Evaluation of wound healing activity of topical nicotine in an excision wound model in rats

Background: Wound can be defined as disruption of cellular, anatomical, or functional continuity of living tissues. Nicotine causes damage to the epithelial layer of blood vessel and delays wound healing. It plays an important pathogenic role in impaired wound healing. Although in the last millennium, topical use of nicotine has been reported. It promotes collagen synthesis and, in turn, promotes wound healing. The role of topical nicotine on wound healing is controversial. Therefore, it was planned to evaluate and compare wound healing activity of various doses topical nicotine in rats. Aim and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of topical nicotine on wound healing in an excision wound model in rats. Materials and Methods: For evaluation of the wound healing effects of the nicotine, excision wound model was used. Nicotine was applied topically in a dose of 1.5 g%, 3.0 g%, and 6.0 g% petroleum base. Petroleum jelly served as control for topical nicotine. Dressing done by applying topical nicotine until (20 days) complete wound healing was observed. Parameters evaluated were surface area of wound and percentage closure. Results: Findings of this show that, on day 4, nicotine 3.0 g% and 6 g% the wound surface area were more as compared to control. On day 12, nicotine 6.0 g% showed significantly more wound surface area than control (P < 0.05). Percentage wound contraction with topical nicotine (6.0 g%) was less as compared to control on day 4, 8, and 12 (P < 0.001). On day 16, percentage wound contracture with topical nicotine (6.0 g%) contraction was significantly less as compared to control (P < 0.05). Although percentage wound contraction with topical nicotine (all preparations) and control was similar on day 20. Conclusion: Finding shows that topical nicotine impairs wound healing in a dose related pattern during initial stages of healing in an excision wound model. However, there is no delay in wound healing with any dose of topical nicotine.

Histomorphological evaluation of placenta in SARS-CoV-2 patients: A cross-sectional study

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major pandemic of the century and little is known about the impact of maternal infection on placental histopathology. Histopathologic examination of placental tissue can contribute to significant information regarding the pathophysiology of the disease and how it affects the fetal outcome. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Pathology, Government Doon Medical College and Hospital, Dehradun, on the placenta of 50 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-positive pregnant females confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from August 2020 to October 2020. Fifty term historical placentas were taken as control. Placenta sections were fixed in formalin, processed into paraffin blocks, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) stain, and visualized for any abnormality. Results: The most prominent histological finding in the placenta of pregnant women affected by COVID-19 was chorangiosis, which is a feature of fetal vascular malperfusion seen in 28 (56%) cases. Other features included maternal vascular malperfusions (MVM) such as villous crowding and agglutination in 12 (24%) cases. Tenney–Parker change was seen in 13 (26%) patients. Intervillous fibrinoid deposition and intervillous hemorrhage were seen in 37 (74%) patients and 7 (14%) patients showed significant calcification. Other findings observed were less common. Conclusion: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with a significant impact on fetal and maternal circulation causing features of fetal and maternal malperfusion such as chorangiosis, villous crowding, and agglutination. Indicating that the infection could cause a potential rise in the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes such as intrauterine fetal growth retardation, preterm birth, or stillbirth.

Semilunar sign of cornea: A multimodal analysis of the posterior corneal opacity in non-infectious anterior scleritis

Purpose: To analyze the morphological outcomes of the posterior corneal opacity or 搒emilunar sign� in noninfectious anterior scleritis using multimodal imaging. Methods: This was a prospective observational case series. Patients with anterior scleritis from January 2018 to January 2019 were included. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Posterior cornea was visualized using the digital slit lamp photography (Elite, mega digital vision), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (MS39), and specular count analyzer (EM?3000). 揝emilunar sign� was defined by the (1) presence of posterior corneal opacity, (2) concave semilunar pattern, (3) absence of blood vessels, and (4) normal anterior cornea. Incidence, clinical characteristics and significance, correlation with Mantoux sensitivity, and role of multimodal valuation were assessed. Results: Overall 76 eyes of 72 patients were recruited with anterior scleritis. Fifteen eyes of 11 patients (15.3%) presented with semilunar sign. The scleritis was both nonnecrotizing (n = 8) and necrotizing (n = 7). The semilunar configuration appeared as isolated (n = 9) and continuous lesion (n = 6). The extent was directly related to the scleral disease extent (P = 0.002). The mean thickness measured 212.5 � 129.3 ?m. The mean central endothelial cell density (ECD) was 2540.8 � 351.7 cells/mm2, which was significantly higher than the involved peripheral cornea (P = 0.05). The mean surface area of the semilunar sign was 7.7 � 5.2 mm2. There was no significant correlation between the opacity thickness and the best?corrected visual acuity (P = 0.895, r = ?0.39), ECD (P = 0.52, r = ?0.188), and Mantoux (P = 0.696, r =? 0.142). Conclusion: Corneal semilunar sign of scleritis affected the peripheral cornea and caused no functional abnormality in early presentation. Multimodal analysis can aid in clinical assessment and severity.

