Nutritional hypovitaminosis-D and the genesis of osteomalacia in the elderly

A review is presented of the genesis of osteomalacia due to dietary lack of vitamin D in the elderly in the United Kingdom. Subjects at high risk are identified and the diagnostic difficulties discussed. The importance of dietary vitamin D and exposure to sunlight in relation to vitamin status is stressed. The role of vitamin D in calcium metabolism is now much more clearly defined; the final active form of the vitamin is 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D, which acts like a hormone after the vitamin molecule has undergone two chemical modifications in the liver and kidney. A correlation between lack of vitamin D and femoral neck fractures has been established. Six illustrative cases of osteomalacia in the elderly due to dietary lack of vitamin D are reported.

Animal salmonellosis in peninsular Malaysia. II. Annual and zoological distribution of Salmonella serotypes over the 10-year period 1966-1975

A total of 860 Salmonella isolations were made in Peninsular Malaysia from 15 animal species (domestic and wild), eggs, molluscs, flies, and animal feed. The isolations were distributed among 31 serotypes in eight groups. The most common serotype isolated was Salmonella pullorum, followed by S. choleraesuis and S. infantis. S. typhimurium had the widest zoological distribution. The importance of controlling animal salmonellosis is emphasized.

The species of mallophaga in wild birds in Iran

Up to date 2 species of Mallophaga have been reported from birds in Iran. Further studies in Tehran area showed that the wild birds harbour more lice. The following species of Mallophage are reported for the first time from birds in Iran. Anaticola crassicornis from Anas clypeata, Laemobothrion maximum from Falco tinnunculus Laemobothrion sp. from Aquila chrysaetos Alcedoecus annulatus from Alcedo athis, Colpocephalum pectinatum and Strigiphilus sp. from Streptopelia turtur, Amrysidea fulvomaculata from Coturnix coturnix, philopterus picae from pica pica, Philopterus ocellatus and Colpocephalum pectinatum from Athene noctua, Philopterus sp. from Turdus ruficollis, Upupicola upupae from Upupa epops, Amyrsidea hexapilosus from Phasianus colchicus, Colpocephalum sp. from Falco cherrug.