Histological evaluation of placenta in hypertensive pregnancies

Background: Maternal and fetal status are reflected in placenta. Toxemia of pregnancy exerts great impact on placenta and thereby fetal and maternal outcomes. Placenta reflects changes of toxemia and these changes are seen morphology as well as histology. Hence study of placenta gives information on the in-utero fetal condition.Methods: A total of 1000 placenta, 500 each from hypertensive and normotensive groups were included in this study conducted in Anatomy Department of SBKS Medical College and Research Centre, Vadodara. Histological evaluation of the samples taken was done under microscope.Results: Microscopic examination of the placenta revealed the presence of calcification, infarction, fibrinoid necrosis, villous hyalinization, syncytial knots and cytotrophoblastic cellular proliferation in both control and hypertension groups. In the present study, calcification was seen in 35.8% in the control group, while the same was seen in 53.8% patients in test group. Fibrinoid necrosis was seen in 48.8% patients in control group as against 69% patients in test group. Villous Hyalinization was seen in 7.40% and 21.4% patients in control and test groups respectively. On the other hand, syncytial knots were seen in 38% and 69% patients in control and test groups respectively. In test group, cytotrophoblastic cellular proliferation was seen in 69% patients while in control group, it was seen in 33.2% patients. Infarction was also seen in test (42.4%) and control (12.6%) groups.Conclusions: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy have significant effect on the histology of placenta and also influences the fetal outcomes.

A Comparative Study of Single Dose Extradural Analgesia with Bupivacaine and Lignocaine with Adrenaline.

Background: Lignocaine and bupivacaine are still the largely used local anaesthetics in the present day. Here, we are presenting a comparative study of single dose extradural analgesia with Bupivacaine and Lignocaine with adrenaline.Methods: The study was carried out in 60 healthy subjects posted for lower abdominal, pelvic, perineal and lower limb surgeries. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I and Group II. Group I (N=30): Received 20ml of 1.5% Lignocaine with adrenaline 1:200000. Group II (N=30): Received 20ml of 0.5% Bupivacaine. Results: The mean times (with standard times) been extradural injection and onset of analgesia indicate that Lignocaine had a significantly quicker onset of action. However, it is evident from figure that for both the drugs about 50% of patients showed a latency of 6-10 min. Intra operative complications like hypotension, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting and post-operative complications like headache, back ache, nausea ,vomiting, retention of urine and neurological sequelae were noted. Conclusion: Lignocaine with adrenaline had a significantly quicker onset of action. Duration of analgesia produced by Bupivacaine was found to be significantly longer than that produced by Lignocaine with adrenaline.

Anthelmintic activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Trikatu Churna.

The present study was done with the aim to evaluate anthelmintic activity of Trikatu churna containing traditionally user herbs viz., Piper nigrum L. (Piperaceae), Piper longum L. (Piperaceae) and rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe using adult earthworm Pheritima posthuma. All these three ingredients are spicy, commonly used in our daily diet, also well known for their tremendous therapeutic potential, since from the Vedic period. The aqueous and ethanolic extract of Trikatu churna and its ingredients were also screened for preliminary phytochemical studies. Piperazine citrate was used as standard and it was found that the TCEE activity is higher than TCAE.

Formulation of Diclofenac Sodium tablets using Tapioca starch powder- A promising binder.

Formulation research is oriented towards increasing safety and efficacy of existing drug molecule through novel concepts of drug delivery. Diclofenac is a semi-synthetic NSAID used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory. An attempt was made to identify the use of a natural product tapioca starch as binding agent in the formulation of Diclofenac tablets. To establish two other commonly used disintegrating agents potato starch and maize starch were selected and formulated for comparison. Different formulations were prepared by using above three disintegrants in the concentration of 20mg per tablet. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique. All the formulations were subjected to in in-vitro evaluation and the results were compared. The formulation containing tapioca starch powder showed good dissolution characteristics, within the Pharmacopoeial limits and comparative to potato and maize starch.

Cytogenetic evaluation of traffic policemen occupationally exposed to vehicular exhaust.

Background & objectives: Automobile exhaust consists of many toxic components and is considered to be a major health concern in urban areas. Traffic policemen are occupationally exposed to vehicular exhaust during the traffic control. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate genotoxic effects of vehicular exhaust in traffic policemen in Hyderabad, south India. Methods: Analysis of chromosomal aberrations was carried out in 136 traffic policemen, including 78 non smokers and 58 smokers who were exposed to vehicular exhaust for a period of 1-28 yr. For comparison, 115 healthy males including 69 non smokers and 46 smokers of the same age group and socio-economic status (who were not exposed to any chemical or radiation at their workplace) were studied. Results: A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in the mean frequency of chromosomal aberrations in non smoker and smoker traffic policemen (6.48 and 8.96 respectively) when compared to their respective control groups (3.35 and 4.30). According to the age a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations was observed both in control and exposed groups (P<0.05). As the duration of exposure increased in traffic policemen, there was a corresponding increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. Interpretation & conclusions: Cytogenetic damage was more pronounced in smokers when compared to non smokers. Age and duration of exposure also appear to play a vital role in causing cytogenetic damage. Thus the present study suggests that the induction of cytogenetic damage might be due to the cumulative effect of smoking, age and duration of exposure to vehicular exhaust.

High resolution sonography for analysis of meniscal injuries.

High resolution ultrasonography was done prospectively in 51 adult patients with clinically suspected meniscal injuries to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography as a primary diagnostic tool and to see if it was possible to evaluate the site, extent and size of the tear. All cases were confirmed arthroscopically; ultrasonographic examination revealed inhomogenecity in 45 cases and this was accurate in 40 cases; in 3 cases ultrasonography gave a false positive result and in 2 cases the wrong meniscus was shown to be torn. The six cases with no findings on ultrasonography were proven to have no meniscal tear. The sensitivity of ultrasonography as a screening test to rule out meniscal injuries was thus 100%; on the other hand the specificity (false positive screening test) was 54%. It was no possible to determine the site, size or extent of the tear by the ultrasonographic examination. Even though magnetic resonance imaging is more accurate in giving an exact diagnosis, ultrasonography is an excellent primary diagnostic tool which is inexpensive with no side-effects, is readily available and has very good sensitivity and a reasonable specificity.

Time-resolved emission spectroscopy as a tool to follow nucleic acid-protein interaction.

Fluorescence spectroscopy is undoubtedly a useful tool to study the structural and functional aspects of nucleic acids-protein interactions as well as the catalytic functions of particular residues of multi-subunit enzyme complexes. The dynamic interaction of nucleic acids and proteins occurring at nanosecond time scale can now be monitored by making life-time measurements or by time-resolved emission spectroscopy. These measurements are made by exploiting the intrinsic fluorescent residues in proteins i.e. W or by the use of extrinsic fluorophores which are tagged on to particular residues and that are sensitive to the microenvironment changes. In this study we describe the use of time resolved emission spectroscopy to (a) analyse the transient binding between sigma 70 and DNA by monitoring the quenching of W residues and (b) monitor the various states which nucleosomes of active, inducible or inactive chromatin may adopt in vivo.