Poly-ADP-ribosylation of histone proteins of human kidney T1-cells in vitro following gamma-irradiation.

Poly-ADP-ribosylation of cellular proteins is involved with radiation induced damage and its repair. It has been observed that suspension of human kidney T1-cells in vitro attained elevated levels of poly-ADP-ribosylation due to experimental manipulations necessary for preparation of single cell suspension from monolayer cell cultures. These cells in suspension were exposed to various doses of gamma-rays with or without subsequent repair incubation. The PADPR of histones H3, H1 and H2B increased with increasing dose of radiation and decreased after 90 min or repair incubation. Concomitant with these changes, the affinity of histones to DNA in chromatin reduced immediately after irradiation. Normal affinity was reestablished after post-irradiation repair incubation. The results indicate that induction of poly-ADP-ribosylation of histone proteins by radiation and by manipulations to prepare single cell suspension involved different cellular components.

Neutrons affect ADP-ribosylation of proteins in human kidney T1-cells in vitro.

ADP-ribosylation (ADPR) of proteins has been shown to be involved with a variety of cellular responses in which chromatin organization and functions are affected. In order to look into this response, human kidney T1-cells were exposed in vitro to various doses up to 3 Gy of 6 MeV neutrons and compared with the effect caused by gamma photons. Whereas in case of neutrons the maximal inhibition of ADPR was reversed at 0.37 Gy, that in case of gamma-rays occurred at 1.5 Gy. For the reversal of inhibition of ADPR of proteins in T1-cells, neutrons were about 4-fold more efficient as compared to gamma rays.

Change of ADP-ribosylation in human kidney T1-cells by various external stimuli.

Human kidney T1-cells in culture respond to various externally applied stresses, such as mechanical manipulations, trypsinization combined with agitation and centrifugation, Gamma-irradiation, and hyperthermia, by increasing the ADP-ribosylation (ADPR) of proteins in cytoplasm and nuclei. On the other hand, a strong static magnetic field or gravitational force reduces ADPR of proteins. These responses are easily detected in cells in monolayer, yet are masked when the conventional assay of ADPR is used on cells in suspension. The multitude of stimuli for either increasing or depressing ADPR of proteins including histones suggests a common pathway of triggering ADPR in which cellular membranes may be involved.

Cerebral palsy.

In a prospective study it was found that cerebral palsy constituted 0.29% of total paediatric outdoor cases during the study period of 1988-1990. Seventy-five children suffering from cerebral palsy were studied at SN Children Hospital, Allahabad. Male to female ratio was 1:2. There were 42.8% cases who belonged to the age between one and 2 years. Hypertonic cases were predominant over hypotonic cases (3:1). Hemiplegia was commonest (68%) while triplegia was least common (2.7%). There were 24.5% cases who were mentally retarded. Hypertonic cases improved more frequently than hypotonic cases. An early management by paediatric physiotherapy may play an important role in the treatment of cerebral palsy.

Surgical manifestations of ascariasis in childhood.

Amongst 50 patients with surgical complications of Ascaris lumbricoides 35 patients (70%) were treated conservatively and 15 patients (30%) required surgical intervention which included squeezing of worms to distal colon, resection and anastomosis of ileum, appendicectomy and peritoneal lavage. Intestinal perforation was observed in 3 cases. Two patients (4%) died because of postoperative complications. Those presenting with subacute intestinal obstruction had no mortality or morbidity. Although a large number of roundworms were seen in the jejunum, the obstruction was generally observed in the distal ileum.