Immunoglobulin Levels and CD4 / CD8 Counts in β – Thalassemia Major.

Objective: This cross-sectional study determined the CD4, CD8 counts and serum immunoglobulins in transfusion dependent β - thalassemic patients, and correlated them with anti-HIV, anti-HCV and HBsAg status, number of transfusions, iron overload and splenectomy. Methods: Patients with acute or chronic diseases (except HIV, Hepatitis B and C), on immunosuppressive drugs or vaccinated within one month prior to study were excluded. CD4, CD8 counts and serum Immunoglobulins were documented. Results: Increasing transfusions led to higher IgA and IgM as well as a decline in CD4 and CD8 levels. Higher ferritin correlated with high IgM. CD4, CD8 and IgA were significantly higher in splenectomized subjects. HCV correlated significantly with lower IgA values. Conclusion: Higher transfusion requirement, iron overload, splenectomy and HCV infection correlated with alterations in different immunological parameters.

Chemical and genetic diversity among some wild stands of Calligonum polygonoides (Polygonaceae) from the Thar Desert of Rajasthan

The arid Western Rajasthan, where the Thar Desert of India is immersed, is mostly covered by sand dunes, a common landscape. The region has confronted with fragilities of natural resources, low, erratic and ill-distributed rainfall, and is covered up with many perennial hardy shrubs. Calligonum polygonoides, the most common perennial shrub, is widely present in some localities of this Thar Desert. In this study, we evaluated the diversity present among 54 wild Calligonum polygonoides plants, sampled from eight different locations within the Thar Desert. Our methods included chemical/nutritional characteristics and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Both chemical and molecular methods produced wider range of diversity, however, RAPD detected comparatively more diversity. A total of 163 band positions were produced by ten RAPD primers, of which 147 were found polymorphic with 90.18% polymorphism. RAPD-based Jaccard’s similarity coefficients ranged from 0.43-0.89. The analysis of various chemical and mineral constituents revealed that phog is an excellent source of calcium, potassium and phosphorous while relatively poor in zinc. Among minerals, average potassium content was found maximum (2 430mg/100g) with 0.14 CV. Zinc was observed comparably less in quantity while highest variable with CV 0.73. The chemical-based Manhattan dissimilarity coefficient values ranged from 0.01-0.22 with an average of 0.12. The comparison of the clusters obtained based on the chemical and mineral parameters with those of the RAPD data showed that the groups formed in both cases showed different patterns of relationships among the samples. Broader range of diversity might be due to the out breeding behavior of C. polygonoides and indicates the good adaptability of the plants in the region studied. However, low diversity observed in the Bikaner province is alarming and suggests that anthropogenic activities leading to heavy population disturbances can affect the genetic composition of the species in a considerable way.

El árido Rajastán occidental, en donde está inmerso el desierto de Thar en la India, está cubierto principalmente por dunas de arena, un paisaje común. La región ha enfrentado la fragilidad de los recursos naturales, las lluvias escasas, irregulares y mala distribución, y está cubierta con muchos arbustos resistentes perennes. Calligonum polygonoides, el arbusto perenne más común, se encuentra ampliamente en algunas localidades del desierto de Thar. En este estudio, se evaluó la diversidad presente entre 54 plantas silvestres de Calligonum polygonoides, de ocho localidades diferentes del desierto de Thar. Nuestros métodos incluyen características químicas/nutricionales y ADN polimórfico amplificado (RAPD) al azar. Ambos métodos químicos y moleculares producen un amplio rango de la diversidad, sin embargo, RAPD detectó comparativamente mayor diversidad. Un total de 163 posiciones de la banda fueron producidos por diez cebadores RAPD, de los cuales 147 se encontraron polimórficos con un 90.18% de polimorfismo. El coeficiente de RAPD basado en la similitud de Jaccard varió desde 0.43 hasta 0.89. El análisis de varios constituyentes químicos y minerales reveló que Calligonum polygonoides es una excelente fuente de calcio, potasio y fósforo mientras que es relativamente pobre en zinc. Entre los minerales, el contenido de potasio promedio se encontró como máximo (2 430mg/100g), con 0.14 CV. El zinc se observó comparativamente menor en cantidad, pero presentó la mayor variabilidad con CV 0.73. El valor del coefficente de disimilitud de Manhattan varió en un rango de 0.01 hasta 0.22 con un promedio de 0.12. La comparación de los grupos obtenidos según los parámetros químicos y minerales con las de los datos de RAPD mostró que los grupos formados en ambos casos mostraron patrones diferentes de relaciones entre las muestras. Una gama más amplia de la diversidad podría ser debido al comportamiento reproductivo C polygonoides e indica la buena adaptabilidad ...

Acquired pure red cell aplasia in a child.

Primary acquired pure red cell aplasia is a rare occurrence in childhood. An eleven-year old boy presented to us with pallor, which required multiple packed red cell transfusions. He did not have hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice or lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow examination revealed the diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia. All possible investigations were done to exclude secondary causes of pure red cell aplasia. No secondary cause was found on investigations. Rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies were positive. He was started on oral steroids, to which he did not respond. He was then given cyclosporine A. Response to cyclosporine was dramatic and the child now does not require any transfusions.

Role of arthrography in non-traumatic painful wrist.

The arthrographic examination was carried out in 25 patients with non-traumatic painful wrist of more than 6 weeks duration. Plain x-rays were non-contributory in making any diagnosis in 20 cases. Arthrography was performed even when plain x-rays were normal and it revealed the soft tissue abnormalities and early phases of cartilage destruction not visible on routine roentgenograms. The extent of synovial involvement demonstrated on arthrography proved useful when synovectomy was planned. After operation pain and swelling disappeared and functions of the joint improved considerably.