Use of resealed erythrocytes as delivery system for C-reactive protein (CRP) to generate macrophage-mediated tumoricidal activity

We have shown previously in several mouse tumor systems that multilamellar vesicles (MLV) are an effective delivery system for generation of macrophage-mediated tumoricidal activity by C-reactive protein (CRP). Here we show that resealed erythrocyte ghosts (red cell ghosts, RCG) can function in the same manner. CRP associated with red cell ghosts (CRP-RCG) inhibited established lung metastases of T241 fibrosarcoma in C57B1/6J mice. The degree of inhibition was comparable to that observed with CRP-MLV. In other experiments, peritoneal exudate cells, obtained from mice pretreated with CRP-RCG i.p., inhibited growth and pulmonary metastases of T241 tumor in the Winn neutralization assay. Similar results were obtained with MCA-38 colon carcinoma in the Winn assay. These studies indicate that erythrocytes deserve consideration as another delivery system for biological response modifiers.

Standardisation of hindi version of goldbergs general health questionnaire

Goldberg's GHQ was translated into Hindi. An emphasis was made to have the language of common use. The reliability of GHQ Hindi version (GHQ-H) was tested by translation - retranslation method and split-half method using the scores of 500 patients attending psychiatric out-patient department and 500 normal subjects. The tool was found to be sensitive and reliable. The tool differentiates normal population (mean score 4.9) from the patient population (mean score 30.64) statistically (p < 0.01) indicating a high validity. Details of methodology are described and its subsequent use is advocated.

Burden on families of schizophernic and chronic lung disease patients

With the aims to find out the comparative burden on families of schizophrenics and patients with chronic lung disease and to study the areas of burden on families of two groups of patients, randomly selected samples of relatives of 25 patients in each group were studied by using a structured interview schedule. Sociodemographic data were recorded and Burden on the family interview schedule was administered. Results revealed more burden on families of schizophrenic patients in the financial area, effects on family leisure, family routine, family interaction and mental health of other family members. Among the schizophrenic's families more financial burden was seen where male member had the illness. The implications of these findings in management and rehabilitation of the patients have been highlighted.

Macrophage activation and generation of tumoricidal activity by liposome-associated human C-reactive protein

The effect of human C-reactive protein incorporated into multilamellar vesicles (CRP-MLV) was studied in assays of macrophage function. Peritoneal exudate macrophages from C57BL/6 mice phagocytosed CRP-MLV in vitro more rapidly than multilamellar vesicles bearing comparable amounts of immunoglobulin G. Exposure of peritoneal exudate macrophages in vitro to CRP-MLV resulted in development of tumoricidal activity against syngeneic T241 fibrosarcoma and B-16 melanoma cells and against allogeneic Sarcoma 1 cells. Peritoneal exudate macrophages obtained from mice given CRP-MLV i.p. demonstrated antitumor activity against the syngeneic T241 fibrosarcoma in a Winn-type assay, and when challenged in vitro with phorbol myristate acetate, they showed elevated superoxide anion production. Administration of CRP-MLV i.p. did not enhance natural killer activity of spleen cells, however. In superoxide anion assays, CRP-MLV were approximately 10 to 100 times more effective than free C-reactive protein. Results indicate that C-reactive protein is capable of activating macrophages, thus supporting the concept of C-reactive protein as an immunomodulator.

Comparison of three treatment regimes in schizophrenia

90 schizophrenic patients in three regimes of thirty patients each, were treated for a period of three weeks with haloperidol alone, E.C.T. alone and E.C.T. + haloperidol in combination respectively. Rating them on R. P. scale (Rockland and Pollin, 196a) & Disability Rating Scale (Gautam, 76) showed that the E.C.T. + haloperidol receiving group was significantly better on several measures on day 8 & day 15 and also had an earlier onset of beneficial responses on "Affect & Mood" & on scores of "General appearance and behaviour". However, at the end of three weeks these differences disappeared and the three groups did not differ significantly.

Subsets of oncofetal antigen-induced T-cells: ability to mediate antitumor immune response

The present study was performed to identify the subsets of oncofetal antigen-induced T-cells that mediate antitumor immune response in mice. In this study, performed on a weakly immunogenic, metastatic tumor, fetal antigen-sensitized spleen cells significantly inhibited the growth and metastases of tumors in Winn neutralization assay. Mixing of spleen cells from tumor-bearing inbred C57BL/6J mice with fetal antigen-sensitized spleen cells completely abolished the tumor inhibitory effect of fetal antigen-sensitized spleen cells. Further characterization of fetal antigen-sensitized spleen cells showed that they were Thy-1+. These findings reveal that tumor-associated fetal antigens on fetal cells can produce a tumor inhibitory T-cell immune response against the growth and metastases of a weakly immunogenic, metastatic tumor. The subset of oncofetal antigen-induced T-cells that mediates antitumor immune response was identified as Lyt-1+ and Lyt-2-. Adoptive transfer of fetal antigen-sensitized spleen cells to mice with preestablished metastases significantly inhibited the lung metastases in these mice, thus making this approach more relevant to a clinical situation in cancer patients.

