Occurrence of non-protein low molecular weight cardiotoxin in Indian King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) Cantor 1836, venom.

Pathophysiology due to snakebite is a combined effect of various actions of the complex venom constituents. Importance of protein toxins in snake envenomation is well known. The present investigation reports the existence of nonprotein/nonpetide low molecular weight toxin in Indian King Cobra venom, which plays an important role in envenomation consequences in experimental animal models. A group of non-peptidic toxins (OH-NPT1) was isolated from Indian King Cobra Ophiophagus hannah by thin layer chromatography and silica gel column chromatography. UV, IR, NMR and (ESI) TOF-MS studies characterized the OH-NPT1 as a mixture of aliphatic acids having molecular weights 256, 326 and 340Da. The minimum lethal dose of OH-NPT1 was found to be 2.5 microg/20g (iv) and 4microg/20g (ip) in male albino mice. The cardiotoxic property of OH-NPT1 was established through studies on isolated guinea pig heart and auricle preparations, ECG studies in albino rat and estimation of LDH1/LDH and CPK-MB/CPK ratio in Swiss albino mice. Commercial antiserum failed to neutralize the lethality and cardiotoxicity of the toxin. However, calcium and magnesium effectively neutralized the lethal action.

Purification and characterization of receptors for myoinositol trisphosphate and myoinositol tetrakis phosphate from Entamoeba histolytica.

The microsomal fraction from the log phase of Entamoeba histolytica cells contains Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 binding activity. The binding proteins/receptors for both Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 were purified and found to be specific for each ligand. The molecular masses for native proteins for InsP3 and InsP4 are 138 kDa and 130 kDa respectively having subunits of 69 kDa and 64 kDa respectively. That these proteins are associated with Ca2+ release was confirmed by including these proteins separately in proteoliposomes and adding InsP3 and InsP4 in both the cases.

Normal spirometry in healthy natives of Bhutan.

We performed spirometry on 333 healthy Bhutanese men and women at Thimpu. Prediction equations were derived using age and height as regression coefficients. Age had a significant negative correlation while both height and weight had positive linear correlation with spirometric indices. The relationship of weight with FVC was explained largely on the basis of the "muscularity" effect of weight. Bhutanese have lower ventilatory parameters than the Europeans and the North Indians. The difference is likely to be ethnic in origin.

Characterization of drowning by diatom test.

Examination by the diatom test, of different organs of corpses of individuals who died of drowning revealed the presence of frustules in all the visceral organs. Diatom load of different organs was found to be positively related with breadth/diameter of the frustule. Relatively larger diatoms were encountered in the lungs, heart and kidneys as compared to the other organs. Smaller diatoms up to 10 mu diameter were found in the brain, and bone marrow samples. However, diatoms were also recovered from the lungs, heart and kidneys of corpses of individuals in whom the cause of death was not drowning. Brain and bone marrow were considered reliable samples for executing the diatom test.

Inhibition of cytokinesis by lead (Pb2+) in a centric diatom.

Effect of inorganic and organo lead has been studied on the mitosis of a centric diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana f. unipunctata. Binucleate cells were formed in the presence of different concentrations of Pb2+ (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mM) due to inhibition of cell plate formation. Lead at 5.0 mM concentration was more inhibitory than the other concentrations. Organo lead was a powerful depressant of cytokinesis than inorganic lead. Failure of cytokinesis might be due to disruption of microtubules. Formation of distinct nuclei delayed post incubation cell divisions suggest partial damage of mitotic spindles.