T and B lymphocytes in patients with enteric fever.

Estimation of T and B lymphocytes was done in 50 patients of enteric fever, 50 duration matched non enteric fever patients and 50 normal healthy individuals. The difference in both early and late rosette forming T lymphocytes was found to be statistically significant in enteric versus non-enteric patients. Significant difference was also observed in enteric versus normal individuals in case of late rosette forming T lymphocytes.     

A parallel group randomised comparative study of felodipine and nifedipine in hypertension.

We compared the antihypertensive effects and tolerability of a new calcium channel antagonist felodipine with nifedipine in an open randomised parallel group study in 49 patients with moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 105-120 mm Hg). After two weeks run in period felodipine 5 mg and 10 mg once daily was compared with nifedipine 10 mg tid for an active treatment period of 4 weeks. Twenty three patients (mean age 42 +/- 10 years) received felodipine 5 mg once daily for first 2 weeks and 10 mg once daily for subsequent 2 weeks. Twenty six patients (mean age 45 +/- 9 years) received nifedipine 10 mg tid for 4 weeks. The mean reduction in supine diastolic blood pressure in two groups was 17 +/- 6 mm Hg (nifedipine) and 19 +/- 8 mm Hg (felodipine) (p = NS). The goal diastolic blood pressure of less than or equal to 90 mm Hg was achieved in 31 percent (nifedipine group) and 43.5 percent (felodipine group) of patients (p = NS). Side effects were common with both drugs; however, the tolerability was better with felodipine than with nifedipine. In conclusion felodipine was as effective as nifedipine and had the advantage of once a day dosage.     

Effect of various stabilizing agents on Imperata cylindrica grass pollen allergen extract

BACKGROUND: Allergen extracts are unstable, heat labile or susceptible to proteases. Stability of allergen extracts is important for proper diagnosis and therapy of allergic disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the preservation and stabilization conditions of Imperata cylindrica (Ic) grass pollen extract. METHODS: The Ic extract was kept with 0.1 mepsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), 0.75 m sucrose, 5% glycerol, 0.03% human serum albumin (HSA) or 0.4% phenol for different time periods. The extracts were stored for 3, 6 and 12 months each at 4 degrees C, 4 degrees C with daily exposure to room temperature (RT) for 1 h, and RT. The quality of extracts was analysed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, ELISA inhibition and skin test. RESULTS: Extracts kept with EACA and sucrose retained most of the protein bands followed by glycerol as determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot during all storage periods and conditions in comparison with standard extracts. The extracts kept with HSA, phenol and without preservative (WP) showed protein degradation below 33 kDa after 3 months storage at all conditions. However, a 67-kDa allergen was stable in these extracts. EACA extract required 75 to 120 ng of protein for 50% inhibition in IgE binding under different conditions, whereas standard extract required 70 ng for the same. ELISA also demonstrated high allergenic reactivity of EACA extract. ID test on allergy patients with EACA extract demonstrated same allergenic potency as that of standard extract. CONCLUSION: EACA is the best preservative/stabilizing agent of Ic pollen extract, followed by sucrose and glycerol. Ic extract kept with phenol, HSA and without preservative showed degradation within 3 months. EACA preserved extract is equally potent as that of standard extract up to 1 year's storage.     

The intraocular pressure and diabetes--a correlative study

In the present study 60 diabetics were examined for intraocular pressure, scleral rigidity and facility of outflow. The intraocular pressure was found higher than in the general population except in patients with proliferative retinopathy. There was no marked difference in scleral rigidity in diabetics. The facility of outflow was lower in diabetic patients.     

Long term performance of silicone insulated and polyurethane insulated cardiac pacing leads.

The long term performance of various pacing leads in use for at least one year is reported from one centre. Between January 1975 and December 1990, 1056 cardiac pacing leads were implanted in 881 patients (mean age 57 +/- 13 years). Eight hundred and three leads were silicone insulated (SI) and 253 leads were polyurethane insulated (PUI). Leads from different manufacturers were used (Medtronic, CPI, Telectronics). The average duration of follow up was 56.6 +/- 77 months (range 12-221 months) for SI and 47.1 +/- 24 months (range 12-99 months) for PUI leads. Overall lead failure occurred more often in the PUI group (n = 46, 18.2%) compared to SI group (n = 93, 11.3%, p < 0.025). Majority of lead failures occurred in the first 36 months after implantation. In particular, Medtronic models 6971, 6972 (urethane) and 6901 (silicone) showed higher rate of complications (25.5%, 26.3% and 44.5% respectively).