Food Security and Anthropometric Failure Among Tribal Children in Bankura, West Bengal.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 188 tribal children aged 6-59 months using two-stage sampling in Bankura-I Block of Bankura district, West Bengal, India, to assess their nutritional status and its relation with household food security. Weight and height/length were measured and analyzed as per new WHO Growth Standards. Mothers of the study children were interviewed to obtain relevant information. Prevalence of Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure was 69.1% and multiple anthropometric failures were more likely among tribal children aged 24-59 months with irregular utilization of supplementary nutrition and from households with severe grades of food security.

Molecular mechanics aided design of antineoplastic agents from ruthenium coordinate complexes.

Through energy minimization using molecular mechanics force field four ruthenium cordinate complexes have been synthesized. Compound I to IV showed antineoplastic activity with varying degree on EAC bearing mice. Mode of action may be through inhibition of antioxidant property of tumor cell as evident from lipid peroxidase activity. Among the complexes Bis pyridine tetrachloro ruthenium exhibits highest order of activity with respect to increase mean survival time, inhibition of tumour volume, total blood count, hemoglobin and lipid peroxidase activity.

Effect of mycotoxins isolated from Penicillium nigricans on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

A new mycotoxin product (NMP) was isolated from the culture of mutated wild strain of P. nigricans which is less toxic and has sterol derivative. NMP (LD50 > 1 g/kg) showed antimicrobial and antineoplastic activities and does not affect the hematological parameters like RBC count and hemoglobin. It maintained normal blood glucose level by increasing the enzyme activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC-1.1.1.49; G-6-PDH) by 30%. It also maintained the normal ion balance in the blood of mice. NMP decreased Km value of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and thus increased substrate affinity of the enzyme. Reduction of toxicity of NMP has been well explained by higher activity of G-6-PDH which is highly specific for production of NADPH.

A study of Helicobacter pylori in north Indian subjects with non-ulcer dyspepsia.

A prospective case control study was conducted in 50 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) and 10 age and sex matched controls to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with NUD and to correlate symptoms, histology and presence of H pylori in gastric biopsies. Endoscopic biopsies from antrum and fundus were subjected to urease test and histological examination. On histology, H pylori was identified in 27 (54%) NUD patients and in one of 10 controls. Urease test was positive in 31 (62%) antral and 21 (42%) fundal biopsies in patients with NUD and in only one (10%) of 10 antral biopsies in the control group. On histology, gastritis was present in the antrum in 46 (92%) NUD patients and in the fundus in 40 (80%) cases; of these, 27 (54%) and 15 (30%) had H pylori in antral and fundal biopsies respectively. The severity of antral gastritis correlated with the density of H pylori (p < 0.05).

Emergency treatment with ketoconazole in disseminated intravascular coagulation due to metastatic prostatic carcinoma.

We report the use of ketoconazole to control disseminated intravascular coagulation due to prostatic carcinoma. Clinical improvement in the condition of the patient was noted in 48 hours and coagulation profile became normal in 10 days.