Orbital Cysticercosis: Comparing Multi-Slice CT and Steady State MR to Identify Scolex

Orbital cysticercosis with both ocular and extraocular involvement is common in endemic areas. The presence of scolex is considered diagnostic of cysticercosis. We sought to compare multi-slice CT and 3D steady state MR in the identification of scolex in orbital cysticercosis. Three patients with orbital cysticercosis (two extra-ocular, one ocular) were studied using multi-slice CT with thin coronal and sagittal reformations and 3D steady state MR (CISS 3D — Constructive Interference in Steady State) sequence.

Cemento-ossifying fibroma of mandible: An unusual case report and review of literature

The term ossifying fibroma (OF) has recently been included under fibro-osseous lesions. Cemento-OF (COF) is a benign neoplasm that arises from the periodontal membrane which contains multipotential cells that are capable of forming cementum, lamellar bone and fibrous tissue. These tumors occur in the third and fourth decades of life with a predilection for women. The mandible is more commonly involved than the maxilla. This lesion has caused considerable controversy regarding the use of terminology, origin and diagnostic criteria. This article describes an unusual case of COF presenting as unilocular lytic lesion of mandible in a 38-year-old male patient with review of literature.

Effect of steroid replacement on thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in Addison's disease with primary hypothyroidism

BACKGROUND

Steroid replacement without thyroxine supplementation normalizes thyroid function test (TFT) in some but not all Addison's disease patients with primary hypothyroidism. Both autoimmune and nonautoimmune mechanisms contribute to this improvement in TFT. However, the documentation of the change in thyroid autoimmunity after cortisol replacement is very limited in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of steroid replacement on TFT and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO-Ab) titer in Addison's disease with primary hypothyroidism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This observational study was conducted in a tertiary care center in South India. Six Addison's disease patients with primary hypothyroidism, who were only on steroid replacement, were included in the study. Low serum cortisol (<83 nmol/L) with high plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (>22 pmol/L) and/or hyperpigmentation of skin/mucous membranes was considered as the diagnostic criteria for Addison's disease. Primary hypothyroidism (both overt and subclinical) was defined as high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) with/without low free thyroxine (fT4). TFT and anti-TPO-Ab were performed before and after steroid replacement in all of them.

RESULTS

Poststeroid replacement, there was a normalization of TSH in all but one subjects. In overt hypothyroidism patients, fT4 also normalized. The improvement in TFT was not associated with decreasing titer of the anti-TPO-Ab in all six patients. However, there was a significant difference in TSH after steroid replacement compared to the baseline status.

CONCLUSIONS

The concept of normalization of primary hypothyroidism with cortisol replacement in patients with Addison's disease should be recognized to avoid iatrogenic thyrotoxicosis caused by thyroxine replacement. Both autoimmune and nonautoimmune mechanisms contribute to these alterations.

Hydrodynamics of a continuous countercurrent liquid–solid system: experiments and modeling

Pressure drop, solid holdup and flooding velocities are experimentally measured and theoretically predicted in a continuous countercurrent liquid–solid system.

Usefulness of MRI in Delineation of Dermal and Subcutaneous Verrucous Hemangioma

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has established itself as diagnostic modality of choice of soft tissue and musculoskeletal lesions but dermatological lesions have been diagnosed mainly by clinical examination. We present MRI features of dermal and subcutaneous verrucous hemangioma involving the dorsum of foot in a 20-year-old male and its usefulness in differentiating it from angiokeratoma with similar clinical features.

Glutamic acid as anticancer agent: An overview

The objective of the article is to highlight various roles of glutamic acid like endogenic anticancer agent, conjugates to anticancer agents, and derivatives of glutamic acid as possible anticancer agents. Besides these emphases are given especially for two endogenous derivatives of glutamic acid such as glutamine and glutamate. Glutamine is a derivative of glutamic acid and is formed in the body from glutamic acid and ammonia in an energy requiring reaction catalyzed by glutamine synthase. It also possesses anticancer activity. So the transportation and metabolism of glutamine are also discussed for better understanding the role of glutamic acid. Glutamates are the carboxylate anions and salts of glutamic acid. Here the roles of various enzymes required for the metabolism of glutamates are also discussed.

Chemically mediated prey-approaching behaviour of the reduviid predator Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fabricius) (Insecta: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) by Y-arm olfactometer

The reduviid predator, Rhynocoris fuscipes (Fabricius) (Heteroptera: Reduviidae) is a potential predator inhibiting diverse agroecosystems and preying upon about 50 minor as well as major insect pests. The prey approaching behaviour of R. fuscipes (Fabricius) to the hexane extracts of insect pests viz., Helicoverpa armigera Hubner, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius), Achaea janata Linnaeus, Dysdercus cingulatus Fabricius and Mylabris indica Thunberg was assessed in Y-shaped olfactometer in terms of Excess Proportion Index (EPI). Ether in hexane fraction extracts of S. litura stimulated higher rostral protruding activity (6.53 +/- 1.56 min) than that of H. armigera (4.61 +/- 1.29 min) followed by A. janata (3.17 +/- 1.11) and D. cingulatus (2.95 +/- 1.12 min). The lowest response was observed to the hexane extract of M. indica (1.30 +/- 0.63 min).The order of excitement in behavioral response of R. fuscipes to the tested body extract of five insect pests was ranked as follows: S. litura > H. armigera > A. janata > D. cingulatus > M. indica. Thus the present study clearly reveals the host preference of R. fuscipes to the taxonomically diverse insect pests.

