Herpes zoster of posterior division of mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve

Herpes zoster is a disease caused by the reactivation of dormant varicella zoster virus present in the sensory root ganglion. It presents with a vesicular rash on an erythematous base similar to that seen in classical varicella, however, with only a single dermatomal distribution. The rash is usually seen throughout the affected dermatome as the dorsal root ganglia for each dermatome are clustered together. We present a case of an otherwise healthy male who developed a vesicular rash confined to the distribution of the posterior division of the mandibular nerve. Though the entire mandibular nerve arises from a single ganglion, the skin area supplied by the anterior division of the mandibular nerve was spared. This case provides evidence to show that there is anatomic segregation of cell bodies of nerves traversing anterior and posterior divisions of mandibular division in the trigeminal ganglion and that partial involvement of a sensory root ganglion is possible in immunocompetent patients.

Corrigendum to "The collapsed newborn in the emergency department" [BJA Education 18 (2018) 254-8]

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.bjae.2018.05.004.].

The benefits of index telephone consultations in patients referred on the two-week wait colorectal cancer pathway

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to hospitals in the UK substituting face-to-face (FtF) clinics with virtual clinic (VC) appointments. We evaluated the use of virtual two-week wait (2-ww) lower gastrointestinal (LGI) clinic appointments, conducted using telephone calls at a district general hospital in England.

METHODS

Patients undergoing index outpatient 2-ww LGI clinic assessment between 1 June 2019 and 31 October 2019 (FtF group) and 1 June 2020 and 31 October 2020 (VC group) were identified. Relevant data were obtained using electronic patient records. Compliance with national cancer waiting time targets was assessed. Environmental and financial impact analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In total, 1,531 patients were analysed (median age=70, male=852, 55.6%). Of these, 757 (49.4%) were assessed virtually via telephone; the remainder were seen FtF (n=774, 50.6%). Ninety-two (6%, VC=44, FtF=48) patients had malignant pathology and 64 (4.2%) had colorectal cancer (CRC); of these, 46 (71.9%, VC=26, FtF=20) underwent treatment with curative intent. The median waiting times to index appointment, investigation and diagnosis were significantly lower following VC assessment (p<0.001). The cancer detection rates (p=0.749), treatments received (p=0.785) and median time to index treatment for CRC patients (p=0.156) were similar. A significantly higher proportion of patients were seen within two weeks of referral in the VC group (p<0.001). VC appointments saved patients a total of 9,288 miles, 0.7 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions and £7,482.97. Taxpayers saved £80,242.00 from VCs. No formal complaints were received from patients or staff in the VC group.

CONCLUSION

Virtual 2-ww LGI clinics were effective, safe and were associated with tangible environmental and financial benefits.

A systematic review of ethnic disparities in the uptake of colorectal cancer screening

AIMS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces mortality, but variation exists in uptake. Ethnicity is suggested to play a role; however, there is no high-level evidence to support this. We aim to clarify the impact of Ethnicity on CRC screening uptake and our barriers to its understanding.

METHODS

A systematic review to identify studies reporting on the participation of ethnic minorities in CRC screening worldwide was performed. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar databases up until 31 May 2019 were searched. Compliance with screening according to ethnic groups and screening modality was evaluated compared to the 'White' control group.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were included in the review reporting on 2,084,213 patients. Substantial variation in categorisation of ethnicities (40 sub-categories), screening modality studied and confounding factors accounted for was observed. 8/15 studies for 'Blacks', 10/13 for 'Hispanics', 2/2 for 'Asians' and 1/1 for 'South East Asians' suggest a less likely or significantly decreased compliance with screening for all screening modalities (p < .05) compared to 'Whites'. Interestingly 'Japanese', 'Vietnamese' and 'Filipino' groups consistently show no difference in the uptake of CRC screening compared to the 'White' majority.

CONCLUSION

This is the only systematic review on this topic. It highlights the inconsistency in screening uptake behaviour in different ethnic minority groups and identifies barriers like variation in ethnicity categorisation, screening modality and study design utilised to understanding the intricacies of this relationship. Further collaboration and action needs to be undertaken internationally to clarify and improve inequity in the uptake of screening.

Surgical cognitive simulation improves real-world surgical performance: randomized study

BACKGROUND

Despite the acknowledgement of human factors, application of psychological methods by surgeons to improve surgical performance is sparse. This may reflect the paucity of evidence that would help surgeons to use psychological techniques effectively. There is a need for novel approaches to see how cognitive training might be used to address these challenges.

