Outcomes of 1st Remission Induction Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cytogenetic Risk Groups

Background: Diagnostic karyotyping analysis is routinely used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) clinics. Categorization of patients into risk stratified groups (favorable, intermediate and adverse) according to cytogenetic findings can serve as a valuable independent prognostic factor. Method and Material: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on the patient records of newly diagnosed non-M3 AML young adult cases undergoing standard 3+7 i.e, Daunorubicin and Ara-C (DA) as remission induction chemotherapy. Diagnostic cytogenetic analysis reports were analyzed to classify the patients into risk stratified groups according to South West Oncology Group criteria and prognostic significance was measured with reference to achievement of haematological remission after 1st induction chemotherapy. Results: A normal karyotype was commonly expressed, found in 47.2% of patients, while 65% (n=39) appeared to have intermediate risk cytogenetics, and 13.3% (n=8) adverse or unclassified findings. Favourable cytogenetics was least frequent in the patient cohort, accounting for only 8.3 % (n=5).The impact of cytogenetic risk groups on achievement of haematological remission was evaluated by applying Pearson Chi-square, and was found to be non-significant (df=12, p=0.256) but when the outcomes of favourable risk groups with intermediate, adverse and unclassified findings compared, results were highly significant (df=6, p=0.000) for each comparison. In patients of the favourable cytogenetic risk group, HR?? was reported in 40% (n=2/5), as compared to 62.2% (n=23/37) in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group, 57.1% (n=4/7) in the adverse cytogenetic risk group and 28.6% (n=2/7) in hte unclassified cytogenetic risk group. Conclusion: Cytogenetic risk stratification for AML cases following criteria provided by international guidelines did not produce conclusive results in our Pakistani patients. However, we cannot preclude an importance as the literature clearly supports the use of pretreatment karyotyping analysis as a significant predictive marker for clinical outcomes. The apparent differences between Pakistani and Western studies indicate an urgent need to develop risk stratification guidelines according to the specific cytogenetic makeup of South Asian populations.

Beneficial anti-Parkinson effects of camel milk in Chlorpromazineinduced animal model: Behavioural and histopathological study

Potential roles of natural products have been identified for preventing or treating various diseases. Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of camel milk in an animal model of Parkinson's disease and compare it with standard treatment (levodopa + carbidopa combination). 40 Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 gram were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. Group I was kept on water and served as normal control, group II served as negative control, treated with chlorpromazine (5mg/kg i.p.), group III was given camel milk (33ml/kg p.o) and group IV the standard combination of levodopa + carbidopa (100+10mg/kg) respectively, 30 minutes after chlorpromazine treatment. All animals were subjected to the drugs treatment for 30 days. Catalepsy was assessed by Bar test on day 21 and day 30 at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes interval. On 30th day animals were sacrificed and whole brains were examined for histopathological changes. The results revealed highly significant (p<0.001) anti-cataleptic effect of camel milk on day 21 and 30 in comparison to chlorpromazine. When compared with standard therapy, the results showed that anti-Parkinson's activity of camel milk was significant (p<0.01) on day 21. However, the difference in activity was non-significant on day 30. Histopathology of the brain showed that administration of camel milk reveals intact architecture with mild degenerative changes than chlorpromazine and levodopa + carbidopa treated animals. In conclusion, camel milk possesses anti-Parkinson's activity. However, its long term efficacy and safety needs to be evaluated clinically.

Assessment of Osteoporosis in Post Menopausal Women: A Clinical Study

Aims: Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder of the bones that is characterized by decreased bone density which predisposes to increased fracture risk. The disease can exist undiagnosed for a long time as it produces no distinct symptoms and is detected when a fracture has already occurred. There is sufficient evidence to state that the risk of osteoporosis and fracture increases with age and after menopause, that bone density measurements accurately predict the risk for fractures in the short-term, and that treating asymptomatic women with osteoporosis reduces their risk for fracture. The present cross sectional study was undertaken to assess osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by measuring bone mineral density (BMD). Methods: This is a prospective study, conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College, Moradabad. India. Post menopausal women were included in the study. Women who had undergone hysterectomy or who were on hormone replacement therapy or calcium or vitamin D preparations were excluded from the study. The participants underwent BMD measurement by Achilles Ultrasound bone densitometer. The results of BMD were analysed on the basis of T-Scores and were represented in the form of a graph. Results: Of the 90 patients that were included in the study 42.2 %( n=38) were in the age group of 45-55years. In almost 50% of patients the duration of menopause was 6-10 years. Of the 90 patients 10%(n=9)were normal, 44.4%(n=40) were osteopenic, 33.3%(n=30) were osteoporotic and 12.2%(n=11) were severely osteoporotic. Backache was the commonest presenting symptom in the study population. Conclusions: Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a rapid and inexpensive method of measuring bone density. In our study 90% of the postmenopausal women had subnormal T scores. We recommend regular BMD measurements in postmenopausal subjects for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in this vulnerable group. NJOG 2011 Nov-Dec; 6 (2): 11-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v6i2.6749

Effects of cinchocaine cocaine analogs on brain mono amines and their metabolites in male mice

Cinchocaine analogs were studied to determine the effects of acute administration of cocaine analogs on dopamine, 5- hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and their metabolites. Psychomotor stimulants, (such as cinchocaine), potently influencing dopamine transport carrier were used to characterize in-vivo DA transmission. DA, DOPAC, HVA level and indoleamine were measured in brain after drug administration. Significant changes in levels of DA, DOPAC, 5-HT, 5HIAA and HVA were noted. The present findings suggests that acute administration of cinchocaine increases the level of Dopamine, 5-HT and their metabolites and alter the level of amines as compare to control group. These studies also indicate that difference in structure do not affect the binding sites and inhibition of amine uptake.

Effect of some psychoactive drugs on stress induced alteration in plasma corticosterone level

Psychoactive drugs such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, propranolol and diazepam were evaluated for their ability to block stress induced changes in Wistar albino rats. The stress induced changes were monitored as the difference in plasma corticosterone (PCS) levels, before and after the administration of minimum effective doses of psychoactive drugs. Significant results were obtained with diazepam at the dose of 5-10 mg/kg and to a lesser extent with propranolol 20 mg/kg. Other drugs, at their minimum effective doses showed no significant change in plasma corticosterone levels.

Biochemical alterations during swimming induced stress

Stress can be defined as any stimulus that creates an imbalance in the internal environment. Hypothalamus has sensors that detect changes produced in the body. Stress can cause diseases by altering immune system, cardiovascular System neurotransmitter and neuroendocrine functions. Present study is designed to evaluate the effect of stress on few biochemical parameters during swimming induced stress. Significant changes have been observed especially in lipid profile. Corticosterone was also evaluated as reliable stress marker.