Variability in beta-globin and HPV DNA amplification by PCR from fixed tissues

Paraffin-embedded tissues from a variety of sources and treated with different fixatives were tested for beta-globin and HPV amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In tests of tissues collected in the previous 2 to 3 yr, excellent rates (87% to 93%) for beta-globin amplification were obtained for specimens fixed in buffered formalin, Bouin's, and Hartmann's solutions. In contrast, the rate of beta-globin amplification was low for tissues fixed in Hollande's solution (7%) and in Hartmann's solution with eosin (33%). The results of beta-globin amplification from archival tissues stored for variable time periods showed no decrease in the amplification rate with longer periods of storage. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) were identified in 17% of globin negative and in 43% of globin positive tissues. HPV-16 amplification was more efficient when the targeted DNA sequence was small. Variability in amplification depends not only on the type of fixative used, but also on other ill-defined factors. Therefore, conditions for optimal amplification should be determined before undertaking studies of archival material.

Reduced serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in protein-restricted growing rats are accompanied by reduced IGF-I mRNA levels in liver and skeletal muscle

The serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is reduced in growing rats fed a low-protein diet, and this decrease is age-dependent, being more pronounced in younger animals. To determine whether this decrease in serum IGF-I is related to a decrease in IGF-I mRNA, growing female rats were given free access to either a 15% protein-sufficient or a 5% protein-deficient diet for 1 week. Protein restriction in 4-week-old rats decreased body weight gain by 44% (P less than 0.001 compared with 4-week controls), serum IGF-I concentration by 67% (P less than 0.001) and liver IGF-I mRNA abundance by 51% (P less than 0.001). During week 6, protein restriction for 1 week resulted in a 20% increase in food intake with no change in weight gain, a 38% reduction in serum IGF-I (P less than 0.001 compared with 6-week controls) and a 39% decrease in liver IGF-I mRNA (P less than 0.001). The serum IGF-I concentration was highly correlated (r = 0.80; P less than 0.001) with the hepatic IGF-I mRNA concentration. Skeletal muscle IGF-I mRNA abundance was also decreased significantly by protein restriction (37% at week 4, P less than 0.001, and 24% at week 6, P less than 0.01) and was closely correlated (r = 0.71; P less than 0.001) with body weight gain. Liver GH-binding protein and GH receptor mRNA abundance were reduced by 1 week of protein deprivation at week 6 but not at week 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Supravalvar aortic stenosis: a 29-year review of surgical experience

Between February 1960 and August 1989, 73 consecutive patients underwent surgical correction for supravalvar aortic stenosis (SVAS) at the Texas Heart Institute. There were 43 male (59%) and 30 female patients (41%) ranging in age from 5 days to 27 years (mean age, 12 years). Preoperatively, 8 patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I, 43 in class II, 18 in class III, and 4 in class IV. Of the 73 patients, 62 had localized SVAS and 11 (15%), diffuse SVAS. For all procedures, patients were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. Those with localized SVAS were successfully treated with patch aortoplasty, whereas those with diffuse SVAS required either an apicoaortic conduit or extensive end-arterectomy with extended patch aortoplasty. There were eight early deaths (less than or equal to 30 days postoperatively) (11%) and four late deaths (greater than 30 days postoperatively) (6%) in a follow-up period ranging from 2 months to 28 years. Sixteen patients (25%) underwent one or more additional operations in the follow-up period. Postoperatively, there were 44 patients in New York Heart Association functional class I and 17 in class II. Preoperative functional class III and class IV (p less than 0.0005), diffuse SVAS (p = 0.05), and the presence of associated congenital defects (p less than 0.01) were important determinants of death.

Neutrophil oxygen free radical production proportionates with the degree of myocardial ischemia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the production of oxygen free radicals by chemiluminescence and to assess leukocyte aggregation, in patients with acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and to compare these to creatine kinase-MB levels.

DESIGN

Prospective study with serial estimation at presentation and 72 h later.

