Search

Introduction: Macrophage Activation Syndrome (MAS) is a rare but potentially fatal complication in rheumatic diseases. Here, we report the case of a 14-year-old girl with MAS as the primary manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). She had three episodes of MAS during the course of her treatment. This case is unique as recurrent MAS in pediatric SLE is rare. Methods: Demographic, clinical, laboratory features and outcomes of our patient was noted. We also reviewed the two reported cases of recurrent MAS in pediatric SLE. Literature review was performed on PubMed search forum. Search items included Macrophage activation syndrome, pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus, recurrent MAS. Conclusion: The diagnosis and management of MAS are challenging as it can simulate an infectious complication or can be the exacerbation of the underlying disease. Early detection and prompt treatment can reduce morbidity in these patients.

In this review, genes and transcripts that play important roles in the vegetative and reproductive development of bamboos along with their stress responses have been discussed and a few yet unresolved research questions have been identified. Bamboos, a member of the family Poaceae, sub-family Bambusoideae hosts approximately 1670 species within 125 genera and are distributed in Asia, America and Africa. Bamboos are used as food, fodder, medicine and also for construction, furniture and handicrafts. Bamboos also have potential as bioenergy plants for their fast shoot growth, attaining a final height of 5–20 m within only 2–4 months. They are less prone to diseases, can grow under a variety of environmental conditions, and can withstand a wide range of abiotic stresses. For fundamental research, the plant group can serve as a model to address interesting evolutionary and developmental biological questions related to its unusually extended flowering time and its expansion of gene families as a result of polyploidization. However, genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic research progress to date does not reflect the utility and research opportunities of this species group, although the first bamboo genome sequences of Phyllostachys heterocycla (= Phyllostachys edulis/moso bamboo) are available. The objective of this article is to review the current state of bamboo genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic research, and to highlight important research directions that can be pursued using these technologies.

Flowering is one of the most important physiological processes of plants that ensures continuity of genetic flow from one generation to the next and also maintains food security. Therefore, impact of various climate-related abiotic stresses on flowering have been assessed to evaluate the long-term impact of global climate change. In contrast to the enormous volume of research that has been conducted at the genetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and protein level, much less attention has been paid to understand the role of various metabolites in flower induction and floral organ development during normal growth or in stressed environmental condition. This review article aims at summarizing information on various primary (e.g., carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acid derivatives, protein and amino acids) and secondary metabolites (e.g., polyamines, phenolics, neuro-indoles, phenylpropanoid, flavonoids and terpenes) that have so far been identified either during flower induction or in individual floral organs implying their possible role in organ development. Specialized metabolites responsible for flower colour, scent and shape to support plant-pollinator interaction have been extensively reviewed by many research groups and hence are not considered in this article. Many of the metabolites discussed here may be used as metabolomarkers to identify tolerant crop genotypes. Several agrochemicals have been successfully used to release endodormancy in temperate trees. Along the same line, a strategy that combines metabolite profiling, screening of small-molecule libraries, and structural alteration of selected compounds has been proposed in order to identify novel lead compounds that can regulate flowering time when applied exogenously.

Fructus lycii (F. lycii) is an exotic “berry-type” fruit of the plant Lycium barbarum that is characterized by a complex mixture of bioactive compounds distinguished by their high antioxidant potential. F. lycii is used in traditional Chinese home cooking and in the Chinese Pharmacopeia as an aid to vision and longevity as well as a remedy for diabetes to balance “yin” and “yang” in the body for about two centuries. Although a myriad of bioactive compounds have been isolated from F. lycii, polysaccharides, carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics represent the key functional components of F. lycii. F. lycii has been shown to exhibit a wide range of biological activities in experimental settings including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and neuroprotective effects. Despite its medicinal role dating back to the eighteenth century in the Far East and robust evidence of beneficial effects on ocular health and retinal diseases originating mainly from studies in animal models, the role of F. lycii in the clinical management of retinal diseases is yet to be established. This article comprehensively reviews the literature germane to F. lycii and retinal diseases with particular emphasis on age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa, which are commonly seen in clinical practice.

