Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Deliberate Self Harm in Two Different Age Groups.

Objective: To study the different demographic and social factors predisposing to deliberate self harm in young (15 – 24 years) and elderly (45-74 years) people and compare. Method: Consecutive cases of Deliberate self harm attending Psychiatry OPD and admitted to Medical, Surgical and Psychiatric wards of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital were studied. Demographic history was taken both from patient and family members. For social factors two scales were used – Modified Kuppuswamy’s socioeconomic rating scale for urban people and Pareekh’s scale for rural people. Results: Demographic factors- In the present study some factors were found to be same but certain factors were found to be significantly different in these two age groups. In young age group females outnumbered males by a ratio of 3.8:1, whereas in elderly group number of females was less than males-ratio 1:2.1 In both groups Hindus were most common; most people came from urban area and studied up to secondary level. In young group most male people were self employed or students whereas elderly males were mostly in service or self employed workers, rest were retired. Most females in both groups were housewives. In young group 54.1% were single, rest were married. In elderly group all were married, but 12% were separated or divorced, widow or widower. In both groups most people came from small (member<5) nuclear family. Socioeconomic status: In both groups most people were from social class IV. Conclusion- Apart from age and sex composition there is not much difference in sociodemographic profile between young and elderly DSH patients. The difference found in marital status and occupation was probably due to their age difference.

Sperm motility inhibiting activity of a phytosterol from Alstonia macrophylla Wall ex A. DC. leaf extract: a tribal medicine.

The role of methanolic extract and n-butanol fraction of A. macrophylla leaves was investigated on the forward motility of goat spermatozoa. The methanol extract (600 micro/g/ml) and one n-butanol fraction (Fraction A; 100 microg/ml) showed marked inhibition of sperm forward motility, tested by microscopic and spectrophotometric methods. Approximately, 50-60% of the spermatozoa lost their motility when treated with 600 microg/ml of methanol extract or 100 microg/ml of Fraction A. The Fraction A at 400 microg/ml concentration showed complete inhibition of sperm forward motility at 0 min. The inhibitory activity increased with the increasing concentrations of the fraction. The motility inhibitory activity of the Fraction A was stable to heat treatment at 100 degrees C for 2 min. The compound showed high inhibitory effect in the pH range 6.7-7.6. Fraction A also showed high efficacy for inhibiting human sperm motility, assessed by the microscopic method. The phytochemical analysis of methanolic extract of A. macrophylla leaves revealed the presence of sterols, triterpene, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and reducing sugar, while the Fraction A contains beta-sitosterol, a common phytosterol. The results demonstrate that Fraction A (beta-sitosterol) is a potent inhibitor of sperm motility and thus it has the potential to serve as a vaginal contraceptive.

Sanazole as a sensitizer of hypoxic cells with radical radiation in the treatment of advanced cancer of cervix an Indian experience.

AK-2123, is a nitrotriazole with a potential to sensitize hypoxic tissue to radiation. Cancer of cervix in advanced stages are predominantly treated with radiation. These are the tumours which harbour a large hypoxic core. This is an Indian experience of the multicentric trial. Patients were randomized to control and AK-2123 arm. 49 patients were randomized to each group. Patients received external radiation with telecobalt to a dose of 50 Gy in five weeks. Those in the study arm received 600 mg/m2, on alternate days. The patients were further treated with intracavitory radiation a dose of 20 Gy. The total dose of 70 Gy was achieved. Patients in the study arm had a complete response of 71.43% (35 of 49) while only 21 of 49 (42.86%) responded in the control group. The overall survival at two years was 72.2% for the study group and 32.43% for control. Neuropathy, a drug related toxicity was transient except, in one patient, which has persisted. AK-2123, has shown significant radiation sensitizing potential.