Association of GLUT-1 (XbaI) Gene Polymorphism in Diabetes and Diabetes Nephropathy Patients of North Indian Population

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, there is still inadequate understanding of the exact mechanism related to progressive diabetic renal disease. The GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism in the glucose transporter has been suggested in the development of DN. However, its association with T2DM and DN is controversial and has not been established in different ethnic populations. To enhance the understanding of GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism in the context of T2DM and DN. We investigated the possible genetic association of GLUT-1 XbaI polymorphism with T2DM and DN in North Indian population. 100 T2DM patients and 100 patients of DN with 100 healthy controls were included in the study. GLUT-1 XbaI polymorphism was determined by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism). The obtained data showed no significant association between GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism with T2DM and DN leading us to conclude that GLUT-1 XbaI gene polymorphism may not have major effects on T2DM and DN in North Indian population.

Double outlet left ventricle: management

Double outlet left ventricle [DOLV] is a rare but substantial congenital cardiac anomaly, presenting with varied anatomical findings. This requires a relevant surgical approach, pertinent to the type of presentation. The condition can be quite difficult to diagnose. This implies the need for scrutiny and sensitive diagnostic procedures during the pre-op period. The case presented here was in a critical state on admission and was stabilised with Sildenafil during the pre-op preparation. A surgical plan for Arterial Switch was made, keeping in mind the diagnosis suggestive of TGA, VSD with an AP Window at first. DOLV was confirmed on the operating table and Rastelli type of correction was performed with a relatively uneventful stay in the post-op ICU

Comparison of dietary intake and dietary requirement in post operative adult cardiac surgical patients in ICU

To estimate optimum energy and protein intake and to examine the differences in actual intake versus optimum protein and energy requirement during first three days of patients at surgical ITC of AFIC. A descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted by using purposive sampling technique. One hundred patients admitted in adult ITC of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases between periods of 10[th] July to 10[th] December 2013, fulfilling study criteria were included in study sample. Data was collected from hospital records [bedside charts] and food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. Protein and energy intake on 1[st], 2[nd] and 3[rd] post operative day was calculated and compared with pre- calculated optimum protein and caloric requirement. Mean caloric intake on 1[st] post operative day was 583 k/cal, on 2[nd] post operative day 679 kcal and on 3[rd] post operative day was 820 k/cal which were 70%, 65% and 68% respectively less than the optimum requirement. Whereas mean protein intake was 13 grams on the 1[st] post operative day and 13.2 and 22.3 grams on the 2[nd] and 3[rd] day respectively which was 85%, 83% and 72% less respectively on first, second and third post operative day. The results suggest that the energy and protein intake of patients was below estimated requirements. Attention must be paid to malnutrition and nutrition in general in the hospital wards

In vivo screening of essential oils of Skimmia laureola leaves for antinociceptive and antipyretic activity

Objective:To study the screening of essential oils of Skimmia laureola leaves (SLO) for acute toxicity, antinociceptive, antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities in various animal models. Methods: SLO were extracted using modified Clevenger type apparatus. Acute toxicity test was used in mice to observe its safety level. Antinociceptive activity of SLO was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate tests. Yeast induced hyperthermic mice and pentylenetetrazole induced convulsive mice were used for the assessment of its antipyretic and anticonvulsant profile respectively. Results: Substantial safety was observed for SLO in acute toxicity test. SLO showed a high significant activity in acetic acid induced writhing test in a dose dependent manner with maximum pain attenuation of 68.48%at 200 mg/kg i.p. However, it did not produce any relief in thermal induced pain at test doses. When challenged against pyrexia evoked by yeast, SLO manifested marked amelioration in hyperthermic mice, dose dependently. Maximum anti-hyperthermic activity (75%) was observed at 200 mg/kg i.p. after 4 h of drug administration. Nevertheless, SLO had no effect on seizures control and mortality caused by pentylenetetrazole. Conclusions:In vivo studies of SLO showed prominent antinociceptive and antipyretic activities with ample safety profile and thus provided pharmacological base for the traditional uses of the plant in various painful conditions and pyrexia. Additional detail studies are required to ascertain its clinical application.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: a rare case report

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is an uncommon infiltrative pulmonary disease characterized by deposition of microliths in the alveoli. We present the case of a young adult with complaints of shortness of breath on exertion. Chest radiograph showed innumerable small, dense nodules, diffusely involving both the lungs - predominantly in the lower zones. High-resolution CT scan illustrated widespread intra-alveolar microliths, diffuse ground-glass attenuation areas, septal thickening, and black pleural lines - predominantly in the basal regions. Transbronchial biopsy confirmed the diagnosis

A case of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia with AZFc deletion and persistent oxidative stress.

Y-chromosomal microdeletions are associated with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia. AZFc microdeletions have been always associated with severe oligozoospermia or azoospermia with a rare occurrence in individuals with other infertility phenotypes. We report here a rare case of an infertile man carrying AZFc deletion, whose semen picture is oligoasthenoteratozoospermia complexed with seminal oxidative stress. Anti-oxidant therapy could make no change in either oxidative stress biomarker levels of semen, seminal parameters or serum hormone levels. Therefore, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in the present case correlates with AZFc deletion, and high content of abnormal sperm eventually might be responsible for persistently elevated reactive oxygen species levels. Understanding the function of genes in AZFc region could help decipher the exact cause of the phenotype in such cases.

comparison of sevoflurane with midazolam to provide sedation to patients for surgery under locoregional anaesthesia

To compare the quality, speed of recovery, and side effects of sevoflurane sedation compared with intravenous midazolam. Quasi experimental, double-blind, comparative study. Operation theatre complex, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 1st June 2006 to 31st Dec 2006. Total of sixty patients, American Society of Anaesthesiology I-III aged 18-70 years undergoing surgery under locoregional anaesthesia were divided into two equal groups by convenient sampling. Group A: [n=30] received Sevoflurane sedation. Group B: [n=30] received Midazolam sedation. The patients were sedated gradually during the procedure and maintained at Observer`s assessment of alertness and sedation [OAAS] score of 3. At recovery the OAAS score was measured at 5, 10 and 30 minutes after stopping the drug administration. Subjective assessment of quality of recovery was measured by visual analog scale [VAS] determined at baseline and 5, 10, and 30 min of recovery. On observer`s assessment of alertness and sedation score no significant difference was observed between the two groups in the first 10 min after drug discontinuation but after 30 min allpatientsin group A and 26 out of 30 patients in group B had returned to an OAAS of 5 [p= 0.039]. Subjective recovery as assessed by VAS scores showed that patients were more awake, had higher energy level, were less confused and better coordinated in group A sedation at 10 and 30 min post-procedure as compared to midazolam group B. Sevoflurane for sedation produced faster recovery as compared to intravenous midazolam measured by OAAS score and subjective assessment on VAS scale. However, sevoflurane is complicated by a high incidence of intra-operative excitement