Ten fluorescein isothiocyanate (FΙTC)-linked lectins [Bauhimia purpurea, Concanavalin A, Dolichos biflorus (DBA), Griffonia simplicifolia I, Griffonia simplicifolia II, Madura pomifera, Arachis hypogea (PNA), Glycine max, Ulex europaeus (UEA) and Triticum vulgaris agglutinin] have been used to study their binding features on the human ejaculate spermatozoa. Qualitative changes in the labeling pattern have been observed in unfixed and acetone-treated spermatozoa. Furthermore, ultrastructural localization of some of the colloidal gold-linked lectins, namely PNA, UEA and DBA, has been attempted to delineate the binding domains of the specific sugars on the sperm surface. It needs to be emphasized that flow-cytometric methods employed in our study, which provide quantitative slant to qualitative data, should be utilized to evaluate the functional status of the spermatozoa.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of lectin-binding sites has been undertaken on spermatozoa recovered from different regions of the epididymis of the goat (Capra indicus) using fluorescein isothiocyanate-linked lectins (Bauhinia purpurea BPA, Concanavalin A Con A, Dolichos biflorus DBA, Maclura pomifera MPA, Arachis hypogaea or peanut agglutinin PNA, Glycine max or soyabean agglutinin SBA, Ulex europaeus UEA, and Triticum vulgaris or wheat-germ agglutinin WGA), in conjunction with scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and freeze-fracture techniques. Flow cytometric analysis has also been used to quantitize binding affinity. Spermatozoa from caput to cauda epididymidis show no significant variation in lectin-binding ability, but the samples removed from the corpus epididymidis contain a greater number of binding sites. The passage of spermatozoa through the epididymidis is accompanied by a redistribution of the plasma membrane lectin-receptors covering the sperm head and tail. Receptors for BPA, DBA, PNA and SBA are specifically restricted to the anterior region of the acrosome in caudal spermatozoa. Freeze-fracture replicas, examined to study changes in organisation of intramembranous particles of the plasma membrane during sperm maturation, reveal distinct changes in their distribution in the acrosome, post-acrosome and spermatozoon tail, especially in the corpus and cauda epididymidis.

Since India has the second largest number of HIV cases in the world, opt-out screening program and testing in an emergency setting, as recommended by CDC, is extremely relevant. Logistics of implementation of this policy need to be worked out at a national level.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Sacralization of L5 is a congenital anomaly, in which the lumbar vertebra, mainly its transverse process, gets fused or semi-fused with the sacrum or the ilium or to both. This fusion can occur in one or both sides of the body. Sacralization leads to fusion of the L5 (fifth lumbar vertebra) and S1 (first sacral vertebra) and the inter-vertebral disc between them may be narrow. Sacralization of lumbar vertebra may be asymptomatic but is not always clinically insignificant. While sacralization may not affect at all, it can cause problems in some cases. Sacralization may be at times associated with problems in biomechanics and affect the ways of movement and posture control. Sacralization may also be an important consideration in disc surgeries. This study has been carried out to find out prevalence of sacralisation of transverse process of fifth lumbar vertebrae<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The present study of transverse sacralisation of fifth lumbar vertebra was carried out on 35 randomly selected patients. The sample consisted of patients undergoing CT scan for abdominal complains. Bone window of all patients were evaluated to look for lumbosacral transitional vertebra.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of transverse sacralization of lumbar vertebra turned out to be 25.7% out of which Castellvi type IIb was found to be most common, accounting for 33.3% cases. 5.7% comprised the group of normal variant (Castellvi’s type I) and 68.6% were normal<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span>It is important to determine lumbosacral transitional vertebra as it can affect spinal movement and put excess stress on the lumbar vertebrae and in between disc. Moreover it</span> can have a bearing on counting of vertebral levels specially during planning of spinal surgey<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p> </p>

A 25-year-old man presented to us with progressive multiple joint pain, enlargement, and restricted movements. X-rays showed platyspondyly, multiple epiphyseal widening, synovial chondromatosis, and decreased bone stock and cortical thickness. Genetic testing showed biallelic pathogenic variants in CCN6 which confirmed the diagnosis of progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia. Supportive care, physical therapy, genetic and psychological counselling were provided to the patient.