Cadmium Level in Blood and Milk from Animals Reared Around Different Polluting Sources in India

No abstract available.     

Video assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) Thymectomy-a better alternative

Background With the introduction of video imaging technique in late 1980s the field of thoracoscopy was expanded into video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in 1990. VATS has several unique advantages like reducing repiratory complications, hospital stay and post operative pain due to avoidance of thoracotomy/sternotomy. It is indicated in almost all thoracic surgical procedures-both diagnostic and therapeutic. VATS thymectomy is being practised more and more replacing conventional thymectomy with thoracotomy/sternotomy. Methods From 2000 to 2003 we have performed 22 cases of VATS thymectomy in Myesthenia Gravis. Surgery was performed in supine decubitus under General anaesthesia with Double Lumen E T Tube for epsilateral Lung Collapse. Three ports were made on the right chest at 2nd space parasternal, 4th space anterior axillary line and at 5th space just below the nipple. At the end of the procedure a chest drain was introduced through the lowest port. Results Out of 22 patients 12 were females and 10 males. Median age was 36 years (Range 16 years to 64 years). Median operating time was 2 hours and drainage was 200 ml. Median ventillation time was 6 hours. Median hospital stay was five days. There was no mortality and no major complications. Conclusion VATS thymectomy is a suitable alternative to conventional thymectomy with thoracotomy/sternotomy. Results are comparable. VATS is now developing into an exciting adjunct in thoracic surgery. The morbidity associated with this procedure is extremely low. VATS has become an essential component of all thoracic surgical units and more and more thoracic surgical dieases will be managed with this minimally invasive technique in future.     

Separation of thoraco-omphalopagus siamese twin

A pair of female thoraco-omphalopagus twins, with two pairs of lungs, common diaphragm and separate pleural cavities was separated at the age of 51/2 months after a parasitic relationship had developed between them. Before separation both the babies developed recurrent respiratory tract infection and frequent diarrhea. They were treated with medical therapy and made fit for anesthesia. The combined weight of the twins was 41/2 kg at birth and the combined weight at the time of separation was 91/2 kg. One baby was smaller in growth compared to the other baby. The closure of anterior abdominal wall was difficult in both babies. However, we could close it without use of any biodegrActable patches or tissue expander. Both the babies survived and are doing well after 3 months of separation.     

An assessment of stress analyses in the theory of abfraction

Wedged-shaped lesions at the cemento-enamel junction of teeth have been attributed primarily to biomechanical loading forces that cause flexure and failure of enamel and dentin. This theory, termed abfraction, remains controversial. This review examined studies on mechanical properties of enamel and dentin and studies on bite forces and mastication as background information. Abfraction is based principally on a few early finite element analysis and photoelastic models showing stress concentration at the dental cervical area without actually showing enamel and dentin fracture. However, a review of more recent dental stress analyses has been contradictory. Particularly, analyses of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, not modeled in previous studies, have shown that those structures may dissipate occlusal loading forces from the cervical areas. In addition, some models may not fully represent intricate dental anatomy and complex occlusal function. Therefore, the key basis of the abfraction theory may be flawed.     

Vanadium--an element of atypical biological significance

The biological image of the transition element vanadium ferments a great deal of contradiction-from toxicity to essentiality. Importance of this element as micro-nutrient is yet to be unequivocally accepted by biologists and biomedical scientists. In spite of toxicity, it seems interesting to analyze the different biological roles of the element. Vanadium compounds have been proven to be associated with various implications in the pathogenesis of some human diseases and also in maintaining normal body functions. Salts of vanadium interfere with an essential array of enzymatic systems such as different ATPases, protein kinases, ribonucleases and phosphatases. While vanadium deficiency accounts for several physiological malfunctionings including thyroid, glucose and lipid metabolism, etc., several genes are regulated by this element or by its compounds, which include genes for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), activator protein-1 (AP-1), ras, c-raf-1, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), p53, nuclear factors-kappaB, etc. All these seem to be not far from its recognition as an element of pharmacological and nutritional significance, which is revealed through its increasing therapeutic uses in diabetes. Vanadium is also emerging as a potent anti-carcinogenic agent. This review summarizes the developments related to vanadium biology as a whole by analyzing the general biochemical functions of vanadium.     

Thrombophlebitis of the right ovarian vein with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava

A 39-years-old woman was admitted with pelvic pain and fever occurring one month after a caesarean. An echography-doppler and an abdominal tomodensitometry were performed. Thrombophlebitis of the right ovarian vein was diagnosed with extension of a floating thrombus into the inferior vena cava. We decided to perform a surgical thrombectomy due to a pulmonary embolism which occurred while the patient was under heparin and antibiotic treatment. A temporary percutaneous caval filter was successfully used in the peri-operative period, preventing a second embolism. This observation focuses on a rare pathology occurring in young women and emphasises the safe use and removal of a temporary percutaneous caval filter in the peri-operative period.     

Lead poisoning in cattle and buffalo near primary lead-zinc smelter in India

Varying degrees of lead (Pb) poisoning was recorded in cows and buffaloes near a primary lead-zinc smelter in India. Affected animals had history of clinical signs characterized by head pressing, violent movement, blindness and salivation. These animals revealed considerably high lead levels in blood (1.43 +/- 0.07 ppm) and milk (0.75 +/- 0.19 ppm). Animals from the same place without the history of clinical signs suggestive of Pb poisoning recorded lower blood Pb levels than the affected animals; however, their blood Pb was higher than that reported for cattle in rural and urban areas of India. Affected animals also carried high levels of cadmium (Cd) in blood (0.11 +/- 0.01 ppm) and milk (0.05 +/- 0.01 ppm). These values were considerably higher than those for rural cattle in India. The findings indicated varying degrees of exposure of animals to Pb and Cd in the vicinity of the smelter.     

Effect of thiamine hydrochloride on lead induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver and kidney

Thiamine hydrochloride was studied on lead-induced endogenous lipid peroxidation in rat hepatic and renal tissues following po doses of 2.73 mg lead/kg bw for 6 w. Simultaneous use of 25 mg thiamine hydrochloride/kg bw po reduced lead accumulation in liver and kidneys. There were significant decreases in endogenous lipid peroxide in liver and kidney from thiamine hydrochloride-treated rats. Histopathological lesions in thiamine-treated livers and kidneys were milder in comparison to lesions in untreated Pb-exposed animals. This indicates the prophylactic potential of thiamine for lead-induced lipid peroxidation.     

受体介导的凝血酶对成骨细胞增殖及分化的作用

目的 通过凝血酶对成骨细胞的增殖及分化作用的研究来探讨受体介导的凝血酶的功能.方法 原代成骨细胞分别取自于蛋白酶激活受体(protease-activated receptor,PAR)-1敲除鼠和野生对照鼠的头颅骨.并利用凝血酶,人工合成的PAR-1或PAR-4特异性激活短肽对细胞进行处理,通过对5.溴-2-脱氧尿嘧啶的嵌入及细胞碱性磷酸酶活性的测定探讨PAR-1或PAR-4激活对细胞增殖和分化的影响.结果 在野生鼠成骨细胞,凝血酶及PAR-1激活肽均能促进的细胞增殖和降低碱性磷酸酶的活性,但PAR-4激活肽却无这些作用.然而在PAR-1 敲除鼠的成骨细胞无论是凝血酶还是PAR-4激活肽均不能改变细胞的增殖及碱性磷酸酶的活性.结论 本研究结果 表明凝血酶促进成骨细胞增殖及抑制其分化是通过PAR-1介导的.其他凝血酶受体并不具有此作用.