Superficial Mycoses in Simla

A clinico-mycological study of 114 cases of dermatophytosis is presented.Tinea pedis 38.6%) is the commonest clinical type found in this region. A relatively high prevalence of tinea unguium (23.7%) was', observed. T rubrum was the commonest isolate (46.2%). An unusual finding was the isolation of T.Schoenleni in four cases of tinea pedis. The factors responsiblefor high prevalence of tinea pedis and tinea unguium are discussed.

Role of catecholamines in the central actions of medroxyprogesterone acetate

The role of catecholamines in the mechanism of antiovulatory and other central effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) has been studied in adult healthy, non-pregnant female albino rats. It has been observed that a single dose of MPA (100 mg/kg) given intramuscularly did not cause any significant change in brain catecholamine levels after 7 days of treatment. However, there was a significant reduction in brain dopamine levels after 15 days of MPA administration. This reduction in brain dopamine levels may be responsible for the anti-ovulatory activity of MPA. Certain side effects of MPA such as amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, breast tenderness, breast tumors, inactivity and depression may also be due to decrease in brain dopamine levels.

Role of monoamine oxidase-B in medroxyprogesterone acetate (17-acetoxy-6 alpha-methyl-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione) induced changes in brain dopamine levels of rats

The effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on brain monoamine levels and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was studied in adult, healthy, non-pregnant female rats. MpA was injected in a single dose of 100 mg/kg i.m. Dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels and MAO activity were estimated fluorometrically in rat brian. No change in DA, NA, 5-HT or MAO activity was observed after 7 days of MPA treatment while a significant decrease in DA levels along with a significant increase in MAO activity was observed after 21 days of MPA treatment. However, there was no change in NA and 5-HT levels after 21 days of MPA administration. The selective reduction of DA by MPA could be due to an increase in MAO-B activity. MPA does not appear to increase MAO-A activity because neither of the specific substrates (NA and 5-HT) of MAO-A was found to be decreased inspite of the increase in MAO activity as estimated by the kynuramine method. These findings suggest the importance of MAO-B also in DA metabolism in rat brain.

A new commercial strain of ergot adapted from a wild grass

A strain of Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul. isolated from Arthraxon lancifolius Hochst. was successfully adapted on rye. Experimental cultivation on rye showed 370 kg/ha yield of sclerotia containing 0.5% total alkaloid which consisted of 33% ergometrine, 17.6% ergotamine, 18.7% ergocornine and 22.7% ergokryptine. The results also reveal that alkaloid profile of the ergot strain depends largely on its host. Significantly high yield of the sclerotia and the valuable alkaloid profile of the new strain indicate its commercial potential.

Liquid-chromatographic determination of ethylene glycol in plasma

In this novel procedure for determining ethylene glycol in plasma by liquid chromatography, benzoyl esters of ethylene glycol and of benzyl alcohol (used as the internal standard) are prepared directly in plasma. The benzoyl esters, highly ultraviolet-absorbing chromogens, are ideal compounds for analysis by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with methanol/water as the mobile phase. The benzoyl derivative of ethylene glycol is well separated from the derivative of the internal standard and from plasma constituents. The standard curve is linear to 400 mg of ethylene glycol per liter. As little as 10 mg of ethylene glycol per liter of plasma can be measured. Other commonly ingested alcohols do not interfere.

Liquid-chromatographic determination of ethylene glycol in plasma

In this novel procedure for determining ethylene glycol in plasma by liquid chromatography, benzoyl esters of ethylene glycol and of benzyl alcohol (used as the internal standard) are prepared directly in plasma. The benzoyl esters, highly ultraviolet-absorbing chromogens, are ideal compounds for analysis by reversed-phase liquid chromatography with methanol/water as the mobile phase. The benzoyl derivative of ethylene glycol is well separated from the derivative of the internal standard and from plasma constituents. The standard curve is linear to 400 mg of ethylene glycol per liter. As little as 10 mg of ethylene glycol per liter of plasma can be measured. Other commonly ingested alcohols do not interfere.