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The weekly Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7) is widely used in clinical trials in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Understanding meaningfulness of scores used as criteria for enrolment (UAS7≥16) and treatment response (UAS7≤6) from the patient perspective is important to inform clinical relevance.

Study of the Composition of Deasphalted Oils and Asphalts Introduction The use of N.M.R. spectroscopy, both [sup.1.H] and [sup.13.C] is being increasingly made for the analysis of petroleum distillates and [...]

Bacteremia caused by viridans streptococci frequently presents in a subacute fashion and can lead to complicated infections. It usually manifests from an oral source and may result in seeding of the heart valves. We describe a case of viridans streptococci bacteremia that developed after a dental procedure and was complicated by endocarditis and vertebral osteomyelitis. Symptoms and signs that may heighten suspicion for complicated bacteremia caused by viridans streptococci are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone disease is a common clinical problem following renal transplantation. In renal transplant recipients, multiple underlying factors determine the extent of bone loss and the subsequent risk of fractures. In addition to the well-recognized risk to bone disease posed by steroids, calcineurin inhibitors and pre-existing bone disease, persistent hyperparathyroidism (HPT) contributes to post-transplant bone loss. HPT is usually treated with vitamin D supplements combined with calcium. Patients whose HPT is associated with hypercalcemia pose a difficult therapeutic dilemma which often requires parathyroidectomy. Cinacalcet, a calcium mimetic agent, offers a unique pharmacologic approach to the treatment of patients with post-transplant hypercalcemia and HPT. In this paper, we describe the clinical course and biochemical changes in 10 renal transplant recipients with hypercalcemia and severe HPT early after renal transplantation treated with cinacalcet. Cinacalcet therapy corrected hypercalcemia and decreased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in all cases. A transient rise in the level of alkaline phosphatase was noted following initiation of cinacalcet therapy. In this patient population, correction of HPT was not permanent as discontinuing cinacalcet therapy led to a rapid rise in PTH level.

A model is presented of competition between sensory axons for trophic molecules (e.g. a neurotrophin such as NGF), produced in a region of skin small enough to permit their free diffusion throughout it; e.g., a touch dome, or a vibrissal follicle hair sinus. The variables specified are the number of high affinity trophic factor receptors per axon terminal and the concentration of trophic factor in the extracellular space. Previous models of this class predicted the loss of all the axons innervating the region except the one requiring least trophic factor for its maintenance, even with high rates of trophic factor production. In the present model, we have imposed upper limits to axonal growth, thereby introducing new equilibria, and we show by a global analysis using LaSalle’s theorem, and also by local analysis, that several axons can then coexist if the rate of production of trophic molecules is sufficiently high. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A study was undertaken to assess the effect of parthenin—a sesquiterpene lactone from Parthenium hysterophorus—on the germination, growth, and some associated physiological changes in Ageratum conyzoides. The study reveals that germination and growth of A. conyzoideswas severely reduced by parthenin in the concentration range of 50, 100, and 200 μM, while at 400 μM a complete inhibition of germination was observed. The radicle length of A. conyzoideswas reduced more than the plumule length. Further, the content of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll was appreciably reduced in the leaves of test plants spray treated with parthenin at 200 μM concentration. However, this inhibitory effect declined with the passage of time and at 10 days after treatment only a 25% reduction in chlorophyll content was observed compared to 76% on the first day after spray. Likewise, the cellular respiration measured through 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was found to be less in the treated leaves, and the inhibitory response also declined with time. The content of proteins and carbohydrates decreased with the passage of time after parthenin treatment. The specific activities of the enzymes protease and α- and β-amylase were also adversely affected in the parthenin treated leaves. In the case of protease, the activity decreased with passage of time while those of the amylases increased. Thus, we conclude that parthenin affects the germination and growth of A. conyzoidesby altering the contents of some macromolecules and the specific activities of some enzymes. Such observations may be helpful in further exploring parthenin's mode of action.

