Search

Psoriasis patients are at increased risk of developing metabolic diseases. Proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-α,IGF that are increased in psoriasis play an important role in the development of diabetes mellitus(DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance and their complications.To study prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) using HOMA-IR index in psoriasis patients and its association with severity of psoriasis. To study prevalence of metabolic diseases, macro and microvascular complications of these diseases in psoriasis.A hospital based case control study was conducted involving 102 psoriasis patients and 102 age and sex matched controls. All patients were analysed for the presence of metabolic diseases and their complications.Mean age of cases was 38.41±16.37 years. Majority of cases(58.8%) as well as controls (55.9%) were males. Prevalence of hypertension, prediabetes, DM, raised TG, low HDL, MetS and IR was 46.1%, 28.4%, 27.5%, 42.2%, 31.4%, 31.4% and 48% respectively in cases as compared to 26.5%, 13.7%, 11.8%, 24.3%, 16.7%, 10.8% and 26.5% respectively in controls. However there was no significant difference in obesity (29.4% vs 21.6%, p=0.2024) and LDL among the cases and controls(14.7 %vs 10.8%,p= 0.4). Prevalence of all the metabolic disorders except LDL was significantly higher in cases as compared to that in controls. Prominent complications noted were retinopathy, neuropathy and CVD. With increased psoriasis severity insulin resistance increased.There is a positive correlation of psoriasis with IR and it is associated with increased risk of metabolic diseases and their complications.

Field experiment was conducted in the Department of Soil and Water Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana. In the experiments, drip and furrow irrigation methods were used and their effects on growth and yields of the sweet pepper were observed using split plot design. The irrigation treatments were, drip irrigation with IW/CPE ratio of 0.60(I1), drip irrigation with IW/ CPE ratio of 0.75(I2), drip irrigation with IW/CPE ratio of 0.90(I3), furrow irrigation with paired row planting (I4) and furrow irrigation with single row planting (I5). The dry matter accumulation, number of fruit per plant, fruit size, total yield and water use efficiency were observed highest in I2 treatments. The highest plant height and leaf area index were observed in I3 treatment. The minimum number of days to flowering, fruit initiation and fruit maturity were observed I1 treatments. There were significant effects of irrigation on leaf area index, plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of days to flowering, fruit initiation, fruit maturity, fruit girth, number of fruit per plant, fruit length, yield and WUE. Best drip irrigated treatment I2 gave an increase of 30.67% over I4 and an increase of 33.74% over I5. The percentage of water saving for drip irrigation treatment I1, I2 and I3 were 51.01%, 39.72% and 28.73% respectively over the furrow irrigation treatment. Irrigation treatment I2 gives maximum yield and highest WUE.

An experimental trial was carried out in a split plot design in three replicates to identify the effect of deficit nutrient supply to soilless cucumbers under partially controlled greenhouse environment. The main plots included three levels of fertigation viz. F1=100%, F2=85% and F3=70%. The subplots included three cucumber cultivars viz. V1 (Kafka), V2 (Multistar) and V3 (PBRK-4). A total 256.1 mm of water was applied throughout the season. A significant decrease in mean yield was noticed with a decrease in fertigation level from 100% to 70%. Yield was also affected by cultivars, where the mean yield under V2 was statistically higher from that under V3. Among interaction, the yield under F1V2 was significantly higher from that under F3V3. The water and nutrient use efficiencies were also statistically in agreement with yield. The nutrient use efficiency of macro and micronutrients were in orders of S>P>Mg>N>Ca>K and Cu≥Mo>Zn>B>Mn>Fe respectively. The effect of deficit nutrient supply was undoubtedly reflected in the yield with a significant decline from highest to lowest fertigation level. Likewise, the yield was significantly affetcted by the greenhouse microclimate which was partilly under control. Thus, for obtaining higher fruit yield, there is a need to raise the fertigation level within optimal range or maintain optimal microclimatic conditions or the both.

SUMMARY Forty eight patients of delusional parasitosis seen during a short span of five years were studied and underlying psychosocial factors were analysed. The findings revealed that elderly, married, and illiterate persons of rural area from lower socio-economic stratum were distinctly more affected. The incidence of the disease was greater during the months of May to August. Majority of them had abnormal personality traits and definite psychiatric illness was present in about one third of the patients. The psychosocial factors associated with the disorders are discussed.

Forty-five sites of stable vitiligo in 32 patients refractory to medical treatment were subjected to autologous miniature skin punch grafting. Main instruments used were skin biopsy punches 1-3 mm in diameter. Donor sites selected were either gluteal region or extensor aspect of the thigh which were not affected by the disease in the past. Most of the grafts changed from brown to black and upper scales desquamated within 10-15 days. Uniform perigraft pigmentation was observed by 1-1½ months and 90% area was covered within 3-4 months. The cases were followed up for six months. Fair to excellent results were observed in 87.5% of the cases.

Sixty consecutive patients having multibacillary leprosy were examined for symptoms of nasal involvement and sinusitis. A complete ENT examination was carried out of all these patients and they were subjected to radiological examination of paranasal sinuses. Radiological abnormalities of maxillary antrum were found in 15 of 20 cases of lepromatous leprosy, 6 of 26 cases of borderline lepromatous and in 14 cases of mid-borderline leprosy. Localized or generalized mucosal thickening was the most common finding, followed by opacity of maxillary antrum. Radiological abnormalities were confirmed by antroscopy, which is the most appropriate technique for making an accurate diagnosis of maxillary antral diseases. Initially, antral involvement may begin with a localized area of mucol erythema, progressing to a typical granuloma formation and ulceration. The antero-inferior part of the antrum was found to be the most commonly affected region.

