Proximate determinants of fertility in eastern Uttar Pradesh

Our main objective here is to examine and discuss the effects of some sociocultural and economic factors on the proximate determinants of fertility in rural areas of eastern Uttar Pradesh (population more than 40 million persons). The region is known for its present demographic trends because the crude birth, death, and infant mortality rates are among the highest for India. The determinants considered are age at marriage of female, postpartum amenorrhea (PPA), fecundability and sterility, and menopause. The sociocultural and economic factors studied are caste, education, breast-feeding status, and social status of the currently married females in the reproductive age group. The study population is predominantly Hindu, among whom caste is a strong indicator of socioeconomic conditions. The average age of the female at return marriage (RM) is below 18 years in each religion or caste group but has been increasing over time. Median durations of breast feeding and PPA differ significantly among various socioeconomic and demographic subgroups. These are longest in scheduled castes and shortest in upper-caste Hindus. As the social status of the household increases, the median durations of breast feeding and PPA decrease. The estimates of fecundability consistently decrease with age, whereas those of sterility increase with age after 35 years. The smallest estimate of sterility is 4%, corresponding to the 25-30-year age group in each religion or caste group. Occurrence of menopause is rare before age 35, and it increases with the age of the female irrespective of religion or caste. However, the risk is minimum for females in upper castes and maximum for those in scheduled castes.

Presentation of endometriosis to general surgeons: a 10-year experience

The presentation and management of 24 patients with endometriosis (median age 34 (range 21-68)years) presenting to general surgeons over a period of 10 years (1985-1994) was reviewed. Patients presented with an abdominal wall swelling related to a previous Pfannenstiel incision (seven patients), umbilical swelling (four), inguinal canal swelling (two), incidentally following appendicectomy (five), terminal ileal obstruction (two), rectal bleeding (two) and urinary symptoms (two). Endometriosis was not suspected in most patients but was confirmed by surgical excision or resection with minimal morbidity. No recurrence occurred during a median follow-up of 53 (range 9-113) months. Endometriosis is a disease rarely seen by general surgeons and is often diagnosed incidentally or on histological examination. Cyclical symptoms associated with menstruation are present in 50 per cent of patients and should suggest the diagnosis in those presenting with scar-related and/or subcutaneous swellings. Simple excision or resection of the presenting lesion provides adequate treatment but, since pelvic endometriosis may be present, referral to a gynaecologist is recommended in every case.

Ring enhancing CT lesions--a diagnostic dilemma

We studied 68 such cases of RECTL with follow up ranging from 3 months to 3 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups depending on the size of ring ie. Group I (less than 5 mm), Group II (5-10 mm), Group III (10-20 mm). Maximum cases were in Group II (42), in the age group 20-40 years. 60 cases presented with seizures. Single ring was seen in 46 cases and multiple rings in remaining 22 cases. There were 22 cases of tuberculoma, 15 neurocysticercosis, 15 disappearing lesions, 4 malignancy, 2 abscess, 1 each showing infarction and gliosis and 8 of unknown etiology. Partial or total excision biopsy was done in 18 cases of which 3 were due to tuberculoma, 7 neurocysticercosis, 4 tumours, 2 abscess and 1 each due to infarction and gliosis. We found that RECTL could be a real diagnostic problem, which could be solved only be repeated clinical examination and CT Scan with excision biopsy in some selected cases.

Replication protein A binds to regulatory elements in yeast DNA repair and DNA metabolism genes

Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to DNA damage by arresting cell cycle progression (thereby preventing the replication and segregation of damaged chromosomes) and by inducing the expression of numerous genes, some of which are involved in DNA repair, DNA replication, and DNA metabolism. Induction of the S. cerevisiae 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase repair gene (MAG) by DNA-damaging agents requires one upstream activating sequence (UAS) and two upstream repressing sequences (URS1 and URS2) in the MAG promoter. Sequences similar to the MAG URS elements are present in at least 11 other S. cerevisiae DNA repair and metabolism genes. Replication protein A (Rpa) is known as a single-stranded-DNA-binding protein that is involved in the initiation and elongation steps of DNA replication, nucleotide excision repair, and homologous recombination. We now show that the MAG URS1 and URS2 elements form similar double-stranded, sequence-specific, DNA-protein complexes and that both complexes contain Rpa. Moreover, Rpa appears to bind the MAG URS1-like elements found upstream of 11 other DNA repair and DNA metabolism genes. These results lead us to hypothesize that Rpa may be involved in the regulation of a number of DNA repair and DNA metabolism genes.

