Subjective and objective evaluation of frontal smile esthetics in patients with facial asymmetry-a comparative cross-sectional study.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To analyze the relationship between subjective and objective evaluations of pre-treatment posed smiles in patients with facial asymmetry and to assess the influence of dentofacial structures involved in asymmetry on the perception of smile attractiveness. SAMPLE: Thirty-five patients (25 males and 10 females) between 18 and 25 years of age with facial asymmetry were selected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre-treatment clinical photographs of posed smiles were subjectively evaluated by a panel of 20 orthodontists, 20 oral surgeons, and 20 laypersons. A customized Smile Mesh program was used for objective evaluation of the same smiles. Direct comparison among three smile groups (unattractive, slightly attractive, and attractive) for different Smile Mesh measurements was carried out using two-way anova test. Additionally, linear regression was performed to evaluate whether these measurements could predict the attractiveness of captured smiles. RESULTS: Patients with 'slightly attractive' smiles had a significantly greater distance between the incisal margin of the maxillary central incisor and the lower lip during smiling. The Smile Index was significantly greater in attractive smiles. However, based on the coefficients of linear regression, no objectively gathered measurement could predict smile attractiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Attractiveness or unattractiveness of smiles in patients with facial asymmetry could not be predicted by any measurement of Smile Mesh. The presence of facial asymmetry did not significantly influence the perception of smile esthetics.

Biocompatible silver nanoparticles reduced from Anethum graveolens leaf extract augments the antileishmanial efficacy of miltefosine.

Despite the existence of chemotherapy, there is no effective cure for leishmaniasis. In the light of recommended therapeutic regimen is attributed for toxicity and development of clinical resistance, exploration of an efficient method of drug delivery could be one of the option in reducing the dosage and toxicity of drugs. This work is aimed in such fashion to study the enhanced antileishmanial activity of miltefosine with silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by using Anethum graveolens (dill) leaf extract as reducing agent. AgNPs were synthesized in a single step process and characterized by UV-visible, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) to understand the crystal structure and functional groups on their surface. TEM analysis showed that the synthesized AgNPs are of an average size of 35 nm. By performing MTT assay, we found that, AgNPs (between 20 and 100 µM) are biocompatible in nature through pertaining >80% viability of macrophages. Furthermore, AgNPs alone (50 µM) have not shown antileishmanial effect on promastigote stage of Leishmania parasite but in combination with miltefosine (12.5 µM and 25 µM), it magnifies the leishmanicidal effect of miltefosine by ∼2-folds (i.e. AgNPs cut down the IC50 of miltefosine about to half). Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation for morphological aberration and genomic DNA fragmentation in promastigotes confirmed the enhanced effect of meltefosine in combination with AgNPs (50 µM AgNPs plus 12.5 µM miltefosine). Similarly, this combination has likely shown a slight augmentation (p = 0.057) of miltefosine (2.5 µM) leishmanicidal efficacy on amastigote stage of the parasite in infected human macrophages by reducing their intracellular growth.

Positive skeletal effects of cladrin, a naturally occurring dimethoxydaidzein, in osteopenic rats that were maintained after treatment discontinuation.

UNLABELLED: Effects of cladrin treatment and withdrawal in osteopenic rats were studied. Cladrin improved trabecular microarchitecture, increased lumbar vertebral compressive strength, augmented coupled remodeling, and increased bone osteogenic genes. A significant skeletal gain was maintained 4 weeks after cladrin withdrawal. Findings suggest that cladrin has significant positive skeletal effects. INTRODUCTION: We showed that a standardized extract of Butea monosperma preserved trabecular bone mass in ovariectomized (OVx) rats. Cladrin, the most abundant bioactive compound of the extract, promoted peak bone mass achievement in growing rats by stimulating osteoblast function. Here, we studied the effects of cladrin treatment and withdrawal on the osteopenic bones. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were OVx and left untreated for 12 weeks to allow for significant estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss, at which point cladrin (1 and 10 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for another 12 weeks. Half of the rats were killed at the end of the treatments and the other half at 4 weeks after treatment withdrawal. Sham-operated rats and OVx rats treated with PTH or 17ß-estradiol (E2) served as various controls. Efficacy was evaluated by bone microarchitecture using microcomputed tomographic analysis and fluorescent labeling of bone. qPCR and western blotting measured mRNA and protein levels in bone and uterus. Specific ELISA was used for measuring levels of serum PINP and urinary CTx. RESULTS: In osteopenic rats, cladrin treatment dose dependently improved trabecular microarchitecture, increased lumbar vertebral compression strength, bone formation rate (BFR), cortical thickness (Cs.Th), serum PINP levels, and expression of osteogenic genes in bones; and reduced expression of bone osteoclastogenic genes and urinary CTx levels. Cladrin had no uterine estrogenicity. Cladrin at 10 mg/kg maintained acquired skeletal gains 4 weeks after withdrawal. CONCLUSION: Cladrin had positive skeletal effects in osteopenic rats that were maintained after treatment withdrawal.

