STUDY OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT

Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of disability worldwide. Plasma homocysteine concentration is one of the emerging modifiable risk factor for stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fasting homocysteine level in different type of stroke (Ischemia & Hemorrhage). MATERIAL & METHOD: The present study is case control study in which 90 patients with diagnosis of stroke (intracerebral infarct & hemorrhage) were enrolled and fasting serum homocysteine were measured in all and its comparison was done with matched healthy controls. Result: In study group the mean serum homocysteine level is 31.47±39.89µmol/L and in control group 16.62±22.08µmol/L, it indicates that serum homocysteine level is highly significantly raised (P value < 0.0001) in cases of stroke compared with control patients. However there is no significant difference in homocysteine level between intracerebral infarct and intracerebral hemorrhage (P= 0.5817). There is significant relationship of raised serum homocysteine level with hypertension & smoking. Conclusion: The present study revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be an important risk factor for cerebrovascular accidents. It is therefore important to use serum homocysteine level as an important tool to investigate all cases of cerebrovascular accidents and also in those who are at risk of developing stroke

STUDY OF SERUM HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS IN CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT

Background: Stroke is the second most common cause of death and major cause of disability worldwide. Plasma homocysteine concentration is one of the emerging modifiable risk factor for stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fasting homocysteine level in different type of stroke (Ischemia & Hemorrhage). MATERIAL & METHOD: The present study is case control study in which 90 patients with diagnosis of stroke (intracerebral infarct & hemorrhage) were enrolled and fasting serum homocysteine were measured in all and its comparison was done with matched healthy controls. Result: In study group the mean serum homocysteine level is 31.47±39.89µmol/L and in control group 16.62±22.08µmol/L, it indicates that serum homocysteine level is highly significantly raised (P value < 0.0001) in cases of stroke compared with control patients. However there is no significant difference in homocysteine level between intracerebral infarct and intracerebral hemorrhage (P= 0.5817). There is significant relationship of raised serum homocysteine level with hypertension & smoking. Conclusion: The present study revealed that hyperhomocysteinemia appears to be an important risk factor for cerebrovascular accidents. It is therefore important to use serum homocysteine level as an important tool to investigate all cases of cerebrovascular accidents and also in those who are at risk of developing stroke

A RARE CASE OF SPACE OCCUPYING LESION OF BRAINSTEM IN AN ELDERLY MALE PATIENT

An elderly male patient aged 65 presented to us with history of swaying towards left side of the body since 1 month with normal higher mental functions and neurological examination suggestive of cerebellar ataxia. MRI Brain plus contrast was suggestive of an irregular, ill-defined heterogeneous enhancing lesion with few necrotic areas within and few foci of blooming on FFE (Fast Field Echo imaging technique) with significant perilesional oedema involving right thalamus and brainstem showing Choline peak on MR Spectroscopy. Keywords: Neurological examination; Cerebellar ataxia; MRI brain; FFE

A RARE CASE OF SPACE OCCUPYING LESION OF BRAINSTEM IN AN ELDERLY MALE PATIENT

An elderly male patient aged 65 presented to us with history of swaying towards left side of the body since 1 month with normal higher mental functions and neurological examination suggestive of cerebellar ataxia. MRI Brain plus contrast was suggestive of an irregular, ill-defined heterogeneous enhancing lesion with few necrotic areas within and few foci of blooming on FFE (Fast Field Echo imaging technique) with significant perilesional oedema involving right thalamus and brainstem showing Choline peak on MR Spectroscopy. Keywords: Neurological examination; Cerebellar ataxia; MRI brain; FFE

BARTTER\u27S SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE: Bartter\u27s syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by renal salt wasting, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. CASE REPORT: A 32 years old male patient presented to casualty with complaints of generalised weakness and chest pain of 15 days duration. Patient had pallor, with loss of buccal pad of fat, skin turgor was lost, and extremities were cold. PR-90bpm, feeble, BP-50/40mmHg. History of similar complaints 1 month back for which he was hospitalised for 15 days and was not completely relieved of symptoms. The differential diagnosis of metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia without hypertension are; 1. Bartter\u27s syndrome, 2. Gitelman\u27s syndrome, 3. Surreptitious vomiting and 4. Diuretic abuse. CONCLUSION: Acquired Bartter\u27s and Gitelman\u27s like syndromes have been described with autoimmune disorders, sarcoidosis and various drugs. This patient could have a yet undetected or unknown mutation of a protein which has a structural or a functional role in renal tubular cells (of Loop of Henle). KEY WORDS: Bartter\u27s syndrome; Renal salt wasting; Hypokalemia; Metabolic alkalosis; Sarcoidosis

BARTTER'S SYNDROME

OBJECTIVE: Bartter's syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by renal salt wasting, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. CASE REPORT: A 32 years old male patient presented to casualty with complaints of generalised weakness and chest pain of 15 days duration. Patient had pallor, with loss of buccal pad of fat, skin turgor was lost, and extremities were cold. PR-90bpm, feeble, BP-50/40mmHg. History of similar complaints 1 month back for which he was hospitalised for 15 days and was not completely relieved of symptoms. The differential diagnosis of metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia without hypertension are; 1. Bartter's syndrome, 2. Gitelman's syndrome, 3. Surreptitious vomiting and 4. Diuretic abuse. CONCLUSION: Acquired Bartter's and Gitelman's like syndromes have been described with autoimmune disorders, sarcoidosis and various drugs. This patient could have a yet undetected or unknown mutation of a protein which has a structural or a functional role in renal tubular cells (of Loop of Henle). KEY WORDS: Bartter's syndrome; Renal salt wasting; Hypokalemia; Metabolic alkalosis; Sarcoidosis

