Development of bioconcrete material using an enrichment culture of novel thermophilic anaerobic bacteria

In the biosphere, bacteria can function as geo-chemical agents, promoting the dispersion, fractionation and/or concentration of materials. Microbial mineral precipitation is resulted from metabolic activities of microorganisms. Based on this biomineralogy concept, an attempt has been made to develop bioconcrete material incorporating of an enrichment culture of thermophilic and anaerobic bacteria within cement-sand mortar/concrete. The results showed a significant increase in compressive strength of both cement-sand mortar and concrete due to the development of filler material within the pores of cement sand matrix. Maximum strength was observed at concentration 10(5)cell/ml of water used in mortar/concrete. Addition of Escherichia coil or media composition on mortar showed no such improvement in strength.

Ear abuse in school children

Ear abuse in school children is common in low socio-economic strata and is often associated a long-term morbidity in our country. This paper presents a study of 250 such children with discussion. Incidence of ear abuse with long term learning deficit was found to be 18.4%.

Giant ossifying chondroma of skull

We report a rare case of giant ossifying chondroma of skull arising from temporoparietal region in a 14-year-old female, which was successfully excised. While reviewing world literature few cases of extracranial chondromas arising from the skull base were found.

A study on micro-albuminuria--an independent risk factor for vasculopathy in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is becoming a serious threat to combat felt among the doctors of the world. India, in partcular is a vulnerable country contributing maximum number of cases to the global diabetic pool. Macro-and microvascular complications are important causes of mortality and morbidity. Micro-albuminuria is a surrogate marker for detetion of vasculopathy for which early detection and aggressive treatment can reduce mortality and morbidity. A small study was conducted to identify the usefulness of this marker in our setting which can be used as a cost-effective tool for detecting the dreadful complication early. This study has demonstrated that in presence of micro-albuminuria the vascular complications of diabetes definitely increase and it is more relevant in cases of type 2 diabetes irrespective of other parameters rendering it to be a independent risk factor. It also indicates that presence of this marker along with vasculopathy is time dependent ie, more the duration of the disease more is the complication.

Quantum transport through a DNA wire in a dissipative environment

Electronic transport through DNA wires in the presence of a strong dissipative environment is investigated. We show that new bath-induced electronic states are formed within the band gap. These states show up in the linear conductance spectrum as a temperature dependent background and lead to a crossover from tunneling to thermal activated behavior with increasing temperature. Depending on the strength of the electron-bath coupling, the conductance at the Fermi level can show a weak exponential or even an algebraic length dependence. Our results suggest a new environmentally induced transport mechanism. This might be relevant for the understanding of molecular conduction experiments in liquid solution, such as those recently performed on poly(GC) oligomers in a water buffer (B. Xu et al., Nano Lett. 2004, 4, 1105).

Magnetotransport in epitaxial films of the degenerate semiconductor Zn(1-x)Co(x)O

Magnetotransport measurements are performed over a broad range of temperature (T) and magnetic field (H) on highly degenerate n-type Zn(1-x)Co(x)O [Formula: see text] epitaxial films. The cobalt-free samples are characterized by a metallic resistivity ρ(T) down to 2 K, a negative and predominantly isotropic magnetoresistance (MR) and optical transmission above 85% in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. X-ray diffraction measurements show that while for [Formula: see text], all cobalt atoms occupy the tetrahedral sites of the wurtzite structure of ZnO, a phase separation into CoO is seen for x>0.2. In the solution phase, we do not observe any signatures of a spontaneous ordering of the cobalt spins despite a large concentration of mobile electrons (>10(20) cm(-3)). The absence of anomalous Hall resistance is consistent with this observation. The carrier concentration (n) over the entire range of x remains above the Mott limit for the insulator-to-metal transition in a doped semiconductor. However, while the Co-free samples are metallic (T>2 K), we see a resistivity (ρ) minimum followed by lnT divergence of ρ(T) at low temperatures with increasing x. The magnetoresistance of these samples is negative and predominantly isotropic. Moreover, the MR tends to follow a logH behaviour at high fields. These observations, including the Kondo-like minimum in the resistivity, suggest s-d exchange dominated transport in these dilute magnetic semiconductors.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a diagnostic dilemma

PURPOSE

Patients with lymphoma can rarely develop cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Clinically it is difficult to distinguish from intraocular lymphoma. Also, in such cases the CD4+ count may be high. The authors report a rare case of bilateral CMV retinitis in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with high CD4+ counts.

