Frequency of ABO blood groups, sickle-cell haemoglobin, G-6-PD deficiency and their relation with malaria in scheduled castes and scheduled tribes of Kheda District, Gujarat.

Frequency of sickle cell in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations was found to be 1.5 and 14.9% respectively, whereas G-6-PD deficiency was 5.9 and 4.2% respectively. Blood group B was dominant in both the communities. A significantly lower frequency of P. falciparum malaria was observed among sicklers.     

Usefulness of two-dimensional time-of-flight MR angiography combined with surface anatomy scanning for convexity lesions

Thirty-eight patients with convexity lesions were studied prospectively with the two-dimensional time-of-flight (2D-TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) method. Of these 21 cases had additional surface anatomy scanning (SAS) and 7 cases had three-dimensional phase contrast (3D-PC) MRA. The findings were compared during surgery, and the predictability of 2D-TOF evaluated. 2D-TOF was obtained with 2 mm slice thickness after the administration of contrast media for routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cortical veins were visualized with a good resolution with a scan time of only 5 minutes. The tumor was also visible in the background, due to enhancement, and thus the tumor-vessels relation was shown. Slow-flow vessels were also adequately seen. SAS was done at the same sitting with fast spin echo (FSE) with a scan time of 3 minutes. Once both images were incorporated, information on gyri and their relation to the lesions and vasculature could be obtained from a single image. We found 2D-TOF alone, or at times in combination with SAS, useful for planning of operation for convexity lesions.     

Diagnostic role of fine-needle aspiration of bone lesions in patients with a previous history of malignancy

At the present time fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is considered a routine diagnostic procedure in evaluating neoplastic vs. nonneoplastic lesions in many organs, with high sensitivity and specificity. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of FNA in areas of diagnostic difficulty and its limitations in evaluating bone lesions in patients with a previous history of malignancy. From 1989 to 2000, 249 CT-guided FNAs of bone lesion were performed at our institutions; 187/249 (75.1%) patients had a previous history of malignancy. Aspirated material was air-dried for Diff-Quik stain or fixed in ethanol for Papanicolaou staining. Subsequent surgical tissue was available in 69/187 (36.9%) of the cases. There were 114 males and 73 females, ages 14-86 yr (mean, 64 yr). The primary tumor site was lung 49, genitourinary 46, breast 31, gastrointestinal 28, hematopoietic 26, soft tissue/skin 5, and thyroid 2. There were 125 FNAs of the vertebral spine, 19 from the pelvis, 11 from the ribs, 9 from the sternum, 5 from the femur, and 18 from miscellaneous bone sites. Out of 187, 166 (88.7%) were malignant aspirates confirming the patients' primary malignancies. The most common malignancy encountered was adenocarcinoma, 126/187 (67.4%). Surgical tissue was available for review in 69 patients and the results were in agreement with the FNAs diagnosis in all cases. Nine out of 187 (4.8%) cases were diagnosed as marrow elements on cytological material. These patients have been followed for 1-9 yr and have failed to reveal signs or symptoms of clinical recurrence. Three out of 187 (1.6%) cases showed osteomyelitis. Nine out of 187 (4.8%) were unsatisfactory specimens, with biopsy follow-up available in four cases, showing three metastatic tumors and one case of osteomyelitis. FNA of metastatic bone lesions is a major step in pretreatment diagnosis. On satisfactory specimens, the cytological diagnosis viewed in the clinical-radiological context proves to be similar to surgical diagnosis. FNA is an excellent technique with a high accuracy rate in assessing metastatic bone lesions.     

Genomic DNA insertions and deletions occur frequently between humans and nonhuman primates

Comparative DNA sequence studies between humans and nonhuman primates will be important for understanding the genetic basis of the phenotypic differences between these species. Here we compare approximately 27 Mb of human chromosome 21 with chimpanzee DNA sequences identifying 57 genomic rearrangements (deletions and insertions ranging in size from 0.2 to 8.0 kb) between the two species. These rearrangements are distributed along the entire length of chromosome 21, with approximately 35% found in genomic intervals encoding genes (genic intervals), and have occurred in the genomes of both humans and chimpanzees. Comparison of approximately 9 Mb of human chromosome 21 with orangutan, rhesus macaque, and woolly monkey DNA sequences identified a combined total of 114 genomic rearrangements between humans and nonhuman primates. Analysis of these rearrangements revealed that they are randomly distributed with respect to genic and nongenic intervals and identified one deletion that has likely resulted in the inactivation of a gene (beta1,3-galactosyltransferase) in the woolly monkey. Our data show that genomic rearrangements have occurred frequently during primate genome evolution and significantly contribute to the DNA differences between these species. These DNA rearrangements are commonly found in genic intervals, and thus provide natural starting points for focused investigations of qualitative and quantitative gene expression differences between humans and other primates.     

