ABSTRACT
Michelin tire syndrome is described in a two month old infant of Filipino-Saudi parents. The infant had generalized excessive folding of skin and facial dysmorphism. The skin biopsy showed excessive adipose tissue in reticular dermis, papillary dermis and around adnexa. Spontaneous partial improvement in skin folding was noted on follow up. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case ever reported locally of Michelin tire.
Subject(s)
Skin Abnormalities/diagnosis , Adipose Tissue/pathology , Biopsy , Cutis Laxa/congenital , Cutis Laxa/diagnosis , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hamartoma/diagnosis , Humans , Infant , Saudi Arabia , Skin/pathologyABSTRACT
Botanical insecticides are relatively safe and biodegradable, and are readily available sources of bioinsecticides. In recent years, the neem derivative, azadirachtin, has been examined as an alternative to synthetic insecticides because of its broad-spectrum insecticidal action. Because many of the natural products and synthetic compounds used in the control of insect pests are known to exhibit electrophysiological effects, in this paper we focused our studies on the alterations in the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and electrical activity in the nervous system of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, exposed to azadirachtin. Exposure to azadirachtin produced an excitatory effect on spontaneous electrical activity as well as cercal sensory-mediated giant-fiber responses in the cockroach. Topical exposure to sublethal doses of azadirachtin did not result in any significant alterations in the AChE activity in different regions of the nervous system. We suggest that azadirachtin exerts excitatory action on the electrical activity in the nervous system of cockroach by interfering with the ion channels in the nerve membrane, the probable target of several insecticides.
Subject(s)
Acetylcholinesterase/metabolism , Insecticides/toxicity , Limonins/toxicity , Nervous System/drug effects , Periplaneta/enzymology , Action Potentials/physiology , Animals , Ganglia, Invertebrate/drug effectsABSTRACT
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used for a study of the surface and glandular ultrastructure of human endometrium in the presence of different types of IUDs at comparable phases of the menstrual cycle. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of the nonmedicated with the copper and multiload copper devices to further explain the differences in their contraceptive potencies and their mechanism of action. The endometrium was evaluated at and away from the IUD; emphasis was put on the ultrastructure of endometrial gland openings, secretory activity, cellular glycogen content, ciliated cells, microvillous pattern, and kinocilia. The changes of the surface ultrastructure of the endometrium in the presence of copper IUDs were more extensive in this study than those previously reported. There seems to be a direct relationship between the amount of copper incorporated in the device, the degree of ultrastructure changes, and the area of endometrium involved. Copper devices affect the endometrial cells away from the IUD. The altered secretory function with disturbed macroapocrine secretion, the abnormality of ciliated cells, and the defective microvillous growth seem to interfere with the physiologic and functional integrity of the endometrium, reducing the chances of contraception in the presence of copper IUDs.
Subject(s)
Endometrium/ultrastructure , Intrauterine Devices, Copper , Intrauterine Devices , Cilia/ultrastructure , Female , Humans , Microscopy, Electron , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microvilli/ultrastructureABSTRACT
PIP: The surface ultrastructure of endometrium of patients wearing inert and variable types of copper IUDs was studied by using scanning electron microscopy and the breadth of vision the technique allows. The inert and copper device effects were compared during various phases of the menstrual cycle. 4 micrographs depict the results of comparisons of sites of impression of the various IUDs in hysterectomized specimens. It was hoped that ultrastructural variations may provide a clue to the different efficacies of the various devices, perhaps pointing to a mechanism of action difference among the IUDs tested. The endometrial surface was evaluated at and away from the site of IUD impression with emphasis on the ultrastructure of the endometrial gland openings, ciliated cells, kinocilia, nonciliated cells, microvilli, and secretory granules. The micrographs showed that the endometrium was more influenced by the copper IUDs than by inert devices; this was especially true away from the IUD impression site. In general, the degree of ultrastructural change in copper IUDs was related to the amount of incorporated copper. Altered secretory function and cellular metabolism seemed to interfere with the physiological integrity of the endometrium, thereby increasing the antifertility potency of the IUDs.^ieng
Subject(s)
Copper , Endometrium , Intrauterine Devices, Copper , Intrauterine Devices , Biology , Chemical Phenomena , Chemistry , Contraception , Family Planning Services , Genitalia , Genitalia, Female , Inorganic Chemicals , Metals , Physiology , Research , Urogenital System , UterusABSTRACT
PIP: The effect of propanolol hydrochloride (PH) and oxprenolol hydrochloride (OH) on ovulation was studied in mature rabbits. PH-treated animals did not accept mating and ovulation was suppressed after forced mating. 5 of 6 OH-treated animals refused mating. No implantation sites or corpora lutea were found in the animal that did accept mating. Forced mating did not prevent ovulation in OH-treated animals. Both PH and OH did not inhibit ovulation in animals treated with 200 IU of chorionic gonadotropin. The possible modes of action of the 2 beta-adrenergic blocking agents is discussed.^ieng