Phenol block in the management of spastic cerebral palsy

In the present series 116 cases of spastic cerebral palsy were selected; in whom perineal care and ambulation was affected. These cases were given peripheral nerve block (obturator 110, posterior tibial 134 and median nerve 2) with 6% aqueous phenol solution. The block relieved the spastic condition, allowed better nursing care, freed the patient from the embarrassment of a contorted limb, allowed voluntary movement to take place and eased in fitment of caliper to aid further ambulation. The period of effectiveness ranged from 3 months to 18 months, with an average of 13 months. Paraesthesia occurred following 5 nerve blocks. Eleven nerve blocks had to be repeated. Ease, simplicity, safety, therapeutic benefits and economic advantages of peripheral nerve block using phenol in cerebral palsy warrant its more widespread use.

The role of breast-feeding beyond postpartum amenorrhoea on the return of fertility in India: a life table and hazards model analysis

This paper investigates the effects of continued breast-feeding after resumption of menses on fertility, using data from two retrospective surveys in India and single decrement life table and multivariate time-dependent hazards analyses. Breast-feeding even after the return of menses is found to be associated with longer birth intervals. The interaction of breast-feeding duration after resumption of menses and postpartum amenorrhoea has a significant effect on the risk of conception after return of menses.

Botulinum toxin A in blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm

We report the first Indian experience of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. Sixteen patients, 7 with essential blepharospasm, 5 with Meige syndrome and 4 with hemifacial spasm received botulinum toxin A injection. One patient received 3 courses of injections, 2 received 2 courses and the rest received only one course. The effect was observed after a latent period of less than 48 hours in all patients and lasted for a mean of 16.65 weeks. More than 70% improvement occurred after 17/20 injections (85%). Poor response was more often seen when blepharospasm was associated with oromandibular dystonia (2/5 injections). Though the duration of response and subjective score of improvement was best in patients with hemifacial spasm, the numbers were very small for any statistical evaluation. The side effects were local, transient, mild and well tolerated. The commonest side effect was blepharoptosis.

Birth spacing, breastfeeding, and early child mortality in a traditional Indian society: a hazards model analysis

There are few studies of the interrelationships among breastfeeding, child spacing, and child mortality in traditional societies that incorporate extensive controls for social and demographic characteristics of the mother and child. In this paper, we investigate the impact of breastfeeding and the length of the preceding birth interval on early child mortality (defined as a death in the first two years of life) using data from a traditional society of India. Multivariate hazards models are used to analyze the data. Most prior analyses related the impact of breastfeeding duration to the duration of child survivability by taking breastfeeding as a fixed covariate. The present study has a methodological focus in the sense that breastfeeding information from retrospective survey data is treated as a time-dependent covariate both as a status variate as well as a duration--with empirical findings compared across the two specifications. The effects of postpartum amenorrhoea and various other demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of mother and child are also studied. The results suggest that breastfeeding duration has a strong impact in reducing the relative risk of early child mortality; but it does not explain the effect of the length of the preceding birth interval on early child mortality.

Smoothed breastfeeding durations and waiting time to conception

Breastfeeding beyond the resumption of mother's menstruation plays a significant role in the proximate determinants of fertility. Breastfeeding and postpartum amenorrhoea data collected from retrospective surveys usually exhibit digit preferences. Here, these heaping errors were smoothed by B-spline and used in multivariate models of risk of conception to investigate the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding. The data used come from a 1987 Indian survey. Results show that lactation, after mother's menses resume, reduces the risk of conception. Heaping in breastfeeding data attenuates this relationship. When adjustment is made, breastfeeding reduced the rate of conception by 47 per cent; the reduction, with adjusted data, was 63 per cent.

