Congenital cystic eyeball

A rare case of histopathologically proved case of congenital cystic eye in a one day old girl is described. It was an unusually large cystic mass bulging forwards stretching the upperlid. There was no rudimentary eyeball in the orbit. The cystic eye's predilection for the left eye has been pointed out for the first time in this article.

Unilateral cryptophthalmos

A rare case of unilateral cryptophthalmos have unique findings is reported. The lateral part of the left eye was replaced by downward extension of the frontal hairline. The left upper eyelid, except in the lateral 4mm fully developed portion, was replaced by a fold adherent to the underlying disorganized globe (6.9 mm). The lower lid, however, was fully developed. Ocular and systemic features of cryptophthalmos have been reviewed. Predilection for the left eye in unilateral cases has been hinted for the first time.

Cestode larva (Sparganum) in the anterior chamber of the eye

The first case of intraocular sparganosis presenting as endophthalmitis is reported with a live plerocercoid larva of Spirometra lodged in the anterior chamber of the eye of a man in India. The larva was identified histologically.

Goitre in school girls of the Mewat area of Haryana

A survey was carried out on 5449 school girls aged 10-16 years in the Mewat area of Haryana for goitre. The overall prevalence of goitre was nearly 29.5%. Thus goitre was a public health problem in the region. Analysis of the water sources in the study population used for drinking and cooking purposes revealed low iodine content, high mineral contents (calcium, magnesium, flouride and chloride), total hardness of water as well as bacterial pollution. These factors were related to the high prevalence rate.

Biochemical genetic basis of downy mildew resistance in pearl millet

The study of phenolic content and activities of peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase in relation to the degree of downy mildew infection of 12 pearl millet cultivars revealed that these were linearly related to the degree of resistance at both the 30 and 50 day growth stages. Useful electrophoretic differences in peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase were also observed with respect to the expression of resistance.

Isozyme studies in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

A comparative study of peroxidase and esterase isozymes was carried out at five developmental stages of siliqua in order to characterize twelve genotypes of Indian mustard. The studies showed nearly the same number of isozyme bands at every stage for peroxidase and a varying number of isozyme bands for esterase. The appearance and disappearance of bands, along with their intensity scores, indicated the role of different isozymes at different stages of siliqua development. It has been ascertained that these patterns, especially the intensity scores, can be successfully used to characterize different Indian mustard genotypes.

Ethambutol-induced hyperuricaemia

A prospective study involving 134 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis was conducted to determine the incidence and severity of ethambutol-induced hyperuricaemia. The cases were randomly allocated to two groups: one group (71 cases) received ethambutol (20 mg/kg bodyweight/day) streptomycin and isoniazid (SHE), the other group (60 cases) received streptomycin, isoniazid and thioacetazone (SHT). All the cases were hospitalized. A significant rise in serum uric acid levels was found in 66% of SHE patients during the first 60-90 days of treatment, but there was no such change in the SHT patients. In one patient who received ethambutol generalized arthralgia developed and in another acute gouty arthritis was observed. In both cases, symptoms abated when ethambutol was withdrawn and reappeared when it was resumed.

Estimation of shallow-dose equivalent using a two-element dosimeter

Estimation of shallow-dose equivalent using a two-element dosimeter is described under the guidelines of a standard adopted by the Health Physics Society Standards Committee and the dosimetry practices followed by most dosimeter processors. This standard is to be used in a future mandatory testing program in the U.S. A mathematical formulation, correlating dosimeter response and "shallow-dose equivalent factors" at different energies, is presented. A thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), currently used at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, is examined for determining shallow-dose equivalent response and the results are discussed for beta as well as photon responses.

Combining ability analysis of oxalic acid, minerals and green fodder yield in pearl millet

Combining ability studies with respect to such green fodder quality characteristics as oxalic acid, calcium, sodium, potassium and green fodder yield were carried out in a 12 × 12 diallel cross set in pearl millet (Pennisetum typhoides (Burm) S. & H.). With regard to differential expression of gene effects, studies for quality traits were carried out in different seasons and on different plant parts. The relative proportions of general and specific combining variances indicated the preponderance of non-additive genetic variance. Parents possessing desirable fodder quality characteristics were identified on the basis of combining ability and per se performance, and selection criterion for crosses was discussed. It was recommended that leaf portion should be biochemically analysed and manipulated in an environment when the genes are expressed.

An exploratory study of manganese exposure to welders

Sixty welders (20 each from Plants A, B, and C) and 20 control subjects were investigated for the possible occurrence of manganese poisoning among welders exposed to the welding fumes containing this metal. Ten, 9, and 5 welders from Plants B, C, and A, respectively, were diagnosed as suspected cases of early manganese poisoning. The diagnosis was based on the proof of overexposure to manganese by the findings of increased urinary levels of this metal, signs of early neurological involvement, and increased contents of serum calcium. These results are discussed in relation to the manganese concentration in the air around the welder's breathing zones.

Salivary gland dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnostic importance

Salivary scintigraphy employing radionuclides has proved to be an accurate, reproducible method for demonstrating salivary gland involvement in Sjögren's syndrome. A prospective study was undertaken of 24 consecutive patients bearing a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 78 consecutive patients bearing a diagnosis of classic or definite rheumatoid arthritis, and 18 control patients. Clinical of Sjögren's syndrome did not necessarily correlate with abnormal scintiscans. Extensive involvement, with greatly abnormal scintiscans (class 3 and 4), was found most consistently in patients who had SLE and who were seronegative for rheumatoid factor Salivary gland scintigraphy may ultimately serve as an adjunctive procedure for the diagnosis of this disease.

Organic brain syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis following corticosteroid withdrawal

Six patients with seropositive nodule-forming rheumatoid arthritis developed severe central nervous system manifestations consistent with a diagnosis of organic brain syndrome. Organic brain syndrome occurred while 5 of these patients were undergoing corticosteroid withdrawal after prolonged administration. Neuropsychiatric symptoms rapidly cleared, responding to reinstitution of oral or parenteral corticosteroids in large doses in 4 patients, to increase in dosage in 1 patient, and to no drug therapy in the remaining 1. Marked reduction in rheumatoid factor in sera and demonstration of IgM deposits in the choroid plexus in 1 of the patients raised the possibility of immune complex-mediated central nervous system vasculitis.