Variation in content of taxol and related taxanes in Eastern Himalayan populations of Taxus wallichiana

Extraction and analysis of paclitaxel and other taxanes in bark, needle leaves and stem segments of male and female plants of Taxus wallichiana, representing several populations, indicate that significant variation in taxane content exists within the population. Bark accumulated maximum amount of paclitaxel in almost all plants. Populations located at higher altitude tended to accumulate more paclitaxel than lower altitude plants. Seasons in which samples were collected and plant age have also been shown to affect paclitaxel accumulation. No effects of plant sex on paclitaxel content of the plants analyzed were observed. Significant differences in baccatin-III and 10-deacetylbaccatin III content were found to exist in the trees analyzed in this study.     

Development of transferable skills during short special study modules: students' self-appraisal

Special study modules (SSMs) were introduced into the Leeds undergraduate medical curriculum following recommendations by the General Medical Council (GMC). The main rationale behind such project work is to enable students to develop the skills and attitudes necessary for future self-directed learning along with the knowledge required to practise as competent doctors. At the University of Leeds, the students complete SSM monitoring forms for each SSM in the fourth year, aimed at allowing students to self-evaluate the SSMs. In addition, it provides useful feedback from the students on the themes of the projects as well as on the transferable skills developed by the students during their individual SSMs. The aim of the study was to identify the themes pursued in each project, look at the transferable skills developed and evaluate the differences or similarities between the type of project pursued and the themes and skills identified in the different specialities. A total of 181 monitoring forms of fourth-year students were analysed for the themes and the transferable skills identified. There were 55 students each in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics and 50 students each in Psychiatry and General Practice/Public Health. The results from the four specialities were compared for themes and skills identified. Overall, health and prevention was the commonest theme identified followed by communication skills (64.4% and 62.7% respectively). All transferable skills were well represented in the different specialities with information gathering and learning/organizational skills identified by most students as the major component. The feedback from the students is positive in terms of a wide range of transferable skills developed and most of the themes identified by the GMC are being pursued.     

Depletion of norepinephrine decreases the proliferation,but does not influence the survival and differentiation,of granule cell progenitors in the adult rat hippocampus

The dentate gyrus region retains the ability to generate neurons throughout adulthood. A few studies have examined the neurotransmitter regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis and have shown that this process is regulated by serotonin and glutamate. Given the strong noradrenergic innervation of the adult hippocampus and the ability of norepinephrine to influence proliferation during development, we examined the influence of norepinephrine on adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Our study indicates that depletion of norepinephrine by the selective noradrenergic neurotoxin, N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromo benzylamine hydrochloride (DSP-4), results in a 63% reduction in the proliferation of dentate gyrus progenitor cells identified through 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling. In contrast, the survival of BrdU-positive cells labelled prior to treatment with DSP-4 is not influenced by norepinephrine depletion. The differentiation of BrdU labelled progenitors into neurons or glia was also not sensitive to noradrenergic depletion. These results indicate that the proliferation, but not the survival or differentiation, of adult hippocampal granule cell progenitors is affected by norepinephrine depletion.     

Pitfalls in diagnosis of epilepsy of Janz and its implications

84 patients of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) of Janz were studied. Diagnosis was confirmed using clinical and electro-encephalographic (EEG) criterias. 58 (78%) patients of JME were referred as 'refractory or uncontrolled seizures'. Ignoring myoclonic episodes and non-use of activation procedures in EEG were important reasons for diagnostic delay. Sodium valproate (VPA) or clonazepam are the drugs of choice while phenobarbitone (PB), carbamazepine (CZ), and phenytoin (PHT) are ineffective. Clinical spectrum of JME is slightly different in India. Family history of epilepsy or JME is not forthcoming and there is gross delay in the diagnosis. Other differences include age of presentation and mild cognitive impairment. All juvenile patients of generalized epilepsy, not responding to more commonly used CZ, PB and PHT should be strongly suspected for JME by carefully searching for myoclonus.     

