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Background: Anxiety is one of the most prominent psychiatry disorders related to common stress. Approximately two-thirds of anxious patients respond to currently available treatments but the magnitude of problem is still disappointing. Ocimum sanctum (OS), a perennial shrub grown in India, has anti-stress activity. Yet, there is a paucity of data regarding this. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the anti-anxiolytic effect of OS leaf extract (OSLE) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field test are standardized tests done for screening anxiolytic effects of drugs. The animals were grouped and the tests were conducted and the results were compared with the standard drug diazepam. Results: There was significant increase in the time spent in open arm and number of open arm entries in the diazepam group and group receiving OSLE at dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg in EPM test. Furthermore, in the open field test, there was significant increase in the number of square crossed and rearing in the diazepam group and OSLE at dose of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg. Conclusion: OSLE shows significant anxiolytic effect in EPM and open field test models in Swiss albino mice. This can be further studied to open up new possibilities for new drug development for anxiety.
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Background: As the humans age, there is decrease in size of brain tissue, increase in cerebrospinal fluid volumeand enlargement of ventricles. Brain ventricles can be studied by taking linear, planimetric or volumetricmeasurements. Linear ratios of width of ventricles to the width of skull or brain are considered to be an easy andreproducible measurement for assessment of ventricles. Evans’ index is one such linear ratio; it is the ratio ofmaximum width of frontal horns and maximum transverse internal diameter of skull in the same plane.Purpose of study: The purpose of our study was to obtain a baseline data of reference values of Evans index, inhealthy north Indian population.Materials and Methods: This study was jointly conducted by Department of Anatomy and Department ofRadiodiagnosis, King George’s Medical University, U.P, Lucknow. Axial CT scans of head region reportedradiologically normal, belonging to 100 individuals of different age groups were retrospectively collected andthoroughly analyzed using Radiant DICOM Viewer Software. Study subjects were categorized into V groups as perage: 18-30years, 31-40years, 41-50years, 51-60years and above 60years. Evans’ index was calculated.Results: Among study subjects, Evans’index ranged from 0.167 to 0.29 with a mean value of 0.23±0.02. Nosignificant association was observed between age and mean Evans’ Index (p>0.05). Mean Evans’ index was equalfor male and female and was not found to change with age.Conclusion: Study provided values for normal range of Evans’ index and proposes age dependent values of thesame for healthy adult males and females. The data could be utilized in routine radiological practice and byothers where required
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Background & objectives: In acute pancreatitis (AP) gut barrier dysfunction is considered as an important predisposing factor leading to increased intestinal permeability (IP). In this study a pooled analysis of data published in our previous four studies on various aspects of gut permeability and endotoxaemia in patients with AP was attempted to find an association between increased IP and severity of disease and associated complications. Methods: This study was a pooled analysis of data of four previously published prospective studies on AP. Gut permeability, assessed by lactulose/mannitol excretion in urine and endotoxin core antibodies type IgG and IgM (EndoCab IgG and IgM) were measured on days zero and seven (D0 and D7) of admission. All patients received standard treatment of AP. We studied whether IgG and IgM anti-endotoxin titres and lactulose-mannitol ratio (LMR) at admission and D7 were associated with organ failure, infection and mortality. Results: The titres of anti-endotoxin IgG and IgM were lower in all patients of AP (n=204), both in mild AP (n=24) and severe AP (n=180) in the first week, compared to controls (n=15). There was no significant difference in serum IgG and IgM anti-endotoxin levels and LMR at baseline and at D7 among patients with organ failure, infection and mortality. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that serum IgG and IgM anti-endotoxin titres and LMR at admission and at day 7 were not associated with organ failure, infection, and death of patients with AP.
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CONTEXT: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) occurring in children and adults show distinct characteristics. However, due to rarity of the disease no large series addressing this issue has been published. AIMS: The aim of this study was to study clinico‑pathologic profile and outcome of ACC in children and adults. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Tertiary referral center. Retrospective study (January 1990‑June 2011). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty‑five patients with ACC were included; 16children (aged < 18 years) and 29 adults. Clinical details, hormonal profile, operation records, pathology reports and follow‑up findings were noted and compared. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan‑Meier method. Log rank test and Cox regressionan alysis were performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 8 ± 5.7 (M: F = 1:2.1) in children and 44.4 ± 15 years (M: F = 1:1.1) in adult groups. Prevalence of functioning tumors was significantly high in children (87.5 vs. 31% P = 0.001), while prevalence of incidentalomas was high in adults (6.3 vs. 51.7% P = 0.05). Tumor stage distribution at presentation, mean diameter (10.9 vs. 13.7 cm), and weight (392.9 vs. 892.9 g) didn’t differ significantly in two groups. Adults had better albeit non‑significant 5 year overall survival (OS) than children (0 vs. 13%). On univariate analysis stage of disease (P = 0.008), surgical intervention (P = 0.004), Weiss score (P = 0.04) and hormonal secretion (P = 0.04) were significantly associated with OS in adults but not in children. No factor was found significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Except for high prevalence of functioning tumors in children, clinico‑pathologic attributes and outcome of ACC in the two groups didn’t differ significantly.