Primary mediastinal hydatid cyst causing diaphragmatic palsy

Abstract Hydatid cystic disease is a significant clinical problem in endemic countries. Hydatid cysts are most commonly located in the liver and lungs. Primary mediastinal hydatid cyst is a rare clinical entity. The diagnosis must be considered in a patient with a mediastinal mass, particularly in endemic regions. Mediastinal hydatid cysts causing paralysis of phrenic and recurrent laryngeal nerves have been rarely reported. We describe a rare case of primary mediastinal hydatid cyst associated with diaphragmatic palsy caused by compression of the left phrenic nerve, which was successfully treated with partial cystectomy and capitonnage with hemidiaphragmatic plication.

Evaluation of the effects of Prunus dulcis on mice models of depression

Background: Prunus dulcis (almond) contains high amounts of Inositol hexakisphosphate (IP6) which has proven antidepressant effects. Hence this study was done to evaluate the effects of Prunus dulcis on mice models of depression.Methods: Tails suspension test (TST) and forced swim test (FST) are usually used to assess the antidepressant activity in animal models. They were employed to analyse the effectiveness of Prunus dulcis before and after two weeks of the study period and the results were compared. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 mice each.group-1 (Normal control); group-2 was given fluoxetine 10 mg/kg; group- 3 and group- 4 were given 600 mg/kg and 1200 mg/kg of Prunus dulcis extract respectively. All the animals were on standard chow diet the entire duration of the study.Results: Prunus dulcis (almond) is found to be effective in treating depression, by significantly reducing the immobility period on test group 1 in forced swim test (p<0.05) and test group 2 in tail suspension test (p<0.05).Conclusions: The results clearly indicate the beneficial effects Prunus dulcis (almond) on mice models of depression. Further studies are required to prove its effectiveness in humans.

Evaluation of analgesic activity of glucose in Swiss Albino mice

Background: Pain is the first and foremost symptom which alerts us about the underlying diseases, injuries or inflammation. Varied treatments are followed for pain relief worldwide. Nowadays tramadol, a centrally acting opioid analgesic is used widely. There are evidences that sweet substances like sucrose produce analgesia through endogenous opioid system. Sucrose has been proved to produce analgesic effect in healthy neonates and also in animals. Likewise, analgesic effect of glucose has also been studied but only limited no. of studies available.Methods: Swiss Albino mice of either sex (20-30g) were procured from the central animal house of KFMS and R, Coimbatore. Animals were maintained under controlled temperature and light conditions with food and water ad libitum. Mice were kept in the department to get acclimatized. 24 mice were divided into 4 groups (n=6). Drugs were given orally after 12hours of fasting. Group I was the control. Group II received standard-tramadol (40mg/kg). Group III received glucose (200mg/kg). Group IV received glucose (400mg/kg).Results: The latency period of glucose was significant (p<0.001) compared to controls and standard was significant (p<0.001) when compared to glucose by hot plate method.Conclusions: Analgesic activity of glucose may be due to both central and peripheral inhibition of PG synthesis. This has been proved in previous studies. This study showed that glucose can be used as an add-on in non-diabetic patients with better compliance.

Bioconversion of agro-industrial wastes for the production of fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus halodurans IND18: Purification and biochemical characterization

Background: Agro-wastes were used for the production of fibrinolytic enzyme in solid-state fermentation. The process parameters were optimized to enhance the production of fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus halodurans IND18 by statistical approach. The fibrinolytic enzyme was purified, and the properties were studied. Results: A two-level full factorial design was used to screen the significant factors. The factors such as moisture, pH, and peptone were significantly affected enzyme production and these three factors were selected for further optimization using central composite design. The optimum medium for fibrinolytic enzyme production was wheat bran medium containing 1% peptone and 80% moisture with pH 8.32. Under these optimized conditions, the production of fibrinolytic enzyme was found to be 6851 U/g. The fibrinolytic enzyme was purified by 3.6-fold with 1275 U/mg specific activity. The molecular mass of fibrinolytic enzyme was determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it was observed as 29 kDa. The fibrinolytic enzyme depicted an optimal pH of 9.0 and was stable at a range of pH from 8.0 to 10.0. The optimal temperature was 60°C and was stable up to 50°C. This enzyme activated plasminogen and also degraded the fibrin net of blood clot, which suggested its potential as an effective thrombolytic agent. Conclusions: Wheat bran was found to be an effective substrate for the production of fibrinolytic enzyme. The purified fibrinolytic enzyme degraded fibrin clot. The fibrinolytic enzyme could be useful to make as an effective thrombolytic agent.

Innovations in monitoring of adverse drug reactions: the role of a technical advisor.

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have ethical implications. These include assessment of the risk–benefit ratio and re-administering informed consent based on the new ADRs identified. The Indian Council of Medical Research ethical guidelines mandate the scrutiny of ADR; and the standard operating procedures of the ethics committee of the authors’ medical school endorse this line.

Biosynthesis and characterization of keratinolytic protease from actinobacterium sp. in solid state culture.

The aim of this study was to use agro-industrial residues for the production of a halotolerant keratinolytic- protease by Actinobacterium sp. in solid-state fermentation. Among various agro-industrial residues that were evaluated, apple pomace supported maximum protease production (8400 U/g material). The optimum conditions required for enzyme production were a fermentation period of 72 h, 10% (w/v) NaCl, pH 7.0, 120% (v/w) moisture and 10% (v/w) inoculum. The enzyme exhibited activity to a range of pH (7.0-9.0) and temperature (30-45°C), with optima at 8.0 and 40 °C, respectively. Most of the divalent ions tested stimulated the protease activity and Ca2+ ion was required for its activity and stability. The enzyme was widely active at the range of NaCl concentration (5%-15%, w/v) and effectively degraded chicken feather. This protease could be useful in fish sauce fermentation and also in feed industry.

Oral health: Role of chewing gum

The prevalence of dental caries in Brunei Darussalam is highly alarming and dental anxiety in general leads to avoidance of dental care. Since this is an era of preventive dentistry utilising a holistic approach, excellent results could be achieved if preventative methods are regularly used by people in day-to-day life. Gum chewing is increasing dramatically despite racial, cultural and religious taboos against them. Many previously considered chewing sugared gum might increase the cariogenic load. However with better understanding of cariology, it is now perceived by many that chewing sugared gum after meals is safe. Sugarless gum has an important role in preventive dentistry. Chewing gum with incorporation of anti-plaque agents and various drug delivery systems is distinctive as a special confectionary item. This article reviews the historical background of gum chewing, the role of various chewing gums in preventing oral diseases like dental caries and periodontal diseases, its role in the management of xerostomia, hypersensitive teeth and as an alternate to cigarette smoking habit.

Cardiovascular complications in ciguatera fish poisoning: a wake-up call

Ciguatera fish poisoning occurs with ingestion of fish containing ciguatoxin. It causes a clinical syndrome that comprises classic gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. Ciguatoxin is a sodium channel agonist with cholinergic and adrenergic activity. Although cardiovascular symptoms are rare with ciguatoxin, we report two cases with bradycardia and hypotension. Fatality and long-term sequelae are not uncommon with ciguatoxin poisoning and educating the general population is essential

A continuum model to study the internal fluctuations in globular proteins.

The salient features of the differential equation model to study protein dynamics are presented with results for 19 proteins.