Anterior segment dysgenesis and secondary glaucoma in Goldenhar syndrome

A 3-year-old girl presented with a history of watering, haze and increase in the size of the right eye for two months. The child had bilateral preauricular skin tags, limbal dermoid and dermolipoma, consistant with the diagnosis of Goldenhad syndrome. In addition, her right eye manifested enlarged cornea, flat anterior chamber, atrophic iris and elevated intraocular pressure. This case report highlights a possible association of anterior segment dysgenesis and glaucoma with Goldenhar syndrome.

Evaluation of macular ganglion cell analysis compared to retinal nerve fiber layer thickness for preperimetric glaucoma diagnosis

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic ability of the ganglion cell analysis (GCA) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) protocol on optical coherence tomography (OCT), to diagnose preperimetric glaucoma. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study of 275 adult patients including 47 early glaucoma (mean deviation better than -6.0 D), 150 glaucoma suspects (106 with suspicious discs and 44 ocular hypertensive (OHT), and 78 normal controls was done. Eligible participants were scanned with the spectral domain CirrusTM OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). Average peripapillary RNFL thickness and GCA measurements were obtained. Area under receiver operating characteristic (AROC) curves were used to evaluate discriminant value of both protocols to diagnose likely preperimetric glaucoma among glaucoma suspects. Results: Average RNFL and GCA were significantly thinner in glaucoma patients compared to glaucoma suspects and normal controls (P < 0.001). The RNFL was 92.26 ± 8.8 ? in normal controls, 87.9 ± 12.12 ? in glaucoma suspects and significantly thinner in POAG (70.29 ± 10.18 ?; P < 0.001). The GCA was 81.94 ± 6.17 ? in normal controls, 77.69 ± 9.03 ? in glaucoma suspects, and significantly thinner in POAG (69.36 ± 11.06 ?; P < 0.001). AROCs for discriminating glaucoma suspects from normal were modest, with no difference in AROC of average RNFL or GCA measurements (DeLong; P = 0.93). Average RNFL thickness had significantly greater AROC values than average GCA for discriminating glaucoma suspects (both suspicious discs and OHT) from glaucoma (P = 0.03 and 0.05, respectively. AROC for diagnosing glaucoma was significantly better (P = 0.02) for RNFL (0.88 ± 0.03) than GCA (0.77 ± 0.04). Conclusion: In the present time, GCA measurements, as provided by the SD-OCT, do not appear to outperform RNFL measurements in the diagnosis of preperimetric glaucoma.

Agro-industrial residues and starch for growth and co-production of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and -amylase by Bacillus sp. CFR-67

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and -amylase (-1,4 glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.1) were co-produced by Bacillus sp. CFR-67 using unhydrolysed corn starch as a substrate. Bacterial growth and polymer production were enhanced with the supplementation of hydrolysates of wheat bran (WBH) or rice bran (RBH) individually or in combination (5-20 g L-1, based on weight of soluble substrates-SS). In batch cultivation, a mixture of WBH and RBH (1:1, 10 g L-1 of SS) along with ammonium acetate (1.75 g L-1) and corn starch (30 g L-1) produced maximum quantity of biomass (10 g L-1) and PHA (5.9 g L-1). The polymer thus produced was a copolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate of 95:5 to 90:10 mol%. Presence of WBH and corn starch (10-50 g L-1) in the medium enhanced fermentative yield of -amylase (2-40 U mL-1 min-1). The enzyme was active in a wide range of pH (4-9) and temperature (40-60ºC). This is the first report on simultaneous production of copolymer of bacterial PHA and -amylase from unhydrolysed corn starch and agro-industrial residues as substrates.