A VERY INFREQUENT ASSOCIATION OF WILLIAM-BEURAN SYNDROME AND TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

WB-S Autosomal Dominant Disorder is the most common genetic disorder. We report a case of 20 year old with infrequent association of WBS and TOF. Clinical examination and ECHO confirmed TOF, WB-S was suspected based on the clinical signs used in the scoring system of WB-S which were described by AAP(2001), FISH study was performed in this patient because of having more than 3 clinical signs of WB-S and FISH study showed 7q11.23 deletion and remains the gold standard laboratory investigation for WB-S. KEYWORDS: Tetralogy of Fallot; William Beuren Syndrome; Clinical Diagnosis; Fluroscence In Situ Hybridisation

A VERY INFREQUENT ASSOCIATION OF WILLIAM-BEURAN SYNDROME AND TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

WB-S Autosomal Dominant Disorder is the most common genetic disorder. We report a case of 20 year old with infrequent association of WBS and TOF. Clinical examination and ECHO confirmed TOF, WB-S was suspected based on the clinical signs used in the scoring system of WB-S which were described by AAP(2001), FISH study was performed in this patient because of having more than 3 clinical signs of WB-S and FISH study showed 7q11.23 deletion and remains the gold standard laboratory investigation for WB-S. KEYWORDS: Tetralogy of Fallot; William Beuren Syndrome; Clinical Diagnosis; Fluroscence In Situ Hybridisation

Preventing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum infections by anti-adhesion-active components of edible seeds

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Pseudomonas aeruginosa </it>adhesion to animal/human cells for infection establishment involves adhesive proteins, including its galactose- and fucose-binding lectins PA-IL (LecA) and PA-IIL (LecB). The lectin binding to the target-cell receptors may be blocked by compatible glycans that compete with those of the receptors, functioning as anti-adhesion glycodecoys. The anti-adhesion treatment is of the utmost importance for abrogating devastating antibiotic-resistant <it>P. aeruginosa </it>infections in immunodeficient and cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. This strategy functions in nature in protecting embryos and neonates. We have shown that PA-IL, PA-IIL, and also CV-IIL (a PA-IIL homolog produced in the related pathogen <it>Chromobacterium violaceum</it>) are highly useful for revealing natural glycodecoys that surround embryos in diverse avian eggs and are supplied to neonates in milks and royal jelly. In the present study, these lectins were used as probes to search for seed embryo-protecting glycodecoys.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The lectin-blocking glycodecoy activities were shown by the hemagglutination-inhibition test. Lectin-binding glycoproteins were detected by Western blotting with peroxidase-labeled lectins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The present work reports the finding - by using PA-IL, PA-IIL, and CV-IIL - of rich glycodecoy activities of low (< 10 KDa) and high MW (> 10 kDa) compounds (including glycoproteins) in extracts of cashew, cocoa, coffee, pumpkin, and tomato seeds, resembling those of avian egg whites, mammal milks, and royal jelly.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Edible seed extracts possess lectin-blocking glycodecoys that might protect their embryos from infections and also might be useful for hampering human and animal infections.</p

A study on trypsin, Aspergillus flavus and Bacillus sp. protease inhibitory activity in Cassia tora (L.) syn Senna tora (L.) Roxb. seed extract

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proteases play an important role in virulence of many human, plant and insect pathogens. The proteinaceous protease inhibitors of plant origin have been reported widely from many plant species. The inhibitors may potentially be used for multiple therapeutic applications in viral, bacterial, fungal diseases and physiological disorders. In traditional Indian medicine system, <it>Cassia tora </it>(<it>Senna tora</it>) is reportedly effective in treatment of skin and gastrointestinal disorders. The present study explores the protease inhibitory activity of the above plant seeds against trypsin, <it>Aspergillus flavus </it>and <it>Bacillus </it>sp. proteases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The crushed seeds of <it>Cassia tora </it>were washed thoroughly with acetone and hexane for depigmentation and defatting. The proteins were fractionated by ammonium sulphate (0-30, 30-60, 60-90%) followed by dialysis and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The inhibitory potential of crude seed extract and most active dialyzed fraction against trypsin and proteases was established by spot test using unprocessed x-ray film and casein digestion methods, respectively. Electrophoretic analysis of most active fraction (30-60%) and SEC elutes were carried employing Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Gelatin SDS-PAGE. Inhibition of fungal spore germination was studied in the presence of dialyzed active inhibitor fraction. Standard deviation (SD) and ANOVA were employed as statistical tools.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The crude seeds' extract displayed strong antitryptic, bacterial and fungal protease inhibitory activity on x-ray film. The seed protein fraction 30-60% was found most active for trypsin inhibition in caseinolytic assay (P < 0.001). The inhibition of caseinolytic activity of the proteases increased with increasing ratio of seed extract. The residual activity of trypsin, <it>Aspergillus flavus </it>and <it>Bacillus </it>sp. proteases remained only 4, 7 and 3.1%, respectively when proteases were incubated with 3 mg ml^-1seed protein extract for 60 min. The inhibitory activity was evident in gelatin SDS-PAGE where a major band (~17-19 kD) of protease inhibitor (PI) was detected in dialyzed and SEC elute. The conidial germination of <it>Aspergillus flavus </it>was moderately inhibited (30%) by the dialyzed seed extract.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Cassia tora </it>seed extract has strong protease inhibitory activity against trypsin, <it>Aspergillus flavus </it>and <it>Bacillus </it>sp. proteases. The inhibitor in <it>Cassia tora </it>may attenuate microbial proteases and also might be used as phytoprotecting agent.</p