Spectrum of malignancies in human immunodeficiency virus - positive patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

CONTEXT

India has a very large number of patients living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Opportunistic infections in these patients are commonly encountered. However, malignancies in such patients also do occur.

AIM

The aim was to study the spectrum of malignancies in HIV-positive patients at a tertiary health care center.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Retrospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The cases were retrieved from pathology record files at our Institute from January 2003 to December 2008. The follow-up was obtained from Medical oncology records. The morphology of each case was reviewed along with immunohistochemistry wherever done.

RESULTS

There were 61 such cases (51 males, 10 females). The age range was 7-78 years with a median of 35 years. The clinical presentation varied according to the malignancy. The largest group was non-Hodgkin lymphoma (18 nodal, 23 extra-nodal). The others included carcinoma breast (4), chronic myeloid leukemia (3), Burkitt Leukemia (2), squamous cell carcinoma anal region (2), multiple myeloma (2) and one each of miscellaneous malignancies (7).

CONCLUSION

Malignancies in HIV positive individual occurred in younger individuals. Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, especially extra-nodal lymphomas, were the most common malignancy. There were no cases of proven Kaposi's sarcoma or invasive cervical carcinomas. There were two cases of multiple myeloma which are infrequently reported.

Insights into the mechanism of drug resistance: X-ray structure analysis of G48V/C95F tethered HIV-1 protease dimer/saquinavir complex

The mutation G48V in HIV-1 protease is a major resistance mutation against the drug saquinavir. Recently, G48V mutation is found to co-exist with the mutation C95F in AIDS patients treated with saquinavir. We report here the three-dimensional crystal structure of G48V/C95F tethered HIV-1 protease/saquinavir complex. The structure indicates following as the possible causes of drug resistance: (1) loss of direct van der Waals interactions between saquinavir and enzyme residues PHE-53 and PRO-1081, (2) loss of water-mediated hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl oxygen atoms in saquinavir and amide nitrogen atoms of flap residues 50 and 1050, (3) changes in inter-monomer interactions, which could affect the energetics of domain movements associated with inhibitor-binding, and (4) significant reduction in the stability of the mutant dimer. The present structure also provides a rationale for the clinical observation that the resistance mutations C95F/G48V/V82A occur as a cluster in AIDS patients.

Histidine metabolism in experimental protein malnutrition in rats

1. The activities of the enzymes histidase, urocanase and histidine-pyruvate transaminase were studied in rats under conditions of protein malnutrition. Urocanase and histidase activities in liver were markedly lowered in experimental protein malnutrition, but the activity of histidine-pyruvate transaminase was unaffected. There is a metabolic control in vivo of the enzymes involved in the catabolism of histidine. 2. Significant changes in the urinary excretion of histidine, composition of liver and serum were apparent in the protein-malnourished rat. 3. The changes in the activities of the enzymes and other parameters were of a reversible nature and dependent on the nature of the dietary protein. 4. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to abnormal histidine metabolism in kwashiorkor.

Alpha and beta-galactosidase activities and oligosaccharide content in peanuts

Thirty-three peanut cultivars were examined for their alpha-1,6 and beta-1,4 galactosidase activities and oligosaccharide contents along with proximate compositions. The average moisture, protein, fat, ash, and carbohydrate contents were: 4.9%, 26.6%, 43.1%, 2.3% and 23.1%, respectively. The corresponding coefficients of variation were: 5.2%, 10.1%, 7.2%, 7.8% and 15.7%, respectively. Raffinose and stachyose contents (%) ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 and 0.31 to 0.61, respectively. The specific activity (micromol product/min/mg protein) of crude preparation of alpha-galactosidase for the 33 cultivars ranged from 1.096 to 2.784 for the non-germinated seeds and from not being detected in some samples up to 2.432 for the germinated seeds; the mean values for non-germinated and germinated seeds were: 1.781 and 1.410, respectively. The specific activity of beta-galactosidase ranged from 0.101 to 1.727 in the non-germinated seeds and from not being detected in some samples up to 0.898 in the germinated seeds. Germination decreased the activity of both galactosidases significantly (p < or = 0.05).

