Anti-arthritis activity of roots of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. (Anantmul) in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic and its fractions from roots of Hemidesmus indicus on arthritis in in vitro models of rodents.MethodsPreliminary phytochemical analysis and thin-layer chromoatography were performed to analyze constituents of hydroalcoholic extract and its three fraction namely ethyl acetate fraction, chloroform fraction and residual fraction of root of Hemidesmus indicus. Arthritis rats models were established by Complete Freund's Adjuvant. The parameters including paw edema, body weight, arthritic index, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum rheumatoid factor, serum C-reactive protein, serum nitrite level, and histopathology of synovial joints were observed. Methotrexate was taken as positive control.ResultsRats treated with hydroalcoholic extract (450 mg/kg, p.o.), ethyl acetate (75 mg/kg, p.o.), chloroform (60 mg/kg, p.o) and residual fractions (270 mg/kg, p.o.), showed significant decrease in physical and biochemical parameters compared with arthritic model rats. Hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction of Hemidesmus indicus showed significantly higher anti-arthritic activity than chloroform and residual fraction. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that both of hydroalcoholic extract and its ethyl acetate fraction had comparable anti-arthritic activity with methotrexates.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that Hemidesmus indicus has protective activity against arthritis and the activity might be attributed to presence of terpenoid in hydroalcoholic extract, as well as in ethyl acetate fraction.     

Quantifying the vascular response to ischemia with speckle variance optical coherence tomography

Longitudinal monitoring techniques for preclinical models of vascular remodeling are critical to the development of new therapies for pathological conditions such as ischemia and cancer. In models of skeletal muscle ischemia in particular, there is a lack of quantitative, non-invasive and long term assessment of vessel morphology. Here, we have applied speckle variance optical coherence tomography (OCT) methods to quantitatively assess vascular remodeling and growth in a mouse model of peripheral arterial disease. This approach was validated on two different mouse strains known to have disparate rates and abilities of recovering following induction of hind limb ischemia. These results establish the potential for speckle variance OCT as a tool for quantitative, preclinical screening of pro- and anti-angiogenic therapies.OCIS codes: (170.4500) Optical coherence tomography, (170.3880) Medical and biological imaging, (170.2655) Functional monitoring and imaging, (100.2960) Image analysis, (110.6150) Speckle imaging     

Infantile congenital parotid lipomatosis: a rare case report

A case of congenital parotid lipomatosis in an infant is reported and literature is reviewed. This rare condition in children presents as gradually increasing parotid swelling, which is difficult to diagnose preoperatively as this condition is not considered in the differential diagnosis of a parotid mass. Complete excision with superficial or total parotidectomy with preservation of facial nerve is the treatment of choice.     

Utility of deeper sections and special stains for dermatopathology specimens

Special (non-hematoxylin and eosin) stains and deeper sections are routinely used in dermathopathology, although their utility has not been well established. All cases requiring special stains or deeper sections over a three-month period were reviewed to see how often these additional studies contributed to accurate diagnosis.
In our series, deeper sections provided diagnostic information to the pathologist in 37.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28-46%] of the cases in which they were performed. Deeper sections are more likely to provide a more accurate diagnosis (23.6%, 95% CI 16-32%) rather than establish a new diagnosis not seen on the original sections (13.6%, 95% CI 7-20%). Their use is especially helpful in assessing the presence or absence of cutaneous malignancy rather than in diagnosing inflammatory skin processes. Special stains contributed to the diagnosis in 21.1% (95% CI 11-32%) of cases. When special stains were performed to diagnose an infection they were effective in 14,7% (95% CI 6-24%) of the cases When special stains were performed to diagnose any other pathologic processes (neoplasm, inflammation, collagen vascular disease, and amyloid) they were effective in 31.8% (95% CI 24-44%) of the cases.