Spinal anesthesia during cesarean section and persisting low back pain: a cross sectional study in West Bengal, India

Background: Spinal anesthesia related spinal injury can be a major issue in elevating back pain. Several evidences have established this process as a significant contributor of back pain; though contradictions are also present. This study aims to focus on the consequences of back pain associated with the effects of spinal anesthesia that have been received before several years. Methodology: 48 housewives are included in this study (20 subjects for vaginal delivery and 28 subjects for spinal anaesthesia induced cesarean section) based on convenient sampling method through assessing their socio-economic status and other attributing criteria. Pain detect tool was used to track back pain status and a semi structure questionnaire was used to explore other considerations. Results: Results have shown significant differences in pain responses after receiving spinal anesthesia (exposed group) than control group. Subjects have reflected significant differences in their pain perception scores. Conclusion: This study concludes that subjects have shown significant higher pain perception levels after receiving spinal anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. Decision of Cesarean section delivery should include patient’s previous pain conditions and current need. Acute care in post surgical pain should be immediately addressed even after several months of the surgery.

In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity Of Syringic Acid

Objective: The present study was carried out to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of syringic acid (SA).  Methods: SA was tested for it's in vitro anti-inflammatory activity at different concentrations in protein denaturation, proteinase inhibition and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay. The reference drugs used were aspirin and diclofenac sodium. Results: SA showed concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation and proteinase activity with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 49.38±0.56 µg/ml and 53.73±0.27 µg/ml respectively. Heat-induced haemolysis was inhibited by SA with an IC50 value of 57.13±0.24 µg/ml. SA also inhibited the hypotonicity-induced haemolysis (IC50 value of 53.87±0.72 µg/ml). Conclusion: From the present study, we can conclude that SA possesses appreciable anti-inflammatory effect against denaturation of proteins, proteinase activity, and human red blood membrane stabilization assays. Further studies are required for determining the possible mechanisms behind its anti-inflammatory action.

Molecular characterisation of Aspergillus flavus isolates from peanut fields in India using AFLP

Aflatoxin contamination of peanut, due to infection by Aspergillus flavus, is a major problem of rain-fed agriculture in India. In the present study, molecular characterisation of 187 Aspergillus flavus isolates, which were sampled from the peanut fields of Gujarat state in India, was performed using AFLP markers. On a pooled cluster analysis, the markers could successfully discriminate among the ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘G’ group A. flavus isolates. PCoA analysis also showed equivalent results to the cluster analysis. Most of the isolates from one district could be clustered together, which indicated genetic similarity among the isolates. Further, a lot of genetic variability was observed within a district and within a group. The results of AMOVA test revealed that the variance within a population (84%) was more than that between two populations (16%). The isolates, when tested by indirect competitive ELISA, showed about 68.5% of them to be atoxigenic. Composite analysis between the aflatoxin production and AFLP data was found to be ineffective in separating the isolate types by aflatoxigenicity. Certain unique fragments, with respect to individual isolates, were also identified that may be used for development of SCAR marker to aid in rapid and precise identification of isolates.

Host-mediated juvenoids affect development and metamorphosis of endoparasitic wasp, Chelonus blackburni (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and consequent morphogenetic derangements in its reproductive system.

Juvenoids, applied topically on larvae of Corcyra cephalonica harbouring the larvae of the parasitoid, produce various types of developmental derangements in parasitoid C. blackburni. The deformed morphs, e.g., apparently normal adults, adultoids and prolonged larvae were developed at different rates by different doses of juvenoids. Larval and pupal mortality rates of the parasite were 6-13 and 4-8% respectively in different treatments. Deformities in reproductive system of the parasitoid were increased or decreased ovariole number, development of compound egg chamber and ill-developed ovariole.

Morphogenetic derangements in the reproductive system of Bracon hebetor, a beneficial parasitoid, bred on juvenoid treated host (Corcyra cephalonica) larvae.

Effect of juvenoids (hydroprene and methoprene) on the ecto-parasite B. hebetor was investigated by rearing them upon the juvenoid treated ultimate instar host larvae of C. cephalonica. Emerged adultoid wasps of either sexes obtained from treated series showed anatomical deformities in the reproductive systems. Ill-developed ovaries with reduced length, terminally free ovarioles and abnormal testicular growth showing non-fusion of lobes were the important abnormal features. Data on measurements of male reproductive system, e.g., width (transverse axis) of testis, length of common vas deferens plus ejaculatory duct and length of accessory gland showed significant difference (P < 0.05) from control.

Immunomodulatory effect of laser on whole body exposure.

All biomedical laser applications are based on the interaction of laser light with biological system. During the past decade considerable evidence has accumulated demonstrating that non-thermal exposure to laser can elicit cellular changes in the immune system. In the present study, we have analyzed the effect of laser on immune response in rats. A group of rats were exposed to 0.225 mu j/cm2 for 90 min for 3 days in specially designed fiberglass chambers. The whole body exposure of rats of He-Ne laser modulated both the humoral and cellular responses to tetanus toxoid stimulation. Plain red light used as a control for red laser light showed an appreciable degree of response as compared to the control groups, but not to the extent of the response to laser. Non-responders turned responders after exposure to laser. There was no response in unimmunized groups when exposed to laser and red light alone. The early and heightened immune response and proliferation of lymphocytes after exposure to laser is suggestive of a complex interaction at the cellular immune response level.

Induction of stress proteins in response to hypoxia.

Hypoxia is a severe stress factor to which man and most other mammalian species are capable of adapting. However, the cellular mechanism which enable cells to adapt are still unknown. Effect of hypoxia was studied on the synthesis of hypoxia induced proteins in rat kidney and in vero cell line (monkey kidney). These were exposed to hypoxia at 240 mmHg pressure for 1 hr. The induction of stress protein was determined by probing with monoclonal antibodies against 65 kDa heat shock protein (hsp65). The induction of a 65 kDa protein was 3.6 fold higher to the total cellular protein, both in cell lines and kidney of rats. In vivo response was predominantly observed in renal cortical region particularly in glomeruli. The induction of stress proteins during hypoxia suggests their importance in the maintenance of cellular integrity under hypoxia.