Sperm abnormalities induced by pre-pubertal exposure to cyclophosphamide are effectively mitigated by Moringa oleifera leaf extract.

Moringa oleifera L. is a medicinal plant with potential antioxidant property. This study was aimed at investigating the chemoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOE) on cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular toxicity. Two-week-old male Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally injected with phosphate-buffered saline, 50 mg kg(-1) of CP and 25 mg kg(-1) of MOE. In combination treatment, mice were injected with 25 mg kg(-1) of MOE 24 h prior to CP injection, 24 h prior and post-CP injection and 24 h post-CP injection for 5 consecutive days (10 mg kg(-1) ). Six weeks later, mice were sacrificed to assess epididymal sperm parameters. MOE alone did not have any significant effect on sperm parameters. However, acute injection of CP resulted in significant decline in motility (P < 0.001), increase in head abnormality (P < 0.01) and DNA damage (P < 0.05). Combining MOE with CP increased the sperm density, motility and reduced head defect and DNA damage, irrespective of the schedule and dosage of MOE. Administration of MOE prior to CP significantly elevated the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase with concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, MOE may have potential benefit in reducing the loss of male gonadal function following chemotherapy.

Stimulation-mediated translocation of calmodulin and neurogranin from soma to dendrites of mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Calmodulin (CaM) and neurogranin (Ng) are two abundant neuronal proteins in the forebrain whose interactions are implicated in the enhancement of synaptic plasticity. To gain further insight into the actions of these two proteins we investigated whether they co-localize in principle neurons and whether they respond to high frequency stimulation in a coordinated fashion. Immunohistochemical staining of CaM and Ng in mouse hippocampal slices revealed that CaM was highly concentrated in the nucleus of CA1 pyramidal neurons, whereas Ng was more broadly localized throughout the soma and dendrites. The asymmetrical localization of CaM in the nucleus of pyramidal neurons was in sharp contrast to the distribution observed in pyramidal cells of the neighboring subiculum, where CaM was uniformly localized throughout the soma and dendrites. The somatic concentrations of CaM and Ng in CA1 pyramidal neurons were approximately 10- and two-fold greater than observed in the dendrites, respectively. High frequency stimulation (HFS) of hippocampal slices promoted mobilization of CaM and Ng from soma to dendrites. These responses were spatially restricted to the area close to the site of stimulation and were inhibited by the N-methyl-D-asparate receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid. Furthermore, HFS failed to promote translocation of CaM from soma to dendrites of slices from Ng knockout mice, which also exhibited deficits in HFS-induced long-term potentiation. Translocated CaM and Ng exhibited distinct puncta decorating the apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons and appeared to be concentrated in dendritic spines. These findings suggest that mobilization of CaM and Ng to stimulated dendritic spines may enhance synaptic efficacy by increasing and prolonging the Ca2+ transients and activation of Ca2+/CaM-dependent enzymes.

Variation of radiation level and radionuclide enrichment in high background area.

Significantly high radiation level and radionuclide concentration along Quilon beach area of coastal Kerala have been reported by several investigators. Detailed gamma radiation level survey was carried out using a portable scintillometer. Detailed studies on radionuclides concentration in different environmental matrices of high background areas were undertaken in the coastal areas of Karunagapalli, Kayankulam, Chavara, Neendakara and Kollam to study the distribution and enrichment of the radionuclides in the region. The absorbed gamma dose rates in air in high background area are in the range 43-17,400nGyh⁻¹. Gamma radiation level is found to be maximum at a distance of 20m from the sea waterline in all beaches. The soil samples collected from different locations were analysed for primordial radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. The activity of primordial radionuclides was determined for the different size fractions of soil to study the enrichment pattern. The highest activity of (232)Th and (226)Ra was found to be enriched in 125-63µ size fraction. The preferential accumulation of (40)K was found in <63µ fraction. The minimum (232)Th activity was 30.2Bqkg⁻¹, found in 1000-500µ particle size fraction at Kollam and maximum activity of 3250.4Bqkg⁻¹ was observed in grains of size 125-63µ at Neendakara. The lowest (226)Ra activity observed was 33.9Bqkg⁻¹ at Neendakara in grains of size 1000-500µ and the highest activity observed was 482.6Bqkg⁻¹ in grains of size 125-63µ in Neendakara. The highest (40)K activity found was 1923Bqkg⁻¹ in grains of size <63µ for a sample collected from Neendakara. A good correlation was observed between computed dose and measured dose in air. The correlation between (232)Th and (226)Ra was also moderately high. The results of these investigations are presented and discussed in this paper.