Agro-industrial residues and starch for growth and co-production of Polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer and alfa-amylase by Bacillus. SP CFR67îen

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and α-amylase (α-1,4 glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.1) were co-produced by Bacillus sp. CFR-67 using unhydrolysed corn starch as a substrate. Bacterial growth and polymer production were enhanced with the supplementation of hydrolysates of wheat bran (WBH) or rice bran (RBH) individually or in combination (5-20 g L-1, based on weight of soluble substrates-SS). In batch cultivation, a mixture of WBH and RBH (1:1, 10 g L-1 of SS) along with ammonium acetate (1.75 g L-1) and corn starch (30 g L-1) produced maximum quantity of biomass (10 g L-1) and PHA (5.9 g L-1). The polymer thus produced was a copolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate of 95:5 to 90:10 mol%. Presence of WBH and corn starch (10-50 g L-1) in the medium enhanced fermentative yield of α-amylase (2-40 U mL-1 min-1). The enzyme was active in a wide range of pH (4-9) and temperature (40-60ºC). This is the first report on simultaneous production of copolymer of bacterial PHA and α-amylase from unhydrolysed corn starch and agro-industrial residues as substrates.

A serological survey of arboviral diseases among the human population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.

In an attempt to determine the prevalence of certain arthropod-borne viruses of public health importance amongst the human population of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, 2,401 sera were collected from six major localities. The sera were analysed by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization (N) tests, using Chikungunya (CHIK), Japanese encephalitis (JE), West Nile (WN), dengue (DEN-2), Langat (TP-21) and Kyasanur Forest disease (KFD) viral antigens. The highest prevalence of HI antibodies was detected against KFD virus (22.4%), followed by Langat (20.2%), JE (5.9%), DEN-2 (3.1%), CHIK (2.9%) and WN (0.8%) viruses. Cross-reactions to the viral antigens were also noted. The results of N tests indicated a high prevalence of DEN-2 (25.4%) virus, followed by Langat (17.5%), CHIK (15.3%), KFD (12%), JE (2.19%) and WN (1.8%). These results are discussed in relation to important epidemiological parameters like age, sex and geographical location. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an extensive serosurvey of arthropod-borne viruses on these islands.

Effect of severity of pulmonary disease on nitrous oxide washin and washout characteristics.

The influence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on the nitrous oxide (N2O) washin and washout characteristics was evaluated in 90 (ASA II-III) males undergoing elective peripheral surgery under general anaesthesia with controlled ventilation. Patients were classified by preoperative bedside pulmonary function testing into three groups. Group I (n = 30), patients without COPD (FEV1/FVC > 80% predicted values; control group); Group II (n = 30), patients with mild COPD (FEV1/FVC = 65-79% of predicted values); and Group III (n = 30), patients with moderate COPD (FEV1/FVC = 50-64% of predicted values). The anaesthetic technique was standardized for all patients. The Datex Capnomac Ultima monitor was used to measure the inspired and expired concentrations of nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and isoflurane. The duration of both N2O washin (time from start of N2O administration to equilibrium of inspired and expired N2O concentrations) and 5 per cent washout (time from discontinuation of N2O to an expired N2O concentration of 5 per cent of the equilibrium value) were recorded. The duration of N2O washin and washout were significantly prolonged in Groups II and III (P < 0.001) as compared to the control group (Group I). The end-tidal CO2 concentration decreased significantly during N2O washout without causing oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%). We conclude that the duration of N2O washin and washout were significantly prolonged in anaesthetized patients with COPD which may delay the induction and recovery from N2O anaesthesia.

Effects of nebulized beta 2-adrenergic agonists on pulmonary mechanics in anesthetized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

We evaluated the effects of nebulized beta 2-adrenergic agonists on pulmonary mechanics in patients with COPD undergoing peripheral surgery with a standardized general anesthetic technique. Thirty males with COPD were randomized into one of three groups. Group I (control group; n = 10) received nebulized saline 3 ml, Group II (n = 10) received nebulized albuterol (2.5 mg in 3 ml), and Group III (n = 10) received nebulized metaproterenol (15 mg in 3 ml). At 20 min after tracheal intubation, the study drugs were nebulized over 20 min. Datex Capnomac Ultima monitor was used to measure pulmonary mechanics on a breath-by-breath basis. There was no difference between the three groups with respect to demographic data and preoperative respiratory parameters. A similar degree of DPH occurred with the initiation of mechanical ventilation in all three groups. Patients receiving nebulized bronchodilators (Groups II and III) displayed a significant decrease in DPH and an increase in total dynamic compliance. However, there were no differences in DPH and total dynamic compliance between Groups II and III. We conclude that nebulization of either albuterol or metaproterenol can alleviate DPH resulting from mechanical ventilation in anesthetized patients with COPD.