METHODS

Observational case report with review of literature.

RESULTS

CMV retinitis was clinically suspected due to the presence of large areas of retinal necrosis and hemorrhages in one eye and a demarcation line with white mottled retina in the other eye. Other differential diagnoses considered were intraocular lymphomatous infiltration and acute retinal necrosis due to herpes group of viruses. The diagnosis of CMV retinitis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction performed on vitreous sample.

CONCLUSIONS

CMV retinitis can develop in cases of lymphoma despite high CD4+ counts. An early diagnosis can be established by performing PCR on vitreous biopsy.

Shell structure of the near-dripline nucleus 23O

Breakup reactions were used to study the ground-state configuration of the neutron-rich isotope 23O. The 22O fragments produced in one-nucleon removal from 23O at 938 MeV/nucleon in a carbon target were detected in coincidence with deexciting gamma rays. The widths of the longitudinal momentum distributions of the 22O fragments and the one-neutron removal cross sections were interpreted in the framework of a simple theoretical model which favors the assignment of Ipi = 1/2+ to the 23O ground state.

Three discrete areas within the chromosomal 8p21.3-23 region are associated with the development of breast carcinoma of Indian patients

Deletion in the 22.9 -Mb chromosomal (chr.) 8p21.3-23 region has been shown to be necessary for the development of breast carcinoma (CaBr). In this study, we have attempted to detect the minimal deleted region(s) in the chr.8p21.3-23 region in 62 primary breast lesions having 56 CaBr tumors and six other breast lesions of Indian patients using 15 microsatellite markers. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was observed for at least one marker in 96.4% (54/56) of the CaBr samples. Three discrete minimal deleted regions with high frequencies of LOH (39-65%) were identified in the chromosomal 8p23.1-23.2 (D1), 8p23.1 (D2) and 8p 21.3-22 (D3) regions within 2.03, 0.41, 2.47 Mb, respectively. No significant correlation was observed with the high deleted regions and the different clinicopathological parameters. Interestingly, 51.8% (29/56) CaBr samples showed either loss of chr.8p or interstitial deletions in this arm, indicating the importance of chr.8p in the development of CaBr. The pattern of allelic loss in the bilateral lesions had indicated that the lesions were clonal in origin and probably the deletion in the D3 region was the early event among the D1-D3 regions. Thus, our data have indicated that the D1-D3 regions could harbor candidate tumor suppressor gene(s) (TSGs) associated with the development of CaBr.

First Report of the Association of a Nanovirus with Foorkey Disease of Large Cardamom in India

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is affected by the serious disease 'foorkey', which is of unknown etiology (1). Excessive sprouting and formation of bushy dwarf clumps at the base of mother plants that gradually die, characterize the disease. In surveys in the Sikkim-Darjeeling Hill area during 2002 and 2003, as much as 27% of plants were found to be affected. Electron microscopy of negatively stained, partially purified preparations from field-infected large cardamom plants showed the presence of isometric particles measuring 17 to 20 nm. The causal agent was successfully transmitted by the aphid Micromyzus kalimpongensis Basu, in a persistent manner. Ten randomly selected field samples gave A₄₀₅ 0.1 to 0.23 compared with 0.57 with positive control with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using antiserum to an Indian isolate of Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). A fragment of approximately 850 bp was amplified from the diseased plants using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers 5'-ATGGCGCGATATGTGGTATGC-3' and 5'-TCAGCAAGAAAACCAACTTTATTC-3', designed to amplify the putative Rep gene based on the sequences of DNA1 of BBTV. The PCR product was cloned and sequenced (GenBank Accession No. AY 485960) and showed 80 to 82% identity with the corresponding region of DNA1 of BBTV and 47.6 to 48.5% with other recognized nanoviruses. These findings indicate that a nanovirus is associated with 'foorkey' disease of large cardamom, which is tentatively named as Cardamom bushy dwarf virus. Reference: (1) P. M. Varma and S. P. Capoor. Indian J. Agric. Sci. 34:56, 1964.

Reduced minimum inhibitory concentration of chloramphenicol for Salmonella enterica serovar typhi

BACKGROUND

Ciprofloxacin replaced chloramphenicol (C), the best choice of antibiotic in the treatment of enteric fever, when C-resistant enteric fever emerged and caused outbreaks in different parts of the world. C-sensitive S. enterica serovar Typhi emerged again due to withdrawal of the antibiotic pressure.