SETTING

Referral, tertiary care hospital.

PATIENTS

Group 1, acute myocardial infarction (n = 18); group 2, stable angina pectoris (n = 8); and age-and sex-matched normal healthy persons (n = 12). All patients included had pain of less than 24 h duration with typical electrocardiographic and laboratory abnormalities. Patients or controls who had any inflammatory disease in the preceding two weeks or who were on anti-inflammatory drugs, calcium channel or beta-adrenoceptor blockers, were excluded.

TESTS

Venous blood samples taken at presentation and 72 h later were analyzed for creatine kinase-MB using a standard kit, neutrophilic chemiluminescence and leukocyte aggregation.

MAIN RESULTS

In group 1 there were significant rises in both creatine kinase-MB and chemiluminescence, which subsequently regressed (P less than 0.02). There was, however, no statistical correlation between the two. The qualitative pattern of the rise and fall of chemiluminescence was similar in group 2. Changes in leukergy in both groups were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxygen free radical generation occurs early in myocardial ischemia with regression by 72 h. Neutrophilic chemiluminescence may provide an alternative method for assessment of myocardial ischemia.

Effect of dietary rumen-protected choline in lactating dairy cows

Two experiments were conducted to test the effects of graded amounts of rumen-protected choline on milk yield and composition in lactating dairy cows fed 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate diets (DM basis). In Experiment 1, 48 Holstein cows were fed 0, .078, .156, and .234% rumen-protected choline (choline chloride basis) from wk 5 to 21 postpartum. Increasing choline had no effect on DMI and tended to increase milk yield only from 1 to 2.2 kg/d. Milk fat percentage was reduced in the .078% choline treatment and increased to control levels thereafter with .156 and .234% choline. In Experiment 2, 16 Holstein cows in midlactation were assigned randomly to either 13.0 or 16.5% dietary CP (DM basis). Within CP concentration, cows were fed 0, .08, .16, and .24% rumen-protected choline in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design. Dietary protein had no effect on milk yield, although milk protein percentage and yield were increased .25 percentage units and 63 g/d, respectively, by increased dietary CP. Increasing dietary choline to .24% linearly increased milk yield 2.6 kg/d, although it had no consistent effects on milk fat or protein percentage. There was only a slight tendency for greater responses in milk yield to dietary choline with lower dietary CP. Data from these experiments confirm earlier results with postruminal choline infusions, suggesting that choline may be a limiting nutrient for milk production.

Proteinuria in essential hypertension

Proteinuria was estimated using modified biuret method in 100 consecutive essential hypertensives of both sexes with mean age of 40 +/- 0.9 (18-50 yr) attending hypertension clinic. Proteinuria (mg/1.73 M2/24 h) in 60 mild hypertensives ranged from 45.4 to 493.0 with 9 (15%) patients having abnormal proteinuria (greater than 250 mg). In 26 moderate hypertensives proteinuria ranged from 96-1010; 7 (27%) had abnormal proteinuria. The proteinuria in 14 severe accelerated, malignant hypertensives ranged from 146.5-6132.6 with 10 (71%) having abnormal proteinuria. Duration of hypertension had no correlation with the amount of proteinuria. The amount of proteinuria was much higher (P less than 0.001) in patients with renal insufficiency (1322.5 +/- 586.4) and in patients with grades III and IV hypertensive retinopathy. LVH on ECG also correlated positively with proteinuria. The group with abnormal proteinuria had more patients with LVH (42.3% vs 12.2%), severe hypertensive retinopathy (30.8% vs 4.1%) and renal insufficiency (34.6% vs 0%) as compared to patients without elevated proteinuria.

