Role of HLA alleles polymorphism in systemic lupus erythematosus: A prospective study from North India

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder and has complex etiopathogenesis. The most appropriate hypothesis states that genetic susceptibility in the presence of environmental risk factors predisposes to SLE. HLA class II alleles are critical to immune response and are highly polymorphic. Various alleles in HLA-DR and -DQ regions were analyzed in SLE patients and healthy controls to see their role in susceptibility or protection to SLE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study, in which a total of 100 SLE patients and 100 controls were analyzed. HLA typing was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) method (SSO probe). Results: DR?1*0301 was significantly increased in SLE patients when compared to controls and had the highest odds ratio. Other risk factor alleles found to be increased were DR?1*0701, DQ?1*0202, and DQ?1*0301, which had a significant positive association with SLE, suggesting their role in susceptibility to SLE. In contrast, DR?1*0401, DR?1*1401, DR?1*1404, DR?1*1501, DQ?1*0501, and DQ?1*0201 showed statistically significant reduction in SLE patients, while these were much more common in controls, suggesting their protective role. Conclusion: This study is only the second study in patients from North India and it determines the role of DR?1*0301, DR?1*0701, DQ?1*0202, and DQ?1*0301 alleles as risk factors in SLE patients.

Neuroimaging In Tuberous Sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome. The diagnosis is on the basis of diagnostic criteria applied to clinical findings classical triad of epilepsy, mental retardation, and adenoma sebaceum. Cardiac rhabdomyoma, renal angiomyolipoma, and neurologic involvement comprises of cortical or subependymal tubers and white matter abnormalities are the common radiologic findings, these will give strong evidence for suspecting tuberous sclerosis. accurate imaging differentiation of diagnosis and localization of tubers and is helpful for treatment.

Evaluation of Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Phytosterol Present in Chloroform Extract of Phyllanthus Maderaspatensis.

Inflammation and pain is a common cause of medical consultation which generally occurs when a tissue is injured. In recent scenario, attention has been paid for screening new drugs with analgesic activity from plant sources, to reduce or treat pain with less adverse effects than allopathic drugs. The objectives of this research work was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of phytosterol present in chloroform extract of Phyllanthus maderaspatensis (CEPM) through carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema and hot plate method in male wistar rats. The test groups received CEPM (suspended in 1% caboxymethylcellulose, CMC) at doses 400 mg/kg, p.o.; the reference group received indomethacin (10 mg/ kg, in 1% CMC, p.o.) as positive control and the negative control animals received the vehicle only (1% CMC, 10 mL/kg, p.o.). Oral administration of CEPM or indomethacin showed significant (P<0.001) effect in the reduction of the paw oedema induced by 0.1 mL of 1% carrageenan (in 1% CMC) solution into the subplantar region. CEPM showed the highest inhibition 71.42% at 3rd hr. CEPM extract and pentazocin significantly (P<0.001) increases the basal reaction time when compare to control group. The present study demonstrates the potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the CEPM which supports the claims by the traditional medicine practitioners.

Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from Cassia obtusifolia L. and Senna sophera (L.) Roxb against pathogenic organisms.

Cassia species have been of medicinal interest due to their good therapeutic value in folk medicine. In the present study petroleum ether, ethanol and chloroform extracts from leaf and stems of Cassia obtusifolia and Senna sophera were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against some pathogenic microbes in vitro. The C. Obtusifolia leaf extracts in pet ether and chloroform showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2725mg/ml and MIC 0.2647) and ethanol extracts against A. fumigatus (MIC 0.3116mg/ml). Similarly the stem extracts of C. Obtusifolia in pet ether showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.407mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.3009mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against E. faecalis MIC 0.4946mg/ml). The leaf extracts of S. sophera in pet ether showed more sensitivity against C. albicans (MIC 0.3524mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2738mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against C. Albicans (MIC 0.4239). C. sophera stem extracts in Pet ether showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.254mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2987mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.5899mg/ml). This finding provides an insight into the usage of the leaves of Cassia species in traditional treatment of wounds or burns associated with bacterial and fungal infections. However, further work is needed in the form of phytochemical screening and pharmacological activity of some more extracts before one could conclude anything definite about the therapeutic potential of these extracts.

Effect of rhinocanthus and selenium on various cells and cellular components in blood samples and histological changes in rat liver.

Rhinacanthus nasutus (RN) and selenium have been used for treatment of various illnesses, but the mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. The results of the present study showed that the methanolic extract was found to contain highest amount of non-enzymic antioxidants followed by the aqueous extract. It is evident that Rhinacanthus nasutus leaf extracts offered efficient antioxidant defense in the rat liver an in vitro model which simulates in vivo condition, when exposed to H2O2. Health benefits can be obtained from the leaves with decreased risk of disease as the leaves could prevent or protect the oxidative damage caused by environmentally benign oxidant hydrogen peroxide.

Anaphylaxis due to indian black ant bite [Camponotus compressus] and a short review of literature.

Anaphylaxis and death have been reported due to bite by many species of ants such as fire ant, carpenter ant, black ant (samsum), etc. But anaphylaxis due to the bite of the Common Indian Black Ant (Camponotus compressus) is unusual, and has rarely been reported. We are reporting a case of anaphylaxis due to Indian black ant bite. Though the patient did not provide any previous history of a bite by this ant species, it could be presumed that he could have been bitten earlier. This case report emphasizes the need for precautions against bites by this species of ant which is widely regarded as relatively harmless.

Common milk hedge (euphorbia neriifolia) juice ingestion: A clinical case report.

Common milk hedge (Euphorbia neriifolia) is grown as a hedge plant in various parts of India. The latex of this plant, which is in the form of a white milky juice, has corrosive effect on contact with skin and mucous membrane. Cases of deliberate ingestion of this juice have rarely been reported in literature. One such rare case of ingestion of the latex with attendant clinical manifestations has been presented here.

Potential for osseous regeneration of platelet-rich plasma--a comparative study in mandibular third molar sockets.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the concentrate of platelets in plasma contains various growth factors that enhance osseous regeneration. This study utilized homologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of third molar extraction sockets in a total of fourteen human subjects, who were randomly assigned into one control and one test group, each comprising of seven members. Clinical parameters like pain on palpation, number of analgesic tablets consumed, swelling, degree of mouth opening, and condition of mucosa overlying the surgical site were assessed at intervals of 1,3,5,7,9,12, and 16 weeks post operatively. The margins between the socket and surrounding bone, radiopacity of bone filling the socket, and presence oftrabecular bone formation were evaluated simultaneously. Soft tissue healing differed significantly between the two groups, with the test group exhibiting better results. Radiographic evidence of bone formation was visible as early as I week in test subjects. It was concluded that PRP contributed to better healing of soft tissues and bone and is a viable means of growth factor delivery.