Protective effect of pifithrin-alpha on brain ischemic reperfusion injury induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion in gerbils.

Involvement of p53 has been implicated in apoptosis induced cell death in ischemic reperfusion injury. In the present study, we have investigated neuroprotective potential of pifithrin-alpha, a p53 inhibitor in bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (5 min) model of global cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. Gerbils were treated with pifithrin-alpha 3 mg/kg, ip. 30 min prior to occlusion. There was a significant increase in neurological symptoms and locomotor activity in ischemic animals as compared with the sham-operated animals. Increase in neurological symptoms and locomotor activity was attenuated by pifithrin-alpha 3 mg/ kg, ip. Significant increase in the number of the surviving neurons in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal region was observed in ischemic animals treated with pifithrin-alpha 3 mg/kg, ip. This study demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of pifithrin-alpha in global cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

Emergence of sporotrichosis in Manipur.

A retrospective analysis of all cases of sporotrichosis was conducted to examine the pattern and frequency of sporotrichosis cases in Manipur over a period of six year from July 1999 to June 2005. Seventy-three (73) cases of sporotrichosis were detected of which 30 were confirmed by culture and 43 were diagnosed by aspiration cytology only. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of 21 to 40 years (n = 23; 31.5%). There were 39 females (53.4%) and 34 males (46.5%). Commonest site of infection was upper limbs (n = 39; 53.4%) followed by lower limbs (n = 17; 23.2%). Commonest type of infection was lymphocutaneous form (n = 46; 63.1%) followed by fixed cutaneous form (n = 27; 36.9%). Among these 73 cases, 2 male patients (2.7%) were found to be HIV positive. In our experience, collection of material by aspiration of pus or infected tissue was found to be a better method compared to scraping or exudate. This study revealed Manipur as a new endemic area for sporotrichosis.

Management of echinococcosis.

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by larval forms of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus and transmitted by dogs. In humans, the disease is characterized by slowly growing cyst commonly occurring in liver and lungs. Clinical features of hepatic hydatid cyst are mainly right upper quadrant pain, feeling of lump and enlarged tender liver. The cyst may be complicated by infection or rupture and may lead to anaphylactic reaction. Ultrasonography supported by serology is the main diagnostic modality. Treatment of univesicular cyst is predominantly medical or percutaneous. Percutaneous treatment (PAIR) is safe and effective and complications are infrequent. For multivesicular and complicated cyst surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.

Involvement of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor in cisplatin induced emesis in dogs.

The effect of drug acting on 5-HT1A, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors were studied against cisplatin and apomorphine induced emesis in dogs. Buspirone, 5-HT1A receptor partial agonist significantly reduced the emetic episodes though it had no significant effect on emetic latency. Mianserin, 5-HT2 receptor antagonist exhibited significant reduction in emetic episodes and in latency. Buspirone prevented the apomorphine induced emesis while mianserin had no effect. The antiemetic activity of buspirone may be attributable to its agonistic activity at 5-HT1A receptor and antagonistic activity at dopamine receptors. These findings further confirm the involvement of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptor in cytotoxic drug induced emesis, though the species difference in their antiemetic action can not be ruled out.

Reversal of paclitaxel induced neutropenia by Withania somnifera in mice.

The effect of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (L. Solanaceae) was studied against paclitaxel induced neutropenia in mice. After paclitaxel 1 mg/kg, i.v. administration significant fall in total WBC and absolute neutrophil count was observed on day 3 and day 5. W. Somnifera (200 mg/kg, p.o.) per se produced significant increase in neutrophil counts. W. somnifera (200 mg/kg, p.o.) when administered for 4 days before paclitaxel treatment and continued for 12 days caused significant reversal of neutropenia of paclitaxel. The findings of the study suggest the potential of W. somnifera as an adjuvant during cancer chemotherapy for the prevention of bone marrow depression associated with anticancer drugs.

Endoscopic cystogastrostomy: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE: To study the usefulness of endoscopic drainage in the management of pancreatic pseudocyst. METHODS: Five patients with pancreatic pseudocyst were subjected to endoscopic cystogastrostomy. In addition 7 french stent was placed between the cyst and stomach in three patients. RESULTS: The three patients with a cystogastrostomy and stent had complete resolution of the pseudocyst in 2-6 weeks without any complications after a mean follow up of 3.5 months. One patient with rapidly enlarging post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocyst, who was treated with only cystogastrostomy had a significant decrease in cyst size. Another patient with post-traumatic pseudocyst had bleeding during cyst puncture; the procedure was abandoned and surgical drainage was done. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic cystogastrostomy is an effective method of treatment for suitably situated pancreatic pseudocysts and obviates the need for radiological help.

False pancreas divisum: not a difficult diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and cholangiopancreatographic features in cases of false pancreas divisum. METHODS: Six patients with pancreatic duct block to the right of the spine detected among 300 consecutive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograms (ERCP) done during April 1990 to March 1992 formed the basis of the study. The clinical and radiological features of these six cases of false pancreas divisum were analyzed. OUTCOME MEASURES & RESULTS: The causes of false pancreas divisum were carcinoma of pancreas (3 patients), pancreatic trauma (2) and pancreatitis with infected pseudocyst (1). Three patients presented with obstructive jaundice and three with pain in the abdomen. On ERCP, the pancreatic duct length varied from 3.5 cm to 5.0 cm and the diameter ranged from 2.0-6.5 mm. Terminal arborization of pancreatic duct was absent in all cases. In both patients with pancreatic trauma there was displacement of the pancreatic duct towards the common bile duct. A branch to the uncinate process originating from the main pancreatic duct was seen in 4 patients and contrast spilling at the site of block was seen in two patients. CONCLUSION: History of abdominal trauma; demonstration of space occupying lesion in the pancreas; displaced, dilated pancreatic duct which terminates without arborization with or without leakage of contrast; and presence of a branch to the uncinate process arising from the pancreatic duct on pancreatography strongly suggest a diagnosis of false pancreas divisum.

Gemfibrozil in hyperlipidaemia: an open, single blind trial.

The efficacy of Gemfibrozil on S. lipid levels was studied in 36 middle aged subjects with type IIA, IIB, IV hyperlipidemia. Gemfibrozil was well tolerated in the dose of 1200 mg/day and no dropouts were attributable to its use. An overall reduction in total cholesterol (39.91%), total triglycerides (71.10%), VLDL triglycerides (62.97%). LDL cholesterol (45.57%) and apolipoprotein B levels (26.83%) were observed at 24 weeks. At the same time HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A levels showed increases by 26.23% and 53.67% respectively. It is concluded that Gemfibrozil is an effective lipid lowering agent. Further long term studies are necessary to determine its optimal dosage and its long term safety in Indian subjects.

Glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1C) and serum protein bound hexose in diabetes mellitus.

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum protein bound hexose (SPBH) levels were estimated in 35 healthy control subjects and 35 diabetic subjects. The mean levels of SPBH in control subjects was 161.69 +/- 3.84 mg/dl. The SPBH levels in diabetic subjects were found to be increased (P less than 0.001). It was not influenced by age and sex of the patients, complications, type of diabetes and treatment received. HbA1C levels in control subjects were 5.33 +/- 0.38/dl. The HbA1C levels in diabetic subjects was found to be markedly elevated (11.95 +/- 0.46/dl) and was found to be highly significant (P less than 0.001). The levels were found to be on higher side in juvenile diabetics. A progressive linear correlation was observed between fasting blood sugar levels and concentration of SPBH and glycosylated haemoglobin concentration. A significant correlation was also observed between the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin and SPBH levels (P less than 0.05).