Autopsy findings in a case of tuberous sclerosis.

Tuberous sclerosis is a neurocutaneous disorder with autosomal dominant inheritance. It is characterized by the triad of seizures, mental retardation, angiofibromas of the face though the triad is not always complete. We incidentally encountered a case of tuberous sclerosis in a case of hanging.

Donor demographic and laboratory predictors of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in an ethnically diverse population.

A reliable estimate of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may identify donors at risk for poor mobilization and help optimize transplantation approaches. We studied 639 allogeneic PBSC collections performed in 412 white, 75 black, 116 Hispanic, and 36 Asian/Pacific adult donors who were prescribed G-CSF dosed at either 10 or 16 microg/kg per day for 5 days followed by large-volume leukapheresis (LVL). Additional LVL (mean, 11 L) to collect lymphocytes for donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) and other therapies was performed before G-CSF administration in 299 of these donors.

The impact of advanced chronic kidney disease on in-hospital mortality following percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The impact of advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the acute phase of myocardial infarction is poorly understood. We assessed the impact of CKD (stages 3-5) on the in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing PCI for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a statewide registry.

Methods: This study evaluated all patients who underwent PCI in New York State between 1997 and 1999.

When, how, and why should sinus rhythm be restored in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation?

The results of the AFFIRM (Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management) trial indicate that the rate control strategy is preferred for the majority of patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). If the patient remains symptomatic despite adequate rate control or if rate control cannot be achieved, then rhythm control therapies are indicated. The most likely explanation for the disappointing results of the AFFIRM trial is the poor efficacy and excessive toxicity of rhythm control medications, because the presence of sinus rhythm was associated with a favorable prognosis in AFFIRM.

Aetiological diagnosis of microbial keratitis in South India - a study of 1618 cases.

Purpose: To identify the specific microbial pathogens responsible for corneal ulceration in South India and compare these profiles with other series.

Methods: All patients with infectious keratitis who presented between 20th September 1999 and 31st March 2001 were evaluated. They were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscopy and corneal scrapings were performed for cultures and smears by using standard protocols.

Epidemiology of bacterial keratitis in a referral centre in south India.

Purpose: To study the epidemiological characteristics of bacterial keratitis seen at a tertiary eye care referral centre in south India.

Methods: A retrospective review of medical records of all culture-positive bacterial keratitis which were seen over a 3 years period, from September 1999 through August 2002 was performed. After clinical evaluation corneal scrapings were collected and subjected to culture and microscopy using standard protocols in all patients.

Nocardia asteroides keratitis in south India.

Purpose: To determine the risk factors, microbiological features, clinical features and other epidemiological characteristics of Nocardia keratitis seen at a tertiary eye care centre in south India.

Methods: We evaluated 31 patients with Nocardia keratitis seen over two years, from September 1999 to September 2001. Corneal scrapings were subjected to microscopy and culture using standard protocols.

Nocardia asteroides canaliculitis: a case report of uncommon aetiology.

Ocular nocardiosis is an opportunistic infection and is believed to be a rare entity. We describe a rare case report of a patient with culture-positive Nocardia asteroides canaliculitis who presented with complaints of watering, purulent discharge and painful swelling of left lower eye lid. A purulent tenacious material was expressed from the punctum of lower eye lid and subjected to microbiological investigations such as smears and cultures.

Anemia in heart failure--a concise review.

Heart failure affects 5 million persons in the United States, with 400,000 new cases occurring every year. Paradoxically, although advances in coronary angioplasty and effective drugs have increased survival post infarction, the myocardial damage and subsequent neurohormonal activation-induced remodeling causes significant morbidity years later in the form of heart failure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) together with beta blockers modify the neurohormonal activation associated with heart failure and are key treatments for improving cardiac function and survival.

Epidemiological characteristics and laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis. A three-year study.

Purpose: To study the epidemiological characteristics and laboratory diagnosis of fungal keratitis seen at a tertiary eye care referral centre in South India.

Methods: A retrospective review of all culture-proven fungal keratitis seen over a 3-year period, September 1999 through August 2002.

Results: Fungal aetiology were confirmed in 1095 (34.

Allele and genotype frequency of CYP2C9 in Tamilnadu population.

Objectives: To identify the frequency of CYP2C9*1, *2 and *3 alleles and the genotype of CYP2C9 gene in the Tamilian population.

