Hypercalcemia induced by parathyroid hormone-related peptide after treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare cause of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. This paraneoplastic syndrome is usually one of the presenting symptoms of the disease. We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity that presumably elaborated parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH-rP) and caused hypercalcemia only after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The free radicals--the hidden culprits--an update.

Free radicals are normally produced as a by-product of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are capable of killing bacteria, damage biomolecules, provoke immune response, activate oncogens, cause atherogenesis and enhance ageing process. However, in healthy conditions nature has endowed human body with enormous antioxidant potential. Subtle balance exists between free radical generation and antioxidant defence system to cope with oxidative stress by various enzymes and vitamins at cellular level which prevent the occurrence of disease. However, factors tilting the balance in favour of excess free radicals generation lead to widespread oxidative tissue damage and diseases. Therefore, trouble starts when there is an excess of free radicals and the defence mechanism lags behind. Overwhelming production of free radicals in response to exposure to toxic chemicals and ageing may necessitate judicious antioxidant supplement to help alleviate free radical mediated damage.

Patterns of indoor admissions of leprosy patients in pre-MDT and post-MDT era and a role for leprosy referral hospital in leprosy integration programme.

Analysis of the admission patterns in a leprosy referral hospital during the last 27 years (1966 through 1993) shows a decrease in the number of annual admissions since 1987. While there were 1550 admissions during 1981-1983, only 842 patients were admitted during 1991-1993. There was no great change in the reasons for admission, about 46% for reactions, 37% for ulcers, 5% for neuritis and about 12% for other problems. However, compared to the pre-MDT days, admissions for neuritis have increased. A case is made for the continuation of special leprosy referral hospital even beyond the year 2000 AD, i.e., even after elimination of leprosy as a public health problem.

Comparative study of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M among neonates in caesarean section and vaginal delivery.

The present study comprised 50 cases of normal vaginal delivery and 50 cases of caesarean section. The cord blood level of immunoglobulin G was significantly higher in normal vaginal delivery cases than in caesarean section cases (mean level is 1653.2 +/- 443.1 mg/dl and 898.3 +/- 415.6 mg/dl respectively). The immunoglobulin G was low in cord blood but had higher concentration in all the 7 cases in study group who had fever with rigor in antenatal period. Thus the babies delivered with caesarean section had lower immunoglobulin level than normal vaginal delivery.

Frusemide--digitalis interaction on experimental model.

Interaction of frusemide and digitalis on frog heart has been studied. It was found that like digitalis, frusemide did not have any effect on normal heart, but restored the normal myocardial contraction of the hypodynamic frog heart. Frusemide induced cardiac arrest when administered during digoxin infusion. It is suggested that interaction of frusemide and digoxin has additive effect.

An analysis of hypotensive effect of synthetic oxytocin in rabbit.

Intravenous injection of synthetic oxytocin (Syntocinon) causes a fall of blood pressure in rabbit. The hypotensive response was potentiated after vagotomy and atropine. Beta-adrenergic and 5-HT blockers reduced the hypotensive response to oxytocin. Hypotensive response of oxytocin in rabbit involves two factors, activation of beta-adrenergic receptor and release of 5-HT.

Modification of vascular response to synthetic oxytocin by oestrogen in rabbit.

Intravenously administered oxytocin caused a dose-related fall in blood pressure of the rabbit. When oxytocin was administered in oestrogen-primed animals, the depressor response was converted to a pressor one "Oxytocin reversal". The "oxytocin reversal." was abolished after treatment with dihydroergotamine, hexamethonium or adrenalectomy. The "oxytocin reversal" did not appear in reserpinized animals.