An unusual, severe adverse reaction to silver nitrate cautery for epistaxis in an immunocompromised patient.

Silver nitrate cautery is frequently used to control epistaxis. Although relatively free of side effects, we have encountered a case of a severe mucocutaneous reaction to silver nitrate cautery to the nose. The pathogenesis of this adverse effect is discussed.

Learner centred learning or teacher led teaching : a study at a psychiatric centre.

This study attempted to identify the attitudes of psychiatric trainees and their trainers towards formalized teaching programmes, using a structured proforma. Both the trainers and trainees did see eye to eye on several aspects of training. A majority of the respondents felt that teaching programmes were indeed useful but opted for fewer programmes, with more variety, broader coverage, interdisciplinary involvement and small group discussions.

Cytogenetic and molecular genetic studies on Indian patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

This is the first cytogenetic and molecular genetic study to find any specific genetic abnormalities in Indian patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cytogenetic studies on 18 patients indicated that their karyotypes were relatively simple and trisomy 12 was seen on karyotype evolution in one patient. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed abnormal clones of trisomy 12 in nine cases and RB gene deletion in 14 of the 29 cases analyzed.

Molecular abnormalities of bcr gene in some Indian patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia.

The DNAs from 7 unselected Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph') chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) patients were analysed for the distribution of breakpoints in the breakpoint cluster region (bcr) gene by Southern blot. Breakpoints were detected between the regions of exons '2' and '4' of the bcr gene in 5 out of 7 patients. In two patients, breakpoints occurred around exon 4 of the bcr gene.

Increased sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies in lymphocytes from traffic policemen exposed to automobile exhaust pollution.

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies were determined in peripheral lymphocytes from traffic policemen drawn from various busy traffic points of Madras metro in India. These policemen were under constant exposure to automobile exhaust pollution during their 8 h work schedule. Analysis of SCE frequencies revealed a significantly greater number of SCE/cell in these policemen as against the matched control population.

Mode of action of three structurally different hypoglycemic agents: a comparative study.

The mechanism of dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect, the margin of safety and ED50 of three structurally unrelated compounds, tolbutamide (TB), centpiperalone (CP) and a swerchirin-containing fraction (SWI) from the plant Swertia chirayita, were investigated in experimental models. After a single oral administration of TB, CP and SWI to groups of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mild and severe diabetic rats, the blood sugar lowering effect and ED50 of the agents were determined. Plasma Immuno Reactive Insulin (IRI) levels and the degree of islet beta cell degranulation were assayed using RIA and histochemical staining, respectively, in normal rats treated with the agents.

Erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase = a potential marker for alcohol dependence.

The present study explored the utility of erythrocyte aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) as a peripheral marker in alcoholism. The ALDH levels in aocoholics, their first degree nonalcholic relative and controls were compared. ALDH was found to be significantly lower in alcoholics (3.

Routine nasal surgery: an audit of outpatient follow-up.

The study objective was to assess the value of outpatient follow-up of patients who undergo routine uncomplicated nasal surgery. A total of 177 postoperative patients (117 males, 60 females) undergoing routine nasal surgery at the Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, was selected over a six-month period, 92 of whom (60 males, 32 females) were requested to return to the clinic for a follow-up session. A total of 72 (78.

Colour of the nucleus as a marker of nuclear hardness, diameter and central thickness.

Hundred and thirty patients, aged above 40 years, with senile cataract were examined. Age and colour were selected as the probable preoperative indicators of nuclear hardness. The lens material collected after manual extracapsular extraction was washed and the nucleus isolated.

Application of two-dimensional total correlation spectroscopy for structure determination of individual inositol phosphates in a mixture.

The discovery of the second messenger role of myoinositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate has triggered tremendous interest in investigating the structures and metabolism of inositol phosphates. The structures of these compounds are established by first purifying the compounds of interest and then identifying the structures through chemical degradation or NMR analysis. In this paper we describe a method that allows simultaneous determination, without separation, of the structures of multiple inositol phosphates in a mixture.

