Myopia and plasma cortisol

Estimation of plasma cortisol by fluorometric technique desorbed by Mallingly's was carried out in 56 cases, including 38 cases of myopia (19 cases of simple myopia and 19 cases of degenerative myopia) and 18 normal individuals. Urinary 17-keto steroids/24 hours was also estimated by Zimmermann technique in 12 out of the 56 cases, which include 8 cases of myopia (4 cases of simple myopia and 4 cases of degenerative myopia) and 4 normal individuals as control. Plasma cortisol level is lower in simple and degenerative myopia than in normal subjects, but on statistical analysis the difference was not of much significance. Patients with simple myopia with positive family history showed lower value of plasma cortisol than patients with simple myopia with negative family history, the difference was also statistically insignificant (P-0.1). In degenerative myopia patients, with and without family history, there was very little difference in plasma cortisol level and statistically highly insignificant (P-0.8). Urinary 17 keto steroid/24 hour values are lower in simple and degenerative myopia than in normal subjects.     

The synthesis and localization of alternatively spliced fibronectin EIIIB in resting and thrombin-treated megakaryocytes

There are several species of alternatively spliced fibronectin (FN). One of these, FN EIIIB, is primarily present in embryonic and in proliferating and migrating cells and is believed to be important for cell maturation. We have studied the synthesis, localization, and secretion of this FN isoform in isolated guinea pig megakaryocytes, nonmegakaryocytic bone marrow cells, and platelets. There was 7.5 times more general FN in megakaryocytes than in nonmegakaryocytic cells based on the analysis of equivalent amounts of protein. FN EIIIB was detected by Western blotting in megakaryocytes but not in nonmegakaryocytic cells present in bone marrow. Neither megakaryocytes nor platelets secreted FN EIIIB, while megakaryocytes secreted 25.3% +/- 4.6% general FN and platelets secreted about 61% general FN in response to thrombin. Analysis of immunostained cells by confocal microscopy revealed that FN EIIIB had been redistributed to the surface of megakaryocytes in response to thrombin. Synthesis was studied by metabolic labeling, and megakaryocytes were shown to synthesize FN and FN EIIIB. Thus, megakaryocytes and platelets are among a small number of adult cells and tissues that synthesize and contain FN EIIIB. The expression of FN EIIIB on the megakaryocyte surface may influence migration and maturation.     

Antilymphoproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa roots

Extracts of plants have been widely evaluated for possible antiproliferative and anticarcinogenic properties. The antiproliferative activity of ethanolic extract of Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant used in traditional medicine, was evaluated in several cells. It inhibited T cell mitogen phytohemagglutinin and concanavalin A-stimulated proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). It also inhibited purified protein derivative antigen-stimulated PBMC proliferation and human mixed lymphocyte culture. In addition, B. diffusa extract inhibited the growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin, such as mouse macrophage cells (RAW 264.7), human macrophage cells (U937), human monocytic cells (THP-1), mouse fibroblast cells (L929), human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), mouse liver cells (BNLCL.2), African green monkey kidney cells (COS-1), mouse lymphoma cells (EL-4), human erythroleukemic cells (K562), and human T cells (Jurkat). The present study has demonstrated the antiproliferative potential of ethanolic extract of B. diffusa in vitro.     

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     

ROLE OF EPIDURAL MEDICATION IN LUMBOSCIATIC SYNDROME

Role of epidural medication through caudal route was studied in 109 patients having lumbago with or without sciatica to highlight the value of this mode of treatment which relieved symptoms in more than 70% of cases without hospitalisation and without being off work for long periods as in usual methods of conservative treatment.KEY WORDS: Epidural medication, Backache, Lumbago, Sciatica