To evaluate peripheral neuropathy of ulnar sensory nerve through nerve conduction studies in Type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Secretory defects or defects in action of insulin precipitate a condition of chronic hyperglycemia known as diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder progressive in nature with long asymptomatic stage. Diabetic neuropathy is the most life threatening complication. Aims and Objectives: Early detection of peripheral neuropathy helps to take remedial measures in controlling the progression of the disease. Materials and Methods: Forty clinically detectable peripheral neuropathy Type 2 diabetic patients and 40 age-matched control subjects were selected for the study and nerve conduction test of ulnar sensory nerve was done and distal latency (DL), sensory nerve action potential (SNAP), and sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) were recorded using RMS-EMG-EP-MAK II machine to predict the extent and type of neuropathy in diabetics. Results: Significant difference (P < 0.05) of DL, SNCV, and SNAP of ulnar sensory nerve was found in clinically detectable peripheral neuropathy group as compared to controls. Predominantly, axonal type (loss of amplitude) of neuropathy was present in study group. Conclusion: Electrophysiological variables of ulnar sensory nerve were affected in most of the subjects suggesting axonal loss and demyelinating changes in the nerve.

Assessment of Wave V latency and Wave I-V Interpeak latency in preterm babies by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry

Background: Early screening of hearing impairment optimizes communication, social, academic, and vocational outcomes for each child with hearing loss measurement of the auditory brain stem response which is considered the most sensitive method of assessing the auditory activity of neonates. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to compare wave V latency and interpeak I-V latency by brainstem auditory evoked response in preterm babies (32 weeks–36 weeks) with age-specific normal response and intergroup comparison (Group 1–32 weeks, Group 2–34 weeks, and Group 3–36 weeks) for the identification of hearing impairment if any. Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 50 preterm newborn, and after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria, preterm babies were subdivided into three groups on the basis of gestational age (Group A: 32 weeks [n = 12], Group B: 34 weeks [n = 18], and Group C: 36 weeks [n = 20]). Babies were subjected to brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) test on RMS EMG EP MARK-II machine in the neurophysiology unit of the Department of Physiology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. Interpretation of the data as compared to normal values was done. Results: A trend toward decrease in absolute peak latencies of wave V with advancing gestational age was observed indicating progressive maturation, but the values recorded in all the three groups were longer as compared to the normal term values suggesting impairment in the maturation process. Wave I-V interpeak latencies values showed appreciable prolongation in all groups as compared to normal term values. Conclusion: The present study has shown that the preterm babies had altered BERA findings signifying hearing impairment.

Histopathological and Molecular Investigation of Natural Cases of Bovine Tuberculosis Infection in Cattle

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), a chronic infection in cattle caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis/bovis, that impacts productivity and represents a major public health threat. Although the considerable economic costs and zoonotic risk consequences associated with the disease, accurate estimates of bTB prevalence are lacking in many countries, including India. Therefore, in the current study for collection of tubercular lesions the postmortem examination of 100 cattle was conducted. All major viscera and regional lymph nodes were examined and incised. Histopathology was performed in the cases where gross lesions were suggestive of tuberculosis. PCR was performed on the tissue and faecal samples by using IS6110 insertion sequence, Mycobacterium tuberculosis/bovis complex PCR kit. In 12 animals, nodular lesions with casseating mass suggestive of tuberculosis were observed in the lung tissue. All the 12 lung impression smear and only five faecal smear showed acid fast bacilli stained by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Histologic features comprised a classic granuloma as a characteristic lesion of tuberculosis composed of a central caseous necrosis with mantle of macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, epithelioid macrophages and Langhan’s giant cells and were observed in all 12 cases. All the tissue samples and 11 faecal samples were positive for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex using IS6110 sequence. 8 tissue samples and 4 faecal samples were positive by using Mycobacterium tuberculosis/bovis complex PCR kit. It can be concluded that there was good agreement between histopathology, acid fast staining and PCR. It can also be concluded that faecal samples which are easier to collect should be preferred for diagnosis of TB by PCR in cattle

Assessment of Leuconostoc spp. invasion in standing sugarcane with cracks internode

Aim: The post-harvest deterioration is most vexing problems of sugar industry and these losses due to Leuconostoc spp. cause enormous depreciation in cane tonnage and recovery. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the invasion of Leuconostoc spp. in sugarcane. Methodology: Single internode is divided in three layers, viz., rind, first half and second half. Leuconsotoc spp. was grown and identified on specific growth media using juice from three portions of both the internodes (with cracks and without cracks) separately. Total Leuconostoc load, bacterial characterization, total soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugars (RS) and dextran were also determined. Results: The results revealed that cracked portions were incurred with Leuconostoc, however, rind layer had highest load followed by first half than the second half. More RS, high TSS and dextrans were quantified in cracked internode than without crack internode. Rind layer reported to have high RS, TSS and dextrans than the other portions. Interpretation: Canes possessing cracks had higher invasion of Leuconostoc spp., RS and dextran content than the ones lacking cracks leading to higher loss in sucrose content. Thus, there is a need to control these bacteria in sugarcane, especially in standing canes.

