Recent Developments on Anti-Convulsants.

Epilepsy is not a disease, but a syndrome of different cerebral disorders of the CNS. This syndrome is characterized by paroxysmal, excessive, and hypersynchronous discharges of large numbers of neurons. The first major division of epilepsy is localization-related (i.e., face I, local, partial) epilepsies, which account for about 60% of all epilepsies. The remainder, about 40%, is composed of generalized epilepsies. The most common, and most difficult to treat, seizures in Adult patients are complex partial seizures, whereas primary generalized tonic-clonic (formerly, "Grand mal" epilepsy) seizures respond in most patients to treatment with anticonvulsants. Thus a need for new drugs with a greater benefit as related ta side effects and tolerability, even at the expense of efficacy, when compared to the existing antiepileptic agents.

Coumarin: Chemical and pharmacological profile.

Coumarins are classified as a member of the benzopyrone family. all of which consist of a benzene ring joined to a pyrone ring. The benzopyrones can be subdivided into the benzoalfa- pyrones to which the coumarins belong and the benzo-gama-pyrones, of which the flavonoids are principal members. Umbelliferone, esculetin and scopoletin are the most widespread coumarins in nature. During the synthesis of these compounds ortho-hydroxylation should respectively take place on p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acid. The coumarins are of great interest due to their pharmacological properties. In particular, their physiological, bacteriostatic and anti-tumor activity makes these compounds attractive backbone derivatisation and screening as novel therapeutic agents.

Large choroid plexus teratoma: A rare cause of congenital hydrocephalus.

Teratomas form the most common type of congenital brain tumors, frequently presenting as stillbirth. The largest neonatal series of intracranial teratomas reported a 12% survival rate. Although the first teratoma of the lateral ventricle was reported in 1961 by Maier, neonatal intracranial teratoma of the lateral ventricle is an extremely rare entity. We report here a large intracranial poorly differentiated teratoma arising from choroid plexus of lateral ventricle. This typically presented at birth with a large congenital hydrocephalus.

Performance of a Non-Government Institution, working as a 'District Tuberculosis Centre' under RNTCP.

Background: The RNTCP has envisaged the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the control of tuberculosis in India, and five schemes have been developed. The RK Mission Free TB Clinic, as an exceptional case, was included under Scheme- 5, known as the ‘tuberculosis unit model’, with additional independent status of a District Tuberculosis Centre (DTC), to provide all RNTCP services. Aim: To assess the performance of the RK Mission Free TB Clinic as a full-fledged independent DTC over a 4-year period from 1999 to 2002. Material and Methods: A total of 5209 patients were initiated on anti-tuberculosis therapy under DOTS during 1999-2002. The yearly data in terms of case detection, follow-up and treatment outcome of new and retreatment cases were compiled. Results: Of the 5209 patients initiated on ATT under DOTS, 4125(79%) were new patients and 1084(21%) were retreatment cases. Of the 4125 new cases, 3049(74%) had pulmonary tuberculosis while 1076(26%) were treated for extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. In the newly detected pulmonary tuberculosis cases, the ratio of smear positive to smear negative patients was 1:0.65. The sputum conversion rates at 3 months in the new smear positive patients were 86% (1999), 85% (2000), 88% (2001) and 91% (2002). The cure and treatment completion rates in the new smear positive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were 79% and 81% respectively in 1999. These rates were comparable for the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, with the respective values being 83%, 86% and 87%. The treatment completion rates in the new smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis cases as well as in the new extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients were always greater than 85% in the study period. Conclusion: These results serve as a successful example of an NGO functioning within the parameters of the RNTCP.

Antifungal activity of some actinomycetes isolated from various habitats.

