Temporal expression of cytokines and signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 activation after neonatal hypoxia/ischemia in mice.

Hypoxia/ischemia (HI) is a prevalent reason for neonatal brain injury with inflammation being an inevitable phenomenon following such injury; but there is a scarcity of data regarding the signaling pathway involved and the effector molecules. The signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) is known to modulate injury following imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral and central nervous system injury making it a potential molecule for study. The current study investigates the temporal expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13 and phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) after carotid occlusion and hypoxia (8% O2, 55 min) in postnatal day 7 C57BL/6 mice from 3 h to 21 days after hypoxia. Protein array illustrated notable changes in cytokines expressed in both hemispheres in a time-dependent manner. The major pro-inflammatory cytokines showing immediate changes between ipsi- and contralateral hemispheres were IL-6 and IL-1ß. The anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 demonstrated a delayed augmentation with no prominent differences between hemispheres, while IL-1ra showed two distinct peaks of expression spread over time. We also illustrate for the first time the spatiotemporal activation of pSTAT3 (Y705 phosphorylation) after a neonatal HI in mice brain. The main regions expressing pSTAT3 were the hippocampus and the corpus callosum. pSTAT3+ cells were mostly a subpopulation of activated astrocytes (GFAP+) and microglia/macrophages (F4/80+) seen only in the ipsilateral hemisphere at most time points studied (till 7 days after hypoxia). The highest expression of pSTAT3+ cells was observed to be around 24-48 h, where the presence of pSTAT3+ astrocytes and pSTAT3+ microglia/macrophages was seen by confocal micrographs. In conclusion, our study highlights a synchronized expression of some pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, especially in the long term not previously defined. It also points towards a significant role of STAT3 signaling following micro- and astrogliosis in the pathophysiology of neonatal HI-related brain injury. In the study, a shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokine profile was also noted as the injury progressed. We suggest that while designing efficient neuroprotective therapies using inflammatory molecules, the time of intervention and balance between the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines must be considered.

Hematuria following administration of ethanol.

Hematuria, with some erythrocytes also appearing in the urine, was observed in male albino rats given 20 percent and 40 percent ethanol in lieu of drinking water for several weeks. However, the amounts of hemoglobin in the blood of the treated group did not change relative to those of the control group; this finding indicates that the degree of hematuria was not sufficient to produce an anemia.

A study of two-weekly incidence of ARI in under-five children of rural area of Alwar (Rajasthan).

A retrospective study of two-weekly incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the under-five children of rural area of Alwar District (Rajasthan) based on the previous fourteen days' recall by the mothers was undertaken during December 1989 to assess the magnitude of the problem and its' risk factors. The two-weekly ARI incidence was reported to be 33 episodes per 100 under-fives. Mothers in higher socio-economic strata reported higher incidence of ARI for their children due to more accurate recall. Majority of ARI cases (76 per cent) were found to be of mild degree. 26 per cent of deaths in under-fives during the previous year were reported to be ARI-related. 50 per cent of ARI cases were left untreated. Among the treated group, private practitioners were found to be the main source of health care.

On the incidence of raktaja krimi (dermatophytes) in chhindwara, madhya pradesh.

A survey of Raktaja Krimis of Chhindwara was made during July, 1986 to June, 1987. Tinea infections were abundant followed by Tinea cruris, Tinea pedis, Tinear capitis, Tinea barbae, and Tinea unguinum. Tinea infections were common among the youth between 21 - 30 years. The percentage wise tinea infections were as follows : Trichophyton rubrum (64.5%), T. mentagrophytes (5.37%), T. violaceum (1.07%), Epidermophyton flocceum (18.12%), Micrisporum gypseum (7.52%) and M. nanum (5.37%).

Single tendon--two insertion versus two tendon transfers for reablement of ulnar-median palsied thumb in leprosy.

Twenty-three opponensplasties for ulnar median paralysis in 20 leprosy patients were performed by two different procedures i.e. extensor indicis proprius and flexor digitorum superficialis transfers using standard techniques. The results were evaluated using various objective and subjective, anatomical and functional parameters. Two tendon transfers appeared to be superior to single tendon two insertion transfers. It was concluded that if situation permits, two tendon transfers should be performed for combined ulnar median paralysis.

A histopathological study of lymphnodes in 43 cases of leprosy.

Eighty cases of leprosy including 60 cases of lepromatous type and 20 cases of tuberculoid type, during the period of 1974-75, have been examined for evidence of lymphnode enlargement. Of the 52 cases of enlarged lymphnodes, lymphnode biopsy was done in 43 cases including 38 cases of lepromatous type and 5 cases of tuberculoid type. The lymphnodes have been studied for evidence of any pathological changes and presence of acid-fast bacilli. In cases of lepromatous leprosy, lepromas and acid-fast facilli were seen in 92.2 per cent of the cases and patchy fibrosis was noted in 23.6 per cent of the cases. No amyloid could be demonstrated. In cases of tuberculoid leprosy, only non-specific reticular hyperplasia was noted. No specific granuloma or acid-fast bacilli could be demonstrated. The findings have been described in detail and discussed in the light of previous published data.