AgNORs Scoring in Benign Intermediate and Malignant Soft Tissue Tumor.

One of the most recent methods to determine the proliferative activity is silver stained nucleolar organizer region(AgNORs).The purpose of present study is by using mean AgNOR count per nucleus was found to be higher in benign soft tissue tumour as compared to apparently normal soft tissue and found to be statistically significant. An increase AgNOR score in benign, intermediate, malignant soft tissue tumour as compared to apparently normal soft tissue tumour. After histological confirmation, one more section was prepared which was subjected to AgNOR staining. Study was done in taking 32 benign, 05 intermediate and 23 malignant soft tissue. Benign soft tissue neoplasm which comprised 32 cases showed a range of mean AgNORs count 2.2-3.20 and intermediate group showed 3.10-4.61 and malignant group 4.90-6.70, so on comparing benign, intermediate and malignant group p value is found to be <0.0001. Hence results are statistically significant.

Association between reproductive factors and breast cancer in an urban set up at central India: A case-control study.

Background: Epigenetic changes, geography and environmental factors do surpass the genetic factors in the development of breast cancer. This study investigates the association of reproductive factors with the breast cancer in this context. Objective: To detect the association of reproductive risk factors with breast cancer in an urban set up at central India. Study Design: Matched paired community-based case-control study. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for a period of a year from October 2008 to August 2009 in Bhopal (MP). Demographic data and reproductive risk factor related information were collected using structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done by Epi-info and SPSS 16. Results: History of using oral contraceptive pills (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.28-7.11), history of not having breastfeeding (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.29-10.16) and family history of breast cancer (OR = 3.98, 95%CI: 1.06-14.826) were associated significantly with the occurrence of breast cancer in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggests that positive family history of breast cancer and history of using OCP may be the epigenetic factors promoting the occurrence of breast cancer while breastfeeding reduces the possibility of acquiring breast cancer.

Evaluation of a commercial Dengue NS1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for early diagnosis of dengue infection.

Purpose: Dengue is one of the most serious mosquito-borne viral infections affecting tropical and subtropical countries in the world. Since there is no immunoprophylactic or specific antiviral therapy available, timely and rapid diagnosis plays a vital role in patient management and implementation of control measures. This paper evaluates a commercially available NS1 antigen capture ELISA vis-a-vis SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test for early detection of dengue virus. Materials and Methods: To evaluate a commercial NS1 antigen detection kit vis-a-vis SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, a total of 91 clinical samples were tested. Virological investigations with regard to dengue virus, viz. NS1 antigen capture ELISA (Panbio, Australia), SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, RT-PCR and virus isolation were performed. Results: Out of 91 samples, 24 (26%) were positive by NS1 antigen capture ELISA, 15 (16%) by SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test and 11(12%) positive by RT-PCR analysis. The RT-PCR-positive samples were further subjected to virus isolation and resulted in three isolates. The results of the Panbio NS1 antigen capture ELISA, SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, RT-PCR and virus isolation were correlated among themselves. Conclusions: The present study comprehensively established the utility of NS1 antigen ELISA in early diagnosis of dengue infection.

Piloleiomyoma--a report of five cases.

Piloleiomyomas are uncommon smooth muscle neoplasms of the skin with a few reproted cases in Indian literature (1,2,3,4,5). They are often misdiagnosed clinically. A correct biopsy report is important because patients may have to be managed medically since surgery is associated with a high rate of recurrence. The classical histologic findings, and Masson's stain to confirm the smooth muscle origin aids in the correct diagnosis.

Urological injuries during obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures.

Urological injuries during obstetric and gynaecological operations carried out between Jan. '88 to Dec. '88, at a hospital involved in resident teaching programmes were analysed retrospectively. Each case was reviewed for predisposing factors, location and type of injury, time and method of recognition and management. Fifteen injuries were documented in 892 gynaecological procedures and 296 obstetric procedures. Twelve injuries occurred during gynaecological operations whereas 3 occurred during obstetric operations. Thirteen were bladder injuries and two were ureteric injuries. Infiltrating carcinoma of cervix, pelvic adhesions, adhesions because of previous operations and distorted anatomy, were the important risk factors.