Embolization of large saccular aneurysms with Gianturco coils

In five patients embolization of large saccular aneurysms involving the popliteal artery, common carotid artery, arch of the aorta, and abdominal aorta was performed with custom-designed spring coils. Surgery was attempted before embolization for the aneurysm involving the popliteal artery. The other aneurysms were considered nonresectable due to their critical location. Although maximal packing of the aneurysmal sac was attempted, delayed follow-up angiography revealed displacement of the coils away from the parent vessel as well as further expansion of the residual aneurysmal sac. In these cases complete embolization of the aneurysmal sac was not possible without obstructing the parent artery.

Effect of experimental zinc deficiency and repletion on sodium, potassium, copper and iron concentrations in guinea-pigs

Zinc, sodium, potassium, copper and iron concentrations were analysed in serum and tissues of guinea-pigs fed on a diet containing 1.25 mg Zn/kg diet over a period of 60 d. The response of the Zn-deficient (ZnD) animals to Zn supplementation (100 mg Zn/kg diet) was also studied for 15 d. Serum studies in the ZnD group revealed significant decreases in the concentrations of Zn and Na from 24 d, and increases in the concentrations of Fe and K from 36 and 48 d onwards respectively; an increase in Cu was seen on day 60 only. Zn deficiency caused significant reductions in Na, K and Zn and increases in Cu and Fe contents of liver and kidney. In testis, significant decreases were noted only in Zn, K and Fe contents. Zn supplementation of the previously ZnD group resulted in marked improvements in serum and tissue mineral levels. However, hepatic Cu and Fe and renal K did not appear to respond appreciably.

Role of traditional healers and indigenous medical practitioners in health care

Nearly three-fourth of the indigenous medical practitioners (74.37%) in the rural area of Agra were treating 15 patients in a day. Maximum number of patients was attended by trained practitioners. Only 21.82 percent of the practitioners were providing preventive services apart from curative services. Inspite of wide variations in level of training with consequent difference in knowledge, skills and practice, these practitioners still make a significant contribution to health care of the community provided they get some training of modern health system and state patronage. To start with, at least they should be given orientation towards vaccination as they are still giving tetanus toxoid only at the time of injury. In the same way training should be given regarding distribution of vitamin 'A' for prevention of night blindness and iron folic acid tablets for control of anaemia in vulnerable groups.

Partial Purification and Characterization of NADP-Isocitrate Dehydrogenase from Immature Pod Walls of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

NADP(+)-isocitrate dehydrogenase (threo-DS-isocitrate: NADP(+) oxidoreductase [decarboxylating]; EC 1.1.1.42) (IDH) from pod walls of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) was purified 192-fold using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, and gel filtration through Sephadex G-200. The purified enzyme, having a molecular weight of about 126,000, exhibited a broad pH optima from 8.0 to 8.6. It was quite stable at 4 degrees C and had an absolute requirement for a divalent cation, either Mg(2+) or Mn(2+), for its activity. Typical hyperbolic kinetics was obtained with increasing concentrations of NADP(+), dl-isocitrate, Mn(2+), and Mg(2+). Their K(m) values were 15, 110, 15, and 192 micromolar, respectively. The enzyme activity was inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents. Various amino acids, amides, organic acids, nucleotides, each at a concentration of 5 millimolar, had no effect on the activity of the enzyme. The activity was not influenced by adenylate energy charge but decreased linearly with increasing ratio of NADPH to NADP(+). Initial velocity studies indicated kinetic mechanism to be sequential. NADPH inhibited the forward reaction competitively with respect to NADP(+) at fixed saturating concentration of isocitrate, whereas 2-oxoglutarate inhibited the enzyme noncompetitively at saturating concentrations of both NADP(+) and isocitrate, indicating the reaction mechanism to be random sequential. Results suggest that the activity of NADP(+)-IDH in situ is likely to be controlled by intracellular NADPH to NADP(+) ratio as well as by the concentration of various substrates and products.

