Evelyn A. Mauss

Effect of Prostaglandin Synthetase Inhibitors on Experimentally Induced Convulsions in Rats

To investigate the relationship of prostaglandins (PGs) to seizure induction, the effects of six PG synthetase inhibitors on convulsions induced by flurothyl, picrotoxin, pentetrazol (PTZ), electroshock or bicuculline were evaluated. Ibuprofen, sulindac, mefenamic acid, and low dose meclofenamic acid increased the latency-to-onset in the flurothyl and/or PTZ models; the electroshock, picrotoxin and bicuculline models were not significantly affected by any of the pretreatment agents. These results suggest that PGs are involved in the mechanism(s) underlying fluorthyl- and PTZ-induced convulsions, but not picrotoxin-, electroshock-, or bicuculline-induced convulsions.

Erythrocyte aggregation in iohexol and other nonionic media.

Erythrocytes aggregate when blood comes into contact with solutions of nonionic substances such as glucose or the contrast medium iohexol, especially at a reduced pH (eg, 6.8). The aggregates are not clots because they form rapidly even in heparinized blood, do not contain fibrin, and disappear at once when they are added to plasma or other ionic media. Formation of these aggregates in solutions of glucose or iohexol can be decreased by including a low concentration of an ionic solute such as NaCl or by maintaining the pH close to 7.4.

Effect of Cranial Nerve Stimulation on Orofacial Vascular Beds

Vasomotor tone in most systemic vascular beds is modulated by nerves, chiefly vasoconstrictor, derived from the sympathetic nervous system. However, the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions are believed to supply vasodilator fibers to a number of areas, including the blush areas of the face, the posterior portion of the tongue, and the salivary glands. In order to determine whether the various cranial nerves contribute vasomotor efferent fibers, either dilator or constrictor, to the vascular beds of the orofacial area, experiments have been carried out in which individual nerves were isolated, and the effect of stimulation of their peripheral segments on blood flow was observed. In this study the peripheral mandibular and maxillary nerves were stimulated. The maxillary nerve has not previously been explored for its contribution to vasomotion. However, Bishop, Matthews, Dorman, and Moore1 have reported that stimulation of the mandibular nerve produces a marked increase in resistance in the mandibtular artery.

Health effects of ionizing radiation in the low-dose range

The health effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on human populations are discussed. The problems of estimating the health effects of low-level ionizing radiation, contributions to the literature on somatic and genetic risks (referring also to a few large studies that are in the design or data collection stage), and whether or not a revision of present risk estimates is indicated are discussed. It is concluded that the weight of the evidence suggests that the hazards are real, and that current and conventional risk figures underestimate the effects of exposures in the low-dose range.

The Kurtzman Community Dental Health Ideology Scale with students in a combined degree (AB-DDS) program.

To increase the database and potential usefulness of a Community Dental Health Ideology Scale in the counseling and guidance of dental students, data from East Coast students were compared with those available from West Coast students. Intra-group East Coast data are discussed in terms of age/education and gender differences.

USE OF ELECTRORHEOMETRY IN HARD AND SOFT TISSUES OF THE OROFACIAL AREA

Since 1960 our laboratory has been investigating various aspects of the circulation to orofacial struct;ires, including the physiological characteristics of the blood flow to the tooth pulp, the reactivity of various oral structures to vasoactive drugs, the possible existence of parasympathetic and/or vasodilator fibers to oral structures, and finally the identification of mediator substances involved in such vasomotor activity. At the time we began our studies, there existed in the literature numerous reports, bascd largely on histological and anatomical techniques, on the blood supply to, and blood flow in, the tooth pulp. Because of the inaccessibility of the tooth-pulp circulation and the minute quantity of blood contained in it, few studies of its physiological characteristics had been carried out. In addition, few attempts had been made to correlate pulpal flow changes with those occurring in other orofacial vascular beds. In this paper we will present some of the information we have gained from these experiments and then discuss briefly the advantages and disadvantages of electrical impedance measurements in this kind of study.

Reversible nature of atropine blockade of acetylcholine in vascular beds.

Summary Data are presented which demonstrate that atropine blockade of cholinergic effects in vascular beds is reversible. The reversibility of the blockade is evident in the vasodilatation and blood pressure fall which result from postatropine injections of ACh. It appears to be related not to time, size of dose, or interval between doses, but to the number of times ACh is allowed to compete for the receptor site.

EFFECT OF RESERPINE ON TRICHINELLA SPIRALIS INFECTION IN RATS.

Abstract Pretreatment with reserpine increased the susceptibility of rats to infection with Trichinella spiralis . This effect was not due to the hypothermia caused by reserpine nor to a direct effect of reserpine on the infecting organisms. Reserpine did not cause detectable changes in circulating eosinophil levels but did alter the serum protein patterns of the rats.

Factor analytic study of the Kurtzman Community Dental Health Ideology Scale.

A factor analysis of data obtained with the Kurtzman Community Dental Health Ideology Scale from 500 dental students yielded two factors, one for community practice orientation and the other for private practice orientation, as planned for in the scales construction. Of the final 23 items 6 do not load on either factor. Reliability data are presented, and the potential of the scale in student counseling and career planning is reinforced.