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.

Occupational Dermatoses Among the Cashew Nut Workers in Karnataka

Seventy five female workers employed in the cashew nut industry in Karnataka to slice off the outer hard shells from the nuts and thus exposed to the chashew nut shell oil had a characteristic cauterization type of reaction manifesting as brownish-black, thickened sheets of dead skin covering the dorsal as well as the palmar aspects of hands including the fingers and feet. Smaller but similer lesions were also seen on these parts of the forearms, abdomen, neck and face which were not covered with clothes. The fingers were thinned and tapering and several nails of the hands and feet were thickened, discolored and eaten away. The other changes included loss of the dermatoglyphic patterns, maceration of the hands, small pits on the finger tips and pitted keratolysis seen in some cases only. Similar changes were also seen on the feet of both the male workers exposed to the same oil, in the section which extracts the oil from the sliced shells. In contrast 29, feamle wokers engaged to peel off the thin reddish covering on the cashew nut had normal hands and feet, except for the two callosities on the flexural aspect of the proximal phalanx of the right middle finger and proximal interphalangeal joint of the right index finger respectively, caused by the friction of the peeling knife. An open patch test with the cashew nut shell oil used as such in 17 workers produced a cauterization type of reaction in 32 workers irrespective of the nature of their duties, while the standard occluded patch test with 10% cashew nut shell oil in polyethylene glycol showed a mild cauterization type of reaction in only 6 workers. Patch tests with 1% and 0.1% concentrations of the shell oil were negative in all the workers. Two barrier creams tested to protect the workers from the cashew nut shell oil produced reasonably effective results within a week.

Allergenic agent in contact dermatitis from Holigarna ferruginea

9 of 10 patients who developed dermatitis following contact with Holigarna ferruginea and 5 of 35 asymptomatic volunteers showed a positive patch test reaction to 2% W/V acetone extract of the plant's resinous exudate. 6 albino rats were sensitized following 3 weekly applications of the same extract. Laccol (3-heptadecadienyl catechol) was identified as the active principle in the exudate.

Histiocytic lymphoma simulating lepromatous leprosy--a case report

Histiocytic lymphomas are known to begin with skin lesions and remain localised to the skin for months or years before visceral involvement becomes evident. We report a case of nodular histiocytic lymphoma with clinical features simulating lepromatous leprosy.

Metals Causing Contact Dermatitis in Varanasi

Contact dermatitis due to jewellery was studied in 22 cases. All the patients showed positive patch tests with at least one antigen. Nickel was the most common sensitizer followed in the order of frequency by copper, chromium, cobalt and silver. male Female to ratio was 1: 3.66. Wrist was affected in the majority.

An isoelectric focusing overlay study of the humoral immune response in Theiler's virus demyelinating disease

Oligoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgG) bands are a frequent feature of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). In multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal IgG bands are a potential clue to the pathogenesis of the disease; however, their particular antigenic target is unknown. We sought to characterize the IgG response in an experimental CNS persistent demyelinating infection by isoelectric focusing (IEF) studies of serum and CSF from mice infected with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV). Following IEF, we used a new technique in order to identify TMEV-specific antibodies; focused immunoglobulins were blotted onto nitrocellulose paper which was then overlaid with radiolabeled virus. Autoradiograms showed that most of the TMEV antibody was locally synthesized within the CNS since CSF, but not serum, TMEV antibody had an anodal distribution. CSF IEF TMEV antibody spectrotypes were very similar, presumably because the CSFs were collected from the same inbred mouse strain. CSF TMEV antibody displayed less restricted heterogeneity than the very restricted cathodal CSF oligoclonal IgG bands seen in MS. The new IEF immunoblotting antigen overlay technique will be a powerful detection system to probe for the antigenic target against which MS CSF IgG may be directed.

On a probability distribution to study the open birth interval and its application

"A probability distribution for describing the variation in the length of open birth interval regardless of parity has been derived assuming that fecundability varies from female to female and the births are of two types, one which results [in] infant death and the other [which does] not. To get the estimates of the parameters, expressions for the first two moments have been derived. The model has been applied to the data taken from the survey 'Rural Development and Population Growth--A Sample Survey 1978,' conducted under the auspices of the Demographic Research Centre, Banaras Hindu University [India]."

Air-borne Contact Dermatitis in Varanasi

Forty-six patients suspected to have air borne contact dermatitis were tested with various plant antigens. Thirteen patients turned out to be sensitive to one or more antigens. The plant antigens, used for testing, were Parthenium hysterophorus, Lantana camara, Cynodon dactylon, Bougainvaled spectabills, calotropis procera, Argimone mexicana, Acacia arabica, Azadiracha indica, Eucalyptus rostrata, Saraka indica, triticum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Dryopteris filix, Nerium indicum, Eclipta alba, Mangifera indica, Trianthema monogyna, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia thimifolia, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis, Carissa carands, Salvia plebia, Cyperus rotandus, Cassia occidentalis, Gynandropsis gynandra, Pennisetum typhoides, chenopodium album, Nicotana tobacum, Tagetes sp, Rosa indica, Cestrum nocturnum, Helianthus annus, Jasminum samlae, Thuja orientalis, Cajanus cajan, Hibiscus rosasinensis, Echinochloa cruss-galli, Phaseolus aureus, Ricinus communis and Alternantheria sessilis. The maximum positive reactions were elicited by Parthenium hysterophorus (30.0%) followed in the order of frequency by Amarnthus viridis (10.0%) Gynandropsis gynandra (10.0%) Pennisetum typhoides (10.0%), Nerium indicum (3.9%), Triticum vulgare (2.5%) and Dryopteris filix (2.5%). Rest of the plant antigens did not show any reaction. The male to female ratio was 5.5:1.

Contact Dermatitis of Hands

Contact dermatitis of the hands was studied in 70 patients showing exclusive involvement of the hands. They were patch tested with various antigens. Forty one patients showed positive patch tests to one or more antigens. Females showed a higher rate of positivity than males. Female to male ratio was 2. 72. Vegetables (68.8%) were the most common sensitizer followed by soaps and medicaments.

Births averted under family planning programme: a mathematical approach

"In this paper a probability model is proposed to describe the distribution of births to couples in first T years of marriage, when T is large and/or when couples use various methods of family planning. This model is derived on the assumption that conditional instantaneous risk of a conception, the incidence of foetal loss and the chance of attaining [sterility] following a child birth are functions of parity....The application of the model in evaluation of family planning programme changes in the child bearing pattern is illustrated."

A modification of a model for number of births and estimation of age specific fecundability and sterility

"This paper deals with derivation of models to describe the number of births to women during interval (O,T) of length T, when the start of the observation is marriage as well as when it is a distant point after marriage. These models are extensions of the models of Singh, et al., (1973) and of Sheps and Menken (1973) and can suitably be applied to data for short periods of observation as the parameters are assumed to be homogeneous in time. The methods to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of the parameters are outlined." The models are applied to data from a sample survey on rural development and population growth carried out by the Demographic Research Centre of Banaras Hindu University in 1978 in order to examine trends in fecundability and sterility by age of women.

The relationship between criminal conviction and interrogative suggestibility among delinquent boys

This study investigates the relationship between interrogative suggestibility, as measured by the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale (GSS), and number of previous convictions among 35 delinquent boys. The GSS measures two independent aspects of suggestibility. First, the extent to which subjects give in to suggestive questions. Second, the extent to which subjects give in to interpersonal pressure given in the form of critical feedback about test performance. The number of convictions were found to correlate negatively with the latter aspect of interrogative suggestibility, but not significantly with the former.