Role of Aluminium in Alzheimer’s disease: Ultrastructural Study in Rat Hippocampus

Background: Exposure to high levels of aluminium (Al) leads to neurotoxicity. Hippocampus is one of the preferred sites of aluminium accumulation. Nevertheless, the role of Al in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains controversial and there is little proof directly interlinking Al to AD. Aims: The present study was undertaken to find out the occurrence of AD pathogenesis in Hippocampus under moderate aluminium exposure in rats. Materials and Methods: Adult rats were divided into control (C) and aluminium treated (E) groups having eight animal each. The rats in group E were exposed to aluminium 4.2 mg/kg body weight for three months with due approval from Institute Animal Ethics Committee. The hippocampus was processed for histopathological and electron microscopy observation. Results: Moderate Al intake produces significant reduction in the count of Pyramidal cells in hippocampus identified by shrunken cells as well as pyknosis in cell bodies. The differences between the cell numbers in all groups were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Cornu Ammonis (CA) exhibited significantly reduced nissl bodies with a marked reduction in neuronal cell loss. Neurofibrillary tangle and plaques were not seen in the given dose of Al exposure. Electron microscopy from experimental group showed that the majority of neurons were disintegrating, the nuclear membrane has ruptured, and nucleoli appeared significantly distorted. The chromatin condensed and the mitochondria had disintegrated. Many vacuoles and lipofuscin sediment in cytoplasm, as compared to the control group noted. Conclusion: Present data demonstrated that moderate chronic aluminium exposure 4.2mg/kg body weight induced neurodegeneration in hippocampus but not significant for Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis.

A Pharmaceutico-Analytical and Antimicrobial Study of Trivargtrityadi Yoga (TTY)

In current scenario herbal formulations containing natural ingredients is more acceptable in public belief than chemical based synthetic formulations due to their safety and efficacy in reducing dental caries, pyorrhoea and preventing other dental and oral issues to which this generation is prone to. Clinically more effective and tolerable treatments should improve patient compliance with oral hygiene practices, further supporting medical professionals' efforts to avoid disease. Controlling the creation of dental plaque is the most efficient method of preventing the onset of dental disease. Microbes have an impact on its formation. Ayurveda recommends some daily use therapeutic procedures for the prevention and maintenance of oral health. These include: Pratisarana (gentle massage over tissue), Dant Dhavani (brushing), Jivha Lekhana (tongue scrapping) and Gandoosha (gargling) or oil pulling. The present study focused on preparation and validation of the classical formulation Trivargtrityadi yoga (TT yoga) which mentioned in Ashtang Sangraha by Acharya Vagbhata described in Dantadhawanacharya. It Contains Triphala, Trikatu, Trijatak and Kuth. These extracts have a variety of beneficial characteristics, including those that are anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-ulcer, anti-caries, anti-bacterial and wound healing. The preparation of the formulation in accordance with traditional references and evaluation of its analytic and antibacterial properties are the objectives of this study.

Ayurvedic Management of Aaghataja Sandhivata w.s.r. to Knee Osteoarthritis: A Case Study

The most commonly diagnosed arthritis is Knee Osteoarthritis. The main possible causes of Knee Osteoarthritis can be trauma, overweight, old age, lifestyle, calcium deficiency etc. In modern medicine, the available treatment for osteoarthritis is NSAIDS, Ca supplements, and at last, joint replacement. The present case study is about knee osteoarthritis which is caused due to trauma. Panchakarma (Snehana, Swedana, Janu Basti, Matra Basti) has a significant role in the management of Osteoarthritis. So, here’s an attempt to show its efficacy, along with oral Ayurvedic medications, which will be helpful for further studies.

