Protective effect of dendrodoine analog, an aminothiazole derivative against X-radiation induced hepatocellular damage in mice.

This study evaluated the radioprotective effect of dendrodoine analog (DA) against radiation-induced damage in the liver of mice. The study was divided into two phases; in the first phase, the effective concentration of DA was fixed by performing a survival study. In the second phase, the fixed effective concentration of DA was orally administered to mice to evaluate its radioprotective efficacy by performing various assays. The results indicated that the radiation-induced decrease in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and comet parameters were altered by pre-administration with the effective concentration of DA which restored the antioxidant status to near normal and decreased the level of the TBARS and comet parameters. The histopathological examinations further confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of DA in mice. Thus, the current study showed DA to be an effective radioprotector against radiation induced damage in the liver of mice.

Comparative evaluation of the fracture resistance of teeth prepared with rotary system, filled with single cone gutta-percha and laterally condensed with zinc oxide eugenol and resin based (AH26) sealers to that of Resilon.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To compare the fracture resistance of teeth prepared with rotary system and filled with single cone guttapercha followed by lateral condensation with different sealers like zinc oxide eugenol and resin based (AH26) to that of resilon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 70 extracted intact human permanent maxillary incisors were selected. All prepared samples were divided into one control group (n = 10) and three experimental groups (n = 20 per group). Group 1 control. This group received no obturation; the root canal opening was sealed with a temporary filling material (Cavit, Premier Dental Products, Plymouth Meeting, PA) Group 2: Gutta-Percha and zinc oxide Eugenol sealer. Group 3: Gutta-Percha and AH26 sealer. (DiaDent, Korea) dipped in AH26 sealer. Group 4: Resilon cones and RealSeal Resin Sealer. Obturation was accomplished using a 0.06 taper size 40 gutta-percha master point. All the root samples were stored in 100% humidity at 37 °C for 2 weeks to allow the sealer to set completely. The root samples were then prepared for mechanical testing and the data was recorded and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA and Post hoc test (Duncan Multiple range test) were employed to determine possible statistical variation among the groups tested in this study. The force for group 2 was significantly greater than that for the control group 1 (no obturation).The force for group 3 was significantly greater than that for group 2. The force for group 4 was significantly greater than that for group 3. All other groupwise comparisons were not significant at 5% level. Group 4 seemed to have the greatest force among the three groups of interest in the study. CONCLUSION: Root canals filled with Resilon increased the in vitro resistance of single canal extracted teeth compared to other experimental groups. The mean fracture resistance value for the experimental groups in ascending order was as follows: Root canals instrumented but not filled, filled with gutta-percha and zinc oxide eugenol sealer, filled with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer and filled with Resilon. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Resilon is a promising material for reinforcement of endodontically treated teeth.

Chemopreventive potential of 18beta-glycyrrhetinic acid: an active constituent of liquorice, in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis.

Chemoprevention, a useful and attractive approach in experimental oncology, helps to investigate the cancer preventive potential of natural products and synthetic entities. Present study evaluated the chemopreventive potential of glycyrrhetinic acid in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral tumor was developed in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters by painting with DMBA three times a week for 14 weeks. The tumor incidence and the status of phase I and phase II detoxification enzymes were assessed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone and DMBA+glycyrrhetinic acid treated hamsters. One hundred percent tumor formations, which were histopathologically confirmed as well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, were observed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Also, the status of detoxification enzymes were markedly altered in the liver and buccal mucosa of hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration ofglycyrrhetinic acid at a dose of 45 mg kg(-1) body weight to hamsters treated with DMBA completely prevented the tumor formation as well as restored the status of detoxification enzymes. Present study thus demonstrated the chemopreventive potential of glycyrrhetinic acid in DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.

Fusarium solani breast abscess.

An unusual manifestation of breast fusariosis was encountered in a 55-year-old female diabetic patient. Two fine needle aspirates (FNA) from the abscess were done at three days interval and they showed hyaline, septate, branched, fungal hyphae in 10% potassium hydroxide mount. Fungal infection was confirmed by demonstrating the fungal hyphae in the midst of lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils in Leishman stained smears. Culture of both FNAs yielded a heavy and pure growth of Fusarium solani. The patient responded to oral ketoconazole 200 mg once daily for 3 weeks. The breast fusariosis reported here is presumably the first case in India.

Comparative effects of curcumin and photo-irradiated curcumin on alcohol- and polyunsaturated fatty acid-induced hyperlipidemia.

It is a known fact that ethanol increases lipid levels in humans and experimental animals. Reports show that the increased intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) along with alcohol produces various pathological changes in liver resulting in hyperlipidemia. Heating of oil rich in PUFA produces various lipid peroxidative end products, which aggravate the pathological changes. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of curcumin (C) and photo-irradiated curcumin (IC) on alcohol- and PUFA-induced hyperlipidemia. Our results showed that the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in plasma and levels of cholesterol, triglycerides (TGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) in tissues were increased significantly in both alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups compared to normal, but decreased significantly on treatment with curcumin and IC. The IC treatment decreased the levels more significantly compared to curcumin. The phospholipids (PLs) were increased significantly in heart and intestine and decreased in liver and kidney in both alcohol + raw as well as heated PUFA groups. The levels were significantly decreased in liver and kidney and increased in intestine and heart in both curcumin- and IC-treated groups. But the effect of IC was more pronounced than curcumin. Histopathological observations were also in correlation with the biochemical parameters. Thus, photo-irradiated curcumin proves itself to be more effective than curcumin in treating the above pathological conditions.

Primary intratesticular sarcoma.

Primary intratesticular sarcoma that is neither associated with germ cell elements nor paratesticular elements is a unique subset of intrascrotal sarcoma. It is a rare indolent tumor with potential for distant metastases. Although few data are available it is generally assumed to be quite uncommon. The definitive treatment recommendation are yet to be laid down. Four cases are reported.

Free and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin in neonatal jaundice.

Serum free bilirubin and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin concentrations were estimated in 53 jaundiced neonates with a total serum bilirubin concentration of 227.4 +/- 80.4 mumol/l. The serum free bilirubin and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin concentrations were 8.7 +/- 5.6 nmol/l and 23.8 +/- 6.0 mumol/l, respectively. Both, the serum free bilirubin (r = 0.741, p less than 0.001) and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin (r = 0.754, p less than 0.001) correlated directly with bilirubin-albumin molar ratio. There was a direct correlation between free and erythrocyte-bound bilirubin concentration (r = +0.657, p less than 0.001). The prediction of serum free bilirubin concentrations from the known erythrocyte-bound bilirubin value was unreliable.