Modeling the magnetic disturbance of pulsatile blood flow in a static magnetic field.

Non-invasive continuous monitoring of blood flow may be particularly valuable for early detection of different anomalies such as hypovolemia and internal bleeding. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential clinical benefits of photo-plethysmography in detecting hypovolemia before the onset of cardiovascular decompensation. The magnetic sensing method bears advantages of size, weight, and cost along with less stringent body placement rules.

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis--another cause of post malaria cerebellar ataxia.

The aetio-pathogenesis of delayed onset cerebellar ataxia following Plasmodium falciparum malaria is uncertain. An autoimmune demyelinating pathology has been suspected though not yet definitively substantiated. In the present communication we report a case of delayed onset cerebellar ataxia following acute falciparum malaria, where magnetic resonance imaging revealed demyelinating lesions in the pons and cerebellar peduncles which disappeared after resolution of symptoms.

Evaluation of the health and functional status of older Indians as a prelude to the development of a health programme.

Background: An estimated 68 million Indians are above the age of 60 years; however, information on their health status and needs is limited. Experience in developed countries shows that multiple chronic illnesses, nutritional deficiency and functional disability are common features of old age. For the development of any health programme, reliable situational information is essential.

Prolonged pyrexia in a diabetic due to systemic aspergillosis.

Immuno-compromised patients are susceptible to a variety of opportunistic infections. Systemic aspergillosis is one such common infection in neutropenic subjects. A case of primary cutaneous aspergillosis with fungimia in a diabetic is reported.

Preliminary study on circulating serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-Alpha in patients of tuberculosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several non-infectious and infectious diseases including tuberculosis. In a prospective longitudinal study, TNF-α level in blood was estimated by sandwich ELISA using anti human TNF-α antibody, in 22 patients with active pleuro-pulmonary and lymphnode tuberculosis before and after chemotherapy and 8 healthy controls. Six patients and six controls had detectable levels (> 5 pg/ml) of TNF-α in blood.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and hospitalization in all age groups. In temperate climates, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen causing pneumonia. Information on human Mycoplasma infection in India is scarce.

Tuberculosis: a rare cause of splenic abscess.

Splenic abscess is a rare condition associated with septicemic conditions. Splenic abscess due to tuberculosis is still rarer, mostly diagnosed in immuno-compromised hosts. A case of tubercular splenic abscess without any underlying disease is reported.

Clinical presentation and predictors of outcome in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia in adults has a morbidity and mortality ranging between 10% and 25%. Increasing age is associated with a higher mortality. The factors influencing the outcome in elderly patients are thought to be different from those in young adults.

Multi drug resistant tuberculosis.

The prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is increasing globally which has upset tuberculosis treatment and control programmes. The problem has been further complicated by co-infection with HIV virus. Treatment of multi drug resistant tuberculosis is difficult, expensive and requires long duration chemotherapy.