METHODS

Surgical trainees were divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received training in surgical cognitive simulation (SCS) and was asked to apply the techniques while working in operating theatres. Both groups underwent procedure-based assessment based on the UK and Ireland Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) before the training and 4 months afterwards. Subjective evaluations of SCS application were obtained from the intervention group participants.

RESULTS

Among 21 participants in the study, there was a statistically significant improvement in 11 of 16 procedure-based assessment domains (P < 0.050) as well as a statistically significant mean reduction in time to complete the procedure in the intervention group (-15.98 versus -1.14 min; P = 0.024). Subjectively, the intervention group experienced various benefits with SCS, especially in preoperative preparedness, intraoperative focus, and overall performance.

CONCLUSION

SCS training has a statistically significant impact in improving surgical performance. Subjective feedback suggests that surgeons are able to apply it in practice. SCS may prove a vital adjunct for skill acquisition in surgical training.

GALACTIC COSMIC RAYS IN THE LOCAL INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM: VOYAGER 1 OBSERVATIONS AND MODEL RESULTS

Since 2012 August Voyager 1 has been observing the local interstellar energy spectra of Galactic cosmic-ray nuclei down to 3 MeV nuc-1 and electrons down to 2.7 MeV. The H and He spectra have the same energy dependence between 3 and 346 MeV nuc-1, with a broad maximum in the 10-50 MeV nuc-1 range and a H/He ratio of 12.2 ± 0.9. The peak H intensity is ~15 times that observed at 1 AU, and the observed local interstellar gradient of 3-346 MeV H is -0.009 ± 0.055% AU-1, consistent with models having no local interstellar gradient. The energy spectrum of electrons (e - + e +) with 2.7-74 MeV is consistent with E -1.30±0.05 and exceeds the H intensity at energies below ~50 MeV. Propagation model fits to the observed spectra indicate that the energy density of cosmic-ray nuclei with >3 MeV nuc-1 and electrons with >3 MeV is 0.83-1.02 eV cm-3 and the ionization rate of atomic H is in the range of 1.51-1.64 × 10-17 s-1. This rate is a factor >10 lower than the ionization rate in diffuse interstellar clouds, suggesting significant spatial inhomogeneity in low-energy cosmic rays or the presence of a suprathermal tail on the energy spectrum at much lower energies. The propagation model fits also provide improved estimates of the elemental abundances in the source of Galactic cosmic rays.

Voyager 1 observes low-energy galactic cosmic rays in a region depleted of heliospheric ions

On 25 August 2012, Voyager 1 was at 122 astronomical units when the steady intensity of low-energy ions it had observed for the previous 6 years suddenly dropped for a third time and soon completely disappeared as the ions streamed away into interstellar space. Although the magnetic field observations indicate that Voyager 1 remained inside the heliosphere, the intensity of cosmic ray nuclei from outside the heliosphere abruptly increased. We report the spectra of galactic cosmic rays down to ~3 × 10(6) electron volts per nucleon, revealing H and He energy spectra with broad peaks from 10 × 10(6) to 40 × 10(6) electron volts per nucleon and an increasing galactic cosmic-ray electron intensity down to ~10 × 10(6) electron volts.

Temporal and spatial changes in phenolic compounds in response to Fusarium wilt in chickpea and pigeonpea

Plant phenolic compounds are known to play an important role in innate plant defense and are reported to show temporal and spatial changes in response to abiotic and biotic stress including invading pathogens. In the present study, spatial and temporal variations in phenolic compounds in response to infection by wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (Foc) and Fusarium udum (Fud) were studied in wilt resistant and wilt susceptible cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millspaugh) (i) before the onset of wilt infection (S1 stage; 7 Days after sowing (DAS)), (ii) after the onset of wilt infection (S2 stage; 15 DAS) and (iii) at severe disease stage (S3 stage; 30 DAS), respectively and analyzed for association of total phenol with disease reaction. Under un&mdash;inoculated condition, maximum phenol content (21.8 mg gdw&mdash;1) was found in wilt resistant cultivars and minimum (16.5 mg gdw&mdash;1) in susceptible lines of chickpea. Wilt resistant cultivars of chickpea showed two fold increase in total phenolic content at the onset of infection. In case of pigeonpea, roots of resistant cultivars showed 2.27 fold increase in phenolics, but the increase was marginal in susceptible cultivars. In the present study, interaction between Fusarium and host plants was found to enhance defense responses against wilt disease in resistant cultivars of chickpea and pigeonpea.