Dietary inulin suppresses azoxymethane-induced aberrant crypt foci and colon tumors at the promotion stage in young Fisher 344 rats

This study was designed to determine the effect of 10% dietary long-chain inulin on the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and small intestinal and colon tumors at the initiation (I), promotion (P) and I + P stages (20 rats per treatment) in Fisher 344 male weanling rats. After an acclimatization period of 1 wk, groups of Fisher 344 male weanling rats were assigned to consume AIN 93G diet (control) or AIN 93G diet containing 10% inulin. All the rats received 16 mg/kg body AOM dissolved in saline subcutaneously at 7 wk of age followed by a second injection at 8 wk of age. An additional group of five rats received only saline and consumed the control diet. The rats received the assigned diets until asphyxiation by CO(2) at 16 wk of age for the ACF experiment and 45 wk for the end-point tumor experiment. Feed intake, weight gain, diarrheal index, cecal weight, cecal pH, ACF and tumors in the colon were determined. Rats fed inulin had diarrhea after 2 wk of feeding and recovered by approximately 4 wk. Cecal weight was greater in rats fed inulin and cecal pH was lower. The inulin group had more than 66% fewer aberrant crypts and 60% fewer ACF compared with the control group. Tumor incidences in the small intestine and colon of rats in the control, I, P and I + P groups were: 78, 31, 0 and 11% and 90, 73, 69 and 50%, respectively. The corresponding values for the distal portion of the colon were 87, 63, 45 and 33%, respectively. Colon tumors per tumor-bearing rat were 4.2, 3.09, 1.36 and 1.2 for the control, I, P and I + P groups, respectively. All groups differed, P < 0.05. The results of this study indicate that dietary long-chain inulin suppresses AOM-induced ACF formation, an early preneoplastic marker of colon tumorigenesis in rats, and colon tumors, particularly at the promotion stage.

Dietary inulin suppresses azoxymethane-induced preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci in mature Fisher 344 rats

Preneoplastic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are generally accepted as reliable markers for colon carcinogenesis in animal models. Rat model ACF studies, however, use younger rats, and there are no published reports on the suitability of adult rats for ACF studies. In this study, inulin, a known suppressor of azoxymethane (AOM)-induced ACF, was tested for its ability to suppress ACF formation in mature rats. After a 2-wk acclimation period, 12-mo-old Fisher 344 retired male breeders received two subcutaneous injections of AOM dissolved in saline at weekly intervals. In experiment 1, six groups received 0, 4, 8, 10, 12 and 16 mg AOM/kg body at each injection and were fed AIN-93M diet. In experiment 2, four groups of rats were fed 10 mg AOM/kg body at each injection based on the results of experiment 1, and were fed 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g long-chain inulin diets/100 g. All the rats were killed after 11-wk feeding periods. In experiment 1, there was a significant (P < 0.05) AOM dose response on ACF formation. Rats fed >10 mg of AOM had greater (P < 0.05) mortality. In experiment 2, there was a significant increase in cecal weight and a decrease in cecal pH from 7.17 in the control group to 6.87, 6.61 and 5.76 in the groups fed inulin at 2.5, 5.0 and 10 g/100 g, respectively. Long-chain inulin dose-dependently reduced ACF incidence in the colon (P < 0.01). Compared with rats fed the control diet, the percentage reductions of ACF in rats fed 2.5, 5.0 and 10 g inulin diets/100 g were 25, 51, and 65, respectively. The results of this study indicate that mature rats can be used as models in ACF studies, and dietary long-chain inulin dose-dependently suppresses AOM-induced ACF formation in Fisher 344 mature male rats.

Various levels of cross-resistance to Bacillus sphaericus strains in Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) colonies resistant to B. sphaericus strain 2362

We studied the cross-resistance to three highly toxic Bacillus sphaericus strains, IAB-59 (serotype H6), IAB-881 (serotype H3), and IAB-872 (serotype H48), of four colonies of the Culex pipiens complex resistant to B. sphaericus 2362 and 1593, both of which are serotype H5a5b strains. Two field-selected highly resistant colonies originating from India (KOCHI, 17,000-fold resistance) and France (SPHAE, 23,000-fold resistance) and a highly resistant laboratory-selected colony from California (GeoR, 36,000-fold resistance) showed strong cross-resistance to strains IAB-881 and IAB-872 but significantly weaker cross-resistance to IAB-59 (3- to 43-fold resistance). In contrast, a laboratory-selected California colony with low-level resistance (JRMM-R, 5-fold resistance) displayed similar levels of resistance (5- to 10-fold) to all of the B. sphaericus strains tested. Thus, among the mosquitocidal strains of B. sphaericus we identified a strain, IAB-59, which was toxic to several Culex colonies that were highly resistant to commercial strains 2362 and 1593. Our analysis also indicated that strain IAB-59 may possess other larvicidal factors. These results could have important implications for the development of resistance management strategies for area-wide mosquito control programs based on the use of B. sphaericus preparations.