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces in osteogenic sarcoma and extragonadal germ cell tumour

Bilateral spontaneous pneumothoraces are uncommon complications of metastatic pulmonary disease especially antedating frank metastases or developing as a complication of chemotherapy. It is seen more often in osteogenic sarcoma and uncommon in extra gonadal germ cell tumour. It may correct spontaneously or need tube drainage.

A common element involved in transcriptional regulation of two DNA alkylation repair genes (MAG and MGT1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae MAG gene encodes a 3-methyladenine DNA glycosylase that protects cells from killing by alkylating agents. MAG mRNA levels are induced not only by alkylating agents but also by DNA-damaging agents that do not produce alkylated DNA. We constructed a MAG-lacZ gene fusion to help identify the cis-acting promoter elements involved in regulating MAG expression. Deletion analysis defined the presence of one upstream activating sequence and one upstream repressing sequence (URS) and suggested the presence of a second URS. One of the MAG URS elements matches a decamer consensus sequence present in the promoters of 11 other S. cerevisiae DNA repair and metabolism genes, including the MGT1 gene, which encodes an O6-methylguanine DNA repair methyltransferase. Two proteins of 26 and 39 kDa bind specifically to the MAG and MGT1 URS elements. We suggest that the URS-binding proteins may play an important role in the coordinate regulation of these S. cerevisiae DNA repair genes.

Age of marriage and length of the first birth interval in a traditional Indian society: life table and hazards model analysis

The length of the first birth interval is one of the strongest and most persistent factors affecting fertility in noncontracepting populations, with longer intervals usually associated with lower fertility. Compared to Western society, the average length of the first birth interval is much longer in traditional Indian society. Yet Indian fertility rates are higher because of either ineffective family planning procedures or deliberate nonuse of birth control and because of the high proportion of the population that is married. Here, we examine the effects of various sociodemographic covariates (with an emphasis on the role of age at marriage) on the length of the first birth interval for two states of India: Assam and Uttar Pradesh. Life table and multivariate hazards modeling techniques are applied to the data. Covariates such as age at marriage, present age of mother, female's occupation, family income, and place of residence have strong effects on the variation of the length of the first birth interval. For each subgroup of females (classified according to different levels of the covariates), the median length of the first birth interval for the Assam (Bengali-speaking) sample is shorter than that of the Uttar Pradesh (Hindi-speaking) sample.

Analysis of birth intervals in India's Uttar Pradesh and Kerala States

Life tables of birth intervals and median birth intervals in two Indian states, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala, were computed for several subgroups of the study population. Multivariate hazards modelling technique was used to examine the net effect of each of the variables studied. The results show a substantial effect of socioeconomic variables in child-spacing after controlling for the major intermediate variables.

Effects of breast feeding after resumption of menstruation on waiting time to next conception

We investigate the association between breast feeding after resumption of menstruation and the duration from resumption of menses to the next conception. Data from a survey, "Breast-Feeding and Its Effect on Fertility," conducted in 1987 under the auspices of the Centre of Population Studies, Banaras Hindu University, India, were used. We used hazard models of conception rates after the return of menstruation with breast-feeding duration as a time-dependent covariate. The interaction of breast-feeding duration after resumption of menses and postpartum amenorrhea have a significant effect on the rate of conception after return of menses. After resumption of menstruation, when there is no breast feeding, the risk of conception increases with the increase in postpartum amenorrhea. However, breast feeding attenuates the effects of postpartum amenorrhea. These results suggest that breast feeding beyond the resumption of menstruation plays a significant role in the proximate determinants to reduce fertility.