The standardization of the reverse indirect haemagglutination test for the assay of the viral antigen of Japanese encephalitis vaccine

The reverse indirect haemagglutination (RIHA) test has been standardized for the assay of the viral antigen of purified Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine. Glutaraldehyde fixed sheep erythrocytes were sensitized with ammonium sulphate purified antibodies to JE vaccine raised in mice. The sensitivity of the erythrocytes fell to about one hundredth of the initial sensitivity in the first two days after preparation. After initial loss in sensitivity the stability of the cells became stabilized and the cells retained their titre for one year at 4-8 degrees C. The initial loss in sensitivity was not reduced by storing the cells at -70 degrees C, but after freeze drying the sensitized cells with a stabilizer one day after their preparation the cells retained their sensitivity. The RIHA test has been found to be a highly reproducible and sensitive method for detecting viral antigen in 5-10 ng of protein nitrogen. The sensitivity of the test was affected by the origins of the erythrocytes, i.e. from the different sheep from which they were drawn. To obtain results more rapidly, goose erythrocytes were used in place of sheep erythrocytes and the sensitized goose erythrocytes gave RIHA results in only 40 min.

Storage iron in human foetal organs

Maternal plasma iron and storage iron (non-heme) in the foetal liver were estimated in 108 foetuses whose gestational ages ranged from 12-44 weeks. Simultaneous estimations of storage iron were also made on the spleen and kidney in 70 and 69 of these foetuses respectively. Although the concentration of iron per g wet tissue in these organs remained practically the same at all gestations, the total storage iron content increased with the increase in gestation due to growth of these organs. The liver, in particular, showed a steep rise in total iron content in the last 8 weeks of gestation. There was a significant positive correlation between the total storage iron content in the foetal organs and the birth weight and gestational age of the foetus, suggesting that the preterm infants had smaller iron stores at birth as compared to infants born at term. The direct relation of the concentration as well as the total content of storage iron in the foetal liver with the maternal plasma iron levels suggested that babies born to iron deficient mothers had poor iron stores in their livers.

Proliferative and stimulatory effects of PGA2 on nucleic acids in the adrenal and kidney of squirrel, Funambulus pennanti

Effects of exogenous prostaglandin A2 (PGA2) on DNA and RNA contents of the adrenal and renal tissues have been examined histochemically. Loss of DNA from the chromatin was observed in both the tissues; however, cells of the capsular regions showed normal cytochemical reactions. Stimulated reactions for RNA in both the tissues but with topographical differences signify the elevated functional capacity. Results further prove the proliferative nature of PGA2. Irregularities in the endogenous secretion of PGA2 and other hormones thus caused, seems to be responsible for these effects.

Spectrophotometric determination of vanadium in complex materials using N-m-TMBHA and thiocyanate

Vanadium(V) reacts with N-m-Tolyl-p-methoxy benzohydroxamic acid to form 1:2 (metal to ligand) complex containing a basic V = O group and an acidic V-OH group, which forms addition compounds with thiocyanate to give a hyper and bathochromic effect in chloroform. On the basis of this bathochromic effect of thiocyanate a rapid, selective and sensitive method for the spectrophotometric determination of vanadium(V) has been developed. The blue coloured complex of vanadium(V) is extractable in chloroform having absorption maxima at 580 nm and max 7100 +/- 50 1 X mole-1 cm-1. The method is free from interferences of Mo(VI), W(VI), Zr(IV) and has been successfully applied for the analysis of steels and other complex materials.

Spectrum of acute cortical necrosis in Indian patients

Forty-nine out of 662 patients (7.4%) dialysed for acute renal failure were found to have bilateral renal cortical necrosis. Amongst 6061 autopsies carried out in our centre during the same period, the incidence of cortical necrosis was 0.7%. Obstetric causes were responsible for the renal lesion in 35 (71%) and non-obstetrical causes in 14 patients. In the obstetric group, cortical necrosis was observed in association with spontaneous or induced abortion in 39% and as a complication of late pregnancy in 33%. The non-obstetric causes included snake bite in 26 (12%), acute gastro-enteritis in 5 (10%), haemolytic uremic syndrome in 2 (4%) and G6PD deficiency with intravascular haemolysis in one patient (2%). Thirty-nine (80%) patients were anuric or severely oliguric throughout their illness but a steady rise in urinary output following a protracted phase of oligo-anuria was observed in ten patients. Forty-two (86%) patients died and seven survived. None of the survivors, however, achieved a normal renal function (Ccr 8 ml to 28 ml/min). The diagnosis of renal lesion was confirmed during life in 8 and after death in 41 patients. Morphological lesions were consistent with bilateral diffuse cortical necrosis in 39 (80%) and patchy lesions in 10 patients. Factors responsible for the high incidence of cortical necrosis amongst Indian patients have been high-lighted.