Opportunistic endophytism of Trichoderma species in rice Pusa Basmati-1 (PB1)

Microbes that colonize internal tissues of plants are called endophytes, andare known for their functional role against biotic/abiotic stress and growth promotion activity in plants. The ascomyceteous fungus Trichoderma spp. (Teleomorph: Hypocrea) are well known antagonists cum biocontrol agents. In this study, a total of five Trichoderma isolates from two different species viz., T. asperellum (TaR1, TaR2 and TaR3) and T. asperelloides (TaR4 and TaR5) collected from different agro-climatic zones in Rajasthan, India were evaluated for their endophytism in rice variety Pusa Basmati-1 (PB-1) through soil and seed treatment. An attempt was made to re-isolate the fungus from rice roots (seed and soil treated) and further subjected to microscopic and molecular analysis. Re-isolation results revealed that culture growth of Trichoderma spp. isolated was similar to that of the inoculated ones. The microscopic analysis (light and scanning electron microscopy) results also confirmed that the re-isolated endophytic fungus were identical to the inoculated ones. These results were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the rDNA region (18SrRNA, ITS1, 5.8SrRNA, ITS2 and 28SrRNA) and translation elongation factor 1 (Tef1) with the re-isolated Trichoderma asperellum and T. asperelloides isolates. In this study, it has been confirmed that Trichoderma asperellum and T. asperelloides turns endophytic in rice after introduction through seed and soil treatment.

Evaluation of standardisation parameters, pharmacognostic study, preliminary phytochemical screening and in vitro antidiabetic activity of Coccinia indica fruits as per WHO guidelines.

Coccinia indica an annual creeper is available all over India and well known for its antidiabetic property. In the present investigation, aqueous extract, and ethanolic extract of the fruits were made using hot extraction procedure using soxhlet apparatus, decoction and maceration. The qualitative phyto-chemical screening procedure was performed on each extract. Phyto-chemical study reveals that carbohydrates, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, saponins was present in both the extracts. An attempt has been made to highlight this folk herbal medicine through present study which will assist in the identification of fresh as well as dried crude samples of fruits anatomically and physiochemically. TLC finger printing and fluorescence analysis of powdered fruits has been conducted and reported .The antidiabetic activity is conducted by enzyme inhibition (α-glycosidase) in invitro method on each extract and ethanolic extract showed significant inhibition.

Estimation of Fluoride content in ground growth green vegetables leaves (amaranths) at surrounding villages of nalgonda district Andhra Pradesh by using kit colour comparison method.

Fluoride is found to be an important trace element playing a key role in the dental and skeletal formation in humans. It is generally believed that including human being consume fluoride largely from drinking water sources and the total daily intake of fluoride by individuals from water and other sources varies from place to place depending on the amount of fluoride availability in water and other sources including food. Earlier it was believed that food was not a rich source of fluoride for humans but it is now well documented that certain types of food can have high fluoride content. Therefore the present research work is to study the fluoride content in leafy vegetable samples(amaranthus) collected from five different gram panchayat’s(villages) of Nalgonda district by using kit colour comparison method and report the fluoride content in the collected samples. finally it was found that the fluoride content in all the samples were found to ranging from 2.20-2.85mg/kg which is considered to be under safe zone(0.3-2.8mg/kg) and consumption of this leafy vegetables will not affect the humans.

Descriptions of the Larval Instars of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), a Species of Forensic Importance in Malaysia / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

The anatomical structures of the first, second and third instars of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) were examined by light microscopy. Observations were documented on the three main characteristics; the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, anterior spiracle and posterior spiracle. The first instar larva bore cornuae of fairly pigmented delineation with slim hypostomal sclerite and distinct dental sclerite. First instar did not have obscured anterior spiracle but posterior spiracles were obscured with thin lining of opened peritreme. Intersegmental spines were evident. The second instar larva displayed a prominent anterodorsal process approaching closer to hypostomal sclerite while upper margin of the dorsal cornua was slightly pigmented. Each anterior spiracle consisted of nine to ten papillae, arranged in a single row. Peritreme of the posterior spiracle thick, opening at the end of peritreme was not wide and confined to two spiracular slits. The third instar larva showed a prominent arch of the ventral cornua with broad and bold appearance. It approached the dorsal cornua and became narrow at the incision median. The anterior spiracle consisted of a single row of nine to ten papillae while intersegmental spine could be identified with one to three dark pigmented tips. A dark pigmented and wide periterime was observed confining three short and thick spiracular slits while button was poorly pigmented. The most distinctive feature of this second and third instar larva was the slender, thorn-like tubercle with numerous spined tips on the middle line segment of the body. These findings provide identification features of C. rufifacies larvae instars.

