Adult polio-like syndrome following Enterovirus 70 conjunctivitis (natural history of the disease)

During the Indian EV 70 conjunctivitis epidemic in 1981, 79 patients with neurological complications were evaluated by clinical, electrophysiological, histopathological and virological studies. The disease was heralded by an attack of conjunctivitis and was followed, after a variable latent period, by a pre-paralytic, paralytic, and post-paralytic stage of slow recovery. The above events occurred in an orderly sequence. The paralysis affected the cranial nerves, limbs or both. The clinical course closely simulated poliomyelitis, without any evidence of radiculopathy or myelopathy. Cranial nerve palsies were seen in approximately half of the patients. The electrophysiological and histologicl studies pointed towards the affection of anterior horn cells. The raised neutralizing antibody titres to Enterovirus 70, confirmed the aetiology of the disease. On the available data, we believe that this nosological entity should be considered under the general title of "polio-like syndrome" following EV 70 conjunctivitis. On account of two epidemics in 1971 and 1981 with unfavourable prognosis and high resultant disability, and because of lack of specific therapy, it has become imperative to develop, as a top priority, a vaccine for immunization.

Synthesis and CNS activities of some 2-alkyl-3(2-substituted indol-3-yl)-methyl, 6-substituted-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones

Nineteen title compounds (1-3, Fig. 1) have been synthesised by Mannich reaction of the corresponding 2,6-disubstituted-quinazolones, 2-substituted-indole and formaldehyde. Some of them have been found to be CNS stimulants while some others were CNS depressants. Compounds 2c and 2d have been found to possess good anticonvulsant activity in MES protection test at the dose level of 100 mg/kg.

Age-at-onset of leprosy. (An analytic data from Northern India)

Very little information is available from Northern India about various intriguing facets of epidemiology of leprosy. Age-at-onset is a very important aspect of the epidemiology of the disease process. In the present study an analytic data of the patients from Northern India is presented. The mean age-at-onset of leprosy in males was 31.49 years and in female 29.43 years. The mean age-at-onset for N, N ? L and L types was 30.14, 30.12 and 34.13 years respectively. The data compared well with those of earlier series.

Psychological factors and recovery from cardiac surgery

21 Subjects awaiting open-heart surgery were given personality and attitude questionnaires. They were re-tested six months after the operation, when they were divided into "completely recovered" (I) and "not completely recovered" (II) groups, according to the New York Heart Association classification. Results showed that Group I was significantly less depressed, more optimistic about the future and had a more positive attitude towards others. Group II realised they had been very ill and had a more negative attitude towards their spouses. Group I was found to be much better adjusted, vocationally and psychosexually, than Group II.

Enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in maize roots

The enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS) and asparagine synthetase (AS) have been assayed in various regions along the seedling root ofZea mays L. In the intact attached root and calculated on a protein basis NR, GOGAT, and GS are found to have slightly higher specific activities in the apical 5 mm than in more mature regions of the root. GDH and AS, on the other hand, are much more active in extracts prepared from mature regions of the root than in the apical region. In excised root tips incubated in the presence of NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) there was a marked increase in GDH and AS, and a slight decrease in GOGAT and GS. Additions of NO3 (-) are required for NR activity but neither NO3 (-) nor NH4 (+) additions altered the activity levels of the other four enzymes. Additions of glucose to the medium inhibited the development of AS and GDH activities and resulted in higher activity levels of NR, GS and GOGAT. Glucose additions also enhanced the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine-(14)C into protein. Additions of cycloheximide inhibit the development of NR, AS and GDH activities and also the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine into protein.