Background: In developing countries 40 % children suffer from mal-nutrition. It has been shown that a good nutritional status can reduce complications of treatment, strengthen the immune system and contribute to the patient’s general well being throughout treatment. A good nutritional status is therefore essential for optimal treatment of a leukemic child. The aim of our study was to see the nutritional status of leukemic children on diagnosis and effect of nutrition on outcome of therapy. Material & Methods: During period from January 2004 to December 2007 we prospectively analyzed the nutritional status of 400 paediatric patients in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, a tertiary cancer center of Eastern India. The age of the patients were 1 to 18 years (median age 12.5 years). The parameter analyzed were weight for age, height for age, total protein, serum albumin and skin fold thickness. The weight for age, height for age and skin fold thickness were taken as normal if they were between 3rd and 97th percentile curve of the growth chart recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The albumin level and the total protein was considered normal if the value is equal to or more than 3gm% and 5.8gm% respectively. Result: It was seen that total 56 patients (14% children) were low weight for age, 40 patients (10% children) were low height and 67 patients (16.75% children) had low mid arm circumference. Total 44 patients (11% children) had low serum albumin while 80 patients (20% children) had low serum protein. It was found that low weight for age, low serum albumin and low mid arm circumference were significance factors in remission induction, disease free survival and toxicity of chemotherapy (p < 0.005). Conclusion: We conclude that mal-nutrition is a major finding in cancer patients with leukemia in developing country like ours. The patient with mal-nutrition had less remission in induction, disease free survival and more toxicities during therapy as compared to well-nourished children.

B139 Background The solid content of juice made from wheat grass is 70% chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is often referred to as “The blood of plant life” and has almost the same chemical structure as hemoglobin. Chlorophyll cleanses the blood by improving the supply of oxygen to the circulatory system. Wheat grass is also a complete protein with about 30 enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Wheat grass juice has been proven over many years to benefit people in numerous ways, building the blood, restoring balance in the body, removing toxic metals from the cells, nourishing the liver and kidneys and restoring vitality. The aim of our study was to see the effect of wheat grass juice in terminally ill cancer patients to improve the quality of life. Methods During period from January 2003 to December 2007 we selected 600 solid organ cancer patients in our palliative care unit of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute to see the effect of wheat grass on improvement of hemoglobin level, serum protein and performance status on terminally ill cancer patients. The age range of the patients was 22 year to 87 year (median age 42 years). The different types of cancers were lung (25%), breast (20%), esophagus (11%), colon (9%), ovary (8%), hepatocellular carcinoma (6%), stomach (6%) and others (15%) respectively. We cultivated wheat grass on our campus. When the grasses were 5 days old we took the fresh leaves including roots and made fresh juice out of that and gave 30 ml of juice to all our 400 cancer patients for 6 continuous months. Result The mean levels of hemoglobin, serum total protein, albumin and performance status were 8 gm%, 5.4 gm%, 2.2 gm% and 50%. Fifty patients required transfusion support and those patients were excluded from the study. Other 348 patients are evaluated 6 months after receiving wheat grass juice. The mean values for hemoglobin, total protein and albumin were improved significantly (p value < .005) and means of 9.6 gm%, 7.4 gm% and 3.1 gm% were observed. White blood cell and platelet count were the same in both the cases. The performance status was improved from 50% to 70% (Karnofsky) after wheat grass treatment. Conclusion We concluded that wheat grass juice is an effective alternative of blood transfusion. It’s use in terminally ill cancer patients should be encouraged. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B139.

B137 Background In developing countries 40 % children suffer from mal-nutrition. It has been shown that a good nutritional status can reduce complications of treatment, strengthen the immune system and contribute to the patient’s general well being throughout treatment. A good nutritional status is therefore essential for optimal treatment of a leukemic child. The aim of our study was to see the nutritional status of leukemic children on diagnosis and effect of nutrition on outcome of therapy. Material & Methods During period from January 2004 to December 2007 we prospectively analyzed the nutritional status of 400 paediatric patients in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Cancer Research Institute, a tertiary cancer center of Eastern India. The age of the patients were 1 to 18 years (median age 12.5 years). The parameter analyzed were weight for age, height for age, total protein, serum albumin and skin fold thickness. The weight for age, height for age and skin fold thickness were taken as normal if they were between 3rd and 97th percentile curve of the growth chart recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research. The albumin level and the total protein was considered normal if the value is equal to or more than 3gm% and 5.8gm% respectively. Result It was seen that total 56 patients (14% children) were low weight for age, 40 patients (10% children) were low height, and 67 patients (16.75% children) had low mid arm circumference. Total 44 patients (11% children) had low serum albumin while 80 patients (20% children) had low serum protein. It was found that low weight for age, low serum albumin and low mid arm circumference were significance factors in remission induction, disease free survival and toxicity of chemotherapy (p < 0.005). Conclusion We conclude that mal-nutrition is a major finding in cancer patients with leukemia in developing country like ours. The patient with mal-nutrition had less remission in induction, disease free survival and more toxicities during therapy as compared to well-nourished children. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B137.