A Comparative Study Between Mastectomy Flap Quilting Sutures with Axillary Drain Versus Conventional Sutures with Axillary and Pectoral Drain in Reducing Post-Modified Radical Mastectomy Seroma Formation.

The aim of this study was to compare quilting suture with axillary drain versus conventional sutures with axillary and pectoral drain on the formation of seroma after modified radical mastectomy with axillary lymph node dissection. The study was undertaken among 90 female patients with breast cancer who were candidates for modified radical mastectomy with axillary clearance. The intervention group (N = 43) with quilting and axillary drain placement and the control group (N = 33) without quilting with axillary and pectoral drain placement. All the patients were followed up for complications pertaining to this procedure. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to demographic characteristics, comorbidities, pre-operative chemotherapy, post-operative pathological findings, lymph node involvement or clinical staging. The incidence of seroma formation on follow-up was significantly lower in the intervention group than that in the control group (23% versus 58%; p < 0.05) whereas there was no significant difference with respect to flap necrosis, superficial skin necrosis and wound gaping between the two groups. Furthermore, it took a shorter duration for seroma to resolve in the intervention group (4 days versus 9 days; p < 0.001) with a smaller duration of hospital stay (4 days versus 9 days; p < 0.001). The use of quilting sutures for flap fixation in order to obliterate dead space post-modified radical mastectomy with placement of axillary drain significantly reduced seroma formation along with shorter duration of wound drainage and a smaller hospital stay with only slightly increased operative time. Therefore, we recommend quilting of flap as a routine step after mastectomy.

Premature T cell senescence in Ovx mice is inhibited by repletion of estrogen and medicarpin: a possible mechanism for alleviating bone loss.

UNLABELLED: Presently the relationship between CD28, biological marker of senescence, and ovariectomy is not well understood. We show that ovariectomy leads to CD28 loss on T cells and estrogen (E2) repletion and medicarpin (Med) inhibits this effect. We thus propose that Med/E2 prevents bone loss by delaying premature T cell senescence. INTRODUCTION: Estrogen deficiency triggers reproductive aging by accelerating the amplification of TNF-α-producing T cells, thereby leading to bone loss. To date, no study has been carried out to explain the relationship between CD4(+)CD28null T cells and ovariectomy or osteoporosis. We aim to determine the effect of Ovx on CD28 expression on T cells and effects of E2 and medicarpin (a pterocarpan phytoalexin) with proven osteoprotective effect on altered T cell responses. METHODS: Adult, female Balb/c mice were taken for the study. The groups were: sham, Ovx, Ovx + Med or E2. Treatments were given daily by oral gavage. At autopsy bone marrow and spleen were flushed out and cells labelled with antibodies for FACS analysis. Serum was collected for ELISA. RESULTS: In Ovx mice, Med/E2 at their respective osteoprotective doses resulted in thymus involution and lowered Ovx-induced increase in serum TNF-α level and its mRNA levels in the BM T cells. Med/E2 reduced BM and spleen CD4(+) T cell proliferation and prevented CD28 loss on CD4(+) T cells. Further, Med abrogated TNF-α-induced loss of CD28 expression in the BM T cells. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first report to determine the mechanism of CD28 loss on T cells as a result of ovariectomy. Our study demonstrates that Ovx leads to the generation of premature senescent CD4(+)CD28null T cells, an effect inhibited by E2 and Med. We propose that one of the mechanisms by which Med/E2 alleviates Ovx-induced bone loss is by delaying T cell senescence and enhancing CD28 expression.