Cross-resistance to Bacillus sphaericus strains in Culex quinquefasciatus resistant to B. sphaericus 1593M

Bacillus sphaericus 1593M resistant larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were reared in the laboratory since 1995. Resistance in the larvae was monitored by subjecting selection pressure using B. sphaericus 1593M at every generation. Bioassays were conducted with different strains of B. sphaericus (Bs 2297, Bs 2362 and Bs IAB 59) and confirmed cross-resistance in the present study. The level ranged between 27.3 to 18.2 fold in comparison with susceptible larvae. But Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis strains (Bti PG14 and Bti 426) did not show any cross-resistance in the larvae and it emphasized a need to study the mode of action of B. sphaericus toxin that induces cross-resistance in the larval strain.

Interactive suppression of aberrant crypt foci induced by azoxymethane in rat colon by phytic acid and green tea

Several epidemiological studies point to a strong correlation between nutrient composition of the diet and cancer of the colon. Phytic acid, present in grains, has been credited with reducing the risk of cancer of the colon. A number of reports are available indicating the benefits of green tea consumption in reducing the risk of stomach, lung and skin cancer, but little data are available on the effect of green tea in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Also, there are no studies on the combined effect of these compounds on colon tumorigenesis. Thus the primary objective of this investigation was to elucidate the combined effects of green tea and phytic acid on colonic preneoplastic lesions and the Phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase. Fisher 344 male weanling rats were divided into nine groups of 15 rats each and fed the experimental diet for 13 weeks. Rats received two s.c. injections of azoxymethane in saline at 16 mg/kg body wt at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Rats received three levels (0, 1 and 2%) of phytic acid with three levels (0, 1 and 2%) of green tea within each phytic acid level in a 3 x 3 factorial experiment. Results indicate that while green tea had a marginal effect (P < 0.14), phytic acid significantly reduced the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (P < 0.008). The interaction between green tea and phytic acid was significant (P < 0.029 for distal and < 0.0168 for entire colon) and positive, pointing to a synergistic effect of green tea and phytic acid.

Bifidobacterium longum and lactulose suppress azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci in rats

Bifidobacterium longum has been shown to afford protection against colon tumorigenesis. Lactulose, a keto analog of lactose, serves as a substrate for preferential growth of Bifidobacterium. It is not known whether feeding lactulose along with B. longum will have any advantage over feeding of B. longum alone. To test this combination effect, 61 male Fisher 344 weanling rats were divided into four groups of 15 rats each (16 in the control group) and assigned to one of the following four diets for 13 weeks: (i) AIN76A (control, C); (ii) C + 0.5% B. longum (C+Bl, containing 1 x 10(8) viable cells/g feed); (iii) C + 2.5% lactulose (C+L); (iv) C + 0.5% B. longum + 2.5% lactulose (C+Bl+L). All animals received a s.c. injection of azoxymethane at 16 mg/kg body wt at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Colons of 10 rats from each dietary group were analyzed for aberrant crypt foci (ACF), which are preneoplastic markers. Colonic mucosa and livers from five rats were analyzed for glutathione S-transferase (GST, a Phase II enzyme marker). Results indicate that feeding of lactulose and B. longum singly and in combination reduces the number of ACF (P = 0.0001) and the total number of aberrant crypts significantly (P = 0.0005). The total number of ACF in diets C, C+Bl, C+L and C+Bl+L were 187 +/- 9, 143 +/- 9, 145 +/- 11 and 97 +/- 11 respectively. There was no significant difference in weight gain among treatments. Colonic mucosal GST levels were significantly (P = 0.05) higher in the Bl and L groups compared with group C. Initially there was a mild diarrhea in lactulose-fed rats. There was a positive correlation between higher cecal pH and number of ACF. Results of the study indicate that Bifidobacterium and lactulose exert an additive antitumorigenic effect in rat colon.