AIMS

To assess the in vitro efficacy of C against Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates (1991-2003).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 464 blood culture isolates of S. enterica serovar Typhi were subjected to C susceptibility by disc diffusion and agar dilution methods using Mueller-Hinton agar. The antibiotic susceptibility of S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates obtained in the year 2002 and 2003 was determined using ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, ceftriaxone and cefotaxime, in addition to C. Escherichia coli strain ATCC 25922 was used as the control. Changes in C sensitivity of the isolates were analyzed using chi2 test with Yates correction.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

All the isolates of 1991 were C-resistant with minimum inhibitory concentration values (MICs) of 2000-5000 mg/ml. In the following years decrease in frequency of C resistance was noticed: 1992 (50%), 1993 (32%), 1994 (27%) and 1995 (05%). The isolates of 1996-99 and 2001 were 100% C-sensitive. In 2000, sensitivity was also high (79%). The strains isolated in the year 2002 and 2003, showing reduced susceptibility of ciprofloxacin, were nalidixic acid resistant, but sensitive to the third-generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefotaxime). The MICs for C-sensitive isolates (1991-2003) ranged 0.1-5 mg/ml. Results suggest the necessity for re-evaluation of C therapy in typhoid fever.

In vitro efficacy of ciprofloxacin alone and in combination with amoxycillin against Salmonella typhi isolates

Combined effect of ciprofloxacin (Ci) and amoxycillin (Ax) has been studied in vitro against 12 clinical isolates of S. typhi that showed Ci minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of > or =1 microg/ml. By agar dilution method, MIC values of Ax were 10-16 microg/ml for 11 isolates and 0.5 microg/ml for the remaining one isolate. The isolates, when treated with Ci and Ax in combination, showed fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) of 0.004-0.256 microg/ml for Ci. FIC of Ax ranged from 6-10 microg/ml, except for a single isolate that showed Ax FIC of 0.25 microg/ml. Thus Ci was more efficacious in combination with Ax against S. typhi than Ci alone. The antibiotic combination exhibited an additive effect for all the isolates showing FIC index 0.504-0.832.

Quercetin: critical evaluation as an antileishmanial agent in vivo in hamsters using different vesicular delivery modes

Chemotherapy is still a major challenge for in vivo drug targeting to macrophages. Toxicity remains the major obstacle for the most potent drugs already known in the therapy of leishmaniasis. Thus, new drugs and new delivery systems are sought. By using different vesicular delivery modes e.g. liposomes, niosomes, microspheres and nanoparticles, attempts have been made to deliver an indigenous antileishmanial compound, quercetin, to treat experimental leishmaniasis in the hamster model so as to increase its efficacy as well as to reduce the toxicity. At equivalent quercetin concentration, the nanocapsulated quercetin was found to be the most potent in reducing the parasite burden in the spleen as well as in reducing hepatotoxcity and renaltoxicity compared to free drug or drug in other vesicular forms. An inverse relationship between the efficacy and the size of the vesicles was established. Such a drug vehicle formulation especially in the nanocapsulated form may be considered for clinical trials.

Diffuse neurofibroma of scalp

Diffuse neurofibroma is an uncommon but distinct variety of neurofibroma, usually affecting trunk, head and neck regions of adolescents and young adults. The clinical features, gross macroscopic and histopathological findings are enunciated and the criteria for instituting the preferred modality of treatment for such lesions has been reviewed, stressing upon the need to exclude the neurofibromatoses preoperatively.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Haemophilus influenzae

OBJECTIVE

Nasopharyngeal colonization of Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) in young children may be important in developing countries.

METHOD

In this study, we screened school going children for carriage of H. influenzae. A total of 44 H. influenzae isolates out of a collection of 162 were characterized for biotypes, capsular serotypes and antibiotic resistance.

RESULTS

A significant proportion of H. influenzae (25/44) isolates were serotype b. High antibiotic resistance was observed against commonly administered antibiotics like ampicillin (79%), chloramphenicol (20%), trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (84%) and erythromycin (95%). Comparison of antibiotic resistance profile of nasopharyngeal isolates was observed to be correlated with those of H. influenzae from disease.

CONCLUSION

Multidrug resistant nasopharyngeal H. influenzae in young healthy children may act as reservoir. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance among nasopharyngeal H. influenzae as a surrogate for invasive H. influenzae seems an attractive option.

