Determination of amodiaquine in pharmaceuticals by reaction with periodate and spectrophotometry or by high-performance liquid chromatography

Two methods are described for the determination of amodiaquine in pharmaceuticals. In the first method, amodiaquine was treated with periodate at pH 7.5-8.5 to yield a chromogen, which is believed to be a 1,4-benzoquinone imine derivative, and extracted into chloroform for spectrophotometric assay. The maximum molar absorptivity was found to be 2.17 x 10(3) l mol-1 cm-1 at 442 nm. Primaquine and chloroquine, if present also, do not interfere. The second method, which was used for the simultaneous determination of amodiaquine, primaquine and chloroquine, is based on high-performance liquid chromatography on an octadecylsilane column using a mobile phase of methanol-water (80 + 20) containing 0.5% anhydrous acetic acid and an over-all concentration of sodium dodecyl sulphate of 0.5 mM, with detection at 340 nm.

Molecular mechanisms of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors were identified initially as binding sites in peripheral tissues with markedly different drug specificity than the central type receptors. The density of peripheral receptors varies greatly among tissues with selective localization within organs. Steroid producing areas of glands, such as the adrenal, testes and ovary, are highly enriched in these receptors. Intracellular localizations provide further insight into function with peripheral receptors largely if not exclusively associated with outer membranes of mitochondria. Purification of the peripheral receptor protein from rat kidney mitochondria reveals two apparent subunits with molecular weights of about 30 and 18 kD respectively. This complex is functionally intact as determined by its ability to reversibly bind PK-11195, Ro5-4864, and PK-14105 with high affinity and specificity.

Post laryngectomy complications and their mode of management--an analysis of 203 cases

Two hundred and three laryngectomized patients have been evaluated for the possible causes of post operative complications. 58 out of 203 patients (28.5%) developed pharyngocutaneous fistula. Wound infection was present in 57 cases (28%). Two patients had flap necrosis and 12 patients developed dysphagia after surgery due to pharyngeal stenosis. The possible causes attributed to high occurrence of pharyngocutaneous fistula are, advanced nature of disease, preoperative radio therapy and wound sepsis. Prior to 1980, the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula in our series (Arora et al. 1983) was 41.6 percent. But it decreased to 13.7 percent between January 1981 to June 1987. The important factors which led to the decreased incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula were thought to be the change of suture material for pharyngeal repair from chromic catgut to Vicryl, use of vacuum suction as a replacement of corrugated rubber drain and aseptic syringe drainage and postoperative coverage with broad spectrum antibiotics.

Adult-onset autosomal recessive neurogenic scapuloperoneal syndrome

We report a brother and sister who showed weakness, atrophy and fasciculations starting in adulthood, predominantly affecting the muscles of the shoulder girdles and distal lower extremities. Mild ptosis and facial weakness were present in both. Electrophysiological studies and muscle histology supported a neurogenic basis for the autosomal recessive scapuloperoneal syndrome in this sibship.

Primary tuberculosis of the tongue

Primary tongue tuberculosis is an uncommon condition, and there is a paucity of such cases in the literature. We report a case of primary tuberculosis of the tongue in a 55-year-old man.

Serum copper levels in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer

Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is very commonly encountered in Kashmir Valley of India. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin levels were investigated in 75 patients with GIT cancer, 42 non-GIT cancer and 75 normal healthy controls. The mean serum copper in the control group was 1,078 (S.D. 0,296) mg/L, while in patients with GIT and non-GIT cancers, it was 1,738 (S.D. 0,675) and 1,449 (S.D. 0,501) mg/L. Copper in both types of cancers showed significant increase (p less than 0.001). It was significantly higher in GIT cancers (p less than 0.01) as compared to non-GIT cancers. Ceruloplasmin in controls was 379 (S.D. 51) mg/L, while in GIT and non-GIT cancer patients the values were 363 (S.D. 75) and 364 (S.D. 77) mg/L, respectively. No significant difference could be found in either of the groups. In Kashmir Valley, the copper content in body tissues is likely to be on the high side because copper utensils are widely used by the general population. Water and milk samples stored in copper vessels and salt tea prepared in copper vessels showed markedly high levels of copper.

Characterization of porphyrin interactions with peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors

We have examined organ and species variations in interactions of porphyrins with peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors and explored structure-activity requirements for porphyrin-receptor interactions. Whereas potency of the benzodiazepine RO5-4864 varies several orders of magnitude in competing for receptors in different organs and species, effects of porphyrins and the isoquinoline carboxamide PK11195 are relatively constant. The structural requirements determining porphyrin affinity for benzodiazepine binding sites are fairly strict. The most potent porphyrins are those with prominent physiological functions.

Some exercises with the learned helpessness scale (lh/scale) in hindi

Learned Helplessness Scale - Hindi version (Dhar, Kohli & Dhar, 1987) was administered to 50 graduates. Scoring was done using the original method as given in the manual and by two of its variations. Correlations among the three forms of scoring were found to be very high (.85 and above). In another excercise, 30 of the subjects were administered P.G.I. Health Questionnaire N-2 and P.G.I. General Well Being Scales and in the third excercise 20 subjects were administered P.G.I. Health Questionnaire N-l and P.G.I. Locus of Control Scale, in addition to the L-H scale. The obtained correlations between LH and other variables show that it is positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively with the sense of general wellbeing, both correlations showing relationship of moderate degree only (about 25% overlap with the neuroticism and even lower for general well being). This feeling of learned helplessness was not related to the internal or external locus of control and the scale showed little effect of social desirability response set.

