Magnesium in tropical and subtropical soils from north-eastern Australia .2. Response by glasshouse-grown maize to applied magnesium

A glasshouse trial, in which maize (Zea mays L. cv. Pioneer 3270) was grown in 35 north-eastern Australian soils of low magnesium (Mg) status, was undertaken to study the response to applied Mg. Of the soils studied, 20 were strongly acidic (pH(1:5 soil:water) <5.4), and in these soils the response to Mg was studied in both the presence and absence of lime. Magnesium application significantly (P < 0.05) increased dry matter yield in 10 soils, all of which were strongly acidic. However, significant Mg responses were recorded in 6 soils in the presence of lime, indicating that, in many situations, liming strategies may need to include consideration of Mg nutrition. Critical soil test values for 90% relative yield were 0.21 cmol(+)/kg of exchangeable Mg or 7% Mg saturation, whilst the critical (90% yield) plant tissue Mg concentration (whole shoots) was 0.15%.

Smoking and relative body weight: An international perspective from the WHO MONICA project

Study objective-To investigate the magnitude and consistency of the associations between smoking and body mass index (BMI) in different populations. Design-A cross sectional study. Setting and participants-About 69000 men and women aged 35-64 years from 42 populations participating in the first WHO MONICA survey in the early and mid 1980s. Main restults-Compared to never smokers, regular smokers had significantly (p < 0.05) lower median BMI in 20 (men) and 30 (women) out of 42 populations (range -2.9 to 0.5kg/m(2)). There was no population in which smokers had a significantly higher BMI than never smokers. Among men, the association between leanness and smoking was less apparent in populations with relatively low proportions of regular smokers and high proportions of ex-smokers. Ex-smokers had significantly higher BMI than never smokers in 10 of the male populations but in women no consistent pattern was observed. Adjustment for socioeconomic status did not affect these results. Conclusions-Although in most populations the association between smoking and BMI is similar, the magnitude of this association may be affected by the proportions of smokers and ex-smokers in these populations.

Nmr imaging of the diffusion of water into poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)

0Nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) imaging was used to study the ingress of water into poly(tetrahydrofurfuryl methacrylate-co-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The study offers strong evidence that the diffusion is Fickian in nature. The diffusion coefficient, D, obtained by fitting the underlying diffusion profile, attainable from the images, according to the equation for Fickian diffusion, is 1.5 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1), which is in good correlation with the value of 2.1 x 10(-11) m(2) s(-1), obtained from mass uptake measurements. Additionally, from the T-2-weighted images, Superimposed features observed in addition to the underlying Fickian diffusion profiles were shown to have a longer spin-spin relaxation time, T-2. This Suggests the presence of two types of water within the polymer matrix; a less mobile phase of absorbed water that is interacting strongly with the polymer matrix and a more mobile phase of absorbed water residing within the cracks observed in the environmental scanning electron micrograph. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Helminth parasite communities of the water-rat, Hydromys chrysogaster, from Queensland

The helminth fauna from 124 water-rats, Hydromys chrysogaster, collected from 33 localities in Queensland was analysed. A total of 45 species of helminths was found, comprising 2 acanthocephalans, 2 cestodes, 13 nematodes and 28 trematodes. The helminth community of the water-rats in the region north of latitude 18 degrees (far north) was different from that of water-rats south of 18 degrees (central); Sorensen's Index 45.8% similarity, whereas Holmes and Podesta's Index gave 32.1% similarity. Comparisons with data from water-rats from southern and Tasmanian regions showed that they were different from each other and from both Queensland regions. The helminth communities were characterised by high diversity, dominated by trematodes in the central and Tasmanian regions, but with nematodes becoming more prominent in the far northern and southern regions. No core or secondary species were found in the Queensland helminth communities, the southern community was suggestive of a bimodal distribution and the Tasmanian had two core species. A checklist of helminth species occurring in water-rats from eastern Australia is provided.

