Efficacy of antibacterial activity of garlic cloves from Tamil Nadu and Jowai region.

Background: The development of antibiotic resistance has become a global health challenge which is causing ineffectiveness of the available antibacterial agents leading to increase in diseases and death rate. Therefore this study intends to investigate the antibacterial action of Aqueous Garlic Extract (AGE) against 9 multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus species, ß hemolytic streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae and Serretia marscenes. Methods: Antibacterial activity of different concentrations of AGE by well-diffusion method was recorded by measuring the diameter of zone of inhibition. The Tamil Nadu garlic cloves as well as Jowai region garlic cloves showed antibacterial activity against both GPC and GNR. Results: The maximum zone of inhibition was observed in Tamil Nadu garlic than that of Jowai region, but the only bacteria which showed a better zone of inhibition with Jowai region than Tamil Nadu garlic was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion: Thus our study reveals that garlic not only makes the food more spicy & edible with its flavour but can also be used as an effective antibacterial agents against MDR gram positive & gram negative bacteria.

Morphometry of chordae tendineae of mitral valves and annulopapillary distance for mitral allografts.

Background: Mitral valve is the complex variable structure with 2 cusps and 2 papillary muscles which are connected by collagenous structure chordae tendineae supporting the entire free edge of the valvular cusps. Aims & Objective: To study the morphological and morphometric analysis of chordae tendineae and to compare the morphometric measurements among cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens of south Indians and the effect of formalin in causing shrinkage of chordae tendineae. The annulopapillary distances were measured for mitral allografts. Material and Methods: The prospective study was done on 45 cadaveric and 15 autopsied heart specimens. The left atrium and left ventricle were cut open and the measurements of the Mitral valve chordae tendineae were taken using Vernier calliper and recorded. The chordae tendineae was measured from tip of papillary muscles to the edges of the cusp. The annulopapillary distance was measured from tip of papillary muscles in 2 o', 4 o', 8 o', 10 o' clock positions to that of mitral annulus. The data’s were analyzed using student’s t test to compare between the cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens. Results: Aortic cusp chordae tendineae of both specimens were approximately same 1.6 to 1.8cm, whereas in mural and commissural cusp mild difference of 2-3mm was observed 1.5 to 1.7 cm. The annulopapillary distance was equal in both the specimens 2cm. Two heart specimens showed complete absence of commissural chordae and 6 hearts showed absence of basal chordae. Conclusion: Many studies were done on morphometry of mitral valve but the present study on morphometry of chordae tendineae of mitral valve did not show any significant changes among cadaveric and autopsied heart specimens. The data will be of great use to cardiac surgeons for surgical reconstruction of mitral valves and annulopapillary distance for mitral allografts.

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity of Ethanol Extract of Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Vahl ex Hornem) Thurnb ex Lehm in CCl4 Treated Rats.

This study was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effect of ethanol extract of whole plant of Cynoglossum zeylanicum on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Activities of liver marker enzymes, SGOT, SGPT and ALP, total protein, albumin, globulin, total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubins at an oral dose of ethanol extract of Cynoglossum zeylanicum(50, 100 and150mg/kg) showed a significant hepatoprotective effect. Regarding antioxidant activity, ethanol extract of Cynoglossum zeylanicum exhibited a significant effect showing increasing levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH and GRD by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Effect of Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Vehl ex Hornem) Thunb. Ex Lehm on Oral Glucose Tolerance in rats.

The effect of ethanol extract of whole plant of Cynoglossum zeylanicum on Oral Glucose Tolerance was determined. Ethanol extract of Cynoglossum zeylanicum were evaluated for Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract at doses of 100 &150mg/kg body weight shows that the extract promote glucose uptake. These results suggest that the ethanol extract of Cynoglossum zeylanicum whole plant will be useful in the treatment of impaired oral glucose tolerance.

Estimation of stature from shoe print length while walking in females.

In Forensic Anthropology, estimation of stature from feet dimensions plays an important role in establishing individual’s identity. The foot length reflects a biological correlation with height suggesting that height may be estimated from shoe print length also. Various anthropometric studies have been conducted on foot in relation to growth and development, ergonomics, evaluation, orthopedics and other medical sciences. However, there is only little investigation, which focused on forensic importance of shoe print. Analysis of shoe prints can reveal very important clues, which can be used as forensic evidence in crime scene investigation. To study the relationship between Stature and Shoe Print length while walking, total 500 females from Karnataka in the age group of 18 to 21 years were examined. The stature estimation was done with linear and multiple regression equations. Recorded shoe print length was measured along parallel axis. The multiplication factors were also computed. The regression formula was checked for their accuracy and reliability. Highly significant and positive correlation was observed between stature and Shoe Print length while walking.

