Levels of Interleukin‐18 and Endothelin‐1 in Children with Henoch‐Schönlein Purpura: A Study from Northern India

Henoch‐Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an acute systemic vasculitis with unknown etiology, although several studies have found HSP to be related to cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin (IL)‐1, and adhesion molecules. In the present study we determined the levels of cytokines such as IL‐18 and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in children with HSP. Subjects were divided into three groups (group 1, 20 subjects with HSP; group 2, 10 subjects belonging to group 1 during their follow‐up 4 to 6 months later; and group 3, 16 controls who were healthy siblings of the subjects). IL‐18 and ET‐1 levels were determined using enzyme immunoassay and expressed as mean ± standard deviation. We observed higher IL‐18 levels in children with HSP (767.6 ± 145.1 pg/mL) than in controls (614.6 ± 66.54 pg/mL, p > 0.05), but IL‐18 levels were found to be significantly lower in subjects with HSP in remission (502.7 ± 60.81 pg/mL) than in those who were in an active phase (1,050 ± 244.5 pg/mL, p < 0.05, n = 10). ET‐1 levels were found to be significantly higher in subjects with HSP (1.93 ± 0.19 pg/mL) than in controls (1.10 ± 0.13 pg/mL, p < 0.05), although no significant difference was observed in ET‐1 levels between subjects in group 1 (1.88 ± 0.30 pg/mL) and group 2 (1.91 ± 0.120, p > 0.05, n = 10). A positive correlation was observed between IL‐18 and ET‐1 levels in subjects with HSP (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.5254, p < 0.01). These results suggest that levels of IL‐18 and ET‐1 are worth monitoring during the clinical course of the disease, but caution must be exercised in extrapolating data based on small study samples.     

Saline contrast echocardiography for the detection of anomalous origin of pulmonary artery from aorta

Saline contrast echocardiography is a well‐established modality for the diagnosis of right‐to‐left shunt lesions. In this brief report, we demonstrate, for the first time, its usefulness in the diagnosis of anomalous origin of right pulmonary artery from aorta.     

Trachyspermum ammi L. (Carom) Oil Induces Alterations in SOD-3, GST-4 Expression and Prolongs Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The use of herbs in the form of dietary supplements and medicine is fascinating the world, owing to their...     

Primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: perioperative considerations and complications

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most commonly studied orthopaedic injuries. Despite having an excellent prognosis, complications do occur. The timely recognition and management of complications is imperative to ensure the success of reconstruction. Avoiding such complications requires thorough preoperative planning, proficient technical skills to properly manage intraoperative complications, and an extensive knowledge of possible postoperative complications.     

Compliance with zidovudine therapy in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1: a cross-sectional study in a municipal hospital clinic.

PURPOSE: To determine the extent of and clinical variables associated with zidovudine compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey of 83 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) followed in a municipal hospital clinic was performed. Compliance histories were validated by serum and urine zidovudine levels. Patient characteristics included 46% white, 63% with a history of intravenous drug use, and 59% reporting a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). The main outcome measure was greater than 80% compliance with prescribed doses of zidovudine over the previous week. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the study patients reported greater than 80% compliance with prescribed doses of zidovudine over the previous week. The most common explanations given for missing a dose were "forgot to take zidovudine" and "did not have the medication with me." Five variables were independently associated with greater than 80% compliance as determined by stepwise multiple logistic regression: patient belief that zidovudine prolongs life (odds ratio [OR] 9.3, [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4, 36.7]), a diagnosis of AIDS or ARC (OR 5.5, [CI 1.5, 20.4]), use of a medication timer (OR 4.4, [CI 1.0, 19.1]), no history of intravenous drug use (OR 3.7, [CI 1.0, 14.2]), and taking one to three other medications with zidovudine. CONCLUSIONS: High compliance with zidovudine was achieved by HIV-infected patients in a municipal hospital clinic, many of whom had a history of intravenous drug use. Compliance with zidovudine may be enhanced by a patient's belief that it prolongs life and the use of a medication timer for proper dosing.