Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus: A cause for concern.

Mother to child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important public health issue. India introduced HBV vaccine in 10 states as part of its Universal Immunization Program (UIP). Here we show evidence of mother-to-child transmission of HBV in three families from Jharkhand and Bihar states where HBV vaccination is not yet included in the UIP. This report illustrates the need for active screening of HBV in pregnant women and implementation of HBV vaccine across all states in India to reduce the burden of disease.

Antiviral efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B subjects from Indian subcontinent.

Adefovir is one of the therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. A total of 30 adefovir-experienced subjects with the median treatment duration of 12 (interquartile range (IQR) 6-18) months were studied. Virological response was measured by hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) levels. HBV reverse transcriptase (rt) domains were sequenced for the identifi cation of resistance mutations. Among the 30 subjects, two (7%) showed virological response and 19 (63%) were non-responders. The virological response for the remaining nine (30%) subjects was not determined. On sequence analysis, two subjects were identifi ed with rtI169L and rtA181V mutation after 9 months and 18 months of adefovir treatment, respectively. Though the frequencies of adefovir resistance mutations are low, a large majority of subjects showed non-response. Therefore, adefovir in the management of HBV should be used judiciously.

Lipid profile in migraine

Lipid profile in the form of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL] and triglycerides was estimated in the serum of 50 patients complaining from migraine in addition to twenty completely healthy individuals matched for age and sex. The study showed a significant increase in the serum total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in migrainous patients. On the other hand, total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides were significantly high in the patients above 20 years denoting that these components were much more related to the aging process rather than the etiogenesis of the migraine itself. No relation was detected between the lipid profile changes and the type or frequency of the migraine

Post-stroke depression

This study was done on 45 stroke patients [25 males and 20 females with ages ranged from 40 to 65 years] within the first three months following stroke. Every patient was subjected to full history, thorough general and neurological examinations, routine laboratory investigations, computed tomography [CT] of the brain, mini mental state examination [MMSE] and Barthel ADL scale. Depression was diagnosed according to DSMIV criteria. Fifteen patients were depressed. Post-stroke depression was found to be more common in patients above 50 years, with positive family and past histories of depression and with left anterior hemispheric lesions being cortical more than subcortical ones. Scores of Barthel ADL scale showed no significant difference between post-stroke depressed and non depressed patients. It was advisable to manage early the post-stroke depression in order to improve the outcome of stroke

Glomerulonephritis in Kelantan, Malaysia: a review of the histological pattern.

Renal biopsy is essential in the management of renal parenchymal diseases. Thus far there is no publish report on the pattern of glomerulonephritis in Kelantan. We decided to establish the pattern of glomerulonephritis in Kelantan and use this information as our reference in future studies. Records of patients who had proven glomerulonephritis histologically were analysed. Their biological data, clinical presentation, etiology and clinicopathological pattern were studied. Where appropriate mean and standard deviation were calculated. A total of 74 biopsies were performed during the study period (between January 1991 and December 1993), out of which 72 biopsies (97.3%) were considered suitable for analysis. The male to female ratio was 1:1.1. Mean age at presentation was 27.6 +/- 12.2 years. Nephrotic syndrome was the commonest clinical presentation (65.3%). The main underlying cause was systemic lupus erythematosus (50%) followed by primary glomerulonephritis. Histologically, IgA nephropathy and minimal change disease were the main patterns among patients with primary glomerulonephritis while diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis was the commonest pattern among patients with lupus nephritis. Hence the pattern of glomerulonephritis is similar to other reported series. The procedure is considered safe and has a high success rate.

Action of some amides of substituted ethylenediamines on central nervous system.

Five of the substituted ethylenediamine amides (LMG I to V) were tested for various CNS attributes and for acute toxicity (24 hr mortality). All compounds were potent analgesics in various animal tests, LMG V being most potent. All reduced spontaneous activity of mice and potentiated ether anaesthesia. However, CAR was not altered and anti-MES were not pronounced in rats. Compounds appear to have a wide safety margin considering ED50 and LD50 in mice.

Pharmacological studies of certain amides of substituted ethylenediamines - I.

Five substituted amides of ethylenediamines produced hypotension in dogs, which was not blocked by atropine, mepyramine and propranolol. The amides potentiated the pressor responses to Adr and NA and antagonised the depressor responses to Ach and histamine. The compounds also antagonised Ach-induced contractions on the frog rectus abdominis muscle and of carbachol on rat isolated colon suggesting d-tc and atropine-like actions respectively. Antihistaminic activity was observed on guinea pig isolated ileum as on dog blood pressure. Adr and NA-induced relaxation of rabbit isolated jejunum was potentiated. Finally Adr and NA-induced contractions of rat isolated seminal vesicle was antagonised.