Frequency of ABO blood groups, sickle-cell haemoglobin, G-6-PD deficiency and their relation with malaria in scheduled castes and scheduled tribes of Kheda District, Gujarat.

Frequency of sickle cell in Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe populations was found to be 1.5 and 14.9% respectively, whereas G-6-PD deficiency was 5.9 and 4.2% respectively. Blood group B was dominant in both the communities. A significantly lower frequency of P. falciparum malaria was observed among sicklers.     

Effect of Prunus amygdalus seeds on lipid profile

The effect of Prunus amygdalus, which is rich in unsaturated fat, fibre diet and low cholesterol was studied in 36 normolipidemic male albino rabbits for 60 days. Three different doses i.e. whole seeds defatted and oil showed a decrease in serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and an increase in phospholipid, faecal sterol and HDL cholesterol. The maximum effects where shown by whole seeds followed by oil and defatted.     

Inhaled lidocaine for prevention of hemodynamic changes in laryngoscopy and intubation

This study was undertaken to examine the efficacy of lidocaine aerosol pretreatment in attenuating hemodynamic (HD) responses secondary to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in patients undergoing surgery for intracranial space occupying lesions (ICSOL). A semiclosed breathing system was improvised to generate aerosol of consistent density. Five percent lidocaine was nebulized in two different dosages (0.2 and 0.1 ml/kg in groups A and B, respectively); group C (control) received aerosol of normal saline. The average aerosol-treatment time was 24, 12, and 16 min in groups A, B, and C, respectively. Changes in heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), and rate pressure product (RPP) were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). In group A, tracheal intubation did not cause significant HD changes. In group B, a significant increase was observed in each HD parameter which, when compared with control, was less severe. Lidocaine toxicity, regurgitation, nausea, vomiting, or aspiration did not occur in any patient. Patients accepted the procedure well. This study found efficacy of the technique to be related to duration of aerosol treatment.     

Diaphragm rupture caused by closed trauma. A more and more frequent condition

The Authors report a case of rupture of the diaphragm in blunt trauma of the abdomen, to examine the more significant features of this condition whose incidence proves to be increasing, after a review of the literature data, parallel to the increase of accidents on the road and at work. They examine the most important pathogenic problems and these related to the mechanism leading to diaphragmatic lesion and they highlight the deeper pathophysiological changes suffered from the patient with such a condition. They draw attention to what they consider to be the most important aspect, and therefore the diagnosis. In fact, in accordance with the various series of cases reported in the literature, it is crucial in the diagnostic problem is when the possible cause of the rupture is suspected and necessary diagnostic cascade (Rx, echotomography, TC) is activated so to highlight the lesion. Therefore a quick diagnostic fitting is necessary for the survival of the acute patient with hernia of the thorax cavity, as well as quick surgical correction of the lesion that, as in the case described, serves to achieve the best possible anatomic-functional results.     

Treatment of nonunion around the olecranon fossa of the humerus by intramedullary locked nailing

Nonunion of fractures of the olecranon fossa of the humerus presents a difficult surgical problem. The distal fragment is usually small and osteoporotic and stable fixation is not easy to achieve. We describe a modification of the technique of locked nailing by which the distal aspect of the nail is placed in the subchondral region of the trochlea. Good results were obtained in seven out of eight patients with this technique.     

Chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals in human semen

The concentration of chlorinated pesticides and heavy metals (lead and cadmium) was measured using gas liquid chromatography and the graphite tube atomizer of atomic absorption spectrophotometer, respectively, in semen samples collected from men in the normal human population. Significant concentrations of lead and cadmium were detected. Significant amounts of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers alpha, beta, gamma and delta, the dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) metabolite 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'-DDE) and low values of 1,1,2-dichloro-2, 2-bis(p chlorophenyl ethane) (pp'-DDD) aldrin or endosulfan were detected. The presence of these xenobiotics in human semen might be related to the extensive use of pesticides, emission of exhaust from motor vehicles, consumption of tobacco and industrial operations.     

Acute inhalation toxicity study of 2-fluoroacetamide in rats

One of the most potent rodenticides is 2-fluoroacetamide)2-FA).Toxicity of this chemical is well documented.However,its inhalation toxicity data is not available in the literature.Hence,acute inhalation toxicity study was carried out by exposing male and female rats to aerosols of 2-FA at different concentrations for 4h in a dynamically operated whole body inhalation exposure chamber.During and after the inhalation exposure the rats were less active,and showed mild tremors and convulsions.At higher concentrations the rats died after2-3 days.The estimated 4-h LC50 for male and female rats was 136.6 and 144.5mg.m^-3 respectively.Exposure to 0.7 LC50 for 4h duration showed an increase in the liver weight of male and female rats 7 days after exposure.Various haematological and biochemical variables determined were within the normal limits.Howerver,histological findings showed injured lung as indicated by desquamtion and necrosis of the epithelium of the respiratory tract.Marked hypertorphy of hepatocytes displaying strong acidophilic granulated cytoplasm was observed.Focal dilatation of renal proximal tubules in kidney with cytoplasmic vacuolation,and irregularly placed pyknotic nuclei were seen.The present study shows that 2-FA is a highly toxic chemical through the inhalation route based on the LC50 value.Consequently necessary precautions should be taken during its handling.     

Endoscopy in non-neoplastic cholestasis

The role of endoscopic treatment of cholestasis is well codified as an alternative or adjuvant therapy to surgery, particularly in those cases where non malignant cause has been identified. Non-neoplastic cholestasis therefore benefits very substantially from endoscopic treatment in a context where the traditional surgical approach presents limitations in terms of morbidity and mortality. It should be borne in mind, however, that the two approaches are strictly complementary for the correct management of these patients.     

Posterior approach in the treatment of sacrococcygeal chordoma: a rare, locally infiltrating, destructive and recurrent tumor. A case report and review of the literature

Based on personal observation of a case of recurrent chordoma in the sacrococcygeal region four years after the first excision with subtotal resection of the coccyx using a posterior approach, the authors describe the unique characteristics of this rare neoplasm and underline the simplicity of this method of treatment. The surgical technique used to treat the recurrent form also used a posterior approach, with complete resection of the neoplasm including the scar of the previous operation and the last remaining segment of the coccyx. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported. The authors examine the clinical and histological aspects of this neoplasm, concluding that the correct form of treatment must aim both to protect the adjacent anatomic structures and to achieve radical exeresis, as well as achieving a simpler surgical approach unhampered by complications. The authors believe that this approach is simpler than the abdominal-dorsal approach, although this is necessary in the event of intra-abdominal infiltrations.