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Biomedical subjects

A Mandal

Publications and source records attributed to A Mandal.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Human seminal antiliquefying agents--a potential approach towards vaginal contraception.

One-hundred-one natural and synthetic enzyme inhibitors or inactivators were screened in vitro against the liquefaction property of human ejaculates with a view to develop antiliquefying agents for vaginal contraception. Of those compounds, 27 demonstrated no effect, 36 quickened and 20 delayed the process of liquefaction, while 18 agents stopped it completely. The highly effective antiliquefying agents also showed spermicidal property and were found to coagulate even the liquid ejaculates. Compounds having antiliquefying property, together with coagulating and spermicidal activities, will offer a highly promising approach towards vaginal contraception.

Contraceptive Agents↗

Disinfectant induced changes in the antibiotic sensitivity and phage typing pattern in Staphylococcus aureus.

Serial passage through disinfectants at sub-minimal inhibitory concentrations induced antibiotic resistances in 30.5% of the derived phenotypic variants of five strains of Staphylococcus aureus. A proportion of these phenotypic variants showed changes in their phage typing pattern by becoming susceptible to an increased number of phages, and a change from phage non-typable to typable was also observed. A loss of temperate phages was noted in some variants when subjected to reverse phage typing.

Disinfectants↗

Hematological changes produced by lindane (gamma-HCH) in six species of birds.

Hematological changes were studied after oral administration of lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) at 5 mg/kg body weight twice in 1 week in 6 species of agriculturally important birds: house sparrow, baya weaver bird, common myna, rose-ringed parakeet, blue rock pigeon and domestic duck. Lindane induced anemia in the birds as judged by reduced RBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin content with corresponding changes in MCV, MCH and MCHC. Bleeding and clotting time were markedly prolonged. Splenic cell counts were decreased with marginal increase of splenic weight in most of the lindane fed birds. Total leucocyte counts were increased while the differential counts of WBC show marked heterophilia and eosinophilia with a decrease in monocyte, lymphocyte and basophil numbers. Domestic duck appears to be somewhat resistant compared to the wild birds studied. Besides anemia the results suggest both immunosuppression and stress effects and indicate that early hematological changes induced by lindane may serve as an initial warning for pesticide toxicity.

Animals↗

Effect of lindane on clutch size and level of egg yolk protein in domestic duck.

Lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) was administered to laying ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) in 3 doses viz. (1) 20 mg/kg body weight daily, (2) 20 mg/kg body weight thrice weekly and (3) 20 mg/kg body weight twice weekly for 8 weeks. Egg laying was immediately stopped for 3 weeks in the first 2 groups and when resumed it became highly irregular with clutch size drastically reduced (1 against 7 of control ducks). The initial delay was absent in the 3rd group and reduction in clutch size was also marginal (5 against 7). Laying frequencies were 8.3%, 11.7% and 40% in Groups 1, 2 and 3 birds respectively against 50% frequency of the normal ducks. Hepatic, plasma and ovarian vitellogenin levels were substantially reduced in the first 2 groups. At the same time liver RNA level was markedly reduced. Ovary of such birds lack mature vitellogenic follicles and the thecal layer of moderately differentiated oocytes became highly atrophic. Stilbestrol (50 mg/kg body wt--single injection) administration to lindane fed pauci-layer ducks restored egg laying within 24 h, with return of a normal level of plasma vitellogenin and hepatic RNA. The results suggest that lindane induced estradiol insufficiency causes inhibition of hepatic RNA and yolk protein synthesis, thereby preventing transformation of moderately differentiated oocytes to mature vitellogenic follicles, delaying ovulation and thus drastically reducing clutch size.

Administration, Oral↗

Grouping of human ejaculates according to the degree of coagulation and the relationship to the levels of choline and cholinesterase.

