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Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL) belongs to the subgroup of mature T cell lymphomas according to the World Health Organization and is one of the common T cell lymphomas in Western countries. Particularly in cases in which histological confirmation cannot be easily achieved, immunophenotyping of peripheral blood can give important information for the differential diagnosis of AITL. sCD3− CD4+ T cells are a typical feature of AILT in flow cytometry of peripheral blood. In this retrospective study, the diagnostic value of flow cytometry for the diagnosis ‘AITL’ was assessed by comparing the frequency of sCD3− CD4+ T cells in leukemic AITL patients and in patients with other leukemic CD4+ T cell lymphomas. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood by flow cytometry was performed in a lymphocyte gate using fluorochrome-labelled antibodies against CD3, CD2, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD10, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD56, CD57 and T cell receptor. In 17/17 leukemic AITL patients, a small but distinct population of sCD3− CD4+ T cells was detected (mean percentage of sCD3− CD4+ T cells in the lymphocyte gate: 11.9 ± 15.4%, range 0.1–51.8%). In contrast, sCD3− CD4+ T cells were found in only 1/40 patients with other leukemic CD4+ T cell lymphomas (one patient with mycosis fungoides). sCD3− CD4+ T cells have a high positive predictive value (94%) for the diagnosis ‘AITL’. Flow cytometry is particularly useful in the differential diagnosis of AITL, even if the aberrant T cell population has a very low frequency. Further biological characterization of this subfraction of lymphoma cells is warranted. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aim: To review the findings and outcomes of predischarge echocardiography service for postnatal heart murmurs provided by neonatologists. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all predischarge echocardiograms performed on babies from the postnatal wards (PNW) over the last 3 years. We evaluated the indications, median age, findings and outcome. Results: A total of 408 echocardiograms were performed on 350 babies on the PNW. The most common indication was presence of a murmur (58%). In babies with a heart murmur, 26% had a normal echocardiogram, 2% had major structural heart defects, 38% had minor structural heart defects and 34% had transient circulatory changes. 32% were discharged with no follow-up, 28% were followed up in the local cardiac clinic and 40% were referred to the cardiologist. Conclusion: Predischarge echocardiography service for postnatal heart murmurs provided by neonatologists has the benefit of providing an early diagnosis, counselling of the parents and arranging appropriate follow-up. It helps to triage the referrals to the cardiologist. We felt that we were able to alleviate parental anxieties by providing a definitive diagnosis and written information prior to discharge from hospital. We strongly believe that this service should only be provided by those appropriately trained and skilled in echocardiography.

Summary Starches from nine Indian wheat lines were evaluated to study the relationships between physicochemical and rheological properties. Large granules (>15 μm) were present in the highest proportion followed by medium (5–15 μm) and small granules (

OBJECTIVE To evaluate lymphocyte populations in stifle synovium and synovial fluid of dogs with degenerative cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS Dogs (n=25) with stifle arthritis and CCLR, 7 dogs with arthritis associated with cartilage degeneration (osteoarthritis [OA]), and 12 healthy Beagle dogs with intact CCL. METHODS Arthritis was graded radiographically in CCLR dogs. After collection of joint tissues, mononuclear cells were isolated and subsequently analyzed using flow cytometry for expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD21. RESULTS The proportions of CD4(+) T helper lymphocytes, CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and CD3(+) CD4(-) CD8(-) T lymphocytes were increased in synovium from dogs with CCLR compared with synovium from healthy Beagle dogs (P

Twelve Frankia strains isolated from HippOphae salicifolia D. Don or Alnus glutinosa or Comptonia peregrine, showed the significant variation in fatty acid composition viz. palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1), linoleic acid (18:2), linolenic acid (18:3), arachidic acid (20:0) and erucic acid (22:1) suggesting the strain specific variability among the Frankia strains. Presence of Erucic acid (22:1), a major component of the oil obtained from the seeds of Brassica sp., albeit in lesser amount in the few studied frankial strains, is the first report. Cluster analysis on the basis of fatty acid composition suggests the presence of two distinct clusters with similitude coefficient ranging from 0.75 to 1.00. Cluster I with HsIi2 showed great divergence from other 11 frankial strains (Cluster II). The two sub groups were distinguished in cluster II: IIa contained five strains isolated from H. salicifolia and these strains are distantly related to the strains of cluster IIb isolated from different host. There is high degree of similarity among the frankial strains of Cluster IIb which suggests that the frankial strains might be evolved from the same ancestor. FAME profiling might be useful tool in the study of polyphasic approach based taxonomy and phylogenetic relationship. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from Chital deer (Cervus axis). These loci show high levels of allelic diversity with four to eight alleles per locus in the 22 individuals of the free-ranging population of Chital deer in Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. In addition, we found that all the loci show cross-amplification in closely related as well as distantly related deer species. The amplification of these markers in different genera further indicates that these can be applied to a wide range of endangered deer species for their population genetics studies and conservation management.

All cat species, except domestic cats, are either threatened or endangered. The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica), a critically endangered species, is driven to a single habitat zone in Gir forests in India for its survival. The present status of this big cat compels us to acquire deeper knowledge of its genetic variability and phylogenetic relationships. Here we report the isolation of highly polymorphic microsatellite loci from a partial genomic library of the Asiatic lion. These loci were characterized and have shown high levels of variation ranging from six to 11 alleles per locus in the population studied.