Thymopentin and splenopentin as immunomodulators

Splenopentin (SP-5, Arg-Lys-Glu-Val-Tyr) and thymopentin (TP-5, Arg-Lys-Asp-Val-Tyr) are synthetic immunomodulating peptides corresponding to the region 32–34 of a splenic product called splenin (SP) and the thymic hormone thymopoietin (TP), respectively. TP was originally isolated as a 5-kDa (49-amino acids) protein from bovine thymus while studying effects of the thymic extracts on neuromuscular transmission and was subsequently observed to affect T cell differentiation and function. TP I and II are two closely related polypeptides isolated from bovine thymus. A radioimmunoassay for TP revealed a crossreaction with a product found in spleen and lymph node. This product, named splenin, differs from TP only in position 34, aspartic acid for bovine TP and glutamic acid for bovine splenin and it was called TP III as well. Synthetic pentapeptides (TP-5) and (SP-5), reproduce the biological activities of TP and SP, respectively. It is now evident that various forms of TPs were created by proteolytic cleavage of larger proteins during isolation. cDNA clones have been isolated for three alternatively spliced mRNAs that encodes three distinct human T cell TPs. The immunomodulatory properties of TP, SP, TP-5, SP-5 and some of their synthetic analogs reported in the literature have been briefly reviewed.     

The role of selective beta 1-blocker in the preoperative preparation of thyrotoxicosis: a comparative study with propranolol

Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for hyperthyroidism on 130 patients; 95 treated before surgery with propranolol (Group I) and 35 given only metoprolol before surgery (Group II). These patient groups were compared with reference to preoperative medication, operative and immediate postoperative course, and late results with follow-up for one to five years. Clinical response was 100% in group II and 94.7% in group I. The median length of preoperative treatment was 7.96 +/- 1.84 days in group I and 6.25 +/- 1.73 days in group II (P less than 0.05). There were no serious adverse effects of the drugs in either treatment group. No anaesthesiologic or cardiovascular complication occurred during operation in either group. Ten patients in group I (10.5%) and six patients in group II (11.4%) observed hyperthyroid manifestations in the immediate postoperative period, eliminated by the administration of the propranolol/metoprolol, and no case of thyroid storm occurred. One patient in group II developed clinical hypocalcaemia. Two patients, one in each group, presented temporary unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. There were two recurrences of toxicity in group I (2.1%) and none in group II. Hypothyroidism occurred in 3 patients (2.3%) two of them were from group I and one was from group II. The postoperative hospital stay was 4.62 +/- 1.61 days in group I and 2.81 +/- 1.32 days in group II (P less than 0.05). One patient from group I died on the third postoperative day due to pulmonary oedema. The results suggest that metoprolol can be safely used and offers the advantages of desired clinical response, shorter preoperative preparation time, simplicity of dosage and shorter postoperative hospital stay in comparison to propranolol for preoperative treatment of hyperthyroidism.     

Antifungal potential of disulfiram.

Disulfiram, an alcohol antagonistic drug has been on the market since 1949 with 80% bioavailability and an established safety profile. Recently it has been reported as a P-glycoprotein efflux pump modulator. Herein we report its antifungal potential. The MIC50 and MIC90 of disulfiram for yeast isolates is 4 and 8 microg/ml, respectively, and the MIC range is 1-16 micro g/ml for both fluconazole sensitive and resistant strains. Interestingly, disulfiram also showed fungicidal activity on Aspergillus spp. with MIC50 and MIC90 of 2 and 8 microg/ml, respectively.     

In vitro Propagation of Valeriana wallichii

A tissue culture procedure has been developed for the rapid multiplication of VALERIANA WALLICHII D C. through shoot tip and axillary bud explants. MS medium containing Kn or BAP (5.0 mg/l (-1)) in combination with IAA (1.0 mg/l (-1)) induced an optimal growth of shoots within 6-8 days from both apical and axillary bud explants. The roots developed on the same medium within 2-3 weeks. Hardening of IN VITRO grown plantlets in pots under glass-house conditions was dependent upon the temperature and humidity. A cold-temperate climate favoured early establishment. Following the given procedure, a large number of plants have been established under field conditions at two locations. The method has implications in the early introduction of an elite population as well as its improvement.     

Pancreatoblastoma (infantile pancreatic carcinoma)--a case report

Pancreatoblastoma or infantile pancreatic carcinoma is a rare pancreatic tumor with distinct acinar and squamoid cell differentiation that generally affects infants and young children. Ultrasound and CT scan may be useful but preoperative diagnosis is often quite difficult. The outcome is generally favourable. A such case of 10 years old boy with an abdominal mass is being presented.     

Obligatory role of Ca2+ in the cytotoxic activity of dengue virus-induced cytotoxin.

The role of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the cytotoxic activity of the dengue type 2 virus (DV)-induced macrophage (M phi) cytotoxin (CF2) was investigated in the present study. The findings show that CF2 prepared in Ca(2+)-free medium had no cytotoxic activity on normal mouse spleen cells suspended in Ca(2+)-free medium but killed the cells suspended in the medium with Ca2+. Substitution with calcium chloride restored the cytotoxic activity of CF2 the optimal dose being 10(-4) M concentration. CF2 induced an influx of Ca2+, as assayed by uptake of radiolabelled calcium chloride (45Ca), in the susceptible target cells, viz. M phi and T lymphocytes. The cytotoxic activity of CF2 as well as the CF2-induced influx of 45Ca was inhibited by treatment of the target cell with the calcium channel blocking drugs verapamil and nifedipine. Thus, the presence of Ca2+ is obligatory for the cytotoxic activity of CF2 and cell death is associated with increased intracellular Ca2+.     

Study on the anatomical dimensions of the human sigmoid colon

Although the sigmoid colon is commonly afflicted with disease, studies on its anatomical dimensions are scarce. It is suspected that dimensions of the sigmoid colon change with age. This study documents data on the anatomical measurements of the sigmoid colon in 70 Indian subjects (51 live and 19 cadavers). Seven parameters of sigmoid colon anatomy measured included length and width of the sigmoid colon and mesocolon at specific points. Three mesocolic indices (width to length ratios) were calculated. Comparisons of measurements in the live and cadaver subjects and in the two sexes were made. The relationship of change in parameters with age was assessed. Appropriate statistical methods were used and the differences were considered significant at P < or = 0.05. The study showed wide ranging variations in the values of various measured parameters of the sigmoid colon. Seven patterns of the shape of the sigmoid loop were identified. In the commonest pattern the sigmoid mesocolon was vertically longer than wide (dolichomesocolic), the sigmoid loop having its maximum convexity located just a little proximal to the apex. Patterns where the width of the mesocolon was greater than the vertical length (brachymesocolic) were also observed. The gender analysis showed that the sigmoid mesocolon of the female was brachymesocolic (wider than long), whereas that of the male was dolichomesocolic (longer than wide). This might explain the higher incidence of sigmoid volvulus in the male. This study also showed that the measurements of the sigmoid colon and its mesocolon do not change significantly within the age range of 16-60 years in the two sexes. Also noteworthy is the observation that in the cadaver the sigmoid colon shows considerable shrinkage, particularly of its mesocolon; consequently the data from cadaver subjects, though valuable for anthropometric use, have limitations when used for clinical applications.