Analysis of the amino acid sequences of plant Bowman-Birk inhibitors

Plant seeds contain a large number of protease inhibitors of animal, fungal, and bacterial origin. One of the well-studied families of these inhibitors is the Bowman-Birk family(BBI). The BBIs from dicotyledonous seeds are 8K, double-headed proteins. In contrast, the 8K inhibitors from monocotyledonous seeds are single headed. Monocots also have a 16K, double-headed inhibitor. We have determined the primary structure of a Bowman-Birk inhibitor from a dicot, horsegram, by sequential edman analysis of the intact protein and peptides derived from enzymatic and chemical cleavage. The 76-residue-long inhibitor is very similar to that of Macrotyloma axillare. An analysis of this inhibitor along with 26 other Bowman-Birk inhibitor domains (MW 8K) available in the SWISSPROT databank revealed that the proteins from monocots and dicots belong to related but distinct families. Inhibitors from monocots show larger variation in sequence. Sequence comparison shows that a crucial disulphide which connects the amino and carboxy termini of the active site loop is lost in monocots. The loss of a reactive site in monocots seems to be correlated to this. However, it appears that this disulphide is not absolutely essential for retention of inhibitory function. Our analysis suggests that gene duplication leading to a 16K inhibitor in monocots has occurred, probably after the divergence of monocots and dicots, and also after the loss of second reactive site in monocots.

Role of disulfide linkages in structure and activity of proteinase inhibitor from horsegram (Dolichos biflorus)

Proteinase inhibitor isolated from horsegram (Dolichos biflorus or Macrotyloma uniflorum) inhibited specifically the enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin. The inhibitor contained seven disulfide linkages and was free from thiol groups. The inhibitor is resistant to denaturation by urea, guanidine hydrochloride or sodium dodecyl sulfate. Reduction of the inhibitor with dithiothreitol abolished both trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities. The kinetic plots of the reduction as followed by activity and loss in structure as reflected in the 257 nm CD band could be superposed; loss in the activity paralleled the loss in structure. The kinetics of the reduction process was complex; reduction of the inhibitor was slow and depended on the concentration of DTT. Reduction of the disulfide linkages with DTT affected the tertiary structure significantly and secondary structure was not affected considerably. Fluorescence quenching by acrylamide and potassium iodide suggested the unfolding of the molecule due to reduction. Thus, disulfide linkages play a predominant role in maintaining the three-dimensional structure of the inhibitor.

Pyrethroid-impregnated hessian curtains for protection against mosquitoes indoors in south India

Hessian curtains impregnated with deltamethrin 50 mg/m2 were hung in the eaves and doorways of eight one-roomed huts in Madurai, Tamil Nadu State, South India. Statistically significant reductions of indoor-resting and man-biting densities of the mosquitoes Anopheles subpictus and Culex quinquefasciatus were observed for 14 weeks, in two field trials. Bioassays on curtains in the field showed over 50% mortality of Cx quinquefasciatus and An.stephensi for up to 8 weeks. The curtains were highly acceptable to the community, and cost approximately Rs.33.15 (US$1.05) for material and Rs.10 ($0.32) for delta-methrin per hut, totalling Rs 53.15 ($1.70) for two impregnations giving 6 months protection. Comparative costs of house-spraying with residual insecticides are estimated as Rs.1.92 ($0.06) for two rounds of DDT at 1 g/m2, or Rs.40 ($1.27) for three rounds of malathion at 2 g/m2. Therefore the relative annual cost of protection using deltamethrin-impregnated hessian curtains is 28 x or 1.3 x more than for house-spraying with DDT or malathion, respectively (excluding operational expenditure).

Development of a high level of resistance to Bacillus sphaericus in a field population of Culex quinquefasciatus from Kochi, India

Field resistance to Bacillus sphaericus was observed in a population of Culex quinquefasciatus in Kochi, India, exposed to 35 rounds of spraying with a formulation of B. sphaericus 1593 M over a 2-year period. Larvae from the sprayed area gave LC50 and LC90 values that were 146 and 180 times greater than corresponding values for a susceptible strain from an unsprayed locality. When the resistant strain was colonized in the laboratory and subjected to moderate selection pressure at each generation, resistance rapidly increased and by the 18th generation it was 6,223 and 31,325 times greater at the LC50 and LC90 levels in comparison with the susceptible strain. There were no significant differences among 6 susceptible strains tested. Tests were repeated and validated using the standard primary powder SPH88, B. sphaericus 2362. No cross resistance was observed against B. thuringiensis H-14.