The effect of four monoterpenes - citronellol, citronellal, cineole and linalool - on the germination, growth and physiology of Cassia occidentaliswas investigated. All four monoterpenes reduced germination of C. occidentalisseeds but to varying extents. Citronellal and linalool completely inhibited germination beyond the concentrations of 55 and 110 ?M, respectively, whereas in response to treatment of citronellol no germination was observed beyond 330 ?M. Further, the growth of seedlings, measured in terms of seedling length and biomass, was also adversely affected. A reduction in chlorophyll content of the cotyledonary leaves of C. occidentaliswas also noticed, indicating an adverse effect on photosynthesis. Likewise, respiratory ability of growing seeds was also impaired in response to all four monoterpenes, clearly indicating that monoterpenes affect energy metabolism. On the basis of overall phytotoxicity, potency of monoterpenes was in the order of citronellal > linalool > citronellol > cineole. The results from this study suggest that both citronellal and linalool possess strong phytotoxic potential and can thus serve as lead molecules for the synthesis of bioherbicides.

A study conducted to determine the ecological status of vegetation under a Casuarina equisetifolia L. plantation revealed that the number of species types, density and biomass of the understorey were drastically reduced compared to an adjoining grassland area. In general, vegetation under Casuarina was characterised by the presence of a few dominants with a trend towards homogeneity. On the other hand, the vegetation in the grassland was heterogeneous, with conspicuous spatial pattern and, thus, more stable. Indices of richness (indicating numerical strength), evenness (representing spatial distribution), and diversity (combining both richness and evenness) also indicated a marked difference in the vegetation between the two sites. The Shannon index, indices of richness and evenness, and Hill. s diversity measures were greater in grassland areas than in Casuarina plantation, thereby signifying a richer, more diverse and even vegetation in the grassland. In contrast, the Simpson index of dominance which shows an inverse relation with diversity, was greater under the Casuarina plantation. The reasons for the restrained vegetation under Casuarina were explored in terms of allelopathic interference of various tree parts (fresh as well as fallen) as one of the major factor. The leaf leachates collected under the canopy of Casuarina trees in the plantation were found to have deleterious effect on the growth of Medicago sativa and Ageratum conyzoides and were rich in phenolics. The extracts prepared from different tree parts such as needles, female cones and litter adversely affected the growth and dry weight accumulation in M. sativa and A. conyzoides. An appreciable amount of water-soluble phenolics, known phytotoxins, was estimated in the fog leachates and different plant parts under use. It is concluded that phenolics released from the green needles and litter of the tree adversely affect the understorey vegetation.

Abstract: The effect of He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) pre-irradiation on UVA (343 nm)-induced DNA damage in the human B-lymphoblast cell line NC37 was investigated using the comet assay. He-Ne laser pre-irradiation was observed to result in a dose-dependent decrease in UVA-induced DNA damage. This effect was also found to be dependent on the incubation period between He-Ne laser pre-irradiation and the UVA exposure. Whereas the control cells with a higher DNA damage point to an initial ability of faster repair, both the control and the He-Ne laser pre-irradiated cells subsequently show the same rate of DNA repair. The results suggest that He-Ne laser irradiation protect the cells from UVA-induced DNA damage primarily through an influence on processes that prevent an initial DNA damage.

The present review deals with the phenomenon of autotoxicity — a type of intraspecific allelopathy, where a plant species inhibits the growth of its own kind through the release of toxic chemicals into the environment. This phenomenon has been reported to occur in a number of weeds and crop plants in agroecosystem and wastelands causing the soil sickness. Besides, it plays a significant role in the orchards (of apple, pear, grapes, etc.) where it is the major reason of the replant problem, natural forests and coffee and tea plantations causing the regeneration problems. Not only the higher plants, but even some ferns and algae are also reported to show this phenomenon. Some plants have even developed extensive mechanisms to overcome this phenomenon, whereas the others have adapted to it by making structural and ecological changes providing to them a competitive ecological advantage over the others. Although autotoxicity is a natural phenomena providing selective benefit to the plant, yet the chemicals responsible for this have good potential for weed and pest management.

