Hepatoprotective Activity of 6-Heptadecylcyclohex -3-ene-1 Carboxylic Acid Isolated from the Methanol Extract of Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn. Stem Bark

Aim of the Study: The phytoconstituent 6-heptadecylcyclohex 3-ene-1 carboxylic acid isolated from the methanol extract of Dichrotachys cinerea Wight. stem bark was evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced toxicity. Materials and Methods: The constituent 6-heptadecylcyclohex 3-ene-1 carboxylic acid isolated from the methanolic extract of D. cinerea and the structure was confirmed by spectroscopic studies. Hepatoprotective property was screened in male wistar strain rats. The parameters studied were estimation of liver function serum markers such as serum total bilirubin, total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and histological profile of the liver tissue. Results: The LD50 of methanolic extract and constituent, 6-Heptadecylcyclohex -3-ene-1 carboxylic acid were evaluated and found to be 500 and 100 mg/kg body weight respectively. The hepatoprotective activity of constituent was more significant as similar to the standard hepatoprotective drug silymarin. The histological profile of the liver tissue showed the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and fatty infiltration as similar to the controls. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of D. cinerea stem bark and the phytoconstituent 6-heptadecylcyclohex-3-ene-1 carboxylic acid showed significant protection from CCl4 induced liver damage.

Antibacterial potential of Caesalpinia bonducella extracts and their isolated phytoconstituents: in vitro and in silico analysis

The antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia bonducella extracts such as CLC, CLE, CSC, and CSE and thephytoconstituents such as β-Sitosterol (LC3) isolated from CLC and methyl (4E)-5-{2-[(1E)-buta-1,3-dien-1-yl]-4,6-dihydroxyphenyl} pent-4-enoate (SC2) isolated from CSC were evaluated on gram-positive and gram-negativebacteria. The extracts and isolated compounds were found to have moderate-to-significant bacterial inhibition. Thesignificant activity was observed in the inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by CLC extract (16.10 ± 1.10 mm),whereas the isolated phytocomponent SC2 showed the highest inhibition (16.50 ± 0.58 mm). Further, the isolatedcompounds were subjected to molecular docking studies of the bacterial DNA Gyrase. The in silico study showedthe docking energy of −6.4 and three hydrogen bonding. This in vitro and in silico analysis of extracts and isolatedphytocomponents of C. bonducella helps to understand and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy to cure infectiousdiseases and also supports the traditional medicinal claim as an antibiotic.

Do Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale Score of 3 and Bilateral Fixed and Dilated Pupils Have any Chance of Survival?

Background: Low Glasgow coma scale score (GCS) and pupillary status predict poor outcomes in traumatic acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) patients. We compared the mortality of GCS 3 patients having bilateral fixed and dilated pupils (BFDPs) with GCS 3 patients having reactive pupils (RPs). We then determined if trauma system or patient factors were responsible for the difference in mortality. Methods: We reviewed all adult, traumatic ASDH patients with GCS 3, admitted to our institution from December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Demographics, injury data, prehospital times, procedures, and outcomes were recorded. Results: During this period, 145 patients were admitted with GCS of 3, and met inclusion criteria. In all, 100 patients were analyzed, after excluding 20 patients who were dead on arrival, and 25 others, who were intoxicated with alcohol or received paralytic agents in the trauma room. All BFDP patients died, whereas 87% of RP patients died. With regard to patient factors, BFDP patients were more likely to be unstable, have extra-axial bleeding, and evidence of midline shift and/or herniation. Trauma system factors, however, may also have had an impact on outcome. Despite having more extra-axial bleeding, BFDP patients were less likely to have a neurosurgical operation than RP patients. Conclusion: Patients with GCS of 3 and BFDPs have a 100% mortality. These patients have suffered devastating brain injuries and tend to be hemodynamically unstable. Clinicians, however, are less likely to aggressively treat BFDP patients than RP patients. Further prospective studies are required to determine which patients with GCS of 3, and BFDPs are likely to benefit from aggressive treatment.

Total Phenolics and Antioxidant Potentials of Rotula aquatica Lour.

Rotula aquatica Lour is a small branched shrub that grows characteristically among rocks and trailing over gravel in stream beds. It belongs to the family Boraginaceae and widely distributed throughout India. It is commonly called as Pasanabheda. The present study was aimed to evaluate the total phenolics and in vitro antioxidant activity in root and leaf extracts of Rotula aquatica Lour. The dried roots and leaves were subjected to soxhlet extraction utilizing chloroform and methanol followed by preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis. Total phenolic content was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu method and in vitro antioxidant assays were performed using various radical scavenging activities viz. DPPH, superoxide anion, nitric oxide, hydroxyl and iron chelating activities at different concentrations. The results of the total phenolic content estimation was expressed in terms of equivalence with standard and the antioxidant potentiality of various scavenging and chelating activity were expressed in terms of IC50 values. The results showed that both root and leaves possess significant antioxidant activity even though the former was found to be superior than the latter in terms of parameters assessed. Further the methanol extracts were proved to be an ideal for the materials subjected to investigation.

