Evaluation of surgically treated primary spinal cord tumors in a single Indian institution: A case series study of 178 patients.

Introduction: Primary spinal cord tumors are rare tumors that are usually heterogeneous having variable histopathological subtypes. Rapidly, growing space-occupying lesions in the spinal canal cause severe loss of function. This study aimed to analyze all adult patients diagnosed with primary spinal cord tumors and to describe their location, symptoms, histopathological types, surgical outcome, complications, recurrence in a single institution, and prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: The study was a retrospective study of 178 patients with spinal tumor who underwent surgical intervention at the department of neurosurgery at a tertiary care institute from 2014 to 2021. Patient demographic characteristics, symptoms, radiological features, spinal level of tumor, spinal compartment, preoperative and postoperative McCormick grade, and complications were recorded, and a comparison of outcomes after surgical intervention was done. Results: In our study, 97 patients were males and the rest of the 81 patients were females. The mean age at the time of surgery was 43.5 years. The thoracic region of the spinal canal was the most involved with 67 (37.64%) cases, whereas intradural extramedullary was the most common (65.73%). Schwannoma was the most common histopathological subtype (46.06%). Total excision was achieved in 154 cases. A total of 37 patients were in Grades 4 and 5 of modified McCormick's grade preoperatively. However, postoperatively, there were only 17 patients in this group. Two patients with cervical intramedullary tumor expired in the postoperative period. Conclusion: Early surgical intervention with sound microneurosurgical skills gives good outcomes independent of the type and location of tumor. Better outcomes are seen in extradural tumors, early surgical intervention, tumors better amenable to total resection, and in patients with better preoperative neurological status.

Evaluation of Surface Roughness of Nanofilled Composite Restorations after Simulated Tooth Brushing using Various Dentifrices.

Background Teeth restored with direct composite resin are constantly exposed to specific challenges of the oral cavity. These challenges can modify the material properties and, when associated with daily brushing, eventually change its surface roughness, allowing bacterial growth and retention of extrinsic pigments. Dentifrices plays an important role in dental wear (abrasion) and over time, can also cause an increase in the surface roughness of restorative materials. Objective To assess the effect of dentifrices on the longevity of direct nanofilled composite resins restorations as far as wear and roughness is concerned. Method Class V cavity were prepared on 90 extracted human teeth and restored with Filtek Z350 composite. Teeth were randomly divided into 6 experimental groups of 15 each labelled as Group-1 (Colgate Dental cream) Group-2 (Colgate Active Salt toothpaste), Group-3 (Pepsodent Regular toothpaste), Group-4 (Dabur red toothpaste), Group-5 (Dabur Lal tooth powder) and Group-6 Control (water). The samples were fixed on tooth brushing machine and subjected to mechanical tooth brushing using various dentifrices according to respective groups in 3 phases and reading of surface roughness (Ra) was recorded. Result Surface roughness (Ra) had increased in following order: Group 6 < Group 3 < Group 2 < Group 1 < Group 4 < Group 5. All the tooth pastes were compared, their behaviour was found to be similar as there was no statistically significant difference amongst them. Though all of them were inferior to control group and the difference was statistically significant. Whereas the only tooth powder Dabur lal tooth powder gave the maximum roughness when compared with the other tooth pastes and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion With increase in time of brushing there was increase in surface roughness in all the 5 dentifrices among them Ra was maximum for Dabur lal tooth powder.

Test day variability in yield and composition of Surti and Mehsani buffaloes milk at day 15 and 60 postpartum.

