Sigmoid volvulus an update

Sigmoid volvulus is the third most common cause of colonic obstruction in the United States after cancer and diverticulitis. Etiologic factors include anatomic variation, chronic constipation, neurologic disease, and megacolon. Management of sigmoid volvulus involves relief of obstruction and the prevention of recurrent attacks; the outcome depends on the population and selection of patients. Although volvulus is uncommon, it may be encountered during pregnancy and is a condition that poses significant risk to both mother and fetus requiring a management strategy that varies with each trimester.     

Aedes fumidus and Aedes amesii in mangrove forests of India--two new country records

We report the first records of Aedes fumidus and Ae. amesii from India based on collections made in mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika in Orissa, Sunderbans, in West Bengal, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Collection details include date, location, material examined, larval habitat, and associated species.     

Mosquitoes of the mangrove forests of India: part 2--Sundarbans, West Bengal

Mosquitoes of 19 species belonging to 9 subgenera and 6 genera, Aedes, Aedeomyia, Anopheles, Armigeres, Culex, and Mansonia, were recorded in Sundarbans mangrove forest in West Bengal, India. With 6 and 5 species, respectively, the 2 genera Culex and Anopheles were found to be more diverse while less than 3 species were recorded in the other 4 genera. Adults were mainly collected resting on walls in the guesthouse, tree holes in the forest, landing on humans in the guesthouse, and in the forest, and in light traps. Larvae were obtained from tree holes in the forest. The list of species recorded is not conclusive due to the restriction in access to most parts of the mangroves due to the presence of tigers. The occurrence of the urban species Cx. quinquefasciatus within the Sajnakhali sanctuary is indicative of the need to monitor environmental changes that result with the introduction of man-made facilities.     

The branched-chain amino acid requirement of parenterally fed neonatal piglets is less than the enteral requirement

The requirements for branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), isoleucine, leucine and valine, in neonates have not been determined previously. Furthermore, the BCAA are considered to be catabolized primarily in the muscle and their metabolism in the small intestine has received little attention. In this study, the parenteral and enteral BCAA requirements were determined by the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) technique. Male Yorkshire piglets (n = 32) received amino acid-based diets containing adequate nutrients for 5 d. On d 6 and 8, the piglets were randomly assigned to one of the test diets containing a fixed ratio of BCAA (1:1.8:1.2; isoleucine/leucine/valine). Diets were infused continuously via intravenous catheters for parenterally fed piglets or via gastric catheters for enterally fed piglets. Phenylalanine kinetics and oxidation were determined from a 4-h primed, constant infusion of L-[1-(14)C]phenylalanine. Phenylalanine oxidation (% of dose) decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as the BCAA intake increased from 0.2 to 1.53 g/(kg. d) and from 0.2 to 2.64 g/(kg. d) for parenterally and enterally fed piglets, respectively, after which the phenylalanine oxidation was low and the slope was not different from zero. Using breakpoint analysis, the mean total BCAA requirements were determined to be 1.53 and 2.64 g/(kg. d) for parenterally and enterally fed piglets, respectively. Thus, the parenteral requirement for total BCAA is 56% of the enteral requirement, suggesting that 44% of total BCAA is extracted by first-pass splanchnic metabolism.     

Seasonal incidence of Aedes (Rhinoskusea) portonovoensis in a mangrove forest of South India

The seasonal incidence of Aedes (Rhinoskusea) portonovoensis in its type locality is reported. This is the Ist information on the bionomics of this species described from a mangrove forest in South India. Peak density of adults occurred in August. The larval habitat of the species is also defined.     

Discontinuous electrophoresis of glycosaminoglycans: A screening method for mucopolysaccharidoses

A modified discontinuous electrophoretic method for the separation of standard and urinary glycosaminoglycans has been reported. The merits of the method are the simple and easy to handle apparatus, non-requirement of elaborate cooling system, sensitivity and high reproducibility of the results and applicability of the method for the preliminary grouping of the MPS patients to reduce the number of enzyme assays to be done.     

Complete nucleotide sequence of the matrix protein mRNA of mumps virus

The complete nucleotide sequence of the mumps virus membrane protein or matrix protein (M) has been determined by sequencing cDNA clones and confirmed by partially sequencing the M mRNA and the genome. The mRNA is 1248 nucleotides long excluding the poly(A) and encodes a protein of 375 amino acids. The molecular weight (38,670), deduced from the amino acid sequence, is in agreement with the molecular weight of the viral M protein estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (39-40 kDa). The mumps virus M protein shows 23-27% homology with M proteins of Newcastle disease virus (NDV), measles virus, canine distemper virus (CDV), parainfluenza virus type 3, and Sendai virus, respectively. A comparison of the M protein sequences of the above six paramyxoviruses did not reveal any conserved area of homology common among all paramyxovirus M proteins.     

Report from the Maryland epidemiology schizophrenia linkage study: No evidence for linkage between schizophrenia and a number of candidate and other genomic regions using a complex dominant model

Our collaborative group has undertaken a linkage study of schizophrenia, using a systematic sample of patients admitted to Maryland hospitals. An initial sample of 39 families, each having two or more affecteds, was available for genotyping candidate genes, candidate regions, and highly polymorphic markers randomly distributed throughout the genome. We used a single complex dominant model (with a disease gene frequency of 0.005 and age-dependent penetrance for affected phenotype: for under 35, penetrance = .45; for 35 and older, penetrance = .85). We report here 130 markers, which met the exclusion criteria of LOD score <?2.00 at theta >0.01 in at least 10 informative families, and no evidence for heterogeneity. We also report here markers that were tested as candidates for linkage to the schizophrenic phenotype. They were selected based on the following criteria: (a) proximity to reported chromosomal rearrangements (both 5q and 11q), (b) suggestions of linkage from other families (5q), or (c) presence of a candidate gene (5q, 11q, 3q: Dopamine receptors 1, 2, and 3, respectively). We also tested for mutations of codon 717 in exon 17 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene and were unable to detect the C to T substitution in our schizophrenic group. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Combined surgical and endovascular treatment of a posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistula.

Posterior fossa dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) are uncommon lesions. In the past, treatment of these lesions has involved both surgical and endovascular techniques, the latter being favoured in contemporary neurovascular medicine. We describe our experience in the case of a 71-year-old woman with a posterior fossa DAVF who presented with sudden onset headache, collapse and neurological deficit secondary to a subarachnoid haemorrhage. She was treated by means of direct surgical access of the lesion combined with endovascular occlusion resulting in a radiological and clinical cure.     

Effect of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. seed extract on the genital organs of male and female rats

Following the oral administration of acetone extract of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) seeds for 15 days is male rats, total protein concentration was found to be significantly decreased in testes and vas deferens and increased in seminal vesicles and prostate gland. There was a decrease in activities of acid and alkaline phosphatase in all these regions, except that alkaline phosphatase was unchanged in vasa. In female rats, oral administration of the extract for 10 days led to vaginal cornification and oestrus cycle. While moderate doses caused increase in weight of mammary glands, higher doses increased the weight of oviduct, endometrium, myometrium, cervix and vagina also. The results confirm the oestrogenic activity of the seed extract.