Mediastinal extension of an intradural teratoma in a patient with split cord malformation: case report and review of literature

Introduction It is very rare for split cord malformation to be associated with intraspinal teratoma, and it is even rarer for such tumors in the dorsal spine to extend into the mediastinum.Case report The authors describe a spinal teratoma with mediastinal extension in an 8-year-old boy who presented with 1-year history of backache. Neuroimaging revealed a heterogeneously enhancing intradural lesion from D2 to D7 levels with an extension into the mediastinum at the level of D4 vertebra. A split cord malformation type 2 and a cervical syrinx were also present. At surgery, a reddish-brown vascular tumor was present from D3 to D5 levels and was found to be going anteriorly into a defect in the body of D4 vertebra. Gross total excision of the intraspinal tumor was performed. Follow-up at 1 year revealed no recurrence or metastases.Discussion To the authors knowledge, this is the first case of an intradural teratoma extending into the mediastinum, occurring concurrently with split cord malformation and other spinal anomalies.     

Analysis of phytochemical profile of Terminalia arjuna bark extract with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties

Objective

To investigate phytochemical screening, antimicrobial activity and qualitative thin layer chromatographic separation of flavonoid components, antioxidant activity and total flavonoid compound of Terminalia arjuna.

Methods

For phytochemical screening, some common and available standard tests were done. Antimicrobial bioassay was done through agar well diffusion method. Detection of antioxidant activity and flavonoid compounds were done through thin layer chromatography. Total antioxidant activity was measured by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in colorimetric method. Aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for total flavonoid determination.

Results

Phytochemical screening showed the active compounds presence in high concentration, such as phytosterol, lactones, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins and glycosides. The antimicrobial activity of extract showed that greater inhibition zone against Gram negative bacteria than Gram positive bacteria. This methanolic extract showed a promising antioxidant activity, as absorption of DPPH redicles decreased in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Flavonoids components having antioxidant property present in the methanol extract at a level of 199.00 mg quercetin equivalent/g of dried methanol extract in colorimetric method.

Conclusions

The Terminalia arjuna bark extract revealed the presence of bio-active constituents which are known to exhibit medicinal as well as physiological activities.     

Biochemical characters and antibiotic susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus isolates

Objective

To observe the biochemical characters and antibiotic susceptibility of isolated Staphylococcus aureus (S. auerus) strains against some conventional and traditional antibiotics.

Methods

Thirty post operative pathogenic isolated S. aureus strains were used in this study. Bacterial culture was done in Mueller-Hinton broth at 37 °C. Characters of these strains were determined by traditional biochemical tests such as hydrolysis test of gelatin, urea, galactose, starch and protein, and fermentation of lactose and sucrose. Antibiotic susceptibility were carried out by minimum inhibitory concentration test, minium bactericidal concentration test, disc agar diffusion test and brain heart infusion oxacillin screening agar.

Results

From this study, it was observed that 100% S. aureus isolates showed positive results in gelatin, urea and galactose hydrolysis test, 50% isolates were positive in starch hydrolysis test, 35% in protein hydrolysis test, 100% isolates in lactose fermenting test, but no isolate was positive in sucrose fermenting test. Antibiotic susceptibility testing suggested that 20% of isolates were resistant to kanamycin and 46.67% were resistant to oxacillin.

Conclusions

These findings show that all these isolates have gelatin, urea, galactose hydrolysis and lactose fermenting activity. 20% of these isolates were resistant to kanamycin and 46.67% were resistant to oxacillin.     

Nitric oxide mediated Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis and protective role of nanoconjugated vancomycin

Objective

To test the survival of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) inside lymphocyte that contributes to the pathogenesis of infection and possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effect of nanoconjugated vancomycin against in vivo S. aureus infection in a dose and duration dependent manner.

Methods

5×10⁶ CFU/mL vancomycin-sensitive S. aureus (VSSA) and vancomycin-resistive S. aureus (VRSA) were challenged in Swiss male mice for 3 days, 5 days, 10 days and 15 days, respectively. Bacteremia and inflammatory parameters were observed to evaluate the duration for development of VSSA and VRSA infection. 100 mg/kg bw/day and 500 mg/kg bw/day nanoconjugated vancomycin were administrated to VSSA and VRSA infected group for 5 days. Bacteremia, inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress related parameters were tested to observe the effective dose of nanoconjugated vancomycin against VSSA and VRSA infection. Nanoconjugated vancomycin was treated at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day and 500 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, to VSSA and VRSA infected group for successive 5 days, 10 days and 15 days. Bacteremia, inflammatory parameters and oxidative stress related parameters were observed to assess the effective duration of nanoconjugated vancomycin against VSSA and VRSA infection.

Results

The result revealed that in vivo VSSA and VRSA infection developed after 5 days of challenge by elevating the NO generation in lymphocyte and serum inflammatory markers. Administration with nanoconjugated vancomycin to VSSA and VRSA infected group at a dose of 100 mg/kg bw/day and 500 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, for successive 10 days eliminated bacterimia, decreased NO generation in lymphocyte, serum inflammatory markers and increased antioxidant enzyme status.

Conclusions

These findings suggest, in vivo challenge of VSSA and VRSA for 5 days can produce the highest degree of damage in lymphocyte which can be ameliorated by treatment with nanoconjugated vancomycin for 10 successive days.     

Ophthalmic manifestations of central nervous system tuberculosis--two case reports

In this report, we present two unusual ocular manifestations due to CNS tuberculosis. One of the cases is a 7 years' old boy with brain stem tuberculoma who presented with horizontal gaze palsy. The other is a 14 years' old girl with temporal lobe tuberculoma who presented with unilateral sixth nerve paresis and papilledema. Both responded well to treatment with antitubercular drugs. It highlights the importance of gaze palsy as a rare manifestation of CNS tuberculosis.     

Cardiovascular screening and the elite athlete: advances, concepts, controversies, and a view of the future

This article addresses programmatic cardiovascular screening and evaluation of the elite athlete at the intercollegiate, national team, professional, and Olympic levels. Although much of this content may apply to high-school and recreational sports at large, it is not specifically designed to address athletes participating in all sports activities.