Effect of dietary protein on Masheri-induced drug metabolising enzymes

The modulation of drug metabolising enzymes by Masheri extract (ME) and Benzo(a)Pyrene [B(a)P] was studied in male Sprague Dawley rats fed different dietary protein levels. Two groups of 21 days old male Sprague Dawley rats were put on a high protein diet (SHP) with 20% Casein, and a low protein diet (SLP) with 3% Casein semisynthetic based diets for 12 weeks. The SLP fed animals showed lower basal levels of the Phase I activating enzymes viz. Cytochrome P450, Benzo(a)Pyrene hydroxylase, Benzphetamine demethylase and Phase II glutathione detoxification system viz. Glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione-S-transferase. ME and B(a)P treatment significantly depleted the glutathione detoxification system in the SLP group whereas an opposite effect was observed in the SHP group. Interstingly, ME and B(a)P treated rats in the SLP group showed a higher percent increase in the hepatic and pulmonary Phase I enzyme activities than those observed in the treated ME/B(a)P treated SHP rats. Furthermore, both ME and B(a)P significantly decreased the hepatic pool of vitamin A while a concomittant increase in that of vitamin C was observed.     

Hyperinsulinaemia and Na+, K+ -ATPase activity in thyrotoxic periodic paralysis

OBJECTIVE Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) usually follows a heavy carbohydrate meal and this may be explained by hyperinsulinaemia stimulating Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase activity. To clarify this the effect of glucose load on serum insulin concentration and platelet Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase activity In thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) was examined. DESIGN In all subjects a standard 75-g glucose tolerance test was done and blood samples were taken at 0, 1 and 2 hours. SUBJECTS Twenty-five healthy controls (8 M and 17 F), 17 uncomplicated thyrotoxic patients (7M and 10 F), 15 TPP patients who presented with paralysis and 4 TPP patients after treatment with antithyrold drugs. MEASUREMENTS Plasma glucose was measured by the glucose oxidase method, serum insulin by radioimmunoassay and platelet Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase by the release of phosphate from ATP. RESULTS TPP patients showed glucose intolerance (area under the curve (AUC) 16·5 ± 4·4 (mean ± SD) In TPP compared to 12·9 ± 4·5 In controls (P < 0·01) and hyperinsulinaemia (AUC 189·6 ±100·6 vs 98·5 ±53·4, P < 0·001). In uncomplicated thyrotoxicosis the results were similar to that in healthy controls. Platelet Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase were significantly higher in thyrotoxic patients compared to controls and In TPP patients were even higher. Ingestion of glucose increased platelet Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase in all groups. AUC for platelet Na⁺, K⁺ -ATPase in TPP patients were significantly higher than in uncomplicated thyrotoxicosis (601 ±99·3 vs 482 ± 109·4, P < 0·01) or healthy controls (320 ± 107·3). In the 4 TPP patients studied after antithyroid treatment the results were similar to healthy controls. CONCLUSION Patients with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis have hyperinsulinaemia and this is accompanied by higher Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity.     

Anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia presenting as nasal myiasis

An interesting case of anhidrotic Ectoderml Dysplasia (A.E.D.) which came with epistaxix, headache and maggots in nose is presented. Histopathology of forearm shin, scalp and Exercise test helped to confirm the diagnosis, AED is an X-linked recessive condition and has no cure but symptomatic treatment along with heat protection and protection of eyes especially in summer season has a role to play in the management of these cases.     

Soft tissue sarcomas: ultrasonographic evaluation of local recurrences

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of early local recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas, especially in those treated with surgery and radiotherapy, is a difficult clinical problem. Financial constraints led us to use ultrasonography instead of CT or MR imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US) in detecting local recurrence. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty patients with previous treatment for soft tissue sarcomas were evaluated prospectively for recurrence by US and histopathology. Seven of the 50 patients were clinically suspected to have recurrent tumour. Ultrasonography showed recurrence in 26, no recurrence in 18, benign disease in four and was indeterminate in two cases. Ultrasonography was instrumental in guiding fine needle aspiration biopsies of small local recurrences and indeterminate lesions in 17 patients. In the sonographically tumour positive patients, histopathology confirmed recurrence in 24; one case had benign disease and one patient refused surgery. Thirteen of the 18 sonographically tumour negative patients were operated upon; all were negative for tumour on histopathology. Both the indeterminate cases showed recurrence on histopathology. The benign cases were confirmed by histopathology correlation. Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was positive in 14 out of 17 patients (88%). The sensitivity and specificity of US was 92.30% and 94.4% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that US is an extremely useful and cost effective method in the detection of early local recurrences of soft tissue sarcomas and should therefore be used for initial routine follow-up and guided biopsies.     

Urinary bladder inflammation induces changes in urothelial nerve growth factor and TRPV1 channels

Background and Purpose

The urinary bladder urothelium expresses various receptors and in response to chemical and mechanical stimuli releases mediators, thereby modulating bladder sensory pathways. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channels and nerve growth factor (NGF) in those cells are implicated in this modulatory effect and play a role in sensitizing pain-related afferent pathways during inflammation. In this study, we investigated the interaction between NGF and TRPV1 channels in urothelial cells.

Experimental Approach

Urothelial cells from female Sprague-Dawley rat bladders were cultured to quantify membrane expression of TRPV1 channels and capsaicin-induced ATP release in the presence of NGF alone or with TrKA or PI3K inhibitors. Pain scores from rats with cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced bladder inflammation were assessed after treatment with a TrkA antagonist. Bladders (from control and CYP rats) were collected and analysed for NGF content and TRPV1 channel expression.

Key Results

Cultured cells responded to NGF with increased TRPV1 channel expression in the cell membrane and increased release of ATP. Both responses were blocked by either a TrkA antagonist or a PI3K inhibitor. Treatment in vivo with the TrkA antagonist alleviated pain symptoms and reduced CYP-induced NGF overexpression in the mucosa. Furthermore, in urothelial cells from animals with bladder inflammation, expression of TRPV1 channels in the membrane was significantly increased.

Conclusions and Implications

During bladder inflammation, increased production of NGF in urothelial cells induced increased expression and activity of TRPV1 channels in the cell membrane. This effect was primarily mediated by the PI3K pathway.     

Impact of COVID-19 on Indian optometrists: A student,educator, and practitioner‘s perspective

Purpose:The optometry profession has experienced massive changes amid lockdown in COVID 19 pandemic. This study gauges the impact of COVID-19 on optometry education and practices in India.Methods:The impact of COVID-19 among key stakeholders of Indian optometry that included educators, students, and practitioners was surveyed. The content validity of the survey tool was achieved through a focused group discussion with experts.Results:Of the 1408 responses, 118 were educators, 845 were students and 445 were practitioners. Post COVID-19 lock-down, a high percentage of students (96%) and educators (94%) were now using online mode of education to learn and teach. The blended learning methods were reported to be used by 81% of educators. Practical skills were the most difficult to teach by educators and to learn by students. Almost a third of the students were concerned about their internships and job opportunities amid the pandemic. Practitioners felt confident in performing routine eye examinations with personal protective equipment (PPE). Telemedicine was found to be adopted by 55% of the private practitioners and 49% of the eye hospitals.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to reform Indian optometry education through blended learning methods. Optometry practices changed and adapted instantly to the new hygiene norms that have raised the standard of care provided to patients. Telemedicine emerged as a mode of providing care by optometrists. Overall, all key stakeholders of optometry in India were found to have adapted well to the sudden changes due to COVID 19 pandemic.