Development of combined use of neem (Azadirachta indica) and water management for the control of culicine mosquitoes in rice fields

Crude neem products have earlier shown considerable promise for control of culicine mosquito vectors in rice fields as a by-product of their agricultural use as fertilizers, but suffer from disadvantages of bulkiness and lack of stability in storage. Relatively stable lipid-rich fractions of neem were shown to be as effective as good-quality crude neem products in control of breeding of culicine vectors of Japanese encephalitis, and also produced a slight but significant reduction in populations of anopheline pupae. Neem-based formulations coated over urea significantly increased grain yield, but used alone did not, whereas combining the use of neem-coated urea and water management by intermittent irrigation had a greater effect on grain yield than that of water management alone. The neem fractions were relatively cost-effective, and the combined water management and neem-coated urea strategy is acceptable to farmers, who are already aware of the benefits of the use of neem-coated urea, and of water management. This technology therefore has considerable promise as an environmentally benign method of rice-field mosquito control that could be sustainably implemented by farmers.

The complete primary structure of a unique mannose/glucose-specific lectin from field bean (Dolichos lab lab)

The complete amino acid sequence of two non-identical subunits of the glucose/mannose-specific lectin from Dolichos lab lab (field bean) has been determined by sequential Edman analyses of the intact subunits and peptides derived by enzymatic and chemical cleavage. Peptides were purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and ion pair chromatography. The D. lab lab lectin is a glycoprotein having two polypeptide chains of 132 and 105 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of the D. lab lab lectin is compared with the various lectins of the family Leguminosae. The D. lab lab lectin is the only species of the tribe Phaseoleae that contains two nonidentical subunits of almost equal size and that shows a specificity to glucose/mannose. The lectin shows a greater homology to the glucose/mannose-specific lectins, especially concanavalin A. The unique subunit architecture of the D. lab lab lectin indicates the presence of new post-translational cleavage sites.

Detection of lectin activity on western blots using erythrocytes

A method is described for the direct detection of lectins, agglutinating erythrocytes, on nitrocellulose membranes after Western blotting, thus avoiding protein extraction from specific bands in the gel, followed by agglutination assays. The methodology essentially involves exposing the lectin band on a nitrocellulose strip to trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes (2%, in 0.15 M NaCl) for 30 min at 37 degrees C and then carefully transferring the membrane to saline (4 degrees C) for a few gentle washes and then fixing it in a solution (0.2% glutaraldehyde in 0.15 M NaCl) for 30 min. Later, the membrane is gently washed several times in 0.15 M NaCl containing 10 mM beta-alanine. The lectin band is visualized as a red agglutinated patch. The method is specific for lectins that can agglutinate red blood cells and virtually has no cross reactivity with the various nonlectin proteins tested. Binding of erythrocytes to the lectin band on the nitrocellulose strip can be prevented by specific competing sugars. The method can be applied to screen for the presence of lectins in natural materials and to monitor lectin fractions during purification.

Prevalence of lactose maldigestion. Influence and interaction of age, race, and sex

Ninety-eight adults ranging from 20 to 89 years in age (52 blacks, 46 whites, 48 males, 50 females) were tested for lactose maldigestion by breath hydrogen analysis after consuming milk containing 16.5 g lactose (360 ml milk). Older adults (> or = 50 years) displayed a significantly higher incidence (46%) of lactose maldigestion than younger adults (< 50 years, 26%). In younger adults there were 2.4 times more maldigesters in blacks than in whites, while in older groups this ratio was 3.6. Level of breath hydrogen significantly increased with age up to the age group of 60-69 years. The interaction between age groups and race was highly significant. Of the maldigesters, 63% reported symptoms and 3% of the total sample reported severe symptoms. Results of this study indicate that the prevalance of lactose maldigestion significantly increases with age in blacks compared to whites and that the magnitude of the problem may be greater in black maldigesters than in white maldigesters.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies on a trypsin/chymotrypsin double-headed inhibitor from horse gram

