Canine hepatic calodiosis with cirrhosis.

The nematode parasite Calodium hepaticum (Capillaria hepatica) has a global distribution and is commonly reported in rodents (definitive host), dogs, cats and wild animals. Humans especially children are more susceptible to the parasitic infection. This paper documents an incidental finding of hepatic calodiosis with cirrhosis in a stray dog and discusses the zoonotic implications. A non descript dog was brought for necropsy examination to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, Madras Veterinary College, Tamil Nadu, India. Liver appeared dark brown, mottled with multifocal random variably sized, grey white flat firm areas. Histopathologically, liver tissue revealed multiple random encysted large collection of eggs surrounded by mild inflammation with a few lymphocytes, macrophages and fine fibrosis. The eggs had characteristic barrel shape, bipolar ends, bilayered wall, cross striations between the walls, and yolk. Periodic acid Schiff stain demonstrated the glycolic wall of ova. Marked portal to portal fibrosis was demonstrated by Masson's trichrome (for collagen) and by Warthin-Starry (for reticulin) stains. The stage of parasitic infection was diagnosed as intermediate to chronic due to fibrosis. A need to study the prevalence of the disease in rodents, human and animals is emphasized. Improper burial of carcasses of rodents and dogs may contribute to spread of infection. Pets and stray animals may transmit infection to human and pose health risk.

Frequency estimation techniques in capacitance-to-frequency conversion measurement.

The process of capacitance measurement consists of converting the capacitance under measurement into a secondary variable such as voltage, time-period, and frequency. This paper lays special focus on the capacitance-frequency measurement due to the offered advantages by this technique over the other methods. For this purpose, a review of the various frequency estimation techniques is presented while exploring the possibility of applying them for capacitance measurement. These techniques are mainly classified as phase-locked loop, frequency-locked loop (FLL), parameter estimation methods, and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) based FLL structures. Furthermore, the possibility of integrating computationally efficient DFT structures in frequency locked loops has been investigated. The performance comparison of these techniques proves that a more accurate measurement of capacitance could be achieved through them. The proposed methodology of capacitance measurement offers good accuracy, wider range, quick convergence, and system-on-chip implementation. Moreover, FLLs could be applied for the capacitance measurement when the input signal is nonsinusoidal.

Congenital capillary hemangioma arising from palpebral conjunctiva of a neonate.

Capillary hemangioma is the most common benign vascular eyelid tumor in childhood. The periocular lesion appears within the first few weeks after birth and usually has superficial or deep components. Primary conjunctival capillary hemangiomas are rarely reported. We present the case of a 2-day-old child with a pedunculated capillary hemangioma arising from superior palpebral conjunctiva. A complete surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia, and the child was asymptomatic at follow-up of two months.

Evaluation of antigenotoxic effects of carotenoids from green algae Chlorococcum humicola using human lymphocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the available phytochemicals and carotenoids in the selected green algae and evaluate the potential genotoxic/antigenotoxic effect using lymphocytes. METHODS: Organic solvent extracts of Chlorococcum humicola (C. humicola) were used for the phytochemical analysis. The available carotenoids were assessed by HPLC, and LC-MS analysis. The genotoxicity was induced by the benzo(a)pyrene in the lymphocyte culture, the genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of algal carotenoids with and without genotoxic inducer were evaluated by chromosomal aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus assay (MN). RESULTS: The results of the analysis showed that the algae were rich in carotenoids and fatty acids. In the total carotenoids lutein, ß-carotene and α-carotene were found to be present in higher concentration. The frequency of CA and SCE increased by benzo(a)pyrene were significantly decreased by the carotenoids (P<0.05 for CA, P<0.001 for SCE). The MN frequencies of the cells were significantly decreased by the treatment with carotenoids when compared with the positive controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study demonstrate that, the green algae C. humicola is a rich source of bioactive compounds especially carotenoids which effectively fight against environmental genotoxic agents, the carotenoids itself is not a genotoxic substance and should be further considered for its beneficial effects.

Stabilization of membrane bound ATPases and lipid peroxidation by carotenoids from Chlorococcum humicola in Benzo(a)pyrene induced toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the alteration of the membrane potential and the effect of carotenoid extracts from Chlorococcum humicola (C. humicola) on membrane bound ATPases and lipid peroxidation. METHODS: The total carotenoids were extracted from C. humicola. Four groups of Swiss albino mice were treated as control, Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], total carotenoids, B(a)P + total carotenoids respectively for a period of 60 days. Membrane lipid peroxidation and ATPases (Total ATPases, Ca(2+)- ATPases, Mg(2+) - ATPases, Na(+)K(+) - ATPase) were determined in lung, liver and erythrocyte samples. RESULTS: The activity of total ATPase was found to be significantly increased in the B(a)P treated liver and lung tissue. Erythrocyte membrane also showed higher ATPase activity which was significantly reverted on total carotenoid treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the changes in membrane potential favour the functional deterioration of physiological system. The overall findings demonstrates that the animals post treated with carotenoid extract from C. humicola may maintains the alterations in membrane bound ATPase and lipid peroxidation in tissues against the carcinogenic chemical and hence aid in establishing the membrane potential action. Therefore C. humicola can be further extended to exploits its possible application for various health benefits as neutraceuticals and food additives.

Controlled comparison between betamethasone gel and lidocaine jelly applied over tracheal tube to reduce postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice though minor sequelae after general tracheal anaesthesia can be distressing to the patient. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled study compares the incidence of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice after general tracheal anaesthesia when applying betamethasone gel (betamethasone group) or lidocaine jelly (lidocaine group) on the tracheal tube. One hundred and fifty ASA class I and II patients undergoing elective surgeries under general orotracheal anaesthesia were randomized into three groups: betamethasone gel, lidocaine jelly, and control groups. In the post-anaesthesia care unit, a blinded anaesthesiologist interviewed all patients on postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h after operation. RESULTS: In the first 24 h after surgery, the incidence of postoperative sore throat was 40, 100, and 100%; cough was 6, 40, and 28%; and hoarseness of voice was 4.1, 32.9, and 50%, for the betamethasone, lidocaine and control groups, respectively. The incidence of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice was significantly lower in the betamethasone group compared with the other two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A wide spread application of betamethasone gel on the tracheal tube decreases the incidence and severity of postoperative sore throat, cough, and hoarseness of voice.