A total of 287 actinomycetes were isolated from 79 samples collected from five different habitats i.e., cultivated field soil (CFS), garden soil (GS), compost (CM), decaying organic matter (DOM) and stored agricultural products (SAP) of different localities of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh (23 degrees 50 degrees N latitude and 78 degrees 40 degrees E longitude). These were screened for antagonistic activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum gypseun and Trichophyton sp. using 'Cross streak method'. Out of these, a total of 166 isolates were found antagonistic to Candida albicans, while 164, 134 and 132 actinomycetes showed antagonistic properties against A. niger, M. gypseum and Trichophyton sp., repectively. A total of 17 isolates showed very strong anticandidal activity causing total inhibition in the growth of C. albicans and hence, distribution of isolated test actinomycetes in different habitats and the cultural and antagonistic properties of selected 17 promising strains are reported here.

Effects of periodic weight support in a simulated weightless environment in preventing bone demineralisation.

Anti Orthostatic Hypokinetic posture in rats by tail suspension for 15 days (d) simulates the deconditioning effects of weightlessness on the weight bearing bones. The present study evaluates the effects of daily 4 hour (h) weight support (WS) during simulated weightlessness (S-W) in preventing these changes. Adult male albino rats were divided into three groups as (i) Control (CON, n = 12), (ii) Hind limb unweighing by tail suspension for 15 d (HU, n = 18), (iii) HU with daily 4 h WS (4 HRWS, n = 11). After 15 d tibia from all the animals were removed and subsequently dried, ashed and then calcium content of the bones were determined. HU showed reductions in the water content by 35.8%, organic matrix by 12.2% and calcium content by 33.4% of tibia. 4 h WS during S-W resulted in complete prevention of water loss and organic matrix loss and partial prevention of the loss of calcium content. Calcium content of tibia in 4 HRWS remained 15.2% less as compared to CON. These findings indicate that 4 h WS is partially successful in preventing the demineralisation effects of S-W on weight bearing bone tibia.

Bone changes during simulated weightlessness in rats.

Weightless environment due to prolonged Space mission results in decreased mineralisation of the weight bearing bones. Hind limb unweighting (HU) in rats by tail suspension was used to simulate the effect of weightlessness on tibia. Adult male albino rats were divided into two groups as (i) Control (CON, n = 12) and (ii) HU for 15 days (HU, n = 18). After 15 days of HU tibia from all the animals were removed and subsequently dried and ashed. The calcium content of these bones were then determined. HU resulted in atrophic changes in the weight bearing bone, tibia, due to the reductions of water content (-35.8%), organic matrix (-12.2%) and calcium content (-33.4%). The reduction in the dry wt of tibia (-13.5%) was due to proportionate reductions in the organic matrix and total mineral content of the bone. The reduction in the mineral content was solely due to the reduction in calcium content of the bone.

Predominant phage types of coagulase positive staphylococci in hospital infections.

360 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from various clinical specimens were subjected to bacteriophage typing. 247(68.6%) strains were typable. Among the typable strains 75(20.83%) belonged to phage group I, 45(12.5%) belonged to phage group III, 6(1.67%) belonged to phage group II and 14(3.89%) strains belonged to miscellaneous group. By far, the largest was the mixed group having 107(29.72%) strains. 113 strains (31.4%) were untypable. All the strains were tested for antibiotic sensitivity test. 287 (79.7%) were multiple drug resistant strains.

Klebocin typing of Klebsiella species isolated from nosocomial infection in intensive care unit.

Klebocin typing and antibiotic resistance have been studied for 518 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, [106 from intensive care unit (ICU) sites, 182 from ICU staff flora, 192 from patient flora and 38 from clinical specimens]. The overall typability was 71.62%. The most common mnemonic types among various sources were 111, 211, and 112. Of the total strains tested, 28.37% strains were found to be untypable. These strains are labelled as "444". When klebocin typing was used in association with antibiogram, in 86.84% cases of clinical infection probable source of infection could be detected. Thus a combination of two typing methods poses a significant contribution in epidemiological studies.

Seroconversion following killed polio vaccine in neonates.

