Immunofluorescence test for the epidemiological monitoring of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis cases

An epidemic of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) occurred in and around Chandigarh, north India, during June, July and August 1981. Considering the difficulty of virus isolation, the indirect immunofluorescence test was used for the demonstration of virus-specific antigen in the cytoplasm of exfoliated conjunctival cells, using reference antisera. The epidemic appeared to be primarily due to enterovirus type 70. The method was found suitable for the rapid diagnosis of AHC cases and for detecting subclinical infection among healthy subjects and convalescent carriers. During follow-up, it was observed that some of the AHC cases were shedding virus-infected conjunctival cells for a prolonged period, even after clinical recovery and during convalescence, before they became free from virus. In the absence of virus isolation, this method can be considered as suitable for the epidemiological monitoring of AHC.

Noninvasive evaluation of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm: complementary role of echocardiographic and nuclear techniques

This 45-year-old white male was evaluated for congestive heart failure initially ascribed to a rapidly progressive cardiomyopathy. Both radionuclide ventriculography and echocardiography correctly identified a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm as the cause for heart failure. Thallium-201 scintigraphy, by demonstrating a large perfusion defect, suggested a large ostium of the pseudoaneurysm. Following resection of the false aneurysm, a Dacron prosthesis was required to close a large posterior wall defect. We conclude that both radionuclide ventriculography and echocardiography can independently demonstrate a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. The combined noninvasive approach is able to delineate various anatomical aspects of the pseudoaneurysm and help in planning adequate surgical intervention.

Alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotypes in Canadian Metis

Alpha 1-antitrypsin phenotyping was performed on serum of 344 Metis living in an isolated northern Saskatchewan community. Only PiM and PiMZ phenotypes were observed with phenotype frequencies of 98.5 and 1.5 respectively. Gene frequencies were 0.993 for PiM and 0.007 for PiZ. The low frequency of non-M phenotypes is similar to that in another population of North American natives, the Eskimos of Igloolik as well as Finnish and Norwegian Lapps.

Effect of medroxyprogesterone acetate on the digestive and absorptive functions of rat intestine

The effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the digestive and absorptive functions of the small intestinal epithelium have been investigated in female albino rats. The transport of sodium-dependent glucose was significantly enhanced while sodium-independent transport remained unaltered in drug-treated animals. The uptake of amino-acids was also considerably increased, while Ca++ uptake decreased significantly on administration of the drug at a dose of 35 mg/kg body weight once a week for 1 month. Kinetic studies of glucose transport in the presence of sodium ions revealed that MPA treatment affected the rate of uptake of glucose by elevating Vmax, but the Km value remained the same in treated and untreated animals. The administration of the drug also led to significant augmentation in the activities of the brush border enzymes, disaccharidases, and to an insignificant decrease in alkaline phosphatase. The activities of leucine aminopeptidase did not show any change. The enhancement in sucrase activity might be due to induction of the enzyme because only Vmax was elevated in treated animals. As concerns cellular enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly depressed. This study suggests that MPA also exerts glucocorticoid-like effects on the intestinal tissue.

Identification of a human neuroectodermal tumor antigen (OFA-I-2) as ganglioside GD2

Two monospecific human antibodies (anti-OFA-I-1 and anti-OFA-I-2) produced in vitro by lymphoblast cell lines originating from melanoma patients have been shown previously to recognize cell surface antigens (OFA-I-1 and OFA-I-2) on human tumors and fetal brain: OFA-I-1 is expressed on a variety of human tumors, while OFA-I-2 has been detected only on tumors of neuroectodermal origin. Evidence presented in this report suggests that the two antigens expressed by a cultured human melanoma cell line (M14) are chemically distinct and that OFA-I-2 is a cell surface glycolipid, ganglioside GD2: GalNAc beta 1 leads to 4 NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 8NeuAc alpha 2 leads to 3 Gal beta 1 leads to 4Glc-ceramide.

