Disseminated Syringoma: An Unusual Presentation.

Syringoma is derived from the Greek word syrinx meaning pipe or tube. It is a benign tumour composed of sweat ducts that is usually multiple. They are fairly common tumours that occur most commonly in women. Rarely, the condition can be familial1. Usually, they present as soft, flesh coloured to slightly yellow papules on the lower eyelids of healthy individuals. They can also affect the scalp, forehead, neck, abdomen and extremities. Hereby reporting a case of disseminated syringoma in a female patient

Antiproliferative activity of marine stingray Dasyatis sephenvenom on human cervical carcinoma cell line

BackgroundVenoms comprise mixtures of numerous bioactive compounds that have a wide range of pharmacologic actions. Toxins from venomous animals have attracted the attention of researchers because of their affinity for primary sites responsible for lethality and their efficacy at extremely low concentrations. The venoms of marine stingrays have not been extensively studied and limited data is available on them. The present study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative and biochemical properties of the venom obtained from a species of marine stingray (Dasyatis sephen) on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.MethodsThe antiproliferative effect of D. sephen venom was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation method along with assessment of changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. We observed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by DCFH-DA method, mitochondrial membrane potential alterations by rhodamine 123 staining and apoptotic morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining method.ResultsD. sephen venom enhances lipid peroxidative markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide in HeLa cell lines. Stingray venom enhances the ROS levels, which is evidenced by the increased 2-7-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. Further, D. sephen venom treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HeLa cells. Additionally, we observed increased apoptotic morphological changes in D. sephen venom-treated groups. ConclusionsDasyatis sephen venom exhibits potent antiproliferative effect on HeLa cell line and upon further purification it could be a promising antiproliferative agent.(AU)

Antiproliferative activity of marine stingray Dasyatis sephenvenom on human cervical carcinoma cell line

Background Venoms comprise mixtures of numerous bioactive compounds that have a wide range of pharmacologic actions. Toxins from venomous animals have attracted the attention of researchers because of their affinity for primary sites responsible for lethality and their efficacy at extremely low concentrations. The venoms of marine stingrays have not been extensively studied and limited data is available on them. The present study aims to evaluate the antiproliferative and biochemical properties of the venom obtained from a species of marine stingray (Dasyatis sephen) on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.MethodsThe antiproliferative effect of D. sephen venom was determined by MTT assay, and the oxidative stress was determined by lipid peroxidation method along with assessment of changes in the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant status. We observed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by DCFH-DA method, mitochondrial membrane potential alterations by rhodamine 123 staining and apoptotic morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual staining method.ResultsD. sephen venom enhances lipid peroxidative markers such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide in HeLa cell lines. Stingray venom enhances the ROS levels, which is evidenced by the increased 27-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. Further, D. sephen venom treatment altered the mitochondrial membrane potential in HeLa cells. Additionally, we observed increased apoptotic morphological changes in D. sephen venom-treated groups. ConclusionsDasyatis sephen venom exhibits potent antiproliferative effect on HeLa cell line and upon further purification it could be a promising antiproliferative agent.

Association between Smoking and Body Mass Index among Males Aged 20 Years and Above - A Study in Rural Tamil Nadu, South India.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between smoking status and Body Mass Index (BMI) in men aged 20 years and above. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, PSG Institute of Medical Science and Research, Coimbatore during June and July 2010. A total of 459 men aged 20 years and above were included in the study. Statistical analyses were done using General Linear Model procedure of SPSS. Results: Cigarette smokers weighed (Kg) less, p<0.01 (age adjusted mean ± standard error = 58.64 ± 0.44) and were leaner, p<0.001 [age adjusted mean BMI (kg/m2) ± standard error = 21.13 ± 0.13] than ex/non-smokers (61.11 ± 0.69 and 22.19 ± 0.2 respectively). Regarding the intensity of smoking and BMI, light smokers (1 to 20 cigarettes per day) were leaner than ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error were 21.13 ± 0.13, 22.19 ± 0.208 respectively, p< 0.001). Regarding the duration of smoking and BMI, a linear diminution in BMI is observed with increasing duration of cigarettes smoking compared to ex/non smokers (mean ± standard error of BMI) for ex/non smokers 22.19 ± 0.208, 1 to 10 years of smoking 21.56 ± 0.221(p<0.05); 11 to 20 years of smoking 21.23 ± 0.256 (p<0.01); 21 to 30 years of smoking 20.30 ± 0.333 (p<0.001); 30 and above years of smoking 20.07 ± 0.501(p<0.001). Conclusion: We found significant results confirming an association between cigarette smoking and lower BMI in men.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Due to Abrin Toxicity: A Case Report.

Abrus precatorius (jequirity bean) is a common cause of accidental or intentional poisoning in the tropics. The data on exact incidence of abrus poisoning is largely insufficient in our country, due to lack of reporting. The estimated lethal dose for humans is 0.1-1 μg/kg. The toxic component is the protein abrin that causes widespread endothelial damage. Abrin causes a variety of manifestations like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis with erosions, hemolysis, acute renal damage, dyselectrolytemia, hepatotoxicity with elevated liver enzymes and seizures. Apart from the common manifestation of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, patients experiencing mental status perturbations have been identified and documented earlier. There have been previous reports of elevated intracranial tension (ICT) in abrus poisoning, however, the exact cause for this phenomenon had not been elucidated. We herein report a case of intentional A. precatorius poisoning in a young girl that caused cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).

Influence of pH and water hardness upon nickel accumulation in edible fish Cirrhinus mrigala.

