Drug-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in dermatology in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Medical College

Background: Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) affect 2-3% of hospitalized patients. The severity varies from mild itching to life-threatening Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). Hence, this study was undertaken to emphasize the need to report ADRs.Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology in Dr. B.R Ambedkar Medical College Hospital from June to December 2012. Naranjo’s algorithm was used to determine the causality of an ADR. Informed consent was obtained from each patient, and thorough clinical examination was conducted. All the information was carefully recorded in a pre-designed proforma. To establish the etiologic agent for a particular type of reaction, attention was paid to the drug history, temporal correlation with the drug, duration of the reaction, morphology of the reaction, associated mucosal or systemic involvement, improvement of lesions on withdrawal of the drug.Results: In the present study, all the age groups were affected with cutaneous ADRs, with a higher incidence in age group between 31 and 40 years, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (41.66%) were most commonly observed drug, followed by anti-microbials (25%) and anti-convulsants (21.66%). Fixed drug eruptions (FDE) (46.66%) most commonly observed cutaneous reaction, followed by SJS (16.66%), erythema multiformae (16.66%) most commonly observed ADRs.Conclusions: ADRs are potentially avoidable causes for seeking medical care. FDE was most common ADR and NSAIDs were most common causative agents in our study. ADRs can be prevented by avoiding polypharmacy, obtaining history of any previous skin reaction and the causative agent

In vitro shoot tip culture of Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus L.)

Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is an endangered woody plant species of familyLeguminosae with high medicinal value. According to some assessments (Arunakumara et 01. =005)trees of this species are available in Southern parts of Sri Lanka. Ilowever seed propagation of redsandalwood has some constraints like low germination of seeds, dormancy of seeds. fungal growthinside the seed coat, scarcity of plants, seasonal fruit bearing habit of trees (Kumarasinghe et al ,2003). Therefore in vitro shoot tip culture can be applied as an alternative propagation technique forconservation and multiplication of Red sandalwood plants in Sri Lanka.Shoot tips were excised from field grown and plant house grown plants. Experiments were carriedout to identify proper surface steril ization procedures for explants and to identify proper establ ishmentmedia for sterilized explants. NaOCI (10.15.20%) with different exposure times (10. 15.20 minutes)were tested and Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Mccown woody plant (WPM)) media were used asestablishment media with and without activated charcoal (1 g/I). Completely Randomized Design (CRD)with twenty replicates was applied for the study.Results revealed that, usage of 10% NaOCI for 20 minutes exposure time showed highest survivalpercentage (100%) for shoot tips detected from plantlets grown in the plant house where contaminationwere controlled up to zero level. Promotion of auxiliary buds within two weeks after culture initiationand appearance of new leaves within a month were observed in survived cultures. For explantsdetected from field grown plants 10% NaOCI for 15 minutes exposure time showed 70% survivalwhere promotion of auxiliary buds within two weeks time and appearance of new leaves within amonth was observed. Among the two media tested both MS medium and WPM medium were wellsuited for culture establishment of plant house derived explants where 1.0 gr1 activated charcoal wasincorporated or not as an absorbent. However MS medium with 1.0 gl' activated charcoal was thebest medium for explants from field grown plants. Of well established explants, 10% showedadventitious root formation in MS charcoal free medium. Immature stem cuttings showed best growthperformances where semi hard wood stem cuttings showed enlargement of stem diameter and callusformation at cut ends.Further studies are needed to identify proper shoot proliferation and rooting media for establishedshoot tips of red sandalwood. Finally there is a need to identify a suitable 

In vitro shoot tip culture of Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus L.)

Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) is an endangered woody plant species of familyLeguminosae with high medicinal value. According to some assessments (Arunakumara et 01. =005)trees of this species are available in Southern parts of Sri Lanka. Ilowever seed propagation of redsandalwood has some constraints like low germination of seeds, dormancy of seeds. fungal growthinside the seed coat, scarcity of plants, seasonal fruit bearing habit of trees (Kumarasinghe et al ,2003). Therefore in vitro shoot tip culture can be applied as an alternative propagation technique forconservation and multiplication of Red sandalwood plants in Sri Lanka.Shoot tips were excised from field grown and plant house grown plants. Experiments were carriedout to identify proper surface steril ization procedures for explants and to identify proper establ ishmentmedia for sterilized explants. NaOCI (10.15.20%) with different exposure times (10. 15.20 minutes)were tested and Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Mccown woody plant (WPM)) media were used asestablishment media with and without activated charcoal (1 g/I). Completely Randomized Design (CRD)with twenty replicates was applied for the study.Results revealed that, usage of 10% NaOCI for 20 minutes exposure time showed highest survivalpercentage (100%) for shoot tips detected from plantlets grown in the plant house where contaminationwere controlled up to zero level. Promotion of auxiliary buds within two weeks after culture initiationand appearance of new leaves within a month were observed in survived cultures. For explantsdetected from field grown plants 10% NaOCI for 15 minutes exposure time showed 70% survivalwhere promotion of auxiliary buds within two weeks time and appearance of new leaves within amonth was observed. Among the two media tested both MS medium and WPM medium were wellsuited for culture establishment of plant house derived explants where 1.0 gr1 activated charcoal wasincorporated or not as an absorbent. However MS medium with 1.0 gl' activated charcoal was thebest medium for explants from field grown plants. Of well established explants, 10% showedadventitious root formation in MS charcoal free medium. Immature stem cuttings showed best growthperformances where semi hard wood stem cuttings showed enlargement of stem diameter and callusformation at cut ends.Further studies are needed to identify proper shoot proliferation and rooting media for establishedshoot tips of red sandalwood. Finally there is a need to identify a suitable acclimatization procedurefor ill vitro derived plantlets to resume independent growth in the field

In vitro multiplication of Wthnia somnifera auxiliary buds for mass propagation

Wthnia somnifera of family Solanaceae commonly known as Amukkara or Ashwaganda is animportant medicinal perennial herb with long tapering roots. The roots arc widely used in ayurvedicmedicine and prescribed for hiccup, female disorders, cough and rheumatism. Wild and cultivatedforms are available and cultivated plants differ in morphological and therapeutical action from wildones. The annual requirement 01'42347 kg is imported from India spending Rs. 2, 840,449 (lUCN ,20(5). Development ofa method for in vitro mass production of this valuable species would substantiallyreduce the import cost and generate employment opportunities. This study was conducted to developan ill vitro protocol for mass production of W somniferaIn vitro grown seedlings ofW. somniferaweie used to excise single nodal cuttings and cultured onMS (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) medium. The effect ofNAA (0, 0.1,0.2 mg/I) in combination withBAP (0.5., 1.0, 1.5 mg/l) on shoot proliferation was tested in solid and liquid MS media containing twolevels of sucrose (3% and 4%). Proliferation (number of plant lets produced) was observed at weeklyintervals.Highest shoot proliferation rate (I: 20) was observed in solid MS medium containing 3% sucrose and1.5mg/1 BAP after two months. In solid MS medium with 4% sucrose and 1.0 rng/l BAP 1: 10 shootprol iferation rate was observed after two months. During the same time period I: IS shoot prol iferationrate was observed in solid MS medium with 3% sucrose, 0.5 mg/l BAP and 0.2 mg/l NAA, where I:12 proliferation rate was observed when BAP concentration increased up to 1.0 mg/l. Solid MS mediaboth with 3% and 4% sucrose levels and 0.5 mg/l BAP showed some proliferated shoots while othersolid cultures were not proliferated. However cultures containing NAA in addition to BAP enhancerooting of proliferated shoots before transferring the separated shoots to rooting media. The explantsin liquid MS medium with 4% sucrose and 1.0 mg/I BAP, proliferation initiated in one week andgavc 1:40 shoot multiplication rate after two months. Rest of the liquid cultures with different BAPand NAA combinations were not proliferated within the same time duration.Finally it can be concluded that highest shoot proliferation of W sonmifera through single nodalcuttings can be obtained on liquid MS medium with 4% sucrose and 1.0 mg/l BAP.