Radiolabelled M. leprae resident in human macrophage cultures as an in vitro indicator of effective immunity in human leprosy

Twelve strains of human derived, freshly extracted M. leprae maintained within human macrophages showed a 2.1-13.2-fold increase in the incorporation of 3H-thymidine compared to parallel cultures containing heat-killed bacilli of the same strain. The addition of antigen stimulated lymphokines from five paucibacillary, tuberculoid leprosy patients resulted in the inhibition of the uptake of the radiolabel by 49-87%. Minimal, or no, inhibition was noted in the presence of similar culture supernatants from five bacilliferous lepromatous leprosy individuals. The results indicate that in contrast to lepromatous leprosy, tuberculoid patients possess antigen reactive lymphocytes which modulate macrophage function through soluble products. Attention is drawn to a rapid and sensitive in vitro method with potential for studying the immunological mechanisms leading to bacterial killing in human leprosy.

Cluster bean-a ureide- or amide-producing legume?

Xylem sap of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. cv FS-277) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan cv UPAS-120) were analyzed for total nitrogen, amide nitrogen, and ureide nitrogen at flowering stage. Nitrogenase, uricase, and allantoinase were compared in nodules of cluster bean and pigeonpea. Xylem sap of cluster bean exhibited higher amounts of amides as compared to ureides, and the activities of uricase and allantoinase (ureide-producing enzymes) in nodules were also low, whereas the reverse was the case for pigeonpea. Based on these investigations, it has been concluded that cluster bean is an amide-producing legume rather than ureide-producing as had been reported earlier.

Metabolism and transport of strontium in giant axons of Loligo

1. The strontium content of squid axons averages 2.9 mumol kg-1 axoplasm and squid blood contains 75 mumol Sr l-1. The bulk of the Sr inside axons is bound, possibly within mitochondria. Sr seems to be handled by squid axons in an essentially similar manner to Ca. 2. Sr uptake is increased by electrical activity, by lowering external Na, by depolarization with K and by poisoning with cyanide or FCCP. Uptake is unaffected by ouabain. 3. Sr efflux has a Q10 of 2.2. Efflux can be divided operationally into three components: one dependent on external Ca (or Sr), one dependent on external Na and a residual component that can be inhibited by external lanthanum or internal vanadate. 4. Poisoning an axon with cyanide or FCCP results in a large increase in Sr efflux which can be divided operationally into two components: one dependent on external Ca (or Sr) and one dependent on external Na.

Effect of a single oral dose of endosulfan on intestinal uptake of nutrients and on brush-border enzymes in rats

The effect of a single oral dose of endosulfan (5 mg/kg body weight) on the uptake of certain nutrients and brush-border enzymes has been studied in rat intestine. The uptake of glucose and alanine was elevated but that of leucine was decreased in endosulfan-fed rats. There was no change in the uptake of phenylalanine and lysine in insecticide-fed rats. The activities of brush-border sucrase and alkaline phosphatase were considerably increased while the activity of Na+ K+ ATPase was reduced in endosulfan-exposed animals. The leucine aminopeptidase activity was unaffected in pesticide-treated rats. There was a significant decrease in cellular LDH and GOT activities with no change in GPT activity. Neither was there a considerable increase in the cellular glucose-6-phosphatase activity (P less than 0.01) in the pesticide-fed rats. These results suggest that endosulfan toxicity induces certain functional changes in the intestine.

Structure and function of the small bowel in lepromatous leprosy

The structural and functional status of the small bowel was examined in ten patients with lepromatous leprosy. The absorptive functions were essentially normal in all patients except for minor abnormalities; one patient had mild steatorrhea and two others had derangement of D-xylose absorption. Barium examination did not reveal any abnormality in any patient. Histological study of the small intestinal mucosa showed mild, partial villous atrophy in two patients and normal appearances in the remaining eight. The above abnormalities were mild and were not considered to be of any clinical significance. It is therefore concluded that the small bowel is not commonly involved in lepromatous leprosy.

