Fugitive dust emission control study for a developed smart dry fog system

Air pollution due to dust emission is continuously increasing day by day in mining and allied industrial areas. Mining operations contribute a substantial amount of dust emission at the crushing, screening, and bulk material handling in loading areas. The ambient suspended dust particles create a severe nuisance to workers and local dwellers. For effective controlling of positive dust emission, an innovative automated dry fog dust suppression system (DFDSS) has been developed using hybrid nozzles, sensors, actuators, controllers, screw compressors, air receivers, pumps, motors, and water arrangement with filtration facility. The DFDSS was installed in a crushing and screening plant of an iron ore mine in India. Performance study indicted fugitive dust emission concentration values ranged from 354 to 7040 μg m^-3, which was reduced to 91-300 μg m^-3 after installation of DFDSS. The reduced values were within the permissible limit of 1200 μg m^-3 at a distance of 25 ± 2 m in the predominant downwind direction. The installed DFDSS added a meager addition of moisture content of 0.032% in the handling iron ore material, which was below the acceptable limit of 0.1%. The DFDSS precisely regulated fugitive dust emission from various mining activities without affecting the minerals processing performance. Thus, the DFDSS can be implemented effectively in different mining and allied industries where there is a dust emission problem.

Baseline factors associated with early and late death in intracerebral haemorrhage survivors

Background and purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether early and late death are associated with different baseline factors in intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) survivors.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of the multicentre prospective observational CROMIS‐2 ICH study. Death was defined as ‘early’ if occurring within 6 months of study entry and ‘late’ if occurring after this time point.

Results

In our cohort (n = 1094), there were 306 deaths (per 100 patient‐years: absolute event rate, 11.7; 95% confidence intervals, 10.5–13.1); 156 were ‘early’ and 150 ‘late’. In multivariable analyses, early death was independently associated with age [per year increase; hazard ratio (HR), 1.05, P = 0.003], history of hypertension (HR, 1.89, P = 0.038), pre‐event modified Rankin scale score (per point increase; HR, 1.41, P < 0.0001), admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (per point increase; HR, 1.11, P < 0.0001) and haemorrhage volume >60 mL (HR, 4.08, P < 0.0001). Late death showed independent associations with age (per year increase; HR, 1.04, P = 0.003), pre‐event modified Rankin scale score (per point increase; HR, 1.42, P = 0.001), prior anticoagulant use (HR, 2.13, P = 0.028) and the presence of intraventricular extension (HR, 1.73, P = 0.033) in multivariable analyses. In further analyses where time was treated as continuous (rather than dichotomized), the HR of previous cerebral ischaemic events increased with time, whereas HRs for Glasgow Coma Scale score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score and ICH volume decreased over time.

Conclusions

We provide new evidence that not all baseline factors associated with early mortality after ICH are associated with mortality after 6 months and that the effects of baseline variables change over time. Our findings could help design better prognostic scores for later death after ICH.

Risks associated with oral deferiprone in the treatment of infratentorial superficial siderosis

Objective

Deferiprone is an iron chelator that has recently been used to treat patients with infratentorial superficial siderosis (iSS). It is considered to have a generally favourable safety profile but concerns have been raised due to the risk of agranulocytosis. We aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of oral deferiprone as a treatment for patients with iSS.

Methods

We present a case series of 10 consecutive patients presenting with classical iSS treated with deferiprone.

Results

Ten patients were followed up for a mean period of 2.3 years (range 0.5–5.5 years). Four patients (40%) were withdrawn from treatment because of treatment-related side effects. The reasons for treatment discontinuation were neutropenic sepsis (n = 3) and fatigue (n = 1). In 2 out of the 3 cases of neutropenic sepsis, patients initially developed neutropenia without sepsis. The mean time to neutropenic sepsis following deferiprone was 1.2 years (range 0.3–2.5) with mean neutrophil count of 0.4 (range 0.3–0.5). Six patients (60%) reported no change in neurological function while on treatment, and four patients (40%) reported that their condition deteriorated.

Conclusions

Deferiprone was poorly tolerated, with 40% of patients withdrawing from treatment, most commonly due to neutropenic sepsis, after an average of 2 years on treatment. This study increases the number of reported cases of agranulocytosis in patients with iSS treated with deferiprone. Clinicians treating iSS patients with deferiprone should be aware that this drug has a potentially life-threatening side effect of neutropenic sepsis, and should ensure that appropriate haematological monitoring is in place.

Convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage has a high risk of intracerebral haemorrhage in suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy

The risk of future symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) remains uncertain in patients with acute convexity subarachnoid haemorrhage (cSAH) associated with suspected cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). We assessed the risk of future sICH in patients presenting to our comprehensive stroke service with acute non-traumatic cSAH due to suspected CAA, between 2011 and 2016. We conducted a systematic search and pooled analysis including our cohort and other published studies including similar cohorts. Our hospital cohort included 20 patients (mean age 69 years; 60% male); 12 (60%) had probable CAA, and 6 (30%) had possible CAA according to the modified Boston criteria; two did not meet CAA criteria because of age <55 years, but were judged likely to be due to CAA. Fourteen patients (70%) had cortical superficial siderosis; 12 (60%) had cerebral microbleeds. Over a mean follow-up period of 19 months, 2 patients (9%) suffered sICH, both with probable CAA (annual sICH risk for probable CAA 8%). In a pooled analysis including our cohort and eight other studies (n = 172), the overall sICH rate per patient-year was 16% (95% CI 11–24%). In those with probable CAA (n = 104), the sICH rate per patient-year was 19% (95% CI 13–27%), compared to 7% (95% CI 3–15%) for those without probable CAA (n = 72). Patients with acute cSAH associated with suspected CAA are at high risk of future sICH (16% per patient-year); probable CAA might carry the highest risk.

Characterisation and identification of enzyme-producing autochthonous bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract of two Indian air-breathing fish

Characterisation and identification of autochthonous enzyme-producing bacteria isolated from the proximal intestine and distal intestine of two species of Indian air-breathing fish, murrel (Channa punctatus) and stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis), were investigated using conventional culture technique. Population levels of proteolytic strains were highest in the digestive tract of stinging catfish. In both species, the viable counts of amylase-producing bacteria were somewhat higher than cellulase-producing bacteria. Among the gut bacteria isolated, 8 strains (4 from murrel and 4 from stinging catfish) were selected as potent enzyme-producers on the basis of quantitative enzyme assays. All these strains were Gram-positive rods, but only four isolates (CPF4, CPH6, CPH7 and HFH4) were capable of forming endospores. The tested bacteria grew in wide range of temperatures and pH. The strains were further identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Two strains, CPF3 (isolated from murrel) and HFH4 (isolated from stinging catfish) showed high similarity to Bacillus sp., strain HFH7 (isolated from the stinging catfish) was most closely related to Bacillus subtilis, while five strains belonged to Bacillus licheniformis. Based on the results of the present study, we suggest that incorporation of autochthonous enzyme-producing bacteria in aquafeeds merits further investigations.

Fungal rhinosinusitis: a prospective study in a University hospital of Uttar Pradesh

BACKGROUND

To assess the purpose of fungal rhinosinusitis in a University hospital and to correlate histopathological findings with culture results for accurate clinical classification of the disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One-hundred suspected patients were included in the study. Data was collected in a brief predetermined format. Samples like nasal lavages, sinus secretions, and tissue specimens were processed and examined by microbiology culture using recommended techniques. Slide culture was done to observe the microscopic morphology. Histopathological examination was done by H and E stain and PAS stain for classification.

RESULTS

Out of 100 cases of rhinosinusitis, 21 cases were culture-positive for fungal rhinosinusitis. On the basis of histopathological findings, 14 cases (66.67%) were found to be of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis. Aspergillus flavus was the most common fungal isolate.

CONCLUSION

Mycological profile of rhinosinusitis in Lucknow was thus evaluated. Histopathological and microbiological findings reported 21 cases of fungal rhinosinusitis among 100 suspected cases of rhinosinusitis.

