Effect of Curcuma longa freeze dried rhizome powder with milk in STZ induced diabetic rats

This study deals with the effects of freeze dried rhizome powder of Curcuma longa (C. longa) dissolved in milk on normal as well as diabetic models. Diabetes of type II and type I was within 3 days of a single administration of doses of 45 and 65 mg kg(-1) of streptozotocin respectively. Various parameters such as blood glucose levels, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, hemoglobin, urine protein and urine sugar in addition to body weight were taken in to consideration and were analyzed after administration of variable doses of rhizome powder. The dose of 200 mg kg(-1) was identified as the most effective dose as it increased HDL, Hb and bw (P<0.05) with significant decrease in the levels of blood glucose, lipid profile and hepatoprotective enzymes (P<0.001).

Bioefficacy of Lantana camara L. against Some Human Pathogens

Antimicrobial efficacy of flavonoids (free and bound) and crude alkaloids of Lantana camara L. was determined by disc diffusion assay against three bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus aureus) and two fungi (Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes). Minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration and total activity were also studied. Most susceptible microorganism in the present study was C. albicans followed by P. mirabilis, S. aureus, E. coli, and T. mentagrophytes. The range of minimum inhibitory concentration of tested extracts was 0.039-0.625 mg/ml while minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration ranged from 0.078-1.25 mg/ml. Six extracts out of eleven tested showed same values of minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration, while rest showed higher values of minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration. Highest total activity (120.51 ml/g) was observed for bound flavonoids of root against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Results of the present investigation indicate that Lantana camara has good antimicrobial activity with low range of minimum inhibitory concentration hence can be exploited for future plant based antimicrobial drugs.

Role of Borna disease virus in neuropsychiatric illnesses: are we inching closer?

The biological cause of psychiatric illnesses continues to be under intense scrutiny. Among the various neurotropic viruses, Borna disease virus (BDV) is another virus that preferentially targets the neurons of the limbic system and has been shown to be associated with behavioural abnormalities. Presence of various BDV markers, including viral RNA, in patients with affective and mood disorders have triggered ongoing debate worldwide regarding its aetiopathogenic relationship. This article analyses its current state of knowledge and recent advances in diagnosis in order to prove or refute the association of BDV in causation of human neuropsychiatric disorders. This emerging viral causative association of behavioural disorders, which seems to be inching closer, has implication not only for a paradigm shift in the treatment and management of neuropsychiatric illnesses but also has an important impact on the public health systems.

Vitamin D nutritional status of exclusively breast fed infants and their mothers

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D nutrition has a profound effect on the development of an infant. Vitamin D status of mothers and their infants are closely correlated. While hypovitaminosis D has emerged as a significant public health problem across all age groups, there is limited information of this condition in lactating mothers and their breast fed infants.

AIM

To evaluate the vitamin D status of lactating mothers and their breast fed infants.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

180 healthy lactating mothers and exclusively breast fed infants, 2-24 weeks old, were recruited for the study. The mother-infant pairs underwent concurrent clinical, biochemical and hormonal evaluation for calcium-vitamin D-PTH axis.

RESULTS

The mean serum 25(OH)D values in lactating mothers was 27.2 +/- 14.6 nmol/l (10.9 +/- 5.8 ng/ml), while that of their infants was 28.9 +/- 20.8 nmol/l (11.6 +/- 8.3 ng/ml). Serum 25(OH)D levels <25 nmol/l (10 ng/ml) were found in 47.8% of the mothers and 43.2% of the infants. Among these, elevated PTH levels (>54 pg/ml) were seen in 59.3% of the mothers and 69.6% of the infants. A highly significant negative correlation was found between serum 25(OH)D and PTH in mothers (r = -0.480, p = 0.01) and their infants (r = -0.431, p = 0.01). A strong positive correlation was seen of 25(OH)D levels in mother-infant pairs (r = 0.324, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in lactating mothers and their exclusively breast fed infants. Infants born to mothers with hypovitaminosis D had 3.8 times higher risk of developing hypovitaminosis D as compared to those born to mothers with normal vitamin D levels.

