Effect of endotoxin on the immunity of Indian major carp, Labeo rohita.

Endotoxin, a lipopolysaccharide component of outer cell wall membrane of the Gram-negative bacteria is a factor responsible for a number of biological effects including immunostimulatory activities in different animal species including fish. In this study, L. rohita yearlings of weight ranging from 80 to 100g were injected intraperitoneally with 0.

Leiomyoma of the nose.

Leiomyomas are benign neoplasms that are thought to originate from the vascular smooth muscle. They have a propensity to arise from the gastrointestinal tract, female genital tract (uterus) and subcutaneous tissue. The nasal cavity is an uncommon site for a leiomyoma.

Analysis of complex formation and immune response of CFP-10 and ESAT-6 mutants.

ESAT-6 and CFP-10 form a 1:1 heterodimeric complex which contributes to the virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Based on the structure of CFP-10-ESAT-6 complex, we have selected four point mutations each of CFP-10 and ESAT-6 and have analyzed complex formation for the 25 possible combinations between wild-type and mutant CFP-10 and ESAT-6 proteins. We observed that the mutations L25R or F58R of CFP-10 and L29D or L65D of ESAT-6 lead to disruption of complex formation.

Characterization of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase encoded by open reading frame Rv1014c of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

The enzyme peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth, EC 3.1.1.

Nitric oxide for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Background: Pre-eclampsia, a multisystem disorder of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Nitric oxide mediates many functions of the endothelium, including vasodilatation and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Pre-eclampsia may be associated with nitric oxide deficiency, but the evidence to support this suggestion is contradictory.

Antiplatelet agents for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Background: Pre-eclampsia is associated with deficient intravascular production of prostacyclin, a vasodilator, and excessive production of thromboxane, a vasoconstrictor and stimulant of platelet aggregation. These observations led to the hypotheses that antiplatelet agents, low-dose aspirin in particular, might prevent or delay development of pre-eclampsia.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and safety of antiplatelet agents for women at risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Montgomery T-tube: anesthetic management.

The Montgomery T-tube is a device used as a combined tracheal stent and airway after laryngotracheoplasty. It is a valuable option in the management of upper and mid-tracheal lesions. Because its use is sporadic, many anesthesiologists may not be familiar with this device, and its anesthetic management may pose a challenge.

Diuretics for preventing pre-eclampsia.

Background: Diuretics are used to reduce blood pressure and oedema in non-pregnant individuals. Formerly, they were used in pregnancy with the aim of preventing or delaying the development of pre-eclampsia. This practice became controversial when concerns were raised that diuretics may further reduce plasma volume in women with pre-eclampsia, thereby increasing the risk of adverse effects on the mother and baby, particularly fetal growth.

Peptides by extension at the N- or C-terminii of lysine.

Dipeptides 3a-g, (3a + 3a'), (3d + 3d'), (3l + 3l')a and tripeptides 6a-e, (6b + 6b'), (6e + 6e') incorporating Z(epsilon)-Lys were prepared in high yields (70-95%) and enantiopurity (> or =97%) in partially aqueous acetonitrile solution by coupling using (i) Z(epsilon)-Lys with N-(Z- and Fmoc-aminoacyl)benzotriazoles 1a-g, (ii) Z(epsilon)-Lys with N-Z-dipeptidoylbenzotriazoles 5a-c, and (iii) N-Fmoc(alpha)-Z(epsilon)-l-Lys-Bt 1h and amino acids 2a,c-e. Unnatural dipeptides 3h-j, (3h + 3h') and tripeptides 6f were similarly prepared from Z(alpha)-Lys. Retention of chirality was demonstrated by parallel experiments involving l-Ala, dl-Ala, l-Met, and dl-Met by NMR and HPLC analysis.

Tuberculous retropharyngeal abscess in an HIV patient.

With the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the incidence of deep neck space infections and associated life-threatening complications has been on the rise. We describe a case of tubercular retropharyngeal abscess in an HIV-positive patient who developed bilateral parapharyngeal space abscesses and was treated by incision and drainage.

Biliary ascariasis associated with chronic calcific pancreatitis of the tropics.

A case of biliary ascariasis associated with Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis of the tropics in a 50-year-old lady is reported. Although acute pancreatitis is a common complication of biliary ascariasis, there are no reports linking ascariasis to chronic pancreatitis. The association of these two entities in the present case is most probably coincidental as both these entities are not very uncommon in coastal Orissa.

Progesterone for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Background: In the past, progesterone has been advocated for prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications. Although progestogens are not used for this purpose in current clinical practice, it remains relevant to assess the evidence on their possible benefits and harms.

Objectives: To assess the effects of progesterone during pregnancy on the risk of developing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Role of Bupivacaine in reducing post tonsillectomy pain.

Pain following tonsilleclomy is of major concern to both the surgeons and the Anesthesiologists. Pre-incisional Bupivacaine infiltration into the tonsillar fossa has been used as a method of relieving post-operative pain in children. In this study pre-incisional Bupivacaine infiltration into the tonsillar fossa resulted in immediate post-operative pain lasting four to six hours.

Garlic for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Background: The suggestion that garlic may lower blood pressure, inhibit platelet aggregation, and reduce oxidative stress has led to the hypothesis that it may have a role in preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Objectives: To assess the effects of garlic on prevention of pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (February 2006), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 2), and EMBASE (1974 to April 2005).

Drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Background: Very high blood pressure during pregnancy poses a serious threat to women and their babies. Antihypertensive drugs lower blood pressure. Their comparative effects on other substantive outcomes, however, is uncertain.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ESAT-6-CFP-10 complex formation confers thermodynamic and biochemical stability.

The 6-kDa early secretory antigenic target (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein-10 (CFP-10), expressed from the region of deletion-1 (RD1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, are known to play a key role in virulence. In this study, we explored the thermodynamic and biochemical changes associated with the formation of the 1 : 1 heterodimeric complex between ESAT-6 and CFP-10. Using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), we precisely determined the association constant and free energy change for formation of the complex to be 2 x 10(7) M(-1) and -9.

Non-specific immune parameters of brood Indian major carp Labeo rohita and their seasonal variations.

Different non-specific immune parameters and their seasonal changes in brood Indian major carp Labeo rohita reared in two major freshwater aquaculture regions of India viz. West Bengal and Orissa were investigated. It was undertaken for 2 consecutive years and included three main seasons of a year such as summer (March-May), rainy (July-September) and winter (November-January).

Exercise or other physical activity for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications.

Background: The association between an increase in regular physical activity and a reduction in the risk of hypertension is well documented for non-pregnant people. It has been suggested that exercise may help prevent pre-eclampsia and its complications. Possible adverse effects of increased physical activity during pregnancy, particularly on the risk of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction, are unclear.

Rest during pregnancy for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications in women with normal blood pressure.

Background: Women at risk of pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension are sometimes advised to rest. Whether this, overall, does more good than harm is unclear.

Objectives: To assess the effects of rest or advice to reduce physical activity during pregnancy for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications in women with normal blood pressure.

Cysticercosis of tongue - A case report.

Tongue is a rare site for cysticercosis cellulosae. Very few cases of solitary cysticercosis of tongue have been reported. We are reporting one such case.

Drug resistance of HIV-1 protease against JE-2147: I47V mutation investigated by molecular dynamics simulation.

Anti-retroviral therapies for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients are at risk because of drug resistance that has been identified with a number of currently marketed drugs. HIV-1 protease (HIV-pr), a well-validated AIDS therapeutic target, undergoes various mutations leading to resistance such existing drugs. However, the molecular basis of drug resistance of HIV-pr is still not fully understood.