Breastfeeding and postpartum amenorrhea in a traditional society: a hazards model analysis

There is considerable variation in the length of the postpartum amenorrhea during which breastfeeding suppresses fertility, both within and between societies. In this paper, we investigate the association between breastfeeding and the resumption of menses and the impact of various biological and social covariates thereon, using data from two retrospective surveys in India. We use both univariate life table and multivariate time-dependent hazards techniques to analyze the data. Most prior investigations related the impact of breastfeeding to postpartum amenorrhea by taking duration of breastfeeding as a fixed covariate. However, breastfeeding beyond the resumption of menstruation cannot affect the duration of menses. Accordingly, the present study has a methodological focus in the sense that breastfeeding is treated as a time-dependent covariate. We found that breastfeeding, age of mother at child's birth, social status, level of income, religion and caste (subcaste), and residential status have significant effects on return of menses in Indian traditional society.

Alternative topogenic signals in peroxisomal citrate synthase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The tripeptide serine-lysine-leucine (SKL) occurs at the carboxyl terminus of many peroxisomal proteins and serves as a peroxisomal targeting signal. Saccharomyces cerevisiae has two isozymes of citrate synthase. The peroxisomal form, encoded by CIT2, terminates in SKL, while the mitochondrial form, encoded by CIT1, begins with an amino-terminal mitochondrial signal sequence and ends in SKN. We analyzed the importance of SKL as a topogenic signal for citrate synthase, using oleate to induce peroxisomes and density gradients to fractionate organelles. Our experiments revealed that SKL was necessary for directing citrate synthase to peroxisomes. C-terminal SKL was also sufficient to target a leaderless version of mitochondrial citrate synthase to peroxisomes. Deleting this tripeptide from the CIT2 protein caused peroxisomal citrate synthase to be missorted to mitochondria. These experiments suggest that the CIT2 protein contains a cryptic mitochondrial targeting signal.

Genetic nature of vitiligo

Four hundred vitiligo patients and 100 non-vitiliginous controls were studied to find out the prevalence of vitiligo in relatives of patients and controls. The difference was found to be statistically highly significant. The data reflected that there is some genetic mechanism involved in the etiology of vitiligo. Respective relatives of all forms of the disease in the vitiligo group showed a clear preponderance compared to controls. There was clustering of affected relatives in vitiligo cases compared to controls. The ratio of affected and unaffected siblings with unaffected parents or one parent affected, the ratio in the children of probands, the ratio in children of affected paternal and maternal grandparents of probands, suggest the polygenic nature of vitiligo.

Characterization of an Electron Transport Pathway Associated with Glucose and Fructose Respiration in the Intact Chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Spinach

The role of an electron transport pathway associated with aerobic carbohydrate degradation in isolated, intact chloroplasts was evaluated. This was accomplished by monitoring the evolution of (14)CO(2) from darkened spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplasts externally supplied with [(14)C]fructose and [(14)C]glucose, respectively, in the presence of nitrite, oxaloacetate, and conventional electron transport inhibitors. Addition of nitrite or oxaloacetate increased the release of (14)CO(2), but it was shown that O(2) continued to function as a terminal electron acceptor. (14)CO(2) evolution was inhibited up to 30 and 15% in Chlamydomonas and spinach, respectively, by 50 mum rotenone and by amytal, but at 500- to 1000-fold higher concentrations, indicating the involvement of a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-plastoquinone oxidoreductase. (14)CO(2) release from the spinach chloroplast was inhibited 80% by 25 mum 2,5-dibromo-3-methyl-6-isopropyl-p-benzoquinone. (14)CO(2) release was sensitive to propylgallate, exhibiting approximately 50% inhibition in Chlamydomonas and in spinach chloroplasts of 100 and 250 mum concentrations, respectively. These concentrations were 20- to 50-fold lower than the concentrations of salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) required to produce an equivalent sensitivity. Antimycin A (100 mum) inhibited approximately 80 to 90% of (14)CO(2) release from both types of chloroplast. At 75 mum, sodium azide inhibited (14)CO(2) evolution about 50% in Chlamydomonas and 30% in spinach. Sodium azide (100 mm) combined with antimycin A (100 mum) inhibited (14)CO(2) evolution more than 90%. (14)CO(2) release was unaffected by uncouplers. These results are interpreted as evidence for a respiratory electron transport pathway functioning in the darkened, isolated chloroplast. Chloroplast respiration defined as (14)CO(2) release from externally supplied [1-(14)C]glucose can account for at least 10% of the total respiratory capacity (endogenous release of CO(2)) of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell.