The freshwater fingerlings of Cirrhinus mrigala were exposed to Nickel in acidic medium pH = 6.0 (5.8-6.2), alkaline medium pH = 9.0 (8.8-9.2) and water hardness (40 mg/l) of CaCO3. The study indicates that nickel accumulation was significantly influenced by pH and hardness of water The concentration was found to be significantly higher at pH = 9.0 than at pH = 6.0. Also the presence of hardness in water results in reduced toxicity of nickel.

Biochemical changes in serum, lung, heart and spleen tissues of mice exposed to sub-acute toxic inhalation of mosquito repellent mat vapour.

The toxicity of sub-acute inhalation of mosquito repellent mat vapour exposure 3 hr daily, either for a duration of 15 days (Group II) or for 30 days (Group III) on biochemical parameters in serum and vital organs was evaluated in mice. The control animals were exposed to ambient air 3 hr daily, either for 15 days [Group I (a)] or 30 days [Group I (b)]. In both the Group II and Group III exposure studies, elevation in the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) was observed in the serum and heart tissue and a decrease in their activity in lung and spleen tissue. This biochemical lesion indicates that exposure to mat vapour is capable of interfering with the metabolism of non-essential amino acids and induce cellular damage in the tissues. The elevation in the activity of AST along with that of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) observed in serum and heart tissue in Group II and III studies indicate that exposure to mat vapour is capable of inducing changes in the myocardial function. The elevation in the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum and a decrease in its activity in lung and heart tissue of mice exposed to mat vapour for 30 days (Group III) observed in this study denotes that mat vapour could interfere with various metabolic functions to induce derangements at cellular level. Inhalation of hitherto unidentified volatile chemicals emanated from mosquito repellent mat, may contribute as stress factors may contribute as in an indoor environment to produce above mentioned biochemical lesions in vital organs.

Review analysis of medullary carcinoma thyroid--15-year Indian experience.

To emphasize the importance of adequate primary surgery in cases of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, 44 cases of treated medullary carcinoma of thyroid were retrospectively reviewed in Government General Hospital, Chennai between 1987 and 2002. Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection were compared with those who had undergone total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment (bilateral lateral and central groups) nodal dissection. The group of total thyroidectomy with only central compartment dissection had high rate of lymph nodal recurrence and persistent hypercalcitoninaemia when compared with the group of total thyroidectomy with meticulous triple compartment nodal dissection. (Chi square value 4.503 with p<0.05).

Effect of pretreatment of Cassia fistula Linn. leaf extract against subacute CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

CCl4 alone treatment (0.lml of liquid paraffin/100g body weight, ip) for 7 days followed by 0.l ml of CCl4 (in liquid parafiin/100g body weight, ip) from day 8 till day 14, caused a 16 fold increase in lipid peroxidation and a 50% reduction in catalase and glutathione reductase in liver tissue of rats accompanied by an increase in the activities of transaminases. alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma - glutamyl transpeptidase in serum as compared to liquid paraffin treated control. Pretreatment of ethanolic leaf extract of C. fistula (500mg/kg body weight/day for 7 days) followed by CCl4 treatment (0.1 ml/100g body weight from day 8 till day 14) completely reversed back lipid peroxidation and the activities of catalase and glutathione reductase in the liver tissue towards normalcy. This treatment also reversed the elevated levels of the enzymes in the serum. Ethanolic leaf extract alone treatment did not produce any change in all the parameters studied. The results suggest antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of C. fistula during its pretreatment against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity.

Elevated serum glycosaminoglycans with hypomagnesemia in patients with coronary artery disease & thrombotic stroke.

Elevated levels of serum glycosaminoglycans (GAG), associated with hypomagnesemia were observed in patients of proven CAD and thrombotic stroke in Kerala. Serum lipid profile was normal in the majority of these patients, indicating that elevated serum GAG may be an even more reliable indicator of atherosclerosis than elevated serum total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Autopsy samples of carotid artery and aorta which had atheroma showed significantly higher GAG when compared to samples which showed no atheroma. Serum Mg levels were significantly lower in CAD and thrombotic stroke patients as compared to controls. Mg deficiency may be one of the factors involved in the increased level of GAG.

Biogenic amine status in acute fulminant hepatocellular failure in children.

This study involved pediatric cases with Acute fulminant hepatocellular failure (AFHF) put on conventional therapy at the Hospital for children, Madras. In these cases, the biogenic amine status was studied at the time of admission, during therapy and at the time of recovery in responders. The CSF 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and Homovanillic acid (HVA), blood 5-HT and 5-HIAA, and urinary 5-HIAA followed almost a similar pattern of changes during the course of AFHF: increase at precoma, further increase at coma, return towards control at recovery. In striking contrast, urinary 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA) registered a decrease at precoma, a further fall at coma and a value closer to control at recovery. The results suggest the usefulness of assay of these parameters in monitoring cases of AFHF during therapy and in offering prognosis for these cases.

Investigations into the haemolytic effects of dapsone therapy in leprosy patients.

Investigations into the haemolytic effects of dapsone therapy were carried out in forty four leprosy patients admitted to the Sacred Heart Leprosy Centre, Kumbakonam. They received weight based dapsone dosages varying from 1.3-3.3 mg/kg body weight. Blood levels and urinary Dapsone/creatinine ratio were assessed at 1 day, 7 days and 30 days of Dapsone treatment. At the same points of time, haematological observations were also carried out. Serum bilirubin as well as blood mathaemoglobin were also examined. The findings showed a reduction in Hb levels at 30 days observation in a good proportion of cases on 100 mg. In one case (child) weighing 15 kg and receiving 50 mg dapsone increased mathaemoglobin was observed. It is suggested that dapsone dosage be regulated to body weight and preferably not to exceed 1.5 mg/kg body weight.