The use of PET/CT in the management of breast cancer – the Royal Marsden Hospital experience

Abstract #4027

Background&#x2028; Despite the increasing use of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) in the management of patients with breast cancer, its role is yet to be defined. The aim of this large retrospective single-institution study was to identify the areas where this imaging tool has been beneficial (either as a single modality or in comparison with conventional imaging) and to assess its contribution in optimising management.&#x2028; Materials and Methods&#x2028; We reviewed PET/CT scans performed on breast cancer patients as part of their management in our institution. We determined the indication for the scan, the result, concordance/discordance with other imaging modalities and whether the use of PET/CT had altered patient management.&#x2028; Results&#x2028; One hundred and eighty two (182) PET/CT scans performed in 96 patients between July 2004 to June 2008 and the corresponding case notes were reviewed. The indications for performing the scan were: Staging (S) = 71, Response Assessment (RA) = 64, Clarification (C) of findings on other imaging = 25 and Reassurance (ASS) in 22 of the cases.&#x2028; In the S group 52 PET/CT scans demonstrated FDG avid disease, 14 were negative whereas 5 scans showed low-grade FDG uptake. Positive scans were helpful in accurately defining the extent of the disease and guided further localized or systemic treatment. PET/CT was particularly useful for detecting occult lytic bone metastases.&#x2028; In RA, PET showed Complete Response in 3 cases, Partial Response in 33 cases, Stable Disease in 10, Progressive Disease in 15 and Mixed Response in 3. Early RA (after 2 cycles) was allowed because of the advantage of PET/CT to assess changes in metabolic activity that precede anatomical changes. PET/CT was particularly useful for bone response assessment.&#x2028; PET/CT was used for the clarification of indeterminate lesions on CT (n=9), MRI (n=7), isotope bone scan (n=5), CXR (n=1) or combination of these modalities (n=3). It was negative in 17 cases. Disease was confirmed in 7 cases and in 2 of these cases the burden of metastatic disease was found to be significantly less on PET compared to the other modalities. In 1 case PET/CT failed to characterize indeterminate lesions.&#x2028; In the ASS group all PET/CT scans were negative.&#x2028; The management of 14 patients was substantially altered. In some cases appropriate local treatment (surgery, radiotherapy) was administered where PET/CT showed absence of metastatic disease, conversely systemic treatment was given when PET/CT demonstrated metastatic disease (hitherto occult or indeterminate on other workup).&#x2028; Discussion&#x2028; In breast cancer PET/CT is useful in accurately staging metastatic disease not only by revealing unsuspected metastasis but also by clarifying false positive findings shown on conventional imaging. It is effective in assessing response to chemotherapy and hormonal treatment earlier than any other method currently available. Its role is essential in clarifying equivocation on other imaging modalities. Incorporation of PET/CT in these areas of breast cancer management contributes to treatment optimisation. Formal guidelines for the use of this modality in breast cancer are warranted.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4027.

Malignant mesothelioma with unexpected contralateral mediastinal shift: a case report

Introduction

Contralateral mediastinal shift due to pleural mesothelioma tissue, rather than a pleural effusion, is an unusual clinical feature of mesothelioma.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old woman with a past history of treated invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast presented with breathlessness and chest pain. Her chest radiograph revealed contralateral mediastinal shift and drainage of over 3 litres of pleural fluid relieved her symptoms. She underwent further investigations which revealed pleural mesothelioma, rather than the expected metastatic breast cancer. When she represented with breathlessness a few months later, a chest radiograph again demonstrated contralateral mediastinal shift. A thoracic ultrasound on this occasion revealed only a small loculated pleural effusion and, unexpectedly, a large volume of malignant tissue, thereby explaining the chest radiograph appearances.

Conclusion

This case illustrates mediastinal shift away from the affected side which was caused by mesothelioma tissue itself, rather than by a pleural effusion which is the more usual cause of contralateral mediastinal shift in mesothelioma.

Evaluation of the role of 18FDG-PET/CT in radiotherapy target definition in patients with head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As techniques for radiotherapy delivery have developed, increasingly accurate localisation of disease is demanded. Functional imaging, particularly PET and its fusion with anatomical modalities, such as PET/CT, promises to improve detection and characterisation of disease. This study evaluated the impact of (18)FDG-PET/CT on radiotherapy target volume definition in head and neck cancer (HNC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PET/CT scans of patients with HNC were used in a radiotherapy planning (RTP) study. The gross tumour volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV) were defined conventionally and compared to those defined using the PET/CT. Data were reported as the median value with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were consented, 9 had known primary tumour site, 9 presented as unknown primary. In nine cases where the primary site was known, the combined primary and nodal GTV (GTVp+n) increased by a median of 6.1cm(3) (2.6, 12.2) or 78% (18, 313), p=0.008 with CTV increasing by a median of 10.1cm(3) (1.3, 30.6) or 4% (0, 13) p=0.012. In 9 cases of unknown primary the GTVp+n increased by a median 6.3 cm(3) (0.2, 15.7) or 61% (4, 210), p=0.012, with CTV increasing by a median 155.4 cm(3) (2.7, 281.7) or 95% (1, 137), p=0.008.

