Jugular Phlebectasia: Clinical Scenario in India

Jugular phlebectasia is fusiform dilatation of internal jugular vein seen in childrens. It usually occurs in children but can occur at any age. It usually presents as unilateral swelling in the neck found during coughing and shouting. It is usually asymptomatic, so it is often ignored or misdiagnosed. Differential diagnosis include laryngocele, cavernous hemangioma, cystic hygroma, branchial cyst. Treatment is usually conservative as complications like thrombosis and horners syndrome are very rare. Non invasive investigations like Doppler sonogram and are usually done to diagnose this condition. We report two cases of jugular phlebectasia, who presented to our out patient department with history of swelling in the right side of neck which increases on crying and shouting. Doppler sonogram and ultrasound was done to diagnose the condition. There seems be lack of knowledge among medical fraternity in various specialities. So a questionnaire was prepared to assess the knowledge among resident doctors, general practitioners, Otorhinolaryngologists, paediatricians. Questionnaire was posted in social networking sites and the feedback was obtained. Out of the 150 interns in our hospital, only one (0.66 %) was able to explain about the condition. In general practitioners group containing 369 respondents, only 4 (1.08 %) knew the condition and have seen patients. A pediatricians group containing 312 respondents only 23 (7.37 %) pediatricians knew the condition, 289 (92.62 %) persons had no idea about the treatment. Otorhinolaryngologists group containing 328 respondents. 21 (6.40 %) knew the condition, 293 (89.3 %) have no idea. The Chi square test shows that the specialty of the respondent like pediatrician and ENT practitioner have more knowledge than the other for jugular phlebectasia at p < 0.0001.     

Two-Year Follow-Up Results of Fluoroscopic Cervical Epidural Injections in Chronic Axial or Discogenic Neck Pain: A Randomized,Double-Blind,Controlled Trial

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of cervical interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic with or without steroids for the management of axial or discogenic pain in patients without disc herniation, radiculitis, or facet joint pain.Summary of Background Data: Cervical discogenic pain without disc herniation is a common cause of suffering and disability in the adult population. Once conservative management has failed and facet joint pain has been excluded, cervical epidural injections may be considered as a management tool. Despite a paucity of evidence, cervical epidural injections are one of the most commonly performed nonsurgical interventions in the management of chronic axial or disc-related neck pain.Methods: One hundred and twenty patients without disc herniation or radiculitis and negative for facet joint pain as determined by means of controlled diagnostic medial branch blocks were randomly assigned to one of the 2 treatment groups. Group I patients received cervical interlaminar epidural injections of local anesthetic (lidocaine 0.5%, 5 mL), whereas Group II patients received 0.5% lidocaine, 4 mL, mixed with 1 mL or 6 mg of nonparticulate betamethasone.The primary outcome measure was ≥ 50% improvement in pain and function. Outcome assessments included numeric rating scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), opioid intake, employment, and changes in weight.Results: Significant pain relief and functional improvement (≥ 50%) was present at the end of 2 years in 73% of patients receiving local anesthetic only and 70% receiving local anesthetic with steroids. In the successful group of patients, however, defined as consistent relief with 2 initial injections of at least 3 weeks, significant improvement was illustrated in 78% in the local anesthetic group and 75% in the local anesthetic with steroid group at the end of 2 years. The results reported at the one-year follow-up were sustained at the 2-year follow-up.Conclusions: Cervical interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroids may provide significant improvement in pain and functioning in patients with chronic discogenic or axial pain that is function-limiting and not related to facet joint pain.     

Nox2 is a Mediator of Chronic CsA Nephrotoxicity

We hypothesized that Nox2, the classical phagocytic NADPH oxidase, plays an important role in calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)‐induced renal fibrosis. We tested this hypothesis in vitro, in animal and in human studies. Cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (TAC) were associated with greater levels of Nox2 mRNA and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NRK52E cells. CsA increased Nox2, α‐SMA and phosphorylated‐p38MAPK, Smad3 and NFκB proteins. Nox2 upregulation and EMT were inhibited in TGF‐β1 knockout cells suggesting that TGF‐β1 is required for Nox2 activation. Fisher344 rats treated with high dose CsA showed increased Nox2 in the tubulointerstitium and greater Nox2, α‐SMA, phosphorylated Smad3 and nitrotyrosine by immunoblot analyses. Inhibition of Nox2 by coadministration of apocynin or diphenyleneiodonium was associated with reduced fibrogenesis. We validated these findings by treating wild type and Nox2 null (B6.129S‐Cybb^Tm1Din/J) mice with high dose CsA. Western blot analyses confirmed the absence of Nox2 and significantly lower levels of α‐SMA and 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE) in CsA‐treated knockout mice. These findings were clinically relevant since Nox2 and α‐SMA were increased in the tubulointerstitium of kidneys from 15 liver transplant recipients with biopsy‐confirmed chronic CsA or TAC nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, specific Nox2 inhibition strategies may improve chronic CNI nephrotoxicity in solid organ transplantation.     