Comparative effects of pimecrolimus cream vehicle and three commercially available moisturizers on skin hydration and transepidermal water loss

Background: Hydration and integrity of the horny layer is essential to normal skin function. Objective: Comparison of the hydrating properties of three moisturizers with pimecrolimus cream vehicle. Methods: Four test preparations (high-quality skin cream, cold cream emulsion, emollient oil, pimecrolimus cream vehicle) were applied to four different regions of the forearms and legs. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was assessed by evaporimetry at baseline, and 3 and 6 hours after arm application, and electrical capacitance was assessed by corneometry at baseline, and 1, 2, 3 and 6 hours after leg application. Results: Corneometry assessment - in terms of efficacy in moisturizing the skin, test preparations were ranked (best to worst): high-quality skin cream (45.9 arbitrary units versus 75.3; p < 0.001) > pimecrolimus vehicle cream (46.6 versus 61.5; p < 0.001) > emollient oil (43.5 versus 54.8; p = 0.006) > cold cream emulsion (44.8 versus 49.9; p = 0.738). Untreated skin (control) had a mean capacitance of 44.8 units at baseline and 48.5 units at endpoint. Evaporimetry (assessment of TEWL) revealed no significant differences between control and any test preparation at any timepoint. Conclusions: Pimecrolimus cream vehicle has skin hydration properties comparable with highly effective commercially available products. No test preparation had a significant effect on TEWL.

Improving wheat simulation capabilities in Australia from a cropping systems perspective: water and nitrogen effects on spring wheat in a semi-arid environment

Systems approaches can help to evaluate and improve the agronomic and economic viability of nitrogen application in the frequently water-limited environments. This requires a sound understanding of crop physiological processes and well tested simulation models. Thus, this experiment on spring wheat aimed to better quantify water x nitrogen effects on wheat by deriving some key crop physiological parameters that have proven useful in simulating crop growth. For spring wheat grown in Northern Australia under four levels of nitrogen (0 to 360 kg N ha(-1)) and either entirely on stored soil moisture or under full irrigation, kernel yields ranged from 343 to 719 g m(-2). Yield increases were strongly associated with increases in kernel number (9150-19950 kernels m(-2)), indicating the sensitivity of this parameter to water and N availability. Total water extraction under a rain shelter was 240 mm with a maximum extraction depth of 1.5 m. A substantial amount of mineral nitrogen available deep in the profile (below 0.9 m) was taken up by the crop. This was the source of nitrogen uptake observed after anthesis. Under dry conditions this late uptake accounted for approximately 50% of total nitrogen uptake and resulted in high (>2%) kernel nitrogen percentages even when no nitrogen was applied,Anthesis LAI values under sub-optimal water supply were reduced by 63% and under sub-optimal nitrogen supply by 50%. Radiation use efficiency (RUE) based on total incident short-wave radiation was 1.34 g MJ(-1) and did not differ among treatments. The conservative nature of RUE was the result of the crop reducing leaf area rather than leaf nitrogen content (which would have affected photosynthetic activity) under these moderate levels of nitrogen limitation. The transpiration efficiency coefficient was also conservative and averaged 4.7 Pa in the dry treatments. Kernel nitrogen percentage varied from 2.08 to 2.42%. The study provides a data set and a basis to consider ways to improve simulation capabilities of water and nitrogen effects on spring wheat. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.

Choroidal expansion during the water drinking test

To evaluate the correlation between intraocular pressure (IOP) rise, ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), and choroidal thickness (ChT) during the water drinking test (WDT). Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients were submitted to the WDT followed by serial IOP measurements using dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), Goldman tonometry (GAT), and ChT measurements using ultrasonographic A and B-scan (USG). A control group not submitted to the test was also evaluated using DCT, GAT, and USG. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated in the control group in order to assess the reproducibility of measurements. Spearman`s coefficient (rho) was used to assess the correlation between the variables. Thirty eyes were included in the study. There was a significant IOP rise during the WDT using both GAT and DCT (p < 0.001). The OPA and ChT measurements also increased significantly (p < 0.001). Spearman`s correlation between the OPA values and ChT measurements was significant and moderate (rho = 0.40, p = 0.005). The average increase of OPA and ChT measurements occurred 15 min before the IOP rise. There was a significant increase of OPA and ChT measurements followed by an IOP rise during the WDT. Increased choroidal volume due to hemodynamic forces may be enrolled in the mechanism of IOP elevation during this stress test.

