Proportion of Genu Valgum and Genu Varum in Students Aged 19-25 Years

Background:Knee joint mal alignments are divided into genu valgum and genu varum. The presence of these mal-alignments leads to complications like tibio-femoral osteoarthritis, compensatory changes in ankle/foot, etc.Taking a community of physiotherapy students, the proportion ofgenu varum, genu valgumand its association with body mass index (BMI) and foot posture index (FPI) was investigated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the proportion of genu valgum and genu varum in subjects aged 19 -25 years.Materials and Methods: The data was collected from D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai. A consent form and a validated proforma was used. Age, BMI, FPI, IKD (Inter-knee distance), IMD (Inter-malleolar distance) and Q-angle was recorded, and the data was statistically analysed.Results: 45 out of 100 females had genu valgum which was found to be associated with higher BMI and pronated feet. 9 out of 100 females had genu varum which was found to be associated with lower BMI. Chi-square test was done to find out these associations.Conclusion: Awareness of the proportion of angular mal-alignment in knee would increase the recognition of this problem among the individuals and doctors for better execution of strategies that can help avoid these mal-alignments.

Management of spinal tuberculosis--current concepts.

Evidences of spinal tuberculosis have been found in Egyptian mummies and the disease is one of the oldest diseases afflicting humans. The demography, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment, as advocated currently, have been reviewed with a brief discussion of the literature. Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are needed to control this public health problem.

Prevalence of fragile X(A) syndrome in mentally retarded children at a genetics referral centre in Delhi, India.

The usefulness of the clinical score based on Turner 5-trait scale prior to undertaking cytogenetic or molecular tests for the diagnosis of the fragile X(A) syndrome was evaluated. Mean clinical score in fragile X positive patients was significantly higher than in fragile X negative patients (7.06 +/- 1.85 vs 2.98 +/- 1.6, P < 0.0001). Of 1206 children with mental retardation 360 (29.8%) boys fulfilled defined clinical criteria to be screened for fragile X syndrome by chromosomal studies. Twenty three (6.38%) of them were found to be positive for fragile X syndrome using cytogenetic techniques. Molecular confirmation in 21 affected boys (two were lost to follow up) showed full mutation in 19 (5.27%). Two patients showed a normal 5.2 kb band on southern blot. This frequency (5.27%) of fragile X(A) patients among children with non-specific mental retardation is comparable to the results of studies in the West. Routine use of the clinical score, and the selection of patients with a score > or = 5 for diagnostic tests would reduce the laboratory load, especially in countries with limited facilities.

A clinical and cytogenetic study of Turner syndrome.

Forty five case of Turner syndrome diagnosed in the Genetics Clinic, between January 1986 and December 1993, were analyzed. The most commonly observed karyotype was 45, X (44.4%), followed by 45, X/46, XX mosaicism (24.4%). Less frequently demonstrated karyotypes were 45, X/46, X, i (Xq) mosaicism and 46, X, i (Xq) (13.3%). Mosaicism for chromosome was seen in 6.7% of patients. Patients with 45, X karyotype had short stature (85%), dysmorphic facies (60%), delayed appearance of secondary sexual characters (100%) and primary amennorhea (100%). Those with 45, X/46, XX mosaicism were less often dysmorphic and presented with either primary or secondary amenorrhea. Patients with 45, X karyotype were younger at diagnosis and had a significantly shorter mean adult height than those with 45, X/46, XX mosaicism. The phenotype in patients with other karyotypic abnormalities was similar to the 45, X group. Short stature and primary or secondary amenorrhea occurring together in a female strongly suggests the possibility of Turner syndrome, which should be confirmed by chromosomal analysis.

Purification and characterization of E. histolytica antigen for diagnosis of amoebiasis.

Entamoeba histolytica soluble crude antigen was fractionated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 into four fractions, viz. F1(669 kDa); F2(51.2 kDa); F3(25.1 kDa) and F4(10.5 kDa). F1 fraction was observed to be more sensitive and specific for the detection of antibody in amoebiasis than the crude and other fractions of purified antigens employing IHAT and ELISA. ELISA was found to be better than IHAT since it could detect antibody in the sera (3/6) of asymptomatic cyst passers. The cross reaction of crude antigen with toxocariasis (1/4) and toxoplasmosis (2/5) sera were associated with F4 fraction. F3 and F4 were having low molecular weight and were not sensitive in detection of antibody in amoebiasis. Biochemical characterization revealed glycoprotein nature of the specific (F1) antigen fraction.

Development of simple and stable ELISA for detection of copro antigen in intestinal amoebiasis.

A simple, sensitive and stable ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) was developed using rabbit antibody to fractionated Entamoeba histolytica antigen for the detection of copro antigen in the faeces of individuals with intestinal amoebiasis. In this test none of the healthy individuals, all trophozoite positive, 40% cyst passers and 6% individuals living in endemic area showed the presence of copro antigen. ELISA using polyclonal rabbit antibody could detect 1-5 trophozoites/well and 20-50 ng protein per well of NIH-200 strain of E. histolytica and the sensitivity of the test was comparable with that using monoclonal antibody. Cross reaction was observed only with E. invadens when faeces having other parasites were screened. The reagents of ELISA were stabilized and found to be stable for more than 6 months when stored at 4 degrees C.