effect of amantadine on clomipramine induced sexual dysfunction in male rats

Several studies have reported that Clomipramine has the ability to suppress male rat sexual behavior. Literature indicates that the activation of brain D2 receptors causes facilitation of penile erection, and a number of reports have indicated dopamine's involvement in sexual function. Hence this study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Amantadine, a dopamine agonists on the Clomipramine induced sexual dysfunction. The study subjects involved a total of 48 males and 48 females, 4 months old Sprague-Dawley albino rats, all housed in a group of six males and females separately in plexi glass cages in an acclimatized colony room [25 +/- 0.5[degree sign]C] maintained on a 12/12 hr light/dark cycle. The male rats were randomly divided into four groups of 12 male rats each. Group I served as controls. Group II, III, and IV were treated with Amantadine [9 mg/kg body weight, p.o] 30 min, prior to the treatment with 13.5 mg/kg, 27 mg/Kg and 54 mg/Kg bodyweight p.o of Clomipramine respectively for 60 days. The control group received vehicle 1 ml / kg p.o. The sexual behavior of the male rats was observed to determine the following parameters: mount latency, intromission latency, ejaculation latency, post ejaculatory pause, and intromission frequency. As well as the sexual behavior; serum testosterone and histopathology of the testes were also investigated in this study. The results indicate that Amantadine in all aspects failed to antagonize Clomipramine induced sexual dysfunction in male rats. Even the sexual competence of male rats treated with 1/2 therapeutic dose [TD] of Clomipramine failed to regain their sexual competence in the presence of Amantadine. Testicular damage and decline in testosterone levels continued in the presence of Amantadine. Overall, the results suggest that Amantadine could not be a safe antidote to antagonize Clomipramine induced sexual dysfunction

In vitro alpha-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of amaranthus caudatus Linn

The present study was aimed to investigate the alpha-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activities of methanolic extract of Amaranthus caudatus Linn [MeAc]. Methanolic extract of Amaranthus caudatus was screened for alpha-amylase inhibition activity by CNPG3 method [2-chloro-p-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-maltotrioside] and antioxidant activity was evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazile [DPPH] free radical scavenging, superoxide dismutase [SOD] scavenging, hydroxyl free radical scavenging, nitric oxide [NO] radical scavenging, and 2.2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid [ABTS] radical scavenging assays. MeAc was also screened for non enzymatic hemoglycosylation. The methanolic extract of Amaranthus caudatus showed potent alpha-amylase inhibition activity [IC50 19.233 micro g/ml]. MeAc showed significant antioxidant activity in all the in vitro antioxidant models. Furthermore, the MeAc was found to be extremely effective in scavenging ABTS radical activity [IC50 48.75 +/- 1.1 micro g/ ml] when compared to DPPH [IC50 77.5 +/- 0.4 micro g/ml], SOD [IC50 62.5 +/- 2.1 micro g/ml], hydroxyl [IC50 88.50 +/- 1.8 micro g/ml] and NO [IC50 67.5 +/- 2.2 micro g/ml] scavenging activity. The methanolic extract of A. caudatus showed potent alpha-amylase inhibition and antioxidant activities

Hemi-central retinal artery occlusion in young adults.

Amongst the clinical presentations of retinal artery occlusion, hemi-central retinal artery occlusion (Hemi-CRAO) is rarely described. This case series of four adults aged between 22 and 36 years attempts to describe the clinical profile, etiology and management of Hemi-CRAO. Case 1 had an artificial mitral valve implant. Polycythemia and malignant hypertension were noted in Case 2. The third patient had Leiden mutation while the fourth patient had Eisenmenger’s syndrome. Clinical examination and fundus fluorescein angiography revealed a bifurcated central retinal artery at emergence from the optic nerve head, in all cases. Color Doppler examination of the central retinal artery confirmed branching of the artery behind the lamina cribrosa. It is hypothesized that bifurcation of central retinal artery behind the lamina cribrosa may predispose these hemi-trunks to develop an acute occlusion if associated with underlying risk factors. The prognosis depends upon arterial recanalisation and etiology of the thromboembolic event.

Intravitreal bevacizumab for choroidal neovascular membrane associated with Best's vitelliform dystrophy.

Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy is a hereditary form of progressive macular dystrophy that can be complicated by choroidal neovascularization. Authors report successful treatment of choroidal neovascularization with intravitreal bevacizumab in one such eye in an ‘adult’ Indian male with visual improvement. A 23-year-old male presented with diminution of vision in the right eye for the past sixteen months. Visual acuity was 20/400 in the that eye. After three consecutive intravitreal injections of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml), vision improved to 20/120. Seven months following the last injection of bevacizumab, fundus appeared stable and visual acuity was maintained. No drug-related ocular or systemic side effects were encountered. To the best of our knowledge (PubMed search), this is the first report of its kind in an adult Indian patient. Intravitreal bevacizumab appears to be a promising and cost-effective modality of treatment in such eyes with potential for improvement in vision. However, a long-term follow-up is warranted.

Antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of amaranthus viridis linn in different experimental models

Methcmolic extract of whole plant of Amaranthus viridis L [MEAV], was screened for antinociceptive activity using acetic acid induced writhing test, hot plate test and tail immersion test in mice. In a similar way a screening exercise was carried out to determine the antipyretic potential of the extract using yeast induced pyrexia method in rats. Administration of the extracts was applied to both laboratory animals at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed that MEAV had significant [p<0.01] dose dependent antinociceptive and antipyretic properties at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Hence present investigation reveals the antinociceptive and antipyretic activities of methanolic extract of Amaranthus viridis

Symptomatic Hypocalcemia in Primary Hyperaldosteronism: A Case Report

The metabolic alterations caused by hyperaldosteronism are being increasingly recognized and have generated considerable interest among the medical fraternity. Hyperaldosteronism is suspected to have a pivotal role in the patho-physiology of congestive cardiac failure where it has been studied extensively. But its effects on calcium metabolism, parathyroid metabolism and renal handling of calcium are less well described. Recent experimental models have shed light into the roles played by previously unknown mechanisms in causing these metabolic alterations. We hereby report a case of primary hyperaldosteronism due to adrenal adenoma (Conn's syndrome) who presented with a myriad of clinical features including symptomatic hypocalcemia, significant weight loss along with uncontrolled hypertension for a prolonged period before eventually detected to have primary hyperaldosteronism. Surgical removal of the causative tumor resulted in prompt disappearance of all the symptoms and signs and regain of lost weight.

Computer aided decision system for early detection of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Mammography is currently the method of choice for early detection of breast cancer in women. However, the interpretation of mammograms is largely based on radiologist's opinion. In this study an attempt is made to develop an image processing algorithm for the detection of microcalcifications and also a computer based decision system for early detection of breast cancer.The proposed method deals with a novel approach for the development of a computer aided decision (CAD) system for early detection of breast cancer by mammogram image analysis. METHODS: The proposed method employs simple thresholding the region of interest and the use of filters for clear identification of microcalcifications. The method suggested for the detection of microcalcifications from a mammogram image segmentation and analysis was tested over several images taken from mini-MIAS (Mammogram Image Analysis Society, UK) database. The algorithm was implemented using Metlab codes programming and hence can work effectively on a simple personal computer with digital mammogram as stored data for analysis. RESULTS: The algorithm works faster so that any radiologist can take a clear decision about the appearance of microcalcifications by visual inspection of digital mammograms. The performance of the algorithm was tested over several images and the validation of results by visual inspection were done by an expert radiologist. Also, the system has given good detection rate as high as 78 percent. The performance analysis of the CAD algorithm was done by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) plot. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The CAD system suggested here was capable of detecting microcalcifications with a high detection rate, and thus could be used for early detection of breast cancer.

Successful outcome of medical therapy in a case of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism presenting with saddle thromboembolus.

Antemortem diagnosis of acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) with a large thromboembolus at the bifurcation of the pulmonary trunk (saddle thromboembolus) is difficult, as most patients either die or are too ill for any diagnostic imaging. We report a case of massive PTE where constrast enhanced computed tomographic (CECT) scan of chest detected a saddle thromboembolus and showed its resolution with anticoagulant treatment. In our case, the presenting feature was unusual massive PTE as there was no haemodynamic instability or hypoxaemia.

Treatment of gingival pigmentation: a case series.

