Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Exploring microbial diversity in hot springs of Surajkund, India through 16S rRNA analysis and thermozyme characterization from endogenous isolates

Hot springs are a valuable source of biologically significant chemicals due to their high microbial diversity. To investigate the possibilities for industrial uses of these bacteria, researchers collected water and sediment samples from variety of hot springs. Our investigation employed both culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques, including 16S-based marker gene analysis of the microbiota from the hot springs of Surajkund, Jharkhand. In addition, we cultivated thermophilic isolates and screened for their ability to produce amylase, xylanase, and cellulase. After the optimized production of amylase the enzyme was partially purified and characterized using UPLC, DLS-ZP, and TGA. The retention time for the amylase was observed to be around 0.5 min. We confirmed the stability of the amylase at higher temperatures through observation of a steady thermo gravimetric profile at 400 °C. One of the thermophilic isolates obtained from the kund, demonstrated the potential to degrade lignocellulosic agricultural waste.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

Epizootics of epizootic ulcerative syndrome among estuarine fishes of Kerala, India, under post-flood conditions

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), primarily caused by the water mold Aphanomyces invadans, is an OIE-notifiable disease, having potential impacts on fisheries. We report EUS epizootics among estuarine fishes of Kerala, India, during 2018, under post-flood conditions 3 decades after its primary outbreak. Six fish species (Mugil cephalus, Platycephalus sp., Scatophagus argus, Arius sp., Planiliza macrolepis and Epinephelus malabaricus) were infected, including the first confirmed natural case in E. malabaricus and P. macrolepis. Salinity, surface temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH of resident water during the epizootic were <2 ppt, 25°C, 4.1 ppm and 7.0. The presence of zoonotic bacterial pathogens (Aeromonas veronii, Shewanella putrefaciens, Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus) in tissues of affected fish indicates that EUS-infected fish may pose a public health hazard if not handled properly. Lack of clinical evidence in the region during the last 3 decades, a high number of affected fishes, including 2 new fish species, the severity of skin lesions and very low water salinity (<2 ppt) during the outbreak in contrast to historical water salinity records suggest relatively recent invasion by A. invadans. Phylogenetic analysis based on the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene showed that the same clone of pathogen has spread across different continents regardless of fish species and ecotypes (fresh/estuarine environments). Altogether, the present study provides baseline data which can be applied in EUS management strategies within brackish-water ecosystems. We recommend strict surveillance and development of sound biosecurity measures against the disease.

Effect of γ-radiation on post-harvest storage life and quality of onion bulb under ambient condition

Different doses of gamma Irradiation (0 Gy, 10 Gy, 60 Gy, 100 Gy and 200 Gy) were evaluated as potential treatment to extend the storage period and maintain the quality attributes of onion bulbs (cv. Punjab Noraya) at ambient temperature for a period of 144 days. It was observed that storage parameters such as physiological loss in weight, sprouting percentage, rotting percentage and quality traits like total soluble solids, firmness, color parameters, ascorbic acid and pyruvic acid varied significantly (p < 0.05) during storage period with respect to doses of irradiation. No rotting and sprouting were observed upto 24 days and 84 days, respectively in both gamma irradiated and un-irradiated bulbs. At 5 months of storage, the physiological loss in weight varied from 28.5 to 63.6% in all treatments. Physiological weight loss and rotting percentage were higher in the untreated (control) as well as bulbs radiated @ 10 Gy and 200 Gy. Firmness was better retained in the bulbs irradiated with gamma rays @ 120 Gy bulbs upto 84 days of storage. However, no clear-cut pattern for colour changes (L, a, b values) was observed with respect to the irradiation doses. TSS in bulbs decreased upto 36 days of storage and thereafter increased upto 48th day of storage irrespective of the dose of gamma irradiation. Ascorbic acid content of bulbs decreases significantly in all the irradiation treatments during storage but pyruvic acid initially increased, then decreased and again increased at the end of the storage period in un-irradiated and irradiated treatments. It is concluded that onion bulbs irradiated with gamma rays @ 120 Gy resulted in minimum loss in weight, rotting and sprouting while maintained best quality for 3 months of storage at ambient storage conditions.