Ischemic and viable myocardium in patients with non-Q-wave or Q-wave myocardial infarction and left ventricular dysfunction: a clinical study using positron emission tomography, echocardiography, and electrocardiography

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction (NQMI) have more ischemic viable myocardium (IVM) than patients with Q-wave myocardial infarction (QMI). BACKGROUND: Non-Q-wave myocardial infarction is associated with higher incidences of cardiac events than QMI, suggesting more myocardium at risk in NQMI. METHODS: To identify myocardial ischemia, hibernation, and scar, the resting and stress (82)rubidium perfusion and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose metabolic positron emission tomographic imaging (PET) was performed in 64 consecutive patients with NQMI (n = 21) or QMI (n = 43). Echocardiography was performed for assessment of left ventricular function and wall motion index (WMI). The relationships between PET, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic findings were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between NQMI and QMI groups (28 +/- 10% vs. 25 +/- 11%, p > 0.05). Ischemic and viable myocardium was more common in NQMI than in QMI (91% vs. 61%, p < 0.05). The total amount of IVM was significantly higher in NQMI than in QMI (6.5 +/- 5.2 vs. 2.9 +/- 2.8 segments, p < 0.001). Neither the number of Q waves, residual ST-segment depression of >or=0.5 mm or elevation of >or=1 mm, nor LVEF and WMI were significant predictors for IVM. Wall motion index correlated with scar segments (r = 0.54, p < 0.001) and LVEF (r = -0.67, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic and viable myocardium is common in patients with NQMI and left ventricular dysfunction, suggesting that aggressive approaches should be taken to salvage the myocardium at risk in such patients.     

Oxygen Saturation Immediately after Birth in Infants Delivered in Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Objective

To study the sequential changes in SpO₂ values in newborns delivered in a teaching hospital in India.

Methods

Full-term infants born by normal vaginal delivery to registered mothers at KLE University Hospital, Belgaum with birth weight more than 2,500 g, no congenital anomalies and who had received only routine care at birth were included in the study. After delivery, newborn infants were placed on a resuscitation trolley under a radiant warmer; the oxygen saturation sensor was attached (Nellcor DURA-Y multisite oxygen sensor) and then connected to the monitor (Planet 55 multiparameter recorder).

Results

The mean (SD) gestational age of infants included in the study was 38.8 (1.1) wk and birth weight was 2,800 (300) g. The median (IQR) oxygen saturation level (SpO₂) at 2 min of age was 69 % (68 %–79 %). The median level of SpO₂ at 90 % and 95 % saturation was attained at 6.5 min and at 11 min of life, respectively.

Conclusions

Infants delivered in resource poor facilities of developing countries take 11 min to reach 95 % saturations after birth but they are within the reference range values of Neonatal Resuscitation Program 2010 guidelines.     

A pharmacological evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of leaves extract of Murraya koenigii in experimentally induced diarrhoea in rats

ObjectiveTo evaluate anti-diarrhoeal activity of aqueous and alcoholic extract of the leaves of Murraya koenigii (M. koenigii)by using models of castor oil induced diarrhoea, charcoal meal test and PGE₂ induced diarrhoea.MethodsAlcoholic extract (400 mg/kg) and aqueous extract (200 mg/kg) of leaves of Murraya koenigii were used with loperamide as standard. Albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 150–250 g were used for the anti-diarrhoeal activity.ResultsThe result suggested that it could act centrally and inhibit the PGE₂ to give anti-diarrhoeal effects. Result of charcoal meal test also suggested its anti-muscarnic activity.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that aqueous extract of the leaves of M. koenigii displays good anti-diarrhoeal activity, corroborating the folk use of M. koenigii preparations and contributing for its pharmacological validation.     

Improvement in oxygen tensions and pulmonary blood flow with intermittent distal aortic compression during normoxia, hypoxic hypoxia, and hyperoxia in neonatal piglets

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We investigated the hypothesis that, in a newborn piglet during normoxia, hypoxia, and hyperoxia, increasing aortic pressure transiently by intermittent short-duration aortic compression would affect left-to-right shunting of blood and thus increase pulmonary artery blood flow, pulmonary arterial PO2, and aortic PO2 proximal to the point of compression. We also investigated whether a balloon atrial septostomy, by providing an open channel for communication between the right- and left-sided circulations, would further improve pulmonary blood flow and aortic PO2. Studies were performed in eight 7- to 10-day-old newborn piglets in three phases (FIO2 of 0.21, 0.12, and 1.0) before and after balloon arterial septostomy in each piglet. Blood gas measurements and hemodynamic variables were recorded before and at the end of a 30-sec period of aortic compression. RESULTS: During aortic compression, all the animals demonstrated a 50 to 70 mm Hg increase in aortic pressure proximal to the compression. Before balloon septostomy, there were 21%, 41%, and 8% increases in aortic PO2 in the room air, hypoxic, and hyperoxic phases of the experiment, respectively. There were also statistically significant increments in pulmonary blood flow and arterial pressures. After balloon septostomy, there were 35%, 25%, and 21% increments in aortic PO2 during the room air, hypoxic, and hyperoxic phases of the experiment, respectively. However, there was no statistically significant further improvement in the effects of aortic compression on PO2 with septostomy compared with those effects before septostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that increasing systemic arterial pressures in order to forcibly affect left-to-right shunting of blood may be potentially beneficial in the management of hypoxia in situations where low pulmonary artery blood flow may be contributing to hypoxia, e.g., in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.