Oclusión venosa central de la retina isquémica como posible diagnóstico diferencial de la retinopatía tipo Purtscher / Ischemic central retinal venous occlusion as a possible differential diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy

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Short tandem repeat based analysis of genetic variability in Kanarese buffalo of South India.

The goal of the present study was assessing genetic diversity within Kanarese buffalo, the dual purpose breed of South India. A total of 48 unrelated animals were genotyped at 23 short tandem repeat (STR markers) loci. The total number of observed alleles was 180 with a mean of 7.83 per locus, which varied from 3 to 12 across different loci. The mean observed and expected heterozygosity in South Kanara buffaloes was estimated to be 0.518 and 0.712 respectively. Within population inbreeding estimate (F(IS)) was significantly positive in most of the investigated loci which resulted in significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at 19 of 23 loci analyzed. Evaluation of South Kanara buffalo population for mutation drift equilibrium revealed no significant heterozygosity excess under three different models of evolution viz. infinite alleles model (IAM), stepwise mutation model (SMM) and two phase model (TPM), thus indicating the absence of any recent genetic bottleneck. The results of the present study will help in formulating rational breeding strategies as well as conservation of this important germplasm.

Neutrophilic thrombophagocytosis.

Thrombocytopenia as a complication of B-cell lymphoma usually results from the removal of platelets from the circulation by splenic and hepatic mononuclear phagocytes.1,2 In the present paper, we describe a case of B-cell lymphoma with thrombocytopenia in which the platelets were phagocytosed by the patient's own neutrophilic granulocytes. This finding suggests that neutrophilic granulocytes actively participate in immune platelet clearance.

Fabrication and characterization of polyester and acrylic polyurethane optical waveguides.

Asystematic study of the fabrication and characterization of planar optical waveguides based on polyester and acrylic polyurethane coatings has been made. Mode effective refractive-index measurements have been made on a large number of these waveguides fabricated on glass prepared in different conditions. The results show that the mixture of polyester and acrylic polyol in the initial solution can be used to control the refractive index from 1.563 to 1.595. The propagation losses are estimated to be 10-20 and 6-12 dB/cm for polyester and acrylic-based waveguides, respectively.

Intestinal function and morphology in strongyloidiasis.

Divergent available information on the capability of Strongyloides stercoralis to cause malabsorption prompted a long-term observation in which the nutritional state of the subjects was carefully defined. In spite of moderate to severe symptoms, well nourished patients, even with segmental jejunitis, did not show malabsorption. All patients presenting this parasitic infection with concomitant malnutrition showed absorptive defects. Abnormal absorption persisted in spite of parasitic cure when malnutrition was not immediately corrected, and disappeared with correction of the malnutrition even if parasitic infection was allowed to continue. The present experience indicates that the malabsorption syndrome seen in some cases of S. stercoralis infection is secondary to the concomitant malnutrition and not to the parasite per se.

Differences and similarities between guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase activities in neuroblastoma cells in culture.

There are phosphodiesterase activities in both particulate and supernatant fractions which hydrolyze guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) with an apparent Km of 2-8 muM and with an apparent Km of 44-222 muM. 4-(3-Butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl-2-imidazolidinone (RO20-1724) did not inhibit cGMP phosphodiesterase activity in homogenates of mouse neuroblastoma cells, but markedly inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. Papaverine and theophylline inhibited both cGMP and cAMP phosphodiesterase activities to about the same extent. The former was more potent than the latter. The specific activity of cGMP phosphodiesterase as a function of protein concentrations first increased and then decreased. The specific activity of cAMP phosphodiesterase decreased under a similar experimental condition.

IgA heavy chain disease. A case detected in the western hemisphere.

IgA heavy chain disease (alpha chain disease) was detected in a 46 year old South American (Colombian) of mixed Spanish and Indian (Mestizo) descent. The clinical course was characterized by severe malabsorption, initially thought to be a variant of tropical sprue. Jejunal mucosal biopsy revealed marked villous atrophy with heavy infiltration of the lamina propria by a single monotonous cell type which, by light microscopy, had the appearance of either a large, abnormal plasma cell or a small histiocyte. Electron microscopy of the biopsy specimen demonstrated the presence of abnormal plasma cells, lymphatic distention and abnormalities of surface epithelial cells. At autopsy a 6 by 3 cm mass was found in the right para-aortic area along with many firm 2 cm mesenteric and para-aortic lymph nodes. Histologic examination revealed the presence of a monotonous cell type similar to that found in the jejunal mucosal biopsy specimen.

Malabsorption syndrome in ascariasis.

PIP: This group of researchers recently reported findings on the overall effect of Ascaris lumbricoides infection on human nutrition. On the basis of available data, it was suggested that intestinal malabsorption is a potential cause of nutritional impairment in children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides. The purpose of this discussion is to present additional data on the effect of Ascaris infection on small bowel function and structure in children. 5 children with heavy Ascaris infection without any evidence of clinical malnutrition were admitted to a metabolic unit. On admission, each child was placed on a constant diet consisting of 82-95 kcal and approximately 1 g protein/kg body weight/day. The amount of dietary fat varied from 55-60 g; the levels of vitamins and minerals in the diet were adjusted to meet the recommended dietary allowances. After an adjustment period of 4-6 days, fecal samples were collected during 2 periods of 4 days each for nitrogen and fat analysis. Peroral jejunal biopsies were obtained using an 8 mm Crosby-Kugler biopsy capsule. The samples were processed and stained according to standard techniques. The children then received deworming treatment consisting of 75 mg piperazine/kg body weight daily for 5 consecutive days. In 4 of 5 children there was reduced fecal nitrogen excretion; the mean reduction represented 6.5% of dietary nitrogen. Steatorrhea was present in 4 children; deworming resulted in a reduction of fecal fat from 9.9-2.3% of dietary fat. 3 children demonstrated an impairment in D-xylose excretion. It returned to normal following deworming in only 1 child. The jejunal morphology was found to be abnormal in all children. In each case a significant improvement was noted soon after deworming. The study results strongly suggest that there is a cause and effect relationship between Ascaris infection and intestinal lesions in children.^ieng

Effects of Ascaris infection on human nutrition.

PIP: The role of Ascaris lumbricoides infection in human nutrition was investigated in 12 children 5-10 years of age. Daily levels of dietary protein intake varied from 1-2.8 g/kg body weight but were kept constant for each child as was caloric intake. Nitrogen, fat balance, and d-xylose absorption determinations were done before and after deworming. A mean reduction in fecal nitrogen excretion of 230 mg/day was noted after worm removal. In 7 children harboring 48 or more parasites, the reduction in fecal nitrogen amounted to 7.2% of the dietary nitrogen. In 3 children receiving 1 g of protein/kg body weight, the improved nitrogen absorption after deworming led to an increased nitrogen retention. In 8 children the infection was associated with moderate steatorrhea (13.4% of dietary fat) and impairment of d-xylose absorption; the former was markedly reduced, and the latter was partially improved following treatment. It is concluded that Ascaris infection in children can lead to marked nutritional impairment when a high parasite load is associated with a low protein intake.^ieng