Gitelman's syndrome: Rare presentation with growth retardation.

Gitelman's syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypocalciuria, hyperreninemia and without hypertension. Gitelman's syndrome is caused by mutations of the SLC12A3 gene, which encodes the Na/Cl co-transporter (NCCT) in the distal convoluted tubule. Majority of cases manifest during adolescence or adulthood and growth retardation is not the common feature. We report a rare presentation of Gitelman's syndrome in a four-year-old boy with growth retardation.

Role of Petiole in Protein Metabolism of Senescing Betel (Piper betle L.) Leaves.

Effects of depetiolation on protein metabolism during senescence of detached betel (Piper betle L.) leaves have been studied. In normal petiolated leaves, the level of chlorophyll and proteins and extent of protein synthesis declined, while the protease activity registered manifold increase with the advancement of senescence. All of these changes were delayed by depetiolation/de-midribbing treatments, though without affecting the general pattern of senescence. Thus, the presence of petiole seems to expedite protein degradation, probably due to earlier attainment of optimal concentration of proposed senescence factor(s) (Mishra and Gaur 1970 Science 167: 387).

Senescence in detached betel leaves: role of the petiole.

Removal of the petiole from detached betel leaves delays onset of leaf senescence; the delay is nearly proportional to the extent of depetiolation. An agar diffusate from intact midrib or excised petioles induces normal senescence in depetiOlated leave.