Synthetic Heroin-Induced Parkinsonism

Parkinson\u27s disease is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disorder affecting one in 1,000 of the general population; its incidence increases with age, but the cause remains unknown. The disease is characterized pathologically by a loss of neurons from the pigmented substantia nigra pars compacta, and a triad of physical symptoms of rigidity, tremor, and bradykinesia or akinesia . Thus the clinical condition of Parkinson\u27s disease is a rather complex disorder with a variety of physical symptoms due to neuronal damage in a number of brain regions. Additional brain regions also affected in clinical Parkinson\u27s disease include the ventral tegmental area, locus coeruleus, serotonergic dorsal raphe system, and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus ( I) . Furthermore, it has been suggested that damage to these various regions of the brain leads to a variety of motor and mental disorders (depression and dementia) that are specific to the damage in each of these neuronal systems (2) . Loss of norepinephrine may lead to depression; the incidence of depression varies between 20 to 90 percent in Parkinson\u27s disease, and many of these patients show favorable responses to tricyclic antidepressants

Evaluation of Anthelmentic and Antimicrobial Activity of the Extract of the Root of the Plant Jasminum multiflorum(Andr.)

As per qualitative evaluation in different solvents of the root of the plant satisfies the presence of cardiac glycosides along with trace quantities of steroid and saponins. Among them the petroleum ether extract of the root of the plant Jasminum multiflorum was evaluated for anthelmintic activity and the ethanolic extract was evaluated for antimicrobial activity.1,2 Traditionally this species are used in indolent ulcer, pitta and inflammation. Only few CNS activity are reported on ethanolic extract of aerial part of the plant, though the root of the plant is more potent as per folkore claim. The petroleum ether extract was investigated for anthelmentic activity using earthworm (Pheretima posthuma) at different concentration (5mg/ml – 50 mg/ml). As standard albendazole suspension (10mg/ml) and 3% solution of normal saline was used as control. The death and paralysis time were recorded and compared. Extract exhibit significant anthelmentic activity at (100mg/ml) concentration and found effective.1,3,4The ethanolic fraction of the root of the plant was collected and evaporated to dryness under vacuum to avoid the presence of even less quantity of ethanol in the extract. Two Gram (+ve) bacteria namely Bacillius subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and two Gram (-ve) ve bacteria namely Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia were selected for the estimation of antimicrobial activity depending on zone of inhibition. It was seen that 100mg/ml concentration of the extract showed maximum activity against Klebsiella pneumonia with a zone of inhibition 0.5mm and for others it ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 mm. 1,4,5 Keywords: Jasminum multiforum; anthelmintic; antimicrobial; zone of inhibitio

Tuftsin-bearing liposomes as drug vehicles in the treatment of experimental aspergillosis

AbstractEncapsulation of amphotericin B in tuftsin-bearing liposomes greatly increased its efficacy in treatment of human aspergillosis in mice. Also, the drug efficacy was significantly increased by pretreating the animals with drug-free tuftsin-bearing liposomes. These results demonstrate that macrophage activation can considerably enhance the therapeutic efficacy of antifungal drugs, like amphotericin B

Model of multifragmentation, Equation of State and phase transition

We consider a soluble model of multifragmentation which is similar in spirit to many models which have been used to fit intermediate energy heavy ion collision data. We draw a p-V diagram for the model and compare with a p-V diagram obtained from a mean-field theory. We investigate the question of chemical instability in the multifragmentation model. Phase transitions in the model are discussed.Comment: Revtex, 9 pages including 6 figures: some change in the text and Fig.

Hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico: Does the science support the Plan to Reduce, Mitigate, and Control Hypoxia?