Referral pattern for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the head and neck cancers in a tertiary care center.

BACKGROUND: Use of any treatment modality in cancer depends not only on the effectiveness of the modality, but also on other factors such as local expertise, tolerance of the modality, cost and prevalence of the disease. Oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer are the major subsites in which majority of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) literature in the head and neck cancers is available. However, oral cancers form a major subsite in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an analysis of a prospectively maintained data on NACT in the head and neck cancers from 2008 to 2012. All these patients were referred for NACT for various indications from a multidisciplinary clinic. Descriptive analysis of indications for NACT in this data base is presented. RESULTS: A total of 862 patients received NACT within the stipulated time period. The sites where oral cavity 721 patients (83.6%), maxilla 41 patients (4.8%), larynx 33 patients (3.8%), laryngopharynx 8 patients (0.9%) and hypopharynx 59 patients (8.2%). Out of oral cancers, the major indication for NACT was to make the cancer resectable in all (100%) patients. The indication in carcinoma of maxilla was to make the disease resectable in 29 patients (70.7% of maxillary cancers) and in 12 patients (29.3% of maxillary cancers) it was given as an attempt to preserve the eyeball. The indication for NACT in laryngeal cancers was organ preservation in 14 patients (42.4% of larnyngeal cancer) and to achieve resectability in 19 patients (57.6% of larnyngeal cancer). The group with laryngopharynx is a cohort of eight patients in whom NACT was given to prevent tracheostomy, these patients had presented with early stridor (common terminology criteria for adverse events Version 4.02). The reason for NACT in hypopharyngeal cancers was for organ preservation in 24 patients (40.7% of hypopharyngeal cancer) and for achievement of resectability in 35 patients (59.3% of hypopharyngeal cancer). CONCLUSION: The major indication for NACT is to make disease resectable at our center while cases for organ preservation are few.

Sunitinib in metastatic renal cell carcimoma: A single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has had poor prognosis; the outcomes have improved with the introduction of tyrosine‑kinase inhibitors, such as sunitinib. There is no reported literature from India on the use of sunitinib in metastatic RCC. We present an analysis of sunitinib at our institute over 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An unselected population of patients with metastatic or relapsed metastatic RCC receiving sunitinib was analyzed with respect to patient characteristics, response, toxicity, and outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty‑nine patients (51 males, 8 females) with a median age of 55 years were included in the study. Lungs and bones were the most common site of metastases. The patients received a median number of 4 cycles, with 23 patients requiring dose‑modification and 12 discontinuing therapy due to toxicity. Overall, 38 patients (65%) had CR, PR, or standard deviation while 14 had progression or death at initial evaluation. The median progression‑free survival (PFS) was 11.4 months and overall survival was 22.6 months. Hand–foot syndrome, fatigue, mucositis, skin rash, and vomiting were seen more often among our patients, whereas hypertension was not as common compared with previously published reports. CONCLUSION: Sunitinib is a viable option for the treatment of metastatic RCC and shows a comparable PFS in Indian patients. Although toxicity remains a concern, most of the adverse effects can be managed conservatively. Careful patient selection, tailoring the dose of therapy, adequate counseling, and careful follow‑up is essential for optimum therapy.

Biochemical markers assisted screening of Fusarium wilt resistant Musa paradisiaca (L.) cv. Puttabale micropropagated clones.

An efficient protocol was standardized for screening of panama wilt resistant Musa paradisiaca cv. Puttabale clones, an endemic cultivar of Karnataka, India. The synergistic effect of 6-benzyleaminopurine (2 to 6 mg/L) and thidiazuron (0.1 to 0.5 mg/L) on MS medium provoked multiple shoot induction from the excised meristem. An average of 30.10 ± 5.95 shoots was produced per propagule at 4 mg/L 6-benzyleaminopurine and 0.3 mg/L thidiazuron concentrations. Elongation of shoots observed on 5 mg/L BAP augmented medium with a mean length of 8.38 ± 0.30 shoots per propagule. For screening of disease resistant clones, multiple shoot buds were mutated with 0.4% ethyl-methane-sulfonate and cultured on MS medium supplemented with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (FOC) culture filtrate (5–15%). Two month old co-cultivated secondary hardened plants were used for screening of disease resistance against FOC by the determination of biochemical markers such as total phenol, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, oxidative enzymes like peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, catalase and PR-proteins like chitinase, β-1-3 glucanase activities. The mutated clones of M. paradisiaca cv. Puttabale cultured on FOC culture filtrate showed significant increase in the levels of biochemical markers as an indicative of acquiring disease resistant characteristics to FOC wilt.