A smile expresses a feeling of joy, success, sensuality, affection and courtesy, and reveals self confidence and kindness. The harmony of the smile is determined not only by the shape, the position and the color of the teeth but also by the gingival tissues. Gingival health and appearance are essential components of an attractive smile. Gingival pigmentation results from melanin granules, which are produced by melanoblasts. The degree of pigmentation depends on melanoblastic activity. Although melanin pigmentation of the gingiva is completely benign and does not present a medical problem, complaints of 'black gums' are common particularly in patients having a very high smile line (gummy smile). For depigmentation of gingiva different treatment modalities have been reported like- Bur abrasion, scraping, partial thickness flap, cryotherapy, electrosurgery and laser. In the present case series bur abrasion, scraping, partial thickness flap (epithelial excision) cryotherapy and electrosurgery have been tried for depigmentation, which are simple, effective and yield good results, along with good patient satisfaction. The problems encountered with some of these techniques have also been discussed.

Detection of breast cancer by mammogram image segmentation.

An important approach for describing a region is to quantify its structure content. In this paper the use of functions for computing texture based on statistical measures is prescribed. MPM (Maximizer of the posterior margins) algorithm is employed. The segmentation based on texture feature would classify the breast tissue under various categories. The algorithm evaluates the region properties of the mammogram image and thereby would classify the image into important segments. Images from mini-MIAS data base (Mammogram Image Analysis Society database (UK)) have been considered to conduct our experiments. The segmentation thus obtained is comparatively better than the other normal methods. The validation of the work has been done by visual inspection of the segmented image by an expert radiologist. This is our basic step for developing a computer aided detection (CAD) system for early detection of breast cancer.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare life-threatening suppurative necrotising infection of the renal parenchyma and perirenal tissue producing abscess formation and intrarenal gas. It is almost always seen in diabetics, making it a concern of the physician. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis and a combined approach has significantly reduced the mortality.

Gerbode's defect--a rare type of ventricular septal defect.

We report on an elderly lady in the sixth decade of life with congenital Gerbode's defect who refused surgery. She has atrial fibrillation, massive cardiomegaly and repeated episodes of lower respiratory tract infection.

Serum cobalamin levels in dementias.

The present study attempts to find a correlation between low serum B-12 levels and dementias. A total of 178 patients of dementia were seen at the cognitive disorder clinic from 1996 to 1998. Serum B-12 levels were studied in 100 patients. 15 patients (39.5%) of Alzheimer's dementia had reduced B-12 levels, while only 5 patients (13.9%) with vascular dementias and 3 patients (11.5%) with other types of dementias had reduced levels. The incidence of low serum B-12 was statistically significant in the Alzheimer's group when compared with the other groups, individually as well as combined together (p<0.05). The aetiopathogenesis and significance of these findings is discussed and the literature is reviewed.

Triplet repeat polymorphism & fragile X syndrome in the Indian context.

Mental retardation due to fragile X syndrome is one of the genetic disorders caused by triplet repeat expansion. CGG repeat involved in this disease is known to exhibit polymorphism even among normal individuals. Here we describe the development of suitable probes for detection of polymorphism in CGG repeat at FMR1 locus as well as the diagnosis of fragile X syndrome. Using these methods polymorphism at the FMR1 locus has been examined in 161 individuals. Ninety eight patients with unclassified mental retardation were examined, of whom 7 were found to have the expanded (CGG) allele at the FMR1 locus. The hybridization pattern for two patients has been presented as representative data.

Betamethasone in tetanus patients: an evaluation of its effect on the mortality and morbidity.

The effect of betamethasone on the outcome in moderate to severe tetanus was studied in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study in 22 patients. The mortality rate was reduced by 36.1% with the addition of corticosteroids to the regime of treatment. Betamethasone did not alter the duration of intensive care in those requiring it, but reduced the need for tracheostomy and ventilation. The mean daily dose of diazepam required was not significantly different between the two groups and there was no increase in the incidence of infections in the betamethasone group.

Metabolic and cardiac effects of Clistanthus collinus poisoning.

A prospective study of 11 cases of Clistanthus collinus leaf poisoning was undertaken to evaluate the mechanism of hypokalaemia that occurs in these cases. Continuous cardiac monitoring was done. Ventricular ectopics, ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation were the important arrhythmias. No atrioventricular blocks or other significant bradyarrhythmias were noted. The renal potassium loss was found to be very high (120 +/- 87.95 mEq/L) even in the presence of hypokalaemia and in spite of continuing drop in serum potassium concentration. Metabolic study established that renal potassium leak is the mechanism by which hypokalaemia was mediated.