Antiovarian antibodies and their effect on the outcome of assisted reproduction.

Purpose: To compare the presence in levels of antiovarian antibodies (AOAb) in the pre- and postovulatory stage from serum of infertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with outcome of the procedures.

Results: Serum from 36 women undergoing IUI, 36 women undergoing IVF and 25 fertile, healthy controls were assayed for the presence of AOAb by a commercially available ELISA kit. AOAb was positive in 59.

Surgery for pharyngeal pouch: audit of management with short- and long-term follow-up.

A review was undertaken of 103 patients with pharyngeal pouch presenting over a 10-year period. Management was conservative in 35 patients and 68 patients were treated using external diverticulectomy and cricopharyngeus myotomy. The fistula rate was 8.

Angiomatous malformation of the floor of the mouth associated with fluctuating macroglossia in an adult: an unusual case report.

We report an unusual case of a large vascular lesion of the floor of the mouth of rapid onset in a 50-year-old man who presented with an external swelling in the submental region and a history of fluctuating swelling of the tongue. The clinical features, investigations, treatment and course of this rare condition are discussed.

Characterization of scyllo-inositol-containing phosphatidylinositol in plant cells.

The structure of in vivo [3H]myo-inositol-labeled phosphatidylinositols in barley seeds were investigated by chemical degradation. In this report we present data that suggests the presence of scyllo-inositol-containing phosphatidylinositol in addition to the commonly occurring myo-inositol-containing phosphatidylinositol.

Nasal septal surgery: is routine follow-up necessary?

An audit project was undertaken to appraise the outcome of 95 cases of septal surgery over a 12-month period, taking into account the subjective alteration of symptoms, appearances at anterior rhinoscopy and complications. Seventy-three patients (76.8 per cent) attended the follow-up clinic three to six months (median four months) after surgery.

Structure-antitubercular activity relationship of phenothiazine-type calmodulin antagonists.

Six neuroleptic (antipsychotic) phenothiazine derivatives which are calmodulin antagonists were tested for their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv in order to understand their structure-antitubercular activity relationship. Out of the six derivatives tested (trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, triflupromazine, thioridazine, acetopromazine and fluphenazine), trifluoperazine appears to be a more potent antitubercular drug than others with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 micrograms/ml. Chlorpromazine, triflupromazine and thioridazine are also active but less potent and have a higher MIC of 20 micrograms/ml.

First cleft branchial fistula in a child--a modified surgical technique.

Congenital first branchial cleft fistulae, their embryology, anomalies, varied relationships to the facial nerve and surgical techniques for their excision have been well described in the literature. We report a case of a type II first cleft fistula in a three-year-old child which required a modification of the standard surgical approach to achieve safe and complete excision with identification and preservation of the facial nerve.

Specificity of hydrolysis of phytic acid by alkaline phytase from lily pollen.

Phytases are the primary enzymes responsible for the hydrolysis of phytic acid, myo-inositol-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate (I-1,2,3,4,5,6-P6). A number of phytases with varying specificities, properties, and localizations hydrolyze phytic acid present in cells. The specificity of hydrolysis of phytic acid by alkaline phytase from lily (Lilium longiflorum L.

Sister chromatid exchange frequency is elevated and cell proliferation is delayed in bone marrow cells of starved and marginally malnourished rats.

The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and the cell proliferation kinetic were analyzed in bone marrow (BM) cells of Wistar rats subjected to starvation and marginal malnutrition (MN) after 24h of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BdUr) implantation. SCE were analyzed in a minimum of 18 consecutive second division metaphases and for cell proliferation, 100 consecutive metaphases were analyzed and classified into the first, second and third or subsequent replication cycles. Rats subjected to starvation and MN exhibited significantly higher mean SCE per lymphocyte in bone marrow than the well nourished rats.