G, N, and P gene-based analysis of Chandipura viruses, India

An encephalitis outbreak in 2003 in children from India was attributed to Chandipura virus. Sequence analyses of G, N, and P genes showed 95.6%-97.6% nucleotide identity with the 1965 isolate (G gene, 7-11 amino acid changes); N and P genes were highly conserved.     

Effect of 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment on 2-acetylaminofluorene n- and ring-hydroxylation by rat and hamster liver microsomes

The N- and ring-hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) are studied with microsomal fractions of livers from both control and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-pretreated rats and hamsters. The profiles of hydroxylations are similar in the presence of either low (2.3 μM) or high (100 μM) substrate concentrations. Pretreatment of rats gives a severalfold increase both in N- and ring-hydroxylation, whereas m hamsters, such a pretreatment induces a specific and large increase in N-hydroxylation only.     

Neuroprotective effect of N-acetyl cysteine on hypoxia-induced oxidative stress in primary hippocampal culture

Hippocampus has received a considerable attention in the recent past due to its role in a number of important functions such as learning and memory. The effect of hypoxia on neuronal cell injury especially on hippocampal cells is not well known. The aim of the present study was to characterize the biochemical changes in primary cultured hippocampal neurons during hypoxic exposure and the protective effect of N-acetyl cysteine on hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity. The hippocampal culture grown in 24-well plates was exposed to hypoxia for 3 h in a dessicator in 95% N(2), 5% CO(2) atmosphere at 37 degrees C. Later, the cells were allowed to recover for 1 h under normoxia. It was observed that there is an appreciable increase in cytotoxicity in cells exposed to hypoxia. Further, there was a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and appreciable increase in reactive oxygen species and single-strand DNA breaks in cells exposed to hypoxia compared to control. There is a significant fall in glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, reduced glutathione levels, and nitric oxide in the cells exposed to hypoxia. Significant elevation in the intracellular calcium level in the cells on exposure to hypoxia was observed. Supplementation with NAC (50 microM) resulted in a significant cytoprotection, fall in ROS generation, and higher antioxidant levels similar to that of control cells. NAC also inhibited DNA strand breaks induced by hypoxia. The study indicates that NAC has significant neuroprotective activity during hypoxia in primary hippocampal culture.     

Comparative potency of formulations of mometasone furoate in terms of inhibition of 'PIRHR' in the forearm skin of normal human subjects measured with laser doppler velocimetry

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Topical glucocorticoid formulations are widely used for effective treatment and control of a variety of dermatoses. Mometasone furoate is a newer corticoid that has high potency but low systemic toxicity. Pharmaceutical factors are known to significantly influence potency and systemic absorption of topically applied glucocorticoids. We studied the potency of "Elocon", a topical formulation of mometasone furoate, compared with two other branded formulations of the same corticoid. METHODS: Corticoid potency was measured by employing a pharmacodynamic parameter of an inhibitory effect of the corticoid on post-ischemic-reactive-hyperemic-response (PIRHR) in human forearm skin under occlusive dressing. The PIRHR was expressed in terms of % increase in the skin blood flow (SBF) as measured with laser doppler velocimetry (LDV). RESULTS : All three active branded formulations of mometasone furoate produced significant inhibition of PIRHR. The AUC(0-2 min) of PIRHR was ( Mean +/- SEM ), Control = 213.52 +/- 11.80, Placebo = 209.77 +/- 19.31, Formulation A = 119.83 +/- 13.71, Formulation C = 53.67 +/- 4.85 and Formulation D = 111.46 +/- 22.87. Formulation "C" exhibited significantly higher topical anti-inflammatory potency than formulations "A" or "D". CONCLUSIONS: Thus, branded formulations of the same glucocorticoid, mometasone furoate significantly differed in their topical anti-inflammatory potency. "Elocon" was significantly more potent than the two other branded formulations studied.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia as a risk factor for ischemic stroke: an Indian scenario

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been proposed as an important risk factor for ischemic stroke worldwide, but data available from the Indian subcontinent is scarce. AIM: To study homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic stroke and compare it with age- and sex-matched controls. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Case-control prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with ischemic stroke and 30 controls were recruited for the study. They were subdivided into two subgroups (< 40 years and> 40 years of age) and plasma fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) levels were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Student's 't' test and chi-square test. RESULTS: The tHcy were significantly high in patients with stroke, compared to controls (9.91 +/- 2.25 vs 8.00 +/- 2.74 micromol/l; P vs 8.45 +/- 2.72 micromol/l; P = 0.01) and female patients compared to controls (9.08 +/- 1.81 vs 6.79 +/- 2.60 micromol/l; P = 0.04). The tHcy levels were significantly high in patients with hypertension compared to normotensive patients (10.96 vs 9.49 micromol/l; P = 0.01) and smokers compared to nonsmokers (11.17 vs 9.33 micromol/l; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperhomo-cysteinemia emerged as an important independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. A strong positive correlation was also observed between hypertension, smoking, and high-tHcy levels in the present study.     

Living donor transplantation of a pelvic kidney

Pelvic kidneys are uncommon anomalies rarely utilized in kidney transplantation. We describe a successful case of living-donor transplantation using a pelvic kidney in a 17-month-old infant with congenital renal dysplasia. The recipient had exhausted all options for renal replacement therapy, and urgent transplantation was considered a life saving treatment.