An H-2 haplotype possibly derived by crossing-over between (A alpha A beta) duplex and the E beta locus

The B10.STA62 strain carries the H-2w27 haplotype derived from a wild mouse captured in the vicinity of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Products of two class II loci composing this haplotype, A alpha and A beta, are serologically, biochemically (by tryptic peptide mapping), and functionally indistinguishable from products controlled by the Ab alpha and Ab beta genes of the B10.A(5R) strain. In contrast, the polypeptide chain controlled by the third class II locus, E beta, is different from that controlled by the Eb beta gene. This Ew27 beta chain lacks an antigenic determinant present on the Eb molecule and carries determinants lacking on the Eb molecule, the Eb beta and Ew27 beta peptide maps differ in at least six peptides, and cytotoxic T cells specific for the Eb beta chains do not react with B10.STA62 target cells. This great difference between the Eb beta and Ew27 beta chains suggests that the corresponding genes have not been derived from one another by a direct mutational conversion; instead, H-2w27 appears to be a recombinant haplotype derived by crossing-over between the A alpha A beta duplex and the E beta locus. This is the first recombinant discovered separating these class II loci.

Effect of vasectomy on the testis and accessory sex glands of the musk shrew, Suncus murinus L

The effects of uni- and bilateral vasectomy on the testis and accessory sex glands were studied at intervals up to six months. Vasectomy induced degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules during the first four months after the operation; thereafter a partial recovery of spermatogenesis was noticed at six months post-vasectomy. Unilateral vasectomy induced degenerative changes only in the ipsilateral testis; the contralateral testis presented normal histology and showed no evidence of compensatory hypertrophy. The Leydig cells, however, remained unaffected in vasectomized shrews. No significant change was found in the concentrations of protein, RNA and DNA in the testis and of fructose in the ampullary gland in uni- and bilaterally vasectomized animals as compared with controls. The absence of any change in the concentration of fructose, weight of the accessory sex glands and histology of the ampullary gland and Leydig cells in vasectomized animals suggests that endocrine functions of the testes are not affected by vasectomy.

The histocompatibility-2 system in wild mice. XI. Ss and Slp properties of wild-derived H-2 haplotypes

In this study, 14 B10.W lines were examined for genetic traits associated with the Ss protein and Slp alloantigen. Three B10.W lines were found to possess low levels of serum Slp alloantigen. Of these three Slp-positive lines, expression of the alloantigen was sex-limited in two lines (B10.LIB55 and B10.STA12) and constitutive, i.e., found in both sexes, in the remaining line (B10.KPB128). Lines which were found to be Slp-negative were also tested for IA-controlled immune response to Slp alloimmunization. The finding that one of these Slp-negative lines produced no detectable anti-Slp indicates that nonresponder alleles exist in wild populations. Further, the discovery of an unexpected immune response to Slp in F1 hybrids involving lines B10.LIB55 and B10.STA12 suggests the existence of a variant form of Slp alloantigen in these lines.

The Oaxaca, Mexico, Earthquake of 29 November 1978: A Preliminary Report on Aftershocks

Aftershocks of the 29 November 1978 Oaxaca, Mexico, earthquake (surface-wave magnitude Ms = 7.8) define a rupture area of about 6000 square kilometers along the boundary of the Cocos sea-plate subduction. This area had not ruptured in a large (Ms >/= 7), shallow earthquake since the years 1928 and 1931 and had been designated a seismic "gap." The region has also been seismically quiet for small to moderate (M >/= 4), shallow (depth </= 60 kilometers) earthquakes since 1966; this quiet zone became about six times larger in 1973. A major earthquake (Ms = 7.5 +/- 0.25) was forecast at this location on the basis of the quiescence that began in 1973. The aftershock data indicate that an area approximately equivalent in size to the seismic gap has now broken.

Sterilization of a non-scrotal mammal (Suncus murinus L.) by intratesticular injection of cadmium chloride

The testis of the musk shrew is resistant to subcutaneous administration of cadmium chloride. In contrast, a single intratesticular injection of cadmium chloride (0.01 to 0.03 mM/kg body weight) caused total destruction of germinal epithelium; Leydig cells, however, regenerated after an initial phase of atrophy. Unilateal injection of the drug induced degenerative changes in the injected testis only; the contralateral testis appeared normal macroscopically and histologically. The factors responsible for the differential response of the testes of this non-scrotal mammal to the two routes of administration of cadmium chloride are discussed.

Facial nerve schwannoma

The present article gives a brief and complete account of the incidence, pathology, clinical features, diagnosis, management and prognosis of the schwannoma with special reference to facial nerve schwannomas. A case report of a rare schwannoma of the vertical part of the facial nerve found on biopsy of tissue during a postaural modified radical mastoidectomy is included.

Phacoemulsification versus small incision cataract surgery (SICS): which one is a better surgical option for immature cataract in developing countries?

Background: Several studies have shown comparable visual outcomes of SICS and phacoemulsification (Gogate et al 2007, Ruit et al 2007). Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of different types of surgical procedures (phacoemulsification versus SICS) for cataract surgery in immature cataract. Material and methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out involving 93 and 89 patients with immature senile cataract selected for phacoemulsification and SICS respectively. Statistics: Mean values with standard deviations were calculated. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no difference between the groups in terms of gender, age and pre-operative visual acuity (p = 0.09). In phacoemulsification group (n=93) more than two thirds and in SICS group (n=89) more than three quarters of the patients had good visual outcome (6/6-6/18) on first postoperative day (p=0.065). Poor outcome (<6/60) was recorded in 6% (phacoemulsification group) and 1% (small incision cataract surgery group). Mean visual acuity was 0.43 ± 0.27 in phacoemulsification group and 0.47 ± 0.24 in SICS group. Mean surgery time was significantly shorter in SICS group (p=0.0003). Statistics: Data were computed and analyzed using the SPSS software program vs 10. The p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in visual outcome on first post operative day in between phacoemulsification and SICS technique. However, performing SICS was significantly faster. Small incision cataract surgery with implantation of rigid PMMA lens is a suitable surgical technique to treat immature cataract in developing countries. Keywords: phacoemulsification; small incision cataract surgery (SICS) DOI: 10.3126/nepjoph.v1i2.3682 Nep J Oph 2009;1(2):95-100

Kala Azar- A Diagnostic Dilemma - A Case Report

Kala Azar- A Diagnostic Dilemma - A Case Report