Direct and indirect method of plant regeneration from root explants of Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.— A threatened medicinal plant of Western Ghats.

An in vitro regeneration protocol has been standardized via direct and indirect methods from excised root explants of C. bonduc, a threatened woody legume used for the treatment of contagious diseases, inflammation, leprosy, antiperiodic, febrifuge, anthelmenthic, urinary disorders, leucorrhoea, piles and to heal wounds. MS medium supplemented with 17.75 µmol BAP and 2.46 µmol IBA, induced a mean of 3.40 ± 1.07 shoots directly from the surface of excised root explant. Subsequently, the shoots rooted readily on MS half strength medium with out growth regulators. In indirect organogenesis, callogenic frequency was optimized (96.66%) at the concentration of 9.04 µmol 2, 4-D and 0.88 µmol BAP. An average, 15.30 ± 5.25 shoots were differentiated from the root callus at the concentration of 17.57 µmol BAP and 2.85 µmol IAA. Shoots regenerated through callus were rooted well on MS half strength medium with growth regulators at 2.95 µmol IBA. Rooted plantlets were transferred to the pots containing sterilized soil and were successfully hardened at greenhouse condition for three weeks then exposed to the natural environment. Survival rate was more (95%) in plantlets derived through direct organogenesis than (60%) the plantlets regenerated through root calli.

Regeneration of plantlets from mature embryo calli of Western Ghats land race cultivar of rice, Oryza sativa L.

The Malnad region located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka is known for the cultivation of indigenous rain fed land race cultivar of rice. The present study was to investigate the callogenic and caulogenic potentialities of the two indigenous rice cultivar namely Karimundaga and Kanadatumba using dehusked mature embryo explants. For callus and shoot bud differentiation, the explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2,4-D (1–3 mg/L), IAA (1–2 mg/L), Kn (1–4 mg/L) and BAP (1–4 mg/L). The morphogenic potentialities of the two rice cultivar differed in texture of callus. In both the cultivar callogenic frequency was optimized at 1 mg/L 2,4-D concentration, it was 94% in Karimundaga and 58% in Kanadatumba. Supplementation of IAA either alone (1–2 mg/L) or in combination with Kn or BAP at 1 to 4 mg/L concentration of each induces shoot bud differentiation from the calli. In the cultivar Karimundaga caulogenic frequency was highest (10.60±2.55) at 1.0 mg/L IAA and 4.0 mg/L BAP concentration. While in the cultivar Kanadatumba highest number of shoot buds (7.90±2.69) was differentiated at 1.0 mg/L IAA and 4.0 mg/L Kn concentration. The calli derived regenerants were successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse and agro-morphological variations were evaluated. The growth characteristics and yield related parameters exhibited by in vitro plants were lower than the in vivo plants.

Anthelminthic and Bactericidal Activity of Extracts from Flaveria trinervia Spring C. Mohr.

Objective: To determine the anthelminthic and bactericidal activity of Flaveria trinervia. Study design: Assessment of Anthelminthic and bactericidal activity. Place and Duration of Study: Anthelminthic and bactericidal activity of extracts from Flaveria trinervia Spring C. Mohr. between August 2010 and May 2011. Methodology: The methanol and aqueous extracts of Flaveria trinervia were screened for antibacterial activity against 20 clinical strains belonging to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi, Echerichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different infectious sources. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay of both the extracts was carried out against clinical isolates using two fold agar dilution method. Ciprofloxacin and piperazine citrate were used as the standard reference for bactericidal and anthelminthic activity respectively. Results: Evaluation of anti-bacterial activity revealed that both the extracts showed effective activity against all the six bacterial pathogens. Specifically, aqueous extract was more efficient than methanol extract but less potent than standard drug ciprofloxacin. Among the various concentrations of aqueous extract tested, 250 mg/ml showed efficient anthelminthic activity and among all the concentrations methanol extract tested 250 mg/ml gave significant results. This investigation revealed that methanol extract of F. trinervia showed significant anthelminthic activity against Pheretima posthuma when compared to the aqueous extract. Conclusion: From the results of this investigation we can conclude that F. trinervia is a potent antibacterial and anthelminthic plant.

Surgical technique for retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy: a case report

A case of right non-functioning kidney secondary to chronic pyelonephritis is presented. The successful management through retroperitoneoscopic nephrectomy is described, emphasising the technique of this minimally invasive therapeutic option

Evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of Clerodendrum serratum L.

