Flow of couple stress fluid through stenotic blood vessels.

The effects of an axially symmetric mild stenosis on the flow of blood, when blood is represented by a couple stress fluid model, have been studied. It is found that, for a fixed stenosis size, the resistance to flow and wall shear stress increase as the couple stress parameter eta decreases from unity. A comparison of the results with those of the Newtonian case shows that the magnitude of resistance to flow and wall shear under a given set of conditions, is greater in the case of the couple stress fluid model.

Association between C3 complement types and Indian childhood cirrhosis.

A highly significant association was found between the C3F gene and indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC), a major cause of death among young children in India. The relative risk for ICC among individuals carrying this gene was 12.5.

Association between C3 complement types and bronchial asthma.

A statistically significant association was found between the C3F gene and bronchial asthma. The relative risk for bronchial asthma among individuals carrying the C3F gene was 4.0.

Interaction of peristaltic flow with pulsatile flow in a circular cylindrical tube.

The effect of pulsatile flow on peristaltic transport in a circular cylindrical tube is analysed. The flow of a Newtonian viscous incompressible fluid in a flexible circular cylindrical tube on which an axisymmetric travelling sinusoidal wave is imposed, is considered. The initial flow in the tube is induced by an arbitrary periodic pressure gradient.

Peristaltic transport of a non-Newtonian fluid: applications to the vas deferens and small intestine.

The problem of peristaltic transport of a non-Newtonian (Power law) fluid in a uniform and non-uniform tube has been investigated under zero Reynolds number and long wavelength approximation. A comparison of the results with those of Newtonian fluid model shows that the magnitude of pressure rise, under a given set of conditions, is smaller in the case of non-Newtonian fluid, when the flow behavior index n less than 1, at zero flow rate. Further, the pressure rise decreases as n decreases from 1, at zero flow rate, is independent of n at a certain value of flow rate, and increases if flow rate exceeds further.

Alterations in isoproterenol-induced cardiac metabolic changes by a quaternary analog of propranolol, UM-272.

Effect of UM-272, a dimethyl propranolol has been studied in experimental myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol (ISP, 85 mg/kg, SC X 2 days) in rats. Administration of ISP caused increased serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and decreased myocardial glycogen, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) creatine phosphate (CP) and glycolysis through phosphofructokinase (PFK). Myocardial tissue lactate was markedly increased.

Investigation of possible zoonotic reservoirs of Indian kala-azar.

Possible animal reservoirs of Indian kala-azar were investigated during a recent outbreak of the disease; dogs, Rattus rattus and Bandicoota bengalensis were examined. Microscopical and serological examinations were carried out and antileishmanial antibodies found in five out of 226 B. bengalensis.

C-II anapolipoproteinemia and severe hypertriglyceridemia. Report of a rare case with absence of C-II apolipoprotein isoforms and review of the literature.

A new case of C-II anapolipoproteinemia (complete apolipoprotein C-II deficiency) as the cause of severe hypertriglyceridemia with chylomicronemia (type I lipoprotein phenotype) is described. The patient was a five-year-old boy living in Connecticut. He had splenomegaly, episodic abdominal pain, and bloody stools.

Cholestyramine feeding in weaned rats. Increase in plasma corticosterone levels and bile acid synthesis following adrenalectomy.

Feeding cholestyramine to weaned rats increased the bile acid pool and activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase as expected. Following adrenalectomy, cholestyramine still increased the activity of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase but the magnitude of increase was lower (P less than 0.01) than noted in intact rats.

Glyoxalase-I activity and cell cycle regulation in yeast.

The status of glyoxalase-I was explored in exponentially growing and G1 arrested temperature sensitive (ts) cell division cycle (cdc) mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It was observed that the specific activity of this enzyme was correlated with overall growth status. The activity was high in actively growing cells and was low in G1 arrested cells.

Effect of zinc on lead-induced changes in brain lysosomal enzymes in the chick embryo.

Administration of zinc (Zn) simultaneously with lead (Pb) into the chick egg yolk sac reduced the accumulation of Pb and Pb-induced alterations in the activities of acid phosphatase, beta-glucuronidase and ribonuclease in the brain of the embryo. The results suggest protection against toxic effects of Pb by Zn.

Peristaltic transport of blood: Casson model--II.

The problem of peristaltic transport of blood in a uniform and non-uniform tube has been investigated, under zero Reynolds number and long wavelength approximation. Blood is represented by a two-layered fluid model consisting of a central layer of suspension of all erythrocytes, etc., assumed to be a Casson fluid, and a peripheral layer of plasma as a Newtonian fluid.

Changes in phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase in rat brain regions during alloxan-induced diabetes.

Changes in the profile of two glycolytic enzymes, phosphofructokinase and pyruvate kinase, in different regions of rat brain were studied under alloxan-induced diabetes. A regional variation of the effect of diabetes on brain was noted - the cerebral hemispheres and cerebellum showed decreased activity of the enzymes, while the brain stem remained relatively unaffected. The changes in enzyme activities in the brain regions were more pronounced at the early days of diabetes, particularly at 8 days.

Plasma glucagon in simple obesity: effect of exercise.

Obesity is uniformly associated with hyperinsulinemia, but studies of glucagon have produced conflicting results. We have studied glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone levels in response to a submaximal exercise in a group of normal and obese nondiabetic women. Basal plasma insulin levels were higher in the obese women and remained so throughout the experiment.

Effects of sarcoid and steroids on angiotensin-converting enzyme.

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has been claimed to be a useful guide in the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis. We reviewed the clinical course of 36 patients with sarcoidosis who had ACE levels determined on 2 or more occasions during the course of treatment with prednisone for a total of 55 paired observations. There was a clinical deterioration in 13 instances.

Hypergonadotropism in peripubertal boys with chronic renal failure.

Serum gonadotropin and testosterone concentrations were measured in ten peripubertal boys to assess the effects of uremia on pubertal maturation. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were elevated for stage of puberty in eight boys, whereas in most boys serum follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone concentrations were normal. Serum LH concentrations correlated with the severity of uremia.

Preservation of normal menstrual cycles in a patient with Sheehan's syndrome.

A unique case of Sheehan's syndrome is characterized by deficiencies of growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin, and ACTH. Clinically, it was manifested by adrenal and thyroid insufficiency with regular cyclical menses. Normal menstrual cycles do not preclude extensive hypothalamic-pituitary destruction.