An unusual presentation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is an exceedingly rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by parkinsonian type rigidity, rise of temperature and altered consciousness. This idiosyncratic side-effect of almost all psychotic drugs though rare may occur even when neuroleptics are used for a short period. Here a very rare presentation of a case, of neuroleptic malignant syndrome appearing 2 days following 2nd dose of injection fluphenazine decanoate (0.5 ml) IM in whom 1st dose having 30 days prior to the 2nd one did not show any adverse effect, is being reported.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia: alterations in red cell membrane band 3 and increased IgG binding.

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a hematologic malignancy arising from an abnormal hemopoietic stem cell. Our earlier studies have identified defects in spectrin tetramer formation and organization of cytoskeletal proteins (Basu et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1988, 121-126); and decreased ankyrin binding to ankyrin-depleted vesicles in CML patients. These may lead to clustering of band 3 and increased binding of autologous IgG. This has now been explored by studying the binding of 125I-protein A to normal and CML erythrocytes. There is increased binding of 125I-protein A in CML erythrocytes compared to normal erythrocytes. Since binding of autologous IgG is responsible for removal of erythrocytes from the circulation, the above findings suggest that CML erythrocytes are likely to be prematurely removed from the circulation, accounting for anemia.

An insight into the structure of DNA through melting studies.

Helix-coil transition of calf thymus (CT) DNA in 0.1 M NaCl was observed under different environmental conditions for studying structural and conformational changes, if any. Pre-exposure of the DNA to different types of radiations - UV and gamma-brought different degrees of change (lowering) in the melting temperature (Tm). Interaction of drugs (daunomycin and actinomycin-D) increased the Tm inducing structural stability. There was 50% more destabilisation in case of polynucleotide-drug complex as compared to DNA-drug complex exposed to UV radiation. Thermodynamic studies on DNA in D2O (0.1 M NaCl prepared in D2O) were carried out and compared with the corresponding results in H2O. Presence of D2O increased the stability of the DNA structure. Structural and conformational aspects have been discussed in the light of the results obtained.

Psychic seizure.

Epilepsy is a fairly common disease. Various types of epilepsy, e.g., grand mal, petit mal, Jacksonian, akinetic, and myoclonic are usually encountered. An atypical type, presenting only with psychiatric symptoms is rarely found. A report of one such case is presented.