Modified total cavopulmonary connection: an alternative approach in the presence of left superior vena cava

A technical modification to the total cavopulmonary connection in the presence of left superior vena cava (LSVC) is described. Systemic venous to pulmonary artery continuity is achieved by direct anastomosis of the right superior vena cava (RSVC) to the right pulmonary artery. Blood from the inferior vena cava (IVC) is diverted by an intraatrial baffle to the coronary sinus. The LSVC is then anastomosed to either the left pulmonary artery or the main pulmonary artery in an end-to-side or side-to-side manner. By using this technique, we maintain the basic principle of excluding the right atrial chamber from the systemic venous circuit, thereby reducing the potential obstructive complications that have been noted with other forms of complex intraatrial baffles. We have used this technique successfully in three patients with various forms of complex congenital cardiac defects.

Mechanism of protection provided by active immunization with porins in mice challenged with Salmonella typhi

Oxygen free radical (OFR) generation capacity of peritoneal macrophages was studied by chemiluminescent technique. Chemiluminescent (CL) response of macrophages from control, infected and immunized-infected mice was observed using non specific (Latex) and specific (S. typhi, cells and porins) stimulants at different time intervals. CL response was found to be significantly higher in immunized-infected group throughout the study period using all the three stimulants as compared to that in the infected as well as uninfected control mice. The mode of action of porin vaccine in increasing capacity of generating OFR is probably through increased expression of porin (protein) as well as carbohydrate receptors on the macrophage surface which leads to the stimulation of the whole caseade of respiratory burst or through the increase in the respiratory burst enzyme activities linked with each receptor or both.

Dose response to recombinant bovine somatotropin from weeks 15 to 44 postpartum in lactating dairy cows

Forty Holstein cows were used in an experiment to determine the response of cows to daily subcutaneous injections of 0, 10.3, 20.6, and 30.9 mg of recombinant bST. Injections began between 98 and 104 d postpartum and continued for 29 wk, up to 70 d prepartum, or a maximum of 400 d postpartum. Increasing recombinant bST increased milk yield and 3.5% FCM yield in a linear fashion and by 5.2 and 5.7 kg/d, respectively. Milk composition was not changed, and DM intake as a percentage of BW increased from 3.39 to 3.80% with increasing (30.9 mg/d) bST. Feed efficiency (3.5% FCM/DM intake) was increased from 1.35 to 1.64 with increasing dose, suggesting improved efficiency of use of DM intake, primarily by dilution of maintenance. Increasing bST reduced BW gain linearly from .46 kg/d for the control to .22 kg/d for the 30.9 mg/d bST. Calf birth weight, weight of cows at calving, and incidence of metabolic diseases during subsequent calving were not affected by bST. Somatotropin treatment resulted in somewhat smaller increased in milk yield than that reported in previous studies. Long-term health effects and effects on reproduction could not be determined from the relatively few cows used in this study.

A correlative study of ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography in systemic hypertension

This study correlates the fundus signs with the severity and signs of hypertension and evaluates the role of fluorescein angiography in detecting changes in the retinal and choroidal capillary bed in hypertension and defines its advantages over direct ophthalmoscopy. 37 hypertensives belonging to all grades of hypertension were studied. A thorough physical examination, hypertension work up, direct ophthalmoscopy and fluorescein angiography was done in all cases. A significant association was found between the presence of marked arteriolar narrowing and the presence of severe hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and cardiomegaly. Patients having definite arterio-venous crossing changes and exudative retinopathy had a higher incidence of LVH and cardiomegaly. Renal functions and neurological signs in hypertension showed no correlation with the fundus signs. Capillary bed and choriodal abnormalities could be better studied on fluorescein angiography. Hard exudates were not visualized on fluorescein angiography. There was total resolution of exudative phenomenon on treatment.

Characterization of peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis: a comparison with cirrhotics and healthy controls

Non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) is a common cause of portal hypertension in India. Its aetiopathogenesis is not well understood. To investigate the possibility of an immune mediated injury, phenotypes of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied in 15 NCPF patients and were compared with an equal number of compensated cirrhotics and matched healthy controls. The population of total peripheral T lymphocytes (T1) and suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype (T8) was significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased in NCPF patients compared with controls. The sub-populations of helper/inducer lymphocytes (T4) and total B lymphocytes, however, were comparable with controls. The ratio of T4 to T8 lymphocytes was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in NCPF patients in comparison with controls. Similar changes in the lymphocyte population were also observed in cirrhotic patients. Further investigations are required to identify whether the cellular alterations seen in NCPF have a pathogenetic basis or are secondary to the disease process itself.

