Cirrhosis of liver in Bangladesh. (A preliminary report)

The incidence of cirrhosis of liver in Bangladesh, its possible aetiological factors and clinical features have been studied. This being the initial report, embraces the population of only two hospitals in Dacca viz., Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research (P.G. Hospital) and Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital situated three and a half kilometers apart. In a population of 5889, a total of 154 cases (2.6%) of cirrhosis of liver have been recorded. Nutritional deficiency has been considered to be the important aetiological factor whereas alcoholism does not appear to have any significant role. Almost all the cases (94.2%) were non-alcoholic. Pattern of clinical features have been compared with those of other authors and variations recorded. Further study on an elaborate scale has been suggested.

Biosynthesis of digalactosyl diglyceride in Vicia faba leaves

Developing and mature leaf tissue from Vicia faba plants were pulse-fed 14-CO2. The lipids were extracted at intervals after exposure to light, and the galactolipids monogalactosyl diglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyl diglyceride (DGDG) were separated. After methylation and methanolysis, gas-liquid chromatography was used to separate the two galactose units of DGDG and the galactose of MGDG. The specific activities of the galactoses and the changes over the time period of the experiment were determined. The results support the view that DGDG is formed by galactosylation of MGDG. This does not take place by a rapid two-enzyme system reaction but more slowly in two phases: galactosylation of a pool of newly formed MGDG and a more random galactosylation of MGDG. There is no evidence of a high turnover of galactose in these lipids.

Ophthalmomyiasis in humans

Background: Ophthalmomyiasis in humans is a rare phenomenon. Objectives: To create awareness among the ophthalmologists regarding larval conjunctivitis. Cases: We report two cases of ophthalmomyiasis, which came to a tertiary care centre with features of unilateral acute catarrhal conjunctivitis. Observations: Fly larvae were detected on slit-lamp examination and removed after immobilizing them with topical 4 % lignocaine. Topical antibiotics and steroid drops were prescribed for 2 weeks. The samples were identified as Oestrous ovis by the entomology department of the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Kolkata. The signs and symptoms regressed within 48 hours. Conclusion: The ocular myiasis can manifest as a unilateral catarrhal conjunctivitis. Key words: Ophthalmomyiasis, Oestrous ovis, conjunctivitis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v3i2.5277 Nepal J Ophthalmol 2011; 3(2): 193-195

Isolation of Vibrio cholerae from nightsoil during epidemics of classical and E1 Tor Cholera in East Pakistan

A clear difference has been observed between the classical Inaba V. cholerae and the El Tor Ogawa V. cholerae in relation to the ability to isolate the organism from the environment.An early attempt to utilize nightsoil sampling as a tool to measure the extent of infection in the community during an epidemic of classical Inaba cholera in Dacca, East Pakistan, in the spring and fall of 1968 proved unsuccessful. During an epidemic caused by both the classical Inaba and the El Tor Ogawa vibrios in Chittagong between July 1968 and March 1969 the reasons for this failure became apparent. In Dacca, only 2 isolations of classical Inaba were made from 9906 individual latrine and pooled communal nightsoil samples, whereas in Chittagong, from 62 588 similar samples in which 2 classical Inaba isolations were also made, there were 52 El Tor Ogawa isolations. In areas where cases due to both biotypes were occurring simultaneously, El Tor Ogawa vibrios were isolated 10 times more frequently than the classical Inaba.It remains unclear whether the differences observed between El Tor Ogawa and classical Inaba are related to the biotype or to the serotype of the organism, or to both. An extrapolation of nightsoil sampling, therefore, to the incidence and prevalence of infection in a community must consider both the biotype and the serotype.

Antagonistic effect of fatty acids against Salmonella in meat and bone meal

The purpose of this study was to determine whether fatty acids have an antagonistic effect on the growth and viability of Salmonella organisms. Thirty-two different lipid materials were used, utilizing a wide range of short and long free fatty acid chains expressed as per cent oleic acid.

Production of Enterotoxin A

A method for production of enterotoxin A in multiple liter lots is described. The medium contained 4% N-Z Amine NAK supplemented with 0.001% niacin and 0.00005% thiamine, and was adjusted to p H 6. The inoculated medium in lots of 400 to 600 ml, in 2-liter Erlenmeyer flasks, was incubated at 37 C for 24 hr on a gyrotory shaker at 280 rev/min. Production of 4 to 6 μg of enterotoxin A per ml occurred.