Minimum temperature felt as hot (MTH)--a new concept for grading the loss of temperature sensation in leprosy patients

In order to grade the loss of the temperature sensation in the skin of leprosy patients, a newly designed instrument called the Temperature-Sensation-Testing-and-Grading device has been employed to determine the minimum temperature felt as hot (MTH) at the skin area. The MTH in normal subjects was observed to vary from one region of the body to another; it was generally higher on the distal parts of the extremities compared to the proximal parts; and it was also higher on the lower extremities compared to the upper ones. The abdomen and the back generally had the lowest values. There were no variations according to age (11-80 years) or sex and no differences on symmetrical sites of the body. The MTH value, however, showed a dependence on the environmental temperature, the values being lower at low environmental temperatures and higher at high environmental temperatures. But at the same site and the same environmental temperature, the MTH value was found to be almost constant. Different individuals had different MTH values at the same body site and even at the same environmental temperature. The unaffected skin of leprosy patients showed values comparable to the controls. At the leprosy lesions, however, the degree of sensory loss could easily be determined in comparison with the MTH at the contralateral/adjoining unaffected skin. Out of 54 leprosy patients, 7 patients had no sensory loss; in 27 patients the loss varied between 1 degree C and 20 degrees C; while in 20 patients the loss was complete--they could not perceive even 50 degrees C as hot.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An Attempt To Improve Perception of the Temperature Sensation in Hypoaesthetic Areas in Leprosy Patients

To prevent deformities in the leprosy patients caused by burns, an attempt has been made to improve perception of the temperature sensation in the hypoaesthetic skin areas. The sensory loss in each lesion was first graded by determining the minimum temperature felt as hot (MTH) at the affected skin area in comparison with the MTH at the corresponding unaffected skin area by meana of a specially designed device named temperature- sensation testing and grading device. An intradermal injection containing 3.2 ug of histamine acid phosphate at the centre of the lesion led to a decrease in the MTH by 3 to goc in 8 out of 12 patients including one who had a complete loss earlier. This decrease in the MTH was maintained for 15 minutes in 6 patients. A repeat study in 10 of these patients gave similar findings. In another 40 patients, a' histamine-DMSO solution prepared by mixing I mg histamine acid phosphate with 1 ml of DMSO applied at the centre of the leprosy lesion led to a decrease in the value of MTH by 1-lfC in 14, including 3 patients who could not perceive even 500C as hot before the application. Fifteen minutes after the application, only 3 of these patients had a decreased value of MTH. Repetition of the experiment in 18 of these patients revealed similar results.

Role of inosine 5'-phosphate in activating glucose-bisphosphatase

Glucose-bisphosphate (G1c-1,6-P2) phosphatase has been purified greater than 200-fold from the cytosol of mouse brain. As reported earlier, the enzyme requires inosine monophosphate (IMP) and Mg2+ for activity [Guha, S.K., & Rose, Z. B. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 6634-6637]. Kinetic parameters and the role of IMP have been further investigated. When Glc-1,6-P2 and IMP are both varied, double-reciprocal plots of the data form a parallel line pattern. With 2 mM Mg2+, the Km obtained for G1c-1,6-P2 is 20 microM and the Ka for IMP is 9 microM. Co2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+ activate less effectively than Mg2+. The apparent Ka for Mg2+ decreases with increasing G1c-1,6-P2, and the observed Km of G1c-1,6-P2 decreases with increasing Mg2+. The extrapolated value of the Ka of Mg2+ at infinite substrate is 86 microM. Mg2+ does not affect the Ka of IMP. The phosphatase activity is optimal at pH 7. The phosphatase is not completely specific since mannose 1,6-bisphosphate is hydrolyzed and guanosine monophosphate activates. However, fructose 1,6-bisphosphate is no more than a poor inhibitor, and adenine nucleotides are neither activators nor inhibitors. The products of the reaction are glucose-1-P and glucose-6-P, in a ratio of 2:3, and Pi. Both glucose-P's are competitive inhibitors with respect to IMP [Ki(glucose-1-P) = 5 microM; Ki(glucose-6-P) = 18 microM]. Neither glucose-P competes with G1c-1,6-P2. The demonstration of an exchange reaction between G1c-1,6-P2 and glucose-6-P is evidence for the phosphorylation of the enzyme by the substrate. The exchange reaction requires Mg2+ and is inhibited by IMP. The observation of the exchange reaction and its elimination by IMP indicates that the low level of phosphoglucomutase activity that remains with the phosphatase throughout purification is an inherent property of the phosphatase. The requirement of glucose-bisphosphatase for the nucleotide IMP is consistent with possible roles for both G1c-1,6-P2 and IMP in the control of the ATP level in the brain.