We update and reevaluate the scientific information on the distribution, history, and causes of continental shelf hypoxia that supports the 2001 Action Plan for Reducing, Mitigating, and Controlling Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico (Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed Nutrient Task Force 2001), incorporating data, publications, and research results produced since the 1999 integrated assessment. The metric of mid-summer hypoxic area on the Louisiana-Texas shelf is an adequate and suitable measure for continued efforts to reduce nutrients loads from the Mississippi River and hypoxia in the northern Gulf of Mexico as outlined in the Action Plan. More frequent measurements of simple metrics (e.g., area and volume) from late spring through late summer would ensure that the metric is representative of the system in any given year and useful in a public discourse of conditions and causes. The long-term data on hypoxia, sources of nutrients, associated biological parameters, and paleoindicators continue to verify and strengthen the relationship between the nitrate-nitrogen load of the Mississippi River, the extent of hypoxia, and changes in the coastal ecosystem (eutrophication and worsening hypoxia). Multiple lines of evidence, some of them representing independent data sources, are consistent with the big picture pattern of increased eutrophication as a result of long-term nutrient increases that result in excess carbon production and accumulation and, ultimately, bottom water hypoxia. The additional findings arising since 1999 strengthen the science supporting the Action Plan that focuses on reducing nutrient loads, primarily nitrogen, through multiple actions to reduce the size of the hypoxic zone in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Physics Prospects at the Hadron Colliders

I start with a brief introduction to the elementary particles and their interactions, Higgs mechanism and supersymmetry. The major physics objectives of the Tevatron and LHC colliders are identified. The status and prospects of the top quark, charged Higgs boson and superparticle searches are discussed in detail, while those of the neutral Higgs boson(s) are covered in a parallel talk by R.J.N. Phillips at this workshop.Comment: 16 pages Latex + 15 figures (available on request

Optic disc and retinal vessel changes in children with surgically treated hydrocephalus: a cross-sectional study

AIM: To study the optic disc and retinal vessel morphology using both indirect ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography in children with surgically treated hydrocephalus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 50 children of surgically treated hydrocephalus as cases and compared them with 50 age matched controls. All children were examined by indirect ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography for the evaluation of optic disc and retinal vessel changes. Results: Optic atrophy was found in six out of the fifty children (12%) tested. In comparison with the reference group, median optic disc area was significantly smaller (p<0.0001) in children with hydrocephalus. There was not much difference in cup area, but the rim area was smaller (p<0.0001) in children with hydrocephalus. On indirect ophthalmoscopy children with hydrocephalus had optic atrophy and abnormal retinal vascular pattern. Conclusion: Children with surgically treated hydrocephalus were found to have subnormal optic disc and neuro-retinal rim areas with abnormal vascular pattern. The importance of diagnosis of these optic disc and retinal vessel changes in children with surgically treated hydrocephalus by OCT imaging and follow up at regular intervals to look for any additional changes can help us to prevent further damage to the optic nerve

Processing of ultrafine-size particulate metal matrix composites by advanced shear technology

Copyright @ 2009 ASM International. This paper was published in Metallurgical & Materials Transactions A 40A(3) and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.Lack of efficient mixing technology to achieve a uniform distribution of fine-size reinforcement within the matrix and the high cost of producing components have hindered the widespread adaptation of particulate metal matrix composites (PMMCs) for engineering applications. A new rheo-processing method, the melt-conditioning high-pressure die-cast (MC-HPDC) process, has been developed for manufacturing near-net-shape components of high integrity. The MC-HPDC process adapts the well-established high shear dispersive mixing action of a twin-screw mechanism to the task of overcoming the cohesive force of the agglomerates under a high shear rate and high intensity of turbulence. This is followed by direct shaping of the slurry into near-net-shape components using an existing cold-chamber die-casting process. The results indicate that the MC-HPDC samples have a uniform distribution of ultrafine-sized SiC particles throughout the entire sample in the as-cast condition. Compared to those produced by conventional high-pressure die casting (HPDC), MC-HPDC samples have a much improved tensile strength and ductility.EP-SR

Processing of aluminum-graphite particulate metal matrix composites by advanced shear technology

Copyright @ 2009 ASM International. This paper was published in Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance 18(9) and is made available as an electronic reprint with the permission of ASM International. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplications of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of this paper are prohibited.To extend the possibilities of using aluminum/graphite composites as structural materials, a novel process is developed. The conventional methods often produce agglomerated structures exhibiting lower strength and ductility. To overcome the cohesive force of the agglomerates, a melt conditioned high-pressure die casting (MC-HPDC) process innovatively adapts the well-established, high-shear dispersive mixing action of a twin screw mechanism. The distribution of particles and properties of composites are quantitatively evaluated. The adopted rheo process significantly improved the distribution of the reinforcement in the matrix with a strong interfacial bond between the two. A good combination of improved ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and tensile elongation (e) is obtained compared with composites produced by conventional processes.EPSR