Malaria: change in a variety of clinical manifestations in Eastern India.

Objective: We had undertaken this study to find out the change in variety of clinical presentations in which a patient suffering from malaria could present. Materials and methods: In a retrospective, cross-sectional and observational study first 100 admitted malaria patients were taken in a tertiary hospital cum medical college at Kolkata, India from August 2009 to July 2011. Their clinical profile were noted and analysed. Results: A variety of clinical pattern was noted in various combinations, starting from fever, chill, and rigor to even hematemesis and rash. Change was noted in pattern of fever and other manifestations. Conclusion: Each patient suffering from malaria could present with a variety of clinical features with some specific patterns in specific cases as discussed. Treatment of malaria in Eastern India was efficacious but costly.

Insulin in type 2 diabetes: promises to keep.

The concept which has evolved in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus is early insulin therapy. In type 2 diabetes mellitus first phase insulin response is grossly impaired on eventually absent, overburdening phase 2 responses which obviously fail to compensate in the long run. Perpetuation of the age old practice to continue OHA while almost all beta-cells are exhausted is only buying time for starting insulin. Preservation of beta-cell function by early insulin therapy yields two important benefits: (1) Better glycaemic control at lower medication dose and (2) relative freedom from hypoglycaemia because of well preserved glucagon response. To ensure and to translate the proper action of insulin in the target organs we are now talking about designer insulins which are basically insulin analogues (short and long acting). So type 2 diabetes is a growing menace and is responsible for severe morbidity, mortality and poor quality of life. Good glycaemic control from the very beginning of diabetes has shown to favourably influence all of these and is accepted as a cardinal goal of proper diabetes care.

Effects of thyroidal, gonadal and adrenal hormones on tissue respiration of streaked frog, Rana limnocharis, at low temperature.

In vivo and in vitro effects of thyroidal, gonadal and adrenal hormones were studied on the rate of liver and skeletal muscle respiration in both the sexes of R. limnocharis during active and inactive phases of the annual activity cycle. Triiodothyronine (L-T3) and thyroxine (L-T4) did not stimulate tissue (liver and muscle) respiration in any of the experiments irrespective of season, sex and temperature. Testosterone, estradiol and corticosterone stimulated O2 uptake significantly irrespective of season, sex and temperature. Adrenaline and nor-adrenaline also stimulated tissue respiration significantly during the winter month. Since the ambient temperature was low even during the active phase (max. temperature 21 degrees C), it seems that the frog might have developed tissue sensitivity for gonadal and adrenal hormones at low temperatures when thyroid hormones are calorigenically ineffective.