Examination stress: changes in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids

Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids were estimated in twelve students exposed to varying degree of examination stress. Serum cholesterol and triglycerides exhibited a rise proportional to degree of examination stress whereas total lipids exhibited an initial rise followed by a fall. Values of all these parameters attained control level when the stress was over. The rise in serum cholesterol and triglycerides seems to be due to stress induced changes in hormonal levels and peripheral lipolysis respectively.     

EFFICACY OF SUCRALFATE IN PREVENTING GASTROINTESTINAL SIDE EFFECTS OF NSAIDs

To find out the efficacy of sucralfate in preventing gastrointestinal side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) a prospective, randomised single blind study was conducted from 1989 to 1992. Patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other long standing painful conditions, who were expected to receive NSAIDs for over three months, were recruited into the study. All medicines were discontinued for a period of 10–15 days prior to initial endoscopic assessment. NSAID therapy was started and the patients were randomised to receive either placebo (group A) or sucralfate (group B) in addition. Patient were reassessed clinically every week and an endoscopic examination was repeated after 6–8 weeks of follow-up. A total of 176 patients were studied in group A (n=91) and group B (n=85). At the end of 8 weeks gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 30.6% and 26.4% patients of group A and B respectively. Endoscopic assessment showed superficial lesions in 36.5% and 18.7% while endoscopic ulcer in 2.4% and 1.1% patients of groups A and B respectively. Thus in patients receiving chronic NSAID therapy, simultaneous administration of sucralfate reduces the incidence of superficial gastric lesions but has no significant effect on symptoms or ulcer formation.KEY WORDS: Gastropathy, Sucralfate, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs     

Sperm Quality Improvement in Cryopreserved Human Semen

Purpose

We determined if separation of spermatozoa (washed) on a discontinuous colloidal suspension of silica (Percoll^†) density gradient before cryopreservation improves post-thaw motility compared to an unprocessed (raw) cryopreserved sample.

Materials and Methods

Ten normal healthy volunteers recruited into the andrology laboratory donor program were studied. Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa were compared for loss of motility with time, motion characteristics, viability and membrane integrity after incubation for 1, 6 and 24 hours. Within group comparisons were made to baseline measurements (0 hours before incubation).

Results

Raw and washed cryopreserved spermatozoa showed statistically significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after thawing. There were significant decreases in motility and other motion characteristics after incubation periods of 1, 6 and 24 hours, and significant decreases in viability and membrane integrity at 6 and 24 hours in the unprocessed spermatozoa. Although, motility and motion characteristics of washed samples decreased significantly with longer incubation periods, loss of motility with time (longevity) was greater in raw samples. Washed samples retained greater sperm motility for up to 24 hours (p less than 0.03).

Conclusions

Specimens prepared by Percoll separation techniques before freezing offer the possibility of selecting spermatozoa that retain motility for up to 24 hours. This finding can be of benefit for couples undergoing intrauterine insemination to achieve pregnancy.     

Fibrous dysplasia of the mastoid

A rare case of fibrous dysplasia involving the mastoid bone is reported. Its histopathological characteristics are also described.     

Meningoencephalitis in brucellosis

Human brucellosis, more specifically neurobrucellosis, is a less commonly reported disease in India; although, animal brucellosis and seroprevalence in specific areas is well reported. We are reporting 4 cases of neurobrucellosis presenting as meningoencephalitis. Diagnosis was confirmed by serological test and agglutination titre was > 1:320 in all the patients. All these patients had close contact with animals and history of raw milk ingestion was present in 3 cases. The aim of presenting these cases is to create awareness among physicians while treating meningitis in persons, engaged in occupations related to brucellosis or having a history of ingestion of raw milk or milk product.