Clinical usefulness of telomerase activation and telomere length in head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND: Telomere shortening at every replication cycle is postulated to limit the life span of human somatic cells. In contrast, activation of telomerase is proposed to be an essential step for cancer cell immortalization. Head and neck cancer is the most common malignancy in the Indian population compared with Western countries. However, there are very few reports on telomerase activity and telomere length in head and neck cancer. METHODS: Telomerase activation and telomere length alterations were studied in tumor and adjacent normal tissues in 110 patients with head and neck cancer and 40 patients with precancerous/benign conditions. Telomerase activity and telomere lengths were determined by Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol (TRAP assay) and Southern blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Telomerase activation was observed in 78.2% of the malignant tissues, 85% of the precancerous tissues, and 53.1% of the adjacent normal tissues. Peak terminal restriction fragment length (TRF) was observed to be significantly lower in malignant tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. No significant correlation could be observed between telomerase activation and clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients. Two-year disease-free survival analysis showed that patients showing telomerase activation in the adjacent normal tissues and patients showing higher telomere length in malignant tissues had poor disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the significant clinical usefulness of telomerase activation and telomere length for head and neck cancer patients. These markers may be helpful in predicting the clinical course of the disease and thus in identifying the patients in need of a close follow-up and vigorous adjuvant treatment.     

Subglottic stenosis secondary to extramedullary hematopoiesis in a patient with postpolycythemia myeloid metaplasia

BACKGROUND: Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is known to occur in myeloproliferative disorders and hemoglobinopathies and is usually seen in the spleen and liver. METHODS: We report the first case of EMH causing subglottic stenosis in a woman with postpolycythemia myeloid metaplasia (PPMM). A tracheotomy was performed to maintain the airway and local radiotherapy was given. RESULTS: Two months after the radiotherapy was completed laryngoscopy showed an unobstructed airway with no evidence of disease, and the patient was successfully decanulated. Magnetic resonance imaging 8 months after radiotherapy confirmed the absence of local disease. CONCLUSION: Consideration should be given to EMH as a possible cause of airway obstruction in the differential diagnosis of a patient with a history of PPMM.     

EPI vaccination in Nepal

A number of surveys, small or large, have been undertaken by various agencies for coverage evaluation of immunization programs. The most commonly used design is the WHO-30 cluster sampling method. Other new methods are the Institute for Refresh Medical Statistics (IRMS) New Delhi method and the lot quality assurance sampling method. This paper describes the National Immunization Day (NID) method to evaluate the immunization coverage of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines in the Sunsari district of Nepal. A total number of 3,332 respondents (69.4% females and 30.6% males) were interviewed regarding the immunization status of their children during NID. The children with complete immunization (BCG, measles and three doses of DPT and OPV) were 65.7%. The individual coverage by EPI vaccines (except OPV III and measles) was more than 80%. The result shows that there is positive relationship between immunization coverage and educational level of the respondents.     

Airway management of patients undergoing oral cancer surgery: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aims to describe the airway management and benefits of nasotracheal intubation over tracheostomy in 260 patients with oral cancer undergoing surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS: The medical records of 260 patients undergoing surgery for oral cancer were reviewed for airway management during the perioperative period. Eighteen patients had previous surgery for oral cancer and were scheduled for flap reconstruction, recurrence or other complications. In 28 cases neck movement was restricted and decreased mouth opening was found in 50% of all patients because of a large growth or fixation of tissues of head and neck, oral cavity, pharynx or larynx by tumour, or radiation fibrosis. In 53 patients intubation was undertaken under spontaneous ventilation. In 20 cases the trachea was extubated in the immediate postoperative period. In 220 cases patients were extubated next morning in the intensive care unit. In none of the cases was elective tracheostomy under local anaesthesia performed before surgery for the maintenance of the airway for anaesthesia. Elective tracheostomies were done in 17 cases. Three patients remained intubated for 24-48 h because of a high suspicion of airway obstruction following extubation due to a large pectoralis major flap. These three patients received a tracheostomy because of increased oropharyngeal and laryngeal oedema. In three cases emergency tracheostomies were performed due to upper airway obstruction after extubation and in one case prolonged elective ventilation was required due to severe chest infection. CONCLUSION: Oral cancer patients have a potentially difficult airway but, if managed properly during perioperative period, morbidity and mortality can be reduced or avoided. Oral cancer patients can be managed safely without the routine use of a tracheostomy. Nasotracheal intubation is a safe alternative to tracheostomy in oral cancer patients except in some selected patients.     

Biological Responses of Cyanobacteria to Insecticides and Their Insecticide Degrading Potential

No abstract available.