Changes in Amniotic Fluid Index after Maternal Oral Hydration in Pregnancies with Fetal Gastroschisis: Initial Observations

Objective: To evaluate the effect of maternal oral hydration on amniotic fluid index (AFI) in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis. Methods: AFI was evaluated at 24-hour intervals, during 4 consecutive days, under a continuous maternal oral water hydration regimen, in singleton pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis. Results: Nine pregnancies were examined at a mean gestational age of 31.6 weeks (+/-1.4) and mean maternal daily oral water intake was 3,437 (+/-810) ml. Mean AFI on days 0-3 were 13.2 (+/-2.9), 14.8 (+/-3.3), 14.5 (+/-3.1) and 14.8 (+/-2.6), respectively. AFI on day 0 was significantly lower compared to all the other 3 days (p = 0.01 and 0.02). Significant correlation was found in relative difference in AFI between day 0 and day 1 and gestational age (r = -0.67, p = 0.05) and the amount of water intake in the previous 24 h (r = 0.76, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Maternal oral water hydration significantly increases AFI in pregnancies with isolated fetal gastroschisis. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

Relative Bioavailability of Two Oral Formulations of Risperidone 2 mg: A Single-Dose, Randomized-Sequence, Open-Label, Two-Period Crossover Comparison in Healthy Brazilian Volunteers

Background: Risperidone (RSP) is a benzisoxazole antipsychotic agent used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses in adults and children (including those with autism). After oral administration, RSP is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes hydroxylation to yield 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RSP), an active metabolite that has a pharmacologic profile and potency similar to RSP. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the relative bioavailability of a pharmaceutical-equivalent (test) formulation with a reference formulation of oral RSP 2 mg, both available commercially on the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, and to generate data regarding the oral bioavailability of the tested drug in healthy Brazilian volunteers. Methods: This single-dose, randomized-sequence, open-label, 2-period crossover study was conducted in healthy Brazilian volunteers from August to December 2008. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive the test formulation followed by the reference formulation or vice versa, with a 30-day washout period between doses. Study drugs were administered after a 12-hour overnight fast. For pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were drawn at 0 (baseline), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after administration. Plasma concentrations of RSP and 9-OH-RSP were determined using LC-MS/MS. The test and reference formulations were to be considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for the geometric mean test/reference ratios were within a predetermined range of 80% to 125%, in accordance with the policies of the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration. Tolerability was determined using clinical assessments, monitoring of vital signs, analysis of laboratory test results, and subject interviews regarding adverse events. Results: A total of 22 subjects were enrolled (11 men, 11 women; mean [SD] age, 32 [12] years [range, 18-58 years]; weight, 70.4 [11.9] kg [range, 50-103 kg]; height, 1.67 [0.08] m [range, 1.56-1.80 m]; and body mass index, 25 [4] kg/m(2) [range, 18-29 kg/m(2)]). For RSP, mean (SD) C(max) values were 12.6 (2.7) and 16.0 (2.3) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations, respectively. For 9-OH-RSP, mean C(max) values were 17.8 (1.3) and 21.0 (1.7) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations. The 90% CIs for the mean test/reference ratios for RSP C(max), AUC(0-120), and AUC(0-infinity) were 74% to 82%, 75% to 85%, and 76% to 85%, respectively, and 83% to 87%, 75% to 79%, and 75% to 78% for 9-OH-RSP. The related adverse events (headache, low back pain, drowsiness, standing hypotension, local postvenipuncture ecchymoses, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting) were transient and mild. Conclusions: This single-dose study found that the test and reference formulations of oral RSP 2 mg did not meet the Brazilian and US regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these fasting, healthy volunteers. The study formulations appeared to be well tolerated. (Clin Ther 2010;32:2106-2115) (C) 2010 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

