Geographical patterns of genetic variation in the world collections of wild annual Cicer characterized by amplified fragment length polymorphisms.

Cicer reticulatum, C. echinospermum, C. bijugum, C. judaicum, C. pinnatifidum, C. cuneatum and C. yamashitae are wild annual Cicer species and potential donors of valuable traits to improve chickpea (C. arietinum). As part of a large project to characterize and evaluate wild annual Cicer collections held in the world gene banks, AFLP markers were used to study genetic variation in these species. The main aim of this study was to characterize geographical patterns of genetic variation in wild annual Cicer germplasm. Phylogenetic analysis of 146 wild annual Cicer accessions (including two accessions in the perennial C. anatolicum and six cultivars of chickpea) revealed four distinct groups corresponding well to primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools of chickpea. Some possible misidentified or mislabelled accessions were identified, and ILWC 242 is proposed as a hybrid between C. reticulatum and C. echinospermum. The extent of genetic diversity varied considerably and was unbalanced between species with greatest genetic diversity found in C. judaicum. For the first time geographic patterns of genetic variation in C. reticulatum, C. echinospermum, C. bijugum, C. judaicum and C. pinnatifidum were established using AFLP markers. Based on the current collections the maximum genetic diversity of C. reticulatum, C. echinospermum, C. bijugum and C. pinnatifidum was found in southeastern Turkey, while Palestine was the centre of maximum genetic variation for C. judaicum. This information provides a solid basis for the design of future collections and in situ conservation programs for wild annual Cicer.

An improved ligator in operative laparoscopy.

The Clarke ligator scissor forceps simplifies the tying of square knots, such as the surgeon's knot. This ligator also facilitates square-knot loop ligation and functions as a forceps and suture cutter.

A simple method for ligating with straight and curved needles in operative laparoscopy.

This report describes the use of the Clarke ligator (knot-pusher) and lists its recent applications. Laparoscopic suturing is simplified by the use of a new technique allowing any size curved needle to be inserted through a 5-mm puncture site.

Efficacy of commercial condoms in the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection.

Tips of synthetic and natural condoms were filled with serum samples containing either hepatitis B virus, herpes simplex virus, or cytomegalovirus, then fit over an 8-in. mechanical vibrator and inserted vibrating into sterile bath solutions for 30 min. Phosphorus 32-labeled hepatitis B and cytomegalovirus molecular probes and viral culture techniques for herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus were used to determine whether leakage of virus had occurred into the surrounding bath solutions. Natural condoms allowed leakage of hepatitis B virus but not herpes simplex virus or cytomegalovirus, whereas synthetic condoms prevented leakage of all viruses. These results suggest that natural condoms might not be effective in preventing sexually transmitted hepatitis B virus infection.

Erythema infectiosum: an epidemic with a probable posterythema phase.

An outbreak of erythema infectiosum occurred in an Ontario school in the spring of 1983. This benign disease ran a 19-day course in the index case and appeared in most of the child's grade 1 classmates. A few adults were also affected. In eight children flu-like symptoms persisted or occurred suddenly and lasted for several days after the rash had vanished. A plan of management that involves communication with parents, teachers and the public health service is outlined for the general practitioner.

Radiation parameters of 6 to 20 MeV scanning electron beams from the Saturne linear accelerator.

Depth doses of the scanning electron beams from the Saturne Therac-20 linear accelerator at nominal energies of 6,9,13,17, and 20 MeV were measured in polystyrene using a thin window parallel plate ionization chamber. Central axis depth dose curves are derived and are analyzed according to the method of Brahme and Svensson. For each of the five electron energies, values are obtained for the most probable energy at the absorber surface Ep,0, the practical range Rp, the 50% range R50, the therapeutic range R85, the electron dose gradients, total collision energy losses, and other radiation parameters, and these are compared to corresponding values for electron beams from a 22 MeV medical microtron and a 20 MeV betatron.

Milk, cellular equilibrium and nutritional evolution.

In the diet of North American women, milk is by far the main source of Vitamin B2. The relationship of habitual dietary milk intake to riboflavin nutritional status in pregnancy is examined. The blood riboflavin values of 22 mothers, who by dietary history, took at least 1 glass of milk a day is compared with those of 12 with aversion. In the latter group, blood values of 8 mothers were suboptimum and 3 were deficient with angular stomatitis. In the former group, 2 were suboptimum and none were deficient. The blood riboflavin values of mothers and their prenates corresponded. Habitual diet poor in milk is a factor which may predispose North American women to Vitamin B2 deficiency in pregnancy. The concepts of cellular equilibrium and nutritional evolution are discussed.

A photodecomposition fluorimetric method for determination of riboflavin in the various constitutents of blood.

The photodecomposition fluorimetric method has been modified for determination of small quantities of whole blood, erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets and plasma. The method is accurate in each constituent and contains a test of specificity in each determination. Automation of the method is described. In 13 normal subjects riboflavin in whole blood was range 14.5-24.2, mean 17.7 +/- 2.7 microgram %, in corresponding erythrocytes was range 21.0-44.0, mean 33.7 +/- 6.6 microgram%.

Distribution of riboflavin in blood: in women and in prenates.

The reliability of the photodecomposition method for riboflavin in various constituents of blood is demonstrated by recovery tests in vivo. In normal subjects no significant rise in whole blood, erythrocyte or plasma riboflavin is detected 2 hours after oral treatment. With intervenous therapy a rise occurs in plasma riboflavin and not in erythrocytes. In kidney disease after oral riboflavin unusually high sustained plasma levels are recorded with no change in erythrocyte levels. Correspondingly higher erythrocyte riboflavin concentration in cord blood as compared to that of maternal blood may indicate greater avidity of new fetal cells for riboflavin.

In Trinidad: angular stomatitis and pregnancy.

Riboflavin deficiency is endemic in Trinidad. A syndrome is observed peculiar to pregnancy. It occurs in the second trimester in women with low blood riboflavin levels. Treatment with riboflavin gives clinical improvement in mothers and raises fetal blood levels. Early biochemical diagnosis and treatment of subclinical deficiency is of value to the Trinidadian mother but protection to the fetus is doubtful. This is because of the effect of multiple limiting factors in which the mother is deficient.