The Bowman-Birk family of proteinase inhibitors from seeds of leguminous plants usually have a molecular mass of 8000 to 10,000 Da. Horse gram (Dolichos bifloros or Macrotyloma uniflorum) seeds contain an unusual Bowman-Birk inhibitor of molecular mass 15,500 Da active against both trypsin and chymotrypsin. In order to elucidate its three-dimensional structure, its evolutionary relationship with the more usual Bowman-Birk inhibitors and to study the structure-function properties, this inhibitor has been purified and crystallized. The purified protein crystallizes easily under a variety of conditions in different crystal forms. Crystals obtained by precipitating the protein (3 to 5 mg/ml in 50mM Tris.HCl (pH 8.0)) with 5% ammonium sulphate and 2 to 3% PEG 4000 appear to be suitable for structure determination by X-ray diffraction. The crystals belong to cubic space group P2(1)3 (a = 110.81 A) and diffract X-rays to beyond 3.0 A resolution.

Field evaluation of a microgel droplet formulation of Bacillus sphaericus 1593M (Biocide-S) against Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles subpictus in south India

A microgel droplet formulation of Bacillus sphaericus 1593M (Biocide-S) was field tested at two different doses viz, 0.22 and 0.43 g/m2 in casuarina pits against a malarial vector Anopheles (Cellia) culicifacies Giles, and An. (Cel.) subpictus Grassi in coconut garden pits in the coastal areas of South India. Both doses significantly reduced the abundance of late instars and pupae of An. culicifacies for 3 and 5 weeks respectively. A significant reduction was recorded in the abundance of late instars and pupae of An. subpictus for 2 and 3 weeks respectively.

Nature of the tryptic/chymotryptic inhibitor from horsegram (Dolichos biflorus)

A protease inhibitor specific to trypsin and chymotrypsin was purified from horsegram (Dolichos biflorus) with the inhibition index 0.24 micrograms/micrograms for trypsin and 0.36 micrograms/micrograms for chymotrypsin. In SDS-PAGE, the inhibitor protein was seen as a single band with apparent molecular mass Mr = 15,500. However, on fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) or non-denaturating PAGE, the inhibitor resolved into four components revealing the existence of isoinhibitors. Data on amino acid analysis indicate that the isoinhibitors are closely related. The major amino acids in the inhibitor are half cystine (18.9 mole %), aspartic acid (12.7 mole %) and serine (14.3 mole %). The inhibitor was partially stable to 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulphate, 8M urea or 6M guanidine hydrochloride. The inhibitory activity was lost on reduction or carboxamidomethylation or acetylation. Modification of the arginine groups or CNBr cleavage of the protein did not result in significant loss of either tryptic or chymotryptic inhibitory activities. The isoinhibitors separated by FPLC reacted with polyclonal antibody raised in rabbits and had pI values ranging from 4.8-5.1. The horsegram inhibitor thus resembles other Bowman-Birk protease inhibitors.

Antimutagenic activity of milk fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus

Antimutagenic activity of acetone or ethylacetate extracts of skim milk fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, or a combination of both the organisms was studied using Salmonella typhimurium (TA 98 and TA 100). Mutagens used were 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (a direct-acting mutagen) and 2-aminofluorene (a mutagen requiring S9 activation). Extracts from all fermented milks showed significant (P less than .05) dose response in suppressing the number of revertants caused by NQNO and 2-aminofluorene in both tester strains, whereas extracts from unfermented milk had no effect. Extracts prepared from milk fermented by L. bulgaricus plus S. thermophilus showed significantly (P less than .05) more antimutagenic activity than extracts prepared from milk fermented by S. thermophilus alone. Solvent (acetone vs. ethyl acetate) effect was not significant with 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide as mutagen. However, in the case of 2-aminofluorene, acetone extracts showed significantly (P less than .05) higher antimutagenic activity. The results of this and related studies strongly indicate that antimutagenic compounds are produced in milk during fermentation by S. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus.

Bateman bipolar hips with autologous bone graft reinforcement for dysplastic acetabula

Dysplastic acetabula treated with cemented sockets have shown shortcomings due to loosening, bone erosion, and implant migration. A Bateman bipolar prosthesis was used, and the deficient superior acetabular lip was augmented with autologous femoral head graft. The surgical technique "locked" the bipolar cup in the reconstructed acetabulum. In a prospective clinical analysis, 21 hips were followed for a mean of 47 months. Results were excellent or good in 13 hips, fair in eight, and poor in none. Cementing the femoral component led to improved results. Migration of the cup was not a major problem. All grafts united, and none resorbed.

