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Background: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by thrombophilic state and obstetrical complications. Prevalence of APS varies in different parts of the world. So this study was conducted to find out the prevalence and pattern of APS in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in this region., Material and Methods: In this hospital based longitudinal study from 2004 to 2011, we studied 193 patients of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for prevalence of APS and its different characteristics. The diagnosis of SLE was made according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria and diagnosis of APS was made according to Sapporo criteria., Results: Prevalence of APS in SLE was 25.38%. Mean age at study entry was 25.5 +/- 6.9 years and majority of APS patients were in the age group 21-30 yrs (44.89%). The most common clinical manifestation in both SLE with APS and SLE without APS was musuloskeletal involvement (79.59% and 84.72% respectively). Among 49 patients of SLE having APS, multisystem involvement was present in 16 patients and life threatening complications were present in 12 patients. Late foetal loss was the most common obstetrical manifestation of APS (26.53%) and deep vein thrombosis was most common thrombotic manifestation (16.32%). Anticardiolipin antibodies(IgG aCL) were the most common antibody (85.71%) detected. Lupus anticoagulant was present in 71.42% cases of SLE having APS. ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies were present in 97.95% and 77.55% cases of SLE having APS., Conclusion: APS is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of SLE. The incidence of secondary APS in SLE varies in different geographical regions and it was 25.38% in our study. Pregnancy morbidity and deep vein thrombosis were the most common complications of APS. IgG aCL was the most common antibody in APS patients. Screening for the presence of aPL antibodies in SLE patients and timely initiation of prophylactic treatment can prevent many of the complications.

Objective: The treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is still not well settled and at times is very frustrating. Number of protocols have been reported with variable results outcome in various conditions. The main pillar of treatment of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is use of immunomodulating and suppressive drugs in various combinations. The herbal preparations have also been reported to have immunomodulating property. The study has been planned to record Immunomodulating and antiproteinuric effect of Hippophae rhamnoides., Material and Methods: In the present study had 2 groups having 28 patients of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in each group have been included. The patients were subjected to haematological, biochemical, immunological investigation at 0, 1, 2 and 3 months interval with dietic advise. Group A have been put on standard treatment, whereas group B on Badriphal in the well worked up doses. The hydroalcoholic extract of 350 mg twice daily of Badriphal was given to group B as add on treatment. Patients were followed up with definite protocol at monthly interval for 3 months., Results: At the end of 3 month patients showed improvement in the symptoms of oedema, anorexia, oliguria in the herbal group. The urinary estimation of protein showed significant decrease in Group B with elevation of S. albumin levels. The inflammatory cytokines has showed significant decrease at the end of 3 month., Conclusion: Thus the pilot study showed beneficial effect of the herbal preparation Hippophae rhamnoides as add on treatment. A large perspective study is recommended to establish these findings.

Objective: Renal calculus disease is associated with recurrence after its surgical removal in large number of cases. Kulattha is acclaimed to have litholytic property in ayurvedic literature. We decided to compare the litholytic property of Kulattha with potassium citrate, an agent used to reduce stone recurrence in modern medicine., Methods: Forty seven patients with diagnosis of calcium oxalate renal calculi were taken in study. Twenty four patients received Kulattha (Group I) and 23 patients were given potassium citrate(Group II) for a period of 6 months. The size of renal calculi was studied by periodic ultrasound assessment in both groups., Results: Mean size of stone in group I at 0 month and at 6 month were 5.42 +/- 1.55 mm and 4.26 +/- 1.2 mm. mean size of stone in group II at 0 month and at 6 month was 6.46 +/- 3.08 mm and 4.64 +/- 1.40 mm. Statistical analysis showed that P value of less than 0.05 was seen in the first group from 0 to 6 month. There was no significant difference in the stone size within group II when the 3rd month and 6th month visit was compared with initial visit., Conclusion: Kulattha can be used to reduce the recurrence of calcium oxalate stone and it is shown to have a better result than the use of conventional potassium citrate in such patients.

Twenty five patients with end stage renal disease were studied to find out the biochemical and hepatic morphological changes during short term haemodialysis. Asymptomatic hepatomegaly was seen in 32% of cases, transaminase elevation in 28% and positive Australia antigen in 12% of cases. Histopathological changes were observed in all the 12 patients in whom liver biopsy was done. Ten patients (82%) exhibited multiple abnormalities. The commonest findings were fatty change (8 patients); hepatic congestion, focal necrosis, Kupffer cell hyperplasia (6 patients each); and portal triaditis (5 patients).