Free amino acid patterns of plasma, erythrocytes and leucocytes in hypoproteinaemia

1. In pregnancy, severe hypoproteinaemia, cirrhosis and anaemia, plasma free α-amino nitrogen (FαAN) was found to be lowered. The non-essential:essential amino acid ratios, determined by paper chromatography, were increased in hypoproteinaemia and anaemia.

2. The erythrocytic FαAN content increased in early hypoproteinaemia and values lower than normal were found in severe hypoproteinaemia. There was also a rise in anaemia, which was due to increased cellular non-essential amino acids.

3. The leucocytic FαAN was reduced in all hypoproteinaemic states. The increased FαAN values in patients with thyrotoxicosis demonstrated that, in catabolism, leucocytic uptake of amino acids is increased. The non-essential:essential amino acid ratios were decreased in cirrhosis, possibly due to poor biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids by the liver.

Inheritance of an unusual ear tye in man

An unusual ear type in man involving a folding of the helix is described in a pedigree with three generations. The trait seems to be due to an autosomal dominant gene with variable expressivity.

A report on a rare case of Kearns Sayre-like syndrome

Purpose: To report the presentation of a rare case of Kearns-Sayre-like syndrome (KSS) Case: A 14-year-old boy presented with progressive drooping of both upper eyelids for 10 years. Past history of right sided hemi-plegia and left facial nerve palsy was present. Examination (OU) showed total external ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and pigmentary retinopathy. The patient also had a short stature (height 121.9 cm) for his age. Keywords: Kearns Sayre syndrome; total external ophthalmoplegia; ptosis DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v2i2.3725 Nep J Oph 2010;2(2) 160-163

Surgical treatment and histopathological analysis of proptosis

Introduction: Inflammations and tumors of the orbit and para-orbital regions may present as proptosis. Management depends on clinical, radiological, histo-pathological and biochemical evaluation. Objective: To analyze the clinical and histopathological profile of the lesions causing proptosis and to report the outcome of their surgical management. Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, 25 cases of proptosis due to orbital and paraorbital tumours were analyzed in relation to their age, sex, and clinical and histopathological profiles. CT Scan was considered as the first line investigation modality. According to location and type of tumour, different surgical options like anterior orbitotomy, lateral orbitotomy and medial orbitotomy were considered. Results: The majority of the patients were of the age group 50-59 years (28 %). Primary orbital tumors were encountered in 15 cases (60 %) and para-orbital in 10 (40 %). Of 15 primary orbital tumors, 7 (46.66 %) were excised by lateral orbitotomy, another 7 (46.66 %) were approached via anterior orbitotomy, whereas 1 (6.67%) was removed by medial orbitotomy. Pediatric orbital tumors were quite common {7(46.66%)}. Three cases of rhabdomyosarcoma, 3 cases of dermoid cyst and 1 case each of optic nerve glioma were found in pediatric age group. The most common benign adult tumor found in our study was pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland {3(20%)}. Conclusion: The majority of the patients with proptosis are of the age group 50-59 years. Proptosis due to primary orbital tumors is more common than para-orbital tumors. Early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention provide good functional and cosmetic results. Keywords: orbit; proptosis; tumors; orbitotomy. DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v2i1.3701 Nep J Oph 2010;2(1):31-34