Heavy metals induce apoptosis in liver of mice.

Cadmium (C d) and zinc (Zn) are an industrial and environmental pollutant of aquatic system has attracted the attention of research's all over the world. In the present study the toxic effects of zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (C d) on the liver of male mice. Male Balb /c mice weighing 32-34 gm, 70 days old, were treated orally with (1-10 mg/kg body wt. CdCl2 and 1-8 mg/kg body wt. ZnCl2). The body weight, liver weight, histological examination of liver, along with DNA ladder for apoptosis was studied. Cadmium and zinc induced both a time, and dose dependent increase in apoptotic, severity of necrosis. Liver weight, body weight decreased with increase of dose. It has been concluded that cadmium and zinc caused necrotic effect in liver and apoptotic as well as decrease body weight and liver weight.

Rapid technique for detection of pneumococcal pneumonia.

Tracheal aspirates from patients with diarrhoea and pneumonia were tested for the presence of pneumococci by both quantitative culture and counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE). Antigen was demonstrated by CIE in 33/48 of these confirmed cases of pneumonia. The technique is easy to use and gives rapid results.