Administration of an antagonist of neurokinin receptors 1, 2, and 3 results in reproductive tract changes in beagle dogs, but not rats

SCH 206272, an antagonist of neurokinin receptors 1, 2, and 3, was administered orally by gavage for 1 month to 8- to 10-month-old dogs at doses of 0, 15, 30, or 60 mg/kg, and to 6-week-old rats at doses of 0, 30, 100, or 300 mg/kg. The most important changes occurred in the reproductive tract of the dogs at all doses. Absolute and relative group mean organ weights for the testes, prostate gland, epididymides, ovaries, and uterus were 33-86% lower than concurrent controls in groups receiving SCH 206272. Organ weight changes were not dose-related. Microscopic changes that correlated with the organ weight changes occurred in all groups receiving SCH 206272. For males, they included minimal to severe atrophy of the testes, epididymides, and prostate gland. In addition, the epididymides exhibited severe oligospermia or aspermia, minimal epithelial apoptosis and mild epithelial vacuolation. In female dogs, the ovaries and uteri appeared immature. Microscopic changes were similar in incidence and severity in dogs receiving 30 or 60 mg/kg, but were slightly less in dogs receiving 15 mg/kg. In contrast, similar findings were not observed in the reproductive tract of male or female rats, despite overlapping systemic, hypothalamic, and pituitary gland concentrations of SCH 206272.     

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with cryptococcal lymphadenitis as the first presentation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is commonly seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients having concomitant opportunistic infection, following initiation of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). We describe IRIS in a young man with unknown human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status who presented with cryptococcal lymphadenitis as the first manifestation of AIDS. At presentation the patient had features overlapping with tuberculosis (TB) lymphadenitis which was ruled out by fine needle aspiration cytology. The patient responded to antifungal treatment but following the start of HAART, symptoms recurred which were managed conservatively. Though TB is common in India, a thorough workup including histopathology of lymph node should be done before the patient is started on anti-tuberculosis treatment. HIV infected patients having opportunistic co-infection should be closely monitored following initiation of HAART.     

An Observational Study of Paediatric Preoperative Transfusion Practice in a Resource-Limited Setting

World Journal of Surgery - Paediatric anaemia is highly prevalent in low–middle-income countries and can negatively impact postoperative outcomes. Currently, there are no guidelines for the...     

Absent left common carotid artery in a right aortic arch: Separate origins of left internal and external carotid arteries from brachiocephalic artery

We present a case of cyanotic congenital heart disease with left common carotid artery agenesis in the setting of the right aortic arch highlighting the potential implications in management.