Particle size reduction during initial mastication of forages by dairy cattle

Four experiments were conducted with dairy cattle to determine the effects of initial feed particle size and moisture content on particle size of ingested masticates. Three mature Holstein cows were used in either latin square or Youden square designs. Samples of masticated and ingested boli were collected at the cardiac opening through a ruminal fistula between 0 and 5, 5 and 10 and 10 and 15 min after meal initiation. In Exp. 1, masticate log mean particle sizes (LMPS) (ln microns, log normal distribution) were 3.50, 3.53 and 3.50 for corn silage, fine-chopped alfalfa haylage and coarse-chopped alfalfa haylage, respectively. In Exp. 2, boli LMPS for ground, chopped and long alfalfa hay were 3.11, 3.76 and 4.09, respectively. Boli LMPS in Exp. 3 for ground, chopped and long timothy hay were 2.93, 3.12 and 3.03, respectively. Exp. 4 compared the effect of addition of water to produce 30%, 47%, 64% and 82% DM in chopped alfalfa hay. Boli LMPS were 3.66, 3.56, 3.64 and 3.68 for the respective alfalfa hay DM contents. Feed LMPS was not reduced during mastication in Exp. 4, nor were there differences in LMPS due to time after feeding. Boli LMPS was affected by feed particle size of alfalfa hay, but there was no effect of feed particle size on masticate particle size in timothy hay. The magnitude of particle size reduction during mastication appears to be dependent on forage type and is not dependent totally on initial feed particle size and DM content of forages.

Prevention of hepatocyte injury and lipid peroxidation by iron chelators and alpha-tocopherol in isolated iron-loaded rat hepatocytes

These experiments were performed to characterize the relationship between lipid peroxidation and hepatocyte viability in iron overload. Hepatocytes were isolated from rats with chronic dietary iron overload and the effects of in vitro iron chelation on lipid peroxidation, cell viability and ultrastructure were studied over a 4-hr incubation period. Cell viability was significantly reduced at 3 and 4 hr in iron-loaded hepatocytes compared with controls and was preceded by an increase in iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Similarly, extensive degenerative ultrastructural changes were observed in iron-loaded hepatocytes compared with controls after 4 hr of incubation. In vitro iron chelation with either deferoxamine or apotransferrin protected against lipid peroxidation, loss of viability and ultrastructural damage in iron-loaded hepatocytes. The addition of an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol, also protected against lipid peroxidation and preserved cell viability over a 4-hr incubation. The protective effects of iron chelators and alpha-tocopherol support a strong association between iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and hepatocellular injury in iron overload.

Immunological profile of patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis

The aetiopathogenesis of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF), a common cause of portal hypertension in India, is not known. To study the immune status of NCPF patients and to see whether immunological mechanisms have a role to play, humoral and cell-mediated immunological studies were carried out in 43 patients with NCPF and compared with equal number of matched healthy controls and 31 patients with compensated liver cirrhosis. Serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and complement (C3, C4) levels were significantly (P less than 0.001) lower in NCPF patients compared with controls and cirrhotics. There was no significant difference between the total or the relative concentration of the immunoglobulins and complements between NCPF patients and healthy controls, but, in patients with cirrhosis, concentration of all the immunoglobulins was higher. The cutaneous response to dinitrochlorobenzene was poorer in patients with NCPF, but the difference between cirrhotics and controls was not significant. A decrease in the suppressor/cytotoxic (T8) phenotype of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood and an increase in the ratio of helper/inducer (T4) and T8 lymphocytes was seen in patients with NCPF and cirrhosis. Although these results indicate definite immunological abnormalities in NCPF patients, their role in the pathogenesis of NCPF remains to be investigated.