AIM: To estimate individual test day variability in yield and composition of Surti and Mehsani buffaloes milk at day 15 and 60 postpartum (pp). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 normally calved Surti and Mehsani buffaloes each maintained at Livestock Research Stations of Navsari and Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural Universities, respectively, were selected for the study. Milk sample was collected from each selected buffalo at day 15 and 60 pp to study milk yield and composition variability between these two breeds. Buffaloes were categorized for the ease of data analysis and comparisons into four groups, viz., S15 (Surti buffaloes 15(th) day pp), S60 (Surti buffaloes 60(th) day pp), M15 (Mehsani buffaloes 15(th) day pp), and M60 (Mehsani buffaloes 60(th) day pp). RESULTS: There were 37.20% and 25.03% significant (p≤0.05) increase in mean test day milk yield (TDMY) of S60 and M60 as compared to S15 and M15 groups, respectively. The mean TDMY of Mehsani buffalo was 99.19% and 81.53% significantly (p≤0.05) higher than Surti buffaloes at day 15 and 60 pp, respectively. The mean fat and protein corrected test day milk yield (FPCTDMY) of all the groups was found to be significantly different (p≤0.05) from each other. There was significant (p≤0.05) increase of 1.94 and 3.45 kg in mean FPCTDMY with the progression of lactation between day 15 and 60 pp in Surti and Mehsani buffaloes, respectively. Similarly, the mean FPCTDMY of Mehsani buffaloes were approximately double with 103.27% and 96.36% higher yield as compared to Surti buffaloes at day 15 and 60 pp, respectively. Among milk composition, significant differences were observed for solid not fat (SNF) and protein%, whereas fat and lactose% were steady among four groups. The only significant (p≤0.05) difference was observed for SNF in M60 group, which was 8.29%, 6.85%, and 10.70% higher as compared to S15, S60, and M15 groups, respectively. The mean protein% in milk of Mehsani buffaloes was 21.01% and 33.05% significantly (p≤0.05) higher than Surti buffaloes milk at day 15 and 60 pp, respectively. However, there was a significant difference in protein% observed with the advancement of lactation in Mehsani buffaloes, but it was not so in the case of Surti buffaloes. CONCLUSION: Major consistent finding of the present study reveals that milk yield and protein% of Mehsani buffalo was significantly higher than Surti buffalo at day 15 and 60 pp.

Effect of sugar beet tubers as a partial replacer to green fodder on production performance and economics of lactating Surti buffaloes in lean period.

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sugar beet tubers as a replacer to green fodder on production performance and economics of lactating Surti buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This trial was conducted at the Livestock Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Twenty lactating Surti buffaloes in a changeover experimental design were selected to assess the effects of replacing green fodder with sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) tubers on production performance, economics of feeding sugar beet and blood biochemical profile. Half (50%) of the hybrid Napier was replaced with sliced sugar beet tubers in the ration of experimental animals. RESULTS: Partial replacement of hybrid Napier with that of sugar beet tubers numerically improved dry matter intake, milk yield, 4% fat corrected milk and milk composition parameters such as fat, solid non-fat, protein and lactose, but not significantly. The blood parameters were in normal range and non-significant except that of glucose and triglycerides, which were increased in the sugar beet group. Replacing sugar beet tubers also proved to be cost-effective with improved net profit around Rs. 6.63/day. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that 50% hybrid Napier fodder can be replaced with sugar beet tubers without any adverse effect on animal production performance, milk composition blood biochemical profile and economics of feeding.

7-O-[4-methyl piperazine-1-(2-acetyl)]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one: a novel antifilarial lead compound.

In preliminary studies we found that benzopyrones (coumarins), which are known to exert many biological activities including anti-inflammatory effect, possess promising macrofilaricidal action as well. In order to explore the possibility of combining such a macrofilaricidal activity with the microfilaricidal potential of the known piperazine pharmacophore, we synthesized a series of compounds and evaluated their antifilarial effect. In the present study, one of these compounds, 7-O-[4-methyl piperazine-1-(2-acetyl)]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (2), which has shown promising macrofilaricidal action against rodent filariid Litomosoides carinii in cotton rats, was evaluated against infection with Brugia malayi in Mastomys coucha and jird (Meriones unguiculatus). In the B. malayi-M. coucha system, the compound at a dose of 300 mg/kg, oral (p.o.) x5 days showed 53.6% adulticidal and 46.0% microfilaricidal activity along with 46.3% sterilization effect on the female worms. In addition, the compound interfered with the establishment of infective larvae (L(3))-induced infection to an extent of 50% at the same dose level. At 1 microM concentration it inhibited protease activity of B. malayi to 82%. The compound thus provides a novel lead for further synthesis and development of antifilarial agents with macrofilaricidal, microfilaricidal, female-sterilizing and possible larvicidal efficacy.

Radiation dose estimates in Indian adults in normal and pathological conditions due to 99Tcm-labelled radiopharmaceuticals.