Enzymes of nitrogen assimilation in maize roots

The enzymes nitrate reductase (NR), glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamate synthase (GOGAT), glutamine synthetase (GS) and asparagine synthetase (AS) have been assayed in various regions along the seedling root ofZea mays L. In the intact attached root and calculated on a protein basis NR, GOGAT, and GS are found to have slightly higher specific activities in the apical 5 mm than in more mature regions of the root. GDH and AS, on the other hand, are much more active in extracts prepared from mature regions of the root than in the apical region. In excised root tips incubated in the presence of NH4 (+) and NO3 (-) there was a marked increase in GDH and AS, and a slight decrease in GOGAT and GS. Additions of NO3 (-) are required for NR activity but neither NO3 (-) nor NH4 (+) additions altered the activity levels of the other four enzymes. Additions of glucose to the medium inhibited the development of AS and GDH activities and resulted in higher activity levels of NR, GS and GOGAT. Glucose additions also enhanced the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine-(14)C into protein. Additions of cycloheximide inhibit the development of NR, AS and GDH activities and also the incorporation of acetate-(14)C and leucine into protein.

Neuromuscular status in hypothyroidism

Twenty unselected patients with hypothyroidism were evaluated by clinical and electrophysiological techniques for neuromuscular dysfunction. On clinical examination, muscle weakness was observed in four, paraesthesia in 11, carpal tunnel syndrome in three, and peripheral neuropathy in two of the patients. The electromyograms were abnormal in 14 of the patients. The average duration of motor unit potentials and the mean amplitudes in these patients were reduced, compatible with myopathy. There were no denervation potentials. The nerve conduction abnormalities were found in 13 patients, predominantly affecting the median (10) than the peroneal nerve (one). Subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome was observed in six patients. This was evidenced by increased sensory in five and motor distal latencies in one patient.

A comparison of glutamate synthase obtained from maize endosperms and roots

Glutamate synthase (EC 2.6.1.53) has been examined in developing endosperms and roots of maize. KCl is required for maximum activity in each tissue. The effect with KCl is seen with buffer strength of 25 to 100 millimolar in the assay. The optimum concentration for the enzyme from endosperm is 20 millimolar and for the enzyme from root tissue the saturating concentration is about 20 millimolar. In root material the enzyme is labile but activity can be restored if KCl is added to the assay. Divalent cations such as Mg(2+) or Mn(2+) also activate the enzyme to some extent.In each case NADH or NADPH can serve as reductant. The reaction is insensitive to alpha-aminooxyacetate, but is inhibited by glutamate, the glutamate analogs methionine sulfoximine and methionine sulfone, and by the glutamine analogs azaserine and albizziin.

Profile of epilepsy in a developing country: a study of 1,000 patients based on the international classification

The present prospective study undertaken in a specialized neurological center of a developing country deals with 1,000 epileptic patients classified in accordance with the International Classification. Eighty-one percent of the patients could be classified, with a lower incidence in the younger age group. Partial epilepsy was found to be far more common than generalized epilepsy (80% versus 20%). Primary generalized epilepsy was seen in 15% and secondary generalized in 5%. Partial epilepsy with elementary symptomatology was seen in 58% and complex symptomatology in 7%. Secondarily generalized seizures were seen in the remaining 15%. Primary generalized epilepsy and partial epilepsy with complex symptomatology were more common in adults. Secondary generalized epilepsy and partial epilepsy with secondarily generalized seizures were more common in children. Partial epilepsy with elementary symptomatology, however, did not vary significantly with age. The higher incidence of partial epilepsy in our patients, compared to the West, could be due to greater frequency of CNS infections and birth injuries, which are common childhood hazards in the developing countries.

Plasma cortisol in glaucoma

Plasma cortisol level and intraocular tension were determined diurnally in 40 normal and 40 glaucomatous patients at 8 AM and 8 PM. It was observed that (1) plasma cortisol level was higher in glaucomatous patients at both the periods; (2) the diurnal variation in plasma cortisol was parallel to diurnal variation in intraocular tension in both glaucomatous and normal persons; and (3) the diurnal variation in plasma cortisol level also was more marked in glaucomatous patients as compared to normal persons.

Congestive cardiomyopathy in a family of Becker's X-linked muscular dystrophy

Ths dissociation of gross congestive cardiomyopathy and muscle disease in different members of a family affected with Becker's benign X-linked muscular dystrophy is described. The possibility that cardiomyopathy and muscular dystrophy may be the expressions of the same mutant gene has been suggested.