White matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging among elderly depressed patients and its association with the severity of depression and cognition

Introduction: Depression in the elderly can have a different pathophysiology and clinical profile, and studies have shown pathological changes in the brain on radio imaging. The present study aimed to find out the association of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the severity of illness and cognition in elderly depressed patients. Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 68 elderly (>60 years of age) depressed patients who had undergone MRI at a tertiary care center, and based on the severity of WMH, they were divided into two groups: no or slight WMH group and moderate or severe WMH group. The severity of depression was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scale, and neuropsychological assessments were made for testing attention, concentration and executive function. Results: HAM?D scores were found significantly higher in patients with moderate?to?severe WMH groups (22.6 ± 5.2) compared to those with no or slight WMH (16.3 ± 4.2). The cognitive performance evaluated by backward digit span test, Trail making Test A and B, and Color Stroop test was significantly poor in the moderate?to?severe WMH group. Conclusion: Elderly depressed patients having a greater WMH had more severe depression and poor cognitive performance, especially psychomotor and executive functioning. WMH could be a potential marker for the severity of illness and cognition in depression in elderly persons.

Do phosphatase of regenerating liver‑3, matrix metalloproteinases‑2, matrix metalloproteinases‑9, and epidermal growth factor receptor‑1 predict response to therapy and survival in glioblastoma multiforme.

Context: Poor survival of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has been attributed in part to the invasive nature of the lesion making complete surgical removal near impossible. Phosphatase of regenerating liver‑3 (PRL‑3), matrix metalloproteinases‑2 and ‑9 (MMP‑2 and MMP‑9), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR‑1) play a role in invasive nature of tumor cells. Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate PRL‑3, MMP‑2, MMP‑9, and EGFR‑1 (markers) expression in cases to GBM and to correlate their expression with therapy response and survival. Settings and Design: GBM cases (n = 62) underwent surgery followed by radiation (n = 34) and chemoradiation (n = 28). Using WHO Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria response to therapy was assessed at 3 months and cases followed up for survival. Subjects and Methods: Expression of markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry as a percentage of positive tumor cells in hot spots. Statistical Analysis Used: Kaplan–Meier, ANOVA, Chi‑square test, univariate, and multivariate Cox‑regression analysis was done. Results: Response to therapy was evident in 54.8% cases of responders with the mean survival of 494.03 ± 201.13 days and 45.2% cases of non responders (278.32 ± 121.66 days) with P = 0.001. Mean survival for the patient’s opted chemoradiation was 457.43 ± 222.48 days which was approximately 3 months greater than those who opted radiation alone (P = 0.029). We found PRL‑3 overexpression was an independent, significant, poor prognostic factor for survival by multivariate analysis (P = 0.044). Cases negative for MMP’s and EGFR showed increased survival, but the difference was insignificant. Conclusion: PRL‑3 expression appears to be related to an adverse disease outcome.

Revisiting epidermal growth factor receptor in glioblastoma multiforme: Does it play a role in response to therapy.

Background and Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are the most aggressive class of cancer of central nervous system with hallmark characteristics that include rampant proliferation, necrosis, and endothelial proliferation. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been implicated as the primary contributor to glioblastoma initiation and succession. The present study was designed to evaluate EGFR protein expression in GBM as predictor of response to therapy and survival. Materials and Methods: Epidermal growth factor receptor was assessed by immunohistochemistry as a percentage of positive tumor cells in hot spots (10 high-power fields). The study group comprised of 35 cases of GBM. All cases underwent surgical resection and subsequently underwent radiotherapy (n = 17) or radiotherapy with adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy (n = 18). Immediate response to therapy was assessed at 3 months using World Health Organization response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria and cases followed up for survival. Results: Twenty-four cases (68.6%) expressed EGFR while 11/35 (31.4%) cases were negative. Response to therapy was evident in 21/35 cases (60.0%) and 14/35 were (40.0%) nonresponders. Mean EGFR protein expression in responders was 37.23 ± 33.70 and in nonresponders was 59.5 ± 39.46 (P = 0.542). The percentage of responders which were EGFR negative was 72.7% and while response in EGFR positive cases was observed in 54.2%. Mean survival in EGFR positive and negative GBM was 394.37 ± 189.11 and 420.54 ± 191.23 days, respectively. Conclusion: The EGFR negative cases appear to respond better to therapy, however, the difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.298). Further, EGFR protein expression does not play a definitive role in predicting survival. This is an original study evaluating EGFR in terms of therapeutic response.

Antiovulatory and Estrogenic Activity of Stem of Musa paradisiaca in Female Albino Rats.

Our aim is to evaluate the effect of petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts of stem of Musa paradisiaca Linn (Musaceae) on the estrous cycle and to identify the estrogenic activity of most active ethanol extract in female albino rats. Plant extracts were tested for antifertility activity in female albino rats at two dose level 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. The effective ethanol extract were further studied on estrogenic activity in rats. Histological studies of the uterus were carried out to confirm their estrogenic activity. The result of study revealed that the treatment of rats with extract of M. paradisiaca Linn at a dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for five days cause a prolonged diestrous stage of the estrous cycle with consequent temporary inhibition of ovulation. The ethanol extract was most effective in interrupting the normal cycle of rats (P< 0.05<0.01<0.001). This later exhibited prolonged diestrous stage of the estrous cycle with consequent temporary inhibition of ovulation. The antiovulatory activity was reversible on discontinuation of treatment. The ethanol extract showed significant estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity. All findings suggest that the antifertility activity of ethanol extract of M. paradisiaca Linn.

Pharmacological properties of Datura stramonium L. as a potential medicinal tree:An overview

India has a great wealth of various naturally occurring plant drugs which have great potential pharmacological activities. Datura stramonium (D. stramonium) is one of the widely well known folklore medicinal herbs. The troublesome weed, D. stramonium is a plant with both poisonous and medicinal properties and has been proven to have great pharmacological potential with a great utility and usage in folklore medicine. D. stromonium has been scientifically proven to contain alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins. This plant has contributed various pharmacological actions in the scientific field of Indian systems of medicines like analgesic and antiasthmatic activities. The present paper presents an exclusive review work on the ethnomedical, phytochemical, pharmacological activities of this plant.