A cross-sectional study of hepatitis B immune status in Asian children in Singapore

A study of race-related distribution of hepatitis B markers was conducted in 458 children admitted consecutively to Singapore General Hospital. The positive rates for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Chinese, Malays and Indians were 11.2, 8.0 and 12.2% respectively and the corresponding figures for anti-HBs were 30.2, 12.0 and 14.6%. In Chinese children HBsAg prevalence was shown to be sex-related, being higher in males than females. The percentages of Chinese children positive for anti-HBs and anti-HBc were also higher than those of the Indians. This study confirmed that Singapore children were exposed to hepatitis B infection from early life. All three races were equally susceptible to this infection.

Mechanism of action of antitumor 3-(2-haloethyl) aryltriazenes on deoxyribonucleic acid

A series of novel 3-(2-haloethyl)aryltriazenes, many of which exhibit marked antileukemic activity in animal test neoplasms, react readily with DNA under physiological conditions. With regard to a single strand scission (SSS), in contrast to the related 2-haloethynitrosoureas which exhibit both Type I and Type II SSS (single strand scission) of DNA, the triazenes appear to react via Type II SSS of DNA by base alkylation followed by depurination or depyrimidination and subsequent hydrolysis of the apurinic site. The latter reaction was confirmed using apurinic site-specific endonuclease VI. A 3-(2-chloroethyl)aryltriazene readily degraded poly A by phosphate alkylation at a rate much faster than given by comparable nitrosoureas. Overall, the triazenes showed a preference for reaction at the more acidic phosphate sites in the DNA owing to their unique acid-promoted decomposition. This may, in part, account for the lack of detection of DNA interstrand cross-links and indicates a fundamentally different mechanism of action of the 3-(2-haloethyl)triazenes from the 2-haloethylnitrosoureas.

Molecular and transport effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in rat duodenum

The saturable component of transmural calcium transport in rat duodenum is transcellular, dependent on vitamin D, and can be evaluated by in situ gut loops or everted sacs. Vitamin D action at the molecular level can be studied by analyzing the response in terms of calcium-binding protein (CaBP; Mr congruent to 9000) biosynthesis to exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2-D3). In vitamin D-replete animals, the CaBP response occurs within 1 h of intraperitoneal injection when the animals have been fed a high-calcium diet (III), but in 7 h if the animals have been fed a low-calcium diet(I). The latter response appears to be transcriptional, whereas the former seems posttranscriptional. In vitamin D-deficient animals, exogenous 1,25-(OH)2-D3 evokes a CaBP response that occurs 7-8 h after treatment and is transcriptional in nature. Calcium uptake by isolated duodenal cells can be stimulated by prior in vivo treatment with 1,25-(OH)2-D3. Peak response times parallel those found with CaBP biosynthesis, i.e., 3 h in cells from vitamin D-replete animals fed diet III, 7 h in cells from vitamin D-replete animals fed diet I, and 12 h in cells from vitamin D-deficient animal. Cycloheximide treatment appears to inhibit these responses. Moreover, everted sacs from vitamin D-replete animals fed diets III and I show an early and a delayed transport response, respectively. Studies with brush border membrane vesicles prepared from rat duodenum have shown calcium uptake to be vitamin D-dependent. Part of this uptake involves binding to the inner aspect of the membrane and may involve a high-affinity CaBP. Thus a major component of the action of vitamin D in stimulating calcium transport appears to involve protein synthesis. The time and molecular nature of these responses depend on the calcium intake and vitamin D status of the animals. A model of calcium movement through the intestinal cell is included.

Cyclophosphamide as a potential chemosterilant for harmful snails

Cyclophosphamide induced changes in the ovotestis of the snail Lymnaea acuminata, the vector of the giant liverflukes Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica were studied in order to explore potential of the drug as a chemosterilant for snails. The drug caused a dose dependent reduction in the levels of DNA, RNA and proteins and the activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. It increased the activity of acid phosphatase and the levels of total free amino acids in the ovotestis. While the animals showed nearly total recovery in RNA and DNA levels 7 days after termination of drug treatment, changes produced in protein, amino acid levels and phosphatase activity did not show any recovery. It appears that cyclophosphamide, while affecting its primary targets i.e. DNA and RNA, irreversibly inhibits protein synthesis through other cellular enzymes as well.