ICRP Publications 53, 62 and 80 give organ dose coefficients and effective doses to ICRP Reference Man and Child from established nuclear medicine procedures. However, an average Indian adult differs significantly from the ICRP Reference Man as regards anatomical, physiological and metabolic characteristics, and is also considered to have different tissue weighting factors (called here risk factors). The masses of total body and most organs are significantly lower for the Indian adult than for his ICRP counterpart (e.g. body mass 52 and 70 kg respectively). Similarly, the risk factors are lower by 20-30% for 8 out of the 13 organs and 30-60% higher for 3 organs. In the present study, available anatomical data of Indians and their risk factors have been utilised to estimate the radiation doses from administration of commonly used 99Tcm-labelled radiopharmaceuticals under normal and certain pathological conditions. The following pathological conditions have been considered for phosphates/phosphonates--high bone uptake and severely impaired kidney function; IDA--parenchymal liver disease, occlusion of cystic duct, and occlusion of bile duct; DTPA--abnormal renal function; large colloids--early to intermediate diffuse parenchymal liver disease, intermediate to advanced parenchymal liver disease; small colloids--early to intermediate parenchymal liver disease, intermediate to advanced parenchymal liver disease; and MAG3--abnormal renal function, acute unilateral renal blockage. The estimated 'effective doses' to Indian adults are 14-21% greater than the ICRP value from administration of the same activity of radiopharmaceutical under normal physiological conditions based on anatomical considerations alone, because of the smaller organ masses for the Indian; for some pathological conditions the effective doses are 11-22% more. When tissue risk factors are considered in addition to anatomical considerations, the estimated effective doses are still found to be generally somewhat higher for the Indian, for both normal and pathological states (but lower than the values based on anatomical considerations alone). However, when the radiopharmaceutical is administered in quantities proportional to the body mass, the effective doses are 11-28% lower for the Indian under both normal and pathological conditions. It may be concluded that Indians are at a lower risk of radiation health detriment in comparison with the ICRP adult on administration of the various 99Tcm-labelled radiopharmaceuticals considered in this study.

Transmission efficiency of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti to Wuchereria bancrofti infection: an experimental study.

Present study was undertaken to evaluate the suitability of natural (Culex quinquefasciatus) and experimental (Aedes aegypti) vectors for supporting the development of W. bancrofti larvae for onward transmission. Both the species permitted development of W. bancrofti mf to infective larvae (L3) within 11 to 13 days. The mf intake by both the species of mosquitoes was directly related to mf density in donor's blood. Culex exhibited higher L3 recovery than Aedes. In Aedes maximum percent L3 development occurred after ingesting 4 mf whereas Culex exhibited best establishment at an average mf intake of 11.5. Nevertheless wide variation in mf density in donor's blood did not significantly affect the larval establishment in Aedes mosquito while in Culex very high (> 400 mf/40 microliters) or low (< 50 mf/40 microliters) mf counts in donor's blood adversely affected the L3 recovery. The results reveals that A. aegypti has an edge over the natural vector, Culex in being a voracious feeder, their easy laboratory maintenance and better transmission potential.

Longitudinal cellular immune responses in asymptomatic and symptomatic Brugia malayi-infected Indian leaf monkey Presbytis entellus.

To investigate the cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses of the host during the development of acute filarial disease manifestations, we studied the sequential changes in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets, leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) response to Brugia malayi adult worm antigen, and concanavalin-A (ConA) and filarial antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation (LT) in the Indian leaf monkey (Presbytis entellus)-B. malayi model. Filarial infection was established in monkeys by subcutaneous inoculations of infective larvae (L3) (700-1,250 L3/monkey) in multiple doses, and the infected monkeys were categorized as symptomatic (Sym) and asymptomatic (Asym) depending on whether or not acute clinical manifestations were shown by them. In Sym monkeys, LMI response to homologous adult parasite antigen was significantly suppressed as compared to Asym monkeys. In Asym monkeys, LMI response varied among the animals; 2 showed an increase throughout the study period and 2 showed suppression at different time points. When compared with Asym monkeys, CD8+ T cells in Sym monkeys showed a trend of significant increase after day 180 postinoculation (PI). CD4+ T cells remained within the normal range till day 300 (PI), after which they showed a marginal increase. ConA-stimulated LT was suppressed in Asym monkeys from day 60 PI. Antigen-stimulated LT was unresponsive in both Asym and Sym animals. Thus, the host's LT response to ConA is suppressed in Asym animals, and alteration in CD8+ T-cell number and LMI response in Sym monkeys may be involved in the development of the acute disease manifestations in this model.

Longitudinal humoral immune responses of Indian leaf monkey (Presbytis entellus) to Brugia malayi infection.

