Assessment of knowledge and attitude towards alternative to animal experimentation in research and education among interns and post graduate medical students in a teaching hospital, Tamilnadu, India

Background: Use of animals for various purposes like food, transportation, pets, sports, recreation and companionship is as old as the human beings itself. Animals also serve as a tool for education, research, medical procedures, toxicological screening, for several decades. Since pain, distress and death of animals occur commonly during scientific experiments, various guidelines have been proposed and posed many restrictions over the experimental use of animals.To assess the knowledge and attitude towards alternative to animal experimentation in research and education among interns and postgraduate medical students in a teaching hospital.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out by self-administered questionnaire among interns (92) and postgraduate medical students (53) in a teaching hospital in July 2018. The data was analysed by descriptive statistics and expressed in percentage.Results: Among 145 participants, interns 92 (63.4%), postgraduates 53 (36.6%). 70.2% interns and 68.8% postgraduates had adequate knowledge about alternative animal experimentation and 67% and 67.1% of interns and postgraduates had knowledge about animal experiments. 69.4% interns and 68.8% postgraduates had positive attitude towards alternative animal experimentation.83.8% interns and 70.9% postgraduates were agreed to have various barriers to alternative animal experimentation.Conclusions: Majority of interns and postgraduates have appreciable knowledge of alternative to animal experimentation, but their attitude is scarce. It is imperative to incorporate continuous training through workshops for budding medical professionals to provide innovative scientific knowledge in research and education towards alternative to animal experimentation.

Cloning and molecular characterisation of resuscitation promoting factor-like gene from Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium.

Purpose: Resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf)-like gene of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis has been known to stimulate the growth of mycobacteria and enhances the recovery of replicating cells from non-replicating phases. The objective of the study was to produce recombinant rpf-like protein of M. avium subspecies avium protein for purification and physico-chemical characterisation. Materials and Methods: The identified rpf gene of M. avium subspecies avium was cloned, subcloned, sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli expression system for the production of the recombinant protein. The expressed recombinant Rpf protein was confirmed by Western blot and the extract was purified to yield a pure recombinant protein. Results: An rpf-like gene of 675 bp size in the M. avium subspecies avium was identified. This gene was expressed and the recombinant Rpf weighed 65 kDa as confirmed by Western blot. The M. avium recombinant Rpf protein was extracted under denatured conditions and purified yielding a recombinant protein with >90% purity. Conclusions: Identification, cloning, sequencing and expression of a rpf-like gene from M. avium suggest that RpfA is present in this species also, which might be involved in reactivation phenomenon in this high-risk pathogen.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney failure is much more common than people realize, and often goes undetected and undiagnosed until the disease is well advanced and kidney failure is fairly imminent. As the kidney function decreases it affects many other systems of the body mainly the calcium phosphorous metabolism as the metabolism is mainly controlled by kidney in terms of absorption and reabsorption of calcium phosphorus. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is usually found in patients with kidney failure and involves all four parathyroid glands. The kidney problems trigger the parathyroid glands into making excess parathyroid hormone (PTH). Here we have reconfirmed the findings and evidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patient.

Selected neurobehavioural evaluation of Leucas Aspera in wistar albino rats.

Background: Leucas Aspera is used in traditional medicine for many ailments. The present study was designed to evaluate the neuro behavioural effects in Wistar albino rats after oral administration of leaves of Leucas Aspera for 28 days. Methods: Wistar albino rats of either sex were treated with the aqueous suspension of dried powdered leaves of L. aspera. Three different groups of animals received L. aspera suspension in doses of 50 mg/kg/day, 100 mg /kg/day or 200mg/kg/day orally for 28 days. The animals were weighed once in a week and the food and water consumption was monitored every day. Behavioural changes in these animals were monitored every week using Rotarod, Actophotometer and William’s maze. Results: A significant increase in body weight, food and water consumption in rats could be recorded after 3rdand 4th week of treatment with 200mg/kg/dayL.aspera. However, there were no changes in any of the behavioural responses in L .aspera treated groups compared to control. Conclusions: The unaltered neuro behavioural responses after L. aspera treatment indicate the safe nature of this medicinal plant. The significant increase in food consumption and body weight changes suggest a potential anabolic/ nutraceutical property of L. aspera.