STUDIES ON PROPAGATION METHODS OF KONTHALAUN (Xylocarpus rumphii)

Konthalaun is a rare plant with medicinal and industrial value. Seeds are used for thepreparation of Ayurvedic medicine caddied "Gopaluguliya" used as a treatment for foodpoisoning and snakebites. Since there is only a small population of Konthalaun treesdistributed along the coastal belt of Sri Lanka, multiplication and conservation of thisplant is of paramount importance.Using nineteen mother trees of Konthalaun selected from four sites in the Galled district.This study was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna and inUnawatuna area in Galle district to develop an efficient propagation method. Threepropagation methods manly stem cuttings, air layering and full mature viable seeds wereused in this study.Seed germination was observed with five treatments.Tl - Soaking in ordinary water (Room T) for 12 hoursT2 - Soaking in hot water for 5 minutes (at 55°qT3 - Peeling the seed coat without damaging the (cotyledents)T4 - Soaking in 15% H2S04 solution for 2 minute and then wash out with distilledwaterTS - Soaking in sea water for 12hoursFor the stem cuttings three types of cuttings were taken and treated withcommercially available homone, (secto) and a control was used (no homones)T 1 - Soft and stem cuttings (3 leaves)T2 - Sproutings (3 leaves)T3 - Hard wood stem cuttings (3 leaves)Hard wood and soft wood branches were air layered. These branches were treated withsecto and those without sccto also severed as the controlSea water treated seeds showed the highest percentage of germination while the lowestgermination percentage was observed in peeled seeds.Three weeks later all the cuttings showed sprouting. But six weeks later all sproutedcuttings in all treatments withered and diedAfter four months all treatments including the control showed root primodia initiationbut the number of root primodia was higher in soft wood than hard wood cuttings.Results showed that seed propagation (seed soaked in sea water) is the easiast method butair layering could also be used as an alternative method.

Unitarizable Representations of the Deformed Para-Bose Superalgebra Uq[osp(1/2)] at Roots of 1

The unitarizable irreps of the deformed para-Bose superalgebra $pB_q$, which is isomorphic to $U_q[osp(1/2)]$, are classified at $q$ being root of 1. New finite-dimensional irreps of $U_q[osp(1/2)]$ are found. Explicit expressions for the matrix elements are written down.Comment: 19 pages, PlainTe

Neural processing of criticism and positive comments from relatives in individuals with schizotypal personality traits

Objectives. High negative expressed emotion by family members towards schizophrenia patients increases the risk of subsequent relapse. The study aimed to determine whether individuals with high schizotypy (HS) and low schizotypy (LS) would differ in activation of brain areas involved in cognitive control when listening to relative criticism

The quantum superalgebra Uq[osp(1/2n)]U_q[osp(1/2n)]: deformed para-Bose operators and root of unity representations

We recall the relation between the Lie superalgebra $osp(1/2n)$ and para-Bose operators. The quantum superalgebra $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$, defined as usual in terms of its Chevalley generators, is shown to be isomorphic to an associative algebra generated by so-called pre-oscillator operators satisfying a number of relations. From these relations, and the analogue with the non-deformed case, one can interpret these pre-oscillator operators as deformed para-Bose operators. Some consequences for $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$ (Cartan-Weyl basis, Poincar\'e-Birkhoff-Witt basis) and its Hopf subalgebra $U_q[gl(n)]$ are pointed out. Finally, using a realization in terms of ``$q$-commuting'' $q$-bosons, we construct an irreducible finite-dimensional unitary Fock representation of $U_q[osp(1/2n)]$ and its decomposition in terms of $U_q[gl(n)]$ representations when $q$ is a root of unity.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX (latex twice), no figure

Regulatory modules controlling maize inflorescence architecture

Genetic control of branching is a primary determinant of yield, regulating seed number and harvesting ability, yet little is known about the molecular networks that shape grain-bearing inflorescences of cereal crops. Here, we used the maize (Zea mays) inflorescence to investigate gene networks that modulate determinacy, specifically the decision to allow branch growth. We characterized developmental transitions by associating spatiotemporal expression profiles with morphological changes resulting from genetic perturbations that disrupt steps in a pathway controlling branching. Developmental dynamics of genes targeted in vivo by the transcription factor RAMOSA1, a key regulator of determinacy, revealed potential mechanisms for repressing branches in distinct stem cell populations, including interactions with KNOTTED1, a master regulator of stem cell maintenance. Our results uncover discrete developmental modules that function in determining grass-specific morphology and provide a basis for targeted crop improvement and translation to other cereal crops with comparable inflorescence architectures