A Bionomic Study of Hymenopteran Parasitoids at the Taman Beringin Landfill in Kepong and a Poultry Farm in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, Malaysia / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

A four-month cross-sectional study found five species of parasitoids parasitizing puparia of filth flies breeding at the Taman Beringin landfill in Kepong and a poultry farm in Sungai Pelek, Sepang, Selangor. Effect of monthly rainfalls towards density of flies and percentage of parasitoids emerging from collected puparia were also analyzed. Spalangia sp. was the most common, consisting of Spalangia endius Walker, S. cameroni Perkins and S. gemina Boucek. Other parasitoids collected were Pachycrepoideus vindemmiae Rondani and Exoristobia phillipinensis Ashmead. The parasitized fly hosts were Musca domestica Linn. and Chrysomya megacephala Fabricius. S. endius was the most common parasitoid attacking M. domestica at both locations. M. domestica was the most common fly found at the Sg. Pelek poultry farm whereas C. megacephala was the most numerous at the Taman Beringin landfill. During heavy rainfall month of November 2003, density of flies were high whereas the emerging parasitoids were low at both landfill and poultry farm. The present study revealed the endemic presence of parasitoids especially S. endius in both poultry farm and garbage landfill and the potential of the parasitoid species in fly control in Malaysia.

Extremes of hyper and hypotensions in pheochromocytoma-a perioperative management

We report a case of 30 years old female who presented with history of frequent headaches, palpitation, sweating along with mass abdomen. Hypertension was accelerated as ECG reflected sinus rhythm with left ventricular hypertrophy and no papilloedema. Ultrasound abdomen revealed right sided, well defined solid mass posterolateral to the inferior vena cava. Urine analysis revealed raised metabolite vanillylmandalic acid. Patient was diagnosed as a case of pheochrojnocytoma of the right suprarenal gland. After control of blood pressure, laparotomy under general anaesthesia was performed. A big tumour was excised. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma

Effect of inducers on growth inhibitory activity of ortho-nitrophenylgalagtopyranoside

The presence of a specific substrate will often induce or increase the enzymatic activity of cells towards that substrate. Cohen and Monod studied the transport of lactose [glucose- beta -D-galactoside] into Escherichia coli cells and postulated that the presence of an enzyme beta -galactosidase was required for its intracellular hydrolysis. Ortho-Nitrophenylgalactoporanoside [ONPG] and analogue of lactose was used in this study, since one can measure its transport into the cell as a consequence of its hydrolysis by an intracellular enzyme, beta -galactosidase. In order to relate the effect of ONPG on biochemical event to its bacteriostatic activity, the growth-inhibitory activity of this compound against Escherichia coli was investigated in the presence and absence of two inducers for beta -galctosidase enzyme namely, lactose and isopropyl thio- beta -D-galactosidase [IPTG]. In the presence of 1% lactose as an inducer, ONPG was shown to be more effective in exercising an inhibitory activity even at low concentration. On the other hand, the growth inhibitory activity of ONPG increase in dramatically in the presence of 3.5mM IPTG as an inducer

Gender identity disorder: a case report

We report a case of gender identity disorder in a 22 years old male, who confined himself to his house, dressing, walking, talking and behaving like females. His testes were smaller than normal and his breasts were bigger than the normal size. He was taking estrogens and was reluctant to check his sexual hormone levels. He wanted to undergo genital reassignment and was in a regular contact with a transsexual that had already undergone genital reassignment surgery and was aiming to get married to a male. This created a social problem for parents, specially for his father

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of nimesulide with betacyclodextrin vs nimesulide tablets in osteoarthritis.

Efficacy and safety of nimesulide as well as favourable tolerability have been tested in osteoarthritis in short term study and post-marketing survey. Here is a report which shows the superiority of nimesulide complexed with betacyclodextrin vs ninesulide tablet in osteoarthritis in a long term study.

Nasogastrojejunal tubes as an alternative to total parenteral nutrition in the management of duodenal injuries

Nasogastrojejunal intubation for enteral feeding in duodenal trauma is a cheap and effective alternative to total parenteral nutrition. A simple technique for the management of duodenal injuries is described. Injuries to the duodenum are formidable problem especially if there is a leakage of duodenal contents. In the present series of 8 patients the mortality was 12.5% the only patient who died, did not have Nasogastrojejunal tubes

Aetiopathogenesis of idiopathic bladder stone disease of childhood: possible role of a temporary state of residual urine

One hundred children with idiopathic bladder stone disease and 33 controls were studied to test an hypothesis that blamed infantile diarrhoea as the cause and postulated also a state of temporary reflex obstruction to urine out-flow. A significant [P. < 0.001] number of patients displayed evidence of anal verge lesions. Early circumcision [during first three months of age] was found in one out of 33 patients. Breast feeding was more common among patients [P < 0.05] and the highest frequency was seen in the fourth child of the family. It is suggested that a temporary state of residual urine preceded the onset of symptoms of stone disease. The recumbent position of infancy was suggested to promote growth of nuclei of stones in the bladder because of the observed coincidence in more than 50% of patients, of the onset of symptoms with the beginning of the child to walk alone