Cooperative effect of ribosomal protein s19 and Pim-1 kinase on murine c-Myc expression and myeloid/erythroid cellularity

Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a bone marrow failure syndrome associated with heterozygous mutations in the ribosomal protein S19 (RPS19) gene in a subgroup of patients. One of the interacting partners with RPS19 is the oncoprotein PIM-1 kinase. We intercrossed Rps19 ^+/− and Pim-1 ^−/− mice strains to study the effect from the disruption of both genes. The double mutant (Rps19 ^+/− Pim-1 ^−/− ) mice display normal growth with increased peripheral white and red blood cell counts when compared to the w.t. mice (Rps19 ^+/+ Pim-1 ^+/+ ). Molecular analysis of bone marrow cells in Rps19 ^+/− Pim-1 ^−/− mice revealed up-regulated levels of c-Myc and the anti-apoptotic factors Bcl₂, Bcl_XL, and Mcl-1. This is associated with a reduction of the apoptotic factors Bak and Caspase 3 as well as the cell cycle regulator p21. Our findings suggest that combined Rps19 insufficiency and Pim-1 deficiency promote murine myeloid cell growth through a deregulation of c-Myc and a simultaneous up-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl proteins.     

Single lens to lens duplication: the missing link

Congenital anomalies of the lens include a wide range from lens coloboma to primary aphakia and doubling of lens. There have been few case reports of double lens; the etiology suggested is metaplastic changes in the surface ectoderm that leads to formation of two lens vesicles and hence resulting in double lens. We report a case with bilobed lens, which raises the possibility of explaining the etiology of double lens.     

Blood Lead Levels among School Children after Phasing-Out of Leaded Petrol in Delhi, India

Objectives

The use of leaded petrol was prohibited in the Delhi city by the end of 1998. To determine the impact of use of unleaded petrol, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine blood lead levels in primary school children.

Methods

Blood lead levels were estimated in 300 school children aged 6 to 10 y. The data regarding clinical features and putative risk factors for high blood lead levels was also collected.

Results

Of the 300 children, 36 (12 %) had high blood lead levels. Of the 36 children, 32 had blood lead levels between 10 and 19 μg/dl, 4 had 20–44 μg/dl and none had levels >45 μg/dl. Factors such as exposure to peeling paint, recent renovation of housing and near-distance of house to main road were significantly associated with high blood lead levels.

Conclusions

There is significant prevalence of high blood lead levels in school children in Delhi, even after with prohibition of use of leaded petrol.     

Impacts of Changing Atmospheric Deposition Chemistry on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loading to Ganga River (India)

Investigations on atmospheric deposition (AD) and water chemistry along a 35 km stretch of Ganga River indicated that although N:P stoichiometry of AD did not change, there were over 1.4–2.0 fold increase in AD-NO₃ ^?, AD-NH₄ ⁺ and AD-PO₄ ^3?overtime. Concentration of dissolved inorganic-N (DIN) in river showed significant positive correlations with AD-NO₃ ^? and runoff DIN. Similarly, dissolved reactive-P (DRP) in river showed significant positive correlation with AD-PO₄ ^3? and runoff DRP. The study shows that AD has become an important source of N and P input to Ganga River.     

Effectiveness of Fissure Sealant Retention and Caries Prevention with and without Primer and Bond

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of sealant retention and caries prevention with and without primer and bond below the fissure sealant among Kuwaiti schoolchildren.

Subjects and Methods

This clinical trial used fissure sealant that was applied to four sound first permanent molars on 78 children. All the teeth were cleaned with pumice and rubber cups, isolated with rubber dams, and etched for 20 s. In a split-mouth study design, for the test teeth (n = 156), primer and bond (3M Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Plus System primer and bond) were applied below the sealant, and for the control teeth (n = 156), only sealant (Delton Plus) was applied. The number of tooth surfaces included was 480. Due to loss to follow-up, only 60 children were evaluated at 5 years for sealant retention and caries. The evaluation criteria were: completely retained sealant, complete or partial sealant retention, and caries.

