Tumor necrosis factor and alzheimer's disease: a cause and consequence relationship Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) was discovered more than a century ago as endotoxin-induced glycoprotein, which causes haemorrhagic necrosis of sarcomas. Originally described as a circulating factor that causes necrosis of tumours,it now appears that TNF has diverse and critical roles to play in the pathogenic progression of a number of chronic inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis, Alzheimer's disease, ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. A pivotal role has emerged for TNF as an important contributor to Alzheimer's disease pathology, as TNF appears to modulate several neuropathological mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease. Evidence for the involvement of TNF in Alzheimer's disease pathology and neuronal loss comes from studies of TNF over-expression, TNF localization studies, multiple relationships between TNF and amyloid β-peptide (Aβ), interactions between TNF and the microtubule-associated tau protein, TNF-mediated apoptotic cell death, and association of TNF with several neurotransmitters linked to Alzheimer's pathology. This review presents TNF as a neuromodulator in pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease by linking it with several endogenous mediators and advocates its status as a current therapeutic target in the quest to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

A 28-year-old female presented with gradually worsening, noncyclical pelvic pain and menorrhagia since last two years. No radiculopathy was present. The lady had three living children with the second pregnancy being twins delivered vaginally at full term. No history of any thrombolysis, intervention or surgery in the past. Clinical and gynaecological examinations were unremarkable. No lower limb, vulval or abdominal wall varicose veins were seen. An ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis was done which showed non visualization of IVC replaced by multiple tortuous vascular channels. Small amount of free fluid was seen in the pouch of Douglas.A Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scan in venous phase of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was done. The scan revealed complete absence of the IVC as well as Common Iliac Veins (CIV) [Table/ Fig-1]. The femoral veins were draining into external iliac veins which were in turn draining into multiple tortuous paravertebral venous channels. Both the ovaries were enlarged and showed multiple cysts within [Table/ Fig-2]. The left gonadal vein was dilated measuring 11 mm in caliber. The right gonadal vein was replaced by multiple tortuous vascular channels. Tortuous vessels were also seen in the myometrium and in the pelvis [Table / Fig-2]. The IVC was also replaced by multiple tortuous vascular

No abstract

In this communication the effect of ion temperature on the propagation of electron‐ion whistlers in the ionosphere is investigated. A general expression including the effect of ion temperature is derived for the group travel time for the electron‐ion whistler as it travels from the base of the ionosphere to the satellite. A study of the dependence of the group travel time on ion temperature indicates that thermal effects contribute about 20% to the total group travel time for the proton whistlers. Further, from the expression for the group travel time including the effect of the ion temperature in conjunction with the generalized dispersion relation a relation for the cyclotron damping rate (both temporal and spatial) has been obtained. A detailed study of the cyclotron damping rate with travel time and ion temperature leads to the conclusion that the observed amplitude cutoff characteristics for the proton whistler can be explained on the basis of the mechanism of cyclotron damping. It is also shown that the knowledge of the group travel time of an electron‐ion whistler can be used to estimate the ion temperature at the satellite.

An eight-month-old male infant was brought to paediatric department of our hospital with history of fever since 13 days, projectile vomiting since 07 days and drowsiness since 03 days. The fever was of moderate degree and intermittent type, which was followed by projectile vomiting and later the child became drowsy with poor feeding. The child was born out of non consanguineous marriage and had attained all the milestones at the expected rate. The birth of the child was uneventful and was a full term institutional delivery. The child was inoculated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) in neonatal period which was followed by normal reaction and scar.On examination the child was drowsy but arousable with a heart rate of 120 bpm, blood pressure of 100/70 mm of Hg, respiratory rate of 24 and temperature of 100 degree F. The child weighed 7.5 kgs. The head circumference measured normal for age. The anterior fontanelle was tense, and bulging. Bilateral pupils were equally reactive. Neck rigidity was present with occasional tonic flexion in the upper limbs. The deep tendon jerks were exaggerated bilaterally with bilateral extensor plantar reflex. The neck movements were painful and restricted. There was no lymphadenopathy, papilloedema, muscle wasting or weakness. Fig-2] showed gross dilatation of the ventricular system (lateral, third and fourth) with obliteration of the sulci and cisterns. The VSI (Ventricular size index) was 53% with the frontal horn forming an acute angle with the midline septum. There was thickening and intense enhancement of the dura predominantly in the basal region [Table /Fig-3]. The cerebral white and gray matter showed normal morphology and signal intensity. MRI of cervical spine showed collapsed body of CV5 with enhancing soft tissue component which was seen tracking into the extradural space causing significant indentation of the anterior thecal space [Table / Fig-4]. There was associated intense leptomeningeal enhancement around the spinal cord which was extending intracranially.Based on the clinical, laboratory and imaging findings, a provisional diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis with TBM was made. Image guided tissue sampling from the paravertebral soft tissues was perceived as dangerous by the parents and consent for the same was denied. aBstRaCtTuberculosis of cervical spine is an extremely rare entity in infants with only few case reports available in the literature. The diagnosis is often delayed due to less dramatic effects of paraplegia or quadriplegia in an infant as compared to older paediatric population. Along with clinical and laboratory investigations, imaging plays a crucial role in defining the extent of involvement, evaluation of complications, providing suitable differential diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment. Tuberculosis typically involves the discovertebral complex while involvement of isolated vertebral body or multiple vertebrae without involving the intervertebral discs is much less common. We present such an unusual case of cervical spine tuberculosi...