Niemann Pick disease--a case report

Niemann Pick disease is a rare disorder occuring in paediatric age group. The clinical features, hematological characteristics and autopsy findings in an one year old male diagnosed to have Niemann Pick disease are presented.     

A low dose of doxorubicin improves antioxidant defence system and modulates anaerobic metabolism during the development of lymphoma

Objective:

The objective of the present study is to find low dose of doxorubicin (DOX) with cancer preventive activity and to check the implication of this low dose of DOX on antioxidant defence system during lymphoma growth in mice, as the clinical utility of anthracycline anticancer drugs, especially DOX is limited by a progressive cardiotoxicity linked to mitochondrial damage.

Materials and Methods:

We selected a dose of DOX (0.90 mg/kg body weight of mouse), which is about 20 folds lower than clinically used dose for cancer treatment. The cancer preventive action is monitored by modulation of anaerobic metabolism. The effect of this dose on antioxidant defence system is analyzed by testing the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). The activities of these enzymes were monitored at different intervals during the growth of lymphoma in mice.

Results:

The activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as CAT, SOD, and GST, were found to decrease gradually during the growth of lymphoma in mice. The anaerobic metabolism was increasing with lymphoma growth. We report that about 20 folds lower dose of DOX enhances the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreases anaerobic metabolism during the development of lymphoma. These enzymes of antioxidant defence system suppress oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, whereas a decrease in anaerobic metabolism checks cancer growth.

Conclusions:

The result suggests that dose cumulative cellular toxicity of DOX may be avoided by treating cancer in animals with lower doses of DOX in combination with other drugs.KEY WORDS: Antioxidant enzymes, cancer prevention, Dalton''s lymphoma, doxorubicin, reactive oxygen species     

An Improvement of the Efficacy of Moxifloxacin HCl for the Treatment of Bacterial Keratitis by the Formulation of Ocular Mucoadhesive Microspheres

The aim of this study was to prepare novel ocular mucoadhesive microspheres of Moxifloxacin HCl to increase its residence time on the ocular surface and to enhance its therapeutic efficacy in ocular bacterial keratitis. Microspheres were fabricated with different grades of Methocel and Sodium CMC as polymers. Microspheres were evaluated for their particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, mucoadhesion, antimicrobial efficacy, and in vitro drug release studies. In vivo studies were carried out for the promising formulation on eyes of albino rabbits by inducing bacterial keratitis. A sterile microspheres suspension in light mineral oil was applied to infected eyes twice a day. A marketed conventional eye drop was used as a positive control. Eyes were examined daily for improvement of clinical signs of bacterial keratitis by an ophthalmologist. The average particle size of microspheres was found to be less than 80 μm. Methocel microspheres were found to have a smoother surface than Sodium CMC. Entrapment efficiency was enhanced with an increased polymer concentration and viscosity. The formulation containing Methocel K100M with a drug: polymer ratio of 1:2 exerted longer corneal and conjunctival mucoadhesion time of 8.45±0.15 h and 9.40±0.53 h respectively. In vitro release of Moxifloxacin HCl from microspheres was retarded with increased viscosity and concentration of polymers, and was controlled by diffusion as well as polymer relaxation. All formulations showed comparable antimicrobial activity in comparison with conventional marketed eye drops. The formulation containing Methocel K100M with a drug: polymer ratio of 1:2 was found to be a promising formulation and was used for the in vivo studies. The in vivo studies revealed that microspheres demonstrated significantly lower clinical scores and reduced the total duration of therapy than the marketed Moxifloxacin HCl eye drops. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that ocular mucoadhesive microspheres of Moxifloxacin HCl were found to have an improved efficacy in the treatment of ocular bacterial keratitis in comparison with the marketed formulation.     

Effect of 'Arogyavardhini' against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic damage in albino rats

'Arogyavardhini'-an indigenous formulation was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity in rats, using two models of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) hepatic damage, one simulating vital hepatitis and the other simulating fatty change. The protective effect was assessed from serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase levels and from histopathological changes in liver. The results revealed that 'Arogyavardhini' (5 mg/100g, PO daily) was effective in minimizing the changes in serum levels of AST and alkaline phosphatase induced by CCI. The protective effect was also evident on histopathological examination.     

Maintaining Equity and Access: Successful Implementation of a Virtual Kidney Transplantation Evaluation

1. Download : Download high-res image (263KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

A monoclonal antibody-based test system for detection of Entamoeba histolytica-specific coproantigen.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of amebiasis based on stool microscopy or demonstration of anti-amebic antibodies has limitations. A diagnostic system based on demonstration of the parasite product in clinical specimens holds promise. METHODS: Murine monoclonal antibodies were developed against an Entamoeba histolytica-specific coproantigen. A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 3D10 was employed in a double-antibody sandwich microELISA system for the detection of amebic coproantigen in fecal specimens. The system was evaluated in three groups of subjects: 63 patients with intestinal amebae, 27 with non-amebic parasitosis, and 57 apparently healthy controls. RESULTS: The MoAb 3D10 belonged to IgG1 isotype and recognized three antigens, with mol. wt. 36, 25 and 17 kDa in the crude extract of E. histolytica (HM1-IMSS), and an amebic coproantigen with MW 36 kDa in the stool supernatant from patients with intestinal amebae. The coproantigen was detected in the stool eluates of 56 (89%) patients with intestinal amebae and in none of the stool eluates from other subjects, thereby giving this system a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 100% for the detection of intestinal amebae. CONCLUSIONS: This monoclonal antibody recognizes as intact epitope on the E. histolytica-specific coproantigen. The validity of the MoAb-based microELISA system needs to be established.     

Pediatric percutaneous nephrolithotomy: assessing impact of technical innovations on safety and efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the pediatric age group and the impact of certain technical modification on the ultimate outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 45 renal units in 40 patients under 15 years of age who underwent PCNL at our institute. The average age was 9.2 years (range 11 months-15 years). There were 5 bilateral, 11 multiple, and 9 staghorn calculi. The average calculus size was 2.04 (0.9-4.5) cm. The PCNL was done with an ultrasound-guided peripheral puncture, a planned staged approach in some cases, and minimal tract dilatation with the use of a pediatric nephroscope and a specially designed slender probe for pneumatic intracorporeal lithotripsy. RESULTS: Complete stone clearance was achieved in 41 of the 45 renal units, giving an overall clearance rate of 91%. Minor pyrexia (<100 degrees F/<2 days) was seen in 10 patients, whereas serious pyrexia was seen in 5. One patient had a prolonged leak from the nephrostomy site, which responded to double-J stenting, and one patient had a pelvic perforation with hyponatremia, which responded to conservative treatment. The average fall in hemoglobin was 1.6 g/dL, but none of the patients required blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: We believe that our alterations in the standard technique of PCNL with the use of pediatric instruments can make it a safe and effective option in the modern management of pediatric urolithiasis.     

Catheter-less suprapubic cystolithotomy in children

Bladder stones in children are common in developing countries and the procedure of choice for their removal is suprapubic cystolithotomy. It is standard practice to drain the bladder for a few days post-operatively to prevent urinary leakage. We have observed that, if the bladder is closed meticulously in 2 layers, bladder drainage by means of a catheter is not required. We have analysed 86 children treated by suprapubic cystolithotomy without a catheter. Size of the stones and intra-operative findings were noted and it was found that 85% of the patients had an excellent result; 10% had a satisfactory result and 4.7% were unsatisfactory. The advantages of the procedure and selection of the patients are discussed.