CONCLUSION

(18)FDG-PET revealed disease lying outside the conventional target volume, either extending a known area or highlighting a previously unknown area of disease, including the primary tumour in 5 cases. We recommend PET/CT in the RTP of all cases of unknown primary. In patients with a known primary, although the change in volume was statistically significant the clinical impact is less clear. (18)FDG-PET can also show areas within the conventional target volume that are hypermetabolic which may be possible biological target volumes for dose escalation studies in the future.

Molecular characterization of follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene in the Indian river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a central role in regulation of ovarian function in mammals. The actions of follicle stimulating hormone are mediated through receptors present on the granulosa cells of the ovary. In the present study we have cloned and characterized the FSHR gene of buffalo. Sequence analysis indicated that the buffalo FSHR cDNA sequence comprised of an open reading frame of 2085bp encoding a 695 amino acid protein. Its nucleotide sequence showed more than 80% similarity to the homologous genes of mammalian species. At amino acid level buffalo FSHR exhibited a high percentage (84-96.7%) of identity with the corresponding mammalian homologs. This is the first isolation and characterization of FSHR cDNA from buffalo ovary.

The use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in colorectal liver metastases--comparison with CT and liver MRI

PURPOSE

We compared 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography-CT (PETCT) with contrast-enhanced whole-body CT (ceCT) in identifying extrahepatic disease and with manganese dipyridoxyl diphosphate (Mn-DPDP) liver MRI for liver metastases in patients with colorectal liver metastases being considered for surgery.

METHODS

Sixty-five patients (median age 65 years; 42 men) with colorectal cancer and known or suspicious liver metastases and who underwent a PETCT, ceCT and Mn-DPDP MRI were identified. Results were retrospectively reviewed for extrahepatic disease on PETCT and ceCT, and for the presence and number of liver metastases on PETCT and Mn-DPDP MRI. Proof of metastases was based on histopathology or clinical/imaging follow-up, demonstrating disease progression or response.

RESULTS

PETCT identified unexpected extrahepatic disease not detected on ceCT, leading to change in surgical management in 17%. There were three other false-positive cases on PETCT. For liver metastases on a per-patient basis, the sensitivity and specificity of both PETCT and Mn-DPDP MRI were 98% and 100%, respectively. On a per-lesion basis, PETCT and MRI were discordant in 15% (10/66 scans). MRI correctly identified more sub-centimeter metastases in eight scans. PETCT correctly identified more metastases in one case and confirmed disease in one equivocal MRI.

CONCLUSION

PETCT has incremental benefit over conventional ceCT in identifying extrahepatic disease in metastatic colorectal cancer. PETCT has high sensitivity and specificity for the presence of liver metastases and should be included early in initial pre-surgical evaluation and could potentially guide the use of Mn-DPDP MRI. However, Mn-DPDP MRI is superior for small liver metastases and remains a prerequisite for surgical planning in patients with confined liver metastases.

REP-PCR analysis of Pasteurella multocida isolates from wild and domestic animals in India

Repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-based PCR (REP-PCR) was used to characterize 67 field isolates of Pasteurella multocida originating from different animal species and geographical regions of India. REP-PCR was found to be rapid and reproducible (three repeats were done). These isolates yielded different 23 profiles which were clustered into eight groups. The discrimination index was moderate (D value 0.83). Somatic and antigenic typing of the isolates did not reveal any correlation with REP-PCR profiles. There was no host-specific, type-specific, region-specific or pathenogenicity-specific pattern. The REP profiles of isolates obtained from wild animals were similar to those obtained from domestic animals. Two common bands were present in all the isolates irrespective of somatic or antigenic types. The results were not comparable with earlier findings, which had shown high discrimination index and correlation with disease presentation.

Comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene of Pasteurella multocida serogroup B isolates from different animal species

The phylogenetic relationships of five isolates of Pasteurella multocida serotype B:2 belonging to buffalo, cattle, pig, sheep and goat were investigated by comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene. The 1468bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison showed that the isolates of cattle (PM75), pig (PM49) and sheep (PM82) shared 99.9% homology with the buffalo isolate (vaccine strain P52) whereas, the goat isolate (PM86) shared 99.8% homology with the vaccine strain. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of these isolates were also found monophyletic with type B reference strain NCTC 10323 of P. multocida subsp. multocida. The present study indicated the close relationships of haemorrhagic septicaemia causing P. multocida serotype B:2 isolates of buffalo and cattle with other uncommon hosts (pig, sheep and goat).