Renal pathological changes in poisonous snake bite.

There are more than 3000 species of snakes in the world but only about 350 are venomous. With approximately 10000 deaths occurring annually in India, a large proportion of snake bites occur when people work barefoot in the fields or while walking at night or early morning through fields or along roads. Although, nearly all snakes with medical relevance can induce nephropathy, leading to Acute Renal Failure (ARF), it is unusual except with bites by Russell‟s Viper, E. Carinatus and members of the genera Crotalus and Bothrops. In India, ARF is mostly associated with Russell‟s Viper and E. Carinatus bites. The incidence of ARF following Russell‟s Viper or E. Carinatus bites is 13-32% in India. A histopathological study was conducted on renal autopsy specimens from those subjects who were admitted to IPGME&R and SNP Hospital, Kolkata as a result of development of acute renal failure following poisonous snake bite. Acute tubular necrosis (100%) and Acute cortical necrosis (25%) were the most significant renal histopathological changes. Glomerular lesions were also present in 30% of cases.

Influences of vestibulo-cerebellum on kindling in the cat.

The development of amygdaloid kindling was assessed under conditions of pharmacological depression of the nodular areas of vestibulocerebellum and also following vestibular stimulation in chronically prepared cats. The results demonstrated that a single intra-nodular micro-injection of procaine hydrochlorides could significantly facilitate such epileptogenesis for at least several days. The number of kindling trials required to reach the first generalized convulsions was significantly increased by natural vestibular stimulation in comparison with control kindled animals. The intensity of fit, development of amygdaloid seizures and the convulsions were reduced markedly within a week by pre-conditioning the kindled animals with daily vestibular stimulation for 15-30 min. In addition, analysis of the behaviour of sleep-wake cycle indicated a significant increase in total sleep time and in the percentage of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These findings suggest that the natural rotational vestibular stimulation may result in a durable modification of brain function through development of enduring focal sensitization of catecholamine-mediated inhibitory mechanisms, reflecting the tonic inhibitory influences of the vestibulo-cerebellum in regulating the development and attenuation of epileptic states.