The effect of aminopterin-induced folic acid deficiency on spermatogenesis

Folic acid deficiency was produced by injecting aminopterin into adult male albino rats, resulting in inhibition of spermatogenesis. Bone marrow smears were studied to serve as an index of folic acid deficiency; however, changes in spermatogenesis were noticed earlier than the bone marrow changes. Meiotic division was affected more than mitotic division. The nuclei of spermatogenic cells showed degenerative changes. Chromosomal abnormalities, chiefly sticky chromosomes, were noticed in squashed preparations of seminiferous tubules.     

Epidemiological aspects of nutritional anaemia in children below five years

Summary A survey of children from the rural and urban communities around Kanpur revealed that 12.7 per cent of children had anaemia. Clinically, the prevalence of anaemia was found to be high in the 6 months to 2 years age group, in familiess and in rural children. Children from families of low economic status; those who were top fed and had associated gastrointestinal or respiratory illness, were affected more often than others. The mean haemoglobin of urban children was more than that of the rural group. From the Departments of Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Colleges, Agra and Kanpur, and the Unit of Statistics and Demography, Dept. of Gynaecology, S.N. Medical College, Agra.     

Macular serpiginous choroiditis

PURPOSE: To report a variant form of serpiginous choroiditis, that initially or predominantly involved the macular area. METHODS: Nine eyes of 6 patients with the macular form of serpiginous choroiditis were evaluated clinically and angiographically in a longitudinal fashion for a period of 12-36 months. The active stage and the recurrences were treated by oral and periocular cortico steroids; and two patients were supplemented with oral azathioprine. Most of these patients were referred to our center with varied diagnoses. RESULTS: In this group, 4 were male and 2 were female with an average age of 30.5 years. Three patients had bilateral macular lesions, two had typical serpiginous choroiditis in the fellow eye and the remaining one had unilateral macular involvement alone. The initial visual acuity was 6/60 or less in 60% eyes whereas the final visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 66% eyes. Angiographic findings were typical of serpiginous choroiditis characterised by early hypofluorescence followed by leakage and staining of the borders and the lesion itself without any evidence of choroidal ischaemia or retinal vascular abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The macular variant of serpiginous choroiditis can mimic many other macular pathologic lesions, thus posing a diagnostic dilemma. Because of its relentless destructive course, early diagnosis and prompt treatment is required to prevent sight-threatening complications.     

Haemoglobinopathy in Andhra Pradesh

Summary Children presenting with pallor, hepatosplenomegaly and other features suggestive of haemolytic disease were investigated for the presence of abnormal haemoglobins. In this effort, 67 cases of thalassaemia major, 118 of, thalassaemia minor, 9 of thalassaemia haemoglobin E disease, 8 of sickle cell anaemia and 98 parents with, the thalassaemia minor trait were detected. None of the cases had migrated from or had ancestors from West Bengal or East Bengal. From the Niloufer Hospital for Women and Children, and the Department of Pediatrics, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad.     

Photographic documentation of spontaneous extrusion of a subconjunctival cysticercus cyst

Spontaneous extrusion of a subconjunctival cysticercus cyst is a rare occurrence. The case reported is of a 20-year-old man who presented with a subconjunctival cysticercus cyst that was suspected to be undergoing spontaneous extrusion. The eye was photographed as the parasite extruded through the conjunctival opening with undulating movements over 3-4 min.