Pulmonary embolism: an observational study at Narayana Hrudayalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is extremely common and is a leading cause of death in all age groups. Unfortunately the diagnosis is most often missed than it is made. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can dramatically reduce the mortality and morbidity. This study was done to evaluate the patients with acute PE, assess the utility of laboratory tests and potential of high resolution spiral computed tomogram angiography of pulmonary arteries (sCTPA) as the confirmatory diagnostic tool. Twenty six consecutive patients with acute PE admitted to CCU of Narayana Hrudayalaya of Banglore were followed prospectively. There were 15 male and 11 female (M:F=1:3:1); age range was 32-58 yrs. (mean 45+/-13 yrs). Pre-testing probability assessment of PE was done by a combined approach of history, physical examination and presence of risk factors. D-dimer and cardiac troponin I (TnI) estimation and sCPTA done by contrast enhanced 64-slice spiral CT scanner in all patients. In addition to the typical findings of PE, sCTPA included and revealed features of cardiac and venous CT imaging. Doppler study of leg veins were done to exclude deep vein thrombosis. Trans-thoracic echocardiography assessed right ventricular dilatation and presence of pulmonary hypertension. Nineteen patients (73.0%) had sub-massive PE, 5 patients (19.2%) had non-massive and 2 patients (7.6%) presented with massive PE. A raised D-dimer (0.5mugm/ml) was found in all the cases (100.0%). An elevated a trponin I (TnI) was found in 18 patients (69.2%). RV dilatation, (i.e. RV/LV>0.9) was found in 21 patients (80.7%). All patients (100.0%) received unfractionated heparin. Thrombolysis with alteplase, without concomittent heparin was administered in 11 patients (42.3%). Inferior venacaval filter were implanted in 9 patients (34.6%) with sub massive PE and recurrent events despite anticoagulation. Embolectomy done in one patients with massive PE, offered satisfactory recovery. Pulmonary endarterectomy were undertaken in 6 patients with acute on chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Thus sCTPA detected PE, source of PE and provided prognostic information.

Vertical profiles and enrichment pattern of natural radionuclides in monazite areas of coastal Kerala.

Detailed studies on radionuclides concentration in different environmental matrices of high background areas were undertaken in the coastal areas of Karunagapalli, Chavara, Neendakara and Kollam to study the distribution and enrichment of the radionuclides in the region. The sand samples collected at different distances from sea waterline and at different depths, were analysed for primordial radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. The activity of primordial radionuclides was determined for the different size fractions of sand to study the enrichment pattern. The highest activity was found confined in 125-63 microm particle size fraction in sand. The minimum (232)Th activity was 9.4 Bq kg(-1), found in Kollam at a depth of 10-20 cm, 40 m away from waterline in 500-250 microm particle size fraction and maximum activity of 136,811.2 Bq kg(-1) was observed in Chavara in grains of size 125-63 microm at a depth of 0-10 cm for a sample collected 20 m away from waterline. The lowest (226)Ra activity observed was 29.6 Bq kg(-1) at Kollam beach for a sample 40 m away from waterline in grains of size 1000-500 microm and at a depth of 20-30 cm and the highest activity observed was 10,309 Bq kg(-1) in grains of size 125-63 microm for a sample collected at a distance 20 m away from waterline and at a depth of 0-10 cm. The activity of (40)K was below detectable level in most of the samples collected from the high background monazite area. The (232)Th, (226)Ra activities decrease with depth for the samples collected 20 m away from the waterline and increase with depth for the samples collected 40 m away from the waterline at Chavara and Kollam beaches. No definite correlation was found between variation of the concentrations of (232)Th and (226)Ra with depth at Karunagapalli and Neendakara beach sands. There exists a strong correlation between (226)Ra and (232)Th activities in the region. The results of these investigations are presented and discussed in this paper.