Hip implant evaluation in an arthritic animal model

Animal studies can provide important information in the evaluation of new techniques and prosthetic designs in orthopedics. As a prerequisite they must parallel as closely as possible the human conditions they are modeling. An arthritic sheep model simulating the human clinical situation has previously been designed and reported by Phillips and Gurr. The present study introduces for the first time an approach that evaluates a prosthetic joint in an arthritic animal hip. Hemiresurfacing following the Tharies technique was carried out unilaterally in 12 Suffolk sheep and followed up for 2 years. Femoral loosening occurred in three cases. Only one of the 12 cases showed postoperative avascularity of the femoral head. Radiologic follow-up and histologic examination showed features consistently and strikingly similar to those seen in human practice. The sheep hip with simulated arthritis provides a sensitive, clinically reproducible model for the future study of other arthroplasty types and problems.

Destructive arthropathy of the hip following pelvic irradiation: report of four cases

The replacement of orthovoltage by megavoltage radiotherapy has facilitated selective ablation of cancerous tissue, resulting in less toxicity to bone. However, damage to bone still occurs and may be more common than generally appreciated. In four women, all treated for adenocarcinoma of the reproductive tract, radiotherapy was believed to contribute to acetabular failure and secondary arthritis 2 to 31 years after treatment. In one case the condition was bilateral. Because arthritis of the hip is now common in women, there is a risk that unusual and remote factors may not be recognized or fully appreciated. In these cases prosthetic joint replacement is likely to fail. Special techniques, including bone grafting, peripheral support rings, well-fixed and optimally placed sockets and gradual rehabilitation, are mandatory.

Cholesterol level of rabbit meat and trait relationships among growth, carcass and lean yield performances

Data from New Zealand White rabbits (n = 89) were collected on growth, carcass and lean yield traits and on total lipid and cholesterol contents of total carcass lean tissue. Postweaning growth traits included individual 28-d weaning weight, 56-d market weight and average daily gain (28 to 56 d). Carcass yield traits included preslaughter, abdominal fat, giblet, pelt, visceral and carcass weights and dressing percentage; lean yield traits consisted of uncooked lean percentages from forequarter, hindquarter and loin primal cuts, adjusted total lean weight and overall meat to bone ratio. Experimental rabbits were reared under similar environmental conditions of diet, housing and management, were similar in age (range of 4 d) and were all slaughtered on the same day. Analysis of variance results revealed detectable (P less than .05) effects of litter source for all traits examined, except for loin lean percentage, meat to bone ratio and cholesterol content. In a separate analysis, litter size class influenced (P less than .05) the same traits (as the above litter source effect) with the exception of visceral weight and hindquarter lean percentage. Sex of rabbit did not (P greater than .05) have an effect on any carcass measurements. Cholesterol content of uncooked rabbit meat (total ground lean tissue) was 163.6 +/- 3.1 mg/100 g DM. Correlation coefficients were low (r less than .25) in absolute value between total cholesterol content and all other traits investigated. Individual 56-d market weight was related to a number of carcass parameters: dressing percent (r = .60), carcass weight (r = .93) and adjusted total lean weight (r = .89).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Relative efficiency of yogurt, sweet acidophilus milk, hydrolyzed-lactose milk, and a commercial lactase tablet in alleviating lactose maldigestion

The relative effectiveness of commercially available plain yogurt (Y), sweet acidophilus milk (SAM), hydrolyzed-lactose milk (HLM), a lactase tablet (LT), and whole milk (WM) was evaluated in 10 lactose-intolerant black subjects. In a 5 x 5 Latin square design, hourly breath hydrogen excretion (BHE) was measured for 5 h after the subjects consumed the above products (18 g lactose in each except HLM, which had 5 g). Mean BHE (ppm) for Y, SAM, LT, HLM, and WM were 12, 37, 29, 18, and 33, respectively. There was a significant (p less than 0.05) positive correlation of 0.808 between the symptoms reported and the mean peak BHE. However, the correlation between the symptoms and diagnosis by history was not significant. Although Y was as effective as HLM in minimizing lactose maldigestion, it was the least accepted by the subjects in sensory evaluations. Results of this study also indicate that microbial endogenous lactase in yogurt is superior to exogenous commercial lactase in alleviating lactose maldigestion.