Short chain linear and cyclic cationic peptide designed from cecropin B: Synthesis and anticancer activity

In the present work, we have designed short chain α-helical linear and cyclic peptide from cecropin B having samecharge, hydrophobicity, and helicity. The designed compounds were synthesized by using solution phase method.Elucidation of structure of newly synthesized peptides was done by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Carbon-13nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry,and elemental analysis. Furthermore, the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltratrazolium bromide assay wasperformed for cytotoxicity of synthesized compounds against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites (DLA), Ehrlich’s ascitescarcinoma (EAC), and Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 cell lines using 5-FU as a reference compound. Biologicalevaluation showed that short chain cyclicpeptides were more potent than linear peptides against EAC and DLA celllines.

An unusual presentation of biotinidase deficiency in infant: High anion gap metabolic acidosis and Burkholderia cepacia sepsis

Biotinidase deficiency (BD) is an inborn metabolic disorder caused by low enzyme activity giving rise to impaired biotin release from dietary proteins. The first symptoms may be seen at first week following birth until 1 year of age. The goal of the therapy is to increase biotin bioavailability by daily 5-20 mg lifelong biotin replacement. Three-month-old girl born to nonconsanguineous parents, admitted to pediatric intensive care with multiple seizures, breathing difficulty and posturing. Blood investigations showed thrombocytopenia and high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA). Enzyme assay for biotinidase revealed low activities. Urinary organic acid analysis was normal. Enzyme activity is <10% in severe cases whereas between 10-30% in partial deficiency. BD can cause metabolic ketoacidosis, Hyperammonemia and organic Aciduria. BD behaves like immunodeficiency. Rarely bacterial infection can be seen. Treatment is lifelong biotin replacement.

Description of clinical factors for suicide attempts in a tertiary care hospital of northern part of India

Background: Suicide is the result of an act deliberately initiated and performed by a person in the full knowledge or expectation of its fatal outcome. Suicide attempts are a significant public health problem. The present study aimed to explore the variousclinical characteristics of suicideattempters in a tertiary care hospital of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, a northern state of India.Methods: We conducted a descriptive study among patients with attempted suicide to the department of Psychiatry, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla. A structured, self-designed interview schedule and short-form revised Eyseneck personality questionnaire-Hindi (EPQRS-H) was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using Epi info software v 7.2.0.Results: There were total 77 participants in the study out of which 44 (57.1%) were females. Mean age (Standard deviation) of participants was 30.8 years (9.9 years). Relationship problems were the most common (48.1%) recent life event followed by health events (28.6%). Depression was found to be the most common diagnosis (62.3%). Pesticide consumption was the method of attempting suicide in 72.7% of females compared to 66.7% of males.Conclusions: Recent major life events especially relationship problems may lead to majority of suicide attempts. There is urgent need to focus on patients suffering from depression by health personnel as well as family members. The sale of the pesticides should be regulated to keep in check the misuse of the same.

Identification Of Non– Fermenter Gram Negative Bacilli (NFGNB) From Various Clinical Isolates With Special Reference To Carbapenem Resistance In Various Isolates.

Non Fermenter Gram negative bacilli (NFGNB) has emerged as important hospital pathogens they are more significant as they are found to be multi drug resistant. Resistance to carbapenems is common among NFGNB. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: To isolate & identify NFGNB from various clinical samples and to detect resistance to carbapenem in isolates resistant to Imipenem. MATERIAL & METHOD: NFGNB isolated from various samples were speciated using standard tests. Isolates resistant to Imipenem were subjected to detection of MBLs(Metallo-β-lactmase) and Amp-C. RESULTS: Out of 1566 samples received, NFGNB were 200. Among them 112 were Pseudomonas aeruginosa from which 31 were found to be resistant to Imipenem, of which 3 were MBLproducer by Modified Hodge test while 4 were MBLproducer by EDTAdisc synergy test. Out of 200 NFGNB 71 were Acinetobacter baumanii, of which 23 were found to be resistant to Imipenem, of which 6 were MBLproducer by Modified Hodge test, while 4 were seen to be MBL producer by EDTAdisc synergy test. Nineteen isolates of Acinetobacter baumanii were found to be resistant to cefoxitin of which 6 were found to be Amp-C producer by Amp-c disc test. None of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa were Amp-C producer. Other NFGNB isolated were either sensitive to Imipenem or if resistant were not MBLor Amp-C producer.

Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa from Various Clinical Specimens at a North India Hospital.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a gram negative bacilli. It is an opportunistic human pathogen and plays an important role in nosocomial infection. It is hard to treat because some factor and several mechanisms are involved in resistant organism. Aim: Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: This study was conducted during October 2014 to September 2015.Total 2492 samples were collected in which 822 samples show growth. Out of 822, 68 samples were positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the basis of their growth on culture media, oxidase test and biochemical tests. The Antimicrobial susceptibility test of isolates was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines (2014). Results: Majority of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from pus, urine and swab. The isolated pathogens were maximum sensitivity to Imepenem (88.24%) followed by Meropenem (83.82%), Piperacillin-Tazobactam (82.35%) and were maximum resistance to Gentamicin (61.76%), Tobramycin (60.29%).Conclusion: To conclude, Imepenem, Meropenem and Piperacillin-Tazobactam were found to be the most effective antimicrobial drugs. It should be used in limit. The use of Gentamicin and Tobramycin should be reduced.

Dengue in North India: Teaching Hospital Based Study.

Background: Dengue is a common arboviral mosquito-transmitted disease. Dengue fever is characterized by high fever of abrupt onset, sometimes with biphasic fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, ocular pain, cutaneous rash, muscles & joint pain. Methods: The patients were selected from attending in the Hind Institute of Medical Sciences, Safedabad, Barabanki, U.P., India. We included patients suffering from dengue fever & found positive NS1, IgM, IgG from August-2015 to October-2015. Results: Test analyzed by Rapid card test & automated analyzer. 12 patients were NS1, IgM, IgG positive & changes their haematological & biochemical values. Conclusion: We should control the arboviral transmitted mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) which helps to prevent from dengue infection

Antibiogram of Acinetobacter Species Isolated from Various Clinical Specimens in A Tertiary Care Hospital from North India.

Background: Acinetobacter species are most common pathogen to cause nosocomial infection, especially to the immune compromised patients or patients who are admitted in Hospital. These species causes UTI, Pulmonary infection, Septicaemia, Wound and soft tissue infection. Methods: In this study, total samples collected were 2404 in which 1700 were positive where as 289 were non-lactose fermenter & 1411 were lactose fermenter. Results: Total 89 Acinetobacter species isolated from various clinical specimens. Ampicillin/Sulbactum (91.0%), Ciprofloxacin (90.0%) & Ceftriaxone (89.0%) were more resistance & Colistin (72.0%), Meropenem (66.0%) were more sensitive. These species transmitted by patient contact, bedding, clothing, fomites, etc. Conclusion: Our study sugests that disinfectant & sterilization more important in routine.

Fusion Between Body and Greater Cornu: A Radiological Study of Dry Hyoid Bones.

Introduction: The study of fusion of body and greater cornua of hyoid bone is of tremendous clinical and forensic significance as it can be used to estimate the age of living or dead or skeletonized remains. It becomes all the more important as this fusion is relatively immune to some individual factors like life style, health and nutrition etc. Material method: The study comprised of 15 male and 15 female bones all collected from human cadavers with age >60 years. Digitalized radiographs of these bones were taken and fusion between body and greater cornua was studied. Results: A bilateral fusion was seen in 43.3% bones with another 33% showing unilateral fusion .The bilateral fusion did not depict any sex difference but unilateral fusion was more common on left side in males and right side in females. Conclusion: Fusion of body and greater cornua of hyoid bone after age of 60 years is not always seen so one should be cautious in interpreting fracture of this bone in persons with age >60years and look for other local pathological features like haematoma formation at the site of fracture.

A rare incidence of abnormally broad tendon of insertion of Tibialis anterior- A case report.