The study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of IPV in neonates and to study the additive effect of IPV or OPV at birth on seroconversion with three subsequent doses of OPV. Addition of IPV or OPV at birth to the conventional OPV schedule resulted in significantly higher seroconversion rates than in the controls, who received three doses of OPV. Three doses of IPV beginning from birth resulted in significantly better seroconversion rates than in the control group. Children receiving 3 doses of IPV showed significantly greater seroconversion rates against type III polio virus than those receiving IPV/OPV at birth followed by 3 doses of OPV. The difference in the seroconversion rates against the other virus types was not significant. A significantly greater number of children who received some vaccine at birth (IPV or OPV) were protected against poliomyelitis by 6 weeks age as compared to those who received no immunization at birth. The study recommends that seroconversion rates following three doses of IPV are satisfactory. Addition of IPV or OPV at birth to the conventional schedule markedly increases the seroconversion rates. Immunization can be started at birth to ensure early protection against poliomyelitis.

Physiological properties of rat hind limb muscles after 15 days of simulated weightless environment.

Weightlessness during space mission results in atrophic changes in those muscles which have maximum weight bearing function and consist primarily of slow twitch fibres. In the present study an animal model was designed to evaluate the effects of 15 days of hindlimb unloading (HU) in rats by tail suspension on the (i) weight of gastrocnemius (G), plantaris (P), both predominantly having fast twitch fibres and soleus (S) muscle, predominantly having fast twitch fibres and (ii) contractile properties viz peak twitch contraction (Pt) and peak tetanic contraction (Po) of GPS muscle. HU rats showed significant weight reductions of G (-17.9%), P (-13.3%) and S (-41.2%) muscles. Pt and Po were also reduced in HU group but when these were expressed per gm of GPS muscle, no significant changes in Pt and Po were observed. These findings confirm that HU in rats result in maximum atrophic change in those muscles which have predominantly slow twitch fibres and reductions in contractile properties of muscles are in proportion to reduction in muscle weight. Also, HU by tail suspension provides a good ground based model for developing the deconditioning of muscles as applicable to weightlessness of space and offers a scope for the development of various countermeasures.

Preliminary experience with use of a selective 5HT3 receptor antagonist (ondansetron) to prevent high dose chemotherapy induced emesis.

Ondansetron was used as an antiemetic along with dexamethasone during 16 cycles of highly or moderately ematogenic chemotherapy. There was major control in two cycles and complete control in the remaining 14. Side effects were minor and did not require discontinuation of the drug. This combination, therefore, appears to be safe and effective in preventing chemotherapy induced emesis.

Isolated involvement of the mandible by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

A case report of isolated involvement of the mandible by non-Hodgkin lymphoma is presented. The patient presented with a non-healing ulcer following a tooth extraction. Biopsy revealed an undifferentiated cancer. Investigations failed to reveal any involvement of the organs. A hemimandibulectomy was performed followed by radiotherapy on receipt of the histopathological diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The patient is asymptomatic two and a half years after treatment.

Dietary cholesterol induced changes in lipid profile in patients with nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure.

Fifteen patients with nephrotic syndrome (9 aged below 30 years), 6 patients with chronic renal failure and 26 healthy males (14 below 30 years) were studied. After estimating the basal serum levels of total cholesterol (STC), triglycerides (STG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), the patients were given a high cholesterol and high fat breakfast (containing 32 g fat and 527 mg cholesterol) for 7 days. Lipoprotein levels were again estimated on days 8 and 16. In the basal state, all patients with nephrotic syndrome had markedly elevated levels of STC and LDL. In patients aged below 30 years, STG and VLDL levels were also elevated, while HDL levels were similar in both the groups in comparison to their respective age group controls. In patients with renal failure, basal levels of all lipoproteins were similar to levels in controls. After the high cholesterol fat diet, there was an insignificant rise in all lipoprotein values in patients with nephrotic syndrome and renal failure. However, HDL levels rose significantly in patients with nephrotic syndrome aged below 30 years. Patients with nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure can safely be given high cholesterol and high fat diet despite abnormalities in lipid lipoprotein metabolism.

Antifertility activity of striga lutea--Part I.

The petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of the whole plant striga lutea have been found to possess significant antifertility activity in mice. Both these extract exhibited complete and partial resorption of implants at a dose of 100 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Histological studies of the uterus and ovary were carried out to confirm the antifertility activity of these extracts.