Effects of combined arsenic and lead exposure on the brain monoaminergic system and behavioral functions in rats: Reversal effect of MiADMSA

In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of monoisoamyldimercaptosuccinic acid (MiADMSA) against individual and combined effects of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) on the monoaminergic system and behavioral functions in rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to sodium metaarsenite (50 ppm) and lead acetate (0.2%) individually and in combination (As = 25 ppm + Pb = 0.1%) via drinking water from gestation day (GD) 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. MiADMSA (50 mg/kg body weight) was given orally through gavage for 3 consecutive days to pups from PND 18 to PND 20. The results showed increases in synaptosomal epinephrine, dopamine, and norepinephrine levels with individual metal exposures and decreases with combined exposure to As and Pb in the cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus in PND 21, PND 28, and 3 months age-group rats. We found decreased activity of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase in the selected brain regions following individual and combined exposures to Pb and As. In addition, rats treated with Pb and As alone or in combination showed significant deficits in open-field behavior, grip strength, locomotor activity, and exploratory behavior at PND 28 and 3 months of age. However, MiADMSA administration showed reversal effects against the As- and/or Pb-induced impairments in the monoaminergic system as well as in behavioral functions of rats. Our data demonstrated that the mixture of Pb and As induced synergistic toxicity to developing brain leading to impairments in neurobehavioral functions and also suggest therapeutic efficacy of MiADMSA against Pb- and/or As-induced developmental neurotoxicity.

Pancytopenia due to lepromatous involvement of the bone marrow: successful treatment with multidrug therapy

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease with a wide spectrum of signs and symptoms depending on the ability of the host's immune system to resist the infection. The disease is frequently associated with sensory loss in skin lesions and damage in peripheral nerve trunks leading to nerve function impairment. In lepromatous leprosy, the immune system offers no protection against the multiplying bacilli and this results in heavy infiltration of the internal organs. We report a case of florid lepromatous leprosy with bone marrow suppression due to the disease, presenting with anemia, leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia. The hematological abnormalities were fully reversed by mutidrug therapy for leprosy. We suggest that infiltration of the bone marrow by Mycobacterium leprae can cause pancytopenia, which can be cured by treatment of the leprosy alone.

PA03.17. A clinical evaluation of Punarnavadi Mandura and Dadimadi Ghritha in management of pandu (Iron defeciency anaemia)

Purpose:

Iron deficiency anaemia is currently the most micronutrient deficiency affecting 1.5 billion people globally. in our country 50% of children are Anemic. the features of iron deficiency anaemia are almost similar with that of Panduroga mentioned in Ayurvedic classics. Punarnavadi mandura and Dadimadi Ghrita are mentioned in the management of Pandu. Mandura (Fe2O3) directly increases serum ferritin,Punarnava decreases gastric irritation produced by Mandura,while Dadimadi Ghrita helps for better digestion and absorption. Hence,the study was planned to find the efficacy of these drugs in Pandu.

Method:

The present study was conducted on 50 children fulfilling inclusion criteria in between the age group of 10 to 14 years. The patients were selected from S.D.M.C.A & Hospital, Hassan. Punarnavadi Mandura 500 mg B.D and dadimadi Ghritha 10 ml B.D with luke warm water for a period of 84 days (3 lunar months) The cases were recorded according to the case proforma prepared for the study and observations were recorded.

Result:

Symptoms were statistically analyzed before and after treatment, their was statistically significant changes (P < 0.001) were observed in the signs and symptoms of Pandu rogi(IDA). There was a statistically significant response in hemoglobin and other hematological investigation like MCHC, MCV, PCV, Reticulocyte Count, peripheral Blood smear, serum iron, serum Ferritin and Total Iron Bindinig Capacity in the Group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Punarnavadi Mandura and Dadimadi Ghrita are effective in the management of Pandu roga (Iron Deficiency Anemia).

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: need for early diagnosis

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disease characterized by widespread tissue deposition of two neutral sterols, cholestanol and cholesterol, resulting in tendinous xanthomas, juvenile cataracts, progressive neurological defects and premature death from arteriosclerosis. The primary biochemical defect is deficiency of hepatic mitochondrial enzyme sterol-27-hydroxylase which catalyses the hydroxylation of cholestanol (5-alpha dehydro derivative of cholesterol) and this deficiency decreases bile acid synthesis. Substantial elevation of serum cholestanol and urinary bile alcohols with low to normal plasma cholesterol concentration establishes the diagnosis. Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is exceptionally rare in the Indian population. We are reporting a woman with this rare disorder, who was on antiepileptic and antipsychotic drugs for a prolonged period and whose original condition went undiagnosed. She presented with xanthomas on the Achilles tendons and the upper end of tibia. She was mentally subnormal and her serum cholestanol level was raised. Her younger sister too was severely affected by this disorder. Early treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid is known to prevent disease progression.

Wagging the contact line: Transverse and longitudinal waves

Kinetics of wetting has been explored where the contact line not only sees a steady spreading but also has longitudinal or transverse oscillations imposed on it. The latter case is realized when spreading takes place over a rough surface. The effects of the imposed motion are small, which seem to be due to low spreading rates and small dynamic contact angles used in this study. However, a singularity is seen in viscous dissipation during the movement on the model rough surface, which is interpreted here as an instability that is similar to Haines' jumps and stick-slip phenomena, with possible entrainment of the displaced fluid. This is the first time that all of these have been associated with each other.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: Need for early diagnosis

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disease characterized by widespread tissue deposition of two neutral sterols, cholestanol and cholesterol, resulting in tendinous xanthomas, juvenile cataracts, progressive neurological defects and premature death from arteriosclerosis. The primary biochemical defect is deficiency of hepatic mitochondrial enzyme sterol-27-hydroxylase which catalyses the hydroxylation of cholestanol (5-alpha dehydro derivative of cholesterol) and this deficiency decreases bile acid synthesis. Substantial elevation of serum cholestanol and urinary bile alcohols with low to normal plasma cholesterol concentration establishes the diagnosis. Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is exceptionally rare in the Indian population. We are reporting a woman with this rare disorder, who was on antiepileptic and antipsychotic drugs for a prolonged period and whose original condition went undiagnosed. She presented with xanthomas on the Achilles tendons and the upper end of tibia. She was mentally subnormal and her serum cholestanol level was raised. Her younger sister too was severely affected by this disorder. Early treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid is known to prevent disease progression.

Wetting kinetics of films containing nonadsorbing polymers

Kinetics of wetting by a polymer solution have been studied theoretically for a film pinned to a slot. The fluid mechanical equations have been solved using a numerical scheme. The role of polymers appears in the disjoining pressure in the model. The spreading kinetics are observed to follow a power law: a power of 14 is observed at short times due to the Laplace pressure, and 12 at large times under the Hamaker part of the disjoining pressure at very large times and with no equilibration. It is argued and demonstrated that techniques which have low resolutions such as microscopy will measure quite different kinetics: at short times a power of 14 as for wetting liquids and then a sudden equilibration as reported in these experiments. It is also argued on the basis of steric exclusion, and quantified in the disjoining pressure, that the behavior returns to that of wetting liquids when the polymer molecular weight becomes very high, as also observed in the experiments. Examples of how these features can find practical applications, and hence, the importance of use of polymers as additives are given.