HIV-I antibodies in health and disease

Antibodies to human immune deficiency (HIV) virus were studied in 2000 individuals including cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), leprosy, chronic renal failure on haemodialysis and patients attending STD clinics. A group of blood donors was also screened, ELISA kits provided by Wellcome Diagnostics were used. Results indicate that the ELISA values were far above the cut off figure in all except in a couple where the husband who had stayed in Uganda for several years, and had features of full blown AIDS died 4 months after the diagnosis. The spouse contacted AIDS within a relatively short incubation period and died within 6 months of diagnosis. The North Indian population thus appears to be free of this virus so far. This observation will be an important lead mark in the future epidemiology of HIV infection in India.

Pattern of tobacco smoking in north Indian adults

An exploratory study was conducted among 200 apparently healthy current smokers aged 15-45 years to determine their attitudes and behaviour regarding tobacco smoking by using a precoded questionnaire specifically designed for the purpose. Females constituted 10% of the study group and the 73 participants who smoked cigarettes exclusively were from urban backgrounds and were noted to inhale the smoke more frequently than bidi or hukka smokers. Parental and peer group influence, as well as curiosity in late teenage were the major reasons for starting smoking which was however continued mainly to obtain the stimulatory and or relaxing effects of nicotine. Health hazards of smoking, particularly lung cancer and heart disease, were widely known and fear of these constituted the most important reason for smokers wishing to quit the habit. One-half of the subjects attempted to stop but could not succeed due to withdrawal symptoms and lack of a suitable substitute. The divergence between attitude and behaviour of smokers is highlighted by this study since smokers continued to smoke despite being averse to smoking and disapproval of their habit by their family members. There were important differences in the pattern of smoking and perceptions of various groups of smokers regarding the societal permissiveness, awareness of health hazards, and measures to control smoking.

Perceptions and attitude towards tobacco smoking among doctors in Chandigarh

Two hundred and eighteen randomly selected doctors drawn from among the faculty and students of Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Interns and staff at the General Hospital; and General practitioners of the Chandigarh city, were administered a structured questionnaire. Among them 31.6% were current smokers whereas 23.3% had stopped smoking (ex-smokers). All but one of the smokers were men who smoked cigarettes. Spirit of experimentation and peer influence were important initiating factors whereas the habit was continued mainly to concentrate on work/study. Doctors were uniformly aware of the detrimental effects of smoking, particularly its association with lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and coronary artery disease, and this was the major reason for their abstaining or wanting to quit the habit. The relation of smoking with oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, emphysema and peripheral vascular disease was not well appreciated. Counselling patients about hazards of smoking was practised significantly less often by smoking doctors and surgeons. The options favoured by doctors for preventing smoking included a ban on tobacco advertising, specific health warning on cigarette/bidi packs, and restriction of smoking in public places, particularly hospitals and clinics.

Seasonal variations of arterial blood pressure in normotensive and essential hypertensives

Marked seasonal variations in environmental fluid losses and arterial blood pressure (BP) have been observed by us. Factors causing these changes in BP have been investigated. Effect of seasonal variation on BP was studied in 15 controls and 15 essential hypertensives. Mean temperature and relative humidity in well defined 5 local seasons was recorded. Monthly observations included the plasma levels and 24 hours urinary excretion of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+). Average systolic, diastolic and mean BP were higher in winter season in both the groups (P less than 0.01). In hypertensives this variation was observed despite a significant increase in drug consumption during winter season (P less than 0.001). Both the groups revealed higher plasma levels and daily urinary excretion of NE and E during winter months, (P less than 0.05 - less than 0.001). 24 hrs urinary volume, Na+ and K+ were significantly higher in winter season (P less than 0.05 - less than 0.001). These parameters showed a negative correlation with mean ambient temperature. Increased sympathetic nervous activity as documented by increased NE and E in plasma and urinary, and decreased environmental loss of fluids and sodium may be contributory to this rise in blood pressure during winter season.