Behavior of 210Po and 210Pb in high background areas of coastal Kerala on the south west coast of India.

This paper deals with the distribution and behavior of (210)Po and (210)Pb in beach sand and surface soil samples from the Quilon district of Kerala. Beach sand and soil samples were collected and analyzed for (210)Po and (210)Pb radionuclides using standard radiochemical analytical techniques. Mean activities of (210)Po and (210)Pb were found to be maximum in the samples collected at 20 m away from waterline. Among the beach sand samples, the activities of radionuclide were found to be maximum for samples from most of the regions of Chavara and few regions of Neendakara. The activity of (210)Po was found to vary from 2.4 to 20.5 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 8.3 Bq kg(-1) at the water line, 2.5-19.9 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 10.2 Bq kg(-1) at 20 m away from the waterline, and 2.1-6.7 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 3.5 Bq kg(-1) at 40 m away from waterline. The respective values found for (210)Pb were from 1.2 to 48.2 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 14.9, 11.3-34.2 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 19.8 Bq kg(-1) and 2.3 to 18.3 Bq kg(-1) with a mean value of 8.7 Bq kg(-1). The depth profile study indicated the mean activity of (210)Po to decrease with depth for samples collected 20 m away from waterline whereas the activity slightly increases with depth 40 m away from sea. The activity concentration of (210)Po and (210)Pb in surface beach sand shows good correlation, with a correlation coefficient 0.81.

Clinical evaluation of Carisolv in the chemico-mechanical removal of carious dentin.

The Chemo-mechanical caries removal technique involves the application of chemical agents, to cause a selective softening of the carious dentine and facilitate removal by gentle excavation. Carisolv is one such new chemical agent used in this minimal invasive technique of carious dentine removal. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of Carisolv in the chemo-mechanical removal of carious dentine, the time taken for caries removal, the perception of the treatment by the patient, and to evaluate the restorations, radiographically. Accordingly, fifty primary and permanent molars with dentinal carious lesions were excavated using this technique of caries removal. The chemo-mechanical caries removal technique using Carisolv proved to be an effective atraumatic treatment modality with potential interest for use in clinical pediatric dentistry.

Metalaxyl effect on nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction) and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) wilzek).

In an experiment, application of different levels of metalaxyl to a sandy loam soil significantly affected the nodulation and nitrogenase activity of mungbean. In both the compost amended and unamended soils, 0.5 mg kg(-1) of metalaxyl enhanced acetylene reduction activity and yield of mungbean, where as higher concentrations (1 mg and 2.5 mg kg(-1) of fungicide) inhibited the nodulation traits as well as economic traits of mungbean.

Salivary proteolytic activities in periodontitis, gingivitis and diabetes mellitus.

Elastase activity was found to be significantly increased in periodontitis (0.872±0.4270 absorbance units/mg protein, mean±S. D., 1.05±0.61 units/ml saliva), gingivitis (0.772±0.416 units/mg protein, 1.515±0.952 units/ml) and diabetes (0.549±0.286 units/mg protein, 1.20±0.769 units/ml) compared to normals (0.255±0.089) units/mg protein, 0.264±0.079 units/ml). Chymotryptic activity was not found to be increased in these disease conditions over the normal level (0.284±0.096 units/mg protein). Aminopeptidase activity was elevated only in periodontitis (0.670+0.140 units/mg protein) compared to normals (0.349±0.100 units/mg protein). Trypsin-like activity was also found to be significantly raised in periodontitis compared to normals when Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide (0.666±0.204 units/mg protein), Ile-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilide (1.59±0.260 units/mg protein) and Pyroglu-Pro-Arg-p-nitroanilide (1.82±0.380 units/mg protein) were used as substrates. The normal values with these three substrates were respectively, 0.454±0.110, 1.04±0.231 and 1.15±0.312 units/mg protein. Total protein level in saliva was found to be significantly elevated in gingivitis (209±66.8 mg/dl) and diabetes (204±68.0) compared to normal values (107±20.7). Increase in periodontitis was marginal (127±28.3 mg/dl). Expression of proteolytic activities normalized to protein level was useful in differential diagnosis. Increase in elastase level in saliva is not a specific marker for periodontal diseases.