Application of molecular markers for genetic discrimination of Fusarium wilt pathogen races affecting chickpea and pigeonpea in major regions of India

(foc) and Fusarium udum (Fud) collected from major pulse growing regions of India. Out of 247 bands produced by 24 Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers in Foc isolates, 210 (85%) were polymorphic. A maximum of 14 amplicons were generated by primer OPF 05 whereas minimum 7 amplicons were generated by primer K7. A total of 24 alleles were produced by twelve Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) primers with an average of two alleles per marker in foc isolates. The maximum number of 4 alleles was obtained with primer SSR 12. SSR amplicon size ranged from 100 to 400 bp. The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic average (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on RAPD and SSR profiles grouped the fourteen foc isolates into four major clusters. The universal Inter Transcribed Spacer (ITS) primer pair amplified 630 bp bands in all fourteen foc isolates while significant length polymorphism was obtained only when analysed by restriction digestion with EcoRI and MspI enzymes. The cluster analysis of ITS&mdash;RFLP grouped all 14 Foc isolates into three major clusters. Twenty four RAPD primers generated a total of 226 bands (ranging 0.3 to 3.0 kb) in Fusarium udum with an average of 9.4 bands per primer and a total of 27 alleles were produced by twelve SSR primers with an average of 2.25 alleles per marker. All isolates amplified a single band ranging from 100 to 450 bp. The universal ITS primer pair amplified 650 bp bands in all fourteen fud isolates while significant length polymorphism was obtained only when analysed by restriction digestion with EcoRI and Hind III enzymes. The cluster analysis of ITS&mdash;RFLP grouped all 14 Fud isolates into three major clusters. The cluster analysis using various markers show the grouping of Fusarium isolates strictly according to their cultural characteristics and degree of pathogenicity and not the geographical origin. This information will be helpful for pathologists and plant breeders to design effective resistance breeding programs in chickpea and pigeonpea taking into account the diversity in wilt pathogen.

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma mimicking a nerve sheath tumor clinically and on MR imaging

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma is a tumor of the soft tissues arising from the vascular endothelium. It is considered an intermediate grade malignancy. A 42-year-old female patient presented with pain and tingling down her right arm and a mass at the right medial upper extremity. MRI revealed an oblong mass along the course of the neurovascular bundle. Given the clinical and MR findings, a nerve sheath tumor was suspected. At surgery, the mass was adherent to both the brachial artery medially and the median nerve posteriorly. Pathology revealed epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. The imaging characteristics of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on ultrasound, CT, and MRI are reviewed. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma can mimic a nerve sheath tumor clinically and radiologically and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors involving or adjacent to a neurovascular bundle.

A combination of intravenous and dietary docosahexaenoic acid significantly improves outcome after spinal cord injury

Previous studies have shown that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are neuroprotective in models of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodents. However, the mechanism of action underlying these effects has not been elucidated, and the optimum treatment regime remains to be defined. We have therefore carried out a detailed analysis of the effects of DHA in adult rats subject to thoracic compression SCI. Saline or DHA (250 nmol/kg) was administered intravenously (i.v.) 30 min after compression. After injury, the saline group received a standard control diet for 1 or 6 weeks, whereas DHA-injected animals received either a control or a DHA-enriched diet (400 mg/kg/day) for 1 or 6 weeks. Other groups received a DHA-enriched diet only for 1 week following injury, or received acute DHA (250 nmol/kg; i.v.) treatment delayed up to 3 h after injury. We also assessed oxidative stress and the inflammatory reaction at the injury site, neuronal and oligodendrocyte survival and axonal damage and the locomotor recovery. At 24 h, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, RNA/DNA oxidation and the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 were all significantly reduced by i.v. DHA administration. At 1 week and 6 weeks, macrophage recruitment was reduced and neuronal and oligodendrocyte survival was substantially increased. Axonal injury was reduced at 6 weeks. Locomotor recovery was improved from day 4, and sustained up to 6 weeks. Rats treated with a DHA-enriched diet in addition to the acute DHA injection were not significantly different from the acute DHA-treated animals at 1 week, but at 6 weeks showed additional improvements in both functional and histological outcomes. DHA treatment was ineffective if the acute injection was delayed until 3 h post-injury, or if the DHA was administered for 1 week solely by diet. Our results in a clinically relevant model of SCI show that significant neuroprotection can be obtained by combining an initial acute i.v. injection of DHA with a sustained dietary supplementation. Given that the safety and tolerability of preparations enriched in omega-3 fatty acids is already well-documented, such a combined DHA treatment regime deserves consideration as a very promising approach to SCI management.