Auto-antibody profile in systemic lupus erythematosus

Thirty cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were selected on the basis of revised ARA criteria (American Rheumatology Association) and their sera examined for the presence of various auto-antibodies. The male to female ratio was 1:5 and joint manifestations were the commonest mode of presentation. The frequency of various manifestations was found to differ between the two sexes. Renal lesions were observed in 9 (nine) cases. ANF was detected in 28 of the 30 cases and the diffuse pattern was the commonest (11 cases) (37.7%). Six cases had very high titres (a titre of more than 1:1280) of antinuclear factor. Antibodies to DNA were detected in 9 cases (30%). These patients tended to have more severe disease, with high titres of ANF and low complement levels. Presence of antibodies to DNA, however, could not be correlated with the severity of renal lesions. Anti Sm antibody was found in 8 cases (26.7%), anti nRNP antibody in 19 cases (63.3%) and antihistone antibodies in 22 cases (73.3%). Patients harbouring any of these three antibodies tended to have a milder clinical disease.

Cystic lung in Marfan's syndrome

Various pulmonary problems have been described in Marfan's syndrome. Unusual cystic lung changes in a young girl with Marfan's syndrome are described.

In vitro degradation of choline from selected feedstuffs and choline supplements

The objective of this experiment was to determine the extent of in vitro degradation of choline from barley, corn, corn gluten meal, cottonseed meal, fish meal, soybean meal, alfalfa hay, timothy hay, choline chloride, and choline stearate. During four individual fermentation runs, samples were incubated in vitro for .25, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h with an inoculum mixture containing rumen fluid obtained from a rumen-fistulated dairy cow fed 17.5% corn silage and 28.7% grass silage and 53.8% concentrate diet. Because of their low choline content (less than .68 mg/g) corn, corn gluten meal, alfalfa hay, and timothy hay gave erratic values for choline disappearance for different fermentation runs and times of incubation although disappearance tended to increase with time. Data for the rest of the feeds and choline supplements were analyzed using nonlinear regression procedure to obtain estimates of potentially degradable choline, rapidly degradable choline, and the rate of choline degradation in vitro. The mean estimates of rumen degradable choline (%) were 79.4, 84.7, 82.9, 83.8, 98.0, and 98.6 for barley, cottonseed meal, fish meal, soybean meal, choline stearate, and choline chloride, respectively. The results suggest that incorporating choline-rich feedstuffs in diets can only marginally increase the postruminal flow of choline in dairy cows.

Specific immunoglobulin response in mice immunized with porins and challenged with Salmonella typhi

Specific antiporin antibody (IgG, IgM, and IgA) response was studied in control, infected, immunized-infected, and immunized mice. The activity of specific IgG immunoglobulins was found to be the highest in immunized and immunized-infected groups in which 87.5% protection had been observed by laboratory potency test in mice; the next-highest activities were those of IgM and IgA immunoglobulins. However, in the infected group the activity of specific IgM and IgG immunoglobulins was almost similar.

Effect of smoking on gastric acid secretion in patients with duodenal ulcer

The effect of smoking on gastric secretion was studied in 15 consecutive patients with duodenal ulcer--six normosecretors (basal acid output less than or equal to 3 mEq/h), and nine hypersecretors (basal acid output greater than 3 mEq/h). The volume, acid output, acid concentration, and pH of the gastric juice measured before, during and after 1 h of smoking did not show any significant difference in these patients taken as a single group, or when the normosecretors and hypersecretors were analysed as separate groups (P greater than 0.05 for each parameter in each group). The higher acid output before and during smoking in hypersecretors than in normosecretors was due to the higher acid concentration in the gastric juice (P less than 0.01). Study of the pH curves of the gastric juice after acute smoking showed that hypersecretors had a lower pH for a longer duration compared with normosecretors. This could make the hypersecretors with a history of chronic smoking more prone to developing duodenal ulcer.