Differential regulation of free radicals (reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) by contact allergens and irritants in human keratinocyte cell line

Immune responses to chemicals resulting in sensitization and the appearance of allergic responses following subsequent exposures are dependent upon activation of T lymphocytes. On the contrary, irritant responses are independent of immune response. The aim of this project was to identify the differential signaling cascade operated in allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. Recently, we have shown that keratinocyte cell line A431 can function as an antigen presenting cell (APC) and hence can be used as a model to differentiate between an allergen and irritant molecule. Allergen- and irritant-induced regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) has been explored. Irritants induce release of ROS even at noncytotoxic concentration. ROS generation by allergens was not detected at nontoxic concentration but as the concentration was increased to a toxic dose there was a drastic increase in the ROS level compared to the untreated cells. Hence, the regulation of ROS is not significant in allergic responses but important in irritant responses. The major difference exists in the fact that the source of ROS for irritants is mitochondria, while that of allergens is mostly cytosolic. Antioxidant-induced protection from irritant-induced cell death has also been demonstrated. NO level was found to increase by allergens and irritants in a concentration-dependent manner. Hence, the regulation of ROS and NO can be used as important mediators in contact allergic and irritant dermatitis.

Role of Keratinocytes in Antigen Presentation and Polarization of Human T Lymphocytes

Allergic contact dermatitis is a T-cell-mediated inflammatory skin disease in which interaction between skin keratinocytes and migrating T lymphocytes may play a critical part. In this study, the role of keratinocytes as allergen-/antigen-presenting cells (APCs) leading to activation of T lymphocytes is investigated using a human epidermal cell line A431. It is known that cultured cells do not express human leucocyte antigen (HLA) and hence can be used as APCs independent of HLA profile of both APCs and T cells from human volunteers. This cell line responded to common allergens and irritants by inducing or upregulating the cell-surface expression of HLA-DR, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and B7 mRNA transcripts in keratinocytes. In addition, allergen-primed A431 cells also induced allergen-specific proliferation of human T lymphocytes in cocultures. Anti-HLA-DR, interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) antibodies and lysosomotropic agent chloroquine inhibited the proliferation. Allergens also upregulated cytokines IL-1alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, Gro-alpha and IL-12 in keratinocytes. Further, keratinocytes activated by allergens induced polarization of activated T lymphocytes to the Th1 phenotype.

Role of different valence states of chromium in the elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis

Chromium, a known contact sensitizer, is present at high levels in certain detergent bars (40-50 p.p.m.) sold in India. A concern was whether chromium present in such detergent bars could sensitize users or their use lead to the elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis. Chromium present in detergent bars was analyzed for its valence state. It was found to be trivalent [Cr (III)] and not hexavalent [Cr (VI)]. An elicitation test on normal volunteers, as well as on volunteers who were sensitive to chromium, was carried out to determine the elicitation potential of chromium (III) in the bars. Of the 48 volunteers who completed the study, 30 did not show any positive response to either potassium dichromate, the positive control, or the detergent bar containing chromium (III). 18 volunteers who were identified as chromium-sensitive showed a positive response to potassium dichromate but not to the detergent bar containing trivalent chromium. This study clearly showed that the detergent bar with 40-50 p.p.m. of trivalent chromium did not elicit any allergic contact dermatitis even in individuals known to be chromium-sensitive. Hexavalent chromium (potassium dichromate) did however, elicit allergic contact dermatitis in these subjects.

In vitro regeneration of roots of Phyla nodiflora and Leptadenia reticulata, and comparison of roots from cultured and natural plants for secondary metabolites

Adventitious roots, generated using leaf explants of P. nodiflora, and meristem explants of L. reticulata, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with napthylacetic acid (2 microM) and indole butyric acid (3 microM) respectively. After 30 days, subculturing of roots in liquid MS medium with napthylacetic acid (1.5 microM) for P. nodiflora and indole butyric acid (3 microM) for L. reticulata afforded considerable increase in root mass. HPTLC profiles and microscopic examination of transverse sections of in vitro and naturally grown roots provided information on secondary metabolite accumulation vis-à-vis developmental stages of the root.

Alopecia universalis in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus

We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who presented with alopecia universalis. MR, a 23 years female patient was admitted with alopecia universalis and other features of SLE like peripheral arthritis, fever, nephritis, butterfly rash over the malar regions, positive ANA and anti-ds DNA antibodies. There was a gap of four years between the onset of alopecia universalis and other clinical features of SLE. The alopecia was of non-scarry variety and responded to systemic and topical steroids.