E-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and laryngopharynx

The percentages of early and late E-RFC were measured in 25 proven cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and laryngopharynx. Both counts were depressed significantly in the patients compared to the controls (p less than 0.001). There was also a significant correlation of these counts with the severity of the disease, but there was no correlation between the counts and the duration of the disease.

A study on lipids in the adrenal and kidney of squirrel after prostaglandin A2 treatment

Prostaglandins have been assigned both physiological and pharmacological properties. Moreover, they have been identified in the renal tissue. Nevertheless, effects of exogenous prostaglandins on different systems are not fully known. Since PGA2 escapes destruction in the lungs, it functions as circulatory hormone. How prostaglandins of A group effect lipid metabolism in renal and adrenal tissues has been studied during this investigation. Qualitative and quantitative studies thus performed showed that PGA2 stimulated lipid activities in both the tissues. Whether they inhibited the transport of lipids away from these tissues or enhanced their biosynthesis is not known at present. However, histochemical studies on neutral lipids and phospholipids show that PGA2 stimulates lipid synthesis in these two issues.

Genetic and physiological variation among bean lines resistant and susceptible to bean anthracnose

Electrophoresis was used to determine genetic and or biochemical variation, if any, among bean lines resistant and susceptible to anthracnose. This was based on two enzyme systems: peroxisase and esterase. It was revealed that resistant and suceptible plants differed in their band patterns and intensities. Band intensity differences occurred mainly among monomorphic bands with higher intensities expressed by susceptible plants, while band pattern differences were expressed both by resistant and susceptible plants. These differences appeared only at certain stages of development. These stages were identified as 3 and 40 days after emergence and were considered as critical stages for screening purposes. The peroxidase isozyme A5 and the esterase isozyme C1 at 3 days, and the peroxidase band C1 and esterase bands A1 and A2 at 40 days were important because these differences could be used as 'genetic/biochemical' markers for screening the population for resistance. Thus, electrophoretic differences could be used as a screening aid and this could save time and effort in breeding programmes. Comparisons between inoculated and non-inoculated leaves of resistant and susceptible lines indicated that infection induced changes in both the amount and kind of peroxidases even before symptoms of the disease appeared. However, there were no specific differences between resistant and susceptible lines, indicating that resistant and susceptible lines responded to infection in the same manner.

Renal vein thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome--a prospective study and review

The incidence of renal vein thrombosis (RVT) and other thrombo-embolic phenomena was evaluated in 44 unselected patients with nephrotic syndrome. Renal vein thrombosis was demonstrated by selective renal venography in 10 patients and at post-mortem in one. Extension of the thrombus from the renal veins into the inferior vena cava was seen in 3 patients. Evidence of thrombo-embolism elsewhere in the body was seen in the form of thrombophlebitis in the lower extremities in 4 patients (9.1%), pulmonary embolism in 3 (6.8%) and myocardial infarction in one (2.3%). Of the 11 patients with RVT, renal histology showed membranous glomerulonephritis in 3, minimal change nephritis in 5, membrano-proliferative in one and focal and diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis in one patient each. The characteristics clinical findings such as gross haematuria and flank pain were noted in only 3 patients with RVT. No significant difference could be detected between the plasma fibrinogen, serum cholesterol, beta-lipoprotein, triglycerides and phospholipid concentration of those who showed RVT and the remainder in whom RVT was not demonstrated. The possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of RVT in nephrotic syndrome are discussed.