Antimicrobial glycopeptides: synthesis and antibacterial activity of N-linked and O-linked smaller chain glycopeptides

Our objective is to synthesize the smaller chain N-linked and O-linked glycopeptides using sugars belong to mono, di and polysaccharides, with the efforts mainly directed towards the identification of antibacterial compounds. 7 glycopeptides, viz., Arg-Asn-Mannose, Arg-Asn-Lactose, His-Asn-Mannose, His-Asn-Lactose (N-glycopeptides), Arg-Ser-Lactose, Arg-Thr-Lactose, Arg-Thr-Starch (O-glycopeptides) were prepared by dicyclohexyl carbodimide (DCC) coupling for amino acids using microwave oven (50W power; 15 min) and activated and coupled with respective sugar moieties using microwave oven at 120 W for 20-25 min. The column eluted compounds were tested for disc diffusion assay using 3 gram positive S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. caprae and 3 gram negative E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. sonnei strains at different concentrations predicted by pH and inhibitory concentrations. One of the test glycopeptide, His-Asn-Lactose was found to be very effective against all the microbial strains tested and 3 other Test Compounds, viz., His-Asn-Mannose, Arg-Thr-Lactose and Arg-Thr-Starch are also proved to be effective against 2 gram positive and 2 gram negative strains tested. Maximum activity was observed at a concentration of 450 μg/ml (747.51 µM) for the N-glycopeptide His-Asn-Lactose with the corresponding zonal inhibition diameters (15 mm; 19 mm; 14 mm; 18 mm; 16 mm; 17 mm) against S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. caprae, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. sonnei. This is the first evidence based report that our N-glycopeptide, His-Asn-Lactose tested, has shown antibacterial action against both gram positive and gram negative strains. Further in vivo testing and clinical studies will make sure to position our potent small chain N-glycopeptide in the arsenal of new broad spectrum anti-gram positive and negative agent.

Hydatid cyst of the liver causing inferior vena caval obstruction

Hydatid disease (cystic echinococcosis) is a zoonotic infection caused by larval forms of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Most common site for cysts is liver and hepatic hydatidosis has a diverse clinical spectrum. Mostly they remain asymptomatic and uncomplicated. Here we report a case of a 50 yr old farmer admitted for renal disease, who was incidentally found to have inferior vena caval obstruction. Ultrasound abdomen and CT abdomen were done and a 10 x 7 cms hepatic hydatid cyst compressing the vena cava was found.

Studies of internal gelation for the production of microspheres: sonication assisted gelation

Internal gelation studies are carried out with mixed oxides of uranium and plutonium (MOX) and HMUR (i.e. mixture of hexamethylene tetramine (HMTA) and urea in 1:1 proportion). It is necessary to find surrogate of MOX for the detailed experimental work. Hence, the studies have been carried out with aluminium nitrate and magnesium nitrate. Important parameters of gelation such as temperature and concentration of precursors and the effect of sonication and drying on the gelled particles have been studied using these nitrates and HMUR. It has been found that micromixing (sonication) provides narrow and compact size distribution as compared to macromixing (using magnetic stirrer) and temperature of the precursors does not affect the size distribution of the gelled particles. The effect of drying has been studied using IR (infrared) dryer and oven dryer and it was found that IR drying augments the performance as compared to oven drying. Depending on the solubility of the gel in water and its appearance (as pasty mass which is similar to uranyl nitrate gel) aluminium nitrate is chosen as an appropriate surrogate for MOX. FTIR studies have been carried out for characterization of the gel.

Influenza A H1N1 virus in Indian pigs & its genetic relatedness with pandemic human influenza A 2009 H1N1

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

With the emergence of a new reassortant influenza A H1N1 virus that caused the 2009 pandemic it was felt necessary that pigs should be closely monitored for early detection of any influenza virus infection. Therefore, we investigated disease outbreaks with clinical history suggestive for swine influenza reported to our laboratory by owners of affected pig farms in Uttar Pradesh.

METHODS

Detection of swine influenza A virus (SIV) was attempted by isolation in embryonated chicken eggs. Presence of virus was detected by haemagglutination (HA) test and RT-PCR for amplification of different gene segments, cloning and sequencing. BLAST analysis of sequence data, phylogenetic analysis and mutation analysis based on HA, NA and matrix genes was done.

