On the division of trypanosomes in Colisa fasciata (Perciformes) in vivo

In vivo observation of the division in the trypomastigotes of the fish trypanosome, Trypanosoma trichogasteri, from Colisa fasciata is hereby reported for the first time. The division is initiated with the duplication of the kinetoplast followed by nuclear division and cytokinesis. Contrary to earlier reports, cytokinesis commences from the posterior end and the flagellum originates simultaneously or subsequent to cytoplasmic separation.

Functioning oncocytic adenoma of the pituitary

A case of a functioning invasive pituitary oncocytoma in a 50-year-old man is reported. The serum prolactin was increased and immunocytochemical staining was positive for prolactin. In addition to numerous mitochondria within the neoplastic cells, structurally abnormal mitochondria with crystalline inclusions were also present. Another interesting feature was the presence of about 10 to 15% of non-oncocytic cells which showed prominent RER and Golgi apparatus as found in functioning pituitary adenomas. It is likely that these secretorily active cells were responsible for the functional activity of the tumour.

Effects of various oils and of starvation on the lipid metabolism in brain

In this study the effects of the dietary fat sources, viz., Dalda, mustard oil and groundnut oil in the brain lipid metabolism during starvation has been investigated. To find out this, these oils were fed to albino rats for 8 weeks followed by 3 and 5 days of starvation. Total as well as galactolipids of brain were not affected by dietary oils and starvation, whereas phospholipids of brain were significantly increased by fasting irrespective of the dietary fats. On the other hand, cholesterol was found to be increased in the groups fed with Dalda and groundnut oil and to be significantly decreased during fasting experiments. Incorporation of (1-14C)acetate into lipid of the brain slices of rats fed different experimental diets than followed by starvation revealed that the uptake of radioactivity was higher in the group fed with groundnut oil, followed by Dalda. Low uptake was observed in the group fed with mustard oil.

Control of epidemic meningococcal meningitis by mass vaccination. II. Persistence of antibody four years after vaccination

Meningococcal antibody was measured in 928 persons vaccinated with combined groups A and C polysaccharide antigens in Bauchi State, Nigeria between 1979 and 1982. Protective amounts of antibody were detected by the indirect haemagglutination technique up to 4 years after vaccination. This persistence was observed mainly in adults, although a substantial proportion of older children also had persistent antibody. Titres in younger children fell progressively, and by the third year the mean log2 antibody titre was 1.4; this may not confer protection against disease. A rational policy for vaccination against meningococcal meningitis would be to revaccinate younger children after 2 years, older children after 4 years, and adults after 6-8 or more years.

Activated partial thromboplastin time after heparin removal (aPTT/HR) in a new scheme of anticoagulant monitoring

Activated partial thromboplastin time after heparin removal (aPTT/HR), a test employing anion exchange chromatography, was devised as an alternative to the prothrombin time after heparin removal (PT/HR) to monitor simultaneous anticoagulation with heparin and coumarins. The potential utility of the aPTT/HR was assessed by performing parallel PTs and aPTTs on 62 consecutive plasmas from coumarin-treated outpatients. All samples had 0.2 units/ml of heparin added and then removed to see if the maneuver influenced therapeutic group assignment. In no instance did reassignment occur. A conditional Irwin-Fisher test (P = 0.000604) and a special multinomial trial analysis (P = 0.002) indicated that the aPTT would be at least comparable to the PT for following coumarin antithrombotic prophylaxis. Since the heparin removal procedure had no influence on therapeutic categorization, the same statistical proof could be applied to the relationship between aPTT/HR and PT/HR. This study indicates that the aPTT can be used to monitor all stages of heparin and /or coumarin anticoagulation.

Estrogen receptors in male breast cancer

Estrogen receptor assays were performed on tumor specimens from 6 male patients with documented breast cancer. Five out of six (83%) males had positive ER assays with values ranging from 23-384 femtomoles per mg cytosol protein. A review of the literature showed that 32 out of 38 patients (84%) reported were positive for estrogen receptor. Four out of five ER positive males responded to orchiectomy. Estrogen receptors are present in a high percentage of males with breast cancer and may predict response to treatment, similar to female breast cancer.

Job stress and employee behaviors

The relationship between four job stresses (role ambiguity, role overload, underutilization of skills, and resource inadequacy) and two employee withdrawal behaviors (absenteeism and turnover) was investigated. The joint prediction of employee withdrawal from measures of job stress and selected backgroundd variables was also investigated. Data were obtained regarding 651 employees in five organizations through personal interviews and company records. Analysis indicated that job stress is related to employee withdrawal behaviors, that prediction of subsequent behaviors is stronger than prediction of prior behaviors, and that the predictive power of job stress and background variables taken together is as strong as, or stronger than, the predictive power of background variables alone. Confidence in the strength of the findings is enhanced by the use of multiple data sources and multiple data points.

