Pyrexia of unknown origin: a prospective study of 100 cases.

AIM: There are few studies on pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) from India. The present study was planned to elucidate the causes of in PUO Eastern India and to define the changing patterns of PUO, if any. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. PATIENTS: One hundred patients meeting the classic criteria of pyrexia of unknown origin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The final diagnosis established at discharge or during follow up. RESULTS: Infections, especially tuberculosis was the most dominant cause (53%), followed by neoplasms (17%), and collagen vascular disorders (11%), Miscellaneous causes were responsible in 5% cases and in 14% the cause of fever remained undiagnosed. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that infections remain the most important cause of PUO in India, confirming the trends found earlier in other studies. The incidence of neoplasms was much higher compared to other studies from India.

Objective evaluation of psychological abnormality in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is frequently regarded as a psychological disorder. Data on objective evaluation of psychological abnormalities among IBS patients and control subjects are scanty in our country. We therefore objectively studied patients with IBS. METHODS: 42 patients satisfying the Manning's criteria and Munich workers' for diagnosis of IBS underwent psychological evaluation using the following tests: a) Eyesenck personality questionnaire. b) State and trait anxiety inventory according to Speilberger's method. c) Hamilton depression rating scale for detection of depression. d) Whitely index of hypochondriasis and discriminant function by Pilowsky's illness behavior questionnaire. RESULTS: Neuroticism was detected in 76% of IBS patients compared to 9% in control population (p < 0.01). State and trait anxiety scores were 44.5 +/- 17.1 and 49.0 +/- 15.3 respectively in IBS patients; these were higher than those in controls (35.5 +/- 7.5 and 41.2 +/- 6.1 respectively; p < 0.01). Severe depression was observed in 26% of IBS patients and 6% of control subjects (p < 0.05). Significantly higher hypochondriasis score was observed in IBS patients as compared to controls (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Neuroticism, hypochondriasis and depression were significantly more prevalent in IBS patients attending a clinic, compared to control population.

Mechanism of action of alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone derivatives of substituted nucleic acid bases in tumour cells.

Some alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone derivatives of substituted nucleic acid bases, which showed significant antitumour activity against experimental tumours, were tested for their possible mechanism of action. Derivatives 1, 4 and 7 strongly inhibit active transport of uridine through sarcoma-180 ascites tumour cells. Derivatives 1, 7 and 10 strongly inhibit a translation process in these cells, besides apparent inhibition in transcription. It appears that active transport and translation might be the primary steps inhibited by these drugs.

Alkylphosphonium salts as a new class of antitumor agents.

A series of twenty-four alkylphosphonium salts were prepared and evaluated as potential antitumor agents in vivo against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Eleven compounds were screened in vivo against lymphoid leukemia L1210 and one against lymphocytic leukemia P388. Out of these, three compounds exhibited mild antitumor activity against EAC. Twenty compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against the growth of tissue culture cells originated from human epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx (KB). All compounds but one exhibited significant cytotoxicity in this cell line. 2-Bromoethyltriphenylphosphonium bromide, chosen as a standard compound, was earlier reported [4] to have borderline activity against P388, but it failed to show any activity against EAC though it has exhibited significant in vitro cytotoxicity in KB cell culture. In the course of this study, seven new alkylphosphonium salts were synthesized.

New arylsulfonylhydrazones of substituted benzaldehydes as anticancer agents.

Nineteen new arylsulfonylhydrazones of substituted benzaldehydes have been prepared. The antineoplastic activity of these compounds has been assessed against murine lymphocytic leukemia P-388 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). The compounds investigated have not reached the criteria of good antitumor activity. However, marginal activity in P-388 system has been exhibited by one of the tested derivatives, while two others have demonstrated mild anticancer activity against EAC.