Agroforestry is a modern tool to develop sustainable land use and to increase food production by growing woody species (trees, shrubs, palms, bamboos, etc.) with agricultural crops and/or animals in some form of spatial arrangement or temporal sequence. Because these species co-exist with the agricultural crops, their allelopathic compatibility may be crucial to determine the success of an agroforestry system. A survey of the available information reveals that most of the agroforestry species (AF species) have negative allelopathic effects on food and fodder crops. Therefore, it is desirable to do further research in this direction so that AF species with no or positive allelopathic effects on the companion crops may be promoted for agroforestry programs. As AF species remain a part of the agroecosystem for a longer period, and most of them produce a large amount of leaves and litter, their allelochemicals may play an important role in developing an eco-friendly pest management strategy. Besides these generally studied aspects of allelopathy, some comparatively newer aspects of research have been identified, such as evaluation of qualitative yield of agroforestry systems, selective behavior of the allelochemicals, effect on soil quality, and the role of tree allelochemicals in animal and human nutrition. If given due consideration, allelopathy could play a pivotal role in conservation of the highly threatened environment, biodiversity, natural resource base, and making agriculture more sustainable through broadening the scope of agroforestry.

The plant Buddleja asiatica Loureiro (family Buddlejiaceae) is known as "Newarpati" in the vernacular. It grows abundantly in the sub-Himalayan hill tracts. It has been described in the ancient medical literature to be useful in a variety of skin disorders and has also been used as an abortifacient (Chopra et al., 1956). Recently Singh (1977), while studying its antifertility and general pharmacological activities, found that the alcoholic extract obtained from the leaves of this plant produced a persistent and prolonged fall of blood pressure in pentobarbitone-anaesthetised dogs and cats. The present study was carried out to analyze the mechanisms involved for this hypotensive response.

The single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered ampicillin (2.0 g) and sulbactam (1.0 g) were studied in normal subjects and in patients with various degrees of creatinine clearance (CLCR). Six normal subjects (CLCR, greater than 60 ml/min), six patients with mild renal failure (CLCR, 31 to 60 ml/min), four patients with severe renal failure (CLCR, 7 to 30 ml/min), and four patients requiring maintenance hemodialysis (CLCR, less than 7 ml/min) were studied. The terminal half-lives for ampicillin and sulbactam more than doubled in patients with severe renal failure compared with subjects with normal renal function and mild renal insufficiency. CLCR significantly correlated with ampicillin (r = 0.88) and sulbactam (r = 0.54) total body clearance. Mean steady-state volume of distribution and nonrenal clearance for ampicillin and sulbactam were not affected by renal function. Hemodialysis approximately doubled the ampicillin and sulbactam total body clearance. Mean totals of 34.8 +/- 4.0% of the ampicillin dose and 44.7 +/- 3.2% of the sulbactam dose were removed during a 4-h hemodialysis treatment. A slight rebound in concentrations in serum after hemodialysis was observed for both drugs in all four subjects. In hemodialysis patients, the ampicillin half-life was 17.4 +/- 8.0 h and the sulbactam half-life was 13.4 +/- 7.4 h. The ampicillin and sulbactam half-lives were appreciably altered during the hemodialysis period (means of 2.2 and 2.3 h, respectively). The nearly parallel decrease in total body clearance, with volume of distribution and nonrenal clearance remaining relatively constant, suggests that the same ratio of ampicillin to sulbactam is appropriate regardless of renal function. An adjustment of the ampicillin (2.0 g) and sulbactam (1.0 g) dose to twice daily would be appropriate in patients with a CLCR between 7 and 30 ml/min. Doses should be given every 24 h for those undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. On hemodialysis days, doses should be given after hemodialysis.

In the present study the drugs (Methaqualone + diphenhydramine or Methaqualone alone) were administered daily in a liquid diet to different groups of rats for 3 weeks. Each week the doses of the drugs were increased and daily records of body weight, mean rectal temperature and spontaneous motor activity (SPM) were maintained. During the first week, tolerance to both the drugs was observed when the animals received 152.4 mg/kg-1/day of methaqualone (MQ) and 140.0+14.0 mg/kg-1/day of methaqualone + diphenhydramine (MQ+D) respectively. In the second week the doses were further increased to 302.0 mg/kg-1/day of MQ and 277.8+27.7 mg/kg-1/day of MQ+D respectively.

