Spiraeamide,new sphingolipid from Spiraea brahuica

Spiraeamide (1), a new sphingolipid, has been isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Spiraea brahuica, along with marrubiin (2), 19-acetylmarrubenol (3), and 6-acetylmarruenol (4). Their structures were elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, and COSY, NOESY, HMQC, HMBC, EI-MS, and FAB-MS experiments.     

Histology of anterior capsule edges produced by CCC and DC

We compared the postoperative characteristics of the anterior capsule edges produced by two incision techniques: continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) and diathermy capsulorhexis (DC). We examined the incised rims of human and animal capsules histologically and also compared the configuration and strength of the rims produced in animal experimentation. Histological examination of rabbit lenses revealed that 0.5 seconds was sufficient for coagulation of the anterior capsule: longer times caused deeper cortical tissue damage. Experimentally produced small capsulorhexis (3.5 mm diameter) with DC produced edges were less elastic than with CCC when tension was applied.     

Role of Dietary Nutritional Treatment on Hepatic and Intestinal Damage in Transplantation with Steatotic and Non-Steatotic Liver Grafts from Brain Dead Donors

Herein, we investigate whether: (1) the administration of glucose or a lipid emulsion is useful in liver transplantation (LT) using steatotic (induced genetically or nutritionally) or non-steatotic livers from donors after brain death (DBDs); and (2) any such benefits are due to reductions in intestinal damage and consequently to gut microbiota preservation. In recipients from DBDs, we show increased hepatic damage and failure in the maintenance of ATP, glycogen, phospholipid and growth factor (HGF, IGF1 and VEGFA) levels, compared to recipients from non-DBDs. In recipients of non-steatotic grafts from DBDs, the administration of glucose or lipids did not protect against hepatic damage. This was associated with unchanged ATP, glycogen, phospholipid and growth factor levels. However, the administration of lipids in steatotic grafts from DBDs protected against damage and ATP and glycogen drop and increased phospholipid levels. This was associated with increases in growth factors. In all recipients from DBDs, intestinal inflammation and damage (evaluated by LPS, vascular permeability, mucosal damage, TLR4, TNF, IL1, IL-10, MPO, MDA and edema formation) was not shown. In such cases, potential changes in gut microbiota would not be relevant since neither inflammation nor damage was evidenced in the intestine following LT in any of the groups evaluated. In conclusion, lipid treatment is the preferable nutritional support to protect against hepatic damage in steatotic LT from DBDs; the benefits were independent of alterations in the recipient intestine.     

Bilateral spontaneous anterior shoulder dislocation: A missed orthopedic injurymistaken as proximal neuropathy

A number of orthopedic injuries can occur during epileptic seizures. Anterior shoulder dislocation is one such orthopedic injury that is quite rare. The shoulder dislocation may injure the brachial plexus. Besides seizures, the nerves can also be damaged by anticonvulsive therapy. Muscle wasting following a seizure can misguide a clinician to investigate only neural or muscular pathologies. We report here an individual with epilepsy who was referred to us for electrodiagnostic evaluation of proximal muscle wasting related to a suspected proximal neuropathy. He was found to have a normal electrodiagnostic evaluation and later on discovered to have had bilateral shoulder dislocation on X-rays. This report advocates a thorough clinical appraisal, radiographs, and electrodiagnostic evaluation in a case with muscle wasting following a seizure.     

Three New Compounds Isolated from Bauhinia variegata Plant

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Amedicinally important plant Bauhinia variegata found in tropical region is a beautiful flowering plant which is used as food additive among its various other...     

Accessory thyroid nodule in sub-mandibular region

A case of an accessory thyroid nodule with a diagnosis of focal lymphocytic thyroiditis, in 23 years old lady, on histopathological examination, is presented. Patient had a single swelling in the left submandibular region without any abnormality. Postoperative thyroid scan showed thyroid gland in its normal anatomical location with suppressed activity and thyroid profile revealed subclinical hypothyroidism.     

Posttraumatic epilepsy — Disease or comorbidity?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause a myriad of sequelae depending on its type, severity, and location of injured structures. These can include mood disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders, personality disorders, aggressive disorders, cognitive changes, chronic pain, sleep problems, motor or sensory impairments, endocrine dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, increased risk of infections, pulmonary disturbances, parkinsonism, posttraumatic epilepsy, or their combinations. The progression of individual pathologies leading to a given phenotype is variable, and some progress for months. Consequently, the different post-TBI phenotypes appear within different time windows. In parallel with morbidogenesis, spontaneous recovery occurs both in experimental models and in human TBI. A great challenge remains; how can we dissect the specific mechanisms that lead to the different endophenotypes, such as posttraumatic epileptogenesis, in order to identify treatment approaches that would not compromise recovery?This article is part of a Special Issue entitled “NEWroscience 2013”.     

Limit of detection of PCR/RFLP analysis of cytochrome oxidase II for the identification of genetic groups of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli in biological material from vertebrate hosts

Parasitology Research - Mixed infections with Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma rangeli and their different genetic groups occur frequently in vertebrate hosts and are difficult to detect by...