Humoral immune responses of the Indian leaf monkey (Presbytis entellus) experimentally infected with Brugia malayi and exhibiting disease manifestations were studied. Microfilaraemia, filaria-specific IgG and circulating immune complexes (CICs) were determined in the monkeys at different time-points after inoculation of B. malayi 3rd-stage larvae. Sera were analysed for recognition pattern of adult parasite antigen molecules by immunoblotting. More than 60% of the infected monkeys developed episodic or persistent limb oedema with or without fever and with low or no microfilaraemia. While both CIC and filaria specific IgG levels were comparable in animals showing no disease symptoms (asymptomatics) and some animals showing symptoms (symptomatics), IgG levels peaked during pre-patent stage in symptomatics and during latent stage in asymptomatic animals. However, some of the symptomatic animals showed a low level of filaria-specific IgG as compared to asymptomatic and other symptomatic animals. The immunoblot analysis showed non-reactivity of 17 and 55 kDa antigens with sera of symptomatic animals. The results thus suggest that humoral immune responses as measured in the present study do not precede the development of the manifestations. However, 2 non-reactive antigen molecules identified by symptomatic sera need further study to establish their possible involvement, if any, in the development of acute disease manifestations in this model.

Effects of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields on health.

This paper gives a brief review of the physical interaction and bio-effects of exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) along with guidelines on limits of exposure to 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields.

Brugia malayi in Mastomys coucha: establishment in immunosuppressed animals.

Investigations on various aspects of human filariasis using target filarial parasite, Brugia malayi is jeopardised to a great extent due to its prolonged incubation period and poor harvest from the existing experimental animal models. To obviate these difficulties it was decided to establish B. malayi infection in immunosuppressed Mastomys coucha. Cortisone, a well-known immunosuppressant, was used at 10-mg/kg dose level subcutaneously in two courses each of 5 days duration. The first course was administered 1 week before and the second, 1 week after infective exposure. Mastomys were exposed either with 100 or 200 L3 each. Untreated age-matched animals were also exposed simultaneously. The minimum prepatent period was observed to be 90.7 days in immunosuppressed animals exposed to 200 L3. The course of microfilaraemia in immunosuppressed and control animals was identical up to 180 days of observation period. However, the adult worm recovery from the former group of mastomys was higher. It is surmised that exposure with B. malayi L3 in immunosuppressed mastomys would be of great advantage in getting larger harvests of adult worms of B. malayi.

Brugia malayi in Mastomys coucha: establishment in immunosuppressed animals.

Investigations on various aspects of human filariasis using target filarial parasite, Brugia malayi is jeopardised to a great extent due to its prolonged incubation period and poor harvest from the existing experimental animal models. To obviate these difficulties it was contemplated to establish B. malayi infection in immunosuppressed Mastomys coucha. Cortisone, a well known immunosuppressant, was used at 10 mg/kg dose level subcutaneously in two courses each of 5 days duration. The first course was administered 1 week before and the second, a week after infective exposure. Mastomys were exposed either with 100 or 200 infective larvae (L3) each. Untreated age-matched animals were also exposed simultaneously. The minimum prepatent period was observed to be 90.7 days in immunosuppressed animals exposed to 200 L3. The course of microfilaraemia in immunosuppressed and control animals was identical up to 180 days of observation period. However, the adult worm recovery from the former group of Mastomys was higher. It is surmised that exposure with B. malayi L3 in immunosuppressed Mastomys would be of great advantage in getting larger harvests of adult worms of B. malayi.

Experimental transmission of nocturnally periodic Wuchereria bancrofti to Indian leaf monkey (Presbytis entellus).

Successful experimental transmission of the human lymphatic dwelling nocturnal periodic strain of Wuchereria bancrofti has been achieved from man to Indian leaf monkey (Presbytis entellus) through a susceptible strain of Aedes aegypti. The prepatent period varied between 195 and 240 days. Microfilaria (mf) levels were in general low and the peak count was attained at 1800 hr. Of the adult worms 5-12.5% were recovered from male langur while females revealed poor (2.54%) recovery. This host--parasite model thus makes available the target parasite material in substantial quantity to work on chemotherapeutic and immunological investigations.

Fate of infective larvae of Brugia malayi in the peritoneal cavity of Mastomys natalensis and Meriones unguiculatus.

