Anxiolytic property of Lactuca sativa,effect on anxiety behaviour induced by novel food and height

ObjectiveTo study anxiolytic property of hydro alchohol extract and to estimate polyphenols present in the extract by HPLC.MethodsTo evaluate anxiolytic property two animal models were used viz. Elevated T maze and hyponeophagia. Diazepam (1 mg/kg body wt.) served as the standard anxiolytic agent for all the tests. The dried extract of the plant leaf in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight was administered orally to mice for duration of 15 or 30 days and locomotor and anxiolytic activities were performed. Polyphenols was estimated using HPLC.ResultsThe HPLC analysis of the polyphenols revealed the presence chlorogenic acid, vanillin, epicatechin, caffeic acid, rutin hydrate, sinapic acid, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, p-coumeric acid and quercitin. Time spent and number of entries into the open arm was improved in 30 days treated animals than that of 15 days treated groups, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight treated group showed significant results when comparing with the control group.ConclusionsThe hydro alcohol extract rich in Polyphenols and other secondary metabolites is a potent anxiolytic agent.     

Comparison of intra‐arterial digital subtraction angiography using carbon dioxide by ‘home made’ delivery system and conventional iodinated contrast media in the evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs

To prospectively compare the feasibility, safety and diagnostic role of carbon dioxide (CO₂) digital subtraction angiography (DSA) using a ‘home made’ delivery system with iodinated contrast medium (ICM) DSA in the evaluation of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases (PAOD) of lower limbs. Twenty‐one patients (27 limbs; all men; mean age, 47.6 years) who presented with PAOD of lower limbs underwent DSA using both intra‐arterial CO₂ and ICM. Conventional ICM DSA was performed first and used as gold standard. Carbon dioxide was then injected by hand using a locally improvised home made plastic bag delivery system. Patient tolerance was assessed subjectively. Arteries from aortic bifurcation to the ankle were independently evaluated by two radiologists and graded for stenosis using a five‐point scale. For each patient, the quality of CO₂ DSA images were compared with the corresponding images of ICM DSA and an overall grade of ‘good’, ‘acceptable’ or ‘poor’ was assigned. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to determine inter‐observer agreement. Carbon dioxide opacified 86.2% (188/195) of major arteries and depicted stenosis adequately in 84.5% (191/226) of arterial segments. A good or acceptable image quality of CO₂ DSA was obtained in over 95% of patients. Infrapopliteal arteries were inadequately visualized. Mild pain was seen in six (28.6%) patients with both contrast agents; one patient developed severe pain during CO₂ DSA. Inter‐observer agreement was good (k > 0.75) at 70% of the segments. Administration of CO₂ into lower limb arteries is well tolerated. Carbon dioxide DSA using the locally improvised home made delivery system is a feasible and safe alternative to ICM DSA in the evaluation of PAOD. It provides adequate imaging of arteries of lower extremities except infrapopliteal segments.     

Gene polymorphisms,tobacco exposure and oral cancer susceptibility: a study from Gujarat,West India

Polymorphic variability in the enzymes involved in biotransformation of tobacco‐related pro‐carcinogens plays an important role in modulating oral cancer susceptibility. CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2C, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were determined in 122 oral carcinoma cases and 127 controls from Gujarat, West India using PCR‐based methods. The results revealed that the polymorphic variants of CYP1A1 gene did not show association towards oral cancer risk. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were found to be over‐represented in patients than controls, suggesting a moderate increase in risk of oral cancer. The oral cancer risk was significantly increased in the patients having either alone or concurrent deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1. The results also suggested significant association between tobacco habits, especially chewing, variant genotypes of CYP1A1, GSTM1 and GSTT1 and oral cancer risk. Our data have provided evidence that GST polymorphism modified the susceptibility to oral cancer and individuals with variant genotypes of the three genes with tobacco habits are at significant risk of developing oral cancer.     

Small intestine ischemia simulating primary colonic disease

Clinical and radiographic findings were reviewed for four patients in whom colonic diverticulitis was suspected clinically but in whom small intestine ischemia was proved surgically. In each patient the initial diagnostic studies--plain abdominal radiography and barium enema examination--revealed generalized small intestine distention and non-specific colonic abnormalities, respectively. The latter findings consisted of an extrinsic impression on the superior or inferior aspect of the sigmoid colon with associated thumbprinting or spiculation. In each patient serosal inflammation of the sigmoid colon produced by an adherent segment of the ischemic small intestine was confirmed at laparotomy. In two patients, delay in surgical intervention resulted in small intestine necrosis. In a patient who has clinical signs and symptoms of colonic ischemia, diverticulitis, or small intestine obstruction but nonspecific findings on barium studies, the diagnosis of small intestine ischemia should be considered and further diagnostic imaging, such as angiography or small intestine follow-through examination, should be performed.     

Crohn disease of the small intestine: diffuse mucosal granularity

A diffuse granular mucosal pattern, produced by a reticular network of radiolucent foci 0.5 to 1 mm in diameter, was identified in 39 out of 46 consecutive patients with Crohn disease of the small intestine. Resected specimens demonstrated that this pattern represented wide, blunted villi with lymphocytic infiltration. Such a pattern was the only evidence of small bowel involvement in 17 cases. In 3 patients with the commonly recognized lesions, separate regions of diffuse granularity were seen. No such pattern was detected in normal patients. Demonstration of diffuse granularity may contribute to the diagnosis and management of Crohn disease.     

Exudative polyserositis and acute respiratory failure following praziquantel therapy

Praziquantel is recommended as the drug of choice for all forms of schistosomiasis. We report the first case (to our knowledge) of exudative effusive polyserositis following treatment of schistosomiasis with this drug. This involved pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum and was associated with acute respiratory failure. The latter preceded the appearance of pleural effusions. We present a brief review of the literature and attract attention to the need for close observation of patients with schistosomiasis who are treated with praziquantel.