R-factor in Proteus vulgaris from ulcerative disease of fish, Channa punctatus

A Proteus vulgaris isolated from external ulcers of the fresh water fish Channa punctatus showed multidrug resistance and heavy metal tolerance. The isolate from the ulcer showed resistance to chloramphenicol (Ch), nalidixic acid (Nx), streptomycin (Str) and tetracycline (Tet) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 750, 150, 75 and 125 microg/ml, respectively. The isolate showed growth in medium containing cadmium (Cd2+), up to a concentration of 2.5 mM indicating its heavy metal tolerance. Resistance to Ch, Str, Tet and Cd2+ of the isolate was lost after plasmid curing. Presence of plasmid DNA in the wild type and its absence in the cured P. vulgaris suggested that the resistance were plasmid mediated.

Toxin-producing plankton may act as a biological control for planktonic blooms--field study and mathematical modelling

Termination of planktonic blooms is of great importance to human health, ecosystem, environment, tourism and fisheries. Toxic substances released by plankton play an important role in this context. The effect of toxin-producing plankton (TPP) on zooplankton is observed from the field-collected samples and mathematical modelling. Information from both the studies led us to suggest that TPP may terminate the planktonic blooms by decreasing the grazing pressure of zooplankton and thus acts as a biological control.

Bilateral cryptorchidism with bilateral inguinal hernia and retrovesical mass in an infertile man: single-stage laparoscopic management

A 30-year-old married man presented with the complaint of inability to procreate. Examination revealed bilateral nonpalpable testes and bilateral inguinal hernia. Ultrasonography of the abdomen could not locate the testis; instead, a hypoechoic 5 x 5-cm mass was found behind the bladder. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed the right testis near the right inguinal canal. The left testis could not be identified beside the soft tissue mass. The patient was taken for diagnostic as well as therapeutic laparoscopy. The testis on the right was found just proximal to the internal inguinal ring, and right orchidopexy was done. The left testis was small and rudimentary; hence, orchidectomy was done. Bilateral laparoscopic herniorrhaphy was carried out with polypropylene mesh by fixing it intracorporeally to the pubic bone, Cooper's ligament, inguinal ligament, and conjoint tendon. Subsequently, the retrovesical mass was excised and retrieved by dilating the umbilical port site. The operative time was 3.5 hours with minimal blood loss. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged after 24 hours. The histopathology examination of the retrovesical mass showed an extragonadal germ cell tumor compatible with seminoma.

Dielectric relaxation in a single tryptophan protein

Although dielectric relaxation can significantly affect the intrinsic fluorescence properties of a protein, usually it is fast compared to fluorescence timescales and needs to be slowed down by adding viscogens or lowering temperature before its impact on fluorescence can be studied. We report here a remarkable blue shift in fluorescence upon bimolecular quenching in the single-tryptophan thermostable protein Bj2S, the 2S seed albumin from Brassica juncea, at ambient temperature and viscosity. The magnitude of the blue shift ( approximately 5 nm at 50% quenching by acrylamide) is striking in a single-tryptophan protein and is attributed to a slowly relaxing dielectric environment in Bj2S from red edge excitation, steady-state polarization and time-resolved fluorescence experiments. Our results have important implications on interpretation of fluorescence of proteins with highly constrained backbones and in designing model systems for studying slow protein solvation dynamics using Trp fluorescence as the reporter probe.

Assembly of CdS nanoparticles in patterned structures by a novel ion-entrapment process in thermally evaporated fatty acid films

The formation of cadmium sulfide nanoparticle assemblies in a patterned manner on suitable substrates is described. The protocol for realizing such structures comprises the following steps. In the first step, patterned films of a fatty acid are thermally evaporated onto solid supports using suitable masks (e.g., a transmission electron microscope grid). Thereafter, the fatty acid film is immersed in cadmium sulfate solution and Cd2+ ions entrapped in the lipid matrix by electrostatic complexation with the carboxylate ions of the fatty acid molecules. The final step involves reaction of the entrapped Cd2+ ions with Na2S, leading to the in situ generation of cadmium sulfide nanoparticles within the patterned lipid matrix. This approach shows promise for generating patterned nanoparticle assemblies of different chemical compositions.

Recurrent abscess at site of laparoscopic cholecystectomy port due to spilled gallstones

Spillage of gallstones is common during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and may lead to intra-abdominal abscesses and sinus formation. We describe two patients with recurrent abscess at the site of epigastric port due to presence of large spilled stone in the parietes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Removal of the stone led to resolution of symptoms.