Clonidine suppression test--an evaluation of its diagnostic significance in hypertensive patients

The Clonidine Suppression Test (CST) was performed in 8 patients with Labile hypertension (Group I), 8 patients with mild and moderate Essential hypertension (Group IIa), 8 patients with severe Essential hypertension (Group IIb) and 6 patients with pheochromocytoma (Group III). The mean plasma catecholamine (CA) levels as estimated by a Spectrofluorimetric method were significantly reduced 3-4 hours after administration of clonidine (5 micrograms/kg) by mouth in Group I, IIa & IIb patients. Plasma norepinephrine levels fell from 1.82 +/- SEM 0.35 ng/ml to 1.03 +/- 0.11 ng/ml (p less than 0.05) in Group I, 1.64 +/- 0.36 ng/ml to 0.88 +/- 0.12 ng/ml (p less than 0.025) in Group IIa, 1.23 +/- 0.16 ng/ml to 0.86 +/- 0.12 ng/ml (p less than 0.005) in Group IIb patients. Plasma epinephrine levels fell from 0.35 +/- 0.06 ng/ml to 0.16 +/- 0.03 ng/ml (p less than 0.05) in Group I, 0.34 +/- 0.04 ng/ml to 0.22 +/- 0.03 ng/ml (p less than 0.01) in Group IIa, 0.33 +/- 0.06 ng/ml to 0.18 +/- 0.03 ng/ml (p less than 0.025) in Group IIb patients. The blood pressure and heart rate showed a similar response. By contrast, in patients with pheochromocytoma, the mean plasma CA levels did not show any significant fall, and even rose during the CST, but, when repeated post-operatively, showed normal suppression. No serious side effects were noticed. We conclude that the CST is a safe and reliable test for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humoral and cell mediated immune responses to porins of Salmonella typhi

Humoral and cell mediated immune responses were studied in control, infected and immunized-infected mice at different time intervals. The levels of antiporin antibodies were found to be higher throughout the study period in immunized-infected group in which 87.5% protection was observed by mouse potency test. A significant increase in stimulation index of lymphocyte blast transformation as well as delayed type hypersensitivity response was observed in the same group as compared to infected and control group when porins were used as antigens. Using nonspecific mitogens like PHA and Con A the lymphocyte proliferation was maximum in control group whereas a significant depression was observed in infected mice. It is indicated from this study that porins are excellent antigens interacting efficiently with both arms of the host immune systems which could play a role in providing protection against the disease.

Properties of rabbit pepsinogen granules

Pepsinogen granules were isolated from the rabbit stomach using isoosmotic Percoll density gradients, low free calcium (10(-7) M), and conditions that minimize physical damage. These granules were enriched approximately eightfold with respect to pepsinogen and were free from contamination by mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Electrophoretic examination shows pepsinogen to account for approximately 80% of the Coomassie Blue-stainable intragranular protein and the granule membrane to yield a simple spectrum of proteins similar to other granule systems. In addition to purity, the isolated granules displayed a high degree of osmotic stability at physiologic conditions of pH, temperature, and ionic strength. This stability suggests strict regulation of the granule electrolyte transport pathways, which are shown to include a Cl- conductance, Cl-/anion exchange, and a K+ conductance. These transport systems in the granule membrane are consistent with the promotion of primary fluid secretion. Furthermore, granule-mediated ion transport would allow the chief cell to couple fluid secretion directly to exocytotic pepsinogen secretion and flush the enzyme from the base of oxyntic glands.

Effects of dietary and abomasally infused choline on milk production responses of lactating dairy cows