Results

In teeth sealed with primer and bond, 47 (19.6%) tooth surfaces had completely retained sealant, 60 (9.2%) teeth had partially retained sealant, while in 51 (21.3%) caries was prevented and 120 (50%) tooth surfaces were carious or filled. In teeth sealed without primer and bond, 25% (60 tooth surfaces) had completely retained sealant, 6% (14 teeth surfaces) had partially retained sealant, 26% (54 teeth surfaces) showed caries prevention, and 49.6% (119 tooth surfaces) were carious or filled. There was no difference between teeth sealed with primer and bond (120 teeth) and teeth sealed without primer and bond (120 teeth) in completely retained sealant (p = 0.15), complete or partial sealant retention (p = 0.6), caries prevented (p = 0.37), and caries (p = 0.93).

Conclusion

Caries prevention was not enhanced in teeth sealed with primer and bond sealant compared with those sealed with sealant alone.Key Words: Schoolchildren, Sealant, Caries prevention, Sealant retention, Primer and bond     

Urethral Diverticulum Mimicking Anterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse: Case Report

Unfamiliar cystic formations may develop in the anterior vaginal wall. In view of the close proximity of the anterior vagina to the urethra and bladder, it is important that management of such masses is carefully planned after detailed examination and investigation. Herein, we present the case of an unusual painful swelling in the anterior vaginal wall that was first diagnosed as vaginal wall prolapse. Despite thorough preoperative investigations, the origin of the mass as a urethral diverticulum was confirmed only at pathologic analysis.     

The efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve drainage devices in cases of adult refractory glaucoma in Indian eyes

Aim:

To evaluate the efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) drainage devices in cases of adult refractory glaucoma in Indian eyes.

Settings and Design:

Retrospective interventional case series study.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty two eyes of 32 patients of refractory glaucoma in the age group of 35 to 60 years who underwent AGV implantation with or without concomitant procedures from January 2003 to Jan 2007 were studied. Of these, 46 eyes (88%) had undergone filtering surgery earlier whereas remaining eyes underwent primary AGV implantation following failure of maximal medical therapy. The follow up ranged between 12 months to 48 months

Results:

Eighteen eyes (35%) had undergone phacoemulsification with AGV implantation, penetrating keratoplasty (PK) with AGV and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 13 eyes (25%), AGV over preexisting IOL in eight eyes (15%). AGV implantation alone was done in six (11%) eyes. Anterior chamber (AC) reconstruction with secondary IOL and AGV was performed in the remaining eyes. The mean intra ocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 36.3 ± 15.7 mm Hg to 19.6 ± 9.2 mm Hg. Complete success as per criteria was achieved in 46 eyes (88%). None of the eyes had failure to maintain IOP control following AGV.

Conclusion:

The AGV resulted in effective and sustained control of IOP in cases of adult refractory glaucoma in intermediate follow up.     

Efficacy of supplemental Occlu-pad therapy with partial occlusion in children with refractive anisometropic amblyopia

Purpose:To study the efficacy of supplemental occlu-pad therapy with partial occlusion in children with refractive anisometropic amblyopia.Methods:Thirty-one children who did not improve after partial occlusion of 6 h for 6 months were supplemented with the use of occlu-pad for 1 h per day and three such sessions in a week.Results:The mean age was 6.8+/-1.4 years (range 5–9 years). A significant improvement of 3.2+/-1.3 lines in visual acuity was noticed at the end of 3 months of starting this supplemental therapy in children. Out of 31 children, 26 children improved at least 2 lines or more at the end of 3 months. All children (n = 9) having anisohyperopic amblyopia improved at the end of 3 monthsConclusion:Occlu-pad is useful in supplementing occlusion therapy in cases of refractive amblyopia and is more effective in anisohyperopic amblyopia.