Molecular characterization and interviral relationships of a flexuous filamentous virus causing mosaic disease of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) in India

Summary.  A virus isolate causing mosaic disease of commercial sugarcane was purified to homogeneity. Electron microscopy revealed flexuous filamentous virus particles of ca 890 × 15 nm. The virus isolate reacted positively with heterologous antiserum to narcissus latent virus form UK, but failed to react with potyvirus group specific antiserum. N-terminal sequencing of the intact coat protein (CP) and the tryptic peptides indicated that the virus was probably a potyvirus but distinct from several reported potyviruses. Comparison of the 3′-terminal 1084 nucleotide sequence of the RNA genome of this virus revealed 93.6% sequence identity in the coat protein coding region with the recently described sugarcane streak mosaic virus (Pakistani isolate). The molecular weight of the coat protein (40 kDa) was higher than that deduced from the amino acid sequence (34 kDa). The apparent increase in size was shown to be due to glycosylation of the coat protein which has not been reported thus far in the family, Potyviridae. This is the first report on the molecular characterization of a virus causing mosaic disease of sugarcane in India and the results demonstrate that the virus is a strain of sugarcane streak mosaic virus, a member of the Tritimovirus genus of the Potyviridae. We have named it sugarcane streak mosaic virus – Andhra Pradesh isolate (SCSMV-AP). Received October 14, 1997 Accepted August 7, 1998     

Nucleus locus coeruleus: Evidence for α1-adrenoceptor mediated hypotension in the cat

Summary The Bezold-Jarisch reflex characterized by hypotension and bradycardia was elicited in anaesthetized artificially respired dogs (pretreated with a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) using capsaicin 10 g/kg (i.v.). Intracisternal administration of the highly selective clonidine-like alpha₂ adrenoceptor agonists B-HT 920 (10 g/kg) or B-HT 933 (30 g/kg) significantly facilitated this reflex bradycardia. The involvement of central alpha₂-adrenoceptors is suggested as intracisternal administration of the alpha₂ adrenoceptor blocking drugs yohimbine (50 g/kg) and piperoxan (50 g/kg) antagonized this facilitation. B-HT 920 also facilitated the vagally mediated baroreceptor reflex to the hypertensive effect of intravenous noradrenaline (3 g/kg). Although the Bezold-Jarisch reflex and the baroreceptor reflex have different afferent pathways, both reflexes may either converge into a common pathway or have separate neuronal chains within the medulla; however, this study indicates that both have a similar central modulatory system stimulated by alpha₂ adrenoceptors.     

Subacute (90 days) oral toxicity studies of Kombucha tea

Kombucha tes(KT) is a popular health beverage and is used as an alternative therapy,KT is prepared by placing the kombucha culture in solution of tea and sugar and allowing to ferment,The inoculum is a fungus consisting of symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria.KT is consumed in several coutries and is believed to have prophylactic and therapeutic benefits in a wide variety of ailments,viz.,intestinal disorders,arthritis,ageing and stiumulation of immunological system.Though KT is used in several parts of the world its eneficial effects and adverse effects have not been scientifically evaluated.Since there are no animal toxicological data on KT,subacute oral toxicity study was carried out.Five goups of rats were maintained:(a) control group given tap water orally,(b) KT given 2ml/kg orally,(c)plain tea(PT) given 2ml/kg orally,(d)KT given in drinking water,1%(v/v)and (e)PT given indrinking water,1%(v/v).The rats were given this treatment daily for a period of 90 days,Weekly records of weight,feed intake,water intake and general behaviour were monitored.There was no significant difference in the growth of the animals as evidenced by the progrssive body weight change.The organ to body weight ration and histologuical evaluation did not show any toxic signs.The haematological and biochemical variables,were within the clinical limits.The study indicates that rats fed KT for 90 day showed no toxic effects.