An improved above-knee prosthesis with functional versatility

An above-knee prosthesis is described which is designed to permit the patient to assume easily the squatting and sitting cross legged postures which are a part of routine living in Afro-Asian countries. The prosthesis incorporates a multibar linkage mechanism which co-ordinates knee flexion and extension with ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, and a thigh rotation system fitted at the level of the knee axis.

Comparison of electrical field plethysmography with electrical impedance plethysmography

As a means for assessing cardiac function, electrical field plethysmography (EFP) has been shown to have some features quite different from electrical impedance plethysmography (EIP). Here the two techniques are compared by using the two systems simultaneously on a subject and also with independent use in different electrode configurations. The results conform with the view that EIP is related primarily to volumetric changes of the aorta, whereas EFP is affected predominantly by changes in cardiac dimensions and orientation. Because of this difference, the standard time differential formula used for EIP is not applicable for the computation of cardiac output from the EFP waveforms. An alternative method of computation based on the amplitude of the EFP waveform is suggested.

Brain glucose bisphosphatase requires inosine monophosphate

Glucose bisphosphate phosphatase has been partially purified from the cytosol of mouse brain. Enzyme activity required Mg2+ and a heat-stable cofactor. The activator was present in boiled extracts of mouse brain mitochondrial-nuclear fraction, of red blood cells, or of rabbit muscle. The chemical properties of the activator are consistent with its identification as inosine monophosphate (IMP), including its mobility in a high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system capable of resolving all of the biologically important mononucleotides. A large number of other biologically important compounds were not effective, including AMP, cAMP, cGMP, and UMP, GMP, purified by HPLC, (50 or 74 microM), gave a rate about 35% of that obtained with IMP (5 microM). The enzyme was separated completely from phosphoglucomutase and significantly from glucose bisphosphate synthase. The products of the reaction are glucose-P and Pi. Fructose bisphosphate at 500 microM inhibited only 40% in the presence of 20 microM glucose bisphosphate. The activation by IMP follows hyperbolic kinetics with an apparent Ka of 5 microM in the presence of 12 microM glucose bisphosphate. The apparent Km of glucose bisphosphate was 10 microM in the presence of 50 microM IMP. There was no inhibition by 5 or 50 microM AMP or ADP. The possible regulatory importance of glucose bisphosphate in carbohydrate metabolism and the significance of the regulation of the phosphatase by the nucleotide are discussed.

An intravasal non-occlusive contraceptive device in rats

An implantable miniature biogalvanic cell was developed to kill the spermatozoa in the vas deferens by an electric current. Experiments in vitro and in vivo showed that a combination of aluminum/silver electrodes connected with platinum wires with the vas deferens fluid as n electrolyte is effective in killing spermatozoa. Female rats paired with males having biogalvanic devices in the vas deferens, which remained patent, did not produce any young.

p-Amino salicylic acid - oxidized cellulose system: a model for long term drug delivery

The mobilization of p-amino salicylic acid (PASA) on periodic oxidized cellulose (O.C) as a biocompatible carrier was investigated. The immobilization of the PASA is based on Schiff's base formation between the amino group of PASA and the aldehyde group of O.C. The in vivo and in vitro release of p-amino salicylic acid was studied. Such a system may be useful for the sustained delivery of the drugs in the body, since O.C. itself is a biosoluble carrier.