Diffusion with rearranging traps

A model for diffusion on a cubic lattice with a random distribution of traps is developed. The traps are redistributed at certain time intervals. Such models are useful for describing systems showing dynamic disorder, such as ion-conducting polymers. In the present model the traps are infinite, unlike an earlier version with finite traps. For the infinite trap version a simple analytical calculation is possible and the results agree qualitatively with simulations.

Marjolin's ulcer of the suprapubic cystostomy site infiltrating the urinary bladder: a rare occurrence

We report a case of a 40-year-old man who had presented with a spontaneous suprapubic urinary leak from a well-healed suprapubic cystostomy tract scar, 20 years following a successful scrotal tube substitution urethroplasty done for a post-traumatic urethral stricture. Preoperative contrast studies suggested a recurrent bulbomembranous urethral stricture. Excision biopsy of the suprapubic fistulous tract revealed scar cancer infiltrating the bladder wall. Of 3 similar cases reported in the past, only 1 had bladder involvement. Ours is the second such case with bladder involvement.

DNA-cleavage studies on N-substituted monocyclic enediynes: enhancement of potency by incorporation of intercalating or electron poor aromatic ring and subsequent design of a novel phototriggerable acyclic enediyne

A number of novel N-substituted enediynes (azaenediynes) 1-4 were synthesized as DNA cleaving agents. Enhancement of DNA cleavage potency was observed with those compounds which could interact with DNA through intercalation of the extended aromatic ring or through electrostatic attraction with electron poor aromatic ring. An acyclic enediyne 5 with a novel phototriggerable device was also synthesized and its DNA-cleaving activity was established.

Luteolin, an abundant dietary component is a potent anti-leishmanial agent that acts by inducing topoisomerase II-mediated kinetoplast DNA cleavage leading to apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Plant-derived flavonoids, which occur abundantly in our daily dietary intake, possess antitumor, antibacterial, and free radical scavenging properties. They form active constituents of a number of herbal and traditional medicines. Several flavonoids have been shown to exert their action by interacting with DNA topoisomerases and promoting site-specific DNA cleavage. Therefore, flavonoids are potential candidates in drug design. We report here that, although the flavonoids luteolin and quercetin are potent antileishmanial agents, luteolin has great promise for acting as a lead compound in the chemotherapy of leishmaniasis, a major concern in developing countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircle cleavage in drug-treated parasites was measured by electrophoresis of the total cellular DNA, followed by Southern hybridization using 32P labeled kDNA as a probe. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry using propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Annexin V.

RESULTS

Luteolin and quercetin inhibited the growth of Leishmania donovani promastigotes and amastigotes in vitro, inhibited DNA synthesis in promastigotes, and promoted topoisomerase-II-mediated linearization of kDNA minicircles. The IC50 values of luteolin and quercetin were 12.5 microM and 45.5 microM, respectively. These compounds arrest cell cycle progression in L. donovani promastigotes, leading to apoptosis. Luteolin has no effect on normal human T-cell blasts. Both luteolin and quercetin reduced splenic parasite burden in animal models.

CONCLUSION

Luteolin and quercetin are effective antileishmanial agents. Quercetin has nonspecific effects on normal human T cells, but luteolin appears nontoxic. So, luteolin can be a strong candidate for antileishmanial drug design.

Infundibulopelvic anatomy and clearance of inferior caliceal calculi with shock wave lithotripsy

PURPOSE

We evaluate the significance of inferior caliceal radiographic anatomy and determine its influence on successful fragmentation and clearance of inferior caliceal calculi with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between November 1996 and February 1998, 88 patients and 90 renal units with single or multiple inferior caliceal calculi of all sizes and composition were treated with ESWL. The size, number and area of calculi, length and width of the stone bearing inferior calix and infundibulopelvic angle were determined on pretreatment excretory urography. The infundibulopelvic angle was measured by 2 methods using the angle between the inferior caliceal infundibular and ureteral axes (angle 1), and between the infundibular and ureteropelvic axes (angle 2). Cases with residual fragments not clearing within 6 months of satisfactory fragmentation after lithotripsy were considered failures.