A naturally occurring rare analog of quercetin promotes peak bone mass achievement and exerts anabolic effect on osteoporotic bone.

UNLABELLED: The effect of quercetin C-glucoside (QCG) on osteoblast function in vitro and bone formation in vivo was investigated. QCG supplementation promoted peak bone mass achievement in growing rats and new bone formation in osteopenic rats. QCG has substantial oral bioavailability. Findings suggest a significant bone anabolic effect of QCG. INTRODUCTION: Recently, we showed that extracts of Ulmus wallichiana promoted peak bone mass achievement in growing rats and preserved trabecular bone mass and cortical bone strength in ovariectomized (OVx) rats. 3,3',4',5,7-Pentahydroxyflavone-6-C-ß-D-glucopyranoside, a QCG, is the most abundant bioactive compound of U. wallichiana extract. We hypothesize that QCG exerts bone anabolic effects by stimulating osteoblast function. METHODS: Osteoblast cultures were harvested from rat calvaria and bone marrow (BM) to study differentiation and mineralization. In vivo, growing female Sprague Dawley rats and OVx rats with osteopenia were administered QCG (5.0 or 10.0 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) orally for 12 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated by examining changes in bone microarchitecture using histomorphometric and microcomputed tomographic analyses and by determination of new bone formation by fluorescent labeling of bone. Plasma and BM levels of QCG were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: QCG was much more potent than quercetin (Q) in stimulating osteoblast differentiation, and the effect of QCG was not mediated by estrogen receptors. In growing rats, QCG increased BM osteoprogenitors, bone mineral density, bone formation rate, and cortical deposition. In osteopenic rats, QCG treatment increased bone formation rate and improved trabecular microarchitecture. Comparison with the sham group (ovary intact) revealed significant restoration of trabecular bone in osteopenic rats treated with QCG. QCG levels in the BM were ~50% of that of the plasma levels. CONCLUSION: QCG stimulated modeling-directed bone accrual and exerted anabolic effects on osteopenic rats by direct stimulatory effect on osteoprogenitors likely due to substantial QCG delivery at tissue level following oral administration.

A Nonclinical Spectroscopic Approach for Diagnosing Covid-19: A Concise Perspective.

With the COVID-19 outbreak, many challenges are posed before the scientific world to curb this pandemic. The diagnostic testing, treatment, and vaccine development for this infection caught the scientific community's immediate attention. Currently, despite the global proliferation of COVID-19 vaccination, the specific treatment for this disease is yet unknown. Meanwhile, COVID-19 detection or diagnosis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based me hods is expensive and less reliable. Moreover, this technique needs much time to furnish the results. Thus, the elaboration of a highly sensitive and fast method of COVID-19 diagnostics is of great importance. The spectroscopic approach is herein suggested as an efficient detection methodology for COVID-19 diagnosis, particularly Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry.

Human visceral leishmaniasis is not associated with expansion or accumulation of Foxp3+ CD4 cells in blood or spleen.

Natural regulatory T cells (CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+)), natural regulatory T cells (nTreg), play an important role in the regulation of inflammatory immune responses. However, the immunosuppressive properties of nTreg may unfavourably affect the host's ability to clear certain infections. In human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), reports on the frequency and function of nTreg are not conclusive. A limitation of our own previous studies that did not indicate a major role for Foxp3(+) nTreg in VL pathogenesis was that Foxp3 was measured by mRNA expression alone, as other tools were not available at the time. We have in this study assessed CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cells in splenic aspirates and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from an extensive series of patients with VL and endemic controls (EC) by flow cytometry (FACS). The results do not show increased frequencies of Foxp3(+) cells in patient with VL pre- and post-treatment, neither were they elevated when compared to PBMC of EC. We conclude that active VL is not associated with increased frequencies of peripheral Foxp3 Treg or accumulation at the site of infection.

Interplay of lattice distortion and electronic structure in BaBiO3.

