A number of children and adults, especially pregnant women succumb to the sting by red Scorpion (Buthus tamalus) in Konkan region--particularly on the coastal line. No specific antiserum or any other antidote is available to treat a victim of scorpion bite and hence the need to prepare a potent antiserum. Red Scorpion (B. tamalus) venom is a mixture of a number of protein moieties and neurotoxins of low molecular weight. Therefore, the venom is poor in antigenic composition and it is difficult to get antibodies specific to neutralise lethal factor/factors. Using Bentonite as an adjuvant and extending the period of immunization a potent antiserum has been prepared capable of neutralising the lethal factor/factors. In vivo testing carried out in albino mice, guinea pigs, dogs and langurs confirms this finding and shows that the antiserum is quite effective in neutralising the scorpion venom to save the life of envenomated animals.

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Prenatal diagnosis of cri-du-chat syndrome is described in 2 pregnancies. In Case 1, the mother was a balanced translocation carrier and had 2 previously affected off springs. Prenatal diagnosis by chorion villus sampling and cordocentesis was successful in diagnosing an affected conceptus and the pregnancy was electively terminated. Case 2 was referred for nonimmune foetal hydrops and cordocentesis revealed deletion 5p. This second case was noteworthy for the fact that deletion 5p has not been reported to cause foetal hydrops.

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A total of 15 bacterial strains (7 Pseudomonas & 8 Klebsiella species) isolated from various samples which showed multi-drug resistance were studied to verify in vitro antibacterial action of honey on the principle of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) & its synergism with 3 common antibiotics--Gentamicin, Amikacin & Ceftazidime. The MIC of honey with saline for both organisms was found to be 1:2. The synergistic action was seen in the case of Pseudomonas spp. and not with Klebsiella spp.

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Primary pancreatic carcinoid is an extremely rare pancreatic neoplasm. It differs from other primary pancreatic tumours in cytoarchitecture, immunocytochemistry and biologic behaviour. Recognition of this rare entity is of vital importance having considerable therapeutic and prognostic implications. We report a case of an exophytic, pancreatic body carcinoid tumour in a man who presented with abdominal pain. The diagnosis was established by histopathological examination of the core biopsy specimen. A surgical resection of the lesion was done successfully and the patient made a satisfactory recovery from the operation.

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A 14-year old female was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of resolving myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy. She developed spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax. Autopsy, revealed rupture of cavitary pulmonary infarction to be the cause of the pneumothorax, a rare finding.

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