were evaluated at 1-3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after storage in EDTA vacutainer tubes at 4 degrees C. The age of the subjects ranged from 1 day to 9 years with a median age of 3 years. Patients' reticulocyte counts ranged from 0 to 27% (5.89 +/- 7.21). No clinically significant changes were evident in the reticulocyte count over 24 h after specimen collection. The mean of the 20 specimens at 1-3 h was 5.50 and at 24 h was 5.40 (P > .05). The standard deviation of the mean values ranged from 7.03 to 7.26 (P > .05). The results indicate that reticulocyte counts may be performed on previously drawn blood held at 4 degrees C for up to 24 h post collection in a pediatric population without significant difference from baseline values.     

An investigation of seated postural stability

Results of tests undertaken to identify which measures of seated posture control are most effective in two areas, distinguishing differences in the x and y direction control strategies for a given task and distinguishing differences in overall control strategies for pairs of different tasks, are presented. The test platform, calibration tests, test protocol, and data analysis method are described. The results of statistical analyses performed on the data are summarized     

The stability of LaNi5 in a Cu matrix

The reaction of LaNi₅ with Cu powder during sintering at high temperature was examined in order to obtain better conductivity and ductility. Pressurized and forged copper-LaNi₅ pellets were investigated by optical metallography, DTA, XRD and TEM. The need for heat treatment after pressing and/or forging is vital to obtain good diffusion bonding between the copper particles and to improve the material strength. No interaction between La, Ni and Cu were observed after heating at 1173 K but a very stable La₂O₃ phase was created around the LaNi₅ particle. Rolling up to 85% reduction showed good ductility.