Comparative Evaluation of Relationship between Prostate Volume and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Lower Urinary tract symptom (LUTS) is a common presentation among elderly male patients in urology clinical practice. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) have contributed much to the objective and quantitative evaluations of LUTS in terms of the elucidation of its pathogenesis and changes accompanied with treatments. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between IPSS and prostate volume in patients with LUTS. Methods: This prospective study included 58 male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The IPSS was evaluated using questionnaire and the prostate volume of each patient was then estimated by transabdominal ultrasound. Results: There is a significant relationship between IPSS and prostate volume measured through trans-abdominal ultrasonography. The Total IPSS increases with the prostate volume, as a significant positive relationship between IPSS total score and prostate volume was recorded. Conclusion: There is a significant positive relationship between IPSS total score and prostate volume

Comparative Study of Non-Absorbable Versus Delayed Absorbable Suture Material and Suturing Technique in Midline Abdominal Closure

Closure of the abdominal wall is a routine procedure and one of the first things a surgeon is taught in his career. Secure wound closure is an essential requirement for an uncomplicated and expedient recovery after an abdominal operation. Methods: We assessed, wound infection rates in 320 patents in the four randomized groups according to the suture and technique of closure used. Patients were followed for a period of 2 weeks and using well set definition were placed in infected, uninfected and burst abdomen. Results: Older age, male sex, diabetes, anemia malnutrition and sepsis were found to be highly significant risk factor for wound infection. Suture material (Prolene vs Vicryl) and technique (continuous vs interrupted) arms did not showed statistically significant differences outcomes in regard to wound infection rates, however there appears to be less incidences of wound sinus formation with delayed absorbable sutures(Vicryl). Conclusion: Closure of a mid-line laparotomy wound can be done by using either Prolene or Vicryl suture material, with either continuous or an interrupted fashion. Continuous technique is time saving and delayed absorbable suture (Vicryl) results in less wound sinus formation.

Curcuma oil ameliorates insulin resistance & associated thrombotic complications in hamster & rat.

Background & objectives: Curcuma oil (C. oil) isolated from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) has been shown to have neuro-protective, anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects in experimental animal models. However, its effect in insulin resistant animals remains unclear. The present study was carried out to investigate the disease modifying potential and underlying mechanisms of the C. oil in animal models of diet induced insulin resistance and associated thrombotic complications. Methods: Male Golden Syrian hamsters on high fructose diet (HFr) for 12 wk were treated orally with vehicle, fenofibrate (30 mg/kg) or C. oil (300 mg/kg) in the last four weeks. Wistar rats fed HFr for 12 wk were treated orally with C. oil (300 mg/kg) in the last two weeks. To examine the protective effect of C. oil, blood glucose, serum insulin, platelet aggregation, thrombosis and inflammatory markers were assessed in these animals. Results: Animals fed with HFr diet for 12 wk demonstrated hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, alteration in insulin sensitivity indices, increased lipid peroxidation, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet free radical generation, tyrosine phosphorylation, aggregation, adhesion and intravascular thrombosis. Curcuma oil treatment for the last four weeks in hamsters ameliorated HFr-induced hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, platelet activation, and thrombosis. In HFr fed hamsters, the effect of C. oil at 300 mg/kg was comparable with the standard drug fenofibrate. Curcuma oil treatment in the last two weeks in rats ameliorated HFr-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperinsulinaemia by modulating hepatic expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator 1 (PGC-1)α and PGC-1β genes known to be involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Interpretation & conclusions: High fructose feeding to rats and hamsters led to the development of insulin resistance, hyperglycaemia, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. C. oil prevented development of thrombotic complications associated with insulin resistance perhaps by modulating genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. Further studies are required to confirm these findings.