An Over-View of Tuberculosis of Female Genital Tract With Reference To Experience in a Medical College in Rural Set-Up in West Bengal: A Retrospective.

Aim: To determine frequency of female genital tract (FGT) tuberculosis (TB) in the gynecological biopsies received in the Department of pathology of a peripheral medical college. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Pathology of Burdwan Medical College & Hospital. Histopathological records of two year (2008-2010) were retrieved and searched for the cases of female genital tract TB. Relevant histopathological findings and clinical data were recorded and analyzed. Results: There were 1537 cases of gynecological biopsy and 9 cases were diagnosed as FGT tuberculosis based on histopathological and clinical findings. Ovarian benign cystic teratoma was seen in one case along with ipsilateral tuberculous salpingitis, one case showed B/L ovarian tuberculosis with involvement of both the tubes. Bilateral fallopian tubes were involved in 2 cases and endometrial tuberculosis was diagnosed in 5 cases with 1 case showing simultaneous involvement of the cervix. In one case omental biopsy received along with tubal specimen showed tuberculous granulomas. Conclusion: FGT tuberculosis was usually seen in age 16-28 years and constituted 0.59% of total gynecological cases. Fallopian tubes, ovaries and endometrium and cervix were affected with the involvement of peritoneum or omentum, commonest being tuberculous endometritis. Histopathology, in association with clinical findings still remains gold standard for the diagnosis of FGT tuberculosis in our country despite advancement in diagnostic modalities; however, incidental histological detection in clinically unanticipated cases is not an uncommon event.

Alteration of brain monoamines & EEG wave pattern in rat model of Alzheimer's disease & protection by Moringa oleifera.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The monoaminergic systems which exert a modulatory role in memory processing, are disturbed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Moringa oleifera (MO) has been shown to exert its effect in CNS by altering the brain monoamines. The present study aims to see whether chronic oral treatment of ethanolic extract of MO leaves can alter the brain monoamines (norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin) in distinct areas of brain in rat model of AD caused by intracerebroverticle (ICV) infusion of colchicine and hence can provide protection against monoaminergic deficits associated with AD. METHODS: Rats were given ICV infusion of colchicine (15 microg/5microl) and MO leaf alcoholic extract was given in various doses. The effective dose was standardized by radial arm maze (RAM) training. From the selected dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, the biochemical estimations and EEG studies were performed. RESULTS: Stereotaxic ICV infusion of colchicine significantly impaired the RAM performance together with decrease in norepinephrine (NE) level in cerebral cortex (CC), hippocampus (HC) and caudate nucleus (CN). Dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels were decreased in CC, HC and CN. The EEG studies showed a decrease in beta and alpha waves and increase in biphasic spike wave pattern in experimental Alzheimer rat model. Treatment with MO extract markedly increased the number of correct choices in a RAM task with variable alteration of brain monoamines. The EEG studies showed an increase in beta waves and a decrease in spike wave discharges. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results showed that brain monoamines were altered discreetly in different brain areas after colchicine infusion in brain. After treatment with MO, leaf extract the monoamine levels of brain regions were restored to near control levels. Our findings indicated that MO might have a role in providing protection against AD in rat model by altering brain menoamine levels and electrical activity.

Multiple brain haemorrhages in falciparum malaria.

A young male with multiple intracerebral haemorrhages with presence of P. falciparum in peripheral smear and normal coagulation profile without features of encephalopathy managed successfully with antimalarial has been reported. The rarity of the clinical presentation has been highlighted and its possible pathogenesis discussed.

Study of primary amenorrhoea with special reference to cytogenetic evaluation.

An attempt has been made to find out the proportion of genetic causes in cases of primary amenorrhoea and to analyse different chromosomal pattern. Cases were analysed according to clinical profile, X-ray, laparoscopy/pneumography, hormone profile, USG, Gonadal Biopsy and Cytogenetic study including Sex Chromatin (Barr body) and Karyotyping. Among the 72 cases studied, the aetiological factors were Mullerian duct abnormalities in 27 cases (37.5%) Gonadal agenesis in 13 cases (18.05%). Turner stigmata in 18 cases (25%), Y cell line in 6 cases (8.33%). Delayed menarche in 4 cases (5.55%), systemic disease like Tuberculosis and Idiopathic 2 cases (2.77%) each. Chromosomal aberration was seen in 24 cases (33.33%) and it comes second most common cause of primary amenorrhoea after mullerian duct abnormalities.

Fragile X syndrome a case report of a family.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common of the inherited disorders causing mental retardation. This disorder results from an abnormal expansion in (CGG)n in repeat found in the coding sequence of the FMRI gene, located at Xq 27.3. Previously it was detected by Karyotyping. With the advent of Molecular Biology PCR, has become the best method in the diagnosis of this disorder. This is a case report of a family with this disorder detected by PCR.

Changes of gastroduodenal peroxidase activity of rats by cerebellar modulation.

The effect of vestibulo-cerebellar lesion and its stimulation by rotation on gastric and duodenal peroxidase activity of rats was studied. Vestibulocerebellar lesion by kainic acid produced gastroduodenal ulceration and peroxidase activity of these tissues were decreased. Mucosal thickness of gastric and duodenal tissue were also decreased. It was observed that when vestibulo-cerebellar lesioned rats were subjected to vestibular stimulation, the peroxidase activity was increased together with increased mucosal thickness of gastric and duodenal tissue. At the same time, it was noted that the severity of ulceration was decreased. We conclude that the study of peroxidase activity is a sensitive and potentially useful estimate of gastric and duodenal injury produced by cerebellar lesion that can be valuable in assessing ulcerogenesis and healing.

Effect of cerebellar modulation on rat gastric secretion and enterochromaffin-like cell.

Effect of cerebellar lesion and vestibular stimulation (VS) on the activity and alternation of ECL-cells along with changes in gastric volume and acid secretion was studied. The results suggest that cerebellar lesion caused increased gastric volume and acid secretion and tended to decrease ECL-cell density. On the other hand VS of nodular lesioned rats resulted in decrease of above parameter which became marked only after 21 days of nodular lesion.

Alteration in alkaline phosphatase activity of duodenal tissue following vestibulo-cerebellar modulation.

Effect of electrolytic lesion in vestibulo-cerebellar area of male Wistar rats was investigated on duodenal alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity. Histomorphological observations of brain indicated, that extensive lesion restricted to the wide area of nodule including ventral uvula, resulted in significant fall of AP activity at the mucosal brush border within 20 days. A comparative behavioural study in experimental and control groups by openfield test indicated that, sympathoexcitation resulting from vestibulo-cerebellar lesion may contribute to significant alteration of AP activity in duodenum of rats.

Effect of cerebellar modulation on gastroduodenal PGE2 and 5-HT content of rat.

Nodular cerebellar lesion decreased PGE2 and 5-HT content of gastroduodenal tissue along with a decrease in enterochromaffin (EC) cell count. On the other hand, when nodular lesioned rats were subjected to vestibular stimulation, both PGE2 and 5-HT content of gastroduodenal tissue and EC cell count increased, suggesting nodular cerebellar influence on PGE2 and 5-HT content of gastroduodenal tissue.