Timing of Dose Relative to Sexual Intercourse Attempt in Previous Sildenafil Citrate Users Treated with Tadalafil: A Geographical Comparison from a Single Arm, Open-Label Study

Introduction. Previous research has demonstrated that sildenafil citrate users alter dosing-sexual attempt behavior when switched to tadalafil. The impact of geography and culture on sexual behavior with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor treatment has not been fully investigated. Aim. To describe and compare the changes in dosing-sexual attempt behavior with sildenafil citrate vs. tadalafil treatment across four distinct geographies: Asia, Australia/New Zealand (ANZ), Central Eastern Europe/Middle East (CEE/ME), and Latin America (LA). Methods. Data from a single-arm, open-label clinical trial conducted in 21 countries from November 2002 to May 2004 were used in this analysis. Men with erectile dysfunction and a history of >= 6-week prior sildenafil citrate use continued sildenafil citrate treatment for 4 weeks then switched to tadalafil for 8 weeks. Dosing instructions were provided. Main Outcomes Measures. Timing of dose and sexual intercourse was assessed through patient diaries for the final 4 weeks of each treatment period. Results. A total of 2,760 men were enrolled: Asia 15.8%; ANZ 29.4%; CEE/ME 19.7%; LA 35.1%. The median time from dosing to intercourse was significantly increased during tadalafil treatment across all geographical regions; however, the magnitude of increase differed significantly by geography (P < 0.0001). The Asian cohort demonstrated the shortest duration between dosing and sexual intercourse attempts (irrespective of drug), and altered sexual behavior the least upon switching to tadalafil. The ANZ cohort demonstrated the longest duration between dosing and sexual intercourse attempts (irrespective of drug), and altered sexual behavior the most upon switching to tadalafil. Conclusion. Men with a history of established sildenafil citrate use alter their dose-attempt behavior when treated with tadalafil irrespective of geography. However, the extent to which sexual behavior alters is not uniform across geographical regions, suggesting that dosing instructions and duration of drug effectiveness, in combination with personal and cultural preferences, may determine sexual behavior with PDE5 inhibitor use. Rubio-Aurioles E, Glina S, Abdo CHN, Hernandez-Serrano R, Rampazzo C, Sotomayor M, West TM, Gallagher GL, and Lenero E. Timing of dose relative to sexual intercourse attempt in previous sildenafil citrate users treated with tadalafil: A geographical comparison from a single arm, open-label study. J Sex Med 2009;6:2836-2850.

Centella asiatica water extract inhibits iPLA(2) and cPLA(2) activities in rat cerebellum

Centella asiatica (L.) Urb an is distributed widely in South America and Asia and is known as a therapeutic agent in folk medicine, capable of improving memory and treating several neurological disorders. Asiaticoside is one of the compounds found in C asiatica leaves that is suggested to be responsible for its pharmacological potential. Phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) is a group of enzymes that has abnormal activity in the central nervous system in some neuropsychiatric diseases. In this work, the asiaticoside present in C asiatica water extract was quantified by HPLC analysis. We also evaluated the activity of subtypes of PLA(2) in cerebellar samples from rats after C asiatica water extract treatment using a radioenzymatic assay. Asiaticoside was the major compound (84%) found in Centella water extract. We found a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of C asiatica water extract on the activity of Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2) (iPLA(2)) and cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)). The inhibition of these enzymes in the brain suggests that C asiatica may be useful to treat conditions associated with increased PLA(2) activity in the brain, such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other neuropsychiatric disorders. (C) 2008 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.