Methods: The study was conducted on 135 unrelated healthy human volunteers. DNA was extracted from the peripheral leukocytes samples and was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) protocol.

Allele and genotype frequency of CYP2C19 in a Tamilian population.

Aims: To investigate the frequencies of CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 alleles and CYP2C19 genotypes in a Tamilian population.

Methods: The study was conducted in 112 unrelated healthy human volunteers. DNA was extracted from leucocytes and analyzed by the PCR-RFLP protocol.

Removal of a single pore subcomplex results in vertebrate nuclei devoid of nuclear pores.

The vertebrate nuclear pore complex, 30 times the size of a ribosome, assembles from a library of soluble subunits and two membrane proteins. Using immunodepletion of Xenopus nuclear reconstitution extracts, it has previously been possible to assemble nuclei lacking pore subunits tied to protein import, export, or mRNA export. However, these altered pores all still possessed the bulk of pore structure.

In-vitro efficacy of antibacterials against bacterial isolates from corneal ulcers.

Purpose: To analyse the in-vitro efficacy of commonly used antibacterials against bacterial pathogens from corneal ulcers.

Methods: We evaluated 596 patients seen over 18 months, period, September 1999 through March 2001. Corneal scrapings were subjected to microscopy and cultures using standard protocols.

Gastric antisecretory and antiulcer activity of oxytocin in rats and guinea pigs.

The effect of oxytocin (1 mg/kg s.c) on gastric acid secretion and on different experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcers was studied. The acute gastric ulcer models used were pylorus ligation, indomethacin, ethanol and histamine induced acute gastric ulcers.

Effect of centrally administered oxytocin on gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of centrally administered oxytocin and its receptor antagonist, atosiban, on gastric acid secretion and on experimentally induced gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Methods: The acute gastric ulcer models, such as pylorus ligation, indomethacin-induced and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers were used. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced by acetic acid and duodenal ulcers by cysteamine HCl.

Novel vertebrate nucleoporins Nup133 and Nup160 play a role in mRNA export.

RNA undergoing nuclear export first encounters the basket of the nuclear pore. Two basket proteins, Nup98 and Nup153, are essential for mRNA export, but their molecular partners within the pore are largely unknown. Because the mechanism of RNA export will be in question as long as significant vertebrate pore proteins remain undiscovered, we set out to find their partners.

Effect of centrally administered prolactin on gastric and duodenal ulcers in rats.

The effect of centrally administered prolactin on gastric acid secretion and experimentally-induced gastric and duodenal ulcers was studied. The acute gastric ulcer models used were pylorus ligation, indomethacin-induced and ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Chronic gastric ulcers were induced using acetic acid and duodenal ulcers by cysteamine hydrochloride.

Nuclear pores and nuclear assembly.

Communication between the nucleus and cytoplasm occurs through large macromolecular structures, the nuclear pores. Quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy has estimated the mass of a nuclear pore to be 60 million Daltons in yeast and 120 million Daltons in vertebrates. The past two years were noteworthy in that they saw: 1) the purification of both the yeast and vertebrate nuclear pores, 2) the initial description of routes through the pore for specific transport receptors, 3) glimpses of intranuclear organization imposed by the nuclear pores and envelope and 4) the revelation of new and pivotal roles for the small GTPase Ran not only in nuclear import but in spindle assembly and nuclear membrane fusion.

Effect of two types of Indian breakfast on bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil.

Background & Objectives: The oral bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil is enhanced by food. This study was done to compare the effect of two types of Indian breakfast on the bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Eight healthy male volunteers participated in the crossover study.

Central venous catheter related infections.

Infusion therapy carries a substantial risk of producing iatrogenic sepsis, bacteremia or fungemia originating from the device used for vascular access or from the contaminated infusate. This study, a semiquantitative assay of the central venous catheter tips (CVC) was carried out and correlated with the blood culture results to determine the probable cause of sepsis in our post operated patients. One thousand six hundred and thirty one surgeries were performed in the Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases from January to December 1997.

Vaults are the answer, what is the question?

Vaults are large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles of eukaryotic cells, whose considerable abundance and striking evolutionary conservation argue for an important general cellular function. Early studies on vaults focused on the structural features and cellular distribution of the particle and will only be summarized briefly here. In this article, we discuss the molecular characterization of vault components and describe genetic studies carried out in Dictyostelium.