Pesticide (acephate) removal by GAC: a case study

Pesticides are persistent pollutants which need utmost attention in agricultural pollution. They usually accumulate in the food chain, and hence are hazardous in nature. The present study reports the performance of granular activated carbon (GAC) in the removal of acephate contained in the effluent of a nearby pesticide manufacturing industry. In the batch study, the optimum dose of GAC was found to be 85 gm/litre for almost 100% removal of acephate from its initial concentration of 2.9 mg/litre which was found in the industrial effluent under treatment. The adsorption kinetics were represented closely by Langmuir isotherm. The equilibrium time was found as 80 minutes. The adsorptive capacity of GAC for acephate (pesticide) was of the order of 0.04614 mg/gm. A column system was devised and designed based on bed depth-service time (BDST) approach with the experimental value of 'a' and 'b' as 6.125 and 47.75 respectively.

Salp25D, an Ixodes scapularis antioxidant, is 1 of 14 immunodominant antigens in engorged tick salivary glands

Rabbits or guinea pigs infested with Ixodes scapularis acquire resistance to tick bites, a phenomenon, known as tick immunity, that is partially mediated by antibody. To determine the salivary gland antigens that elicit antibodies in the host, an I. scapularis salivary gland cDNA expression library was probed with serum from tick-immune rabbits. Sera from sensitized rabbits strongly recognized 47 of 100,000 library clones in an antibody-screening assay. These 47 clones encoded 14 different I. scapularis genes, including a glutathione peroxidase homologue. Expression of these 14 genes in engorged tick salivary glands was confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The I. scapularis glutathione peroxidase homologue, named salp25D, was expressed in both unfed and fed nymphal salivary glands. Recombinant Salp25D was able to catalyze the reduction of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of reduced glutathione and glutathione reductase. These results categorize the prominent salivary gland proteins in I. scapularis and demonstrate the presence of a potent antioxidant in tick saliva.

Psychiatric morbidity of a rural Indian community. Changes over a 20-year interval

BACKGROUND

Cross-sectional studies give no indication of the changes that may occur in the mental health status of a community in course of times. Studies should be designed to assess these changes.

AIMS

To assess the changes, if any, in the prevalence of mental disorders in a rural community after an interval of 20 years in the context of its changing socio-economic conditions.

METHOD

A door-to-door survey of the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in two villages was conducted by a team of psychiatrists. The survey was repeated after 20 years by the same team and by the same method. Changes in the mental health status of the community were compared.

RESULTS

Total morbidity per 1000 fell from 116.8 to 105.2. Morbidity in men fell from 86.9 to 73.5 per 1000 and in women from 146.8 to 138.3 per 1000. Rates of anxiety, hysteria and phobia had fallen dramatically and those of depression and mania had risen significantly.

CONCLUSION

The level of psychiatric morbidity showed no statistically significant change. The morbidity pattern (relative proportion of type of morbidity), however, showed some interesting changes. Similar studies should be done on a larger sample.

Comparison of the cardiovascular effects of 2.5% phenylephrine and 10% phenylephrine during ophthalmic surgery

PURPOSE

The recommended concentration of topical phenylephrine for mydriasis is still a matter of debate. Our purpose was to compare the cardiovascular effects of 10% and 2.5% topical aqueous phenylephrine.

METHODS

We carried out a double-masked randomised study on 54 consecutive patients undergoing routine local anaesthetic cataract extraction, comparing the effects on blood pressure and heart rate of either 2.5% or 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine in combination with 1% topical aqueous tropicamide in those with no history of cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

No difference was found in the rise in blood pressure produced by 2.5% and 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine. We also found no sustained changes in blood pressure or heart rate after instillation of either 2.5% or 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the routine use of 2.5% topical aqueous phenylephrine as a mydriatic agent during cataract surgery and acknowledge the role of 10% topical aqueous phenylephrine as an effective mydriatic agent in cases where 2.5% phenylephrine may not be so effective, such as in subjects with darkly pigmented irides.

A novel peptide-grafted liposomal delivery system targeted to macrophages

The interaction of chemotactic peptide (e.g., fMet-Leu-Phe)-grafted liposomes with macrophages is noted to be rapid and specific. At a grafted peptide concentration of 100 nmol, internalization of the peptide-grafted liposomes by the macrophages is found to reach equilibrium in 30 min. The peptide alone and the peptide-grafted empty liposomes are found to show moderate antileishmanial activity in vitro. Primaquine, which is known to generate O2- in phagocytic cells, showed leishmanicidal properties when it was tested in vitro against parasite-infected macrophages over a certain range of concentrations. It showed much better efficacy against experimental leishmaniasis when it was used in the fMet-Leu-Phe-grafted liposomal form in comparison with its efficacy when it was either in the free form or encapsulated in ungrafted liposomes. The conventional toxicity parameters (e.g., blood pathology and tissue histology-specific enzyme levels related to normal liver function) are found to be very close to normal when fMet-Leu-Phe-grafted liposomal primaquine is used. The biodegradabilities of both the drug and the delivery systems are also found to be very satisfactory. Thus, this delivery system may have possible applications for the treatment of leishmaniasis as well as other macrophage-associated disorders.