The fate of intraperitoneally inoculated infective third-stage larvae (L3) of the nematode Brugia malayi Lichtenstein and the status of the peritoneal macrophage function were investigated in the susceptible rodent hosts Mastomys natalensis Roberts and Meriones unguiculatus Milne-Edwards (jird). Jirds and M. natalensis were inoculated intraperitoneally with 125 and 250 L3 and the worm burden and peritoneal macrophage function in the two species were compared at different days post-inoculation (DPI). None of the infected M. natalensis had adult worms in the peritoneal cavity; very few degenerating L3 surrounded by peritoneal cells were recovered 7 and 15 DPI. In contrast, all the infected jirds showed the parasite in different stages of development and the worm burden at different days PI was more in 250 L3 dose group than in 125 L3 dose group. The phagocytic function of peritoneal macrophages of normal M. natalensis was twice higher than that of jirds. This function was found significantly suppressed in both host species at 15 DPI; at 35 DPI, the activity was still at this low level in the jird, while that in M. natalensis reverted to uninfected age- and sex-matched control levels. These findings demonstrate that the peritoneal environment of M. natalensis is not conducive to the development of B. malayi and this is probably related to high macrophage activity in the peritoneum of this host compared to that found in the jird.

Brainstem auditory evoked response changes following electro-acupuncture therapy in chronic pain patients.

Brainstem auditory evoked responses were recorded in 17 patients with chronic pain who had been given electro-acupuncture therapy. The absolute peak latencies of waves I to V, and interpeak latencies and amplitudes of waves I and V were analysed before electro-acupuncture and compared with values obtained during electro-acupuncture and 5 min after its termination after one, five and 10 sittings. At these sittings the intensity of pain was recorded with the help of a 100 mm visual analogue scale. Each patient had 10 sittings given on alternate days. The absolute peak latencies of waves I, II, and III were delayed significantly (p < 0.05) after 5 and 10 sittings and amplitudes of wave V decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 5 and 10 sittings. Visual analogue scores also decreased significantly (p < 0.01) during these sittings. It was established that before and after 10 sittings of electro-acupuncture, there was a significant positive correlation between visual analogue scores and the amplitude of wave V (p < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between visual analogue scores and absolute peak latencies of wave III at 1, 5 and 10 sittings, suggesting that there is a definite interaction between the electro-acupuncture neural mechanism and the generators of brainstem auditory evoked responses in the lower brainstem.

Brugia malayi in Mastomys natalensis: influence of immunostimulators on exertion of antifilarial activity of diethylcarbamazine.

The effect of immunopotentiators (Freund's complete adjuvant and CDRI Compound no. 84/201) has been evaluated on exertion of antifilarial activity of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) at different dose levels in Mastomys natalensis experimentally infected with Brugia malayi. DEC alone exhibited dose dependent micro- as well as macrofilarial action. In combination with immunomodulators, activity of DEC was significantly enhanced even at a lower dose level (12.5 mg/kg). However at higher dose level (> 25 mg/kg) of the drug along with immunostimulator the adulticidal activity was significantly reduced. Nevertheless, immunopotentiators themselves displayed certain amount of antifilarial action (34-38% macrofilaricidal).

Brugia malayi in Mastomys natalensis: efficacy of mebendazole in combination with Freund's complete adjuvant.

The chemotherapeutic efficacy of mebendazole given in combination with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) against Brugia malayi in multimammate rat was evaluated. Animals treated with mebendazole, orally at 200 mg/kg x 5 consecutive days along with FCA given subcutaneously (s.c.) on day -10, day 0 and day +15 of the drug treatment killed 48.51% of the adult worms. This drug given alone at the same regimen and by the same route showed only 18.7% mortality rate on adults. Mebendazole given intraperitoneally along with FCA given s.c., however, was four times more efficacious as filaricide than mebendazole alone. Nevertheless, the animals receiving FCA alone also revealed 23.5% mortality rate of adult worms. The animals receiving a combination therapy or FCA alone showed significant increase in antibody titre to the filariae which however decreased in the later stages. No enhancement of antibody level could be detected in animals treated with mebendazole alone. The non-specific immunopotentiation induced by FCA appeared to play a major role in enhancing the activity of mebendazole.

Circadian periodicity in microfilarial counts.

We propose a second-order harmonic model to describe circadian periodicity in the 24-h cycle of microfilarial counts. Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were infected with Brugia malayi. Definite evidence of circadian periodicity was found in the microfilarial counts. The estimates of the parameters, periodicity indices and peak hours were determined.