We investigate room temperature core level and valence band spectra of BaBiO3 using x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and band structure calculations. The features in the valence band spectrum were studied using density functional theory (DFT) under local density approximation (LDA) and Tran Blaha modified Becke Johnson (TB mBJ) exchange potential. The calculations were performed for three different structural parameters; monoclinic, cubic and monoclinic (M[Formula: see text]). Our results of the core level spectrum and DFT calculations rule out charge disproportionation of the Bi ions. The valence band spectrum displays gap at the Fermi edge and fine structures in the region close to the Fermi edge. The DFT calculation under TB mBJ for the monoclinic structure is able to generate gap and match the energy positions of the fine structure in a better way. Our calculation results show that there are holes in the O 2[Formula: see text] states and unequal transfer of electrons to the states of the Bi ions. Such mechanism could lead to bond disproportionation and its association with the fine structures in the valence band. The current results reveal the significance of strong link between the lattice distortion and electronic structure and hence to its physical properties.

Neuronal classes in the corticoid complex of the telencephalon of the strawberry finch, Estrilda amandava.

The present study, based on neurohistological techniques (Nissl-staining, Golgi-impregnation), focuses on the cytoarchitecture of the corticoid complex in the strawberry finch, Estrilda amandava. This complex in birds occupies the dorsolateral surface of the telencephalic pallium and remains subdivided into an intermediate corticoid area (CI) and a dorsolateral corticoid area (CDL). The CDL in the strawberry finch is a thin superficial part of the caudal pallium adjoining the medially situated hippocampal formation, whereas the CI is demarcated between the CDL and the parahippocampal area of telencephalon. Neurons of the corticoid complex are classified into three main cell groups: predominant projection neurons, local circuit neurons and stellate neurons. The spinous projection neurons send out distant projecting axons that typically extend several varicose collaterals. Most of these collaterals lie parallel to the ventricle. These neurons are subclassified into pyramidal neurons (localized only in the CI) and multipolar neurons (present in both the CI and CDL). The CDL also possesses small and medium-sized horizontal cells, which are bitufted or multipolar with smooth, moderately branching dendrites. The aspinous local circuit neurons extend short axons that ramify locally. Stellate neurons have sparse spinous dendrites and locally arborizing axons. The corticoid complex of birds corresponds to the lateral cerebral cortex of lizards and to the entorhinal cortex of mammals on the basis of neuronal morphology and bidirectional connections between adjacent areas.

Cyto-architecture and neuronal types of the dorsomedial cerebral cortex of the common Indian wall lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis.

The cyto-architecture and morphology of the neuronal types of the dorsomedial cortex of the lizard, Hemidactylus flaviviridis has been studied with the help of Cresyl violet staining and Golgi impregnation method. The dorsomedial cerebral cortex displayed three neuronal layers. Layer-I contains only few neuronal somas and also the dendrites ascending from the subjacent layers. Layer-II is characterized by two to three cell thick densely packed neuronal somas. Layer-III contains loosely packed neuronal somas and the dendrites and axon descending from layer-I and II. Below the layer-III an ependymal layer is observed just above the ventricle. Six classes of neurons were distinguished in the cellular layer of dorsomedial cortex of Hemidactylus flaviviridis: bitufted neurons, pyramidal neurons, inverted pyramidal neurons, bipyramidal neurons, multipolar neurons, and candelabra-like monotufted neurons. The pyramidal cells were large showing more or less single type present in the cellular layer. The multipolar neurons have mostly intracortical dendritic branching and connections. Bipyramidal neurons showed pyramidal appearance of their soma and send dendritic branches towards the superficial plexiform layer and deep plexiform layer. The candelabra-like monotufted neurons have very high dendritic branching. The comparison of the neuronal types of dorsomedial cortex of reptiles with the parahippocampal area of birds and CA3 region of mammalian hippocampus suggests possibility of their homology.

Cytoarchitectonic organization and morphology of the cells of hippocampal complex in strawberry finch, Estrilda amandava.

