Isolation and characterization of NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase of germinating pea seeds (Pisum sativum).

NADP+-linked isocitrate dehydrogenase (E.C.1.1.1.42) has been purified to homogeneity from germinating pea seeds. The enzyme is a tetrameric protein (mol wt, about 146,000) made up of apparently identical monomers (subunit mol wt, about 36,000). Thermal inactivation of purified enzyme at 45 degrees and 50 degrees C shows simple first order kinetics. The enzyme shows optimum activity at pH range 7.5-8. Effect of substrate [S] on enzyme activity at different pH (6.5-8) suggests that the proton behaves formally as an "uncompetitive inhibitor". A basic group of the enzyme (site) is protonated in this pH range in the presence of substrate only, with a pKa equal to 6.78. On successive dialysis against EDTA and phosphate buffer, pH 7.8 at 0 degrees C, yields an enzymatically inactive protein showing kinetics of thermal inactivation identical to the untreated (native) enzyme. Maximum enzyme activity is observed in presence of Mn2+ and Mg2+ ions (3.75 mM). Addition of Zn2+, Cd2+, Co2+ and Ca2+ ions brings about partial recovery. Other metal ions Fe2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ are ineffective.

Ischemic nephropathy.

Atherosclerotic narrowing of the renal arteries may result in severe consequences including chronic renal ischemia, renal artery atheroembolism and renal vascular hypertension. Ischemic renal disease is increasingly recognised as a potentially treatable cause of chronic renal failure. Its precise prevalence is still poorly determined as there is no population based studies. The patients with ARD, particularly those with high grade stenosis and systolic hypertension are at very high risk for renal atrophy and renal failure. Angiogram is usually required to confirm the diagnosis. However, the diagnosis is likely in the elderly patient with systemic atherosclerosis and hypertension in whom a rapid rise in serum creatinine concentration is associated with decreased renal length. Disease is associated with high mortality when treated medically. In contrast, clinical improvement is reported after renal revascularisation. Therefore, consider the diagnosis in the patients at risk, because revascularisation (surgical or endovascular) can successfully preserve renal function in selected patients.

Impact of deltamethrin spraying on malaria transmission in Rameshwaram Island, Tamil Nadu State - India.

The impact of spraying Deltamethrin 2.5% w.d.p. @ 20 mg/m2 and its comparison with Malathion 25% w.d.p. @ 2 gr./m2 was assessed in Rameshwaram Island, Tamil Nadu. Monitoring of entomological and parasitological indices revealed that due to deltamethrin spray malaria transmission could be effectively interrupted and a significant reduction in malaria cases was achieved. P. falciparum cases also showed a significant reduction whereas in the comparison malathion areas reduction in malaria cases or in pf cases was not recorded.

Prognostic factors in Guillain-Barre' syndrome.

Prospective prognostic evaluation of various clinical and investigative parameters in 24 patients of Guillain-Barre' syndrome revealed poor prognosis in patients having rapid onset of illness, severe degree of paralysis and muscle wasting, prolonged period of peak paralysis lasting for more than 2 weeks and delayed onset of recovery not commencing within 3 weeks from the onset of weakness. Bulbar paralysis and respiratory involvement adversely affected the outcome. Electrodiagnostic evidence of fibrillation, polyphasic action potentials and markedly reduced amplitude of motor action potentials were indicative of poor prognosis. However, age and sex of the patients, severity of sensory loss, sphincteric disturbances, CSF findings and nerve conduction velocities did not significantly affect the outcome. Autonomic dysfunctions were noticed in 66.6% cases but were mostly mild and transient, and did not affect the long-term results.

Unusual orbital foreign bodies.

Retained intraorbital organic foreign bodies, particularly wooden, are commonly encountered in ophthalmologic practice. We treated two children who had sustained such injury while playing. They presented to us with non-healing sinus with purulent discharge. In one of the patients, X-rays and CT scan helped to clinch the diagnosis, whereas in the other patient diagnosis was possible by correlating history with clinical findings. Surgical exploration in both patients helped us to remove the foreign bodies. Surprisingly, both the foreign bodies were 7 cm long wooden pieces. We, however, caution that management of such cases should be conservative and that surgical exploration be done only in case of complication. From our experience, we recommend proper localisation by all possible means, blunt dissection, careful haemostasis coupled with excellent lighting and exposure in the atraumatic removal of intraorbital foreign bodies.

Computed tomography of brain in symptomatic birth asphyxia.

Twenty five asphyxiated newborns (seventeen term and eight preterm) with mean gestational age of 37 weeks (range 28-48 weeks) and mean birth weight of 2.4 kg (range 0.75 kg to 3.5 kg), respectively, constituted the cases in present study. Normal CT scan was found in five term (29.4%) and two preterm babies (25%). CT abnormalities noted in term babies included hemorrhage (subarachnoid 5.8%, intracerebral 11.6%), hypodensity (mild 23.2%, moderate 11.6% severe 5.8%); hypodensity with hemorrhage 5.8% and cerebral atrophy 5.8%. In the preterm babies abnormalities included intraventricular hemorrhage in 25%, isolated hypodensity in 37.5% and hypodensity with hemorrhage in 12.5% cases. Where as mild hypodensity on CT scan in the absence of hemorrhage or other gross abnormality was indicative of a favourable outcome, moderate to severe hypodensity was indicative of ischemic brain injury and an unfavourable outcome. The presence of intraventricular hemorrhage irrespective of the size of bleed was associated with mortality in all in the present study.

Glucose tolerance test in leprosy.

Glucose tolerance test was carried out in 43 cases of leprosy. They included cases of tuberculoid, borderline, lepromatous leprosy and those with lepra reaction. It was observed that normal curve was common in tuberculoid leprosy. Flat glucose tolerance curve was observed in borderline and lepromatous leprosy. However, the diabetic curve was common in Lepra reaction. Fasting blood sugar was low in lepromatous leprosy and it tended to be marginally high in lepra reaction. Normal GTT response was observed in those with duration of disease between 0-6 months, flat curves in those with duration of disease between 7-12 months while diabetic curve was more common in those with disease duration of more than 2 years.

Adreno-cortical function in leprosy.

Adreno cortical function was carried out in 43 cases of leprosy. These cases were further divided into tuberculoid, borderline, lepromatous and Lepra reaction. Serum and urinary electrolyte, urinary 17-Ketosteroid and 17-Ketogenic steroid and plasma cortisol levels were measured to assess the adrenocortical status in these different forms of leprosy. It was observed that these parameters were within normal limit in tuberculoid leprosy except low value of urinary 17-Ketogenic steroid. The borderline and Lepromatous leprosy cases revealed low values of urinary sodium, potassium and 17-Ketogenic steroid and high level of serum potassium. However, the cases of lepra reaction revealed low value of serum and urinary sodium and potassium, urinary 17-Ketogenic steroid. The basal plasma cortisol level was high in this group but it was statistically insignificant.