RESULTS

SIV could be isolated from one farm and all eight gene segments amplified by RT-PCR. BLAST analysis of partial nucleotide sequences and phylogenetic analysis using nucleotide sequence of HA (601 nt), NA (671 nt) and M (1031 nt) genes indicated close genetic relationship of the Indian swine isolate (A/Sw/UP-India-IVRI01/2009) with human pandemic 2009 (H1N1). The HA gene showed close relationship with the viruses of "North American Swine" lineage, whereas the NA and M genes clustered with the viruses of "Eurasian Swine" lineage, indicating a novel HA-NA reassortant. The remaining of 5 genes (NP, PA, PB1, PB2 and NS) belonged to "North American Swine" lineage.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

This is perhaps the first report describing swine influenza among Indian pigs caused by an influenza A H1N1 virus sharing close homology with the human pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. Further reassortment with circulating influenza viruses must be closely monitored.

Dissolution of uranium oxides and electrochemical behavior of U(VI) in task specific ionic liquid

A task-specific ionic liquid, protonated 1-carboxy-N,N,N-trimethylmethanaminium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide trivially known as protonated betaine bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide ([Hbet][NTf2]) was prepared and the dissolution of uranium oxides, UO3, UO2 and U3O8 in it was studied. Dissolution of UO3 in [Hbet][NTf2] was very rapid and the saturation solubility of uranium was found to be 15 wt. % at 373 K. In contrast, dissolution of UO2 was sluggish and it was facilitated only by the oxidation of UO2 to UO2 2+. U3O8 was insoluble up to 453 K. A new procedure was developed for the individual separation of uranium oxides using [Hbet][NTf2] based on differences in solubilities. The electrochemical behavior of U(VI) in the resultant solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry at glassy carbon working electrode at 373 K. A surge in the cathodic peak current at -0.48 V (vs . Fc/Fc+) was due to the reduction of U(VI) to U(V) and the corresponding anodic peak current was observed at a potential of 0.64 V. Increasing the potential sweeping rate increases the peak current and shifts the peak potential negatively indicating the irreversible electroreduction of U(VI) in [Hbet][NTf2]. The diffusion coefficient of U(VI) in [Hbet][NTf2] was determined to be of the order of ∼10−8 cm2/s.

Cytokines and chemokines in postovulatory follicle regression of domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

The mechanism of postovulatory follicle (POF) regression in birds is still poorly understood. In the current study, expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, GM-CSF, IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-13, chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4, chCCLi7, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 mRNAs was estimated in regressing POF by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, the changes in immune cell population, histological and apoptotic changes were also studied in regressing POF. The expression of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2) and chemokines (chCXCLi2, chCCLi2, chCCLi4 and chCCLi7) was upregulated in POFs, suggesting a role for these molecules in tissue regression. The histological findings suggested a significant infiltration of immune cells, especially heterophils, lymphocytes and macrophages, into the regressing POF. The flow cytometry analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and Bu-1(+) lymphocytes were significantly increased during this regression. The significant up-regulation of chemokines might have attracted the immune cells during POF regression. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased during the regression of POF. The up-regulation of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta2 and down-regulation of GM-CSF might have induced apoptosis during the POF regression. However, expression of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 was not significantly altered during POF regression. In conclusion, cytokines appear to play an important role in the regression of POF in chicken. Furthermore, the regression of chicken POF seems to be an inflammatory event similar to luteolysis of the mammalian corpus luteum.

Neurocysticercosis in free roaming pigs--a slaughterhouse survey

To investigate the prevalence of neurocysticercosis among free ranging pigs and to study the type of pathomorphological lesions in affected brains, a total of 200 brains were collected from pigs slaughtered at a local abattoir, between August, 2005 to March, 2006. Gross and histopathological examination revealed 3% (6/200) occurrence of neurocysticercosis in pigs. Taenia solium cysticercosis is an under-rated zoonosis and is a leading cause of epilepsy due to neurocysticercosis in human population of India. The prevailing situation warrants immediate implementation of effective control measures for this dreaded disease.

Nitric oxide: A possible mediator of ovulation and postovulatory follicle regression in chicken

Nitric oxide (NO) has recently emerged as a regulator of functional and structural regression in mammalian reproductive tissues. However, the role of NO in ovulation and postovulatory follicles (POF) that undergo regression in laying birds is unclear. In the present investigation, the expression profiles of iNOS mRNA, tissue NO levels and the percentage of apoptotic cells were studied in the regressing chicken postovulatory follicle (POF). The postovulatory follicles gradually lost weight during its regression and reached the lowest weight on POF5. The number of apoptotic cells was increased significantly during the regression of POF. The mRNA expression of iNOS was noticed in the second largest preovulatory follicle (F2) that subsequently increased in the largest preovulatory follicle (F1). However, the level of iNOS mRNA was declined immediately after ovulation and thereafter upregulated again to reach a peak in POF3 with a subsequent reduction in POF5 to below the basal level. The tissue NO levels followed a similar pattern except with a peak production in POF4. The gross regression and apoptosis in POFs were well associated with iNOS expression and NO production. In conclusion, NO appears to play a role in ovulation and regression of postovulatory follicle in chicken.