Standardization of assay procedure and some properties of ribonuclease from Aspergillus candidus

Screening of several fungal cultures resulted in the selection of an isolate of Aspergillus candidus which produced a considerable around of RNa-degrading enzyme in both surface and submerged methods of cultivation. The conditions for the assay of the RNAase were standardized at pH 4.5, 55 degrees C and using 0.25% yeast RNA as substrate. The enzyme was stable at pH 5.2. EDTA was found to activate the enzyme slightly. at temperatures 50-60 degrees C there was considerable loss in enzyme activity which was traced to the presence of a contaminating protease which presumably degraded the RNAase optimally at this temperature. The protease could be preferentially inactivated at or above 75 degrees C. The crude enzyme, in addition to RNAase was found to possess DNAase, nonspecific phosphodiesterase and 3'- and 5'-phosphomonoesterase activities.

Malignant epithelial tumors of the anal canal

A simplified staging for malignant epithelial tumors of the anal canal is presented. The pattern of recurrence in males is pelvic and perineum, in females pelvis and posterior vaginal wall. Concomitant posterior vaginectomy is advocated. The disease is more common in females than males (4:1). There is little difference between histologic types, i.e. cloacagenic or squamous cell type. Recurrence and survival depend upon depth of invasion and extent of spread rather than histologic cell type. The tumors respond to well-designed surgery, radiotherapy and probably chemotherapy.

Parent-adult offspring correlations and heritability of body measurements in a rural Indian population

Mean values and standard deviations of height, sitting height, body weight, biacromial and bicristal diameters, total arm length, upper arm and calf girths and skinfolds at biceps, triceps, below the scapula and at the widest portion of the calf of 67 fathers, 72 mothers and their 99 adult sons and 83 adult daughters belonging to Lewa Patels of rural Gujarat are presented. Sons and daughters showed significantly higher mean values of stature as compared to fathers and mothers respectively. Parent-offspring, sib-sib and midparent-offspring correlations for these measurements are also presented. Parent-offspring and midparent-offspring correlations varied for different body measurements; highest correlations were shown by longitudinal measurements, followed by transverse diameters and least by skinfold and girth measurements. Heritability of different body measurements as indicated by midparent-offspring regression also followed a similar pattern of variation. Using the recollection method, mean age at menarche of daughters was 14.7 +/- 0.16 years and that of their mothers 15.20 +/- 0.15 years. Mother-daughter correlation for age at menarche was 0.39.

Cadaver nerve allografts in dogs

Cadaver nerve allografts were studied in major histocompatibility complex-identical beagle donor/recipient combinations. Grafts were removed 3 and 6 hours after the death of the donor, preserved at -70 degrees C and transplanted as 7 cm long grafts at a later date. Graft function and histology was evaluated 9 to 11 months after transplantation by electromyographic examination and histological studies, respectively. Cadaver nerve allografts removed 3 and 6 hours after death show exactly the same excellent regeneration as the freshly removed cryopreserved nerve allografts in major histocompatibility complex identical combinations. This information is of value for future attempts to establish nerve banks of a many as possible different major histocompatibility types. Such banks will be required to accommodate the necessary donor/recipient matching for clinical nerve allografting.

Cerebral atrophy and functional deficits in alcoholics without clinically apparent liver disease

Ninety-seven chronic alcoholics, both impaired and unimpaired, without clinically evident liver disease, showed significantly more cerebral atrophy on computed tomography than age-matched neurologic controls. Age was the variable most highly correlated with cerebral atrophy measurements, and it accounted for most of the correlations between atrophy and functional impairment, except in the Wernicke-amnesic group. Analysis of the slopes of atrophy scores versus age showed a more rapid "rate" of development of cerebral atrophy in alcoholics compared with controls. There were no correlations between liver biopsy scores (51 cases), drinking history (47 cases), or dietary intake (39 cases) and cerebral atrophy measurements.