Two antral biopsies each from 104 patients of leprosy and 100 controls were studied to find out the prevalence of H. pylori and associated histopathological changes. Sections were stained with hematoxylene and eosin, AB/PAS (Ph 2.5) and Loeffler's methylene blue stains. Infection by H. pylori, inflammation and atrophy were found to be significantly more in leprosy patients as compared to controls (p0.01,0.005 and0.02 respectively). On comparing the histopathological changes in various subgroups of leprosy, H. pylori, inflammation and activity showed a statistically decreasing trend from tuberculoid to lepromatous subgroups (p0.05,0.001,0.01 respectively). Atrophy showed a significant increasing trend from tuberculoid to lepromatous group (0.001), it is concluded that despite a low prevalence of H. pylori and associated gastritis in patients with lepromatous leprosy, gastric epithelial damage is more marked due to altered immune response.

We discuss the collective excitation spectrum and condensate depletion of a dilute, interacting Bose condensate confined to a harmonic potential, within the Bogoliubov approximation. The spectrum is calculated explicitly for weak coupling based on a variational condensate. We discuss the qualitative nature of this spectrum and make quantitative predictions for future experiments.

The distribution of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in 1922 consecutive patients of the PG Department of Medicine, MLN Medical College, Allahabad, India, from 1978-1988 is reviewed. 95.3% were male; ages ranged from 4 months-72 years; most were aged 20-29 years old. The STDs found in descending order were chancroid in 33.1%, gonorrhea 21.3%, syphilis 16.7%, genital herpes 13.9%, venereal warts 5.41%, balanoposthitis 3.6%, Donovanosis 3.02%, condyloma accuminata 2.5%, lymphogranuloma venereum 1.46%, and molluscum contagiosum 0.62%. 1.14% were mixed infections. In women secondary syphilis was the most common infection. Men almost always reported prostitutes as the source of their illness, while women always cited spouses: 86% of husbands of infected married women had evidence of STDs.

Many different species of fungi have been isolated from the root region of heath plants. In the absence of rapidly growing species,Dark Sterile forms predominated in culture plates. It is suggested that these have an important ecological role in the soil-root interface. AsDS forms do not appear in culture plates easily any floristic list of fungi from the root surface not mentioningDS forms must be accepted with caution. Attention is drawn to the fact that these are truly root-inhabiting fungi possessing some parasitic or mycorrhizal propensities.

A Bengali family had familial biphasic cutaneous amyloidosis in 6 of the 11 members in 3 generations. The propositti developed intense itching, thickening and pigmentation of the skin associated with discrete, brownish black papules bilaterally on the legs, ankles, popliteal fossae and extensor aspects of the thighs. Face, neck, scalp and oral mucosa were spared. There was hyperkeratosis of the palms and soles. None of them had lymphadenopathy, macroglossia, hepatosplenomegaly, neuropathy or gingival hypertrophy.

The study included 53 patients of untreated leprosy attending University Hospital, Banaras Hindu University during study period of 1 1/2 years. The various types of leprosy included 9,14,16 and 14 cases of tuberculoid, borderline, lepromatous and leprosy with type II reaction respectively. Majority of the patients were below the age of 49 years with male preponderance. 66.04% of patients came from the rural area. Painful micturation (dysuria) (13.20%) was the commonest urinary complaint recorded on enquiry. Specific gravity of urine did not show any change. Abnormal proteinuria was noted in 16.98%, 11.32%, 7.54% and 3.77% of patients of leprosy with reaction, lepromatous, borderline and tuberculoid group respectively. Significant haematuria, pyuria and epithelial cells were noted in all the groups. Haematuria was recorded in focal segmental Glomerulonephritis (GN), mesangioproliferative and diffuse endocapillary Glomerulonephritis (GN) incidence of which was 7.89%, 7.89% and 5.26% respectively in the biopsy tissue. Significant pyuria was noticed in all the groups except minimal change GN.

The biliary excretion of [3H] LSD was studied in Wistar and homozygous Gunn rats. In Wistar rats approximately 46% of the given dose was recovered from bile in 2.5 h whilst in the homozygous Gunn rat 26% was recovered in the same time period. In both strains the main metabolites were glucuronides.

After administration of [3H]LSD to male rats, radioactivity was present in all tissues of the reproductive system, notably associated with spermatozoa in the epididymis. In addition, in pregnant rats LSD and/or metabolites readily crossed the placental barrier.

A 7 year old girl had pseudo-ainhum, spina-bifida occulta, A hemivertebra and focal, neurogical deficit. The disease process was progressive for the last three years leading to amputation of the third digit and formation of constricting bands around -the fourth and the fifth digits of the left foot.

MANY techniques have been devised to study the microflora of the root-surface. Washing techniques have been devised and used by various workers1–7 for certain specific purposes. A clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the washing techniques was provided only by Harley and Waid5. In a study of the root-surface fungal population of beech, they made serial washings in sterile water and estimated the degree of completeness of the removal of fungi by the dilution plate method. They found that most of the detachable fungal units were removed in the first 10 washes. A fairly constant number of isolations were obtained thereafter by plating 0.5-cm root fragments. These isolations were thought to represent the fungal population of the root surface living in an active mycelial state.