Assessment of systemic inflammatory response after total extraperitoneal repair and Lichtenstein repair for inguinal hernia.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was assessment of the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) intensity by measuring the blood serum levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Total Leukocyte Counts of patients. The estimations were done before and after the patient underwent either open Lichtenstein or endoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair. This is a prospective observational type of study. METHODS: Sixty patients with a diagnosis of unilateral uncomplicated inguinal hernia were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. In the first group, endoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (TEP) was done, while the other group underwent Lichtenstein repair. The patient selection was random. Serum markers for SIR were measured prior to and 24 h post-surgery. RESULTS: Total extraperitoneal repair (TEP) and open Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair both cause a significant Systemic Inflammatory Response in the body. The rise in serum markers for SIR post-surgery was statistically significant in both the groups. The rise in serum hsCRP and IL-6 concentrations was observed to be equivocal among the two groups. Statistically significant difference was observed in serum TLC rise: Lichtenstein repair group having a higher value. CONCLUSION: Both, open and endoscopic surgical techniques incite a systemic inflammatory response in the body. However, it cannot be conclusively stated that TEP is associated with lesser SIR compared to the Lichtenstein repair on the basis of this study.

Lithium-induced enlargement of a lingual thyroid.

Lingual thyroid is a rare developmental anomaly. It is the result of failure of the thyroid to descend from the foramen caecum to its prelaryngeal site. Lithium is a known goitrogen, but has never been reported to cause symptomatic enlargement of the lingual thyroid. We describe a 40-year-old woman, who presented with a foreign body sensation and progressive dysphagia caused by an ectopic lingual thyroid tissue measuring 4 cm x 3 cm x 3.5 cm. She had been taking lithium for treatment of bipolar disorder and had hypothyroidism. Her symptoms were relieved after excision of the ectopic thyroid tissue.

Schedule dependence of the interaction of radiation and Taxol in HeLa cells.

Previous studies have indicated that the nature of the interaction of radiation and Taxol may be dependent on the cell line, drug dose and treatment schedule. The present study represents a systematic attempt to examine the schedule dependence of the interaction of radiation and Taxol in HeLa cells. The protocol used was radiation treatment (7 Gy), followed by a variable interval (0-24 h), followed by exposure to Taxol (7.5 nM, 24 h), followed by plating for a colony-forming assay. Parallel samples were also taken for flow cytometric analysis of the distribution of cells in the phases of the cell cycle at the beginning and end of Taxol treatment. The results indicate that sub-additive, additive or supra-additive interaction can be seen depending on the interval between the radiation and Taxol treatments. Full radiation survival curves were determined for cells exposed to Taxol either immediately or 10 h after the completion of radiation treatment, corresponding to sub-additive and supra-additive interactions, respectively. An examination of the data revealed that maximum cell killing occurred when the percentage of cells in G1 phase was at a minimum at the time of addition of Taxol. Studies of Taxol-induced toxicity using cells synchronized in G1 phase with mimosine and then released and allowed to progress through the cell cycle confirmed this observation. The conclusion of this study is that prior radiation treatment can modify the effect of subsequent Taxol treatment through alterations in the distribution of cells in the phases of the cell cycle. This finding has important implications for the clinical scheduling of these two cancer treatment modalities.

A low molecular weight substance purified from human placenta inhibits cAMP-dependent protein kinase and activates protein kinase C.

We have purified from human placenta a low molecular mass substance that inhibits cAMP-dependent protein kinase and activates protein kinase C. This protein kinase regulator was purified in three steps: (1) homogenizing placentas in chloroform/methanol and extracting the regulator into water; (2) eluting a strong anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column with a quaternary gradient; and (3) eluting a reversed-phase HPLC column with a binary gradient. The regulator was found to be highly purified by HPLC, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry with a molecular mass of 703 Daltons by the latter procedure. The physical and biochemical properties of this protein kinase regulator suggest that it is a phospholipid but it did not co-elute by HPLC or by TLC with any of the known phospholipid activators of protein kinase C.

Erythrocyte based delivery system of primaquine: in vitro characterization.

Primaquine phosphate, an antimalarial drug, was loaded in erythrocytes by the process of endocytosis. The encapsulation of 0.1-0.15 mg of drug ml-1 of packed erythrocytes was achieved. The loaded cells attained spherical shape and exhibited higher osmotic fragility and lower resistance to turbulence shock as compared with normal cells. Glutaraldehyde treatment stabilized the cells which were noted to be resistant to the osmotic and turbulence shocks. In vitro release of drug and haemoglobin was also retarded upon treatment of loaded erythrocytes with glutaraldehyde. The studies suggest the potentiality of primaquine-loaded, glutaraldehyde-treated erythrocytes as an intravenous drug delivery system for casual prophylaxis and radical cure of malaria.

Controlled-release tablet formulation of isoniazid.

Guar (GG) and Karaya gums (KG) alone and in combination with hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose (HPMC) were evaluated as release retarding materials to formulate a controlled-release tablet dosage form of isoniazid (1). In vitro release of 1 from tablets followed non-Fickian release profile with rapid initial release. Urinary excretion studies in normal subjects showed steady-state levels of 1 for 13 h. In vitro and in vivo data correlated (r = 0.9794). The studies suggested the potentiality of GG and KG as release retarding materials in formulating controlled-release tablet dosage forms of 1.

Some pharmacological studies on a flavone glycoiside of nyctanthes arbortristis (harsinghar).

A flavones glycoside isolated from the bark of ayurvedic plant, Nyctanthes arbortristis was subjected to various pharmacological studies. The glycoside was found to be effective on, cardiovascular system and smooth muscles of intestine but no significant effect was found on CNS. The glycoside exhibited promising anti-inflammatory activity.

Group psychotherapy for victims of incest.

Group psychotherapy is a recommended part of treatment for victims of incest--male and female--in childhood or adulthood. Self-help groups, treatment groups, individual treatment, family therapy, and other modalities may be used concurrently or sequentially. Special techniques include art therapy, play therapy, psychodrama, bibliotherapy, wilderness encounters, and educational techniques.