Penetrating orbital injuries from plant material during pond and river diving.

Diving into lakes and ponds is a common activity of rural children. We present two cases of penetrating orbital injuries from plant matter sustained in this manner. Such injuries pose a particular challenge because wooden foreign bodies are often missed during orbital exploration, and current imaging modalities cannot reliably identify retained organic material. When a patient presents with orbital penetration after a high-risk mechanism of injury, such as freshwater diving, the clinician must maintain a very high index of suspicion for retained wooden foreign body.

Evaluation of anti arthritic activity of pet – ether extract of portulaca oleracea (Linn.).

To investigate the antiarrthritic activity of petroleum-ether extract of Portulaca oleracea. The petroleum-ether extract of Portulaca oleracea was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. Acute toxicity studies were carried out in Male Wistar rats and anti-arthritic activity by Fruends adjuant arthritis model. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids. Acute toxicity studies showed that the extract was non-toxic upto a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Petroleum-ether extract exhibited significant anti-arthritic activity. The present study indicates that the petroleumether extract of Portulaca oleracea has a potential anti-arthritic activity can be used as anti-arthritic drug.

Leuconostoc garlicum: An unusual pathogen in the era of vancomycin therapy.

Leuconostoc garlicum, belonging to the family of Leuconostocaceae, is a catalase-negative, Gram-positive ovoid cocci, intrinsically resistant to vancomycin. Clinical infection by Leuconostoc garlicum is rare. We report a case of respiratory tract infection subsequent to vancomycin therapy.

Immunomodulatory effects of alcoholic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Moringa olifera Lam leaves.

Effects of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of the alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of M. olifera were studied on various immune paradigms like delayed type hypersensitivity reaction using SRBC as an antigen, determination of antibody titer, neutrophil adhesion test as an indicator for neutrophil index, total leucocyte count in cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppressed animals and carbon clearance assay as a measure of phagocytic activity. Hydro-alcoholic extract of M. olifera substantially enhanced cellular immune response, humoral immune response, neutrophil index and phagoctic activity in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. The ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg body wieght) was efficient in improving immune response. The results suggest that M. olifera has a significant role to play as an immune stimulator.

Aerobic bacterial isolates from choledochal bile at a tertiary hospital.

We studied the aerobic bacterial isolates from bile and their susceptibilty pattern in patients with biliary tract disease. Samples of bile collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) and surgery, were inoculated on standard media. Bacterial identification and susceptibility were done by standard techniques. A total of 209 samples were cultured, out of which 128 samples showed growth. Total number of isolates obtained was 221. Poly-microbial infection was detected in 67 patients. Predominant aerobic bacterial isolates obtained were Escherichia coli 30% (67), Klebsiella species 23.98% (53), Enterococcus species 12.21% (27). Multi-drug resistance was noted in 57%. Higher resistance rate was noted among Gram negative bacilli for ampicillin (92.4%), cephalexin (82.46%), ciprofloxacin (68.42%), piperacillin (64.33%). Sensitivity to meropenem was 90.64% and amikacin was 76.61%. Gram positive bacteria showed high resistance to gentamicin (39.53%). Sensitivity to ampicillin was 86.05% and penicillin was 81.4%. Vancomycin and teicoplanin showed 100% sensitivity. From our study we conclude that E. coli, Klebsiella species and Enterococcus species are common pathogens infecting biliary tract. Poly-microbial infection and multi-drug resistance warrants culture and sensitivity to guide antimicrobial therapy. We recommend combination of amikacin and ampicillin for empirical therapy at our institution.

Septic arthritis due to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, a gram-negative aerobic bacillus of the family Parvobacteriaceae which is a normal inhabitant of the oral flora, is a rare cause of human infection. We report a case of septic arthritis caused by this organism in an uncompromised child.