Distribution of glucose-6-phosphatase and 5-nucleotidase in the digestive system of two teleost fishes.

The distribution and histochemical localization of G6Pase and 5-nucleotidase in the different parts of the alimentary canal of two teleost fishes, Heteropneustes fossilis and Barbus sophore have been studied. The major sites of activity of the two enzymes are intestinal mucosa and liver. G6Pase is localized in the cytoplasm of the absorptive cells of the intestinal mucosa while 5-nucleotidase is present in the cytoplasm as well as nucleus and cell membrane. In the intestine, the anterior portion shows more stronger activity than in the middle and posterior portions. Mild activity is also noticed in the mucosa and gastric glands of the stomach. G6Pase activity is stronger than 5-nucleotidase activity in all the portions. Weak 5-nucleotidase activity is found in the submucosal connective tissue and the nuclei of the intestine. The goblet cells, muscularis abd serosa are negative in all the portions. G6Pase activity is stronger in the herbivorous fish Barbus sophore than in the omnivorous form Heteropneustes fossilis. In the liver, stronger activity of two enzymes is localized in the hepatocytes surrounding the sinusoids. Connective tissue and endothelial lining are negative.     

Haematological effects of nickel toxicity on a fresh water teleost, Colisa fasciatus

Colisa fasciatus, a freshwater teleost, were exposed for 90 hrs to 45 p.p.m. nickel sulphate under static test conditions. The treatment resulted in leucopenia due to reduction in the number of small lymphocytes and polycythemia with concomitant increases in the haematocrit and haemoglobin values, and in retardation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of the moribund fish. No differences in total thrombocyte count, clotting time, and hepatosomatic index were found between the control and the treated fish. Lymphopenia and erythrocytosis may be used in presumptive monitoring nickel toxicity in fish.     

Studies with antisera against peripheral nervous system myelin and myelin basic proteins. I. Effects of antiserum upon living cultures of nervous tissue

We studied the effects of antiserum against rat peripheral nervous system (PNS) myelin, rat or chicken central nervous system myelin basic protein (BP), or rabbit P₂ protein from PNS myelin on myelinated cultures containing only rat dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells. While anti-PNS myelin serum consistently produced segmental PNS demyelination, anti-BP serum and anti-P₂ serum did not. The culture results suggest that the myelin PNS proteins P₁ (identical to basic protein from central nervous system myelin) and P₂ are not exposed on the extracellular surfaces of myelin-related Schwann cells in tissue culture.     

Radiology of the Left Lobe of the Liver

The radiological features of the left lobe of the liver involved by amebic abscess, hydatid cyst and malignancy, as shown on barium examination of the stomach, are described. The commonest radiological finding is anterior gastric indentation with or without posterior displacement of the stomach. Other features of left lobe enlargement are downward displacement of the gastric fundus, a scooped-out appearance of the lesser curve of the stomach and, rarely, posterior indentation. The importance of barium meal examination of the stomach in localising the lesion to the left lobe is emphasised. A rare case of gastro-pericardial fistula complicating amebic liver abscess is described.     

Radiation myelopathy.

Five cases of radiation myelopathy were found in a total of 10,000 cases given radiotherapy from 1968 to 1977. The clinical presentation and treatment details including the total dose, treatment volume, number of fractionations, overall time, and the RET value at the spinal cord were calculated and compared with other reports on this subject. The total number of fractionations ranged from 20 to 26 with an overall time of 32 days to 37 days. The dose received by four patients ranged from 1030 to 1900 RET, a little higher than the tolerance level of the spinal cord as compared to reported values. Two patients in this series had high blood pressure. The incidence of radiation myelopathy, already acceptably low, could possibly be reduced further by meticulous planning of radiation.     

Hirschsprung’s disease associated with imperforate anus

Conclusion To conclude we would like to state that, though the combination of Hirschsprung’ disease with imperforate anus is an uncommon entity, routine histopathological studies in all cases of imperforate anus would help in the early diagnosis of the association. Secondly, in case an abdomiperineal pull-through procedure has already been carried out in the first instance, Soave’ operation is eminently suitable for treatment of the megacolon. From the Departments of Paediatric Surgery and Surgery, M.G.M. Medical College, Indore.     

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease: MR findings in the liver

We report the magnetic resonance (MR) findings in the liver of a patient with known Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, a rare disorder characterized by arteriovenous malformations involving multiple organ systems. To the best of our knowledge, the MR findings in liver involvement have not been previously reported.     

CRP after 2004

C-reactive protein (CRP) that has been conserved throughout evolution is a host-defense molecule. Its attraction towards phosphocholine-ligands, such as modified low-density lipoprotein, and apoptotic cells leads to the "masking" of these substances that have the capabilities to otherwise engage in deleterious activities. Complement activation by CRP complexes and the modulation by CRP of complement activation by its ligands add up to its beneficial effects. In the presence of CRP, production of membrane-damaging last product of the complement pathway is arrested. CRP is currently serving as an indicator of cardiovascular diseases, but to pinpoint the role of CRP in atherosclerosis, a drug that can lower cholesterol levels, but not the CRP levels, is needed for experimentation.     

I. Poloxamer-formulated plasmid DNA-based human cytomegalovirus vaccine: evaluation of plasmid DNA biodistribution/persistence and integration

Preclinical studies were conducted in mice and rabbits to evaluate biodistribution/persistence and potential integration of plasmid DNA (pDNA) after intramuscular administration of a poloxamer-formulated pDNAbased vaccine, VCL-CT01, encoding gB, pp65, and IE1 human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) immunogens. Tissue distribution in mice vaccinated with VCL-CT01 was compared with that in mice vaccinated with a phosphate- buffered saline (PBS)-formulated control pDNA vaccine. Residual pDNA copy number (PCN), in selected tissues collected on days 3, 30, and 60 after vaccination, was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In VCL-CT01-vaccinated mice and in control pDNA-vaccinated mice, pDNA was below the limit of detection by day 60 in all tissues except the injection site. Clearance of pDNA from the injection site was slower in VCL-CT01-vaccinated mice compared with PBS-pDNA-vaccinated mice. An integration study was conducted in rabbits to determine whether pDNA integration into the genome of the vaccinated animal contributed to pDNA persistence. Residual pDNA in VCL-CT01-injected rabbit muscle collected 60 days after vaccination (geometric mean of 1085 PCN/microg total DNA) was comparable to that observed in VCL-CT01- injected mouse muscle (geometric mean of 1471 PCN/microg total DNA) collected at the same time point. pDNA integration was not detectable by column agarose gel electrophoresis despite the persistence of pDNA at the injection site 60 days after vaccination. Therefore the risk of genomic integration of hCMV pDNA formulated with poloxamer was considered negligible.