Effects of nutrients present in bold's basal medium on the green alga Stigeoclonium pascheri.

The effects of varying concentrations of nutrients present in Bold's basal medium on the extent of colony formation from vegetative fragments, sporulation and spore germination of the green alga Stigeoclonium pascheri were studied. A decrease of colony formation was observed in media deficient in MgSO4, NaNO3, phosphates, and containing a 10-fold increase of H3BO3. Sporulation decreased in the same media. However, sporulation was greater in an increasing order in media containing 2- to 10-fold increase in MgSO4. There was a decrease in spore germination in media deficient in phosphates, MgSO4, containing 5- or 10-fold MgSO4, or containing 2- to 10-fold of CaCl2, H3BO3 or microelements. Spore germination increased in media containing 2-fold MgSO4, deficient in H3BO3 or microelements or containing none of the three micronutrient solutions.

Bilateral simultaneous retinal vein occlusion.

Central retinal vein occlusion (CVO) is a common retinal vascular disorder with potentially blinding complications. However, a simultaneous bilateral affection is not a common entity. One such patient is described here.

Tracheal lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma: a case report.

Lymphoepithelioma like carcinoma is rare in locations other than nasopharynx. We report the second case of this tumour in trachea, in a young female patient, who was managed with concomitent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient is disease free in the one-year follow up. The tumour presented difficulties during intubation for general anaesthesia and during surgery. Association with Epstein-Barr virus was not found in our case.

Adult Wilms' tumour (report of two cases).

Wilms' tumour, an embryonic neoplasm, the most common renal tumour in childhood, had occasionally been reported in adults. Authors report two such cases and have reviewed the relevant literature. While Wilm's tumour in children classically demonstrates the curative potential of combined modality treatment, no such clear guide lines are available for those occurring during adulthood. Pathologic diagnosis of adult Wilm's tumour is difficult because of the multiplicity of undifferentiated adult tumours that must be considered in the differential diagnosis. As no predictive parameters for optimal therapy exist, a combination of surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy probably is indicated for all stages of disease.

IMPACT OF PROPHYLACTIC USE OF COLONY STIMULATING FACTORS ON THE PATTERN OF NEUTROPENIA AND INFECTIONS IN MODERATELY INTENSIVE CHEMOTHERAPY.

In this study, colony stimulating factors (CSF) were used to prevent neutropenia during moderately intensive chemotherapy in 26 episodes of chemotherapy (12 of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and 14 patients with other malignancies). CSF was administered in doses of 5 µg/kg of body weight within 24 hours of completion of chemotherapy for 7 days in 6 patients and for 10 days in others. Twenty six age and sex matched patients of ALL were included as controls. In the CSF group, incidence of severe neutropenia (grades 3 and 4) reduced significantly by 42.3 per cent though overall incidence of neutropenia did not differ much. Mean duration of neutropenia reduced by 4 days. Nadir total leucocyte count and absolute neutrophil count were significantly higher. There was no difference in the incidence of anaemia, thrombocytopenia and requirement of blood transfusions. Overall infections were less and incidence of severe infections reduced by 42.3 per cent. The duration of infection and of fever was shortened. Requirement of antibiotics was also reduced. All patients in CSF group recovered from infection, while 1 patient died in the control group. Mean duration of delay in chemotherapy was reduced from 10 days in control group to 3 days in CSF group. CSF administration resulted in an escalation of the cost by 112.24 per cent. However shortened duration of antibiotics, hospitalisation, reduced laboratory expenses compensated it by 66.94 per cent Our study indicates that the prophylactic use of CSF is beneficial and cost effective in moderately intensive chemotherapy with a high incidence of febrile neutropenia. Administration for 10 days appears to be more beneficial than 7 days.

Effects of the antibiotics penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline on the karyology of Oedogonium gunnii Wittr. (Chlorophyceae).

Effects of penicillin, streptomycin and tetracycline were seen on the karyology of a filamentous green alga, Oedogonium gunnii Wittr. Various nuclear and chromosomal aberrations such as, fragmentation of the chromosomes, extreme clumping and unequal groupings of the chromosomes, vacuolization of nuclei and nucleoli, and irregular anaphase chromatid breaks, were observed in the materials treated with 500 and 750 micrograms/ml streptomycin, and 250 and 500 micrograms/ml tetracycline, and which, however, were not seen with any of the concentrations of penicillin employed. With lower concentrations of the three antibiotics given continuously for longer duration, several aberrations were observed. The frequency of the aberrations did not seem to follow a regular pattern and varied with each antibiotic and the duration of treatment.

Effects of different factors on the sporulation of Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock.

The present study emphasizes the effects of different qualities of visible light, intensities of white light, temperature and pH on the sporulation in the green alga Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittrock. Of the different qualities of light used, green light was found to delay the initiation of sporulation. Percentage of sporulation was greatly decreased in yellow light followed by red light. Delay in time taken for initiation of sporulation and decrease in percentage sporulation were observed at 0.25 and 0.5 K lux intensity of white light. Sporulation upto the extent of its natural population was achieved with white light between 2 to 3.5 K lux, temperature between 20 to 30 degrees C and pH between 4-9.