R study of suicide with special reference to endometrial study in female individuals

A study was conducted at Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal, on suicide victims whose postmortem examination was performed between 1st January, 2003 and 31st December, 2003. Various epidemiological, aetiological and other related factors were studied. There were 42 males (36.21%) and 74 females (63.79%) among the total victims (n=116). Torture by in-laws for dowry was found to be the commonest predisposing factor for suicide (n=34; 29.31%). Consumption of poison was the commonest method (n=48; 41.38%). Incidence of suicide was at its peak during the month of May (n=18; 15.52%). Endometriums of female subjects of child-bearing age (n=60) were studied under microscope and most of them (n=47) were seen to be in secretory phase at the time of commitment of suicide.     

Knowledge, attitude and practices of emergency contraception among beneficiaries and providers

In the new millennium emergency contraceptives have become one of the effective methods for control of global population. It can avert many unwanted pregnancies. In the present study the authors have tried to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of different methods of contraceptive techniques available at present and also about the emergency contraceptive which is recently available amongst 140 healthcare providers and 480 beneficiaries. In one of the teaching institution of Kolkata, RG Kar Medical College and in the district of 24 Parganas (N), the participants in the study were evaluated by preset questionnaires which were separate for providers and for beneficiaries. The results were analysed subsequently.     

Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) antagonist and epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)

INTRODUCTION: Follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), a G-protein coupled receptor present in granulosa cell of ovary is a unique transmembrane molecule pivotal in ovulation process. Its agonist and antagonists has remained the subject of interest to the reproductive biologists. It seems worthwhile to see what is new research on FSHR and whether they will be of any help in epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Pubmed and medline search was made from January 2006 to April 2006 to find out current development of FSHR antagonist research and role of FSHR in epithelial ovarian cancer RESULTS: Effort to develop FSHR antagonist was mainly aimed at peptide antibody development. Breakthrough discovery of nonapeptide FSHR antagonist molecules, like suramin, compound 1 and compound 10 are noted. This is discussed in the context of nonsteroidal contraceptive for male and female. FSHR was found to have a distinguished role in precipitation of epithelial ovarian cancer. Hence, these antagonists might have a novel role to play in their treatment. CONCLUSION: Author proposes the trial of these molecules as novel anticancer agents in epithelial ovarian cancer.     

Effect of histamine H3 receptor blockade on venous return and splanchnic hemodynamics in experimental bacteremia

OBJECTIVE: In the heart, histamine H3 receptors may function as inhibitory presynaptic receptors that decrease adrenergic neural norepinephrine release in conditions of enhanced sympathetic tone. In a previous study, we found that H3 receptor blockade improved cardiac contractility and systemic hemodynamics in experimental bacteremia in dogs. Because histamine H3 receptors have been found in the splanchnic circulation in other animal models, it was not clear the extent to which H3 receptor blockade may have altered splanchnic hemodynamics, and variables of venous return, that in turn contributed to the overall improvement in systemic hemodynamics observed in the previous experiment. In the present study, we examined splanchnic hemodynamics in the presence of H3 receptor blockade in a canine model of Escherichia coli bacteremia. DESIGN: Bacteremia was produced by intravenous infusion of live E. coli administered throughout the experiment. Variables of venous return included mean systemic pressure, resistance to venous return, and mean right atrial pressure. Splanchnic measurements included hepatic and portal pressures and flows. Measurements were obtained before and after H3 receptor blockade with thioperamide maleate. The animals were studied while ventilated and anesthetized. RESULTS: H3 receptor blockade caused a decrease in mean right atrial pressure from 5.9 mm Hg pretreatment to 3.5 mm Hg posttreatment (p < .05), although it did not affect mean systemic pressure or resistance to venous return. There were no changes in portal or hepatic flows after H3 receptor blockade. The cardiac function curve after H3 receptor blockade was shifted upward and to the left compared with the pretreatment curve. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the primary effect of H3 receptor blockade in experimental bacteremia was attributable to an increase in inotropy. There was no evidence to indicate that H3 receptor activation contributed to altered splanchnic hemodynamics in this model.