Interrogative suggestibility among adolescent boys and its relationship with intelligence, memory, and cognitive set

This study investigates some of the hypotheses generated by the Gudjonsson and Clark model of interrogative suggestibility. The subjects were 40 adolescent boys (11-16 years), who completed the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale and instruments measuring intellectual skills, memory, field-dependence, hostility, and attitudes towards persons in authority. Suggestibility correlated negatively with I.Q. and memory capacity, and positively with field-dependence.

Does breastfeeding influence mortality in children hospitalized with diarrhoea?

The association between breastfeeding and mortality in children hospitalized for diarrhoea was investigated in a prospective manner in 309 subjects below 18 months of age. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, 36 cases who died were compared with 273 controls who were discharged in a satisfactory condition. Breastfeeding had a strong protective effect against mortality even after allowance was made for confounding variables (including nutritional status, chronicity of illness, associated non-enteral infections) and a possible bias of interruption of breastfeeding as an early consequence of the terminal illness. The adjusted odd's ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence intervals (95 per cent CI) for the protective effect were 2.7 and 2.1-3.6, respectively. The adjusted OR's (95 per cent CI's) were 6.0 (3.6-10.2), 2.6 (2.0-3.4), and 1.8 (1.4-2.5) for the age intervals 0-6, 7-12, and 13-18 months, respectively (P less than 0.001, less than 0.01, and less than 0.05, respectively). Further stratified analyses suggested a greater benefit in children with severe wasting, severe stunting, protracted illness, and diarrhoea as the sole illness. It is concluded that in children up to 18 months of age, breastfeeding offers substantial protection against death in children hospitalized with diarrhoea.

Indian experience of home based mothers card: ICMR task force study

To improve the quality of MCH services, a Home Based Mothers Card (HBMC) prepared and recommended by World Health Organization was adapted to Indian situation, and introduced in 1.5 lakh population of rural area covered by 6 participating centres under the aegis of Indian Council of Medical Research. Two thousand four hundred and forty six mothers were given this card and were followed up for a period of 2 years. Only 89.2 percent retrieval of the cards was possible after a period of 18 months. Screening of the population for "at risk" women monitoring and referral could be undertaken with the help of this card. Improved antenatal, and referral services were observed during the study period. The card (HBMC) was acceptable to the mothers as well as to the health workers, as a tool for improving the quality and coverage of MCH services being rendered at the Primary Health Centre.

Metabolic changes induced during adaptation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a water stress

When exponentially growing Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transferred from a normal high water activity growth medium (aw 0.997) to a medium containing 8% NaCl low water activity growth medium (aw 0.955), glycerol accumulation during the first eight hours of the adaptation was both retarded and greatly diminished in magnitude. Investigation of the underlying reasons for the slow onset of glycerol accumulation revealed that not only was overall glycerol production reduced by salt transfer, but also the rates of ethanol production and glucose consumption were reduced. Measurement of glycolytic intermediates revealed an accumulation of glucose-6-phosphate, fructose-6-phosphate, fructose 1,6 bisphosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate in S. cerevisiae 3 to 4 h after transfer to salt, suggesting that one or more glycolytic enzymes were inhibited. Potassium ions accumulated in S. cerevisiae after salt transfer and reached a maximum about 6 h after transfer, whereas the sodium ion content increased progressively during the adaptation period. The trehalose content also increased in adapting cells. It is suggested that inhibition of glycerol production during the initial period of adaptation could be due to either the inhibition of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by increased cation content or the inhibition of glycolysis, glycerol being produced glycolytically in S. cerevisiae. The increased accumulation of glycerol towards the end of the 8-h period suggests that the osmoregulatory response of S. cerevisiae involves complex sets of adjustments in which inhibition of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase must be relieved before glycerol functions as a major osmoregulator.

