ADHD, ODD, and CD: Do They Belong to a Common Psychopathological Spectrum? A Case Series

Purpose of Research. Numerous studies have reported comorbidities, overlapping symptoms, and shared risk factors among cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). We present three adolescent males aged 13–16 years with conduct disorder having past history of ADHD and ODD. Principal Result. The symptom profile especially in domains of aggression, hostility, and emotionality as well as the manner of progression from ADHD to ODD and CD in the above cases shows a similar pattern. Conclusion. These common developmental pathways and overlapping symptoms suggest the possibility of a common psychopathological spectrum encompassing the three externalizing disorders

Role of family and peers in the initiation and continuation of smoking behavior of future physicians

Background : Globally researchers have long back noted that the trend of substance use was on the rise particularly in the student population. Objective : To find out the prevalence and determinants of smoking practices among undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical (MBBS) students of a tertiary care medical college using a predesigned and pretested semi-structured self-administered anonymous questionnaire. Results : Among 182 participants, 55 (30%) were smokers; 85.45% were regular smokers; majority in the age group 20-22 years (70%); mostly males (98%). No significant difference was observed among urban and rural students, and religion had no association. The practice of smoking for last 6 months to 1 year was in 43.6% and 40% smoked less than 6 months. Half of them (50.9%) smoked 5-9 cigarettes per day. Peer pressure was significantly high in smokers (83.6%); 42% had other addictions. The effect of parental smoking on smoking habits of the participants was quite evident among smokers (82%), which was significantly higher than nonsmokers (χ2=63.49, P<0.05). Peer pressure was the most important risk factor (57.69%) of initiation of smoking habit followed by parental influence (16.49%). Among morbidities of smokers, 60.6% were suffering from regular cough, 6% from bronchitis, and 2% had asthma. Conclusions : Our survey conducted on budding doctors surprisingly showed that undergraduate medical students smoke so much

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study on the effects of gabapentin premedication on hemodynamic stability during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery increases arterial pressures, heart rate, and systemic vascular resistance. In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study, we investigated the efficacy of gabapentin premedication to provide perioperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients, of either sex (18-65 years of age) undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to two groups of 30 patients each. Patients of group G received oral gabapentin 900 mg 2 h before induction of anesthesia, while patients in group P received placebo at the same time. Results: Mean arterial pressure in patients of group G were significantly lower (P < 0.05) after tracheal intubation and pneumoperitoneum and remained lower, as compared to group P, throughout the pneumoperitoneum. Similarly, heart rate in group G was significantly lower (P < 0.05) after tracheal intubation and pneumoperitoneum and remained lower, in comparison to group P, throughout the peumoperitoneum. Intravenous labetalol was required, to control intraoperative hypertension, in 33.3% (10 out of 30) patients in group P. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse effects between the two groups. Conclusion: Gabapentin premedication provided perioperative hemodynamic stability during laparoscopic surgery

Synthesis of a Novel Quinoline Derivative, 2-(2-Methylquinolin-4- ylamino)-N-phenylacetamide—A Potential Antileishmanial Agent

Some novel quinoline derivatives were prepared and tested for antileishmanial activity. 2-(2-Methylquinolin-4-ylamino)- N-phenylacetamide (2) was found to be significantly more active than the standard antileishmanial drug sodium antimony gluconate (SAG) in reducing the parasite load both in the spleen and liver at a much lower concentration in hamster models. The results suggest that the compound could be exploited as an antileishmanial drug. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Regulation of mitochondrial proteostasis by the proton gradient

Mitochondria adapt to different energetic demands reshaping their proteome. Mitochondrial proteases are emerging as key regulators of these adaptive processes. Here, we use a multiproteomic approach to demonstrate the regulation of the m-AAA protease AFG3L2 by the mitochondrial proton gradient, coupling mitochondrial protein turnover to the energetic status of mitochondria. We identify TMBIM5 (previously also known as GHITM or MICS1) as a Ca2+/H+ exchanger in the mitochondrial inner membrane, which binds to and inhibits the m-AAA protease. TMBIM5 ensures cell survival and respiration, allowing Ca2+ efflux from mitochondria and limiting mitochondrial hyperpolarization. Persistent hyperpolarization, however, triggers degradation of TMBIM5 and activation of the m-AAA protease. The m-AAA protease broadly remodels the mitochondrial proteome and mediates the proteolytic breakdown of respiratory complex I to confine ROS production and oxidative damage in hyperpolarized mitochondria. TMBIM5 thus integrates mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling and the energetic status of mitochondria with protein turnover rates to reshape the mitochondrial proteome and adjust the cellular metabolism