Use of amphotericin B in drug-resistant cases of visceral leishmaniasis in north Bihar, India

Thirty-four multidrug-resistant cases of Indian visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) were treated with amphotericin B. A complete hemogram, liver and renal function tests, determination of serum electrolyte levels, a chest radiograph, and an electrocardiogram were done before, during, and after completion of therapy. Assessment for clinical and parasitologic cure was done weekly. Thirty-one patients who completed treatment had full cure after receiving 10-15 injections at six-months follow up. One patient died of myocarditis. A febrile reaction was observed in all cases, while thrombophlebitis was found in six cases (18.75%). Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting were found in seven cases (21.88%). No significant nephrotoxicity or electrolyte disturbances were observed. It is concluded that amphotericin B is an effective second-line drug for Indian visceral leishmaniasis, but unpredictable drug-induced myocarditis remains a problem.

Combination therapy in Kala-azar

128 untreated cases of Kala-azar were divided in 4 equal groups of 32, Group A was treated with Sodium Stibogluconate (SSG) in the dose of 20 mg/kg/body wt. for 30 days. Group B was treated SSG plus allopurinol in the dose of 20 mg/kg/body wt. orally in divided dosage for 30 days. Group C received SSG plus Ketoconazole 600 mg orally in divided dosage for 30 days. Group D in addition to SSG also received levamisole in single oral daily dose of 13 mg/kg/body wt. for 30 days. Response of Group B, C and D was compared to Group A. Results from this study revealed combination of allopurinol with SSG to be statistically not superior to SSG alone.

Sympathetic skin response and autonomic dysfunction in diabetes

Study was conducted on 34 middle aged (35-52 years) diabetics of either sex to compare autonomic function in patients having and not having symptoms of dysautonomia. Fifteen age/sex matched healthy non-diabetic volunteers were control. No symptom of autonomic insufficiency was present in 19 (55.8%) while 15 (43%) diabetics had dysfunction in form of episodic syncope, vertigo, and palpitation, all on postural change. Tests of autonomic functions were restricted to evaluation of salivation, lacrimation, sweating, pilomotor response, reflex erythema and blood pressure changes with valsalva, posture and cold pressor. SSR was elicited using 5 stimuli on programmed Neuropack II and IV model machine. In asymptomatic diabetics, tests of autonomic functions were normal and comparable to controls but SSR was not recordable in 8 (42%). In remaining 11 (58%) asymptomatic diabetics, it was recordable. In 15 subjects who had symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, 6 (40%) had positive test of autonomic function but SSR was normal in only 5 (34%) and not recordable in 10 (66%) subjects. We conclude that SSR can be used as a easy, sensitive and probably early indicator of autonomic functions.

Effect of age on P300 wave

30 healthy elderly males (mean age 77.4 +/- 4.3 yrs) were subjects in this study. Equal number of young males (mean age 22 +/- 3.5 years) and middle aged subjects (mean age 46 +/- 3.2 years) served as control. P300 wave was estimated using a Neuropack 4 model of Nihon Kohden EMG machine. We observed a significantly increased latency, poorly defined and non reproducible P300 wave in 90% old subjects while in young the latency was in normal limits and the wave was well defined and reproducible. We presume P300 could serve as a future potential marker of the neurophysiological basis of aging.

Some observations on clinical, cognitive and neurophysiological changes in subjects consuming indigenous alcohol

Sixty-two subjects in age range of 25-50 years consuming more than 300 ml of alcohol daily, and an equal number of age matched non-alcoholic volunteers serving as control were tested. Their clinical and neurological evaluation, including electrophysiology was carried out. Their cognitive functions were measured using the modified WAIS system. In alcoholics there was a significant impairment of cognition, especially in orientation, attention and immediate recall. Their P300 wave was grossly abnormal as compared with the controls. Other electrophysiological investigations (EEG, NCV, EMG, BAER, VER) were normal. It is concluded that cognition may be grossly impaired in chronic alcoholics, which may not manifest clinically but is observed only after formal testing.

Effect of sodium valproate on serum amylase in epileptics

Thirty-eight patients of generalised tonic-clonic seizures of epileptics in the age group of 15-30 years were included in this study. Of these 20 were started sodium valproate afresh and 18 already taking it for more than one year prior to inclusion. Serum amylase and serum valproic acid levels were measured in all of them, initially and at every 3 months interval for 9 months. Though no clinical evidence was present, there was significant increase in serum amylase levels in both the groups which has no correlation with dose or serum valproic acid levels.

Negative autoregulation by Ultrabithorax controls the level and pattern of its expression

The Drosophila homeotic gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) encodes transcriptional regulatory proteins (UBX) that specify thoracic and abdominal segmental identities. Ubx autoregulation was examined by manipulating UBX levels, both genetically and with an inducible transgene, and monitoring the effect of these manipulations on the expression of Ubx and Ubx-lacZ reporter genes. Positive autoregulation by Ubx is restricted to the visceral mesoderm, while in other tissues Ubx negatively autoregulates. In some cases, negative autoregulation stabilizes UBX levels, while in others it modulates the spatial and temporal patterns of UBX expression. This modulation of UBX expression may enable Ubx to specify distinct identities in different segments. The upstream control region of Ubx contains multiple autoregulatory elements for both positive and negative autoregulation.

