Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Effects of Argyreia Speciosa in Rats

The present study has been designed to evaluate the liver protective and in-vivo antioxidant role of Ethanolic extract (EtAS) and Ethyl acetate extract (EAAS) of roots of Argyreia speciosa, an important ‘rasayana’ herb in Indian System of medicine, in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Animals were treated with EtAS and EAAS at doses of 200 mg and 400 mg / kg body weight p.o. along with CCl₄ (0.7 ml / kg in olive oil, 1:1 v/v i.p. on every alternate days) for seven days. Serum biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT, ALP, cholesterol, total and direct bilirubin were determined. Antoixidant status in liver was determined by measuring the activities of Super oxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase and Peroxidase. Histopathological study of isolated liver specimens was also carried out to know the protection offered by the extracts. There was a significant rise in the levels of serum GOT, GPT, and ALP and other biochemical parameters, decrease in the levels of SOD, Catalase and Peroxidase after administration of CCl₄. Suspensions of EtAS and EAAS (200 and 400 mg/ kg) successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in rats (p< 0.001). Histopathological examination demonstrated that CCl₄ treated group induces ballooning degeneration and centrilobular necrosis. Groups treated with EtAS and EAAS showed recovery on ballooning degeneration and centrlobular bridging necrosis was occasionally present. Data also showed that these extracts possessed strong antioxidant activity, and were comparable to Silymarin, a well known liver protecting herbal formulation.     

Dietary nutrient intake comparisons for rural and urban Russian boys,ages 6, 9, and 15 years,living in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas

Dietary intake data were gathered on 123 rural and 111 urban males, ages 6, 9, and 15 years, living in and near St. Petersburg, Russia. Data were analyzed to estimate intakes of kilocalories, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C, and percentage of kilocalories from protein, carbohydrate, and fat. Comparisons were made between nutrient intakes of urban and rural subjects; intakes were also compared with the Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDI) of the USSR Research Institute of Nutrition. There were no significant differences between rural and urban boys in energy intake at any age. Urban boys consumed more vitamin C at ages 6 and 9, had higher intakes of protein, calcium, and niacin at age 9, and consumed more protein at age 15. Rural boys had higher intakes of riboflavin and calcium than urban boys at age 6. Urban boys consumed larger proportions of energy as carbohydrate at age 6, protein at age 9, and both protein and fat at age 15 than rural subjects. Rural boys had higher proportions of kilocalories from fat at age 6 and carbohydrate at age 15 than urban boys. Mean nutrient intakes below the RDI were: energy for rural boys at 9 and 15 years; iron for rural subjects at ages 6 and 9 and urban boys at age 6; calcium for rural and urban boys at all ages; vitamin C for rural subjects at ages 6 and 9; vitamin A for rural and urban boys at age 15; and protein for rural boys at age 15. At age 6, rural boys had nutrient intakes superior to those of urban boys; urban nutrient intakes were better than rural at ages 9 and 15. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Aetiology,prevalence, fracture site and management of maxillofacial trauma

IntroductionMaxillofacial fractures are often associated with severe morbidity, functional deficit, disfigurement and significant financial implications. The aim of this review was to investigate whether the aetiology, prevalence and management modalities of facial trauma can identify the common causes of facial trauma with a view to recommending measures to the appropriate governing bodies to change the current practice wherever possible.MethodsThe records of 1,112 patients referred to our oral and maxillofacial unit in Andhra Pradesh, India, between February 2008 and October 2017 were analysed retrospectively. Data including age, sex, aetiology, fracture site and treatment were evaluated.ResultsMen aged 20–40 years were the most common victims of facial trauma. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were responsible in 70% of cases. Mandibular fractures constituted 47% of the overall fractures, and 55% of the total fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation.ConclusionsThe main cause of maxillofacial injury among patients reporting to our hospital was RTAs. Mandibular fractures were the most common, accounting for almost half of the cases. Over half (55%) of all maxillofacial fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Reasons for this high frequency may include the large number of poorly maintained, overloaded vehicles on unsuitable roads, violation of traffic regulations (particularly by inexperienced young drivers), abuse of alcohol or other intoxicating agents and the sociocultural behaviours of some drivers.     

Penicillin allergy in cancer patients manifesting as Kounis syndrome

Two cases of allergic angina and allergic myocardial infarction (Kounis syndrome) following penicillin administration are described. The patients suffered from lung and mandible neoplasms and had previously received several courses of antineoplastic therapy without any sequelae. One patient had normal coronary arteries (type I variant of the syndrome) and the other had coronary artery disease with previous myocardial infarction (type II variant of the syndrome). The allergic reaction following penicillin administration seemed to have triggered the development of an acute coronary artery spasm in the first patient and an acute myocardial infarction in the second. This report shows that susceptible individuals expressing a magnified mast cell degranulation effect may be more vulnerable to coronary artery spasm and plaque erosion or rupture.