Immobilisation stress induced analgesia in diabetic rats

Stress is known to produce analgesia. The pain threshold is altered in diabetes. We studied the effect of 1 hr of immobilisation stress on pain threshold in male Wistar rats. The same effect was tested in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The pain threshold of tail flick, vocalisation and vocalisation after discharge increased in the control group after the stress procedure. Significant analgesia was also obtained in diabetic rats, for flick and after discharge pain threshold. However the vocalisation threshold was not altered, probably due to the antagonistic action of glucose on opiate receptor at the level of brain stem.     

EFFICACY OF SUCRALFATE IN PREVENTING GASTROINTESTINAL SIDE EFFECTS OF NSAIDs

To find out the efficacy of sucralfate in preventing gastrointestinal side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) a prospective, randomised single blind study was conducted from 1989 to 1992. Patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other long standing painful conditions, who were expected to receive NSAIDs for over three months, were recruited into the study. All medicines were discontinued for a period of 10–15 days prior to initial endoscopic assessment. NSAID therapy was started and the patients were randomised to receive either placebo (group A) or sucralfate (group B) in addition. Patient were reassessed clinically every week and an endoscopic examination was repeated after 6–8 weeks of follow-up. A total of 176 patients were studied in group A (n=91) and group B (n=85). At the end of 8 weeks gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 30.6% and 26.4% patients of group A and B respectively. Endoscopic assessment showed superficial lesions in 36.5% and 18.7% while endoscopic ulcer in 2.4% and 1.1% patients of groups A and B respectively. Thus in patients receiving chronic NSAID therapy, simultaneous administration of sucralfate reduces the incidence of superficial gastric lesions but has no significant effect on symptoms or ulcer formation.KEY WORDS: Gastropathy, Sucralfate, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs     

Persistent congenital milia with naevus spilus

We are reporting a case of solitary persistent left-sided endoareolar congenital milia in association with no serious malformation or abnormality of any structure except the presence of naevus spilus, on the back of the ipsilateral forearm.     

THE ROLE OF RAPID SLIDE CULTURE IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

Rapid slide culture method using human blood medium was utilized for the primary culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the results obtained were compared with results of smear examination of sputum specimens from fresh cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. Smear and rapid slide culture results of a total of 320 patients were analyzed. Slide culture was positive in 104 cases whereas smears were positive in 90 cases. Early culture confirmation in 7 days coupled with positivity better than smear examination, makes rapid slide culture a better method for diagnosis.KEY WORDS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Rapid slide culture, Bacteriological techniques, Colony count microbial     

Nutritional status of pavement dweller children of Calcutta City

Pavement dwelling is likely to aggravate malnutrition among its residents due to extreme poverty, lack of dwelling and access to food and their exposure to polluted environment. Paucity of information about nutritional status of street children compared to that among urban slum dwellers, squatters or rural/tribal population is quite evident. The present study revealed the magnitude of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and few associated factors among a sample of 435 underfives belonging to pavement dweller families and selected randomly from clusters of such families, from each of the five geographical sectors of Calcutta city. Overall prevalence of PEM was found almost similar (about 70%) to that among other 'urban poor' children viz. slum dwellers etc., but about 16% of them were found severely undernourished (Grade III & V of IAP classification of PEM). About 35% and 70% of street dweller children had wasting and stunting respectively. Severe PEM (Grade III & IV) was more prevalent among 12-23 months old, girl child, those belonged to illiterate parents and housewife mothers rather than wage earners. It also did increase with increase of birth rate of decrease of birth interval.     

ASSESSMENT OF VAGOTOMY BY POST-PRANDIAL ALKALINE TIDE

The effect of vagotomy on the post-prandial alkaline tide was assessed by measuring the fasting and postprandial urinary pH before and after vagotomy in 50 cases of chronic duodenal ulcer treated by posterior truncal vagotomy or gastrojejunostomy or pyloroplasty. Results showed that post-prandial urinary pH fell after vagotomy confirming the completeness of vagotomy. This test is safe, reliable, noninvasive and a simpler bedside procedure as compared to the conventional Hollander''s insulin test.KEY WORDS: Vagotomy, Alkaline tide     

Diagnostic significance of vestibular tests in posterior fossa tumefaction

Abnormal vestibular responses are observed more frequently in cerebellar and Brain stem lesions than in cerebello-pontine angle tumours. The direction of spontaneous, positional, positioning nystagmus or caloric induced directional preponderance are not quite reliable in topographical localisation of these lesions. Hyperreflexia and dysarhythmia of thermally induced nystagmus are reasonably reliable evidences of affections of cerebellum or its connections. The deficiency of the fast phase of nystagmus indicates a bulbopontine lesion.     

Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit

Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one "Oxytocin reversal". The "oxytocin reversal." was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The "oxytocin reversal" did not appear in reserpinized animals.     

Telemedice in otolaryngology (An Indian Perspective)

Telemedicine is an upcoming concept in the modem world, It needs to be inculcated to improve the coordination amongst the health care providers in order, not only to update themselves but also to provide a coordinated approach far eatering masses in a developing country The various advantages and drawbacks are highlighted, and stress is made on starting a remote method of tetecommunication amongst us.