Ultrasonic study of processed milk cream and vegetable oils.

Food systems are complex and inhomogeneous in nature. Ultrasonic propagation velocity in the food systems, in this case processed milk cream and vegetable oils, is studied. Ultrasonic properties of the food systems are similar to those of complex biological tissues. The presence of vegetable oil as an adulterant in the processed milk cream is detected with the help of a double-probe-through-transmission ultrasonic technique. The present study helps to maintain quality control of various food systems, particularly with regard to their adulteration, if any.     

Characterisation of Dopamine and Serotonin Uptake Inhibitory Effects of Tetrahydroaminoacridine in Rat Brain

Abstract: The effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine (THA) on uptake rates of radioactive 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine were investigated in rat diencephalon and striatal homogenates, respectively. Six and eight μM of THA were needed to inhibit 50% of dopamine and 5-HT uptake rates. Kinetic parameters, K_m and V_max, using six different concentrations of dopamine and 5-HT were estimated in the presence or absence of THA. A significant decrease in V_max without any change in K_m values was observed for both dopamine and 5-HT in the presence of THA. The results show that THA is a non-competitive uptake inhibitor of dopamine and 5-HT in the nerve terminals. The re-uptake blocking effect of THA on dopaminergic and serotonergic neurones, following THA treatment, might lead to increased levels of these monoamines in brains of Alzheimer patients and contribute in the therapeutic effects of the drug.     

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents from a north Indian population.

AIMS: To estimate the prevalence and distribution of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in adolescents attending school in the north Indian city of Chandigarh. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: At total of 1083 adolescents attending school (aged 12-17 years) participated in a community-based cross-sectional survey. Anthropometric examination included height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio and blood pressure measurement. A fasting blood sample was taken for measurement of glucose, insulin and lipid profile. Socio-demographic characteristics were investigated using a questionnaire. The metabolic syndrome was determined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition modified for age. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MS in adolescents was 4.2%. However, the prevalence rose to 5.8% when the fasting plasma glucose cut-off was lowered to 5.5 mmol/l. There was no gender difference in the distribution of MS. When stratified by body mass index (BMI), 5.5% adolescents were overweight (BMI > or = 95th percentile), while 4% were at risk for overweight (BMI between 85th and 95th percentile). Of the overweight adolescents, 36.6% met the criteria for MS, while 11.5% at risk for overweight and only 1.9% of the normal population had MS (P < 0.0001). Low high-density lipoprotein was the most common and abdominal obesity the least common constituent of MS. There was a significant difference (P < 0.0001) between the prevalence of MS adolescents from low to high socio-economic strata. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number (4.2%) of north Indian adolescents and 36.6% of overweight adolescents had MS. This poses a serious threat to the current and future health of these young people.     

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II — a case report of two siblings in a family

Two children out of three siblings of a family presented with tiredness, fatigue, and breathlessness for more than 6 months. Examination of peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspirate, and a positive acidified serum test (HEMPAS) revealed these children to be a case of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II. This case is reported because of its rarity.     

Conventional 4-field box radiotherapy technique for cancer cervix: potential for geographic miss without CECT scan-based planning

BACKGROUND: The advantage of 4-field radiation to the pelvis is that the use of lateral portals spares a portion of the small bowel anteriorly and rectum posteriorly. The standard lateral portals defined in textbooks are not always adequate especially in advanced cancer cervix. METHODS: An analysis was done to determine adequacy of margins of standard lateral pelvic portals with CECT defined tumor volumes. The study included 40 patients of FIGO stage IIB and IIIB treated definitively for cancer cervix between 1998 and 2000. An inadequate margin was defined if the cervical growth and uterus were not encompassed by the 95% isodose. RESULTS: An inadequate posterior margin was common with bulky disease (P = 0.06) and with retroverted uterus (P = 0.08). Menopausal status, FIGO stage, associated myoma, and age were of no apparent prognostic significance. Bulk retained significant on multivariate analysis. An inadequate anterior margin was common in premenopausal (P = 0.01); anteverted uterus (P = 0.02); associated myoma (P = 0.01); and younger patients (P = 0.03). It was not influenced by bulk or stage. Menopausal status and associated myoma retained significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Without the knowledge of precise tumor volume, the 4-field technique with standard portals is potentially risky as it may under dose the tumor through lateral portals and the standard AP/ PA portals are a safer option.     

Efficacy of lycopene in the management of oral submucous fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of oral lycopene therapy in patients with oral submucous fibrosis and to compare these effects with a placebo. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-eight patients with oral submucous fibrosis formed the population for the study and were randomly divided into 3 groups, evaluated weekly over a 2-month period. Patients of group A (n = 21) received 16 mg of lycopene, those of group B (n = 19) received 16 mg of lycopene along with biweekly intralesional steroid injections, and those of group C (n = 18) were given a placebo. Paired and unpaired t tests were used for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: Mouth-opening values for the patients showed an average increase of 3.4 mm, 4.6 mm, and 0.0 mm for patients in groups A, B, and C, respectively. These values were statistically found to be highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The observed effects suggest that lycopene can and should be used as a first line of therapy in the initial management of oral submucous fibrosis.     

"Occult" Boerhaave's syndrome

Spontaneous rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave's syndrome) usually presents in a dramatic fashion. Classically, following repeated episodes of vomiting, patients present with chest pain, dyspnea, cyanosis, shock, and cardiovascular collapse. We present a case of occult Boerhaave's syndrome diagnosed by an upper gastrointestinal series in a 33-year-old man who arrived at the emergency department with a chief complaint of hematemesis. This case report reviews the usual presenting signs and symptoms of Boerhaave's syndrome and concludes with a caution to physicians not to ignore the possibility of this disease entity in relatively stable patients.     

Preserved vision in a case of morning glory syndrome: some pertinent questions

Morning glory syndrome, an unusual developmental anomaly of the optic nerve head, presenting with funnelled enlargement of the disc with a white dot in the centre and a peripheral vascular pattern along the disc margin, with features of typical entry and exit of retinal vessels on the optic nerve head and exceptionally good vision in the involved eye with old traumatic retinal detachment in the other, in a young Indian girl is described here for its rarity and indifferent clinical presentation. Various factors in its pathogenesis are postulated.