A study on transferable R-plasmids among Shigella species at Lucknow

A total of 500 Shigella strains were included in the present study out of which 233 were isolated at National Shigella Centre of Postgraduate Department of Microbiology, K.G. Medical College, Lucknow during last 5 years and 267 strains were received from different parts of the country. Predominent serotypes were Sheigella flexneri 292 (48.4%) followed by Shigella dysenteriae 153 (30.6%), Shigella boydii 32 (6.4%) and Shigella sonnei 23 (4.6%). All the strains were sensitive to Nalidix acid, Gentamycin, Kanamycin, Neomycin and Furazolidine. Varying degree of resistance was shown to Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol, Tetracycline and Ampicillin. R. plasmid extraction was done and transfer was studied on E. Coli K-12.

A study of psychiatric morbidity of the elderly population of a rural community in west bengal

A door to door field-survey was conducted in two villages by a team of psychiatrists with the aim of assessing the mental morbidity of the population. The present communication is restricted to the mental morbidity of the elderly population aged 60 years and above. The total sample comprised 183 persons (male 85, female 98). Majority of the families (44.2%) belonged to class IV according to Pareek and Trivedi's scale. Sixty one percent of the elderly population was mentally ill. Women had a higher rate of morbidity than men (77.6% and 42.4% repetitively). The overwhelming majority of the affected persons were depressives. Rate of dementia was low.

Drug delivery system: targeting of pentamidines to specific sites using sugar grafted liposomes

Different sugar-grafted liposomes were prepared and tested against experimental leishmaniasis in vivo using the classical drug pentamidine isethionate and its methoxy derivative. Both the drugs, when encapsulated in sugar-grafted liposomes were found to be more potent in comparison to normal liposome-encapsulated drug or to the free drug. Moreover, the mannose-grafted liposomes were adjudged to be the best in lowering of spleen parasite load in comparison with those bearing glucose or galactose. When encapsulated in mannose-grafted liposomes the therapeutic efficacy of pentamidine isethionate was found to be better than that of its methoxy derivative, although the latter seemed to be less toxic than the pentamidine isethionate itself.

Nosocomial infection due to enterobacter cloacae in a tertiary care hospital in northern India

A total of 151 Enterobacter cloacae strains isolated from clinical samples (n = 139) and the hospital environment (n = 12) at a tertiary care hospital in northern India during January to October 1993, were analysed. The maximum isolations were during May (n = 24), June (n = 23) and July (n = 22). Urinary tract infection (n = 56) was the most common complication of E. cloacea infection followed by wound infection (42), respiratory tract infection (23) and bacteraemia/septicaemia (18). The frequency of resistance to different drugs was ampicillin 77.4 per cent, cotrimoxazole 79.5 per cent, gentamicin 57.5 per cent, cefotaxime 47 per cent and ofloxacin 36 per cent. Sixty three (41.7%) strains exhibited resistance to multiple drugs. Environmental isolates from bed, hospital diet, hand swab and water from a leaking drain pipe in a ward showed the same resistance pattern. A single index strain could not be identified using phage and biotyping, indicating that a variety of strains were responsible for the nosocomial infection. Adoption of strict aseptic measures and repair of the pipe brought down the infection rate.

Spontaneous perforation of the ureter: endourological management with renal preservation

Spontaneous perforation of the ureter proximal to an obstruction has not been well described in the literature. We present a rare case of spontaneous perforation of the ureter, proximal to a radiolucent upper ureteric stone, in a 58-year-old diabetic female, causing a large infected urinoma and septicaemia in a solitary functioning kidney. The diagnosis was confirmed by computer tomography scan. We managed the case successfully by endourology only. The case emphasizes the importance of the differential diagnosis in a diabetic patient with obstructive uropathy.

