Nomimmune hydrops fetalis due to Diamond-Blackfan anemia

We describe case report of a baby with Diamond-Blackfan anemia, who presented as non-immune hydrops fetalis. The diagnosis was confirmed by measurement of red cell adenosine deaminase activity which is increased in Diamond-Blackfan anemia. At 2 years of age he is dependent on small dose of alternate day steroid to maintain his hemoglobin.

Neutron Diffraction by the Flux Line Lattice in YBa2Cu3O7−δ Single Crystals

Small-angle neutron diffraction was used to image the mixed state in a large superconducting YBa2Cu3O7−δ single crystal. The flux line lattice was observed in fields up to 2 T at various temperatures from 2.4 to 80 K. The integrated intensity I of the (10) reflection was calculated as a function of temperature for three different fields (0.8, 1 and 2 T). From these I(T) curves, the magnetic penetration depth λ(T) was obtained on an absolute scale. This quantity is of particular interest, since it provides information on the nature of the pairing mechanism in the superconductor, i.e. the symmetry of the wavefunction of the electron pairs. The results are discussed in terms of BCS theory (s-wave pairing) and of d-wave pairing with and without impurity scattering.

Further biochemical and biophysical characterisation of scyllin, Scylla serrata hemolymph lectin

The amino acid and carbohydrate analysis of scyllin, a low molecular weight lectin purified from Scylla serrata (edible crab) haemolymph reveal that scyllin is rich in acidic and neutral amino acids and contains high amount of mannose. UV absorption of scyllin is perturbed by DMSO at 272 nm showing the presence of tryptophan molecule in scyllin exposed and accessible to the solvent. The oxidation of tryptophan molecule by N-bromosuccinimide results in loss of haemagglutinating activity of lectin. The study of thermodynamic parameters of scyllin-glycoproteins interaction suggests that ceruloplasmin is the most potent inhibitors of scyllin of all the glycoproteins studied.

Inhibition of bacterial respiration by a low-molecular weight lectin, scyllin, from Scylla serrata crab hemolymph

Interaction of plant and/or invertebrate lectins with mammalian cells and different microorganisms is well known. In the present study, we have demonstrated that scyllin, a low molecular weight (MW 4000) lectin from the edible crab Scylla serrata hemolymph, purified by GalNAc-Sepharon affinity column followed by Mono-Q ion exchanger in FPLC exhibits antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli by inhibiting endogenous respiration as well as exogenous glucose oxidation. In both the cases oxygen consumption has been measured in an oxygraph. Scyllin has produced 50% inhibition of endogenous respiration at a concentration of 110 micrograms/ml and 125 micrograms/ml in B. cereus and E. coli respectively. It also reduced the exogenous glucose oxidation by 50% at a concentration of 12 micrograms/ml and 80 micrograms/ml respectively in B. cereus and E. coli. From the above study the mechanism of bacterial growth inhibitory property of scyllin is suggested though the other studies such as inhibition of nucleic acid biosynthesis, cell wall biosynthesis etc. to evaluate its total mode of inhibitory action are not yet obtained.

Modulated Magnetic Phases in Rare Earth Metallic Systems

Neutron scattering has played a key role in the microscopic understanding of the static and dynamic properties of magnetic materials. Modulated magnetic structures first discovered in the late fifties can no longer be referred to as exotic; more than a hundred such phases have already been found in a variety of magnetic systems. Neutron and x-ray magnetic scattering have played a complementary role in the recent discovery and understanding of the modulated magnetic phases in rare earth metallic systems.

Therapeutic outcome of elderly and nonelderly patients receiving home intravenous antimicrobial therapy

The therapeutic outcomes of elderly patients receiving home i.v. antimicrobial therapy were compared with those of younger patients receiving the same therapy. Using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 150 consecutively referred patients were accepted into the study. These patients were receiving home i.v. antimicrobial therapy from three home-health-care pharmacies (HHCPs). Referred patients were classified as elderly (greater than or equal to 62 years old) or nonelderly. Data for these patients were compiled retrospectively using interviews and chart reviews. Outcome of the i.v. antimicrobial therapy was rated as either adequate or inadequate based on predetermined criteria. Outcomes were analyzed for each HHCP and for the pooled data. The mean age of the pooled nonelderly group was 38 +/- 14 years, and the mean age of the pooled elderly group was 71 +/- 6 years. Adequate outcomes were noted in 70% of the pooled samples of elderly patients and 76% of the pooled samples of nonelderly patients. The difference between the outcomes of patients in the two age groups was not significant. In this carefully selected population, elderly and nonelderly patients receiving home i.v. antimicrobial therapy had similar therapeutic outcomes.