Platelet aggregation in migraine

This study was conducted on forty male patients aged 17-35 years, suffering from migraine. Platelet aggregation was evaluated in them twice, once in the aura and headache phase of migraine and the other during the period in which patient was asymptomatic. We observed significant increase in platelet aggregation during the aura and headache phase of the migrainous attack in comparison to the headache-free interval. Platelet hyperaggregability may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of migraine.

Herpes zoster oticus associated with facial, auditory and trigeminal involvement

We report a case of herpes zoster oticus with involvement of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve and loss of taste sensation in the anterior two third of the tongue. Infranuclear facial palsy and sensorineural deafness were also present.

Platelet norepinephrine efflux in thrombotic stroke

Twenty CT proven patients of thrombotic stroke who were non-diabetic, non-hypertensive and non-hyperlipidemic were evaluated in acute phase (within 7 days of onset of neurological deficit) for platelet count and spontaneous platelet norepinephrine (NE) efflux, measured as the fraction (of initial total content) of 3H-NE released from platelets in 30 and 60 min. NE efflux was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) in stroke patients (34.09 +/- 4.92% at 30 min and 50.45 +/- 7.1% at 60 min) as compared to controls (23.27 +/- 4.16% at 30 min and 39.49 +/- 3.27% at 60 min). This excessive efflux may result in increased concentrations of NE in local plasma, which by causing enhanced platelet aggregation and damage to vascular endothelium and vasospasm, may contribute towards the development and progression of cerebral thrombosis.

Oro-dental pattern in mentally retarded

The study was carried out in 25 mentally retarded children and compared with equal number of normal children. They were subjected to detailed psychiatric evaluation and dental examination. The dental anomalies were corroborated with cephalometric analysis of lateral cephalograms. It was concluded that all mentally retarded children had some dental abnormality in them in form of dental malocclusion, wide inter dental spaces, absence of teeth etc. We suggest early dental management for such patients for reinforcing their neuromuscular coordination modifying the mastication power, swallowing, speech, stomatognathic function and above all their facial profile for better social acceptance.

Micropropagation of Cephaelis ipecacuanha rich

Shoot cultures of ipecac, Cephaelis ipecacuanha Rich. were established by inoculating seedling nodal explants onto modified Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with 8 mg/l kinetin, 0.05 mg/l NAA and 200 mg/l adenine. Upto 12 new axillary shoots per explant were induced after 12 weeks incubation. Shoot cultures were also established by placing shoot tips on medium containing 0.1-0.25 mg/l NAA with 8 mg/l kinetin for 4 weeks and then to shoot multiplication medium for 8 weeks. The multiplication was maintained over several passages. Shoots were rooted using 2 mg/l IBA and normal plants were re-established.

Effect of variable doses of aspirin on platelet functions

Serial platelet functions were studied after various single doses of aspirin (75 mg, 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg) in 20 males. Clotting time and platelet counts remained unchanged. Significant deaggregation of platelets occurred only with 600 mg of aspirin. This persisted on day '3'. Platelet factor-3 release time was prolonged till day '3' with only 150 mg and 600 mg doses of aspirin. In view of these findings it appears that 600 mg aspirin given every 4th day is more suited for significant antiplatelet effect.

Regeneration and rapid multiplication of Bowiea volubilis Harv. in tissue culture

Callus cultures were raised from segments of inflorescence axis of Bowies volubilis Harv. (Liliaceae) on a modified basal medium of Murashige and Skoog (1962) (MS) supplemented with 1 mg 1(-1) 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) + 15% v/v coconut milk. Shoot primordia developed after 2-3 subcultures when auxin concentration was lowered. Rooted bulbous plants were obtained in MS medium without any hormone.Shoots were induced directly on scales of regenerated bulbs used as secondary explants on modified MS medium supplemented with 2 mg 1(-1) 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) + 0.05 mg 1(-1) 2,4-D. These shoots grew and multiplied rapidly in shake culture using liquid MS medium. From each scale, 400-600 bulblets could be produced in 16-20 weeks period. Eighty percent of plants have survived on transferring to potted soil.

Quantitation of Principal Bufadienolides in Different Cytotypes of Urginea indica

Roots of URGINEA INDICA K UNTH, (Liliaceae) Indian squill, contain high amounts of proscillardin A and scillaren A. The range of variation in proscillaridin A and scillaren A contents in bulbs is 0.004-0.26% in diploids, 0.04-0.07% in triploids and 0.02-0.45% in tetraploids. The relative proportion of proscillaridin A and scillaren A also varies in different cytotypes. A tetraploid cytotype, representing a high yielding strain which can be exploited commercially for better yield of cardiac glycosides, has been obtained from Pune.