ABSTRACT
First Rank Symptoms (FRS) were first defined by Schneider as diagnostic of schizophrenia. Since then, there has been an immense debate on their diagnostic and prognostic utility. This review attempts to understand the concepts of FRS as depicted over the years and the diagnostic and prognostic implications of FRS in mental illnesses including schizophrenia. Review of relevant material showed that there are wide variations in the concepts of FRS which may be classified according to broad and narrow definitions. These variations have also led to the differences in the diagnostic systems currently being used. Although the diagnostic utility of FRS in schizophrenia remains, it is not clearly so with other mental illnesses in which these symptoms may also be observed. In addition there is controversy over the prognostic implications with evidence divided between poor and no influence on outcome.
Subject(s)
Schizophrenia/classification , Schizophrenia/diagnosis , HumansABSTRACT
The hydroalcoholic extracts prepared from leaves of Rungia pectinata and Rungia repens were investigated for antiinflammatory and diuretic activity in wistar rats. The results obtained were compared with that of standard drug aspirin and frusemide for their antiinflammatory and diuretic activity respectively. The acute toxicity study was also carried out using adult swiss albino mice of either sex which indicates the safety of the extracts even at a dose of 4000 mg/kg. R. pectinata showed better anti-inflammatory activity than R. repens. In the present study, it was demonstrated that hydroalcoholic extracts of both R. repens and R. pectinata produce diuretic effect by increasing the excretion of Na(+), K(+) and Cl(-). Results showed that R. repens is most effective in increasing urinary electrolyte concentration of Na(+) and K(+) ions. The antimicrobial potency of the aerial parts of Rungia pectinata and Rungia repens have been studied using the petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone and ethanol extract against a wide number of bacteria and fungi by disc diffusion method. The ethanol extract at a concentration of 30 to 60 µg/disc showed significant activity against the bacteria and fungus investigated. All the extracts of R. pectinata and R. repens have got moderate action but chloroform and acetone extracts of R. repens and ethanol extract of R. pectinata have got significant activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
ABSTRACT
Histone deacetylase is one of the important targets in the treatment of solid tumors and hematological cancers. A total of 20 well-defined inhibitors were used to generate Pharmacophore models using and HypoGen module of Catalyst. These 20 molecules broadly represent 3 different chemotypes. The best HypoGen model consists of four-pharmacophore features--one hydrogen bond acceptor, one hydrophobic aliphatic and two ring aromatic centers. This model was validated against 378 known HDAC inhibitors with a correlation of 0.897 as well as enrichment factor of 2.68 against a maximum value of 3. This model was further used to retrieve molecules from NCI database with 238,819 molecules. A total of 4638 molecules from a pool of 238,819 molecules were identified as hits while 297 molecules were indicated as highly active. Also, a Similarity analysis has been carried out for set of 4638 hits with respect to most active molecule of each chemotypes which validated not only the Virtual Screening potential of the model but also identified the possible new Chemotypes. This type of Similarity analysis would prove to be efficient not only for lead generation but also for lead optimization.
Subject(s)
Drug Design , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors , Models, Molecular , Algorithms , Models, Chemical , Models, Structural , Reproducibility of ResultsABSTRACT
The phenomenology of mania has not been empirically studied adequately. Various studies have revealed 2. 4 & 5 factors as the core features defining the manic state. Differences in the Bipolar disorders have been reported across culture in the past further complicating the issue.This study was carried out to study the core features of the manic state and compare it with similar studies across culture.Hundred consecutive patients attending the Central Institute of Psychiatry's Out Patient Services for the first time with a diagnosis of manic episode or bipolar disorder, current episode mania as per Diagnostic Criteria for Research were taken up for the study.Factor analysis using Principal Components with Varimax rotation was carried out. Factor score were tested for normal distribution using Kolmogorov Smirnov statistic.The findings revealed three factors representing psychomotor acceleration, thought disorder and mood All distributions were normal. Mood was found to be on a continuum with euphoria and irutability on the opposite poles.
ABSTRACT
Lithium is the treatment for acute mania and bipolar disorders. Ever since its introduction in the psychiatric arsenal, case reports of toxicity have been appearing in the literature at regular intervals. This study was thus carried out to study the presentation and associated features of lithium toxicity. In this retrospective study, case record files of all patients suspected to have developed lithium toxicity during a five year period were retrieved. It was found that toxicity presented most commonly with cerebellar symptoms and appeared at lower serum levels. Lithium could be restarted albeit at a lower dose and with a gradual titration in a number of cases.
ABSTRACT
Gender differences are being increasingly reported across psychiatric disorders. Females are known to be more at risk for developing unipolar depressive disorders. In bipolar disorder there is more dysphoria, rapid cycling and more number of depressive episodes in females. However studies on gender difference in resolution are scarce. This study was conducted in Central Institute of Psychiatry to assess the gender difference in resolution of mania. 24 males and 16 females were rated at day 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 & 28 on scale for Manic States, ft was found that males settled faster than females, which was evident at day 14. The rate of resolution was more in males in the first week. Remission was also reached earlier by males.
ABSTRACT
Bryonia epigaea (cucurbitaceae) has been evaluated on various inflammatory models in rats in our laboratory. Ana anti-inflammatory drug(s) irrespective of its potency may not be devoid of undesirable effects on biochemical and hematological parameters. Alcoholic extract of Bryonia epigaaea (BE-Extract) at the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, was administered to rats. Hepatotxic and nephrotoxic effects of BE-Extract were studies by measuring cholesterol, urea, uric acid, SGOT, SGPT and glucose levels in blood. Effects of BE-Extract on RBC count, WBC count, platelet count, hemoglobin content, clotting and bleeding time were also studied.
ABSTRACT
This communication is a report of some preliminary studies followed by chemical investigations done on the aerial parts of Melothria maderaspatana (Linn) Cogn., a plant drug used in traditional system of medicine in India against a variety of diseases.
ABSTRACT
A clinical study of Volkmann's ischemic contracture of the forearm has been presented. The total incidence was 0.105 percent of all orthopedic cases. Mostly it occurred in males (77.5 percent), mostly in the second or third decade of life. Most patients lived in rural areas, reflecting prevailing socioeconomic conditions.
