Clomipramine treatment in neonatal rats alters the brain acetylcholinesterase activity in adulthood

The enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, activity of the brain was measured in control and clomipramine-induced behaviorally depressed rats. Compared with control rats, the soluble form of acetylcholinesterase activity of the depressed rats was 31.8% higher in the hippocampus and 26.0% lower in the frontal cortex. However, the activity of soluble form of this enzyme was not significantly different in the hypothalamus, septum, and brainstem. These results suggest for the first time that the altered cholinergic activity in the specific areas of the brain may be involved in the behavioral depression observed in the rat model of human endogenous depression.     

Association between an interleukin-13 promoter polymorphism and atopy.

Several studies indicate genetic involvement of Th2 cytokines in allergic diseases. Interleukin (IL)-13 has been mapped to the cytokine cluster on chromosome 5q31-33, which has been associated with atopic conditions. Recently, an association was reported between the T allele in a promoter polymorphism in the IL-13 gene (C to T exchange) at position -1055 and allergic asthma in a population study in the Netherlands. This observation was apparently confirmed in a case-control study using probands and spouses from a Dutch asthma family study, but the polymorphism in that study was reported to occur at position -1111. In the present study, we established that this polymorphism is located at position -1024 relative to the ATG translation initiation codon, and investigated whether it confers a genetic predisposition to atopic conditions and the Th1 condition multiple sclerosis (MS) in Caucasian subjects. We confirmed the association between the IL-13 -1024TT genoype and inhalation allergy (P = 2.4E-02). By combining the data from the three studies, we demonstrated a strong association (P = 1.09E-05) between the IL-13 -1024 marker and inhalation allergy. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that this association also exists in atopic dermatitis (P = 2.0E-02). No association with MS was found.     

Use of alkaline phosphatase to correct the underestimation of fosphenytoin concentration in serum measured by phenytoin immunoassays

The pharmacologic activity of fosphenytoin, a new phosphate ester pro-drug of phenytoin, is due to in vivo conversion to phenytoin. Fosphenytoin concentrations cannot be accurately estimated by phenytoin immunoassays (fluorescence polarization and chemiluminescence) owing to the nonlinear relation between fosphenytoin concentration and the observed cross-reactivity. The problem of slow conversion of fosphenytoin to phenytoin in serum in vitro can be circumvented by rapidly converting fosphenytoin to phenytoin in vitro by alkaline phosphatase. Drug-free serum, heparin, EDTA, or citrated plasma were supplemented with 2 concentrations of fosphenytoin. Then to 1-mL aliquots of specimen, no enzyme (control), 10 microL, or 25 microL of enzyme solution was added. The specimens were incubated, and phenytoin concentrations were measured by fluorescence polarization and chemiluminescent assays. In the absence of enzyme, we observed little conversion of fosphenytoin to phenytoin, but in the presence of only 10 microL of enzyme, the conversion of fosphenytoin to phenytoin was complete in 5 minutes. We also observed complete conversion of fosphenytoin to phenytoin by alkaline phosphatase in heparin, EDTA, and citrated plasma. If clinically indicated, the phenytoin concentration can be measured before and after addition of enzyme to roughly estimate the rate of conversion.     

Autopsy incidence of pulmonary vascular episodes. A study of 218 cases

Pulmonary thromboembolism is a rarity in India. This common clinical impression has so far not been tested. Among 7000 autopsies between 1964 and 1980, a total of 218 cases (126 males and 92 females) were recorded to have thrombosis and/or embolism and/or infarction in the lungs. This incidence of 3.1% is far lower than that reported in the West and similar to the low incidence in Africa. Of the 218 cases, 42.6% had a cardiac disease, 18.3% had systemic septicemia, 13% had a malignancy, 12.8% had pulmonary disease, and the remaining suffered from diseases of liver, kidney, CNS, etc. Of the 218 cases, 141 (64.6%) showed only infarcts, 40 (18.3%) had only thromboemboli, and 37 (16.9%) showed both events. In view of the overlap among these three conditions and their essential pathophysiologic identity (thrombus/embolism/infarction), it is suggested that these be grouped under the name "pulmonary vascular episode."     

VIRAL ENCEPHALITIS PRESENTING AS CATATONIC SCHIZOPHRENIA (A Case Report)

A rare case of viral encephalitis in an 18 year old recruit who presented with signs of catatonic schizophrenia is reported.KEY WORDS: Viral encephalitis, Catatonic schizophrenia     

Postequatorial horizontal rectus recession in the management of congenital nystagmus

Postequatorial (12 mm) recession of all four horizontal recti was done in nine patients with congenital nystagmus. Fifteen of 18 eyes showed decreased amplitude of nystagmus while 12 eyes also showed an increase in visual acuity. Functionally, significant limitation of ocular motility was not encountered despite unconventionally large recessions.