Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Peanut by Application of Endophytic Bacteria.

The development of salinity affects 7% of the world's land surface, acting as a major constraint to crop productivity. This study attempted to use the co-evolving endophytes of peanut to alleviate salinity stress and enhance the yield of peanut. Diverse and different tissue colonizing endophytes were isolated from peanut and screened by seed germination bioassay imposing gradients of salinity, with two cultivars TG37A (susceptible) and GG2 (moderately resistant), in potted conditions using saline irrigation water.

Vitamin D levels during and after resolution of ketoacidosis in children with new onset Type 1 diabetes.

Aim: To study the effect of ketoacidosis on measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in children with new onset Type 1 diabetes.

Methods: Measurement of pH and bicarbonate levels was carried out in children with newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes at presentation with ketoacidosis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 estimation was carried out at presentation (timepoint 1) and 1 month later (timepoint 2).

Low levels of vitamin D in North Indian children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes.

Background: To find out whether vitamin D levels are lower in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (T1D) as compared to non-diabetic subjects.

Methods: Plasma levels of vitamin D (25-OHD) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 50 children aged between 6 and 12 yr within a week of diagnosis of T1D, and in 50 healthy children.

Results: The mean levels of vitamin D were significantly lower in patients as compared to their controls [20.

Pleuropulmonary zygomycosis in a diabetic child.

A 12 yr old girl with type 1 diabetes presented in ketoacidosis and consolidation of left lower lobe along with left pleural effusion. A diagnosis of mucormycosis was made on smear examination of an exudative pleural aspirate. Left lower lobe lobectomy was performed along with drainage of pleural collection with tube thoracostomy.

Childhood lupus nephritis: 12 years experience from North India.

Twenty-five children (20 girls and five boys) with lupus nephritis seen over last 12 years, were evaluated. Twenty underwent renal biopsies. Cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was used in eight patients (median 14 pulses, range 6-16) with severe disease or histological class.

Hypocalcaemia following therapy of thyrotoxicosis in an infant.

Unlabelled: A 2-mo-old infant born to a mother with Graves' disease and having symptoms of thyrotoxicosis was started on antithyroid drugs. Life-threatening hypocalcaemia requiring high-dose calcium infusions developed 1 mo after starting therapy. Serum alkaline phosphatase and paratharmone levels were elevated.

Serum lipids in north Indian children treated for kawasaki disease.

A prospective cross sectional analysis of serum lipids was carried out in 20 children aged between 1.3 and 16 years with Kawasaki disease (KD). The controls were siblings of other patients.

Paradoxical embolism through patent foramen ovale causing cerebellar infarction in a young boy.

A previously healthy young boy who suffered an acute stroke involving superior cerebellar artery circulation is presented here. Echocardiography revealed a patent foramen ovale through which paradoxical embolism had probably occurred. Low dose aspirin was started and surgical closure was planned to prevent further recurrences.

Mortality patterns in childhood lupus--10 years' experience in a developing country.

Over the last 10 years we have seen 31 children with systemic lupus: 10 (32%) of these have died. The commonest primary determinant of mortality was uncontrolled disease activity (60%), possibly contributed to by late referrals leading to delays in diagnosis and the institution of therapy. Thromboembolic disease was responsible for two deaths and tuberculosis for one.

Severe Henoch-Schönlein nephritis: resolution with azathioprine and steroids.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of long-term azathioprine and steroids for treatment of severe nephritis in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Methods: Analysis of case records of children with HSP followed up for a mean duration of 4.7 years (range 6 months-6.

Disabling pansclerotic morphea of childhood and hypogammaglobulinemia: a curious association.

This communication describes a 1.5-year-old girl who presented with multiple episodes of infection since early infancy and stiffening of limbs for 2 months. Biopsy of the involved areas showed features consistent with pansclerotic morphea.

Ptosis in late infantile Tay-Sachs disease.

The brief communication describes a 2-year-old child who presented with delayed achievement and regression of milestones, seizures of multiple types, exaggerated response to sound, inability to see and bilateral cherry red spots. In addition to these typical manifestations of the late infantile variety of Tay-sachs disease, unilateral ptosis was present. The magnetic resonance imaging of brain revealed abnormalities consistent with an advanced stage of the disease.

Efficacy of nebulized budesonide compared to oral prednisolone in acute bronchial asthma.

To evaluate the efficacy of nebulized budesonide compared to oral prednisolone early in the emergency room management of acute asthma, we conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eighty children, 2 years to 12 years of age, with acute moderate attacks of asthma, were randomized into two groups. One group received nebulized salbutamol (0.