Salmonellosis in Goa.

During the period 1982-86, a total of 657 Salmonella strains were isolated from various clinical samples processed in the Microbiology laboratory of Goa Medical College, Bambolim, Goa. The strains were distributed amongst 23 different Salmonella serotypes. The commonest serotypes encountered were S.typhimurium (66%) and S.typhi (24%), the other serotypes were S.bareilly (5.4%), S.paratyphi B (1.2%), S.newport (1.2%) and S.chester (0.8%). Stool samples yielded the maximum Salmonella isolates of which the S.typhimurium was the highest followed by S.bareilly.     

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for extraction of a round worm.

A 35 years old lady presented with fever, biliary colic, mild jaundice, indigestion and flatulence. The upper abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholecystitis with sludge and a round worm in the common bile duct. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and exploration of the bile duct for the removal of round worm was performed. The post-operative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged fit on the 4th post-operative day.     

Ultrasonic study of processed milk cream and vegetable oils.

Food systems are complex and inhomogeneous in nature. Ultrasonic propagation velocity in the food systems, in this case processed milk cream and vegetable oils, is studied. Ultrasonic properties of the food systems are similar to those of complex biological tissues. The presence of vegetable oil as an adulterant in the processed milk cream is detected with the help of a double-probe-through-transmission ultrasonic technique. The present study helps to maintain quality control of various food systems, particularly with regard to their adulteration, if any.     

Characterisation of Dopamine and Serotonin Uptake Inhibitory Effects of Tetrahydroaminoacridine in Rat Brain

Abstract: The effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) on uptake rates of radioactive 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine were investigated in rat diencephalon and striatal homogenates, respectively. Six and eight μM of THA were needed to inhibit 50% of dopamine and 5-HT uptake rates. Kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max, using six different concentrations of dopamine and 5-HT were estimated in the presence or absence of THA. A significant decrease in V_max without any change in K_m values was observed for both dopamine and 5-HT in the presence of THA. The results show that THA is a non-competitive uptake inhibitor of dopamine and 5-HT in the nerve terminals. The re-uptake blocking effect of THA on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurones, following THA treatment, might lead to increased levels of these monoamines in brains of Alzheimer patients and contribute in the therapeutic effects of the drug.     

Luminescent oxygen channeling immunoassay: measurement of particle binding kinetics by chemiluminescence.

A method for monitoring formation of latex particle pairs by chemiluminescence is described. Molecular oxygen is excited by a photosensitizer and an antenna dye that are dissolved in one of the particles. 1 delta gO2 diffuses to the second particle and initiates a high quantum yield chemiluminescent reaction of an olefin that is dissolved in it. The efficiency of 1 delta gO2 transfer between particles is approximately 3.5%. The technique permits real-time measurement of particle binding kinetics. Second-order rate constants increase with the number of receptor binding sites on the particles and approach diffusion control. By using antibody-coated particles, a homogeneous immunoassay capable of detecting approximately 4 amol of thyroid-stimulating hormone in 12 min was demonstrated. Single molecules of analyte produce particle heterodimers that are detected even when no larger aggregates are formed.     

Reduced peripheral blood mitochondrial DNA content is not a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.

AIMS: Mitochondrial depletion in pancreatic beta cells is known to reduce glucose stimulated insulin secretion. We aimed to determine whether the offspring of patients with early onset Type 2 diabetes had reduced peripheral blood mitochondrial content relative to control subjects and whether this could lead to a predisposition to type 2 diabetes in later life. METHODS: We measured the levels of mitochondria relative to a single copy genomic target by real time polymerase chain reaction in a series of peripheral blood samples taken from the offspring of Caucasian patients with Type 2 diabetes and matched controls. Measures of insulin sensitivity and beta cell function were also taken. RESULTS: In contrast with previous studies, mitochondrial DNA content was not decreased in the offspring of patients with Type 2 diabetes relative to matched controls in our cohort. Conversely, we noted a small proliferation in mitochondrial numbers in our case subjects. In agreement with these findings, no correlations with either insulin sensitivity or beta cell function were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that reduced mitochondrial DNA content in peripheral blood is not a risk factor for the development of Type 2 diabetes in the offspring of patients with early onset Type 2 diabetes.