Serum total protein, albumin and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) - implications in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The role of oxygen free radicals in the initiation, promotion and progression of carcinogenesis and the protective role of anti-oxidant defenses have been the subject of much speculation in the recent past with confl icting reports in the literature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure the concentration/levels of serum total proteins, albumin and advanced oxidation protein products as markers of oxidative stress in sera of patients with an oral pre-cancerous lesion and frank oral cancer. Materials and methods: The study consisted of sera analysis of 30 new patients of histologically proven well-differentiated, oral squamous cell carcinoma and 10 patients, clinically diagnosed with a potentially malignant epithelial lesion, speckled leukoplakia, aged between 40 to 60 years, in addition to 25 healthy controls. One way analyses of variance were used to test the difference between groups. The normality of data was checked before the statistical analysis was performed. Results: The study revealed variations in sera levels of albumin and advanced oxidation protein products to be statistically signifi cant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results obtained emphasize the need for more studies with larger sample sizes to be conducted before a conclusive role could be drawn in favour of sera levels of total protein, albumin and advanced oxidation protein products as markers of diagnostic signifi cance and of the transition from the various oral pre-cancerous lesions and conditions into frank oral cancers.

Serum folic acid levels in epilepsy patients before and after phenytoin therapy

Background & Objectives: Low serum folate level is often reported as an adverse drug sequela of long term phenytoin usage seen with prolonged duration of phenytoin therapy. There is no previous study to prospectively track the serum folate level with usage of phenytoin, which is the objective of this study. Methods: Twenty-fi ve patients between the ages of 18-50 years diagnosed to have epilepsy and planning to start phenytoin were recruited in this study. Assessment of serum folic acid was done by chemiluminiscent method prior to the start of phenytoin and after 6 months of treatment. The serum folate level of 10 age and sex matched healthy control was also taken. Results: The average serum folate level was 7.48 + 2.04 ng/mL prior to the start of phenytoin therapy, which fell to 3.9 + 1.95 ng/mL after 6-month of phenytoin therapy (p-value <0.001). The average serum folate level for the age and sex matched 10 control samples was 14.46 + 2.81 ng/mL. Conclusion: A signifi cant fall of serum folic acid levels is seen in epilepsy patients after 6 months treatment with phenytoin.

Forensic view on aluminium phosphide poisoning.

In India, acute aluminium phosphide poisoning (AAlPP) is a serious health care problem. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of AAlPP and the predictors of mortality at the time of patients' admission. We studied consecutive admissions of patients with AAlPP admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We noted 38 parameters at admission to the hospital and the ICU and compared survivor and non-survivor groups. A total of 54 patients were enrolled comprising 10 females and 44 males and the mean ingested dose of poison was 0.75 ± 0.745 grams. The mortality from AAlPP was 59.3%. We found the following factors to be associated with an increased risk of mortality: a serum creatinine concentration of more than 1.0 mg % (P = 0.01), pH value less than 7.2 (P = 0.014), serum bicarbonate value less than 15 mmol/L (P = 0.048), need for mechanical ventilation (P = 0.045), need for vasoactive drugs like dobutamine (P = 0.027) and nor adrenaline (P = 0.048) AAlPP causes high mortality primarily due to early haemodynamic failure and multi-organ dysfunction.

Suicidal acid injury: A case report.

Deaths from exposure to caustic substances are infrequently reported in the Forensic Medicine literature. A case of death due to Sulphuric acid ingestion in a patient of Major Depressive Disorder is being reported. This patient was planned for Electro-convulsive therapy, prior to the procedure he had been to bathroom. And when planned to prepare for the procedure on the ECT table, his mouth has smell of pungent odour. This made the psychiatrist to withhold the procedure and subjected him for observation. Later he complained of severe chest pain and restlessness, for which he has been shifted to emergency ward with possible precautions taken before shifting. He was provisionally diagnosed of acid ingestion but there was no history either from patient or from his relatives, as patient has consumed in the bathroom just before the Electro convulsive therapy. Diagnosis was confirmed only after autopsy report. The legal issues concerning suicide in mentally ill patient, autopsy findings, forensic issues and Patho-physiology concerning death by acid ingestion have been discussed.

Advanced oxidation protein products and total antioxidant activity in colorectal carcinoma.

The present study was designed to assess the levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and percent hemolysis (that indirectly indicates the degree of membrane damage secondary to lipid peroxidation) in colorectal carcinoma. Glutathione (GSH), total thiols and albumin were measured to determine the antioxidant status. Considering the dynamic interaction between various antioxidants in the body, we measured the total antioxidant activity (AOA). Globulin was measured to assess the inflammatory response secondary to oxidative stress. Investigations were conducted in 45 cases of recently diagnosed primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. As control, 45 age and sex matched healthy persons were chosen. GSH was estimated in whole blood, percent hemolysis in RBC suspension and other parameters in plasma. We observed a very high significant increase (P<0.001) in AOPP, percent hemolysis and a highly significant increase (P<0.01) in globulin in colorectal carcinoma. We observed a very high significant decrease (P<0.001) in whole blood GSH, total thiols, albumin, AOA and a significant decrease (P<0.05) in plasma GSH in colorectal carcinoma. A very high significant negative correlation between percent hemolysis and AOA and an apparent negative correlation between total thiols and AOPP was seen in colorectal carcinoma. This demonstrated oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant status and secondary inflammatory response in colorectal carcinoma.