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Background: Cochlear nerve serves as one of the nodal point for enabling the passage of sound in both directions.The knowledge of age related morphological changes in human cochlear nerve is important to understand itsrole in the manifestation of sensori-neural presbycusis.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 21 human cochlear nerve samples, collected in 3 differentage groups (0-30 years, 31-50 years, 51 years and above). Resin embedding of cochlear nerves was done. Semithin (1 µm) cross sections of the nerves were cut by glass knife on Reichert Ultra-microtome. Under light microscope,toluidine blue stained nerve sections were studied for shape, organization of connective tissue and number offascicles.Results: Cochlear nerve was comma-shaped across all the age groups studied. Majority of the nerve sections hada blunt round head and sharp tail. Few sections had blunt tail also. Nerve fascicles were well defined in all the21 samples studied. The approximate number of fascicles across the various age groups varied from 60 to 85 pernerve. Numerous Schwann cells and numerous small sized blood vessels were found in the endoneurium of olderage group compared to younger and middle aged groups.Conclusion: However, we didn’t observe major qualitative changes across different age groups, but the presentstudy provides novel baseline morphological data on the human cochlear nerve.
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Antimicrobial activity of the aqueous and organic solvent extracts of the leaves of Pavetta indica were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using disc diffusion assay. Most of the leaf extracts showed bactericidal activity against B. subtilis. None of the extracts exhibited any activity against E. coli and S. cerevisiae. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), thermal stability and qualitative phytochemicals studies were performed. Both MIC and MBC of the aqueous and methanol extracts were found to be between 1.95 - 7.81 mg/ml. The activity of aqueous and methanol extracts were found to be stable despite thermal treatment. Phytochemical analysis of aqueous extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins and carbohydrates. Methanol extract was found to be positive for saponin and cardiac glycosides. TLC and bioautography were also done to identify the active fractions responsible for the antimicrobial activities. Results showed the presence of a number of bactericidal components. The study suggests P. indica to be a source for isolation of antibacterial compounds for human health care and use as preservatives in food processing industry.
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BACKGROUND: The potential for long-term adverse effects from inhaled corticosteroids relates to their systemic absorption. With increasing use of high dose inhaled corticosteroids, there is need to establish whether similar doses of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and budesonide (BUD) produce clinically important differences in untoward side effects specially hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression. METHODS: Fifteen asthmatic patients were started on BDP or BUD (2000 microg/day) through spacer for six weeks. Serum cortisol (9 AM and 4 PM), 24-hour urinary steroid and pulmonary function testing parameters were performed. RESULTS: The serum cortisol levels were not found to be suppressed with either BDP or BUD. Similarly no significant changes were found in 24 hours urinary excretion of steroids with either of the drugs. Significant improvement was found in values of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) with BDP. With BUD the changes in forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1 were found to be significant. CONCLUSION: BDP or BUD in high doses of 2000 microg/day given upto six weeks through spacer are equally effective for treatment of bronchial asthma and do not cause any significant change in serum and urinary cortisol levels, and adrenal function/HPA axis.