Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: outcome of aneurysm clipping in elderly patients and predictors of unfavourable outcome

To determine the outcome of treatment of microsurgical clipping in elderly [60 - 70 years] patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and determine the predictors of poor outcome. Longitudinal analytical study. Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Department of Neurosurgery, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, from January 2000 to January 2010. Elderly patients [60 - 70 years] with ruptured cerebral aneurysm were enrolled and graded on the basis of World Federation of Neurosurgeons Scale [WFNS]. Aneurysm sac obliteration was done in all the patients with microsurgical clipping. Postoperatively, the patients were assessed upto 3 months for outcome parameters i.e., neurological deterioration [based on WFNS grade and modified Rankin scale as favourable [mRS score <-2] and unfavourable [mRS score > 2]. The factors associated with unfavourable outcome were also noted which included age > 65 years, poor initial WFNS grade, and the occurrence of ischaemia. The mean age of the 48 patients was 65 +/- 5.45 years. There were 31 [64.6%] male and 17 [35.4%] female patients. Postprocedural neurological deterioration occurred in 23 patients [47.9%] related to ischaemia in 14 [29.16%], rebleeding in 1 [2%], and hydrocephalus in 8 [16.66%]. At 03 months, the outcome was favourable in 25 patients [52.08%] and unfavourable in 23 [47.91%]. In old patients, careful pre-operative assessment, interdisciplinary approach and meticulous tissue handling during aneurysm clipping may decrease the unfavourable outcome

Cecal carcinoma presenting with adult intussusception

Adult intussusception is an uncommon cause of bowel obstruction. It usually presents with longstanding, intermittent and non-specific symptoms with subsequent delay in diagnosis and management. Diagnosis is often made at emergency laparotomy and an underlying lesion is found in most cases. With more frequent use of computed tomography in the evaluation of patients with abdominal pain, the condition can now be diagnosed more reliably at an earlier stage and this is of importance as 50% of adult intussusceptions are due to malignancy. We report a case of a 55-year-old lady who presented to the emergency department with ileocolic intussusception which was diagnosed on CT scan and necessitated an emergency right hemicolectomy. The leading point was a small cecal cancer reflecting the importance of early intervention and resection in cases of adult intussusception. This case also highlights the fact that early cecal cancer may first present and declare itself as intussusceptions

Variations in antioxidant and indole alkaloid status in different parts of two varieties of Catharanthus roseus / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

AIM To evaluate the antioxidant potential and indole alkaloid variations in different parts of two varieties (rosea and alba) of Catharanthus roseus. METHODS The antioxidant potentials were examined in terms of non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The non-enzymatic antioxidant molecules studied were ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol and reduced glutathione. The estimated antioxidant enzymes were superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The analyses were carried out in the field-collected samples. The antioxidant and alkaloid profiles were estimated from roots, stems, leaves, flowers and pods. RESULTS The roots and stems had higher antioxidant content when compared with other parts of the plant. The lowest content was found in flowers and pods. The rosea variety was good performer in terms of antioxidant and alkaloid contents. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in leaves when compared with other parts. But indole alkaloid content was found to be higher in the roots of rosea variety. CONCLUSION The pink-flowered rosea variety of Catharanthus roseus is more suitable for cultivation in terms of antioxidant and alkaloid contents.

Changes in biochemical constituents and induction of early sprouting by triadimefon treatment in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) tubers during storage / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

The ability of triadimefon (TDM), a triazolic fungicide, to alter the biochemical constituents and thereby minimizing the days required for sprouting in white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) tubers during storage under (30+/-2) degrees C in the dark, was studied. TDM at 20 mg/L was given to tubers by dipping the tubers in treatment solution containing 20 mg/L TDM on 10, 25 and 40 d after storage (DAS). Starch, sugars, protein, amino acid contents as well as protease and alpha-amylase activities were estimated on 15, 30 and 45 DAS from two physiological regions viz., apical and basal regions of the tubers. In normal conditions (control) sprouting occurred on 70 to 80 DAS. The starch content decreased, while protein, amino acid, sugar contents and protease and alpha-amylase activities were increased due to TDM treatment and led to early sprouting.

Intratesticular varicocele and extratesticular varicocele in a patient with nephrotic syndrome complicated by left renal vein thrombosis

Intratesticular varicocele is a rare condition, with a reported incidence of less than 2% [1]. Its clinical significance is not well established. The condition is characterized by dilatation of the intratesticular veins in and around the mediastinum testis. Color Doppler ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis. We present a case of a young man with nephrotic syndrome complicated by left renal vein thrombosis and left-sided extratesticular and Intratesticular varicocele. To our knowledge, no case of intratesticular and extratesticular varicocele in a patient with nephrotic syndrome and a complicated left renal vein thrombosis has been reported concomitantly in the same patient