Withania somnifera, herbal rejuvenative tonic widely used by Ayurvedic physicians in India, was tested for its adaptogenic properties. Pretreatment with this drug increased the swimming endurance in mice. It prevented gastric ulcers induced chemically or by stress in rats. Milk-induced leucocytosis was also prevented in mice. The drug prevented increase in adrenal weight and decrease in ascorbic acid and Cortisol content of adrenals during stress. It appears to induce a state of non-specifically increased resistance (SNIR) during stress.

"Geriforte", a combination of several plant ingredients is being used in India as a restorative tonic in old age. In the present study, this Ayurvedic drug has been evaluated for anti-stress ("Adaptogenic") activity by inducing various stressful situations in animals.The survival time of swimming mice increased with different doses of "Geriforte". The drug also prevented changes in the adrenals (increase in weight and reduction of ascorbic acid and Cortisol contents) induced by stress (5 hr. swimming). Both restraint and chemically induced ulcers were prevented by 100 mg/kg of "Geriforte". Furthermore, pretreatment with "Geriforte" prevented the increase of liver weight and volume induced by carbon tetrachloride and also the milk-induced leucocytosis. Gradual and constant increase in body weight was observed in rats taking the drug. However, no effect was observed on spontaneous motor activity and body temperature. It has some central nervous system stimulant activity as judged by the reduction of hexobarbital sleeping time. The LD50 as determined in acute toxicity studies on mice was between 5 and 6g/kg orally.Prolongation of survival time, prevention of stress-induced changes in adrenals, restraint ulcers, liver toxicity, milk induced leucocytosis and the innocuous nature of the drug indicate the presence of anti-stress ("adaptogenic") properties in "Geriforte".

Tabernaemontana penduliflora K. Schum., family Apocynaceae, known lo-cally as ibbu of ovimbu (Dalziel, 1948) in the Edo language, is a small tree up to 6 - 7 metres in height, occurring as an understory tree in rain forests. As in all apocynaceous plants, this plant exudes a milky juice from all parts when broken. Alkaloids have been reported to be present in a number of species of this genus (Poisson et al., 1967). Indole alkaloids possessing corynanthe, iboga and aspidosperma skeletons have been isolated by Popli et al. (1974) from the leaves of Tabernaernontana divaricatu R. Br. var.2 (petals in two whorls), a fact which is of considerable importance from the biogenetic point of view (Popli et al., 1974). The leaves of Tubernaemontana penduliflora are used as a uterine sedative in Nigerian herbal practice and they also show positive. tests for alkaloids. Apart from a sketchy description of the plant given by Hutchinson and Dalziel (1948), no further work has been reported.

Using the techniques of complement fixation, immunofluorescence, and in vitro lymphocyte transformation (LTF), we studied the humoral antibody and cell-mediated immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in normal subjects, in patients with cancer receiving localized or nonlocalized radiation, and in renal transplant recipients on immunosuppressive chemotherapy. The LTF activity was determined by the whole blood microassay, using four strains of CMV (AD-169, Davis, Veca, and Towne), AD-169 early antigen, and phytohemagglutinin (PAH). The renal transplant subjects manifested significantly depressed LTF responses to PHA and CMV and frequent presence of immunoglobulin M and early antigen-specific antibody response. The depressed LTF response to CMV recovered significantly 2 years after transplantation. The cancer patients were also characterized by a profound drop in LTF responses to PHA and CMV and in immunoglobulin M and early antigen-specific antibody response after nonlocalized radiation. LTF responses to AD-169 and Towne strains were found to be higher than those to Davis and Veca strains. The LTF response to PHA declined with age. However, LTF responses to specific CMV antigens were found to be somewhat increased with advancing age. These observations suggest that transplantation-associated suppression of CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity may improve a few years after transplantation despite continued immunosuppressive therapy.

