Anatomico-radiological study of asymmetrical articular facets on occipital condyles and its clinical implications.

The articular facets on the inferior aspect of the occipital condyles, articulate with the superior articular facets of the first cervical (atlas) vertebra, to form the atlanto-occipital joint. The present case, reports the asymmetrical dimensions of the facets on the occipital condyles of a human dried skull. The anatomico-radiological study of asymmetrical articular facets on the occipital condyles, may be helpful for academicians, neuro-surgeons, clinicians and radiologists in day to day clinical practice.

Unusual clinical features of foetal alcohol syndrome.

Foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a collection of signs and symptoms seen in children of women who consume alcohol during pregnancy. With the increasing incidence of FAS, there is a great variation of its clinical features different from that described in the standard textbooks. This article aims to report on the unusual clinical features of FAS. It also aims to explain the mechanism of action of alcohol as a teratogenic agent.

A review of experimental evidences that could warn of possible dangers of alcohol consumption by pregnant mothers.

Most of the features of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) have been replicated in experimental models. They provide an insight into the effects of alcohol on the developing embryo, however, satisfactory explanations for these effects are still not available. Certain maternal characteristics of children with FAS have been identified. However, it is not absolute as at times the most unlikely women are susceptible to problems of maternal alcoholism. The levels of awareness of FAS among the general public and health workers are inadequate. Measures need to be taken to remedy this condition.

An analysis of the teratagenic effects that could possibly be due to alcohol consumption by pregnant mothers.

It can be concluded that alcohol is definitely harmful to the developing fetus. The effect can manifest in various ways, the most extreme of which is a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The diagnosis of maternal alcoholism leading onto cases of FAS is difficult due to absence of accurate diagnostic tests. The diagnosis of FAS in a child is easier by a proper examination. There is no specific treatment of FAS in a child. The only management is by institution of corrective and rehabilitative measures. The exact mechanism of the teratogenic action of alcohol is not known. It is probably due to the harmful effect of alcohol on the epiblast layer of the bilaminar germ disc. In the absence of adequate knowledge regarding FAS, not much can be done to remedy the deleterious effects of alcohol. Hence, a word of advice to all pregnant women is to avoid drinking during pregnancy.

Correlation of clinical profile of myotonic dystrophy with CTG repeats in the myotonin protein kinase gene.

The molecular genetic analyses (PCR and Southern hybridization) of Indian patients with myotonic dystrophy (DM) were carried out to determine the degree of repeat expansion and an attempt was made to correlate the repeat number with disease severity. A scoring system based on the salient clinical features was devised to objectively assess the disease severity. The repeat expansion was seen in 11 of 12 patients examined and showed an inverse correlation with the age of onset confirming the phenomenon of anticipation. This was further established in the two pedigrees studied, clearly demonstrating both clinical and genetic anticipation. The clinical severity score, however, did not correlate well with the repeat number. Nonetheless, such molecular genetic analyses may have immense value as a screening procedure to identify premutations as well as in prenatal diagnoses.

Mercury detoxifying enzymes within endospores of a broad-spectrum mercury resistant Bacillus pasteurii strain DR2.

Bacillus pasteurii DR2, a broad-spectrum Hg-resistant bacterial strain, exhibited delayed sporulation and less mercury volatilization in the presence of mercury compounds. However, Hg-sensitive Bacillus subtilis sporulated quickly in the presence of HgCl2 and volatilized no mercury. Levels of Hg2+-reductase and organomercurial lyase in the endospores of Bacillus pasteurii DR2 were lower than those in vegetative cells.

Purification of two azoreductases from Escherichia coli K12.

Two azoreductases (I and II) were purified to homogeneity from extracts of E. coli K12. Azoreductase I was a dimer of two identical subunits of molecular weight 28000 whereas azoreductase II was a monomer of 12,000 molecular weight. Both NADH and NADPH functioned as electron donors for the azoreductases. Azoreductase I and II used Ponceau SX, Tartrazine, Amaranth and Orange II as substrates. Ponceau SX was the best substrate for both the enzymes. However, azoreductase II utilized tartrazine, amaranth and orange II less efficiently than azoreductase I.

A PMA degrading constitutive organomercurial lyase in a broad-spectrum mercury resistant Bacillus pasteurii strain DR2.

A broad-spectrum Hg-resistant strain of B. pasteurii DR2 utilized phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) as sole source of carbon. This bacterial strain contained a constitutive organomercurial lyase which specifically degraded PMA but not other organo-mercurials. This PMA-lyase activity was also stimulated to different extents when this bacterial strain was grown in presence of different organic compounds as sole source of carbon.

Cadmium resistance in some members of Enterobacteriaceae.

Strains of members of Enterobacteriaceae, namely Escherichia coli (18), Klebsiella aerogenes (16), and Serratia marcescens (16) were screened for Cd resistance or sensitivity. Only one strain each of these was resistant to high levels (25 n moles/0.05 ml) CdCl2. The Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sensitive strains ranged from 0.8-5 micrograms/ml. All the resistant strains were simultaneously resistant to a number of antibiotics. Treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate eliminated resistance to Cd and to some antibiotics.

An epidemiological study of goitre in two rural communities of Varanasi.

A cross sectional study was conducted in two rural communities of Varanasi during the period from January to December 1978 to find out the problem of endemic goitre. The overall prevalence of goitre was as high as 28.44% with 9.45% of adolescent (13-18 years) population having grade I enlargement. The highest prevalence was observed in 7-12 years of age group, the females being consistently more affected in all the age groups. The prevalence of goitre and iodine level of drinking water found to have an inverse relationship.