Dynamics of the ampullary-isthmic junction in rabbit oviduct

A delay in the ovum transport at the ampullary-isthmic junction (AIJ) has been confirmed by various investigators, but the mechanism of retention and release at this junction is not yet well understood. Using a technique for monitoring unobstructed Fallopian tube motility with an impedance plethysmograph, an increase in luminal diameter was observed at the time when the ova are released from the AIJ. This enlargement persists till all ova emerge from the AIJ. Hence, it seems likely that the AU relaxation is a dominant factor contributing to ova release from the AIJ.

Novel mode of contraception using polymeric hydrogels. I

A new method of fertility control has been proposed and tested. The technique involves the use of the polymer, which when injected into the vas deferens lowers the pH sufficiently so as to kill the spermatozoa passing through. The polymer provides an acidic environment for a prolonged time and slowly erodes. The fertility may be restored after complete solubility of the polymer itself over a period of time or by flushing it with a suitable solvent. This method of male contraception is nonsurgical, nonocclusive, and reversible.

Histology of the rat vas deferens after injection of a non-occlusive chemical contraceptive

An alternate co-polymer of styrene and maleic anhydride was dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide and injected into the vas deferens of rats. The polymer was retained in the vas deferens and the morphological changes detected were confined to the mucosa. When the polymer was removed by flushing dimethylsulphoxide, the mucosal structure became normal within 2 weeks.

Injectable non-occlusive chemical contraception in the male-I

A new contraceptive technique has been proposed and tested. The method uses a novel polymer which when injected into the vas deferens, lowers the pH sufficiently kill the spermatozoa passing through. The polymer itself does not degrade in the process but can be flushed out to regain fertility. Experiments carried out on rats demonstrate the efficacy of the technique so as to have non-surgical, non-occlusive and reversible male contraception.

Potential biosoluble carriers: biocompatibility and biodegradability of oxidized cellulose

The biocompatibility and biodegradability of periodate oxidized cellulose is assessed in vivo. Morophological and histopathological studies over a period of six months indicate that oxidized cellulose degrades slowly without producing excessive tissue reaction. Preliminary investigations on the kinetics of degradation of oxidized cellulose in vitro, immobilization of alpha-chymotrypsin on it and the rate of the enzyme release in a solution of pH 7.4 are also briefly reported.

Regulation of L-ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase in rat ventral prostate and seminal vesicle

1. The activities of l-ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17) and S-adenosyl-l-methionine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.50) were dramatically enhanced in both the ventral prostate and the seminal vesicle of castrated rats in response to androgenic stimulation. The time course of the stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase together with the quantitatively different response of adenosylmethionine decarboxylase to testosterone treatment in the prostate gland and seminal vesicle indicated that the enhancement in polyamine synthesis in the ventral prostate may reflect both cellular proliferation and the restoration of the secretory functions of the organ. In the seminal vesicle, however, the stimulation of the polyamine-biosynthetic pathway more closely resembled the pattern found in other rat tissues, such as regenerating liver, undergoing compensatory growth. 2. Ornithine decarboxylase activity in the ventral prostate and especially in the seminal vesicle of sexually mature rat was diminished in vivo by various short-chain diamines such as 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane and putrescine (1,4-diaminobutane). These diamines had no direct effect on the enzyme activity in vitro. 3. In contrast with the marginal decrease in ornithine decarboxylase activity produced by diaminoethane in the ventral prostate of non-castrated animals, repeated injections of the latter amine completely prevented the intense stimulation of the enzyme activity in the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle of castrated rats at 24h after the commencement of testosterone treatment. 4. The decrease in ornithine decarboxylase activity observed after injections of diamines (putrescine) in the ventral prostate was apparently associated with a similar decrease in the amount of immunoreactive protein as revealed by immunotitration of the enzyme with antiserum to rat ornithine decarboxylase.