Abstract:The methanol extract of the dried leaves of Cleome viscosa L., Cleomaceae, was investigated for its possible antinociceptive, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities in animal models. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at the oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (p<0.001) comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight (p<0.001). The crude extract produced the most prominent cytotoxic activity against brine shrimp Artemia salina (LC50 28.18 µg/mL and LC90 112.20 µg/mL). The extract of C. viscosa L. exhibited significant in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Shigella sonnie, Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Streptococcus epidermidis, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus with the zones of inhibition ranging from 10.76 to 16.34 mm. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and its further investigation.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a very rare, autosomal-recessive condition. It is characterized by agenesis of cerebellar vermis, abnormal eye movements with nystagmus, episodes of hyperpnea and apnea, delayed generalized motor development, retinal coloboma and dystrophy and, sometimes, multicystic kidney disease. The importance of recognizing JS is related to the outcome and its potential complications. Prenatal diagnosis by ultarsonography and antenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also possible. We have diagnosed a case of JS in a male infant with history of delayed mental and motor milestone development, history of abnormal breathing pattern, abnormal limb movement, generalized hypotonia and abnormal head movements with nystagmus. MRI showed hypoplastic cerebellar vermis with hypoplasia of the superior cerebellar peduncle resembling the “Molar Tooth Sign” in the mid-brain.

This pilot investigation initiated a research-targeted systematic dental homeopathy data collection in the dental outpatient section in a government homeopathic hospital in West Bengal, India. One conventionally trained dentist and 3 homeopathic doctors collected data from 949 appointments of 411 patients over 3 months. A specifically designed Excel spreadsheet enabled recording of consecutive dental appointments that was subjected to data synthesis and analysis in the end. A total of 87.3% conditions were chronic, and chronic periodontitis was most frequent (27.5%). Positive outcome was observed in 72.3% appointments. Strongly positive outcomes (scores of +2 or +3) were achieved most notably in toothache (84.6%). Single medicines were prescribed in 83.5% encounters, and mostly in tincture form (29.9%). Arnica montana constituted of 17.8% prescriptions. Considerable insight was gained into the homeopathic dental practice scenario in West Bengal, India. Positive findings suggest that dental homeopathy is a promising area for research in near future.

Background and aim: The internal diameter of the portal vein varies with age and anthropometric parameters. The caliber of the normal portal vein in adults has been extensively studied but little is known about portal vein dimensions in the growing child. This study was conducted to establish standards of portal vein diameter by ultrasonography in healthy Indian children based on age, gender and anthropometric parameters. Methods: Total 306 healthy children between the age of <1 month and 12 years, visiting our outpatient departmentor accompanying their siblings were enrolled in the study. The children were distributed into ten age-groups. Each group was further divided in two subgroups based on gender. Anthropometric parameters including weight, height and chest circumference were measured.Portal vein diameter was assessed by ultrasonography. Results: The portal vein diameter increases with age, height, weight and chestcircumference. But the values are similar in boys and girls. Multiple logistic regression (adjusted Rsquare:0.922) revealed age (p=0.002), height/length (p <0.0001), weight (p=0.011), and chest circumference (p<0.0001), as independent determinants of portal vein diameter. However, height/length emerged as the most consistent determinant (coefficient of regression: 1.536; p<0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.066-0.092). Conclusion: Our results provide a normal range of portal vein diameter according to age, gender and anthropometric parameters. We conclude that portal vein diameter strongly correlates with age and anthropometric variables like height, weight and chestcircumference,with height being the strongest determinant.

Introduction: Poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric age group. Objective of this study was to determine the pattern of poisoning in paediatric age group in respect to epidemiological characteristics, aetiology, clinical features and mortality in a major part of South Bengal. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study conducted in the paediatric medicine ward and paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Burdwan Medical College from January, 2015 to December, 2015.All children in the age group of less than or equal to 12 years who visited the paediatric emergency with history of exposure to toxic substances were included in the study. Poisoning due to insect or animal bite was excluded from the study. Data was obtained from hospital records and the admission register of paediatric emergency, entered in the Microsoft excel sheet and analysed by using statistical software SPSS version 17. Results: During the study period, 393 patients with poisoning were reported, which was 1.9% of all pediatric admissions. Majority were in the 1-3 year age group (59.6%). Volatile hydrocarbons accounted for the highest proportion of poisonings (153 cases, 38.9%).. GI system involvement (36.5 %) was most common. The total mortality of poisoning patients was 8. Conclusion: Number of children, presenting with poisoning was higher in our study in comparison to other studies. Volatile hydrocarbons were common source of poisoning in our study. More epidemiological studies are required to identify socio-demographic risk factors of poisoning.