The ethanol extract of C. serratum roots and ursolic acid isolated from it were evaluated for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity in male Wistar strain rats. The parameters studied were estimation of liver function serum markers such as serum total bilirubin, total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The ursolic acid showed more significant hepatoprotective activity than crude extract. The histological profile of the liver tissue of the root extract and ursolic acid treated animal showed the presence of normal hepatic cords, absence of necrosis and fatty infiltration as similar to the controls. The results when compared with the standard drug silymarin, revealed that the hepatoprotective activity of the constituent ursolic acid is significant as similar to the standard drug.

Assessment of the efficacy of an indigeniously developed pulse oximeter dental sensor holder for pulp vitality testing.

Current routine methods of assessment of pulp vitality rely on stimulation of nerve fibres and give no direct indication of blood flow within the pulp. Pulse oximeter is a proven, atraumatic method of measuring vascular status, by evaluating oxygen saturation. This study explores the use of customized dental pulse oximeter sensor holder to assess pulpal vascular oxygen saturation in permanent teeth. Pulse oximeter readily differentiated between known vital and nonvital teeth. Vital teeth consistently provided oxygen saturation values that were lower than the values recorded on the patient's fingers. Pulse oximeter is an accurate, atraumatic clinical alternative to the present electrical and thermal methods of assessing pulp vitality in teeth.

High-risk sexual behaviour & sensation seeking among heavy alcohol users.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: An association has been shown between alcohol use and high-risk sexual behaviour. One of the important variables that might mediate risky sexual behaviour among alcohol users is the sensation-seeking dimension of personality. This study was undertaken with the aim to assess the relationship between sensation seeking and sexual risk taking among heavy alcohol users admitted to a De-addiction centre. METHODS: To study the above association, sensation seeking was compared between subjects admitted for treatment of alcohol dependence with (n = 30) and without (n = 30) reported high-risk sexual behaviour. RESULTS: Subjects reporting high-risk sexual behaviour were found to have higher sensation seeking scores in all the domains of the sensation seeking scale compared to those without high-risk sexual behaviour. Scores on the subscale disinhibition, of the sensation seeking scale seemed to be associated with higher sexual risk taking. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Sensation seeking as a personality variable was significantly associated with sexual risk taking behaviour among heavy alcohol users. The study indicates the need for careful assessment of personality in these individuals and emphasizes the need for further studies on a larger sample.

Short-term results of initial trabeculectomy with intraoperative or postoperative 5-fluorouracil for primary glaucomas.

Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients were prospectively evaluated to study the short term efficacy, safety, and overall surgical outcome of initial trabeculectomy for primary glaucomas with adjunctive intraoperative or postoperative 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) use. Twelve eyes serving as controls underwent trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites. Eleven eyes received intraoperative 5-FU, while 10 eyes received subconjunctival 5-FU postoperatively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained below 22 mmHg at 3 months of follow up in 90.9% and 80% of patients in the intraoperative and postoperative 5-FU groups, respectively, without use of additional antiglaucoma medications, whereas 66.7% of the patients in the control group achieved similar IOP levels. Hypotony (IOP < 6 mmHg) was seen more commonly after intraoperative 5-FU (27.3%). Corneal epithelial defects were seen exclusively in the postoperative 5-FU group (40%). The use of intraoperative 5-FU exclusively as a mode of antimetabolites delivery seems an acceptable alternative to enhance success rates of trabeculectomy for the primary glaucomas.

Short-term results of initial trabeculectomy with intraoperative or postoperative 5-fluorouracil for primary glaucomas.

Thirty three eyes of 33 patients were prospectively evaluated to study the short term efficacy, and overall surgical outcome of initial trabeculectomy for primary glaucomas with adjunctive intraoperative on postoperative 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) use. Twelve eyes served as control who underwent trabeculectomy without adjunctive antimetabolites. Eleven eyes received intraoperative 5-FU, while 10 eyes received subconjunctival 5-FU postoperatively. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was maintained below 22 mmHg at 3 months of follow up in 90.9% and 80% of patients in the intraoperative and postoperative 5-FU groups respectively, without use of additional antiglaucoma medications, whereas 66.7% of the patients in the control group achieved similar IOP levels. Hypotony (I.O.P. < 6 mmHg) was seen more commonly after intraoperative 5-FU (27.3%). Corneal epithelial defects were seen exclusively in the postoperative 5-FU group (40%). The use of intraoperative 5-FU exclusively as a mode of antimetabolite delivery seems an acceptable alternative to enhance success rates of trabeculectomy for the primary glaucomas.