Impact of endosulfan (thiodan) EC 35 on behavior and dynamics of oocyte development in the teleostean fish, Colisa (Trichogaster) fasciatus

Histomorphological responses of the ovary of a freshwater percoid fish, Colisa (T.) fasciatus, to endosulfan or thiodan EC 35 treatment, a popular pesticide, have been described. In addition, general behavioral changes of the fishes after treatment have also been recorded. Adult sexually mature females were used in the present study and all fish were in the prespawning phase of the ovarian cycle. The experiment was conducted under natural room temperature and day-night length for 30 days. Experimental fish were maintained in 1 ppm endosulfan solution, which was changed on alternate days after feeding with minced goat liver. Treated fish revealed that (a) the ovarian activity was retarded; (b) the ovarian wall became thicker; (c) the diameter of oogonia and stage I oocytes was not altered but that of stage II and III oocytes was greatly reduced; (d) the percentage of oogonia, stage I, and atretic oocytes increased considerably but that of stage II and III oocytes diminished significantly; and (e) yolk in the stage III oocytes appeared clumped and damaged.     

Impact of preschool education component in Integrated Child Development Services programme on the cognitive development of children.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is India's most comprehensive programme to increase the survival rate and enhance the health, nutrition, and learning opportunities of pre-school children and their mothers through a package of services. The present study was carried out to measure the impact of the preschool education component of the ICDS on the cognitive development of children in the age group of 3-5 years. The study design used was case/control (ICDS attending children v. Non-ICDS). Results of the study revealed the ICDS Anganwadi attendance had positive influence on the cognitive development of children. The mean cognitive score of the attenders was 40.7 as against a mean score of 30.3 in the case of non-attenders.     

Synthesis of alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted styryl cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones as potential antifertility agents

Cyclohexanone was condensed with N-hydroxymethyl benzamide in conc. sulphuric acid to give alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone (I). The reaction of (I) with thiosemicarbazide in ethanol resulted in alpha-methyl-benzamido-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazone (II). Condensation of (II) with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of ethanol afforded alpha-methyl-benzamido-alpha'-substituted-styryl-cyclohexanone thiosemicarbazones (III) in yields ranging from 40 to 50 percent. The compounds exhibited pronounced antiimplantation activity in female albino rats.     

Monte Carlo study of electron spectra produced in semi-infinite and finite water phantoms irradiated by photons of energies up to 2 MeV

A Monte Carlo calculation for the initial electron energy spectra produced in semi-infinite and finite water phantoms irradiated by photons of energies up to 2 MeV and photons from 60Co are presented incorporating successive Compton scattering, photoelectric absorption and Auger effect. The backscattering of photons through the top of the phantom and transmission of photons out of the finite phantom through the sides also are considered. The results are compared with the earlier calculation for infinite water phantom of Turner et al. who assumed that all the photons remained in the water until they were absorbed. It is found that inclusion of backscattering in a semi-infinite phantom yields significantly different results from those of Turner et al. for the infinite phantom. It is also found that backscattering and transmission of the photons through the sides of the finite phantom further alter the initial energy spectra of electrons, as well as the average number of electrons per photon at different photon incident energies.     

Cytogenetics in head and neck cancer

Cytogenetics or the study of chromosomes has been an important tool in oncology. It localizes the abnormality on a particular chromosome segment as such but, the molecular analysis on the other hand focuses the exact gene of interest. Hence both are complimentary. Classical cytogenetics in combination with recent molecular techniques has given rise to various molecular cytogenetic analytical techniques such as florescent in-situ hybridization (FISH), spectral karyotyping (SKY) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The role of telomeres and its concerned enzyme telomerase is important in carcinogenesis. This article summarizes the various cytogenetic techniques and presents an overall view of the importance of cytogenetcs in head and neck cancer.     

Lack of correlation between coronary artery calcium and myocardial perfusion imaging

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) provides evidence of coronary atherosclerosis and has significant prognostic power. Although prior studies have documented a relationship between CAC and hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis, the results have not been conclusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: We evaluated 126 consecutive patients who underwent electron beam computed tomography CAC scoring by use of the Agatston method and stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) within 3 months of each other. The analysis revealed no correlation between absolute CAC score and age- and gender-adjusted CAC scores with MPI. Overall, 18% of patients had abnormal MPI results irrespective of their CAC. CONCLUSION: CAC scoring and stress MPI should be thus considered complementary approaches rather than exclusionary in the evaluation of the patient at risk for coronary artery disease.