Comparison of effects of naloxone and catecholamines on acid-base balance in canine hemorrhagic shock.

The present study was conducted to compare the effect of naloxone, an opiate receptor antagonist, with catecholamines on acid-base status and survival in dogs subjected to hemorrhagic shock. Arterial lactic acid concentration which had increased during hemorrhage, decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) in naloxone treated animals but increased further in catecholamine treated dogs. Blood bicarbonate concentration and PCO2 which had markedly decreased 1 hr after hemorrhage recovered significantly (P less than 0.05) in naloxone group of animals. On the other hand bicarbonate and pH declined further in noradrenaline group and remained unchanged in dopamine group. These results as well as better survival rate observed in naloxone treated animals suggest the superiority of naloxone over dopamine and noradrenaline, as an adjunct to blood transfusion in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock.

Amygdalar injections of vasopressin and its antagonist do not disrupt the circadian rhythm of food and water intake in the rat.

There is an indication that areas of the brain other than the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), the known neural circadian pacemaker, are involved in the control of circadian rhythms. The present study investigated the role of amygdala in the circadian rhythms of food and water intake. Vasopressin and its antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP were injected into the amygdala bilaterally through chronically implanted stainless steel cannulae. The results of the study have shown that neither vasopressin nor its antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP alters the circadian rhythm of food and water intake thereby showing that vasopressinergic neurons/projections to amygdala are not involved in the control of circadian rhythms of food and water intake and amygdala is not likely to be an additional oscillator.

Pulmonary diffusion capacity for Co at varying alveolar oxygen tensions and different alveolar volumes.

In six healthy nonsmoker volunteers pulmonary diffusion capacity for Co (DLCO) was determined by single breath holding technique. Multiple measurements of DLCO were taken with PAO2 from 70 to 610 mm Hg, out of which at least 10 tests were performed between 100 to 140 mm Hg. A wide and non uniform inverse relationship was found between DLCO and PAO2 from 70 to 610 mm Hg. In narrow range of 100-140 mm Hg, a highly significant linear negative correlation was found. To find out corrected DLCO at PAO2 120 mm Hg, expressed as DLCO120, a correction factor of 0.45% for each mm Hg change in PAO2 should be applied to measured DLCO inversely. By regulating inspiratory volume, DLCO was studied at different alveolar volumes and there was a direct positive correlation between them. DLCO should be measured at maximum alveolar volume, as with one percent fall in VA there is 0.69% decrease in DLCO. This new method of expressing DLCO as DLCO120 at maximal effective alveolar volume will be more useful in studying the effects of factors affecting DLCO and for interlaboratory comparison.

Role of H-reflex latency studies in the diagnosis of subclinical diabetic neuropathy.

Motor conduction velocity (MCV) in the median, ulnar and peroneal nerves and H-reflex studies have been conducted in 50 diabetics aged 20-65 years and 25 controls. MCV in the upper limb was below the normal range in 16% of diabetics. 28% diabetics showed abnormal MCV in the peroneal nerve. H-reflex abnormality consisting of either prolonged latency or its complete absence could be observed in 54% of diabetics. The results indicate the greater sensitivity of H-reflex in the detection of sub-clinical diabetic neuropathy. Greater prevalence of neuropathy in the early onset diabetes than in the late onset type is also suggested.

Comparative study of visual and auditory reaction time of hands and feet in males and females.

Simple reaction time of hands and feet was studied in normal subjects (47 males, and 17 females) to visual and auditory stimuli using an electric circuit and recording points of stimulus and action on a fast moving kymograph. There are significant differences between reaction times of hands and feet, right side and left side, males and females and between auditory and visual reaction times (ART and VRT). Both VRT and ART were significantly faster in hands. Delayed response of left side (LH and LF), was more marked in feet with ART. On crossing hands, both VRT and ART took more time in RH. Males responded faster than females, difference being significant mainly in ART and that too on left side. ART was slightly faster than VRT. Faster response of right side was probably due to the fact that all the subjects were right handed persons.

Peak expiratory flow rate and its prediction formulae in Haryanvis.

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) was studied in 806 healthy 6 to 58 year old Haryanvi males. A steep rise in PEFR is seen with age up to 18 years, little variation occurs between 19 to 26 years and is followed by a gradual fall thereafter. The formulae for the prediction of PEFR from age and height in different age groups have been worked out. Haryanvi children are taller having PEFR and predicted values of PEFR higher than the children of other Indian states and are well comparable to Western children. On the other hand in Haryanvi adults observed and predicted values of PEFR are low. It is possible that economical uplift of this area due to industrialization and green revolution has led to improved nutrition resulting into better physical and functional (PEFR) development of younger generation. It is suggested that in developing states the physical and functional norms should be periodically reviewed.

Effect of isoprenaline and cigarette smoking on airways.

After two hours of abstinence from smoking pulmonary functions were assessed in twenty-seven asymptomatic male smokers by spirometry and Wright Peak Flow Meter, recording FVC, FEV1, FEV1%, FEF25-75%, and FEF75-85% of FVC, MVV and PEFR. These tests were repeated immediately after smoking and again after one hr. Only PEFR decreased significantly (P less than 0.01) and returned to nearly basal level after one hr. Sixteen of these smokers were subjected to further study. Isoprenaline inhalation in these smokers caused a significant improvement in most of the flow rates. Smoking of cigarettes at this stage decreased flow rates. After one hr the effect of smoking was over and most of the parameters were between basal and post-isoprenaline levels. Smoking affects the flow rates more than other parameters. An improvement in FEV1, FEV1%, FEF25-75% and FEF75-85% of FVC, after bronchodilator inhalation suggests the presence of some reversible bronchoconstriction specially of smaller airways basically present in chronic smokers.