Tuberculous chylous ascites: pathognomonic CT findings

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of chylous ascites is usually that of water with corresponding attenuation coefficients. This case report depicts the fat-fluid level sign on CT (shown by supine and decubitus scans), which is pathognomonic of chylous ascites.

Antilipid peroxidative property of Nardostachys jatamanasi

Antiperoxidative property of N. jatamanasi was tested by using iron induced lipid peroxidation in 5% rat liver homogenate. The degree of peroxidation was quantitated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content. The extract provided protection against lipid peroxidation. The hexane fraction was more potent than the alcoholic extract. Results suggested antilipid peroxidative property of the plant.

Elective bedside tracheostomy in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Tracheostomy is a frequently performed procedure, and historically has had a high reported complication rate. This has led some authors to suggest that a tracheostomy should be done only in the operating room (OR). Concerns regarding the hazards of transporting critically ill patients to the OR may inhibit the use of tracheostomy. Bedside tracheostomy in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been shown to be safe, but this concept has not been widely accepted.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients undergoing tracheostomy over a four-year period and compared the safety of elective beside tracheostomy with OR tracheostomy.

RESULTS

We studied 536 patients who underwent tracheostomy during the four years, in 470 of whom the procedures were elective. Of these, 66 percent were done at the bedside without an anesthesiologist present. For the 311 patients who underwent bedside tracheostomy, the complication rate was 8.7 percent compared to 9.4 percent of 159 patients undergoing OR tracheostomy (p values were not significant). No deaths were directly associated with tracheostomy procedures, although the overall hospital mortality rate for these patients was 59 percent.

CONCLUSIONS

A tracheostomy can safely be performed in an ICU without requiring transport of the patient to the operating suite, thereby eliminating the hazards of transport.

Bacopa monniera Linn. as an antioxidant: mechanism of action

Bacopa monniera, Linn. (Brahmi: Scrophulariaceae) an Ayurvedic medicine is clinically used for memory enhancing, epilepsy, insomnia and as mild sedative. For the first time the effect of alcohol and hexane fraction of Brahmi has been studied on FeSO4 and cumene hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation. Alcohol fraction showed greater protection with both inducers. Results were compared with known antioxidants tris, EDTA and a natural-antioxidant vitamin E. The effect of Brahmi was also examined on hepatic glutathione content. The mechanism of action could be through metal chelation at the initiation level and also as chain breaker. The results suggested that Brahmi is a potent antioxidant. The response of Brahmi was dose dependent. Tris, an hydroxyl trapper did not show any protection in comparison to Brahmi where as EDTA and vitamin E did protect against FeSO4. In experimental conditions 100 micrograms Brahmi extract (alcoholic) was equivalent to 247 micrograms of EDTA (0.66 microM) and 58 micrograms of vitamin E. Interestingly Brahmi only slightly protected the autooxidation and FeSO4 induced oxidation of reduced glutathione on lower doses 100 micrograms/ml and below, but on higher concentrations it enhanced the rate of oxidation.

A case control study of cancer cervix patients attending Command Hospital, Pune

A case control study was undertaken with the objective to determine the association of certain host factors like marital status, age at first marriage, duration of married life, parity, literary status and genital hygiene, in the subsequent development of cancer cervix. A total number of ninety-two cases and an equal number of control subjects, under matched case control design, were studied at Command Hospital, Pune over a period of nine months. Salient findings of this epidemiological study have been highlighted in this communication. Few of the risk factors viz early age at first marriage, longer duration of married life, increased and early parity, low educational status and poor genital hygiene were found to have played significant role in the subsequent development of carcinoma cervix.