Mass spectral studies of probe pyrolysis products of intact oligoribonucleotides

Pyrolysis of underivatized homogeneous oligoribonucleotides in the source of a mass spectrometer leads to production of simple mass spectra which resemble the spectra of the bases themselves. It is proposed that pyrolysis occurs by hydrogen transfer to the base moiety followed by elimination of the neutral base. Ionization by electron impact gives rise to the observed spectra. Mixed oligoribonucleotides pyrolyze readily to give spectra of adenine and uracil, but evidence for the presence of guanine and cytosine in mixed polymers and native RNA's is difficult to obtain presumably because of their low vapor pressure. The method may be useful for detection of modified bases in tRNA and for studies of temperature effects on RNA pyrolysis.

Salicylate metabolism in twins. Evidence suggesting a genetic influence and induction of salicylurate formation

To evaluate the contribution of genetic influences on the individual variation in plateau serum salicylate levels, salicylate metabolism was studied in seven pairs of identical and six pairs of fraternal twins.Under the conditions of this study, after a single i.v. dose (40 mg/kg) of sodium salicylate, the serum salicylate concentration versus time curve approximated a straight line on linear coordinates (appeared approximately zero order). The slopes of the decay curves ranged between 0.64 and 1.02. The intrapair variation for identical twin pairs was significantly less than for fraternal twin pairs (P = 0.044). Likewise pleateau serum salicylic acid concentrations (milligrams/deciliter) and total salicylic acid excretion rate after multiple doses demonstrated significantly less intrapair variation for identical twins than for fraternal twins (P = 0.043 and 0.006). Plateau salicylurate excretion (milligram/kilogram per hour) differences after multiple dosing had a P = 0.067. Michaelis-Menton constant for salicylurate formation and hours to 50% excretion after the i.v. dose were not different when comparing identical and nonidentical twins. Salicylurate formation rates were increased after 3 days of oral therapy, and this induction phenomenon may account for much of the apparent discrepancy between genetic influences on salicylurate formation rates observed after single and multiple dose salicylate administration. This study suggests that the plateau concentration of serum salicylate varies among individuals given the same weight-adjusted dose in part because of genetically determined variations in their metabolism of salicylate.

Correlation of plateau serum salicylate level with rate of salicylate metabolism

The range of plateau serum salicylate concentrations was 4.4 to 33 mg/100 ml in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after they were treated with 50 mg/kg of aspirin daily for 5 days. Individual plateau serum levels correlated better with urinary excretion rates of the metabolite, salicylurate (whose maximum production is capacity-limited), than with total urinary excretion of salicylates. These observations suggest that large intersubject variations in plateau serum salicylate levels are determined, at least in part, by similar differences in the maximum rates of capacity-limited metabolic reactions. For optimal therapeutic responses, individualization of aspirin dosage by following serum salicylate levels is recommended.

Delayed manifestation of ultraviolet reaction in the guinea-pig caused by anti-inflammatory drugs

1. Exposure of depilated skin of guinea-pig to ultraviolet (u.v.) light for 20 s produces a prolonged inflammatory response.2. The erythaema becomes evident within 15-30 min after the exposure and progressively increases in intensity reaching its maximum by 4-6 hours. The erythaema persists over 24 hours.3. Increase in vascular permeability is biphasic with an early short-lived rise peaking at 0.5 h and a prolonged secondary response peaking at 9-12 h and lasting over 48 hours.4. In presence of aspirin, phenylbutazone and indomethacin, administered prior to u.v. exposure, the inflammatory reaction is partially suppressed, depending upon the dose. The drugs are ineffective in aborting or minimizing the response when given after the inflammation is established. Corticosteroids fail to influence the u.v. inflammation in this test. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Achondroplasia: Case Report and Review of Literature

A two month old male child presented to emergency of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan and was admitted to Paediatric ward with history of fever, cough and respiratory distress. On examination the breathing was rapid and shallow. The child was small for age with an upper to lower segment ratio of 1.9. The anteroposterior diameter of thorax was reduced. We report a very rare case of achondroplasia which was recognized in a two month age child who presented with severe pneumonia. Usually the clinically features of achondroplasia is more prominent when the child is growing in height but we diagnosed it in a two months child after performing the skeletal survey.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5363 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 216-224-226  

Erratum: The Anæmia of Pregnancy: Corrigendum

[This corrects the article on p. 421 in vol. 67.].