The 1993 epidemic of dengue fever in Mangalore, Karnataka state, India.

An epidemic of febrile illness with hemorrhagic manifestations occurred in certain parts of Mangalore city, Karnataka state, India, from the last week of July 1993. The epidemic reached its peak by mid-August and then started declining. Sporadic cases, however, continued to occur till early December. About 200 cases were reported covering all age groups and both sexes. The cases presented with pyrexia, myalgia, arthralgia and headache. Palatal petechiae, magenta colored tongue with central coating, maculopapular rash and facial flush were observed as classical signs. The tourniquet test was positive in 12% of the cases. Hemorrhage was observed in the form of epistaxis (2 cases), subconjunctival hemorrhage (2 cases) or purpura (3 cases). There were no deaths which were attributable to the epidemic. Five strains of dengue (DEN-2) virus were recovered from the acute-phase sera. Dengue virus-specific IgM type of antibodies were detected in 29/116 (25%) sera. Breeding of Aedes aegypti was observed in some of the areas where cases had occurred. No virus was isolated from any of the field-caught Ae. aegypti mosquitos.

Long-term follow-up of families in an endemic area.

Gandhi Memorial Leprosy Foundation started its leprosy control work around Sevagram village in Wardha District (State of Maharashtra) in 1952. Long-term followup records of families of twenty-seven villages in this area were analyzed to assess the leprosy profile. In this paper, the data on household contacts followed from 1952 to 1986 are presented. This study is based on 6284 healthy contacts of 1184 primary cases detected during the period 1952 to 1984. Of the 1184 primary cases, 242 were detected initially in 1952, the starting year of leprosy control work in the Sevagram leprosy control unit. The total attack rate among household contacts of all types of leprosy was 4.46 per 1000 person years of risk (PYR). In contacts of L/BL/BB types of leprosy (corresponding to present day multibacillary) cases it was 9.86 per 1000 PYR; and in contacts of 'N' type of cases (corresponding to present day paucibacillary leprosy) it was 3.9 per 1000 PYR. Amongst non-exposed population, the rate was 1.98 per 1000 PYR. Attack rate was found to be increasing with BI of primary cases but it was not influenced by regularity of treatment of primary cases. Taking family as a unit, the risk of developing cases or additional cases of leprosy was similar in 'no-case' families and 'case families'.

Pharmacological screening of few new 2-(substituted acetyl) amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles.

Nine new 2-(substituted acetyl) amino-5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesised and confirmed on the basis of IR and nitrogen analysis. These were screened for spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory and their effects on blood pressure after determining ALD50. Compounds GK-4 i.e. 2-(diethylaminoacetyl)- amino-5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole and GK-8 i.e. 2-(din-propylamino acetyl)-amino-5-ethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole were found to be spasmolytic. Compound GK-6 i.e. 2-(diethylaminoacetyl)-amino-5-n-propyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole was found to be a potent hypotensive agent with the effect lasting for more than two hours.

Village scale trial of deltamethrin against mosquitoes.

A village scale trial of Deltamethrin (K-othrin), formulated as a 2.5 per cent wettable powder and applied as a residual spray at a dosage of 25 mg/m2, was carried out against both anopheline and culicine mosquitoes, in Vikas Nagar village, Loni PHC, Distt. Ghaziabad (U.P.) in the month of August, 1985. Deltamethrin was found to be effective in reducing the overall vector population for about 10 to 12 weeks. Contact bio-assays also indicated that the insecticide has a residual life of about 12 weeks both on mud and cement plastered surfaces. No mortality was observed in bioassays against airborne effect of the insecticide sprayed on the walls. Twenty-four hour survival rate of the vector population was observed to be below 50 per cent upto 8 to 10 weeks. Observations indicated excito-repellent effect on mosquitoes forcing exodus from treated areas.