Amaranthus viridisis a quantitative SD plant in which inflorescence primordia are initiated under both 24- and 8-h photoperiods after 12 and 10 days, when 8 and 7 leaves are differentiated, respectively. Photoperiod plays a non-determinate role, whereas the maturity of plants linked with the attainment of minimum leaf number is significant and of primary importance in floral induction. This is further confirmed by the more or less identical nature of changes in the total enzyme activity and isoenzyme patterns of peroxidase, esterase and alkaline and acid phosphatase under the two photoperiods. These changes occur once the minimum vegetative growth has been achieved prior to the reproductive transformation, irrespective of the photoperiod, pointing to the activation of a general common pathway of events leading to floral induction.

Abstract: In order to certify that process and drain lines which had been used for transporting radioactive materials, and their surrounding environments, are now free of residual contamination, it is both desirable and cost effective to make in situ measurements during the decontamination and decommissioning process. A 4.83-cm diameter modular proble consisting of a liquid nitrogen reservoir, a preamplifier, and a high-resolution germanium gamma-ray spectrometer with flexible connections between the modules has been developed for the measurement of gamma rays in and around piping. The assembly is sufficiently flexible to navigate through a “3-inch diameter p-trap.” The probe design and specifications are discussed. Results from an application are presented.

Parthenin — a sesquiterpene lactone fromParthenium hysterophorusL. is an allelochemical that prevents the germination ofPhaseolus aureusRoxb. cv. ML-5 seeds. The response of the seed has been attributed to the inhibition of the respiratory electron transport ability of its embryo. It has been shown to depend directly not only upon concentration of parthenin, but simultaneously on the duration of exposure of the seeds to the chemical as well. A strong correlation exists between the quantum of the response and the product of the period of exposure and the concentration of parthenin. In order to predict the maximum possible germination ability of the seed exposed for a given period to a given concentration of parthenin, an expression X = 10000 Y3/ [eY/0.31-1] was formulated from the equation X = AY3/[eY/Y0-1], where X represents values of maximum respiratory activity, Y represents the product of concentration and time in units mg cn-3h, A represents a dimensional constant. The trend and nature of response that is calculated on the basis of formulation coincides with that of measured response through spectrophotometry.

Abstract: The heat capacities of selected inorganic binary and ternary alkali metal compounds are determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). As part of an ongoing research program at Battelle Memorial Institute since 1983, the heat capacities of cesium and rubidium chalcogenides, aluminates, silicates and uranates in the temperature range 310 to 800 K have been added to the series of compounds. The measured data is to be combined with the standard enthalpies of formation and low temperature heat capacities to obtain reliable thermodynamic data on the alkali metal compounds to high temperatures.

Abstract: A research program has been in progress to obtain reliable thermodynamic data on various binary and ternary alkali metal compounds in the temperature range of 300 to 1500 K. To date, heat capacity measurements have been made on cesium and rubidium chromates, dichromates, zirconates, molybdates, dimolybdates, and halides in the temperature range of 300 to 800K. In addition, measurements are planned or are currently in progress on cesium and rubidium chalcogenides, aluminates, uranates, silicates, and several other lithium, sodium, and potassium compounds. The status of the research program is discussed.

The effect of crude volatile oils from the leaves ofEucalyptus globulusandE. citriodoraand the pure terpenes - cineole and limonene from these oils, (in vapour form) was studied onPhaseolus aureus, Lens esculentum, Hordeum vulgare and Avena sativa.The parameters like germination of seeds, seedling growth, values of cell survival, and content of water and chlorophyll of the crops formed the system of bioefficacy study. The allelopathic impact of the oil vapours from the eucalypt tree becomes evident from the negative response of the parameters studied. The impact of the E. citriodora oil vapours compared to that ofE. globulusoil or the pure terpenes was seen to be relatively greater in almost all parameters under investigation. A strong reciprocal correlation that exist between the concentration and the seedling growth or the water content of the crops under study supports the dose linked allelopathic phenomenon. It is suggested that oil vapours ofEucalyptusexert their effect through impairing the respiratory as well as photosynthetic ability of the target plants.