Mitochondrial protein import: isolation and characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae MFT1 gene

Mitochondrial targeting of an Atp2-LacZ fusion protein confers a respiration-defective phenotype on yeast cells. This effect has been utilized to select strains that grow on nonfermentable carbon sources, some of which have decreased levels of hybrid protein localized to the organelle. Many of the mutants obtained were also temperature-sensitive for growth on all media. The recessive mft (mitochondrial fusion targeting) mutants have been assigned to three complementation groups. MFT1 was cloned and sequenced: it encodes a 255 amino acid protein that is highly basic and has no predicted membrane-spanning domains or organelle-targeting sequences. The MFT1 gene is 91% identical to an open reading frame 3' of the SIR3 gene. Evidence is presented that these two closely related genes could represent a recent gene duplication.

Risk factors for fatal diarrhea in hospitalized children in India

There is scant information on the risk factors for diarrheal deaths in developing countries. A prospective evaluation was therefore conducted on 382 consecutive children (less than 5 years of age), who were hospitalized with diarrhea. A complete profile, including outcome, was available for 357 patients, 37 of whom died (10.4%). In the univariate analysis, four factors were significantly associated (p less than 0.02) with death: associated major infection (pneumonia, septicemia, or meningitis), severe wasting (less than or equal to 50% weight for age), severe stunting (less than or equal to 85% height for age), and protraction of illness (greater than 14 days). In the multivariate analysis, all four factors retained their significance. The adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 4.7 (3.9, 5.6), 3.3 (2.7, 4.0), 1.9 (1.6, 2.3), and 1.5 (1.3, 1.8), respectively. In addition, in children less than 19 months of age (n = 241; 29 deaths) breast-feeding had a significant (p less than 0.001) protective effect (adjusted OR--2.3, 95% CI-1.9-2.8). It is concluded that even in a setting with high diarrheal fatality rates, high-risk children can be identified and targeted for intensive intervention.

In vivo and in vitro measurement of cell mediated immunity in Marek's disease: role of reticuloendothelial system

Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) contact-sensitivity test and leucocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test were performed in this study as in vivo and in vitro tests to measure the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in chickens subjected to stimulation of reticuloendothelial (RE) system, depletion of RE system and other experimental groups after being challenged with Marek's disease (MD) virus. It was found that CMI was lower in the birds with depleted RE system and infected control birds, whereas CMI was higher in the birds with activated RE system and vaccinated birds as revealed by DNFB contact-sensitivity test. In cases of LAI test, the number of LAI-positive birds were highest in the chicks with depleted RE system particularly in 3rd and 4th month of age, when the incidence of MD was also maximum.

Immunosuppression due to chronic ochratoxicosis in broiler chicks

Crystalline ochratoxin A (OA) was added to the feed of broiler chicks at 0.5 ppm and 2.0 ppm, and humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) were studied. CMI was assessed by skin sensitivity testing, graft versus host (GVH) reaction and T lymphocyte count. Humoral immunity was examined by measuring the haemagglutinin (HA) response to sheep RBC (SRBC). In addition, total lymphocyte counts, total serum protein, albumin and globulin were determined and the phagocytic activity of splenic macrophages was measured in the nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT). The weights of lymphoid organs were also recorded at post-mortem examination of the birds. Highly significant reductions in CMI were indicated by diminished skin sensitivity, GVH reactions and T lymphocyte counts. On the other hand, only the overall HA titres differed significantly between the various treatment groups. Total lymphocyte counts, total serum protein, serum albumin and serum globulin were significantly depressed on the 21st day of intoxication. The number of NBT-positive cells was drastically reduced in both the intoxicated groups compared with controls (P less than 0.05) and the weights of thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen of intoxicated birds were significantly reduced. The study illustrated the immunosuppressive effects of ochratoxicosis in broiler chicks.

