Tachyphylaxis to topical steroid measured by histamine-induced wheal suppression

Ten healthy volunteers were studied to find out whether tachyphylaxis occurs on repeated application of topical steroids. The Singh and Singh modification of the Reddy and Singh (1976) technique was used. Fluocinolone acetonide cream (0.1%) under occlusion was applied daily for 14 days on the flexor aspect of the forearms. The wheal was induced by pricking with histamine acid phosphate solution and the volume of the wheal produced was calculated. The test was repeated on the same sites on alternate days for 14 days. The maximum wheal suppression, which gradually diminished, was observed on the 8th day. By the 14th day, there was practically total tolerance to topical steroid, which showed minimal suppression of histamine wheal formation. This confirms the occurrence of the phenomenon of tachyphylaxis by different experimental techniques.

Relative Potency of Topical Corticosteroid Preparations

Efficacy of ten topical corticosteroid preparations was evaluated on ten healthy volunteers by wheal suppression technique of Reddy and Singh motified by Singh and Singh. This double bind study revealed that clobetasol propionate (0.05%) and halcinonide (0.01%) oinment were the potent steroids i.e. 5 to 6 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%). Prednisolone (0.025%0 and hydrocortisone acetate ( 1%) were the least potent. The potency of other of other preparations such as fluocinolone acetonide (0.025%), betamethasone valerate (0.120/o), betamethasone dipropionate (0.64%), dexamethasone (0.04%), beclomethasone dipropiotiate (p.025%) and triamcinolone acetonide (0.1%) was in between. Mid potent steroids were, however 2 times more potent than hydrocortisone acetate (1%) The potency Of these -three groups of steroid preparations were significantly different from each other . The most potent steroids showed maximum efficacy on the 6th day and the remainig steroids on 8th day of continuous application under occlusion.

Bilateral Nevus Fuscocaeruleus Ophthalmomaxiliaris

A case of bilateral nevus fuscocaeruleus ophthalmomaxillaris with fluctuation in the intensity of colour during each menstrual cycle is reported. It is not described earlier in the literature.

Dyschromatosis Universalis

Hyperpigmented macules all over the body intermignled with mottled depigmentation were observed in two brothers from Varanasi. Hyperpigmented macules were present since birth and increased ill number and size during childhood. Depigmentation developed at the age of eigh, years and increased during adolescence. This entity described as dyschromatosis universalis in the Japanese and the Europeans has not been described in the Indians so far.

A Double Blind Comparative Evaluation of Ointment and Cream Bases Containing Corticosteroids

Efficacy of two corticosteroid Preparations (Halcinonide (0.1%) and fluocinglone acetonide (0.0125%) in two different bases (ointment and creams) was evaluated on ten healthy volunteers using the wheal suppression technique in a double blind manner. The ointment preparations were more potent than the cream preparations of the same corticosteroid, in the same concentration These differences were highly significant.

Immunological studies in leprosy. III-Cutaneous response to antigens in spectrum of leprosy

Delayed type of hypersensitivity response was assessed in 65 cases of leprosy of different types, and 18 control using lepromin (Dharmendra) and candida antigens. 0.1 ml of antigen was injected intra-dermally and results were recorded after 48 hours. The induration of 5 mm or more was taken as positive for early (Fernandez) reaction in lepromin test, and also for candida reaction. Both types of tests were positive in decreasing order from tuberculoid to borderline type while negative in borderline lepromatous and lepromatous type.

Immunological studies in leprosy--II: Study of lymphoblast transformation to PHA in different types of leprosy patients

Ninety cases of different types of leprosy were studied for lymphoblast transformation response using PHA-M. The difference of percentage was statistically analysed and found to be highly significant when total leprosy cases were compared with control cases and with different types of leprosy cases (P = less than .005), except control and TT where it was significant only (P = less than .05). The difference between TT and other types was also calculated and has been observed to be highly significant (P = less than .005). There was gradual decrease in lymphoblast transformation percentage from tuberculoid pole to lepromatous pole.

Status of T and B lymphocytes in peripheral blood

T and B lymphocyte percentage was studied by Erythrocyte (E) and Erythrocyte antibody complement (EAC) rosette formation respectively in 90 cases including 65 cases of different types of leprosy and 25 healthy controls. The patient with different types of leprosy were classified according to Ridley and Jopling (1962). The mean percentage of T-lymphocyte was observed in gradually decreasing manner from tuberculoid pole to lepromatous pole. The fall in T-lymphocyte percentage was highly significant when control cases were compared with total cases of leprosy and different histological types of leprosy. This indicates that there is a gradually increasing loss of cell mediated immune response from tuberculoid to lepromatous pole.

Digital Patterns in Vitiligo

Digital patterns of hundred vitiligo patients were compared with their first-degree relatives and normal controls. Significant differences were found in digital patterns of the two sexes in controls as well as patients. The digital patterns of male vitiligo patients were closer to female controls whereas female vitiligo patients were nearer to male controls. Digital patterns of the relative were in between the patients and controls. This Interesting finding is discussed in detail.

Effect of nutrients on the toxicity of pesticides carbofuran and hexachlorocyclohexane to blue-green alga Nostoc muscorum

The effects of various levels of nutrients like potassium phosphate (dibasic), calcium nitrate, and calcium chloride individually and in combinations were studied on the toxicity of the commonly used pesticides carbofuran and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in growth medium to the N2-fixing blue-green alga Nostoc muscorum. It was observed that all these chemicals had some effects on toxicity. The toxicity of both carbofuran and HCH was reduced to some extent in the presence of higher concentrations of the nutrients when compared to normal levels of the chemicals in the medium. The higher doses of nutrients in combinations antagonized the effect of individual treatment and enhanced the toxicity of pesticides.

Effects of host aging, ions, and pH on the adsorption of the cyanovirus N-1 to Nostoc muscorum

The adsorption rate of the cyanovirus N-1 infecting the nitrogen-fixing blue-green alga Nostocmuscorum decreased with aging of algal cultures and the virus failed to adsorb to the dead host cells. The adsorption rate declined in saline magnesium chloride solution compared to that in algal growth medium. The addition of amino acids like L-tryptophan and L-phenylalanine failed to enhance the adsorption rate of the virus. Optimal pH of adsorption was 7.6 to 8;1.

Pesticide (hexachlorocyclohexane) inhibition of growth and nitrogen fixation in blue-green algae Anabaenopsis raciborskii and Anabaena aphanizomenoides

The effects of the pesticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) on the nitrogen fixing blue-green algae Anabaenopsis raciborskii and Anabaena aphanizomenoides commonly found as blooms in fish ponds were studied. These algae were very sensitive to HCH, and a distinct decrease in growth rate was observed on prolonged incubation. Lower concentrations (10 microgram/ml) were algistatic and higher concentrations (60 microgram/ml) were algicidal. The inhibition of nitrogen fixation indicated that the presence of HCH might affect overall nitrogen economy of inland waters.