case of isolated cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman-syndrome

Rosai-Dorfman Syndrome [RDD] is a rare, benign, self-limiting disorder which is characterized by the non-malignant proliferation of distinctive histiocytic cell within lymphatic system. RDD has been described as a dynamic entity in the spectrum of histiocytosis with non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis at one end and Langerhans cell histiocytosis at the other. The exact etiology of this disease is uncertain despite widespread search for infectious or immunological reasons. We present a case of purely cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman Syndrome presenting as abdominal wall swelling

Strength training on gait parameters of spastic children

To study the efficacy of "Strength Training" on gait parameters of spastic CP. Informal experimental design [before and after no control group design]. Child Development Centre, Valancheri, Kerala. Twenty six spastic cerebral palsy children with a mean age of 4.6 years, including nine male and eighteen females were studied for a total duration of eight months. All the children were selected following strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study group was a mix of children with crouching, hemiparesis and vertical knee stiffness. Following the baseline evaluation procedures, the children were treated with specially structured Strength Training under the NSCA guidelines. Post intervention data were collected at the end of four months of training. Gait speed, one minute walk test, timed up and go test, thirty seconds sit to stand test, ten meter walk test, Community Balance and Mobility scale, "Modified Ashworth Scale". The pre and post-test values were treated statistically using SPSS software. Student's t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were used to study the significance. An analysis was done to assess the effects of the intervention on subgroups of CP also. Compound resistance training is effective to improve the gait parameters in spastic cerebral palsy children. Children with crouching demonstrated superior improvements in the gait parameters compared to children with hemiparesis and stiff knee

Teratogenic effects of the anticonvulsant gabapentin in mice

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>We aim to study and elucidate the safety profile of the antiepileptic doses of gabapentin during pregnancy, and to evaluate gabapentin-induced murine fetotoxicity at different dose levels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 pregnant mice, divided into 12 groups of five mice each, were exposed to gabapentin in four different doses of 0 (control), 113, 226, or 452 mg/kg body weight per day, at three different gestational stages including early gestation (1-6 days), mid-gestation (7-12 days), and late gestation (13-17 days). The pregnant mice were euthanized on day 18 of gestation, and foetuses were examined for teratogenic manifestations. Their brains were dissected and examined for gross changes, malformations, histological changes, and quantitative protein estimation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Foetal resorptions were observed in all treated groups with gabapentin administration at early gestation (1-6 days), and mid-gestation (7-12 days). On the other hand, growth retardation along with stunting in size of live foetuses were observed in all the mid-gestation (7-12 days), and late gestation (13-17 days) treated groups. Various gross malformations were observed with all the three doses (113, 226, and 452 mg/kg body weight per day) when gabapentin was administered at mid-gestation (7-12 days). The same trends were confirmed by gross and microscopic examination of brains along with quantitative protein estimation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gabapentin should not be prescribed during pregnancy, as no therapeutic dose of gabapentin is safe during this period as far as the foetal well-being is concerned.</p>

Cadavers as teachers in medical education: knowledge is the ultimate gift of body donors

In most of the medical colleges in India, unclaimed bodies from various mortuaries reach the dissection hall; and here, the body donors club has yet to gain the desired dimensions. In spite of all the adverse circumstances, the cadaver and the dissection both have survived the most rigorous test of pedagological fitness--the test of time. Today, many of the Western countries have long donor waiting lists where cadavers are acquired as anatomical gifts or through body donor programmes. Thailand's approach to body donors offers a role model for resolving the present situation. The spirit of volunteerism reflects the drastic shift in public perception and a global change in approach is needed in the present time.

Pharmacognostical evaluation of caesalpinia sappan heartwood

Caesalpinia sappan heartwood is used in folklore in India. The present work attempts to summarize the pharmacognostical characters of the heartwood of this plant. Ash and extractive values; phytochemical tests, HPTLC and fluorescence analysis were carried out. The present work contributes to establishment of the standardization parameters of this medicinally effective heartwood

Lamotrigine in pregnancy: safety profile and the risk of malformations

The use of antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy always presents challenges to doctors and their patients as it may have deleterious effects on the developing embryo. Lamotrigine is most commonly-prescribed drug among the newer antiepileptic drugs; hence, it has been selected for the present review. A number of studies pertaining to the safety of lamotrigine use during pregnancy have been reported, with differing results. Contradictory results have been reported in animals regarding lamotrigine teratogenicity, and human studies have also proven inconclusive. In many countries, human pregnancy registries are maintained to establish the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy, as all the different suggestions favour some over others, with specific antiepileptic combinations still being questioned. It is our hope that the present work may integrate the available disparate relevant facts into a directed effort towards minimising the risk of foetal compromise.