Effect of mercuric chloride on some biochemical and physiological parameters of the freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus

The freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus, was exposed to a sublethal concentration of mercuric chloride (3 micrograms/liter) for 120 days and the following effects were examined: changes in the levels of glucose and lactic acid in blood and of glycogen and lactic acid in liver and muscles; rate of absorption of glucose from the intestine; and changes in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), L-amino acid oxidase (AO), and xanthine oxidase (XO) in brain, gills, intestine, kidney, liver, and muscles. Mercury-treated fish were hypoglycemic and hypolactemic. The glycogen content of liver and muscles remained unaltered but the muscle lactic acid level decreased significantly. The rate of intestinal absorption of glucose was reduced significantly by exposure to mercury. G-6-Pase activity was decreased in all the tissues. Hexokinase activity also decreased in mercury-exposed fish but it was significant only in intestine, kidney, and liver. The activities of LDH, PDH, SDH, and MDH also were decreased significantly except LDH in brain and MDH in kidney where an insignificant decrease and an insignificant increase, respectively, were recorded. GDH and AO activities were elevated in most of the tissues except GDH in gills, and AO in gills and muscles where a decrease was observed. XO activity in brain, gills, and kidneys was significantly elevated, but no marked alteration was noted in other tissues.

Effect of feeding fermented milk on the incidence of chemically induced colon tumors in rats

The effect of feeding skim milk fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactobacillus bulgaricus on the incidence of chemically induced colon tumors was studied in rats. Weanling Fisher-344 rats were fed chow plus skim milk (SM), chow plus SM fermented by S. thermophilus, chow plus SM fermented by L. bulgaricus, or chow plus water until sacrifice at 36 weeks, or before if moribund. Colon tumors were induced by s.c. injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine hydrochloride during weeks 3 through 22. The control (chow + water) group received saline injections. The survival rate of the rats fed fermented milks was significantly higher than that of the rats fed nonfermented milk. The latter had a significantly higher incidence of ear-duct tumors than the rats receiving fermented milk. The percentage of rats showing colon tumors was similar among all three experimental groups. The control group did not have any tumors. The rats receiving fermented milk had a significantly higher incidence of small-intestine tumors than those receiving nonfermented milk. The rats on S. thermophilus milk had the lowest percentage of malignant colon tumors of the three experimental groups. Results indicated that the feeding of fermented milks altered the metabolism of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and shifted the target organ from the ear duct to the small intestine. In addition, the colon tumor distribution for the fermented-milk groups appeared to shift toward the anus.

Effect of mercuric chloride on the intestinal absorption of an amino acid, glycine, in the freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus

The effect of five concentrations of mercuric chloride (10 mM, 1 mM, 0.1 mM, 0.01 mM, 0.001 mM) on the rate of absorption of the amino acid glycine by the intestine of the freshwater murrel Channa punctatus has been studied. Intestinal absorption of glycine was also studied in fish exposed to a sublethal concentration (3 micrograms/l) of mercuric chloride for 15 and 30 days. The results revealed that all the five concentrations of mercuric chloride reduced the rate of absorption of glycine by the intestine. Maximum decrease was recorded with 10 mM of mercuric chloride in the instilled medium. The reduction in glycine transport was insignificant with 0.01 and 0.001 mM of mercuric chloride. In fish exposed to mercuric chloride by bath also, decrease in the rate of absorption of glycine was noted but it was significant only after 30 days of exposure.

Enzymological and biochemical changes produced by mercuric chloride in a teleost fish, Channa punctatus

Alterations in the activities of lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase in the brian, gills, intestine, kidney, liver and muscles, the levels of glycogen and lactic acid in liver and muscles, and blood glucose have been examined in a fresh-water teleost fish, Channa punctatus after exposure to a sublethal concentration (3 microgram/1) of mercuric chloride for 15, 30 and 60 days. The results revealed that the activities of all the three dehydrogenases were inhibited significantly after 60 days of treatment except for lactate dehydrogenase in brain. Glycogen and lactic acid contents of the liver and muscles and the blood glucose level also decreased significantly after 60 days of exposure. Though gills and muscles showed weak activity of the three dehydrogenases, the percentage of inhibition was more marked in these tissues than in others.