Trismus caused by paradoxical activity of jaw-closing muscles in brain stem tuberculoma

An ipsilateral trismus of jaw-closing muscles during jaw opening is reported in a patient with brain stem tuberculoma. This condition is only superficially simulated by spasticity or tetanus. The decisively differentiating clinical and electromyographic features and the possible pathophysiologic mechanism underlying such trismus are discussed.

Dermoid tumours occurring at the site of previous meningocele repair

Two cases of dermoid tumours following meningocele repair have been reported because of the rarity of the condition and paucity of literature. It should be stressed that a dermoid tumour should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurological deterioration in patients with a repaired meningocele.

Monoclonal antibodies to human erythrocyte membrane Ca++-Mg++ adenosine triphosphatase pump recognize an epitope in the basolateral membrane of human kidney distal tubule cells

Human calcium transporting tissues were examined to determine whether they contained a protein similar to the Ca++-Mg++ adenosine triphosphatase (Ca++-Mg++ATPase) pump of the human erythrocyte membrane. Tissues were processed for immunoperoxidase staining using monoclonal antibodies against purified Ca++-Mg++ATPase. In human kidneys, specific staining was found only along the basolateral membrane of the distal convoluted tubules. Glomeruli and other segments of the nephron did not stain. Staining of erythrocytes in human spleen was readily observed. Human small intestine, human parathyroid, and human liver showed no antigens that crossreacted with the antibodies to Ca++-Mg++ATPase. Specific staining of distal tubule basolateral membranes from the kidney of a chimpanzee was also noted. Our experiments show, for the first time, that basolateral membranes of the human distal convoluted tubule contain a protein that is immunologically similar to the human erythrocyte Ca++-Mg++ATPase. These observations suggest that the cells of the distal convoluted tubules of human kidney may have a calcium pump similar to that of human erythrocyte membranes.

Trigeminal and peripheral neuropathy in a patient with systemic sclerosis and silicosis

The unusual occurrence of cranial (trigeminal) and peripheral neuropathy in a case of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is described. The possible association of PSS with silicosis is also discussed.

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor: a protein of mitochondrial outer membranes utilizing porphyrins as endogenous ligands

The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor is a site identified by its nanomolar affinity for [3H]diazepam, similar to the affinity of diazepam for the central-type benzodiazepine receptor in the brain. The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor occurs in many peripheral tissues but has discrete localizations as indicated by autoradiographic studies showing uniquely high densities of the receptors in the adrenal cortex and in Leydig cells of the testes. Subcellular localization studies reveal a selective association of the receptors with the outer membrane of mitochondria. Photoaffinity labeling of the mitochondrial receptor with [3H]flunitrazepam reveals two discrete labeled protein bands of 30 and 35 kDa, respectively. The 35-kDa band appears to be identical with the voltage-dependent anion channel protein porin. Fractionation of numerous peripheral tissues reveals a single principal endogenous ligand for the receptor, consisting of porphyrins, which display nanomolar affinity. Interactions of porphyrins with the mitochondrial receptor may clarify its physiological role and account for many pharmacological actions of benzodiazepines.

Disappearing CT lesions in epilepsy

A striking but reversible computed tomographic (CT) lesion corresponding to seizure activity is reported in a series of 46 epileptic patients. None of these patients had evidence of tuberculosis or cysticercosis, and all were treated with antiepileptic drugs only. Maximal radiological changes occurred in the area of maximal epileptic discharge; however, multiple lesions were seen in three cases. The CT lesion reappeared with recurrence of the ictus in four cases during follow-up, and this, too, disappeared after complete arrest of the seizures. The clinical, CT scan, and other investigatory findings suggest that the seizures may occasionally cause a CT-demonstrable focal abnormality, probably cerebral edema, a consequence of abnormal vascular permeability. Awareness of this radiological entity should avoid misdiagnosis of cerebral tumor, infarction or tuberculoma in patients with seizure disorder.

Reversible movement disorder in a patient with post traumatic basal ganglia haematoma

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Spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage

Twenty-one patients with spontaneous intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) were reviewed with particular reference to the clinical outcome. Based on clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings, as well as possible mechanisms governing the formation of IVH, we were able to identify two separate groups: patients with haemorrhage into ventricles without clinical or CT evidence of a lesion in adjacent brain parenchyma and patients with IVH occurring as a result of erosion of the ventricular wall by either a juxtaventricular small haematoma shown by CT and/or IVH with focal neurological deficit. Out of 12 patients in the first group, 8 survived and resumed their previous activities; in the second group (i.e. patients with clinical and/or CT evidence of adjacent intraparenchymal bleeding only three patients survived, two with considerable handicap. The overall prognosis, however, was significantly better in patients with IVH of unknown cause. Altered sensorium as an initial presentation was associated with a grave prognosis, irrespective of the cause of IVH. The outcome was not affected by the age of patient or the amount of blood within the ventricles. Our data suggest a favourable outcome in a relatively large percentage of patients with spontaneous IVH, if there is no clinical or CT evidence of concomitant parenchymal bleeding. Hence we question the notion that there is a grave prognosis in all kinds of IVH.

Porphyrins are endogenous ligands for the mitochondrial (peripheral-type) benzodiazepine receptor

"Peripheral-type" benzodiazepine receptors are localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane. We have identified potent competitive inhibitors of these receptors and purified them from human blood and from several rat organs. TLC analysis of the purified inhibitor from erythrocytes displays a single peak of inhibitory activity with an absorbance spectrum identical to hemin. All of the inhibitory activity in extracts of several tissues can be accounted for by their porphyrin and metalloporphyrin content. Pure hemin and protoporphyrin IX competitively inhibit mitochondrial benzodiazepine binding with Ki values of 41 and 15 nM, respectively, and are less active by a factor of 1000 at central-type benzodiazepine receptors. Thus, porphyrins appear to be endogenous ligands for mitochondrial benzodiazepine receptors.