Levamisole is an effective alternative therapy in frequently relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Background and objectiveUrinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the common causes of febrile illness in young children. Vitamin D influences the levels of endogenous cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide, which improves bladder wall immunity and prevents UTIs. In light of this, we conducted this study to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency and UTIs in children and to identify whether vitamin D deficiency is one of the risk factors for UTIs. Materials and methodsThis was a case-control study of children aged between one to five years. Eighty-two children with the first episode of febrile culture-proven UTI as cases and 82 healthy children as a control group were included in this study. The sera were analyzed for 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and classified as vitamin-D deficient if their level was below 30 ng/mL. Descriptive statistics were presented as numbers and percentages. Continuous data were expressed as means and standard deviations (SD). Pearson's chi-square test was used to test the significance of the differences in variables between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression equation methods were used to predict the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. ResultsThe mean age of the study and the control group was 2.36 ±1.42 years and 2.57 ±1.26 years, respectively. The mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in the patients and controls were 24.27 ±9.70 ng/mL and 31.97 ±10.7 ng/mL (p<0.001), respectively. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 34 (41.5%) patients and 10 (2.2%) in the control group (p<0.001). ConclusionBased on our findings, vitamin D deficiency might be one of the risk factors for UTIs in children. Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with febrile UTIs in children between one to five years of age.

No abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder which affects around four million people globally.Many of the signs of Parkinson's disease are found in the head and neck. The typical "masklike" facial appearance with infrequent blinking and lack of expression is caused by bradykinesis.. Abnormalities in oral behaviour, such as purposeless chewing, grinding, and sucking movements, are also well recognized in patients with Parkinson's disease. Aim and Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the overall oral health status of the patients with Parkinson's disease and to analyze the impact of Parkinson's disease on the oral cavity of the individuals surviving with the disease. Materials and Methods:The study sample included 50 Parkinson's disease patients. The patients of all age groups and both genders were included.Results: Out of fifty patients. majority of the patient s were above 60 yrs. 6% of the patients reported with Positive family history of Parkinson's diseases.14% of the patients had gross facial asymmetry, 68% of the patients showed dryness of mouth.8% of the patients suffered loss of taste.14% of the patients showed hyper salivation. 54% of the patients showed gingivitis. And 76% of the patients were found having periodontitis. Conclusion:Treatment for oral and dental problems of Parkinson's disease affected patients is mandatory. Treatment can be done by supplementing artificial saliva for dryness of mouth, dental fillings for dental caries, periodic scaling for periodontal problems, oral rehabilitation measures and regular dental check up

To study the various pathological patterns of pediatric lupus nephritis (LN) by renal biopsies and to correlate the histopathological data with the clinical and biochemical outcomes. MethodsThis is a retrospective study in children between 1 month and 18 years of age with renal biopsy-proven lupus nephritis, conducted between January 2015 and December 2019. Various pathological and clinical parameters were compared between the groups with lupus nephritis activity and those without activity. ResultsOf 38 biopsy-proven lupus nephritis cases, 30 (78.9%) were in the adolescent age group, and the female gender was predominantly affected (n=30; 78.9%). Class IV proliferative lupus nephritis (n=17, 44.7%) was the most common biopsy finding, and the activity score for endocapillary hypercellularity, neutrophil infiltration, fibrinoid necrosis, hyaline deposits, and interstitial inflammation was significantly high in classes III and IV. Overall, attaining remission was less, and the risk of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was higher in class IV (n=3; 7.8%). Mortality was reported in 1 out of 38 (2.6%) children. ConclusionLight microscopy and immunofluorescence studies play an important role in defining the extent of renal damage in the form of activity and chronicity indices, which are the key factors in the decision-making of lupus nephritis treatment. The prognostic relevance of the histological scoring has been evaluated, and it is evident that the activity index and chronicity index go a long way in therapeutic intervention.