Bacteriostatic activity of con a lectin from Canavalia ensiformis.

The aim of this work was to explore the therapeutic applications of Con A lectin from Canavalia ensiformis and to explore its antibacterial activity. Activity of lectin was quantified by their ability to agglutinate erythrocytes using Hemagglutination assay. Characterization and purity of Con A lectin was evaluated by using SDS-PAGE analysis. The reversal of hemagglutination activity of lectin was evaluated by using the sugars namely; mannose, galactose, lactose, fructose, glucose. The antibacterial activity of lectins was tested against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli using pour plate method. Amoxycillin was used as standard. At 250mg/ml concentration Con A lectin showed good bacteriostatic activity.

Serum nitrate levels in alcoholic patients: a study in an urban government hospital and de-addiction centre.

This study was designed to determine the nitric oxide metabolism measured as circulating nitrate levels in the serum of alcoholic patients. Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the inflammatory process and has been implicated in several autoimmune disorders. This study was carried out prospectively to estimate the levels of nitrate in the serum, as a surrogate marker of NO production, among alcohol-dependent patients. Serum nitrate concentrations as an index of plasma NO levels were assessed in alcohol-dependent patients attending the deaddiction centre of a major hospital. Total sample size comprised 450 males. Age- and sex-matched non-alcoholic control population (n=90) was compared with alcoholics (n=360) of similar socioeconomic status. Serum nitrate concentration was assayed spectrophotometrically. Stable metabolites of nitrates were significantly higher in alcoholics compared with their nonalcoholic controls (p<0.05). The results may support the involvement of oxidative damage due to high NO concentration, and may be linked to its excitotoxicity and cytotoxicity in neurons, glia, and myelin. Generation of NO has been linked to an increased tendency towards tolerance to alcohol.

Diagnosis of metastatic carcinoid in mesenteric lymph node by fine needle aspiration cytology.

Although carcinoid tumor is a relatively common neoplasm in surgical pathology, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as a method of primary diagnosis has only been reported a few times. We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient who presented with colicky pain in the abdomen and a vague mass in the right lumbar region. Ultrasonographic study showed an enlarged mesenteric lymph node. Ultrasonography-guided FNAC revealed cellular smears with neuroendocrine cellular arrangement and morphology. The cytomorphologic characteristics of carcinoid tumors are distinctive enough for diagnosis. A diagnosis of metastatic carcinoid was given. 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in 24-hour urine turned out to be high. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies also confirmed the diagnosis. Thus, FNAC can be a useful and safe tool in the diagnosis of carcinoid tumors.

Primary malignant melanoma of left buccal mucosa with metastasis in thyroid: a case report.

Primary oral malignant melanomas are rare with an incidence of .2 to 8% of all melanomas. Less than 1% of them arise on buccal mucosa. Grossly they arise as a black macule with irregular borders & are commonly of mucosal lentiginous type. They appear at a higher stage and are aggressive with a 5 yr survival rate of 10-25%. 39% of metastasis in thyroid occur from skin (melanomas) and melanomas produce a thyroid mass while the original source remains occult. We report a case of oral malignant melanoma of left buccal mucosa for its rarity and its spread to cervical lymph nodes and thyroid.

Characteristics of gestational diabetic mothers and their babies in an Indian diabetes clinic.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical and metabolic features of mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM) and their offspring with those in non-diabetic pregnancies at the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Pune, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antenatal information was obtained from hospital records. GDM was diagnosed by 75 g OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) in clinically high-risk women. Anthropometric measurements of mother and the babies were recorded within 24h of delivery and a maternal blood sample collected for hematological and biochemical measurements. RESULTS: Between the period Jan 1998 to December 2003,265 women with gestational diabetes were treated in our Unit. Forty nine percent had first-degree relatives with diabetes. Compared to non-diabetic mothers (n=215) GDM mothers were older (29.0 vs. 26.0y, p<0.001), more obese (body mass index- BMI 26.0 vs. 22.0 kg/m2, p<0.001), centrally obese (Waist hip ratio-WHR 0.89 vs 0.86, p<0.001), adipose (sum of 4 skinfolds 98.4 vs. 61.4 mm, p<0.001) and had higher blood pressure (127/80 vs. 122/70 mmHg, p<0.001). GDM mothers had higher concentrations of plasma triglycerides (195.0 vs. 153.0 mg/dl, p<0.01); blood hemoglobin (11.7 vs 10.9 g/dl, p<0.001) and higher platelet count but lower concentration of HDL cholesterol and albumin. Sixty percent GDM mothers and 34% of non-diabetic mothers were delivered by caesarean-section, 23% of GDM mothers delivered pre term (<37 wk). Despite the smaller gestation, babies of GDM mothers were heavier (BW 2950.0 vs. 2824.0g, p<0.001, adjusted for gender), longer (48.9 vs. 48.0 cm, p<0.01) and more adipose (sum of 2 skinfolds 10.5 vs. 8.5 mm). Only 5% of babies born to GDM mothers weighed > 4000 g but 30% were >90th centile of birth weight of babies born to non-diabetic mothers. Babies of GDM mothers suffered higher neonatal morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: GDM mothers in urban India are more obese and more adipose than non-diabetic mothers, frequently have a family history of diabetes and show metabolic features of insulin resistance syndrome, suggesting high cardiovascular risk. Neonates of GDM mothers are heavier, longer and more adipose than those born to non-diabetic mothers, and suffer higher neonatal morbidity.