Voyager 1 explores the termination shock region and the heliosheath beyond

Voyager 1 crossed the termination shock of the supersonic flow of the solar wind on 16 December 2004 at a distance of 94.01 astronomical units from the Sun, becoming the first spacecraft to begin exploring the heliosheath, the outermost layer of the heliosphere. The shock is a steady source of low-energy protons with an energy spectrum approximately E(-1.41 +/- 0.15) from 0.5 to approximately 3.5 megaelectron volts, consistent with a weak termination shock having a solar wind velocity jump ratio r=2.6(-0.2)(+0.4). However, in contradiction to many predictions, the intensity of anomalous cosmic ray (ACR) helium did not peak at the shock, indicating that the ACR source is not in the shock region local to Voyager 1. The intensities of approximately 10-megaelectron volt electrons, ACRs, and galactic cosmic rays have steadily increased since late 2004 as the effects of solar modulation have decreased.

Symptomatic arteriovenous malformation of Bartholin's gland. A case report

BACKGROUND

Arteriovenous malformations are composed of large, tortuous arteries and misshapen, veinlike structures. They are extremely uncommon in the genital tract.

CASE

An arteriovenous malformation in a Bartholin gland presented as intermittent vaginal bleeding in a 43-year-old woman.

CONCLUSION

Persistent unexplained bleeding from Bartholin's gland requires surgical excision.

Peritoneal tuberculosis: diagnostic options

BACKGROUND

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis has vague symptoms and few signs. It is essential to recognize and diagnose this curable disease prior to performing definitive surgery. Newer tests such as DNA or RNA amplification allow for early diagnosis but have limitations.

CASE

We report a case of peritoneal tuberculosis in an immigrant woman. She had vague symptoms of low-grade fever, mild abdominal pain, obstipation, and bloating. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to establish the diagnosis. Tuberculosis was confirmed by DNA extraction from the frozen section specimen with subsequent analysis using polymerase chain reaction.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal tuberculosis is a disease that often simulates malignancies. With the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in developed countries, tuberculosis is also on the rise and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with an abdominal/pelvic mass and ascites.

Peritoneal tuberculosis: diagnostic options

BACKGROUND

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis has vague symptoms and few signs. It is essential to recognize and diagnose this curable disease prior to performing definitive surgery. Newer tests such as DNA or RNA amplification allow for early diagnosis but have limitations.

CASE

We report a case of peritoneal tuberculosis in an immigrant woman. She had vague symptoms of low-grade fever, mild abdominal pain, obstipation, and bloating. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed to establish the diagnosis. Tuberculosis was confirmed by DNA extraction from the frozen section specimen with subsequent analysis using polymerase chain reaction.

CONCLUSION

Peritoneal tuberculosis is a disease that often simulates malignancies. With the increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in developed countries, tuberculosis is also on the rise and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with an abdominal/pelvic mass and ascites.

Serum lipids : new biological markers in depression ?

Several studies suggest that a low cholesterol concentration is associated with depression. The authors sought to determine whether an association exists between serum lipid concentrations and depression. 28 drug-naive patients of major depression diagnosed according to DSMlll- R criteria were included in the study and severity of depression was measured on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Suicidal intent was assessed on Suicidal Intent Questionnaire. 28 normal healthy controls were selected and matched for age, sex and body-mass index with the depressives. Serum lipid estimations were done in each subject after 12 hours overnight fasting. The main finding of the study is that total serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and serum LDL cholesterol are decreased while serum HDL cholesterol is increased in depression and these changes were more marked in depressed subjects with definite suicidal intent. On regression analysis, total serum cholesterol was the most important predictive variable of the severity of depression.

