High fat diet induces obesity in British Angora rabbit: a model for experimental obesity

A reliable and cost-effective animal model for human obesity with its manifested disorders is yet to be established in the context of increased morbidity and mortality due to obesity and its related problems. Therefore, an attempt was made to produce obesity in locally available British Angora Rabbits (BAR) and examine the effect on metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Adult male BARs weighing nearly 2 kg were randomly divided into two groups, one of the groups was fed with high fat diet (HFD) ad libitum for 10 weeks and the control group received standard normal rabbit chow for same period. Body weight, skinfold thickness, serum cholesterol, serum glucose and resting heart rate were measured before and after the dietary regimens. After 10 weeks, HFD group of rabbits demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight (+24%) and skinfold thickness (+37%). The gain in body weight was positively correlated to skinfold thickness (r = 0.61). Serum cholesterol, serum glucose and resting heart rate were also increased by 46%, 52% and 15%, respectively. Whereas no such increases in any of these parameters were observed in control group of rabbits. Our results suggest that obesity can be produced in BARs by feeding HFD. The obesity manifests with cardiovascular and metabolic changes. It is proposed that this may serve as a valid and reliable model of experimental obesity.

Tumor lysis under anesthesia in a child

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening oncologic emergency characterized by metabolic derangements caused by massive lysis and release of cellular components. TLS has been reported to occur under various circumstances. There have however, been only two reports of precipitation of TLS by anesthesia in the current medical literature. We report on the development of TLS in a 7-year-old child with a pelvic neuroectodermal tumor following induction of anesthesia and discuss the peri-operative concerns while dealing with patients with high tumor burdens.

Obesity attenuates formalin-induced tonic pain in British Angora rabbits

Obesity is known to alter various physiological parameters including the pain sensitivity. There are conflicting reports on the pain sensitivity in obesity. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the tonic pain response in obese rabbit model. To achieve this aim, two groups of adult male British Angora rabbits were used. One of the groups was fed with standard rabbit chow and served as control. The other group was fed high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to produce obesity. The standard formalin test was performed at the start and after 10 weeks of dietary regimen in both the groups. Timed behavioral responses (limping, elevation of paw, licking, biting, grooming etc.) were categorized and quantified with the help of standard pain rating scale. The total average pain rating score decreased significantly from 2.01 +/- 0.02 to 1.47 +/- 0.08 (P < 0.05) in HFD group after 10 weeks of dietary regimen, whereas there was no change in the control group. A significant negative correlation was observed between body weight and pain rating score in HFD group of rabbits (P < 0.05, r = -0.62). Results suggest that obesity attenuates the tonic pain responses induced by formalin in British Angora rabbits.

Tracing the response of subcutaneous fat accumulation in two generations of males

The present study included 414 adolescent boys aged 11-17 years and their fathers who volunteered as subjects. All the subjects belonged to Punjabi speaking Khatri, an endogamous urban population residing in Delhi, India. A set of five skinfold thicknesses: biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf along with body weight and stature were taken on all the subjects to report the pattern of subcutaneous fat distribution and responsiveness of different skinfold sites to fat deposition with variation in total body fat content. It has been noticed that 16- and 17-year-old sons assumed the pattern of subcutaneous fat distribution of their fathers, which was in favour of trunkal fat. Responsiveness of the five skinfold sites towards deposition of fat varied from site to site in various age groups with suprailiac skinfold sites found to be the most responsive followed by subscapular site. The sensitivity of skinfold sites to fat deposition with increase in weight was found to be greater in middle aged men (fathers) than growing boys (adolescent sons).

Role of MRI in Crohn's disease

The traditional imaging of Crohn's disease has relied on barium and computed tomography (CT) examinations. In recent years magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an imaging method that can be used in the diagnosis and assessment of Crohn's disease. The advantages of MRI include lack of ionizing radiation and its superior tissue contrast resolution. The clinical progression of Crohn's disease can be variable, and MRI can be used to assess inflammatory status, disease progression, and complications of Crohn's disease. MRI of the small bowel is an evolving technique and it has the potential to become the preferred technique for imaging of small bowel Crohn's disease in the future.

Management of Mandibular Fractures

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the cases of mandibular fractures treated by open reduction and rigid fixation at the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirteen mandibular fractures cases were treated by open reduction and rigid fixation from Jun 1998 to Jun 2006. These were retrospectively analyzed based on the following patient related factors i.e. mode of injury, age and sex distribution, site of injury, associated injuries and surgical treatment.

RESULT

The significant finding was that the most common etiology for fracture mandible was road traffic accidents (RTA), [196 (92%)]. Of the patients who reported, 147 (95.4%) were males in the third decade of life. 96 (45%) patients had parasymphysis fractures, 65 (30.5%) had angle fractures, 33 (15%) subcondylar fractures, 17 (7.9%) body fractures and 2(0.9%) had ramus fracture. Early intervention using open reduction and internal fixation was the protocol followed which resulted in minimum morbidity and complications.

CONCLUSION

As RTA especially two wheelers accidents appeared to be the most common cause of mandibular fractures, use of suitably designed protective head gear (crash helmets) is advisable. Moreover open reduction and rigid internal fixation appears to be the suitable treatment modality in successful treatment of mandibular fractures in reducing morbidity and complications and ensuring early return to normalcy.

Melanocytoma of cerebellum

Melanocytomas are rare melanocytic tumors of the central nervous system. We report a rare case of melanocytoma in the cerebellum of a 35-year-old male patient. Computed tomography scan showed a cystic lesion with an enhancing solid component arising from the cerebellum. The lesion was resected and a histological diagnosis of melanocytoma of the cerebellum was made.

Difficulties in emotion regulation and impulse control in recently abstinent alcoholics compared with social drinkers

BACKGROUND

Early abstinence from chronic alcohol dependence is associated with increased emotional sensitivity to stress-related craving as well as changes in brain systems associated with stress and emotional processing. The aim of the current study was to examine potential difficulties in emotion regulation during early alcohol abstinence using the recently validated Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS).

METHOD

Recently abstinent treatment-seeking alcohol abusers (n=50) completed the DERS during their first week of inpatient treatment and at discharge (5 weeks later). These responses were compared to a group of social drinkers (n=62).

RESULTS

Compared with social drinkers, alcohol-dependent patients reported significant differences in emotional awareness and impulse control during week 1 of treatment. Significant improvements in awareness and clarity of emotion were observed following 5 weeks of protracted abstinence. However, significant difficulties with impulse control persisted until discharge.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the DERS indicate protracted stress-related impulse control problems in abstinent alcoholics, which may contribute to increased relapse vulnerability.

Recurrent rectal tumour: localization using CT-guided percutaneous 'breast coil' placement prior to surgery

A 58-year-old man presented with rectal tumour recurrence 5 years following abdomino-perineal resection for rectal cancer. As the recurrent lesion was small and surrounded by fibrotic tissue, it was felt necessary to localize the lesion prior to surgery. We describe the use of percutaneous CT-guided breast localization coil placement using a transgluteal approach for the pre-operative localization of such lesions in order to facilitate surgical removal.