Recurrence rate of odontogenic myxoma after different treatments: a systematic review

Our aim was to establish the recurrence rate of odontogenic myxoma after different treatments. Our search covered papers from 1972-2017 from different sources. The papers were evaluated and critically appraised by two independent investigators. The recurrence rate and 95% CI were calculated in relation to each specific treatment, and the chi squared test was calculated to find out if there was any significant difference in the recurrence rate between conservative treatment and resection. The overall recurrence rate was 5 of 39 patients (13%) during a mean follow up period of 10 years. With conservative treatment the recurrence rate was 4/22 (19%) (mean follow up 11 years) and after resection it was 1/17 (6%) (mean follow up nine years). Maxillary lesions were more likely to recur than mandibular ones. Quality of life variables such as disfigurement and neural deficit were more common after resection than with conservative treatment. The frequency of recurrence was relatively low over 10 years' follow up, irrespective of whether resection or a more conservative approach was used, despite being slightly lower (as might be expected) after resection. Conservative treatment should be considered first to avoid resection-associated morbidity and the effect on the quality of life. Maxillary lesions have more room to spread before they are clinically evident, making them difficult to treat optimally and contributing to the recurrence rate.

Tsutsugamushi Disease (Scrub Typhus) Meningoencephalitis in North Eastern India: A Prospective Study

Background:

Scrub typhus is rampant in northern, eastern, and southern India. Central nervous system involvement in the form of meningitis or meningoencephalitis is common in scrub typhus. As specific laboratory methods remain inadequate or inaccessible in developing countries, prompt diagnosis is often difficult.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to characterize neurological complications in scrub typhus from northeastern region of India.

Subjects and Methods:

We did a prospective study of scrub meningoencephalitis at North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Medical Sciences among patients admitted to hospital between October 2009 and November 2011. The diagnosis was made based on the clinical pictures, presence of an eschar, and a positive Weil–Felix test (WFT) with a titer of >1:160 and if required a positive scrub IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lumbar puncture was performed in patients with headache, nuchal rigidity, altered sensorium or cranial nerve deficits, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain performed if needed.

Results:

Twenty-three patients of scrub typhus meningitis that were serologically confirmed were included in the study. There were 13 males and 10 females. Fever ≥1 week was the most common manifestation (39.1%). Interestingly, none had an eschar. Median cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell count, lymphocyte percentage, CSF protein, CSF glucose/blood glucose, CSF ADA were 17 cells/μL, 90%, 86 mg/dL, 0.6605 and 3.6 U/mL, respectively. All patients were treated with doxycycline. There was no mortality in our study.

Conclusions:

Absence of Eschar does not rule out scrub typhus. Clinical features and CSF findings can mimic tuberculous meningitis so misdiagnosis may lead to unwarranted prolonged empirical antituberculous therapy in cases of lymphocytic meningoencephalitis. Delay in treatment can be potentially fatal. WFT still serves as a useful and affordable diagnostic tool for this disease in resource-poor countries.

Oxcarbazepine-induced Stevens Johnson syndrome: A rare case report

Although carbamazepine is the most common cause of Stevens Johnson syndrome (SJS) a new antiepileptic drug, oxcarbazepine which is structurally related to carbamazepine, has also been rarely shown to induce SJS. Here we report a case with SJS, which was induced by oxcarbazepine.

Cardiovascular health risk behavior among medical students in a teaching hospital

BACKGROUND

Medical students are the health care providers of tomorrow. The health behaviors that are acquired in early life and in medical school will influence their future acceptance and practice of preventive strategies including their interaction with patients. The main objective of our study was to assess the health behavior and perceptions of medical students in relation to cardiovascular diseases.

METHODS

A cross sectional descriptive study was done among 159 medical students of Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal from September 2010 to December 2010. Data collection was done using a self administered questionnaire.

RESULTS

The mean age was 22.9±2.5 yrs and a male:female ratio of 2.1:1. Thirty Five (22%) were current smokers, 56 (35%) indulged in episodic heavy drinking, 25 (15.7%) were overweight, 34 (21%) engaged in recommended amount of physical activitiy,58 (33%) regulated fat consumption and 46 (28%) regulated salt consumption. Regarding developing cardiovascular disease in the future, 85(53%) showed concern but only 33 (38%) of these adopted preventive practices. 101 (64%) believed that their medical school life had a harmful effect on their health.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk behaviours among the medical students. This highlights the urgency that we must take to promote preventive knowledge and practices among medical students. This will help them to become prevention oriented clinicians in future to counter the increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases in this part of the world.

