Nitric oxide mediated effect of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors

Objectives: Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have long been used as anti-inflammatory agents, yet their mode of action is not entirely clear. The inhibitory effects of NSAIDS on prostaglandin production can only partly explain their anti-inflammatory actions. This study was aimed at defining the role of cycl-oxygenase (COX) inhibitors on nitric oxide (NO) production in murine macrophages in vitro.Methods: Murine macrophages were obtained from the peritoneum and after exposure, in vitro to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) produced nitrite, measured after 24 hours by Griess reaction. The macrophages were pre-incubated with aspirin or indomethacin before activation with LPS.Results: Treatment with aspirin resulted in an increase in nitric oxide production. A similar response was obtained with indomethacin treatment.Conclusion: This study shows that COX inhibitors significantly increase NO production in murine macrophages in vitro and this may be one of the mechanisms by which they exert their anti-inflammatory effects

Assessment of Oecophylla longinoda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Control of Mango Seed Weevil (Sternochetus mangiferae) in Mkuranga District Tanzania

Mango seed weevil S. mangiferae (Fabricius) (Coleoptera:Curculionidae), is one of the most important quarantined pest in commercial mango crop grown by small and medium growers in Tanzania. Though the damaged caused by mango seed weevil is pulp damage and mango seed which is used for propagation materials. The heavy use of broad spectrum insecticides in mango production has resulted in increased production costs, environmental pollution, disputes among neighbors and the reduction in natural enemies of insect pests and pollinators. Random fruit collection of 300 fruits during the mango season was carried out from weaver ant orchard and non weaver ant orchard to assess the effect of weaver ant on the management of mango seed weevil. Fruits were sampled at an interval of 30 days 60days and 90 days near to ripening stage. Foraged fruits with weaver ants were the only fruits collected for the assessment of the effect of weaver ant on the management of mango seed weevil. The African weaver ant colonization of mango trees ranged from 60% to 80%. An overall mean percentage infested mango fruits sampled at different stages of development to maturity stage were significantly different (p = 0.0001). The results from this study conclude that African weaver ant were able to control mango seed weevil and should be considered as a suitable component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for mango seed weevil in mango growing areas in Tanzania. Keywords: mango seed weevil, African Weaver Ant (AWA) Integrated Pest Management (IPM

A comparison of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in patients with and without HELLP syndrome

Background: The relationship of Haemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes and Low Platelets (HELLP) syndrome with maternal and perinatal health and its presentation in Pakistani population is not known.Purpose: To determine the mode of presentation along with maternal and perinatal outcome of patients with HELLP syndrome.Methods: Case records of patients with severe hypertension in pregnancy who delivered between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1994 at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Out of 120 cases of severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, there were 36 cases of HELLP syndrome (Group-A). These were then compared with cases without HELLP syndrome (Group B) for their mode of presentation along with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.Results: The overall incidence of HELLP syndrome was 0.4%. In the antepartum factors; unbooked status (66% vs 30%; p \u3c 0.05), diastolic B.P. \u3e 120 mmHg (61% vs 16%; p \u3c 0.05) DIC (13% vs 2%; p = 0.03), seizures (40% vs 16%, p = 0.01) and ARF (11% vs 1%, p = 0.07) were significantly raised. In the intrapartum factors there were no significant differences between the two groups in mode of delivery and complications of delivery. Neonatal outcomes did not differ significantly in the two groups.Conclusions: Women with severe hypertension in pregnancy manifesting with HELLP syndrome show a significantly greater frequency of developing DIC, seizures and acute renal failure. Therefore, their care necessitates intensive monitoring to preclude development of these complications

Processing of soot in an urban environment: case study from the Mexico City Metropolitan Area

