Comparative study of oral and intramuscular atropine sulphate as a premedicant in paediatric age group

The use of atropine sulphate in the paediatric age group as a premedicant orally in a dosage of 0.02 mg/kg body weight 70 minutes prior to surgery was found to be as effective as atropine sulphate given intramuscularly 35 minutes prior to surgery in a dosage of 0.01 mg/kg body weight. This avoids the unpleasant memory of needle prick; The duration of effect as studied in the normal healthy children not subjected to surgery was found to be 2 1/2-3 hours.     

Correlation Between Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Anticonvulsants

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory and anticonvulsant properties of 2-substituted styryl-6-bromo-3-(4-ethylbenzoate/4 benzhydrazide)-4-quinazoles are studied. All styryl quinazolone esters except compound number 9 exhibited monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties during oxidative deamination of kynuramine. Corresponding hydrazides were found to have relatively higher activity. All these quinazolones were able to protect against pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. These observations in general do not prove that monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties represent the biochemical basis for the anticonvulsant activity of these compounds.     

Hyperspectral and multispectral bioluminescence optical tomography for small animal imaging

For bioluminescence imaging studies in small animals, it is important to be able to accurately localize the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of the underlying bioluminescent source. The spectrum of light produced by the source that escapes the subject varies with the depth of the emission source because of the wavelength-dependence of the optical properties of tissue. Consequently, multispectral or hyperspectral data acquisition should help in the 3D localization of deep sources. In this paper, we describe a framework for fully 3D bioluminescence tomographic image acquisition and reconstruction that exploits spectral information. We describe regularized tomographic reconstruction techniques that use semi-infinite slab or FEM-based diffusion approximations of photon transport through turbid media. Singular value decomposition analysis was used for data dimensionality reduction and to illustrate the advantage of using hyperspectral rather than achromatic data. Simulation studies in an atlas-mouse geometry indicated that sub-millimeter resolution may be attainable given accurate knowledge of the optical properties of the animal. A fixed arrangement of mirrors and a single CCD camera were used for simultaneous acquisition of multispectral imaging data over most of the surface of the animal. Phantom studies conducted using this system demonstrated our ability to accurately localize deep point-like sources and show that a resolution of 1.5 to 2.2 mm for depths up to 6 mm can be achieved. We also include an in vivo study of a mouse with a brain tumour expressing firefly luciferase. Co-registration of the reconstructed 3D bioluminescent image with magnetic resonance images indicated good anatomical localization of the tumour.     

Inflammation: the link between insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes

Recent data have revealed that the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), is increased in the insulin resistant states of obesity and type 2 diabetes, raising questions about the mechanisms underlying inflammation in these two conditions. It is also intriguing that an increase in inflammatory mediators or indices predicts the future development of obesity and diabetes. Two mechanisms might be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation. Firstly, glucose and macronutrient intake causes oxidative stress and inflammatory changes. Chronic overnutrition (obesity) might thus be a proinflammatory state with oxidative stress. Secondly, the increased concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-6, associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, might interfere with insulin action by suppressing insulin signal transduction. This might interfere with the anti-inflammatory effect of insulin, which in turn might promote inflammation.     

Successful management of spontaneous pneumothorax during general anaesthesia in a patient with eosinophilia

A 10-year-old male patient posted for left elbow arthrolysis developed pneumothorax during general anaesthesia. He had history of upper respiratory tract infection and high eosinophil count, which remained high in spite of treatment. In such patients, it is advisable to use steroid pre-operatively & intraoperatively to produce transient eosinopenia so that complications of eosinophilia are avoided.     

Impact of Sulabh Swasthya Yojna -- an attitude study

Sulabh has been involved in research, training, and development in rural areas of 16 states and 2 union territories of India. There are 837 Sulabh branches operating in 301 districts. The objectives vary within projects, but the general aim is to improve the community's sanitation and primary health practices through grass roots level organizing. This study measures the impact of Sulabh Swasthya Yojana (SSY) on attitudes in 3 different villages in Rojoari district of Jammu region in December 1990. The villages included Tatapani, where Sulabh had been active since January 1990, an adjoining village, and a village 30 km away from the adopted village. 50 households from each village were interviewed. The findings were that a much higher percentage of people in the adopted village (81.96%) had a positive attitude toward family planning (FP), pre- and postnatal care, care of the female child, trench latrines, smokeless chulhas, and kitchen gardens. In nonadopted villages there were only 50.3% with positive attitudes, but 70.07% in adjoining villages were supportive. There were few differences in scores between Muslims and Hindus in these 2 villages. Both population groups had higher scores in adopted villages than nonadopted villages. The mean attitude scores showed that 78% of the people in the adopted village had a positive attitude toward FP. The mean attitude score for the adjoining village was 66.36% and 49.6% in the nonadopted village. Scores for pre- and postnatal care were 30% higher in the adopted village and 20% higher for the adjoining village than the nonadopted village. A favorable attitude toward late marriage and higher education of girls was expressed by 81.6% in the adopted village, 76.6% in the adjoining village, and 48.8% in the nonadopted village. All villages supported son preference. Only 43.3% supported sanitary practices in the nonadopted village, while 87.7% supported sanitary practices in the adopted village and 77.6% showed support in the adjoining village. The conclusion is that SSY has had a positive impact on people. The prerequisites for achieving Health for All are identified as appropriate IEC, motivators, resources, and community participation.     

Auditory evoked responses in gestational diabetics.

Electrophysiological correlates of sensory function in diabetic pregnancy have not been documented. Present study reports changes in Auditory evoked responses (AER) in gestational diabetics when compared with normal pregnant controls. Human AER are generally classified into early Auditory brainstem responses (AER), Mid latency responses (MLR) and late Slow vertex responses (SVR). These potentials were recorded in 20 women with diabetic pregnancy using Ag/AgCl electrodes from Cz-A1 and Cz-A2 position on MEB 5200 Neuropack II ... plus (Nihon Kohden, Japan) Evoked Potential Recorder. The evoked potentials in gestational diabetics were compared with 20 age matched normal pregnant women using Student's t-test. Absolute latencies of waves I to V, Inter peak latencies I-III and I-V of ABR were significantly increased whereas amplitude of wave V decreased in diabetic pregnant women. No significant change in latency of any component of MLR was observed between the two groups whereas significant prolongation of latencies of all components of SVR was observed in diabetic pregnant women as compared to normal control group. These findings indicate prolongation of both peripheral transmission time (PTT) and central transmission time (CTT) in diabetic pregnant females. Prolongation of latencies of SVR components in this study implicates cortex in the central diabetic neuropathy in women with gestational diabetes.     

Leukocyte adhesion defect‐I: rare primary immune deficiency

Leukocyte adhesion defect I is a rare disorder (1:1,000,000) caused by diminished expression of CD‐18 β2 integrins on leukocytes leading to abnormal adhesion, migration, and chemotaxis. Clinical manifestations include delayed separation of umbilical cord, omphalitis, recurrent severe infections, impaired wound healing, persistent oral ulcers, and severe periodontitis in primary and permanent dentition. A 5‐year‐old girl, second‐born child to parents with consanguinity, presented with pain and mobility of lower teeth. There was history of recurrent infections and multiple hospital admissions with CD18 level‐3% and frame shift mutation in ITGB2, on 21q22.3. There were scars on hands and feet. Oral examination revealed multiple missing teeth and periodontitis in primary dentition. Oral prophylaxis and palliative treatments were performed with periodic follow‐ups. Interdisciplinary care is ubiquitous for patients with immune deficiencies. Early consultation with pediatric dentists and exploration of medical history is essential for diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases.