Diagnostic challenges posed by a rare alpha globin chain variant Hb Fontainebleau in a pregnant female and its potential effects in her children in view of multiple globin gene defects in her husband

Alpha globin chain variants per se do not cause severe morbidity and mortality but can modify – usually ameliorate – the clinical manifestations of beta globin chain variants when co-inherited with the latter. They also pose challenges in interpretation of high-performance liquid chromatography histograms and require molecular analysis for proper characterization. Hemoglobin (Hb) Fontainebleau is a rare alpha globin chain variant [alpha 21(B2) Ala?Pro], of which only three families have been reported from India in the past. Here, we describe a case of Hb fontainebleau detected in heterozygous condition in a 19-year-old primigravida. Her husband was found to have a double heterozygous state for HbQ India and beta-thalassemia trait. This opens up the possibility of multiple combinations of hemoglobinopathies in the offspring.

Sida cordifolia (Linn) – An overview.

Our world is fulfilled by various medicinal plants which are widely have been used in treatment of various diseases since ancient time. Medicinal plants still play an important role in emerging and developing countries. They also generate income to people of many Asian countries who can earn their livelihood from selling collected materials from the forest or by cultivating on their farms. Thus the medicinal plants constitute very important rational resources. In India plants have been trditionally used for human and veterinary health care needs. This reflects that medicinal plant and their products have taken an increasing demand. Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal ‘renaissance’ is happening all over the globe. The herbal products today symbolize safety in contrast to the synthetics that are regarded as unsafe to human and environment. Although herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavoring and aromatic qualities. Malvaceae, commonly known as Bala, is an Ayurvedic medicine that is used to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, chills, lack of perspiration, head ache, nasal congestion, aching joints and bones, cough and wheezing, and edema. The root infusion is given in nervous and urinary diseases and also in disorders of the blood and bile. Sida cordifolia has been reported to posess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activities as well as hepatoprotective activity. Traditionally the plant Sida cordifolia (linn) syn has been used as CNS depressant, fat lose, analgesics, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotectiv. Presence of ephedrine has highlighted the utility of this plant .various ayurvadic preparation of this plant used in asthma diseases, fat lose and increase energy, Oil preparation is also cure pain, swelling disorder, and Gritha cures Heart diseases. This plant has great potential to develop the Ayurvedic, modern medicine and athletic supplements by pharmaceutical industries. The present review is highlights the traditional uses, Ayurvedic preparation, chemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Sida cordifolia (linn) syn. Country Mallow.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some Schiff bases and 4-thiazolidinones.

Some new schiff bases (1a-d) 4-thiazolidinones (2a-d) have been synthesised and tested for their antibacterial activity. The structures of these compounds have been established on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data (IR and H1 NMR).

Epidemiology of poliomyelitis in a slum of Bombay.

A disease prevalence and immunization coverage survey in a typical slum in Bombay in the year 1988 revealed 93 children with residual poliomyelitis amongst 14,439 children below 9 years of age, indicating high (33.0/100,000 population) annual incidence of poliomyelitis. Only 62 (66.6%) of these 93 lame children sought admission in hospital during the acute phase of illness. The high incidence was attributed to a low immunization (OPV) coverage level in the most vulnerable age group. The immunization coverage for 3 doses of oral polio vaccine below 2 years of age was 43.5%. A large number of children were not commencing their immunization schedule at the right age. The survey indicated a poor "community participation" in the immunization programmes due to a poor "health awareness".

Review of poliomyelitis in Bombay (1982-1989): observations on the improved immunisation coverage.

In Bombay, the immunization coverage with 3 doses of oral polio vaccine in children below 2 years of age has reached 80%. As a result, the high incidence of over 11/100,000 population prevailing in the 6 year period (1982-1987) has declined to around 6 in 1988 and 1989. The decline was observed both in the slum and in the "non-slum" population. The incidence in the slum population has reduced from over 22/100,000 population to around 11. In the morbidity, a subtle "age shift" to older children was noticed in 1988-1989. Average age-specific incidence (for age group below 1 year) was found to be 1.04/1000 children in 1988-89 as against 2.47 in the preceding 6 years. The proportion of "Non-Immunized" cases gradually declined from 65.8% in 1982 to 49.7% in 1989 and conversely, the proportion of fully immunized cases increased from 14.5% in 1982 to 22.7% in 1989. The attack rates per 1000 children below 1 year of age in the inadequately/"Non-Immunized" and the fully immunized children were found to be 2.822 and 0.224 respectively. The sharp peak in the morbidity observed in the 3rd quarter of an year (July to September) has been replaced by almost even distribution of cases in all the quarters of an year. All the three polioviruses were encountered through out the year. Although, poliovirus type 1 was the most predominant of viruses, its proportion was on decline. The portion of isolation of "Non-Polio" viruses has increased from 6.8% in 1982 to 16.2% in 1989.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)