Chemical composition, size, and mixing state of atmospheric particles are critical in determining their effects on the environment. There is growing evidence that soot aerosols play a particularly important role in both climate and human health, but still relatively little is known of their physical and chemical nature. In addition, the atmospheric residence times and removal mechanisms for soot are neither well understood nor adequately represented in regional and global climate models. To investigate the effect of locality and residence time on properties of soot and mixing state in a polluted urban environment, particles of diameter 0.2–2.0 μm were collected in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) during the MCMA-2003 Field Campaign from various sites within the city. Individual particle analysis by different electron microscopy methods coupled with energy dispersed x-ray spectroscopy, and secondary ionization mass spectrometry show that freshly-emitted soot particles become rapidly processed in the MCMA. Whereas fresh particulate emissions from mixed-traffic are almost entirely carbonaceous, consisting of soot aggregates with liquid coatings suggestive of unburned lubricating oil and water, ambient soot particles which have been processed for less than a few hours are heavily internally mixed, primarily with ammonium sulfate. Single particle analysis suggests that this mixing occurs through several mechanisms that require further investigation. In light of previously published results, the internally-mixed nature of processed soot particles is expected to affect heterogeneous chemistry on the soot surface, including interaction with water during wet-removal

An architecture for reliable distributed computer-controlled systems

In Distributed Computer-Controlled Systems (DCCS), both real-time and reliability requirements are of major concern. Architectures for DCCS must be designed considering the integration of processing nodes and the underlying communication infrastructure. Such integration must be provided by appropriate software support services. In this paper, an architecture for DCCS is presented, its structure is outlined, and the services provided by the support software are presented. These are considered in order to guarantee the real-time and reliability requirements placed by current and future systems

Endocardial ablation of ventricular ectopic beats arising from the basal inferoseptal process of the left ventricle

Background Idiopathic ventricular ectopy (VE) shows predilection to sites within the left ventricular (LV) base such as the outflow tract/aortic sinuses, LV summit, and areas adjacent to the aortomitral continuity. We characterize VE arising from the inferior septum of the LV base that was successfully managed by LV endocardial ablation from the inferoseptal recess of the LV. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, electrocardiographic (ECG) findings, electrophysiological findings, and anatomical features associated with VE arising from the basal inferoseptal process of the LV (ISP-LV) ablated using an LV endocardial approach via the inferoseptal recess of the LV. Methods A total of 425 consecutive patients undergoing VE ablation between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 at 3 centers were evaluated. Demographic characteristics, ECG findings, and procedural data were analyzed for patients with ISP-LV VEs. Results Seven (1.5%) had a site of origin from the ISP-LV. Common ECG findings were a right bundle branch block concordant pattern or an atypical left bundle branch block early transition pattern, suggestive of a basal origin with a left superior axis, a biphasic QRS complex in lead aVR, and a small s wave in lead V6. Earliest activation was seen in an area below the outflow tract accessed from the inferoseptal recess inferior to the His bundle. In 3 cases, transient junctional rhythm was seen during ablation. All cases were ablated successfully with no complications. Conclusion VE arising from the ISP-LV represents a distinct subset of idiopathic arrhythmia and can be successfully treated by endocardial catheter ablation from the inferoseptal recess. They share common surface ECG and electrophysiological findings with special anatomical features that need recognition for successful catheter ablation

Can the quality of social research on ethnicity be improved through the introduction of guidance? Findings from a research commissioning pilot exercise

As the volume of UK social research addressing ethnicity grows, so too do concerns regarding the ethical and scientific rigour of this research domain and its potential to do more harm than good. The establishment of standards and principles and the introduction of guidance documents at critical points within the research cycle might be one way to enhance the quality of such research. This article reports the findings from the piloting of a guidance document within the research commissioning process of a major funder of UK social research. The guidance document was positively received by researchers, the majority of whom reported it to be comprehensible, relevant and potentially useful in improving the quality of research proposals. However, a review of the submitted proposals suggested the guidance had had little impact on practice. While guidance may have a role to play, it will need to be strongly promoted by commissioners and other gatekeepers. Findings also suggest the possibility that guidance may discourage some researchers from engaging with ethnicity if it raises problems without solutions; highlighting the need for complementary investments in research capacity development in this area