Lipid profile in rheumatoid arthritis and its relation to disease activity.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To ascertain whether--1. Serum lipids are altered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 2. Disease activity has any role in altering lipid profile. METHODOLOGY: Lipid profiles of 25 RA cases were compared with age and sex matched controls. RESULTS: Serum triglycerides (STG) and total cholesterol (TC) were found to be significantly lower in RA patients. In patients with very active disease, activity index (AI) > 80, STG, TC and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) were significantly lower as compared to controls. For TG 'r' value of -0.483 indicated negative correlation between disease activity and TG values, though the correlation is not significant (p > 0.05). For TC 'r' value (-0.0551) indicates negative correlation between disease activity and serum TC.

Mitochondrial diseases: an overview of genetics, pathogenesis, clinical features and an approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Defects in structures or functions of mitochondria, mainly involving the oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial biogenesis and other metabolic pathways have been shown to be associated with a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes. The ubiquitous nature of mitochondria and their unique genetic features contribute to the clinical, biochemical and genetic heterogenecity of mitochondrial diseases. This article focuses on the recent advances in the field of mitochondrial disorders with respect to the consequences for an advanced clinical and genetic diagnostics. In addition, an overview on recently identified genetic defects and their pathogenic molecular mechanisms are given.

Pure motor spastic quadriparesis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

SLE has numerous neurological manifestations. We report a case of SLE with gradual onset, upper motor neuron type spastic quadriparesis without sensory or bladder/bowel involvement. There was good response to steroids.

Assessment of intravenous streptokinase therapy in acute myocardial infarction.

Ten patients presenting within 6 hours of myocardial infarction, without contraindication for thrombolytic therapy, were given intravenous (IV) streptokinase (STK) 750,000 units in 15-30 min by infusion followed by anticoagulant therapy. Treatment was started within 241-360 min after the onset of symptoms. Fifteen other patients were given standard treatment without STK. Reperfusion was observed after a mean duration of 46 min in 7 patients in the STK group and none in the non-STK group. The results of IV STK thrombolytic therapy are comparable with those of previous studies using IV STK.

Identification of family Enterobacteriaceae using a three tube method.

Four hundred isolates of Gram Negative bacilli from different samples were tested by three tube method and conventional tests. An overall agreement between the two methods was 89.5%. Non-agreement was in respect of less stable tests like gas production and motility. This does not reflect adversely on the efficacy and suitability of the method. The three tube method is simple, rapid, economical and accurate, saving both time and material.

Immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA levels in preterm and small for date newborns.

Forty preterm [14 small for gestational age (SGA), 26 average for gestational age (AGA)] and 40 term (10 SGA and 30 AGA) babies were tested for immunoglobulins (Ig), G, M and A levels. IgG levels increased with gestational age from 922.00 +/- 14.00 mg/dl at 34 weeks to 1827.33 +/- 184.09 mg/dl at 40 weeks. Mean immunoglobulins were lower in SGA babies. IgG was 1029.59 +/- 122.80 mg/dl in SGA preterm babies and increased to 1262.00 +/- 200.0 mg/dl in 2 kg babies. IgM and IgA although increased with higher birth weight but rise was not statistically significant. More care to avoid infections in preterm and SGA babies, with lower immunoglobulin levels and less resistance, is recommended.

Vasculitis--a complication of hypothyroidism.

A case of hypothyroidism presenting with cutaneous vasculitis is described. Apart from typical findings of hypothyroidism, the patient had hypertension (HT). With thyroxine replacement therapy patient showed an improvement in hypothyroidism, HT and cutaneous vasculitis.