Three experiments investigated the effects of exogenous choline on milk production responses of dairy cows. Ruminally fistulated Holstein cows were fed total mixed diets containing 30% corn silage and 70% corn/soybean meal-based concentrate in experiment 1, or 40% corn silage and 60% concentrate in experiments 2 and 3. In experiment 1, the effects of unsupplemented (control), dietary supplemented choline (50 g/d) and abomasally infused choline (50 g/d) were examined using three first-lactation cows in a 3 X 3 Latin square design. While dietary added choline had no effect, abomasally infused choline increased daily milk and 4% fat-corrected milk yield 3.2 and 3.8 kg/d respectively. In experiment 2, effect of daily abomasal infusion of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g choline were studied using four mature cows in a 4 X 4 Latin square design. Fat-corrected milk and milk fat percent were 2.6 kg/d and 0.59 percentage units higher for cows infused with 30 g/d choline than for unsupplemented controls, with 60 and 90 g/d choline infusions showing smaller effects. In experiment 3, daily abomasal infusion of 0 or 40 g choline were studied using four mature cows in a switchback design. Choline infusion (40 g/d) increased daily milk 1.6 kg/d over control while having no effect on milk composition or feed intake. Results of these experiments suggest a possible requirement for supplementing choline in lactating dairy cows.

Primary mediastinal tuberculous abscess: demonstration with MR

An unusual case of primary mediastinal tuberculous abscess is presented in whom the diagnosis was obtained on magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound (US) guided aspiration cytology. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated from direct smear as well as from culture of the "pus". Normal spine signal with MR and normal bone scintigraphy excluded any vertebral focus of infection. MR was helpful in, defining the extent and characterising the abscess, besides excluding a vertebral focus of infection.

Effect of antihypertensive therapy on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in mild hypertension

Antihypertensive drugs have been incriminated for altering the lipid profile of hypertensives, obscuring the beneficial effect of blood pressure reduction on coronary artery disease. The effects of Propranolol, Nifedipine and Hydrochlorothiazide on plasma lipid fractions in recently diagnosed mild hypertensives, randomly allocated to PROP, NIF, HCT groups were studied at 0, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. Target DBP of less than or equal to 90 mmHg was achieved in all the groups of patients. At 24 weeks, skewed distribution of lipid components was observed in PROP and NIF groups without significant alteration in various lipid fractions. In HCT group, TG increased and HDL-C and HDL-C/CH decreased significantly. Long-term significance of these changes, which make the lipid profile more atherogenic, needs to be considered while treating hypertensives.

Immunocytological demonstration of HSV-II antigen on exfoliated cells from precancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the most common malignancy among Indian women. Evidence has shown that cervical cancer is preceded by dysplastic, or precancerous, lesions. HSV-II has been associated with this process of cervical carcinogenesis. We collected 167 cervical smears that had been diagnosed as normal, dysplastic, or carcinoma-in-situ and found a significantly high positivity of HSV-II antigen in women with cervical dysplasia (38.8%) and carcinoma-in-situ (33.3%) versus women with normal cytology (17.02%). Latent HSV-II infection of cervical epithelium may be considered of prognostic value to identify a population at high risk for cervical cancer.

Possible HLA influence in governing susceptibility to non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis

Forty-eight unrelated North Indian patients with non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis were studied for the distribution of HLA-A, B and DR antigens. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of HLA-A and B locus antigens. In the DR locus, the frequency of DR3 was significantly increased in the patients as compared to the controls (71.7% vs 26.1%, X2 = 25.3), while HLA-DR2 was significantly reduced (X2 = 11.3). Another striking observation was the presence of DR7 in all males negative for HLA-DR3. The results suggest an autoimmune pathogenesis of the disease and that susceptibility to non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis may be HLA class II mediated, with HLA-DR3 influencing susceptibility and DR2 conferring protection. Other genetic factors are also involved.

Effect of contraceptives on the adhesion of Escherichia coli to uroepithelial cells

We studied the effect of female ovarian hormones present in contraceptive preparations on six strains of Escherichia coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infections. These strains had variable attachment potential. To study this effect in vivo, we gave a woman an oral contraceptive preparation and then compared the amount of attachment to her uroepithelial cells before and after hormone administration. To study the in vitro effect, we exposed uroepithelial cells from this same woman to different hormone concentrations for up to 18 hr and noticed any alteration in adhesion. We observed that in vivo as well as in vitro exposure of uroepithelial cells to hormones enhanced the adhesion of all E. coli strains.