Evaluating a murine model of endometritis using uterine isolates of Escherichia coli from postpartum buffalo

Ascending infection of the uterus with Gram-negative bacteria is responsible for postpartum endometritis in cattle and buffalo and can adversely affect fertility. Development of a laboratory animal model for bovine endometritis would facilitate the understanding of the pathogenesis as it is difficult to conduct controlled experimentation in the native host. In the present study, 30 virgin Swiss Albino mice [5-8 weeks old] were used to evaluate the pathogenic potential of Escherichia coli, isolated from the normally calved postpartum buffalo to induce endometritis. Mice in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle were randomly allotted to one of the following four intravaginal inoculation [100 microL] treatments: EG [experimental group]-1: sterile normal saline; EG-2, -3 and -4: E. coli@ 1.5 × 104, 105 and 106 CFU/ml, respectively. The animals were then scarified 36 h post-inoculation to study gross and microscopical lesions. Gross changes were confined to EG-4. Acute endometritis was recorded in 50% of the EG-3 and 66.7% of the EG-4. The rate of acute endometritis development was significantly higher in EG-4 [P<0.05] as compared to the other groups. The present study demonstrated that the animal model for bubaline endometritis can be developed in mice by intravaginal inoculation of E. coli@ 1.5 × 106 CFU/ml at diestrus. Ease of intravaginal inoculation, apparent absence of systemic involvement and high infective rate are the advantages of the model over other studies

Understanding of cardiovascular phenomena in medical students

Undergraduate [UG] medical students of II Semester of different institutions were surveyed to determine the prevalence of 13 different misconceptions [conceptual difficulties] about cardiovascular physiology. The prevalence of these misconceptions ranged from 75.60% to 25.30%. A list of questionnaire was selected that were diagnostic for difficulties that can seriously interfere with students mastery of the topic. Diagnostic questions were generally of the form: 'If x increases, then will y increases/decrease/show no change'. The result suggests that students have a number of underlying conceptual difficulties about cardio-vascular phenomena. Our possible source of some misconceptions is the students' inability to apply simple general models to specific cardiovascular phenomena. UG students may 'understand' less than they appear to 'know'. Some implications of these results for teachers of physiology and medicine are explained

Post-treatment effects of Alstonia scholaris extract against radiation-induced biochemical alterations in Swiss albino mice

This study has been undertaken to find out the possible radioprotective potential of the Alstonia scholaris extract [ASE]. For experimental study, healthy Swiss albino male mice were selected from an inbred colony and divided in four groups. Group I [normal] did not receive any treatment. Group II was orally supplemented ASE once daily at the dose of 100 mg/ kg.b.wt/day for 5 consecutive days. Group III [control] received distilled water orally equivalent to ASE for 5 days then exposed to 7.5 Gy of gamma radiation. Group IV [experimental] was administered orally ASE for 5 consecutive days once daily and exposed to single dose of 7.5 Gy of gamma radiation. Mice were sacrificed at different autopsy intervals viz. 12 hrs. 1, 3,7,15 and 30 days, and their liver and blood were taken for various biochemical estimations viz. lipid peroxidation [LPO], reduced glutathione [GSH], protein and cholesterol. Radiation induced augmentation in lipid peroxidation and cholesterol was significantly ameliorated by ASE extract and deficit produced in protein and glutathione content by radiation was checked. Alstonia scholaris extract pretreatment hence renders protection against radiation-induced biochemical alterations in mice

Plasma fibrinogen and its correlates in adult Saudi population

To determine plasma fibrinogen and its correlates in the adult Saudi population and to investigate hyperfibrinogenemia as a possible risk factor for cardiovascular diseases [CVD]. A cross-sectional survey was designed and carried out through multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling of every third house in 6 heterogeneously populated districts of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during the period 1999 to 2002. Demographic and clinical data of 2263 adult Saudi subjects, consisting of 1934 [85.5%] men and 329 [14.5%] women, was collected through a standard questionnaire. Body mass index [BMI], blood pressure [BP] and history of smoking were recorded. Plasma fibrinogen, total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins [HDL] and blood sugar were determined in fasting blood samples. The majority [84.6%] of the subjects were between 20-50 years of age. The mean plasma fibrinogen was 336 +/- 115 mg/dl, and was increasing with age both in men and women. The mean +/- SD fibrinogen in women [357 +/- 118 mg/dl] was significantly higher [p value of 0.03] than men [332 +/- 114 mg/dl]. Hyperfibrinogenemia [>400 mg/dl] was indicated in 554 [24.6%] of the total subjects. Among hyperfibrinogenemic Saudi adults, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 14.3%, hypertriglyceridemia 24%, obesity 26.3%, systolic/diastolic hypertension 11.5% and 11% and hyperglycemia 26% [in women only]. A reciprocal relation was observed between HDL and plasm fibrinogen. Significant positive correlation was seen between fibrinogen and BMI, systolic and diastolic BP and total cholesterol. There was no significant difference in the distribution of plasma fibrinogen between smokers and non-smokers [p value of 0.864]. The difference in the magnitude of metabolic as well as modifiable CVD risk factors between smokers and non-smokers was not significant, except serum triglyceride which was significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers [p value of 0.020]. A significant positive correlation was observed between hyperfibrinogenemia and obesity, systolic/diastolic hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Our results thus support the earlier reports that hyperfibrinogenemia is a potential CVD risk factor. Unlike other reports, we could not find any correlation between smoking and plasma fibrinogen in our studied subjects. The value of hyperfibrinogenemia as a definite risk factor for CVD has to be quantified in future case-control studies comparing its significance between CVD subjects and normal controls

effect of piracetam in the detoxification of heroin dependents

This single-blind placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the piracetam of the intensity of heroin withdrawal symptoms and on the duration of the withdrawal period. This study included top groups of heroin addicted, each containing 20 subjects. One group received piracetam in addition to symptomatic treatment and the other group was treated without piracetam. Both groups were homogenous in age, sex, heroin intake, duration of intake, physical status, and social status of the patients. Evaluation of withdrawal syndrome was performed by means of a rating scale including 14 parameters. Special attention was given to aches and pains, fatigue, craving for heroin, and drowsiness. Heroin craving and drowsiness disappeared more quickly in the piracetam treatment group than in the control group. No side effects were reported in the piracetam group

Mini-open cholecystectomy

This article reviews open cholecystectomy through a short [7 to 8 cm] transverse incision. The purpose is to compare and contrast the safety of the procedure, post operative discomfort, scar, hospital stay, cost effectiveness and return to work, as compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. So far 12 cases have been operated. The procedure was completed without any complication. Mean operating time was 60 minutes. Average hospital stay was 2.5 days and patients resumed work on an average on the 12[th] day. These was no significant morbidity except for vomiting in 12 cases and fever in 2 cases in first 24 hours post-operative period