The effect of crude volatile oils extracted from the young leaves ofLantana camaravar.camarawas studied on the parent plant itself. The contents of water and chlorophyll, of leaves apart from seed germination, seed vigour and length of seedlings of the parent plant were adversely affected with increasing concentration of theLantanaoils; this indicated autotoxic potential of the oil. The correlations between oil concentration and the studied parameters were rather strong and obeyed the concentration response relationship, typical of chemical bases. The cell respiration, however, increased with increasing concentration of the oil vapours. Compared to control, less than 13 % of the seeds of the parent plant exposed to 30 cm3m-3of oil showed incipient germination with no growth of radicle beyond immeasurable protuberance, and no plumule emergence.

Tyrosine 196 in Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) was mutated to phenylalanine, and the resulting mutant enzyme was characterized to evaluate the mechanistic role of the residue. The residue demonstrates little effect on ligand binding and the reductive half-reaction, but a dramatic slowing by nearly 6 orders of magnitude of its oxidative half-reaction with 2-cyclohexenone. Observation of the oxidative half-reaction with a series of substrates allows us to propose a model describing the mechanism of the oxidative half-reaction. In addition, the curtailed reactivity with enones allows for characterization of the manner in which reduced enzyme primes the substrate for the redox reaction by observation of the Michaelis complex with reduced enzyme bound to substrate.

The efficacy of oncedaily bisoprolol 10 mg and atenolol 100 mg was assessed in 19 patients with stable angina, using a doubleblind randomized crossover protocol and computerassisted treadmill exercise testing with continuous monitoring of leads CM5 and CC5, the test being carried out 2224 h after the last dose. The mean ± SEM exercise time on placebo was 6.5 ± 0.4 min increasing to 7.8 ± 0.5 min on bisoprolol p < 0.02 and 8.6 ± 0.6 min on atenolol p < 0.001. The increase in exercise time with atenolol was significantly greater than with bisoprolol p < 0.02. The time to 1 mm STdepression in CM5 and CC5 was also prolonged significantly with both drugs compared to placebo, but with no difference between the two active treatments. The mean resting heart rate of 84 ± 4 beatsmin decreased to 63 ± 2 beatsmin on bisoprolol p < 0.001 and 64 ± 2 beatsmin on atenolol p < 0.001 with a significant decrease in the peak exercise heart rate seen with both drugs p < 0.001. The peak ratepressure product beatsmin × mm Hg × 102was 175 ± 8 after placebo, 146 ± 7 p < 0.001 after bisoprolol and 149 ± 5 p < 0.01 after atenolol. One patient was withdrawn because he suffered a myocardial infarction. After completion of the crossover phase, 18 of the patients were prescribed bisoprolol 10 mg once a day for 6 weeks. Twelve patients were treated for 12 weeks. An exercise test was performed at the end of each 6week period. The effects of bisoprolol on all parameters were maintained. In conclusion, bisoprolol is an effective antianginal agent, comparable in efficacy and duration of action with atenolol, and is suitable for once daily administration.

Growth correlations in the shoot apical meristem during transition to flowering were studied in a quantitative long day plant,Brassica campestrisL. cv. Ceres, requiring only one long day for floral initiation. During photo-inductive exposure of the plants, an overall increase in cell number could be observed at the shoot apex concomitant with promotion of leaf initiation. Release from apical dominance and decline in relative growth rate of leaf primordia are reported as early effects of photo-induction. With the onset of floral differentiation, production of new leaf primordia had stopped altogether. Maximum increase in RNA concentration could be noticed in axillary meristems following photoperiodic treatment, whereas in vegetative plants the highest RNA concentration was found in leaf primordia. The significance of these changes occurring during transition to flowering is discussed.

The three plant types ofAmaranthusnamely,A. caudatusf.albiflorus, A. caudatusf.caudatusandA. tricolorvar.tristisare qualitative short day plants with critical photoperiods 16.0, 15.5 and 15.0 h, respectively. Gibberellins A3, A4+7and A13affect extension growth, leaf differentiation and floral induction differently. Thus, in all the three plant types ofAmaranthus, whereas, GA3and G4+7enhanced extension growth, GA13was completely ineffective under both, 24- and 8-h photoperiods. None of the three gibberellins could affect the leaf differentiation. In all the three plant types, flowering was promoted by GA13and not by other gibberellins tried. GA13caused promotion was manifested in two manners, firstly by lowering the critical dark period requirement in each inductive cycle, and secondly by shortening the total period taken for the initiation of inflorescence primordia under inductive photoperiods. The floral induction by gibberellins inAmaranthusis contrary to the gibberellin-anthesin concept of Chailakhyan. It is suggested that gibberellins other than GA3may be playing an important role in floral morphogenesis of short day plants.

