Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children with tuberculosis.

This prospective study was carried out in the pediatric ward and outpatient department of a tertiary care centre to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in children with tuberculosis. Two hundred and fifty consecutive children below 12 years of age with (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) tuberculosis diagnosed between March 1999 and July 2000 were screened for HIV infection. A patient was labeled as HIV positive if two consecutive ELISA tests were found positive using different antigen/principle. Supplemental western blot test was also done. Parents of seropositive children were also screened for HIV infection and tuberculosis. Total 5 cases were HIV positive giving a seroprevalence of 2%. All the five patients had disseminated tuberculosis. We suggest regular screening of children with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis for HIV co-infection.

Antifertility effect of andrographis paniculata in mice.

Antifertility effect of Andrographis Paniculata (AP) was observed in mice under different experimental conditions. When sun-dried powder of AP was mixed with animal's food (Rats Pelletts) in a dose of 2G per Kg. B.W. per day and was allowed to consume by the female mice daily for a period of six weeks, none of the animal (100%) were pregnant when mated with the male of proven fertility who did not receive the drug. On the other hand, the majority of the control female mice (95.2%) who did not receive the drug were pregnant when mated with the similar type of male as in the experimental group, and they continued to give birth to litters of usual size and number (average 5-6) for subsequent six matings.

Basic information on family formation and family planning in rural Bangladesh.

PIP: The Basic Health and Family Planning Study Project of Bangladesh Medical Council has conducted preliminary investigations. Early findings seem to show a small decline in desired family size and a relatively high degree of awareness and knowledge of contraceptives and family planning. Desired family size is appreciably lower among wives and may be steadily falling with declines in infant and child mortality. Key couples are younger and of lower parity. The wide gap between expressed desire to use contraception and actual practice is seen as critical; the gap must be narrowed if the family planning program's objectives are to be met. Social, cultural, economic, and psychological parameters operating in families must be investigated. It is expected that the investigations of the Council will continue in greater detail, allowing more definitive conclusions to be made.^ieng

Effects of changes in pH of bath fluid on isolated guinea pig ileum preparation.

The effects of changes in the pH of Tyrode's solution on the responses of isolated guinea pig ileum preparation to acetylcholine and histamine were studied. At higher levels of pH (increased alkalinity), the responses of the tissue to both acetylcholine and histamine were increased. At lower pH levels (increased acidity), the response of the tissue to acetylcholine was increased but that to histamine was reduced.