Post partum psychiatric syndromes-an analysis of 100 consecutive cases

100 consecutive out patients with onset of Psychiatric illness within 40 days of child birth were studied by using Indian Psychiatric Interview Schedule and a specially designed Proforma. It was found that post partum psychiatric syndromes occurred most frequently in patients less than 25 years of age. Stress of Physical illness was present in a considerably high number of patients (74%). In 66% the Psychiatric illness was associated with first child birth and risk of Puerperal Psychosis in subsequent deliveries was found to be 32%.; Onset of illness is seen most frequently (85% cases) within 3 weeks of child birth. The Diagnostic breakup showed Schizophrenic reactions (68%) affective disorders (25%) and neurotic reactions (7%). Findings have been discussed.

Dept. of Microbiology, School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

The responsiveness of spleen cells from C57BL/6J mice to various immunogenic stimuli was examined during the progressive growth of a poorly immunogenic fibrosarcoma T241. A strong correlation was observed between the progressive tumor growth and the depression of response to Concanavalin A, lipopolysaccharide, sheep red blood cells, and alloantigens in mixed lymphocyte reaction and cell-mediated lympholysis (CML). The maximum depression of these immune responses occurred when the animals had grown tumors for 3-4 weeks. Furthermore, serum from these animals collected 20 days after tumor transplantation was highly immunosuppressive. The possible mechanisms of tumor-induced immunosuppression have been discussed.

T-cell-mediated antitumor immune response induced by oncofetal antigens

The possibility that fetal antigens take part in tumor immunity has been investigated to a limited extent, but the results of these studies have been controversial. It is not clear that tumor inhibition shown in some systems is due to an immune reaction. In the present study, performed in a weakly immunogenic tumor system (Lewis T241 fibrosarcoma in inbred C57BL/6J mice), immunization of mice with syngeneic fetal cells resulted in striking inhibition of growth and metastases of tumors. Mice that had gone through single pregnancies also showed a decreased rate of tumor growth and tumor metastases. Further studies have shown that the tumor inhibitory response evoked by fetal cell immunization is due to fetal antigens, and the male specific HY antigen is not responsible for antitumor response. Injection of tumor cells mixed with spleen cells from mice immunized with syngeneic fetal cells into normal mice resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth and metastases in the Winn neutralization assay. Syngeneic fetal cells, normal adult spleen cells, or spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice immunized with allogeneic fetal cells did not inhibit tumor growth or metastases. These results show that tumor inhibition following fetal cell immunization is due to an immune reaction and is not due to a nonimmune physiologic process. Further analysis of effector cells showed them to be of the T-cell type.

Psychiatric morbidity and referral in general practice-a survey of general practitioners in bangalore city

60 General practitioners having M.B., B.S. qualification from all age group practicing in Bangalore city's centrally located locality were personally visited and a specially designed proforma was administered to find out whether they come across Psychiatric patients in their general practice, if yes what percentage of their practice ? Whether they referred any cases for Psychiatric consultation, what factors determined their decision to refer a case to the psychiatrist.9% General practitioners reportedly were seeing Psychiatric cases, on an average 10% of total patients seen by GP's were suffering from Psychiatric illness. 85% GP's had referred cases for Psychiatric consultation and factors which determined GP's decision to refer a case were : Request from patient to see a Specialist, patient was excited and unmanageable, pressure from relatives of patients serious impirsonment of patients' working capacity, patient finds it more acceptable to be told by a Specialist that he has nervous trouble, lack of emotional support from family of patient. Less commonly given reasons inlcuded inability to diagnose a case, for confirmation of diagnosis and treatment, for detailed examination and investigation, for better managment, resistant casses and lack of time to deal with Psychiatric problems. These findings have been discussed and their implications in planning further services have been highlighted.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome presenting as atrial fibrillation with broad-QRS complexes

The Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is the commonest form of ventricular pre-excitation and is characterised by the presence of an accessory pathway between atria and ventricles. The term WPW syndrome is applied to patients with both pre-excitation on the ECG and paroxysmal tachycardia. Usually the conducting properties of bypass tracts and the AV node differ, the ventricular response during atrial flutter or fibrillation may be unusually rapid and may cause ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is not an uncommon presentation in emergency department. Moreover, AF associated with WPW syndrome as an underlying condition is also not a rare occurrence; it is seen in 20-25% of WPW Syndrome. Recognition of this condition is very crucial in terms of emergency management. Its early recognition and initial treatment allows rapid restoration to sinus rhythm. Acute management of WPW syndrome with atrial fibrillation with hypotension is DC cardioversion. In haemodynamically stable patients, the drugs of choice are Amiodarone and class Ic anti- arrhythmic agents. Key words: Paroxysmal tachycardias; pre-excitation; tachycardia. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i3.4078Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol. 6, No. 3 pp.52-57