Active platelet 5-ht uptake in depressives treated with impramine and ect

Several studies have reported decreased platelet 5-HT uptake in patients of major depression. The present study was undertaken with the aim to study the active platelet 5-HT uptake in depressed patients and effect of treatment with imipramine/ECT on platelet 5-HT uptake in these patients. 30 patients of major depression and equal number of age and sex-matched controls were included in the study. The depressives received imipramine (N=15) or ECT (N=15). Pretreatment active platelet 5-HT uptake was lower in depressives. Treatment with imipramine resulted in significant decrease in 5-HT uptake while with ECT there was significant increase. The serotonergic mechanisms are discussed.

Ect and platelet 5ht uptake in major depression

Several studies have reported decreased platelet 5-HT uptake in patients of major depression. The mechanism of antidepressant action of ECT is not clear. The present work was undertaken with the aim to study the active platelet 5-HT uptake and the effect of ECT on it in patients of major depression. 15 patients of major depression (DSM-lll-R) and equal number of age and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Active platelet 5-HT uptake was determined before ECT, after a course of ECT and 7 days after last ECT. Platelet 5-HT uptake was. significantly lower in der essives than normal controls. After ECT treatment there was significant increase in 5-HT uptake which came down to pretreatment level after 1 week of last ECT. The effect of ECT on serotonergic system is discussed.

A computed tomographic study of schizophrenia

Fifty schizophrenic patients fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria, and group matched normal healthy controls were selected for the study The case and control groups have been compared in terms of VBR, WSF and WTF. In the study schizophrenics have been divided into positive, negative and mixed subgroups on basis of SAPS and SANS, and these subgroups are compared with each other for VBR, WSF & WTF. Tomographic abnormalities were noted in schizophrenics, particularly with negative and mixed subtypes, when compared to controls.

Treatment of acute and transient psychotic disorders with low and high doses of oral haloperidol

The apparent rationale for the popular use of high doses of neuroleptics in psychotic patients is to increase the degree and speed of therapeutic response .However, several recent reports have questioned these claims. The present study was undertaken with the aim to compare the efficacy of high and low oral doses of haloperidol in the treatment of acute and transient psychotic disorders. The sample comprised of forty patients of both sexes diagnosed as acute and transient psychotic disorder who were randomly assigned to high dose (20 mg/day) and low dose (5 mg /day) haloperidol groups with equal number of subjects (n=20) in both groups. Weekly assessment was done on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Haloperidol Side-effects Check List (day 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 & 42). Both groups showed significant improvement in BPRS from baseline scores on all assessments. Comparison of the improvement rate in both study groups revealed no significant difference.

Mania in twins : a case report

A 19 year old patient presented with a first episode of mania. A year ago his twin brother had developed a similar illness. In the family, there was no other history of psychiatric disorders.

A study of comorbidity in psychoactive substance dependence patients

The study assessed the lifetime prevalence of comorbidity in forty three DSM III-R opioid and alcohol dependent patients. A total lifetime prevalence rate of 60.5% was found. The results are discussed axis wise and compared with previous relevant studies. There was no significant difference in comorbidity between the opioid and alcohol Dependent groups. Comorbidity on both Axis I and II were high, but there was no significant difference in the presence of Axis I disorders between patients with and without personality disorders. The paper also reports upon the temporal relationships amongst the co-occurring psychiatric disorders.

Salmonellosis complicating aortic aneurysms

We present our experience with two cases of salmonella infected aortic aneurysms. The treatment of salmonella infected aortic aneurysms has been associated with a high mortality, primarily due to the rapidity with which the post-infective complications of salmonellosis develop. Early diagnosis, adequate anti-microbial therapy and improved vascular surgical methods have resulted in a better prognosis for salmonella infected aortic aneurysms.

Mitral valve replacement for an annular submitral aneurysm of the left ventricle

Successful surgical repair of an annular submitral aneurysm of the left ventricle in two patients is described. In both cases the diagnosis was made at surgery and they were treated successfully by transatrial closure of the aneurysm with Teflon felted sutures and mitral valve replacement. This is the first report of the use of mitral valve replacement for this condition.

Optimal number of biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the oesophagus

The study evaluated 48 patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus to assess the optimal number of biopsy specimens required to obtain the highest yield. Eight specimens were obtained from each patient and two specimens were placed serially in each of four vials. The first vial provided a positive diagnosis in 95.8% of cases. The addition of two more specimens (second vial) increased the yield to 97.9% and the fifth and sixth specimens increased the positive yield to 100%. There was no statistically significant difference in the yield according to the site and the type of growth.

