Extracellular amylase(s) production by fungi Botryodiplodia theobromae and Rhizopus oryzae grown on cassava starch residue.

The fungi Botryodiplodia theobromae and Rhizopus oryzae produce extracellular amylase when grown on a liquid medium containing 2% (WN) soluble starch or cassava starch residue(CSR) (as starch equivalent), a waste generated after extraction of starch from cassava, as the sole carbon source. Using CSR as the sole carbon source, the highest amylase activity of 3.25 and 3.8 units (mg, glucose released x ml(-1) x h(-1)) were obtained in shake flask cultures during the late stationary phase of growth of B. theobromae and R. oryzae, respectively. These values were slightly lower than the values obtained using soluble starch as the carbon source. Maximum enzyme synthesis in CSR incorporated medium occurred at the growth temperature of 30 degrees C and pH 6.0. Presence of inorganic NH4+ salts like ammonium acetate and ammonium nitrate in culture medium yielded more amylase than the other nitrogen sources. Amylase(s) production in the controlled environment of a Table-Top glass Jar Fermenter (2-L capacity) was 4.8 and 5.1 units for B. theobromae and R. oryzae, respectively using CSR as the carbon substrate. It is concluded that CSR, a cheap agricultural waste obtained after starch extraction from cassava could replace soluble starch as carbon substrate for commercial production of fungal amylase(s).

Chronic muscle wasting in alcoholics--a histochemical and biochemical study.

A comparative histochemical and biochemical study of the anterior tibial muscle of 10 alcoholics suggests that neuropathy could be the cause of chronic muscle weakness and wasting. Myopathic changes did not predominate in the findings. It is concluded that the proximal muscle atrophy could also be attributed to neurogenic damage. Histochemical reactions in muscle specimens show a selective type 2 atrophy and a slight increase in the mean diameter of type 1 fibres. Biochemical investigations reveal that the activities of a number of enzymes representative of energy supplying pathways--the glycogenolysis and glycolysis--as well as acid phosphatase activity in the muscle is lowered. Oxidative enzymes are of similar activity in the alcoholics and the control group. The glycolytic enzyme activity is particularly important, being the most sensitive indicators of the onset, intensity, and course of neurogenic damage.

Locked in state. A clinicopathological study.

Two patients developed the locked-in state characterised by quadriplegia and mutism with an alert sensorium. Initially they had mild dysarthria and uncrossed hemisensory or hemimotor deficits involving the face and ipsilateral extremities. Both patients died. Rostral brainstem infarctions were found at autopsy in them. Acute onset of uncrossed hemisensory and hemimotor deficits with dysarthria may be caused by infarction of the pons which may predispose to locked-in state.

Primary intraorbital meningioma and schwannoma--a rare association.

Primary intraorbital meningioma and Schwannoma are rare tumours. For them to occur concurrently, or one following soon after another should be considered a curiosity. We present a 40 year old male who reported with proptosis of the right eye and a meningioma was removed surgically. Within 3 months symptoms recurred and a schwannoma was removed at surgery from the same site. Interesting features of the lesion are presented and discussed.

Posterior fossa epidermoid cysts.

Epidermoid cysts in the central nervous system are rare tumours of controversial origin occurring mostly in the last adult age. We present here a series of four cases seen during the last five years. Their common clinical and histological features along with available literature have been discussed.

Carcinoid tumours of the anorectum.

Carcinoid tumours of the anorectum are very rare and comprise only 0.1 per cent of all rectal tumours. Their behaviour and treatment are still debatable. We identified 8 cases during a ten year period from records of two service hospitals; 6 were benign and 2 were malignant. Salient clinical and pathological features have been discussed. All benign tumours were cured by local treatment. Both patients with malignant tumours died despite radical surgical treatment.