Determinants of help-seeking behaviour in cases of epilepsy attending a teaching hospital in India: an indigenous explanatory model

Psychosocial factors determining the choice of health facility in 30 cases of epilepsy attending the psychiatric outpatient department (OPD) of a teaching (referral) hospital in India were studied. The majority of those who chose indigenous healers as their first contact treatment facility did so on the decision of the family. A belief in the supernatural causation of epilepsy combined with family decision was associated with the choice of indigenous health facility. Belief in the physical cause of epilepsy and the participation of social network in decision making were, on the other hand, closely associated with the choice of practitioners of modern medicine. The time-lag between onset of illness and first contact for treatment was short when indigenous healers were consulted first, however these patients usually took a long time to reach the referral centre when they passed through the indigenous healers.

Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin in the treatment of experimental leishmaniasis in hamsters

Liposomal hamycin was found to elicit enhanced microbicidal activity and reduced toxicity in experimental leishmaniasis in a hamster model under in vivo conditions. Mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was seen to produce increased therapeutic efficacy as judged from the lowering of spleen parasite load. At an equivalent dose of 0.5 mg/kg, every 3 days for a total of three doses in 7 days, the mannose-coated liposomal hamycin was found to be most effective compared to either of the liposomal hamycin or the free hamycin. Because of the reduced toxicity as judged from the blood pathology, tissue histology, and specific enzyme level related to normal liver function, mannose-coated liposomal hamycin resulted in 80 to 100% survival for a period of 15-18 days. Hamycin intercalated in sterol-rich liposomes showed reduced hemolytic activity but comparable therapeutic efficacy as was found with ordinary liposomes.

Tubercular cavity behind the prostate and bladder: an unusual presentation of genitourinary tuberculosis

Genitourinary tuberculosis, which is still common in developing countries, sometimes has an unusual presentation. We report 2 cases of a tubercular cavity behind the bladder and prostate which initially eluded diagnosis, and discuss pathogenesis and management of this rare entity.

Bilateral frontal lobe ct scan abnormality following ect in an adolescent

A case is described of bilateral frontal lobe CT Scan abnormality associated with ECT in an adolescent. Possible causes and risk factors are discussed.

Urbanization and mental morbidity in certain tribal communities in west bengal

The same team of workers surveyed a rural and an urban sample of the same tribe (Santal) by the same method. It was found that urbanization had little effect on the total mental morbidity. But stress-dependent disorders were commoner in the urban tribe.

An epidemic of "jhin-jhini" - a strange contagious psychogenic disorder in a village in west bengal

An epidemic psychogenic disorder called "Jhin-Jhini" which broke out in a village in West Bengal, is described. Tlie social anthropological perspective is explored.

Is hysteria on the wane? A community survey in West Bengal, India

A field survey was conducted in two villages--Gambhirgachi and Paharpur--in 1972. The survey was repeated after 10 years in the former village and after 15 years in the latter one. The second survey showed very little change in the rate of total mental morbidity. The rate of prevalence of hysteria declined significantly in both villages. In Gambhirgachi the rate of hysteria dropped from 16.9 to 4.6 per 1000 in 10 years, and in Paharpur it dropped from 32.3 to 2.05 per 1000 in 15 years.

The vulnerability of Indian women to suicide a field-study

58 cases of suicide were recorded in one year in a cluster of villages comprising a police-station area. The incidence was 43.4 per lakh. Women out numbered men. Two-thirds of the victims were aged below 25 years. In women the commonest cause of suicide was quarrel with husband and in men it was quarrel with parents. Poisoning with insecticide was the mode of suicide in an overwhelming majority of cases. The situational, psychological and socio-cultural perspectives have been discussed.

The social and psychological correlates of leprosy

Leprosy, one of the most chronic tropical diseases, acts as a unique psychosocial stressor for the social stigma associated with it. The present study assessed the nature of such stigma and its possible effect on the patient's mental health. Leprosy patients perceive that (a) their illness evokes public fear and hate, (b) it is degrading and humiliating and they should be segregated from family and society and (c) it is incurable and a consequence of sin. Psychiatric morbidity is commoner among the in-patients (64%) than among the out-patients (25%).

Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome in a Libyan boy

Immerslund-Grasbeck syndrome is an uncommon disease, characterized by megaloblastic anaemia and persistent proteinuria. A Libyan boy with the characteristic findings is presented. He received intramuscular vitamin B12 injections and there followed a remarkable clinical and haematological improvement.