Interrupted aortic arch with tetralogy of Fallot. A report of an unsuccessful surgically treated case

Interrupted aortic arch is a complete discontinuity of two segments of the aorta. Although associated with a number of conditions, it does not occur in association with pulmonary stenosis. We report a case unsuccessfully treated but from which we have learnt a lesson.

Thermally stimulated polarization studies of kidney stones. II. Effect of annealing and thickness

To investigate the cause of the d.c. charged conductivity state of kidney stones, the effect of annealing and sample thickness on thermally stimulated polarization was studied. It was observed that the peak current decreased and the peak temperature rose with increasing annealing temperature and the sample thickness. The sharpness of the single peak decreased and the activation energy increased with both parameters. The results have been explained on the basis of the loss of water attached to calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate, denaturation of collagen and the ionic nature of the main constituents of the kidney stone.

Transverse and vertical asymmetry of bilateral craniofacial structures in repaired unilateral and bilateral complete cleft lip and palate cases

Fifty repaired complete cleft lip and palate cases (38 UCLP and 12 BCLP) in the age range of 6 to 14 years were evaluated for transverse and vertical asymmetry using postero-anterior cephalograms. A total of nine bilateral landmarks, representing upper face, mid face and lower face were used. Results showed that asymmetry was not confined to any single plane of reference but manifested in both dimensions--transverse and vertical. The UCLP group had greater asymmetry of mid face than the BCLP group. Asymmetry was found to be extending to distant areas besides the contiguous structures.

Immunoglobulins and viral antibodies in depressive patients

Patterns of serum and C.S.F. IgG, IgA and IgM, and haemagglutination inhibiting (HI) antibodies and complement fixing (CF) antibodies against rubella and cytomegaloviruses respectively and total CSF protein were investigated in 30 depressives, 20 each in neurological and surgical patients. Significant changes in total CSF protein and immunoglobulins in depressives and neurological patients in comparison to surgical subjects indicate an etiological similarity between the two groups. Failure to detect antibodies in C.S.F. of these subjects and statistically insignificant seropositivity refute the claim of viral hypothesis for depression but similar alterations in these body proteins in depressives and neurological patients raise other aetiological possibilities.

Energetic Charged Particles in the Magnetosphere of Neptune

The Voyager 2 cosmic ray system (CRS) measured significant fluxes of energetic [>/=1 megaelectron volt (MeV)] trapped electrons and protons in the magnetosphere of Neptune. The intensities are maximum near a magnetic L shell of 7, decreasing closer to the planet because of absorption by satellites and rings. In the region of the inner satellites of Neptune, the radiation belts have a complicated structure, which provides some constraints on the magnetic field geometry of the inner magnetosphere. Electron phase-space densities have a positive radial gradient, indicating that they diffuse inward from a source in the outer magnetosphere. Electron spectra from 1 to 5 MeV are generally well represented by power laws with indices near 6, which harden in the region of peak flux to power law indices of 4 to 5. Protons have significantly lower fluxes than electrons throughout the magnetosphere, with large anisotropies due to radial intensity gradients. The radiation belts resemble those of Uranus to the extent allowed by the different locations of the satellites, which limit the flux at each planet.

Propagation of Indian Rhubarh (Rheum emodi Wall.) using shoot-tip and leaf explant culture

Shoot-tip explants of Rheum emodi Wall. (Polygonaceae) gave rise to multiple shoots when cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (1962) medium (MS) with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 1.0 mg/l indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Also, shoot buds developed from leaf explants using MS medium with 2.0 mg/l BAP and 0.25 to 1.0 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) or IBA. Roots were induced when the resulting shoots were placed on MS medium with 1.0 mg/l IBA. Both regeneration procedures gave rise to healthy plantlets that were established in soil under glasshouse conditions at 80% frequency after hardening phase of two weeks. Regenerated plants showed a constant chromosome number of 2n=2x=22, same as the parent plant. The use of liquid shake cultures minimized the time and culture medium requirements for propagation. This procedure can be applied for the conservation and utilization of elite clones of R. emodi.

Malignant tumours of the digestive tract. A twenty five year study

A twenty five year retrospective study of malignant tumours was carried out. Malignant digestive tract tumours were about 10% of the total. Segment distribution of the lesion showed highest incidence in large intestine (43.3 percent), oroparynx (34.5 percent), stomach (11.3 percent), oesophagus (6.5 percent) and small intestine (4.4 percent). The maximum cases (74.2 percent) were between 31-60 years, the youngest being a two month old female with rhabdomyosarcoma orpharynx and the oldest a 82 year old male with squamous cell carcinoma anal canal.