A. caudatus f. albiflorus, A. caudatus f. caudatus and A. tricolor var. tristis are qualitative SD plants with photo-inductive requirements of six, three and five, 8-hr photoperiodic cycles, respectively, for macroscopic inflorescence initiation. The total protein content gradually increased in both stem and leaves with an increasing number of inductive photoperiodic cycles. In both stem and leaves of all three plant types, two electrophoretically separable new water-soluble protein bands appeared with completion of their respective photo-inductive requirements for inflorescence initiation. In the stem of A. caudatus f. caudatus, a third band appeared after the plants had received only a single SD cycle. The new proteins formed concurrently with photoperiodic floral induction differed electrophoretically from plant to plant even though all plants used in the experiment were short-day plants and closely related taxonomically.

In the present study, rats were kept on a semifluid diet, and methaqualone and phenobarbitone were added to the diet of different groups of animals. Every week the doses of the drugs were increased and daily records of body weight, mean rectal temperature and spontaneous motor activity were maintained. Tolerance to both the drugs was discernible in the first and second week, when the animals received 138.3 and 284.4 mg/kg/day of methaqualone and 96.8 and 178.6 mg/kg/day of phenobarbitone, respectively. In the third week the doses were further increased to 392.6 mg/kg/day of methaqualone and 235.9 mg/kg/day of phenobarbitone and at the end of this week although there was gradual and partial recovery, statistically significant (P<0.05) lowering of mean rectal temperature, body weight and spontaneous motor activity was observed in comparison to a control group of rats. After the third week when the drugs were withdrawn from the diet methaqualone treated rats exhibited increased susceptibility to audiogenic stimuli. Rats similarly treated with phenobarbitone showed a greater susceptibility to audiogenic stimuli, and in addition exhibited increased motor activity and a precipitous decrease in body weight. The results of this study are suggestive of a milder degree of dependence liability in methaqualone as compared with barbiturates.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal was evaluated for its tumor-preventing activity against urethane-induced lung adenomas in adult male albino mice. Administration of urethane in a dose of 125 mg/kg given subcutaneously biweekly for 7 months induced lung adenomas in 100% of animals. Urethane was also found to cause significant decrease in body weight, increase in mortality, leucopaenia and decrease in lymphocyte percentage as compared to untreated controls. Simultaneous oral administration of W. somnifera given in a dose of 200 mg/kg daily along with urethane protected the animals from the tumor-inducing effect of urethane. It also prevented the decrease in body weight and increase in mortality caused by urethane. The haematological changes were found to be completely reversed as evidenced by significant increases in total leucocyte count and lymphocyte percentage. These haematological changes were also observed in the animals treated with W. somnifera alone. It appears that W. somnifera may be preventing urethane-induced lung adenomas by inducing a state of nonspecific increase in resistance (adaptogen) and immunostimulant properties.

Intracerebral administration of nicotine in mice produces convulsions without any deaths in doses which are significantly lower than the parenteral doses. The drug seems to act on central nicotinic receptors. The antagonism of central nicotinic convulsions was thus employed for the measurement of the central antiicotinic activity of various CNS acting agents. Chlorisondamine was found to be the most potent, and next in order were atropine and chlorpromazine. It is suggested that the method forms a simple test for evaluating the central antinicotinic activity of various CNS acting agents.

Polar heteroatomic concentrates were separated from deasphalted oils and asphalts of indigenous crudes by various separation techniques. Conditions have been standardized for its separation using Fuller's earth as adsorbent, and data is compared with those obtained by the techniques reported in the literature. Semiquantitative estimates of phenols, pyrrols, carboxylic acids and amides in the concentrates were also made by IR spectrometry.