The suppressive effect of M. leprae on the in vitro proliferative responses of lymphocytes from patients with leprosy

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from sixty leprosy patients and eight healthy contacts known to be responsive to M. leprae, were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A (Con A) or PPD alone or in combination with autoclaved, whole M. leprae. Time kinetics and the percentage of inhibition induced by M. leprae differed in the two disease groups and contacts. Antigen-generated suppression of Con A-stimulated lymphocyte transformation was observed on day 4 in seventeen of twenty-one (80%) tuberculoid patients and six of seventeen (35.3%) untreated lepromatous patients. Healthy contacts and 53% lepromatous individuals showed enhanced Con A responses in the presence of antigen. On prolongation of antigen presence to 6 days, a marginal effect was noted in the tuberculoid group. In contrast, all healthy individuals and some lepromatous patients showed increased inhibition of Con A responses. M. leprae antigens showed uniform inhibition of PPD-induced 3H-thymidine incorporation in leprosy patients and healthy contacts.

Prolonged cerebrospinal fluid acidosis in recently abstinent chronic alcoholics

Significant cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) acidosis was evident in 80 chronic alcoholics (mean pH, 7.25 +/- 0.06) who were compared with 14 neurologic controls (mean pH, 7.31 +/- 0.02). Acidosis persisted for many weeks after the last drink, and there was no associated systemic acidosis. CSF pH correlated significantly with CSF anion gap, suggesting a primary cerebral metabolic abnormality. Even though one-quarter of the alcoholic patients had a CSF pH less than 7.21, mental impairment was less than expected for the degree of CSF acidosis noted.

Effect of actinomyces israelii on human peripheral lymphocytes

Actinomycosis is rare and responds well to antibiotic therapy. The causative organism, Actinomyces israelii which is now considered to be a bacterium, has long been suspected of exerting an immunosuppressive effect. The authors provide further evidence of this in their study of three patients with actinomycosis and four healthy control subjects. Skin reactivity to various standard antigens was depressed in all seven patients. Peripheral lymphocytes from the patients and the control subjects were isolated. A. israelii was added to the cell cultures following challenge with several standard mitogens. Blast transformation in response to phytohemagglutinin was inhibited by A. israelii in all seven subjects, but was preserved in response to concanavalin A and pokeweed mitogen. A. israelii appears capable of inhibiting the subset of human peripheral lymphocytes responsive to phytohemagglutinin stimulation in vitro.

Ammonia anabolizing enzymes in cattle and buffalo fed varied nonprotein nitrogen and carbohydrates

Adult male fistulated crossbred cattle and buffalo, four each, were on rations with rations of nonprotein nitrogen to carbohydrates of 1:45, 1:37.5, and 1:30 and a control of no urea in a 4 x 4 Latin square switchover design. The influence of various test diets on enzymes assimilating ruminal ammonia was elucidated to find an optimum ratio of nonprotein nitrogen to soluble carbohydrates for efficient utilization of dietary nitrogen. Inclusion of urea in graded amounts in the ration induced activities of amino-stransferases. Specific activities of trans-aminases were higher in cattle and buffalo for rations with ratios of 1:45 and 1:30 compared to control and 1:37.5 (nonprotein nitrogen to carbohydrate ratio). This indicates a better adaptation of rumen microbes on two former rations which did not differ in augmentation of enzyme activities. Peak enzyme activity of cattle and buffalo at 2 h postfeeding did not differ for microbial enzymes. The ration with narrowest nonprotein nitrogen and carbohydrate ratio (1:30) may be optimum for microbial synthesis of amino acid. It will be worthwhile to study whether a still narrower ratio can make feeding of ruminants more economical.

Postoperative cholesteatoma: are claims for the canal wall down technique justified?

To discover whether removal of the canal wall would reduce the incidence of postoperative cholesteatoma in tympanoplasty, the findings in staged, intact canal wall tympanoplasties were compared with those in staged, modified radical mastoidectomies with cavity obliteration and tympanoplasty. In all, cholesteatoma was considered totally removed at the first operation. The incidence of residual cholesteatoma was not significantly different in either group. It is concluded that staging in tympanoplasty for cholesteatoma is mandatory.