Iliac aneurysmo-colonic fistula. A case report and review of literature

A case of a 47 year old man with an aneurysmo colonic fistula is presented. This rare complication presents problems in diagnosis and management. The presentation of this case and operative management without the use of a graft is discussed along with a review of literature.

Relationship of immunoglobulins with the number & duration of schizophrenic episodes

The relationship of serum and CSF immunoglobulins with the number and duration of schizophrenic episodes was assessed in 40 schizophrenics. The mean IgA was increased in patients having 3 or more episodes as compared with those having the first episode (P less than 0.001). IgM showed a moderate increase in patients with the second episode and those having 3 or more episodes. IgG/TP per cent (IgG/total protein %) was found to be significantly increased in CSF of patients having the first episode, as compared with those having 3 or more episodes (P less than 0.001). IgG was increased (although insignificantly) in the CSF of patients with illness of five years duration as compared to patients having illness of one year duration or for illness between 1-5 yr. IgG/TP per cent was found to be significantly increased in patients having illness for 5 or more years when compared to patients having illness for less than 1 yr (P less than 0.001) and for 1-5 yr (P less than 0.01).

Electrical conductivity of kidney stones

Electret behaviour of surgically removed kidney stones through thermally stimulated polarization and thermally stimulated depolarization has already been reported by the authors. To develop an understanding of the conduction mechanism of such samples, d.c. conductivity was studied as a function of temperature and electric field. Temperatures from 308 to 448 K and fields from 0.5 X 10(6) to 2.5 X 10(6) V/m were used on the compressed powder pellet of a kidney stone. Conductivity was found to be 6 X 10(-11) s/m to 1.0 X 10(-11) s/m in the studied temperature range. Possibility of semiconduction is shown and it is suggested that kidney stone is a partially compensated semiconductor of n-type. The field independence of conductivity is observed at higher temperatures. The slopes of current density versus field curves suggest a warm electron effect.

Effect of imipramine and ect on platelet mao activity in depressives

Platelet monoamine Oxidase (MAO) activity was estimated in 30 depressed patients treated with Imipramine or EGT over a period of 5 weeks and pretreatment and post treatment values were compared. Imipramine and ECT caused significant reduction of platelet MAO, which after 7 days washout period comes to the pretreatment level while subjects clinical status l remained unchanged. The percentage blockade in platelet MAO values by Imipramine and ECT was 51.40±13.43 and 34.73±24.27 respectively.

Post dexamethasone plasma cortisol levels in depressives treated with imipramine and electroconvulsive therapy

Sixty patients of endogenous depression and thirty normal controls were studied to find out the relationship of post dexamethasone plasma Cortisol levels (PDPC) and clinical improvement of endogenous depression inpatients treated with electroconvulsive therapy and imipramine. The PDPC levels in both the group of patients showed significant decrease with clinical improvement (Pre and post treatment PDPC values of ECT group was 20.7 ug/dl and 13.6 ug/dl while it was 17.9 ug/dl and 12.7 ug/dl respectively for the Imipramine group). A significant correlation was also found between PDPC and severity of illness (p< 0.001) in the both groups which indicates that PDPC levels is independent of treatment modality used.

Clonal propagation of Picrorhiza kurroa royle ex benth. by shoot tip culture

A procedure has been developed for the clonal propagation of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. through shoot tip culture. Murashige and Skoog's medium (1962) supplemented with kinetin (3.0 to 5.0 mg/l) supported rapid proliferation of multiple shoots from the explants. Addition of indole-3-acetic acid (1.0 mg/l) to the kinetin containing medium showed marked improvement in the growth of regenerated shoots. However, presence of IAA in the medium did not alter the frequency of shoot multiplication. Rooting was readily achieved upon transferring shoots onto MS medium containing ∝-naphthaleneacetic acid (1.0 mg/l). Plantlets were successfully transferred to soil.

The electret effect of kidney stones

Surgically removed kidney stones were powdered and samples made from them were subjected to a d.c. field of 20-50 kV/cm whilst being heated at 1 degree C/min. The thermally stimulated polarization (TSP) spectrum obtained showed the dipolar nature of the material. Dipolar polarization in the stones was confirmed by other experiments.