Pleuropulmonary disease associated with dopamine agonist therapy.

Artificial dopamine agonists are widely employed for the treatment of idiopathic parkinsonism. Pleuropulmonary disease has previously been reported to occur with the use of bromocriptine and mesulergine. We report similar adverse effects induced by the newer agonists lisuride and cabergoline. All these agents are tetracyclic ergot derivatives. This suggests a causal link between ergot-derived dopamine agonists and pleuropulmonary disease.     

Camp Okizu: Preliminary Investigation of a Psychological Intervention for Siblings of Pediatric Cancer Patients

This research was conducted at a summer camp for siblings of children with cancer. The camp is designed to address emotional problems, provide peer interaction and validation, and bolster siblings' self-esteem. Standardized measures assessing posttraumatic stress, anxiety, quality of life, and self-esteem were administered to 77 siblings (ages 6-17) prior to attending camp and again 3 months after camp. From pre- to post-camp, the siblings reported statistically significant decreases in symptoms of posttraumatic stress and anxiety, and statistically significant improvements in quality of life and self-esteem. These preliminary findings are encouraging and suggest the value of camp as a psychological intervention and provide a model for other pediatric cancer facilities designing intervention programs for siblings.     

Frequency of ABO blood groups, sickle-cell haemoglobin, G-6-PD deficiency and their relation with malaria in scheduled castes and scheduled tribes of Kheda District, Gujarat.

Frequency of sickle cell in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations was found to be 1.5 and 14.9% respectively, whereas G-6-PD deficiency was 5.9 and 4.2% respectively. Blood group B was dominant in both the communities. A significantly lower frequency of P. falciparum malaria was observed among sicklers.     

Microscopic diagnosis of malaria in Kheda district of Gujarat.

A study conducted in 1990 revealed that 2% (range 0.6-4.8) of negative blood smears were mislabelled as positive, and 6.7% of positive blood smears were mislabelled as negative. A result of such mislabelling would be inadequate treatment of a large number of patients. Hence the need to look into the training aspect and system of supervision of laboratory technicians. The present system of cross-checking of blood smears at different levels also needs to be reviewed. A study which could address itself to these needs is indicated.     

Dengue fever presenting with acute colitis.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of dengue fever are mainly in the form of bleeding or liver function abnormalities. Dengue fever presenting as acute colitis-like picture is not reported to date. We report a 50-year-old man with dengue fever presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding and colonoscopic features of acute inflammatory colitis.     

Vital Bleaching Agents and Oral Antiseptic: Effect on Anaerobic Bacteria

This in vitro study compared the antimicrobial effect of several at-home bleaching agents and an oral antiseptic against anaerobic bacteria that are commonly found in the oral cavity. Zones of inhibition produced by Rembrandt Lighten Bleaching Gel, Opalescence, and Peroxyl were measured and compared. All the materials produced zones of inhibition with the five bacteria used in the study.