Neurons in the hippocampal complex (dorsomedial forebrain) were described and located following Golgi impregnation. Five fields were recognized in the hippocampal complex: medial and lateral hippocampus, parahippocampal area, central field of the parahippocampal area and crescent field. In the medial hippocampus three layers have been observed: suprapyramidal towards the pial surface, pyramidal at the central and infrapyramidal adjacent to the ventricle. Neurons of the hippocampal complex were classified in to two main cell groups: predominant projection neurons with spinous dendrites and local circuit neurons. Projection neurons were further sub classified into three main types: pyramidal, pyramidal like, and multipolar neurons. In addition to these neurons, monotufted and bitufted neurons were also observed in the medial and lateral hippocampus with low frequency. The pyramidal neurons were dominant neuronal types in the pyramidal layer-II of the medial hippocampus, mixed with pyramidal like and multipolar neurons. Pyramidal and pyramidal-like neurons were found restricted in the pyramidal layer II of the medial hippocampus while the multipolar neurons were uniformly distributed in all subfields of the hippocampal complex. In the lateral hippocampus irregular shaped radial glial cells were present near the ventricular wall and projecting their dendrites towards the pia. Second group of local circuit neurons with local arborization of their projections were present in the medial hippocampus and in parahippocampal area.

Density functionalized [RuII(NO)(Salen)(Cl)] complex: Computational photodynamics and in vitro anticancer facets.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that uses photosensitizing agents to kill cancer cells. Scientific community has been eager for decades to design an efficient PDT drug. Under such purview, the current report deals with the computational photodynamic behavior of ruthenium(II) nitrosyl complex containing N, N'-salicyldehyde-ethylenediimine (SalenH2), the synthesis and X-ray crystallography of which is already known [Ref. 38,39]. Gaussian 09W software package was employed to carry out the density functional (DFT) studies. DFT calculations with Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP)/Los Alamos National Laboratory 2 Double Z (LanL2DZ) specified for Ru atom and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) combination for all other atoms were used using effective core potential method. Both, the ground and excited states of the complex were evolved. Some known photosensitizers were compared with the target complex. Pthalocyanine and porphyrin derivatives were the compounds selected for the respective comparative study. It is suggested that effective photoactivity was found due to the presence of ruthenium core in the model complex. In addition to the evaluation of theoretical aspects in vitro anticancer aspects against COLO-205 human cancer cells have also been carried out with regard to the complex. More emphasis was laid to extrapolate DFT to depict the chemical power of the target compound to release nitric oxide. A promising visible light triggered nitric oxide releasing power of the compound has been inferred. In vitro antiproliferative studies of [RuCl3(PPh3)3] and [Ru(NO)(Salen)(Cl)] have revealed the model complex as an excellent anticancer agent. From IC50 values of 40.031mg/mL in former and of 9.74mg/mL in latter, it is established that latter bears more anticancer potentiality. From overall study the DFT based structural elucidation and the efficiency of NO, Ru and Salen co-ligands has shown promising drug delivery property and a good candidacy for both chemotherapy as well as light therapy.

Serological diagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis: direct agglutination test versus rK39 strip test.

We evaluated the direct agglutination test (DAT), using freeze-dried (FD) and aqueous (AQ) antigen, and the rK39 immunochromatographic strip test in the diagnosis of Indian visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Sera from 508 subjects (150 parasitologically confirmed patients with VL, 100 and 153 healthy controls drawn from non-endemic and endemic regions, respectively, and 105 patients with other diseases presenting with fever and/or splenomegaly) were tested. The sensitivity of the tests were as follows: DAT (FD), 96% (95% CI 91-98); DAT (AQ), 97% (95% CI 93-99); rK39 strip test, 99% (95% CI 95-100). The specificity of DAT (FD), DAT (AQ) and rK39 strip tests were 85% (95% CI 81-88), 87% (95% CI 83-91) and 89% (95% CI 86-92), respectively. A significant correlation (high degree of agreement) was observed between all tests (kappa>0.80). We conclude that the sensitivity of FD antigen is comparable to that of AQ antigen. Similarly, the rK39 strip test is as sensitive as the DAT, but the strip test's greater convenience of use makes it a better tool for diagnosis of VL in peripheral areas of endemic regions.

Traditional remedies for fertility regulation.

