Isolation of Drug-Resistant Tubercle Bacilli in Cutaneous Tuberculosis

Cutaneous tuberculosis in a teenage boy that did not respond to conventional antitubercular therapy is described. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was recovered on culture and found to be resistant to rifampicin and isoniazid. Gradual regression of the lesions was observed after the addition of streptomycin and ethambutol. Later streptomycin was stopped and the boy was advised to continue ethambutol along with ofloxacin and thioacetazone until complete regression was achieved.     

Development and validation of enantioselective high performance liquid chromatographic method for Valacyclovir, an antiviral drug in drug substance

A chiral high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the enantiomeric resolution of Valacyclovir, L-valine 2-[(2-amino-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-9h-purin-9-yl) methoxy] ethyl ester, an antiviral agent in bulk drug substance. The enantiomers of Valacyclovir were resolved on a Chiralpak AD (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 10 microm) column using a mobile phase system containing n-hexane: ethanol: diethylamine (30:70:0.1, v/v/v). The resolution between the enantiomers was found not less than four. The presence of diethylamine in the mobile phase has played an important role in enhancing chromatographic efficiency and resolution between the enantiomers. The developed method was extensively validated and proved to be robust. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of (D)-enantiomer were found to be 300 and 900 ng/ml, respectively, for 20 microL injection volume. The calibration curve showed excellent linearity over the concentration range of 900 ng/ml (LOQ) to 6000 ng/ml for (D)-enantiomer. The percentage recovery of (D)-enantiomer was ranged from 97.50 to 102.18 in bulk drug samples of Valacyclovir. Valacyclovir sample solution and mobile phase were found to be stable for at least 48 h. The proposed method was found to be suitable and accurate for the quantitative determination of (D)-enantiomer in bulk drugs substance. It can be also used to test the stability samples of Valacyclovir.     

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations rarely present in childhood. Two cases are presented in this report. Both the cases presented clinically with cyanosis and clubbing without a cardiac murmur. The second case had cerebral abscess in addition. Both the cases underwent a contrast-enhanced echocardiography which suggested the presence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. The first case also underwent^99mTc radionuclide scan and pulmonary angiography. The cases are being reported for their characteristic clinical features and for emphasizing the role of non-invasive modalities like contrast-enhanced echocardiography and radionuclide scan in reaching the diagnosis.     

Burden of atopic dermatitis in Asia

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by intense pruritus and eczematous lesions. It is considered one of the most common chronic conditions, with an estimated global prevalence of nearly 230 million. As in the rest of the world, prevalence of atopic dermatitis has been increasing in Asian countries over the last few decades. This increased prevalence in Asian countries has been attributed to factors such as rapid urbanization, increasingly Westernized lifestyles, and improved standards of living and education. As a result, it is important to understand the increasing burden of disease in Asian countries and the differences between the countries in terms of epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, management, quality of life and economic burden.     

Anti-CD6 mAbs for the treatment of psoriasis

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition known to affect about 1%-3% of the global population. Psoriasis can be a serious burden to the patients, having deleterious effect on their physical, social and mental wellbeing. Systemic therapies consisting of methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, PUVA, etc. used in moderate to severe psoriasis, are associated with end organ toxicity with long term use.     

Synthesis of novel bioactive derivatives of 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydrazino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4(3H)-ones

A series of triazolo[4,3-a]tetrahydrobenzo(b)thieno[3,2-e]pyrimidine-5(4H)-ones (12a–n) were synthesized and evaluated for CNS depressant, skeletal muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant activities by photoactometer, Rotarod and pentylenetetrazole induced the convulsions method respectively in Swiss albino mice. Diazepam was used as standard drug. The five derivatives 12b, 12c, 12d, 12i and 12m showed the CNS depressant and skeletal muscle relaxant activities comparable to those of diazepam at a dose of 5 mg/kg. These derivatives also exhibited good activity when tested for anticonvulsant activity in mice at different dose levels. The ED₅₀ values for these derivatives are in the range of 4.40–9.33 mg/kg.