An Adolescent Boy with Acquired Epileptic Aphasia - Landau Kleffner Syndrome: A rare case report

A 13 year adolescent boy presented with complaints of progressive loss of speech and seizure disorder for the past 1 year. The boy was developmently normal before the onset of illness. There was history of subtle trauma to head. He started communicating with signs followed by paucity of speech progressed to complete aphasia and abnormal behavior in the form of burst of aggressiveness and hyperactivity. Boy had partial, generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred during sleep. Mental status examination revealed abnormal behaviour, attention deficits, auditory agnosia and aphasia (both expressive and receptive). All relevant investigations including BERA were normal. EEG showed repetitive spikes and wave activity in bilateral parietooccipital regions during nonrapid eye movement. Clinical features and EEG led to a diagnosis of Landau Kleffner Syndrome. He was started on Lamotrigine, steroid and speech therapy. The boy started showing improvement of symptoms in form of understanding of short sentences. Key words: Landau Kleffner Syndrome; EEG; Seizures DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v31i1.3543J Nep Paedtr Soc 2010;31(1):57-60

Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by cysticercosis

We present a case of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, caused by cysticercosis. Nerve conduction studies revealed severe CTS. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested an inflammatory mass compressing the median nerve in carpal tunnel. The histological diagnosis was consistent with cysticercosis. The case resolved with conservative treatment. Such solitary presentation of entrapment median neuropathy as CTS caused by cysticercosis is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the only case of its kind reported in literature till date.

Epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor, in diabetic neuropathy: an Indian perspective

BACKGROUND

A number of diabetic patients with diabetic neuropathy, in India, were treated with epalrestat, an aldose reductase inhibitor. In this study, more than 2000 patients with diabetic neuropathy, who were treated with epalrestat for 3-12 months, were analyzed to assess the efficacy and the adverse reactions of the drug.

METHOD

We analyzed the subjective symptoms (spontaneous pain, numbness, coldness and hypoesthesia) and the nerve function tests (motor nerve conduction velocity, sensory nerve conduction velocity and vibration threshold).

RESULT

The improvement rate of the subjective symptoms was 75% (slightly improved or better) and that of the nerve function tests 36%. Adverse drug reactions were encountered in 52 (2.5%) of the 2190 patients, none of which was severe.

CONCLUSION

Although data are limited, it is strongly suggested that epalrestat is a highly effective and safe agent for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.

Hyperacute thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator of acute ischemic stroke: feasibility and effectivity from an Indian perspective

Given the constraints of resources, thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is under evaluation in developing countries like India, especially in areas such as western Utter Pradesh, where it is overly crowded and there is poor affordability.

AIM

This study was done to evaluate recombinant tissue plasminogen activator r-tpa in acute ischemic stroke in hyper acute phase, in selected patients of western Utter Pradesh, in terms of feasibility and effectivity.

DESIGN

Open, non randomized study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty two patients were classified using Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke treatment (TOAST) criteria (large artery atherosclerotic = 8; cardio embolic = 6; small vessel occlusion = 14; other determined etiology = 2; undetermined etiology = 2). The mean time to reach the hospital was 2 h (1.15-3.0), the mean door to CT scan 20 min (10-40) and door to r-tpa injection was 30 min (24-68). The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores ranged from 11-22 (mean 15.5 +2.7). The dose of r-tpa administered was 0.9 mg/kg.

RESULTS

Twenty one patients (65.6%) showed significant improvement on the NIHSS score, at 48 h (4 points). (Mean change = 10; range = 4-17). At one month, 25 (78%) recorded improvement on the Barthel index (mean change = 45%). One developed frontal lobe hemorrhage and another developed recurrent stroke; one died of aspiration; and four showed no improvement. Modified Rankin score (m RS) was administered at the end of three months to 28 patients (90%); however, the rest could not be directly observed. The average modified Rankin Score was 1.2 (0-2).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperacute thrombolysis was found feasible and effective in selected patients with AIS from western Utter Pradesh and who had poor affordability.

Carpal tunnel syndrome caused by cysticercosis

We present a case of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel, caused by cysticercosis. Nerve conduction studies revealed severe CTS. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested an inflammatory mass compressing the median nerve in carpal tunnel. The histological diagnosis was consistent with cysticercosis. The case resolved with conservative treatment. Such solitary presentation of entrapment median neuropathy as CTS caused by cysticercosis is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the only case of its kind reported in literature till date.

Effect of packaging on storage life and quality of cauliflower stored at low temperature

Medium sized cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) curds after removing outer leaves, sorting and without washing were packed in different packaging films and stored at 0 ± 1°C, 90-95% RH. Changes in curd colour, texture, physiological loss in weight, spoilage and sensory quality were evaluated at weekly interval upto 28 days. Cauliflower curds individual packed in high density polyethylene bags (20 μm) with perforation (6 holes/bag) can be stored up to 21 days at 0 ± 1°C and 90-95% RH with maximum retention of white colour of curd, minimum spoilage, weight and firmness loss and good sensory quality attributes. The use of cling wrap films should be avoided as this leads to accumulation of excessive moisture resulting in huge spoilage loss.

