Cancer projection by the turn of century-Indian science

This is an attempt to understand the magnitude of cancer problem in India. The incidence data generated by the three population based cancer registries at Bangalore, Bombay and Madras and the population projections of country have been utilised for estimating the present and future load of new cancer cases. It is estimated that the total number of incident cases in males increased from 0.29 million to 0.43 million by the turn of the century as a result of change in size and composition of population and when adjusted for tobacco habits the estimates increased to 0.49 million. In females the incident cases of cancer for three registries increased from 0.32 to 0.42 million by 2001, with cancer of uterine cervix and breast being the major problems. The above results show an urgent need for strengthening and augmenting the existing diagnostic/treatment facilities which are vow fully inadequate to tackle even the present load.     

Prevalence of reactive serological tests for syphilis in the Jamaican population

Serological tests for syphilis (STS) were performed on sera from 15,876 members of the general adult population, 3,039 pregnant women and 1,029 children, in order to assess the prevalence and value of reactive STS in Jamaicans; 2.7% of sera from the general adult population, 4.7% from pregnant women and 2.2% from children were reactive in the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test. Reactive Fluorescent Treponemal Absorption (FTA-ABS) tests occurred in significantly higher frequency in pregnant women (4%) than in the general population (2.2%; p less than 0.001). The prevalence of reactive STS in children did not differ significantly from that of the general adult population. The predictive value of a reactive VDRL test in pregnant women (85%) was higher than that of the general population (79%). These results suggest that adequate screening with the inexpensive VDRL test would enable the early detection and treatment of syphilis, and could prevent increasing incidence of congenital syphilis in Jamaica.     

Guillain-Barré syndrome. A clinical electrophysiological and biochemical study

Fifty-six consecutive patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome representing 49% of all cases of peripheral neuropathy (except those due to diabetes mellitus and leprosy) admitted to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh over a period of three years were studied. All patients developed weakness of limbs within one day to three weeks. Attenuation of deep tendon jerks (98%) paresthesia (66%), cranial nerve involvement (41%) and antecedent infection (32%) were the common clinical features. The common patterns of motor weakness were predominantly proximal in all the four limbs (45%) or predominantly proximal in lower limbs along with distal muscles in upper limbs (29%). Electrodiagnostic studies revealed prolonged distal (motor) latency (82%), reduced motor nerve conduction velocity (74%), sensory nerve conduction abnormality (85%) and evidence of denervation (41%). Evoked motor response of median, ulnar, common peroneal and tibial nerves exhibited significant increase in duration and reduction in amplitude. The maximum incidence of electrophysiological abnormality occurred between four to 12 weeks after the onset of neurological symptoms. Four patients died and 11 showed poor recovery. Long intervals (greater than 3 weeks) between peak deficit and onset of recovery and coexistence of reduced motor nerve conduction velocity with evidence of denervation on EMG were found to be associated with poor recovery.     

Hepatoprotective effects of Wedelia calendulacea

The alcoholic extract of whole plant Wedelia calendulacea exhibited protective activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in vivo. The extract also increased the bile flow in rats suggesting a stimulation of liver secretory capacity. The minimum lethal dose was greater than 200 mg/kg p.o. in mice.