Socio-economic development and transition in the duration of post-partum amenorrhoea: survival function analysis of data

The impact of improved maternal socioeconomic status in the form of nutritious food on length of postpartum amenorrhea (PPA) is assessed using data for Varanasi city, India, for the period 1987-1990. "Estimates of survival functions corresponding to data relating to mothers of different social status groups, assumed to represent health condition of mothers, are obtained and compared. Finally, it is concluded that the distribution of duration of PPA is a mixture of two distributions and it differs from one social status group to [the] other."

The role of the reticuloendothelial system in the immunopathology of Marek's disease

The role of macrophages in immunity against Marek's disease (MD) was studied. Chickens of one group were subjected to depletion of macrophages using repeated doses of Francil amorphous silica and those of another group were subjected to activation of macrophages using repeated doses of brewer's thioglycollate broth. Chickens of a third group were vaccinated with herpesvirus of turkeys FC 126 vaccine followed by depletion of macrophages. Chickens of these three groups, as well as groups of healthy unvaccinated and healthy vaccinated chickens, were challenged with virulent MD virus. A sixth group of healthy uninfected chickens was kept as a control. The results, based on clinical signs, gross and histopathological studies and agar gel precipitation test (AGPT) for antibodies, indicated that activation of macrophages enhanced immunity against MD and depletion of macrophages had the opposite effect. The protective effect of vaccination against MD was also lowered by depletion of macrophages. The results of AGPT indicated retardation of MD virus replication by macrophage activation and the reverse on depletion.

Short-term parenteral nutrition with glucose and Intralipid: effects on serum lipids and lipoproteins

We prospectively investigated the effect of a 3-wk course of parenteral nutrition with 20% glucose, 4.25% amino acids, and 10% Intralipid on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in a cohort of 12 nutritionally replete patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Mean total serum cholesterol and mean total serum phospholipids increased in parallel throughout the study; density gradient ultracentrifugation demonstrated these increases were due to the appearance of lipoprotein-X. The mean low-density lipoprotein (LDL) mass on the density gradients decreased during the study and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels decreased by 28% by the end of the third week. Plasma free fatty acids decreased by 42%. These results demonstrate that the glucose and 10% Intralipid regimen caused modest decreases in serum HDL cholesterol and LDL mass and the prompt appearance of lipoprotein-X with attendant hypercholesterolemia and hyperphospholipidemia. Patients undergoing long-term treatment with glucose and Intralipid should be closely monitored for the occurrence of significant dyslipoproteinemia.

An extension of a model for first birth interval and some social factors

"A model for the time of first birth is presented under certain assumptions, which involve biological and socio-cultural factors." The model is illustrated using data from Rural Development and Population Growth--A Sample Survey, 1978, conducted in Varanasi, India, and involving some 3,514 households.

Water stress plating hypersensitivity of yeasts: protective role of trehalose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Water stress plating hypersensitivity was studied in two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of them being a mutant incapable of accumulating trehalose to significant levels. The wild-type strain was grown in a defined medium with glucose, maltose or ethanol as carbon/energy source. In each case plating hypersensitivity was demonstrated and resistance to the stress developed in the second half of the exponential growth phase. Development of resistance was accompanied by accumulation of trehalose and was apparently unrelated to glycerol content which, under these conditions, was always low. A qualitatively similar trend was observed in the mutant grown on glucose but trehalose levels remained low and recovery of stress resistance was only slight. Dinitrophenol induced trehalose breakdown in resting yeast and simultaneously induced the onset of plating hypersensitivity. A negative correlation was demonstrated between trehalose content and 'plating discrepancy' (log colony count on 'normal' agar-log colony count on stressing agar) for both strains under all experimental conditions. The correlation held for trehalose contents up to about 50 mg (g dry yeast)-1, above which the yeasts were apparently fully resistant. Trehalose was evidently a more effective compatible solute, per mole, than glycerol.

Flare up of Nickel Contact Dermatits Following Oral Challenge

A patient having contact dermatitis due to nickel on the wrist, sides of neck, thighs and legs, confirmed by patch tests with nickel sulphate, showed aggravation of the dermatitis following oral provocation with 25 mg nickel sulphate.