The objective of our study is to report a rare variation of insertion of tibialis anterior. It was fan shaped insertion on dorsal aspect of all the three cuneiforms, navicular and base of first metatarsal both on its medial and lateral side. The extension of the tendon on second and third cuneiforms has not yet been previously reported in literature. This communication and study of insertion of this muscle may be of importance to the orthopedicians since tibialis anterior is an important muscle because of its function and use in tendon transfer which is a common surgical procedure performed for the correction of paralytic equinovarus deformity of the foot, recurrent congenital clubfoot deformities in cerebral palsy and arthroscopy.

A cadaveric study of distance between the terminations of the hepato- pancreatic and accessory pancreatic ducts in the duodenal mucosa.

Objective: The present paper is about the study of distance between minor and major duodenal papillae which was carried out on 30 cadaveric specimens of human duodeno-pancreas. With introduction of ERCP, the pattern of pancreatic ductal system visualization has attained popularity. Without the knowledge of the normal pattern of the duct system and its variations, a radiologist can’t interpret an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) picture. So it becomes important to study the anatomy of pancreatic ducts, their relation to each other, to common bile duct and to duodenum in the available human cadavers. To visualise and to see distance between minor and major duodenal papillae is necessary for the endoscopist who aims to perform the dilation, stenting, or papillotomy of the minor papilla. ERCP is proved to be “first line” therapeutic tool in the management of surgical, medical and pathological disorders involving the biliary tree and pancreatic duct. Methods: The study was conducted in thirty (20 male and 10 female) cadavers. Major and minor duodenal papillae were visualized through eosin dye installation in both common bile duct and the accessory pancreatic duct. The measurement of distance between the duodenal papillae was done in cm. Results: In the present work, the distance measured between the major and minor duodenal papilla was on an average 1.93+0.61 cm. in females and in males it was 2.05+0.31 cm. Conclusion: The length of the duct shows sexual dimorphism; the length being more in males than females.

A probable association of acute dystonia with gemifloxacin administration.

Gemifloxacin is a recently introduced fluoroquinolone antibiotic frequently used for its broad spectrum and once-daily dosing. Fluoroquinolones are associated with various neuropsychiatric side effects, such as seizures, insomnia, confusion, lightheadedness, psychosis, paranoia and hallucinations. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman given gemifloxacin for an upper respiratory tract infection who developed acute dystonia on the third day following therapy initiation. The clinical implications are discussed.

Clinical profile of pediatric somatoform disorders.

OBJECTIVES: To study the prevalence, pattern, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of somatoform disorders in children. METHODS: From Aug 2004 to July 2005, children up to 18 years with unexplained physical symptoms were evaluated prospectively using DSM-IV criteria. Detailed evaluation followed for those meeting criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of Somatoform disorders was 0.59% and 0.78% among out-door and in-door patients respectively. Among 124 children (40 boys and 84 girls) meeting criteria, conversion disorder was the commonest (57.3%), followed by undifferentiated somatoform disorder (25.2%). Girls were significantly more represented among conversion disorder patients compared to other groups of somatoform disorders (78.9 vs. 52.8 %, P=0.002). In conversion disorder, 2/3rd patients presented within 3 months, whereas in other somatoform disorders, 2/3rd patients presented within 3 months after symptoms. Fainting attacks (52.1%) and ataxia (43.7%) in conversion disorder and pain abdomen (52.8%) and headache (52.8%) in other somatoform disorders, were the commonest symptoms. Stressors were identified in 73.4% and acute precipitating stressors were present in 14.4% children. Boys had significantly higher rates of poor inter-personal relations and communication problems within the family (72.5% vs. 41.7%, P=0.001), while girls had significantly higher rates of conflicts with the parents and other family members (21.4% vs. 5%, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Somatoform disorders, particularly conversion disorder is commoner in girls. Important stressors are poor inter-personal relations and communication problems within the family in boys, and conflicts with family members among girls.