Human ejaculates were divided into 3 groups (I, II and III) according to the extent of their coagulation and the levels of free choline and cholinesterase were determined together with seminal vesicular N-acetylamino sugar and prostatic (zinc) marker components. Coagulation was determined as the percent coagulum (CG) at 5 min after ejaculation. The mean (+/- SEM) values for CG at 5 min in groups I, II and III were 6 +/- 2, 43 +/- 4 and 79 +/- 2, respectively. The time for 100% liquefaction in the 3 groups were 4.7 +/- 0.8, 12.9 +/- 1.4 and 19.1 +/- 2.1 min, respectively. Group III had significantly higher levels of choline and cholinesterase activity than groups I and II. The choline level was correlated significantly (r = 0.58) with the concentration of N-acetylamino sugar, but there was no correlation with the level of zinc. Evaluation of the level of choline in prostatic fluid, in semen from azoospermic men and in ejaculates with different CG values suggested that the level of choline may provide valuable information about activity of the seminal vesicles. Release of choline in group I was only 33 and 50% of that groups III and II, respectively. 60% of the total release of choline occurred during the liquefaction phase. The mean activity of cholinesterase in the prostate was only 27% lower than that found in seminal plasma. The liquefaction time and the concentration of choline, N-acetylamino sugar and zinc decreased significantly in ejaculates after 2 days of abstinence.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Physical properties and non-enzymic components of human ejaculates. Relationship to spontaneous liquefaction.

The relationship between spontaneous liquefaction and the characteristics of ejaculated human semen has been investigated. The liquefaction time of ejaculates was found to be significantly correlated with their extent of coagulation and some non-enzymic components of seminal plasma. Human ejaculates were classified into 3 distinct groups depending on their liquefaction time, and the groups were characterized physico-chemically. The liquefaction time also revealed a low but significant negative correlation with semen volume. It is concluded that an individual's ejaculatory characteristics can be evaluated simply by determining its liquefaction time.

Adult↗

Reliability of two-dimensional echocardiography in diagnosing fungal endocarditis.

Although the techniques of M-mode and two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography (echo) have been found to be useful in patients with bacterial endocarditis, the 2D findings of fungal endocarditis are not known. In this report, we present the case of a young female narcotic addict with Candida albicans endocarditis in whom we diagnosed a large vegetation by 2D echo. Decision for surgery was made solely on the basis of the 2D-echo findings. We feel that 2D-echo findings are reliable in diagnosing fungal endocarditis because, with this technique, the size, shape, mobility, and exact location of the vegetation can be better identified than by the M-mode echo. In addition, early diagnosis of fungal endocarditis helps in treating the patients with medical and surgical therapy which may result in lower mortality.

Adult↗

In vivo assessment of 99mTc-labeled hematoporphyrin derivative in tumor-bearing animals.

The efficacy of 99mTc-labeled hematoporphyrin derivative in localizing neoplasms has been investigated with tumor-bearing animal models. Spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas of outbred CFW strain Swiss-Webster white mice and chemical carcinogen induced breast tumors in female Sprague-Dawley white rats were clearly visualized in the scintigrams. Mice tissue distribution data demonstrate favourable tumor to organ ratios sufficiently high to permit tumor detection. [99mTc]HPD appears promising as a tumor imaging agent.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

The effect of a MAO inhibitor on reserpine-induced secretion of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla of the rose-ringed parakeet.

The effect of MAO inhibitor on reserpine-induced release of catecholamines from the adrenal medulla of the rose-ringed parakeet was investigated in this biochemical, histochemical, and ultrastructural study. The MAO inhibitor provided some blockade of epinephrine secretion and was ineffective in blocking norepinephrine secretion. Differences between birds and mammals were noted, suggesting that different mechanisms of catecholamine release may be operating in the two classes.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Local blood pressure in chronic leg ulcers.

The local arterial blood supply was evaluated according to clinical criteria in 30 consecutive patients with chronic leg ulcers. Separately, the blood pressure was measured at the ankle level with both strain gauge plethysmography and a Doppler ultrasonic method. In patients with clinical signs of arterial obliterative disease the systolic ankle pressure and the ankle/arm systolic pressure ratio were lower than in patients without such signs. In none of the patients was the local pressure decreased to such a degree that ischemia was the main cause of the ulcer, nor was gangrene imminent. Hence, success or failure of skin grafting or conservative treatment depends primarily on factors other than the nutritive flow, when the perfusion pressure is above 70 mmHg, as in the present study.

Adult↗