Microalbuminuria: A marker for cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.

Hypertension is one of the most common diseases of the modern world. In hypertensive patients, Microalbuminuria, defined as albumin excretion rate (AER) of 30-300 mg/ day or 30 – 299 mg/ gm of creatinine, acts as a specific marker to detect early arterial disease & renal damage. Detection of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients and their treatment can significantly alter the disease progression.

Effect of some Indian herbs on dyslipidemia in streptozotocin induced diabetic Rats.

Background: Diabetes is one of the commonest and serious metabolic disorders. Much of the morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes is primarily attributed to sequelae requelac of microvascular and macrovascular changes, in which diabetic dyslipidemia is one of the many modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antidyslipidemic effect of selected Indian plants in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Material and Methods: Azadirachta indica and Ocimm sanctum leaves, Allium sativum bulbs and Momordica charantia fruits were collected, identified taxonomically and extract was obtained. Male Albino rats was used and divided into 8 groups, each consisting of 6 animals, one group act as a control. Diabetes in rats was induced with streptozotocin. Blood samples were collected and biochemical analysis was done for blood sugar, lipid peroxide and lipid profile. The diabetic group without drug treatment was compared with the control, and diabetic plus drug-treated groups were compared with the diabetic group without drug treatment. Data were analyzed using Student ‘t’ test. Results: Our results revealed that administration of streptozotocin in rats caused increase in the levels of glucose, lipid peroxides, cholesterol and triglycerides with lessening of the HDL-cholesterol. Treatment with aqueous extracts of Momordica charantia, Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica and Ocimum sanctum not only reduced the level of blood glucose but also caused lowering of total cholesterol and triglycerides following an increase in the level of HDL-cholesterol. Conclusion: We concluded that the herbal plants tested possess both hypoglycemic and antidyslipidemic activities and their use as a therapeutic tool in diabetes related complications encourage further investigation in this field.

Stroke in children.

Stroke is a thrombohemorrhagic disorder of the central nervous system, with a fairly good outcome in pediatric age group except for the infancy period. In children ischemic type is more common than hemorrhagic type. Though it is difficult to distinguish between thrombotic and embolic phenomenon but it is largely due to cardiovascular lesions, at times it may be the first symptom to appear. The signs and symptoms also appear to be vague in children, hence difficult to pinpoint the etiology. The treatment of stroke is largely for stabilization of the patient, but it is very important to know the cause to prevent future strokes. Use of heparin in ischemic stroke is very promising and thrombolytic therapy is under trial.

Migraine: a common cause of headache.

Acute headaches in a child evoke anxiety in parents, of a possible catastrophic underlying intracranial pathology. Headaches constitute up to 2 to 6% of all emergency room visit. The prevalence of migraine is increasing. The majority of children have migraine without aura, and about one fifth have migraine with aura. Complicated migraine presents with dramatic neurologic signs and remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Children with migraine require reassurance, modification of life style and food habits, combined with judicious use of simple abortive medications and antiemetics. Prophylaxis in migraine is recommended for frequent or severe attacks and in complicated migraine.

Paramedian diencephalic syndrome. Report of 3 cases.

We report three patients who lapsed into coma and subsequently manifested hypersomnolence, amnesia and vertical gaze paresis. Computed tomography revealed bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts. This clinical symptomatology comprises the paramedian diencephalic syndrome.

Cerebellar and thalamic infarctions in basilar artery migraine.

We report a 25 year old male who suffered thalamic and multiple cerebellar infarctions during infrequent attacks of basilar artery migraine. Migraine-related infarcts at these sites are uncommon.

Hemiplegic migraine.

Eight patients with hemiplegic migraine are described. Majority were in their second decade and suffered two or more episodes of dense hemiplegia outlasting the headache. Complete recovery was the rule.

Juvenile diabetes manifesting as epilepsia partialis continua.

Epilepsia partialis continua was the chief initial complaint in a young diabetic who was found to have hyperosmolar non ketotic hyperglycaemia. Such a presentation in a juvenile diabetic is rare. Literature relevant to this interesting neurologic disturbance has been briefly reviewed.

"Top of the basilar" syndrome: a clinical and CT analysis.

Fifteen patients presenting with visual, oculomotor and behavioural disturbances were diagnosed to be suffering from "top of the basilar" syndrome. Computed tomography confirmed the distribution of infarctions in the vascular territory of the rostral basilar artery. The clinical profile comprised cortical blindness and visual field defects, vertical gaze paresis, memory and behavioural disturbances and in one patient, the paramedian diencephalic syndrome.