Plants have been used worldwide for treatment of various human ailments since antiquity. Their use is still quite prevalent in developing countries in the form of traditional/folkloric system of medicine. Intensive chemical and pharmacological studies on traditional/folkloric medicinal plants during the last 5 decades have led to the validation of traditional claims in many cases and facilitated identification of their active principles. The active principles have provided leads in the development of several life saving drugs, which are in clinical use today. A large number of these plants are used for birth control in different countries. The present review has, therefore, been planned to provide an account of the investigations carried out on traditional/folkloric plants used for fertility regulation. The status of scientific validations of their anti-fertility potential and identification of active principles during the last 28 years are discussed. The literature survey shows that approximately 318 different plants are in traditional/folkloric use worldwide, of which 227 plants are of Indian origin. So far, 74 plants have been screened for their anti-fertility potential, 48 of them have been found to be effective. Active principles of about 15 plants have been identified during the period under review.

Immunomodulation by ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots.

We have earlier reported that ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in Indian traditional system of medicine, significantly inhibits the cell proliferation. This led us to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of this plant extract on various in vitro tests such as human natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity, production of nitric oxide (NO) in mouse macrophage cells, RAW 264.7, interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), intracytoplasmic interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and expression of various cell surface markers on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Ethanolic extracts of B. diffusa roots inhibited human NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro, production of NO in mouse macrophage cells, IL-2 and TNF-alpha in human PBMCs. Intracytoplasmic IFN-gamma and cell surface markers such as CD16, CD25, and HLA-DR did not get affected on treatment with B. diffusa extract. Our study demonstrates immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of B. diffusa.

Anticellular and immunosuppressive properties of ethanolic extract of Acorus calamus rhizome.

Modulation of immune response to alleviate disease has been of interest since long. Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodulatory properties. We have evaluated the anticellular and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of Acorus calamus rhizome. This extract inhibited proliferation of mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) and antigen (purified protein derivative; PPD)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, A. calamus extract inhibited growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin. It also inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Intracytoplasmic interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and expression of cell surface markers, CD16 and HLA-DR, on human PBMC, were not affected on treatment with A. calamus extract but CD25 expression was down regulated. Our study demonstrates the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of A. calamus rhizome in vitro.

Alisamycin, a new antibiotic of the manumycin group. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation and biological activity.

Alisamycin is a new member of the manumycin group of antibiotics produced by Streptomyces sp. HIL Y-88,31582, which taxonomically appears to be Streptomyces actuosus. Alisamycin is active against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, and has a weak antitumour activity.

Visual evoked potential & brainstem auditory evoked potentials in acute attack & after the attack of migraine.

PURPOSE: To study the effect on visual evoked potential (VEP) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) at time of acute attack and after 7 days of the attack of migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied BAEP and pattern reversal VEP in 25 patients during acute attack and after 7 days of the attack. The diagnosis of migraine was established according to criteria given by international headache society (IHS). Peak and interpeak latencies (IPL's) of BAEP and P100 latency of VEP were the main criteria to judge abnormalities. RESULTS: There were prolonged peak and interpeak latencies in BAEP and prolonged peak latency (P100) in VEP at the time of acute attack of migraine. The data of these abnormal recording were highly significant. After 7 days when the attack was over, we recorded the BAEP and VEP again. The observation obtained at this time was comparable to normal values. CONCLUSIONS: From the observation of this study we can safely conclude that in acute attacks of migraine there may be some pathological changes in different areas of brain and brainstem, producing changes in evoked potential which are statistically highly significant. However, these changes are reversible, as the values of BAEP & VEP on 7th day after the attack were comparable to those observed in normal healthy control.

Delayed cerebellar ataxia--a complication of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Cerebellar ataxia is an unusual post malarial complication. We encountered 10 patients of this disease (3 in 1992 and 7 in 1994) during the malaria epidemic period in Bikaner, Rajasthan. All patients were permanent residents to malaria endemic areas. The ataxic symptoms appeared after an afebrile period of 2-7 days. The neurological examination revealed no other abnormality except a cerebellar syndrome interfering with normal gait and speech. Lower limbs were affected more than the upper limbs and the mean delay between onset of fever and onset of cerebellar ataxia was 13 days. Peripheral blood film of all cases showed gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum and in two cases schizonts of the same. All the patients improved within one month without any residual deficit. Further follow up for next 4 weeks revealed no abnormality.