A novel Ser123Pro substitution in the MIDAS domain of integrin 3 associated with variant Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in an Indian patient

We report a novel 465T-->C (S123P) mutation in exon 3 of the GPIIIalpha gene in a patient with type III or variant Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT). Though this mutation did not affect fibrinogen binding to GPIIb-IIIalpha in activated platelets, it interfered with the platelet aggregation in a manner similar to GT.     

Follow-up after inpatient psychiatric hospitalization with partial control of the system responsiveness variable

One of the most significant predictors of prompt rehospitalization following psychiatric hospital discharge is missing follow-up out-patient appointments. Previous studies have suggested that system responsiveness accounted for much of the variance in predicting compliance with aftercare. Collaborations established at our institution allowed us to partially control this variable, opening the way to explore other obstacles to aftercare. All severely mentally ill subjects discharged from our hospital are provided follow-up appointments within two weeks. We retrospectively evaluated compliance with aftercare appointment and investigated factors that were associated with compliance. Eighty-one subjects were evaluated. Twenty-seven (33.8 %) did not attend their first follow-up appointment. Subjects with a primary substance-related syndrome were the most likely to miss their appointment (83.3%, chi 2 = 17.02, p = .0045), as were uninsured patients (51.6%, chi 2 = 8.79, p = .003). There was a trend for individuals not previously involved with their aftercare providers to miss their appointment (48.9%, chi 2 = 3.35, p = .067). Despite partial control of the system responsiveness variable, compliance with aftercare was suboptimal. This was due to a combination of client vulnerability variables and uncontrollable system responsiveness factors.     

Tart cherry anthocyanins suppress inflammation-induced pain behavior in rat

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased in the United States and more patients are seeking CAM therapies for control of pain. The present investigation tested the efficacy of orally administered anthocyanins extracted from tart cherries on inflammation-induced pain behavior in rats. Paw withdrawal latency to radiant heat and paw withdrawal threshold to von Frey probes were measured. The first set of experiments examined the effects of tart cherry anthocyanins (400 mg/kg) on the nociceptive behaviors and edema associated with inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of 1% carrageenan. These studies also included tests of motor coordination. The second set of experiments determined if tart cherry anthocyanins (15, 85, and 400 mg/kg) dose-dependently affected the inflammation induced by intraplantar injection of 25% complete Freund's adjuvant. We found that tart cherry extracts reduce inflammation-induced thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia and paw edema. The suppression of thermal hyperalgesia was dose-dependent and the efficacy of highest dose (400 mg/kg) was similar to indomethacin (5 mg/kg). The highest dose anthocyanin (400 mg/kg) had no effects on motor function. These data suggest that tart cherry anthocyanins may have a beneficial role in the treatment of inflammatory pain. The antihyperalgesic effects may be related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of anthocyanins. A better understanding of the modulatory role of dietary constituents and phytonutrients on pain will offer further therapeutic options for treating patients with persistent and chronic pain conditions.     

Hypoglycaemic effect of stigmast-4-en-3-one and its corresponding alcohol from the bark of Anacardium occidentale (cashew)

Intravenous administration of the hexane extract of the bark of Anacardium occidentale (cashew) in normal, healthy dogs produced a significant lowering of the blood glucose levels. Pursuit of the hypoglycaemic principle(s) in the hexane extract resulted in the isolation and characterization of two compounds, stigmast-4-en-3-ol (1) and stigmast-4-en-3-one (2). These compounds were purified by chromatographic methods and the structures were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Both compounds produced significant hypoglycaemic activity after intravenous administration at a dose of 1.3 mg/kg body weight. The bark of the cashew plant, A. occidentale, exhibited a hypoglycaemic effect probably due to the presence of these compounds.     

Retro-peritoneal plasmacytoma: a case report and review of literature

Solitary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma (EMP) is an uncommon neoplasm. When diagnosed, head and neck region is its most likely location. Rarely, it may occur in the retro-peritoneum. We report a 44 year old man with solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma in the retro peritoneum (RPEMP). The patient did not show response to three cycles of VAD chemotherapy. Thereafter Surgical excision of the mass was performed successfully. This is probably the first case report from Indian subcontinent.     

Drug-exposed infants and developmental outcome: effects of a home intervention and ongoing maternal drug use

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a home intervention and ongoing maternal drug use on the developmental outcome of drug-exposed infants. DESIGN: Longitudinal randomized cohort study of a home intervention with substance-abusing mothers and their infants. Mother-infant dyads were randomly assigned to a control or intervention group at 2 weeks' post partum. Control families received brief monthly tracking visits. Intervention families received weekly home visits from 0 to 6 months and biweekly visits from 6 to 18 months by trained lay visitors. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eight low-income, inner-city, drug-exposed children (control, 54; intervention, 54) who underwent developmental testing at 6, 12, and 18 months post partum and who remained with their biological mothers through 18 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Infant scores from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) at 6, 12, and 18 months post partum. Maternal report of drug use during the pregnancy and ongoing drug use through 18 months post partum was assessed. RESULTS: In the repeated-measures analyses, intervention infants had significantly higher BSID Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index scores than control infants. Ongoing maternal cocaine and/or heroin use was associated with lower MDI scores. Finally, MDI scores decreased significantly in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing maternal drug use is associated with worse developmental outcomes among a group of drug-exposed infants. A home intervention led to higher BSID scores among drug-exposed infants. However, BSID MDI scores decreased during the first 18 months post partum among inner-city, low-socioeconomic-status infants in the present study.     

Intracranial aneurysmal bone cyst manifesting as a cerebellar mass

A 17-year-old boy presented with symptoms of raised intracranial pressure for a month. Investigations revealed a large extra-cerebellar mass. The lesion was radically resected. It arose from the petrous bone. Histology revealed that the lesion was an aneurysmal bone cyst [ABC].     

An improved functional neurological examination for use in nonhuman primate studies of focal reperfused cerebral ischemia

There is renewed interest in primate models of acute stroke for the evaluation of potential therapeutic agents prior to clinical trials. The development of more precise functional outcome measures would improve the pre-clinical assessment of neuroprotective strategies. We have constructed a grading scale that utilizes an increased number of goal-oriented tasks to assess both behavior and motor function. The new scoring system is designed to enhance precision and accuracy when compared to existing scales. Twenty-seven male baboons were subjected to 1 h of middle cerebral artery territory occlusion followed by reperfusion. Outcome was evaluated using both a standard neurological function scale and a new task-oriented scale. Each scoring system was assessed for reproducibility (inter-observer reliability) and for association with radiographic infarct volume. The task-oriented grading system was significantly less variable than the standard outcome measure (p < 0.0001). The task-oriented neurological scale demonstrated stronger correlation with radiographic infarct volume (p < 0.0001) than the standard scale (p < 0.01) and more accurately reflected infarct size in animals with small strokes. Compared to the accepted system for grading neurological function, the task-oriented scale demonstrates improved inter-observer variability and a better association with radiographic outcome measures. Incorporating this refined neurological evaluation into a baboon model of stroke may serve to increase the functional predictive value of pre-clinical studies.