Sickle cell syndromes in and around Bardoli.

The study comprised of 2 groups. In group I sickling test was done in students studying in a school which mainly caters to the educational needs of the backward community. Out of 130 students examined 24 were found to be sicklers. The distribution of this cases among various castes/tribes were as follows--Choudharys (Cd)-13, Gamits (Gt)-4, Dhodhia Patels (DP)-4, Koknis (K)-2 and Koli Patel (KP)-1. In group II, patients admitted in the hospital between Jan '81 to June '82 were studied. The prevalence of sickle cell syndrome was 1.74%. The most common mode of presentation were limb pains and weakness. Hemoglobin values ranged from 3.0 gram% to 12 gms%. 35 cases of HbSS, 149 cases of HbAS and 1 case of Sickle Beta thalassemia were seen. The distribution of the cases amongst the various tribes and castes were as follows-Cd-93, Gt-56, DP-23, KP-7, K-4 and Rathods (R)-2. No cases were found in Anavil Brahmins or Patidar Patels. Clinical and pathological observations included palpable splenomegaly in 54 cases, splenic abscess in 1 case, isothenuria in large number of patients, microscopic hematuria in 6 cases and frank hematuria in 1 case. Osteomyelitis and cholecystitis were seen in one case each.

Effect of dimethyl sulphoxide on mitochondrial biogenesis in regenerating rat liver and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Effect of dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) on mitochondrial biogenesis in regenerating rat liver and cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during aerobiosis has been studied by monitoring the cytochrome oxidase activity. A single dose of DMSO (275 mg/100-125 g body wt) to normal rats stimulated cytochrome oxidase activity in liver mitochondria while the same dose to partial hepatectomized rats inhibited the enzyme activity. Administration of low dose of DMSO (92 mg/100-125 g body wt) to partial hepatectomized rats did not alter the enzyme activity. Anaerobic cells of S. cerevisiae on aerobiosis for 2 hr attained cytochrome oxidase activity level on par with aerobic cells. Inclusion of DMSO (275 mg/100 ml) in the growth medium of S. cerevisiae during respiratory adaptation exerted partial inhibitory effect on the formation of cytochrome oxidase at 2 hr period, while the 10-fold concentration inhibited the enzyme formation completely. However, the inhibitory effect of DMSO on enzyme formation was abolished on prolonged growth (18 hr and above), while these doses had no influence on cytochrome oxidase in aerobic cells of S. cerevisiae. The results imply that DMSO may be exerting its effect on the assembly of subunits into active enzyme complex during mitochondrial biogenesis.