Seasonal abundance and composition of finfish and shellfish seeds inmangroves of Gangolli estuary, off south-west coast of India.

The composition and seasonal abundance of the fin and shellfish seeds in mangrove areas of Gangoli estuary were studied for one year from January to December, 2013. Monthly day time sampling was conducted with a rectangular dragnet of 75 m2 length having 5 mm mesh size. The mean monthly density was highest in January (Avg.

Cytoprotective role of Solanum nigrum against gentamicin-induced kidney cell (Vero cells) damage in vitro.

The 50% ethanol extract of the whole plant of Solanum nigrum was tested in vitro for its cytoprotection against gentamicin-induced toxicity on Vero cells. Cytotoxicity was significantly inhibited as assessed by the Trypan blue exclusion assay and mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity (MTT) assay. The test extract also exhibited significant hydroxyl radical scavenging potential, thus suggesting its probable mechanism of cytoprotection.

Effect of Luffa echinata on lipid peroxidation and free radical scavenging activity.

The dried alcoholic (50%) extract of the plant Luffa echinata was investigated for inhibition of lipid peroxidation, for hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and interaction with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH). It was found that the test extract exhibited a considerable inhibition of lipid peroxidation and possessed hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Evaluation of antiradical scavenging activity showed significant interaction with DPPH.

Improved diagnostic accuracy of planar imaging with technetium 99m-labeled tetrofosmin compared with thallium-201 for the detection of coronary artery disease.

Background: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis provides detailed information about the performance of a diagnostic test.

Methods And Results: As part of a multicenter phase III trial, 160 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease underwent planar stress-rest 99mTc-labeled tetrofosmin and stress-redistribution 201Tl imaging within 14 days of each other, to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these imaging modalities by ROC curve analysis. Coronary arteriography was used as the reference standard and greater than 70% stenosis was considered significant.

Saterinone: A New Dual-Action Drug in the Acute Management of Chronic Heart Failure.

A new dual-action drug called saterinone combines both alpha-1 blocking vasodilatory property and phosphodiesterase III inhibition--mediated inotropism. A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was performed in 12 patients with severe congestive heart failure. Either 2 &mgr;g center dot kg center dot min(minus sign1) saterinone (n = 8) or placebo (n = 4) was injected intravenously over 3 h at rest.