Differential proteomics of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth. in response to dark stress.

Picrorhiza (Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth.) an important medicinal herb of western Himalayan region has been used to treat various diseases and disorders. Over-harvesting and lack of cultivation has led to its entry in Red Data Book as an endangered species. Further, its very restrictive habitat and lesser biomass production are major limitations for bringing it under commercial cultivation. All these issues necessitate deeper insights into mechanisms governing its growth and interaction with the environmental cues. Light may be one of the important factors to be studied for its role in regulating growth and adaptation of Picrorhiza as in natural habitat it prefers shady niches. Keeping this in view, proteome of Picrorhiza kept under light vis-à-vis under dark was analysed and compared. Leaf as well as root proteome of Picrorhiza was studied. Denaturing two dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques were used to detect and identify differentially expressed proteins, respectively. Twenty two proteins from leaf and 25 proteins from root showed differential expression levels under dark and light conditions. Among the differentially expressed proteins, majority were those involved in metabolism, protein synthesis, and stress and defense response. Other differentially expressed proteins were those involved in photosynthetic process, photorespiration and few proteins were with unknown function indicating that many different processes work together to establish a new cellular homeostasis in response to dark and light conditions. Proteins found to be differentially expressed under light vis-à-vis dark conditions suggested a range of biochemical pathways and processes being associated with response of plant to dark conditions. The identified proteins may be utilized for developing strategies for improving the biomass production/performance of Picrorhiza under varied light/dark habitats.

Prevalence of adverse drug reactions at a private tertiary care hospital in south India.

BACKGROUND: Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) constitute an enormous burden for the society. The aim of the present study was to detect, document, assess and report the suspected ADRs and preparation of guidelines to minimize the incidence of ADRs. METHODS: A prospective-observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine of a tertiary care hospital for 12 months from April 2008 to March 2009. Detected and suspected ADRs were analyzed for causality, severity and preventability using appropriate validated scales and were reported. ADR alert card was prepared and given to patients. Therapeutic guidelines were prepared and given to the relevant departments. RESULTS: A total of 57 ADRs were detected, documented, assessed and reported during the study period the incidence was found to be 1.8%. Assessment of severity of the suspected ADRs revealed that 12% of suspected ADRs were severe and 49% of ADRs were moderate in severity. Causality assessment was done which revealed 63% of ADRs were possibly drug-related. The majority of patients who had suffered from ADRs were above 60 years (56%). Gastrointestinal system was most commonly affected (37%) and the drug class mostly associated with ADRs was antibiotics (23%). Preventability of ADRs was assessed; and the results revealed that 28% of ADRs were definitely preventable. CONCLUSIONS: Measures to improve detection and reporting of adverse drug reactions by all health care professionals is recommended to be undertaken, to ensure, and improve patient's safety. In this way, hospital/clinical pharmacists play the cornerstone role.

Cognitive deficits in children of alcoholics: At risk before the first sip!

BACKGROUND: High family loading for alcoholism, early onset of alcohol use and childhood disinhibitory behaviors, persisting into adulthood, increase the susceptibility to alcoholism. At the psychophysiology level, reduced amplitude of the P300 component of the Evoked Response Potential is associated with externalizing psychopathology in children. Children of alcoholics have reduced P300 amplitudes. Preliminary data suggests a developmental lag phenomenon in the maturation of the P300. AIMS: The study compares the amplitude and topography of the P300 generated in response to a visual task, between subjects at high risk (HR) and those at low risk (LR) for alcoholism and its relation to externalizing behaviors. RESULTS: HR subjects have lower P300 amplitudes over frontal brain areas. Differences are greater in young, tending to converge with increasing age. There is a strong association between this reduced brain activation and an excess of externalizing behaviors in HR individuals. CONCLUSION: A maturational lag in brain development causing central nervous system disinhibition and externalizing behaviors may underlie the susceptibility to alcoholism.