RESULTS

Overall stone clearance at 6 months was achieved in about 72% of the renal units. Infundibular length was 30 mm. or less in 77% of successful cases and in 64% of failures. Similarly, the smallest infundibular width of 5 mm. or more was found in 75% of successful cases compared to 41% of failures. Angle 1 of 35 degrees or more was observed in 73% of cases with compared to 18% without clearance. Angle 2 of 45 degrees or more was seen in 71% of successful cases compared to 9% of failures. The chances of a patient becoming stone-free with all favorable criteria of infundibular length 30 mm. or less, infundibular width 5 mm. or greater and infundibular ureteropelvic angle 45 degrees or greater was 100% (23 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Radiographic features of a stone bearing inferior calix and its relation to the renal pelvis can be easily measured on standard excretory urography. An infundibular width of 5 mm. or more and infundibulopelvic angle 1 of 35 degrees or more or angle 2 of 45 degrees or more were statistically significant factors of radiographic anatomy in stone clearance following ESWL. Inferior caliceal length was not statistically significant, although length of 30 mm. or less appeared to be more favorable for stone clearance. The ideal treatment of inferior caliceal calculi in patients with all 3 favorable criteria is ESWL.

Cleogynol, a novel dammarane triterpenoid from Cleome gynandra

Chemical examination of Cleome gynandra (whole plant excluding seeds) led to the isolation and identification of a novel (20S, 24S)-epoxy-19,25-dihydroxydammarane-3-one hemiketal (1). The structure of the new compound, designated cleogynol, was determined using spectral and chemical methods.

Immunogenetic analysis of Buerger's disease in India

In order to understand the role of HLA linked factors in determining susceptibility to Buerger's disease, we have studied 21 unrelated Asian Indian patients belonging to the North Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, representing mainly a lower socioeconomic background. The data was compared with healthy controls belonging to the same ethnic group. The study revealed an over representation of HLA-B40 (60+61) (chi2=6.12; P<0.02) and DR2 (chi2=10.2; P<0.002). Amongst the patients no particular association or linkage disequilibrium with any of the five alleles of the MIC-A gene could be derived in the small sample size studied.

Theoretical analysis of cell separation based on cell surface marker density

A theoretical analysis was performed to determine the number of fractions a multidisperse, immunomagnetically labeled cell population can be separated into based on the surface marker (antigen) density. A number of assumptions were made in this analysis: that there is a proportionality between the number of surface markers on the cell surface and the number of immunomagnetic labels bound; that this surface marker density is independent of the cell diameter; and that there is only the presence of magnetic and drag forces acting on the cell. Due to the normal distribution of cell diameters, a "randomizing" effect enters into the analysis, and an analogy between the "theoretical plate" analysis of distillation, adsorption, and chromatography can be made. Using the experimentally determined, normal distribution of cell diameters for human lymphocytes and a breast cancer cell line, and fluorescent activated cell screening data of specific surface marker distributions, examples of theoretical plate calculations were made and discussed.

Protein profile of the allergenic pollen of Ipomoea fistulosa L.--a comparative study

The pollen of Ipomoea fistulosa L. is an important aeroallergen of India. The pollen of this plant was collected from full bloomed flowers growing in different places of West Bengal, India. Protein content and profile were studied by SDS-PAGE. Skin-prick tests with pollen antigens of all the samples were also performed. Considerable variation in the protein content and profile was noted with the highest protein content in the collected sample of Calcutta showing highest number of protein bands (10) designated as IF1 to IF10 with their weights ranging between 31 kDa to 89 kDa and 3 bands (IF8, IF9 and IF10) having molecular weights less than 29 kDa. Skin-prick tests also revealed highest degree of sensitivity to the Calcutta sample giving positive response in 52% of the patients. Skin reactivity ranged between 1+ to 3+.

Analysis of the free amino acid content in pollen of nine Asteraceae species of known allergenic activity

The study reports the free amino acid composition of the pollen of nine members of the family Asteraceae, i.e. Ageratum conyzoides L., Blumea oxyodonta DC., Eupatorium odoratum L., Gnaphalium indicum L., Mikania scandens Willd., Parthenium hysterophorus L., Spilanthes acmella Murr., Vernonia cinerea (L.) Lees. and Xanthium strumarium L. by thin layer chromatography. The amino acid content was found to vary from 0.5-4.0% of the total dry weight. Fourteen amino acids were identified, among which amino-n-butyric acid, aspartic acid and proline were present in almost all pollen samples. The other major amino acids present in free form included arginine, cystine, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, ornithine, tryptophan and tyrosine.

Pseudohypophosphatasia

Two rare cases of pseudohypophosphatasia in two siblings which so far, to best of our knowledge have not been reported.