Silicon optical fiber

Described herein are initial experimental details and properties of a silicon core, silica glass-clad optical fiber fabricated using conventional optical fiber draw methods. Such semiconductor core fibers have potential to greatly influence the fields of nonlinear fiber optics, infrared and THz power delivery. More specifically, x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed the core to be highly crystalline silicon. The measured propagation losses were 4.3 dB/m at 2.936 microm, which likely are caused by either microcracks in the core arising from the large thermal expansion mismatch with the cladding or to SiO(2) precipitates formed from oxygen dissolved in the silicon melt. Suggestions for enhancing the performance of these semiconductor core fibers are provided. Here we show that lengths of an optical fiber containing a highly crystalline semiconducting core can be produced using scalable fiber fabrication techniques.

Hospital Formulary

hosital formulary

Advanced digital mammography

Mammography is the most effective method for early detection of breast cancer and yet, 10% to 30% of women who have breast cancer and undergo mammography have negative mammograms. Furthermore, of the women who are sent to biopsy, only 20% to 40% actually have breast cancer. Quantitative analysis of the radiographic features of microcalcifications and masses may help radiologists improve their specificity.

Hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of Caesalpinia bonducella seeds in rats

Hypoglycaemic, antihyperglycaemic and hypolipidemic activities of the aqueous and 50% ethanolic extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella Fleming (Leguminosae) seeds were studied in normal and streptozotocin (SZ)-diabetic rats. In normal rats, both the extracts exhibited hypoglycaemic activity as early as 4 h after administration at a lower dose of 100 mg/kg. The hypoglycaemia produced by the aqueous extract was of prolonged duration as compared to ethanolic extract. In diabetic rats, both the extracts produced significant (P < 0.01) antihyperglycaemic effect from day 5 onwards. Aqueous extract also exhibited antihypercholesterolemic and antihypertriglyceridemic effects in SZ-diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. bonducella seeds possess an antidiabetic principle and can be useful for treatment of diabetes. Further studies are warranted to fractionate the active principle and to find out its exact mechanism of action.

Advanced digital mammography

Mammography is the most effective method for early detection of breast cancer and yet, 10% to 30% of women who have breast cancer and undergo mammography have negative mammograms. Furthermore, of the women who are sent to biopsy, only 20% to 40% actually have breast cancer. Quantitative analysis of the radiographic features of microcalcifications and masses may help radiologists improve their specificity.

In vitro and in vivo antitrypanosomal activity of Xanthium strumarium leaves

Antitrypanosomal activity of crude 50% ethanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium leaves was studied in vitro and in vivo. The extract exhibited trypanocidal activity at all four concentrations tested i.e. 5, 50, 500 and 1000 micrograms/ml, in vitro. In vivo trial revealed that the extract exerted antitrypanosomal effect at dosage of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. At 100 and 300 mg/kg doses the survival period of the Trypanosoma evansi infected mice was significantly prolonged. However, the extract was found to be toxic to the animals at 1000 mg/kg dose.

In vitro and in vivo therapeutic activity of Parthenium hysterophorus against Trypanosoma evansi

Crude 50% ethanolic extract of P. hysterophorus flowers exhibited trypanocidal activity in vitro at all the four concentrations tested i.e. 5, 50, 500 and 1000 micrograms/ml. In vivo trial revealed that the extract exerted antitrypanosomal effect at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg body wt, i.p. as evidenced by significantly reduced (P < 0.01) mean parasitaemia on days 3, 4, 5 and 6 when compared with untreated control group. Further at 100 and 300 mg/kg, body wt doses, the survival period was significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged as compared to control group. The extract was, however, found toxic to the animals at 1000 mg/kg dose.

Sublingual nifedipine and captopril in hypertensive urgencies and emergencies

Fifty two patients of severe hypertension, diastolic blood pressure > or = 115 mmHg, with or without acute complications, were treated with sublingual nifedipine 10 mg or sublingual captopril 25 mg in a randomized prospective in patient study with careful clinical monitoring. Both the drugs were safe and effective in rapidly lowering blood pressure. Nifedipine appeared to be superior to captopril with earlier onset of action, greater magnitude of response and longer duration of action. No significant side effects were observed in either of the two groups.