A New Parasiticidal Compound inT. soliumCysticercosis

The effect of 16α-bromoepiandrosterone (EpiBr), a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) analogue, was tested on the cysticerci of Taenia solium, both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro treatment of T. solium cultures with EpiBr reduced scolex evagination, growth, motility, and viability in dose- and time-dependent fashions. Administration of EpiBr prior to infection with T. solium cysticerci in hamsters reduced the number and size of developed taenias in the intestine, compared with controls. These effects were associated to an increase in splenocyte proliferation in infected hamsters. These results leave open the possibility of assessing the potential of this hormonal analogue as a possible antiparasite drug, particularly in cysticercosis and taeniosis

Blast Induced Micrometer Response of Cracks in Concrete Block Structures

ABSTRACT: Blasting and climatological response of cracks are compared for structures constructed of concrete block typical of home construction in Europe. While much has been written comparing micrometer crack response of wood frame structures typical of residential construction in North America, little has been written concerning response of structures more typical of European construction. Responses of cracks in four different structures are compared with the following cases), Wisconsin, USA (Concrete Block and Stone). Time histories of micrometer response of cracks to both blast induced dynamic effects as well as long term climatological effects are compared. These comparisons show that even for concrete block construction without wood, climatological and home heating effects have greater influence on crack response than blast induced ground motions with a wide range in intensity.