Ambiversive nature of Indian population in disease management: what is the need of the hour.

Allopathic and ayurvedic medicines have been used since ages, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. Not a single allopathic drug manufactured until date is free from side effects. Then why is allopathic medicine still preferred? Mainly because everyone of us need quick relief and/or fast action. In the case of HIV, cancer, stroke, myocardial infarction, medical emergency and/or casualty cases ayurvedic medicines are either unavailable or can’t be used.

Effect of Cissus quadrangularis Linn on skeletal growth in the neonates of diabetic rats.

Background: Infants of the diabetic mother are known to have reduced bone mineral content and hypocalcemia. Earlier, it has been shown that petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) can enhance the fetal skeletal ossification in normal rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of PECQ on skeletal growth in the neonatal rats of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: After confirmation of diabetes, the diabetic and non-diabetic female Wistar rats were kept for mating with healthy male rats. After positive vaginal smear test, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups; the normal (non-diabetic) control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic+CQ (D+CQ) groups. The rats in the D+CQ group were given PECQ (500 mg/kg B.Wt), whereas animals in NC and DC groups were given 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose, throughout the gestational period. Femur from the 1 week old neonatal rats from each group was collected randomly and subjected to histological analysis. Results: Thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum was significantly reduced in the neonates of DC rats compared with the neonates of NC group. Pretreatment with PECQ significantly improved the thickness of trabecular bone and periosteum compared with neonatal rats of DC group. No significant differences were observed in the medullary cavity width of femur between the groups. Conclusion: Data from the present study suggest that the PECQ can effectively attenuate the diabetes-induced reduction in the early skeletal growth. However, further research is warranted to evaluate the exact mechanism of action of phytochemical constituents of PECQ that can cross the placental barrier.

Thalidomide induced xerosis: an unwanted reaction.

A 59-year-old male exhibited anemia for evaluation. Endoscopy was diagnostic of gastric antral vascular ectasia. He was given a trial of thalidomide after informing about the adverse effects. After starting thalidomide at 100 mg/day, his hemoglobin (Hb) improved. Post 1 month of therapy his Hb normalized, but he developed xerosis. He was given symptomatic treatment, but did not improve. Thalidomide was suspected to cause xerosis, it was discontinued for a month and post-discontinuation of drug he is symptom free for past 8 months. This paper reports a rare case of thalidomide induced xerosis with dermatological and neurological involvement.

Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularisLinn. on diabetes induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification.

Background: Delayed fetal skeletal ossification is one of the known complications of maternal diabetes. Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of petroleum ether extract of Cissus quadrangularis (PECQ) on diabetes‑induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg, intraperitonial) before mating. After confirmation of pregnancy, the pregnant rats were divided into three groups: normal control group, diabetic control group, and diabetic + CQ group. The diabetic + CQ group pregnant rats were treated with PECQ (500 mg/kg body weight) throughout their gestation period. Immediately after delivery, pups were collected from all three groups and processed for alizarin red S–alcian blue staining in order to examine the pattern of skeletal ossification. Results: Fewer ossification centers and decreased extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones were observed in the neonatal pups of diabetic control group as compared to those in the normal control group. PECQ pretreatment significantly restored the ossification centers and improved the extent of ossification of forelimb and hindlimb bones in the neonatal pups of diabetic + CQ group as compared to those in the diabetic control group. Conclusions: The results suggested that PECQ treatment is effective against diabetes‑induced delayed fetal skeletal ossification. However, further studies on the isolation and characterization of active constituents of PECQ, which can cross the placental barrier and are responsible for the bone anabolic activity are warranted.

Unusual third head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle from the investing layer of cervical fascia / Inusual tercera cabeza del músculo esternocleidomastoideo desde la lámina superficial de la fascia cervical

The abnormal origin, presence of additional head and layered arrangement of fibers are the reported variations of sternocleidomastoid muscle in the past. In the present case we report a rare unusual origin of third head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle in a 60 year-old male cadaver. This additional head originated from the investing layer of cervical fascia in the roof of the subclavian triangle close to the clavicle and traversed obliquely upward, forward and fused with clavicular head. The insertion and nerve supply of the muscle was found to be normal...

El origen anormal, presencia de una cabeza adicional y disposición en capas de fibras son las variaciones reportadas del músculo esternocleidomastoideo. En el presente estudio, se presenta un origen poco habitual de la tercera cabeza del músculo esternocleidomastoideo en un cadáver de sexo masculino de 60 años. La cabeza supernumeraria se originaba en la lámina superficial de la fascia cervical en el techo del triángulo subclavio próximo de la clavícula y cruzaba oblicuamente hacia arriba y adelante para fusionarse con la cabeza clavicular. La inserción e inervación del músculo eran normales...