Wound Healing Activities of Rafflesia Hasseltii Extract in Rats

The effects of topical application of Rafflesia hasseltii buds and flowers extract on the rate of wound healing and histology of healed wound were assessed. Four groups of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were experimentally wounded in the posterior neck area. A thin layer of blank placebo was applied topically to wounds of Group 1 rats. Wounds of experimental animals (Group 2 and 3) were treated with placebo containing 5% and 10% R. hasseltii buds extract, respectively. A thin layer of Intrasite gel was applied topically to wounds of Group 4 animals as reference. Macroscopically, wounds treated with placebo containing 5% and 10% R. hasseltii buds extract or Intrasite gel have been significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing compared to placebo-treated wounds. Histological analysis of healed wounds has confirmed this effect. Wounds treated with placebo containing 5%, 10% R. hasseltii buds extract or Intrasite gel showed markedly less scar width at wound enclosure and granulating tissue contained markedly more collagen and proliferating fibroblasts, but with the absence of inflammatory cells compared to wounds treated with blank placebo. In conclusion, the findings of increased rate of wound closure and contraction together with the histological findingssuggest that Rafflesia hasseltii buds extract is very effective in accelerating the wound healing process.     

Acute myocardial infarction following electroconvulsive therapy in a Schizophrenic patient

Deaths due to acute coronary insufficiency have been reported during or following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Various mechanisms related to ECT related deaths also include cerebral, and respiratory complications; however, cardiovascular complication remains the most common. Here, we describe a 55 year old male with a longstanding psychiatric illness with multiple antipsychotics under regular follow-up and required repeated ECT therapy to have the disease symptoms under remission. This time he developed acute onset chest pain immediately post ECT shock and diagnosed as Acute anterior wall myocardial infarction and was taken up for successful primary coronary revascularization to left anterior descending (LAD) artery 2 h after the chest pain onset. He was later discharged in a stable state and advised for continuous psychiatric follow-up.     

Anomalous origin of left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva presenting as non ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: A case report

Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are a cause of sudden cardiac death. Of the known anatomic variants, anomalous origination of a coronary artery from an opposite sinus of Valsalva (ACAOS) remains a major clinical issue and a challenging condition to treat. Congenital coronary anomalies are likely to be under-recognized, as completing an anatomic assessment in a very large portion of the population would seem unfeasible. However, we present a case report with image of a 49 year old male presented with acute non-ST elevation ACS for which he underwent diagnostic angiography of the coronary system which revealed a common origin of both right and left main coronary artery from right sinus of Valsalva with significant obstructive lesion in the mid segment of right coronary artery. However, due to financial constraints CT angiography could not be done in this patient to identify the detail anatomy and the course of the anomalous left coronary artery origin (L-ACAOS). He was managed medically with dual antiplatelets, beta blockers, nitrates and ACE inhibitors.     

BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation spectrum analysis in South Asia: a systematic review

ObjectiveBreast cancer (BC) is the most common form of cancer among Asian females. Mutations in the BRCA1/BRCA2 genes are often observed in BC cases and largely increase the lifetime risk of having BC. Because of the paucity of high-quality data on the molecular spectrum of BRCA mutations in South Asian populations, we aimed to explore these mutations among South Asian countries.MethodsA systematic literature search was performed for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation spectrum using electronic databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Twenty studies were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsThe 185delAG (c.68_69del) mutation in exon 2 of BRCA1 was the most common recurrent mutation and founder mutation found. Various intronic variants, variants of unknown significance, large genomic rearrangements, and polymorphisms were also described in some studies.ConclusionsThe South Asian population has a wide variety of genetic mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 that differ according to countries and ethnicities. A stronger knowledge of various population-specific mutations in these cancer susceptibility genes can help provide efficient strategies for genetic testing.     

Fetal proximal humeral epiphysis as an indicator of term gestation in different ethnic groups*

Objectives: Accurate pregnancy dating is critical for appropriate clinical management. Our aim was to determine the time of appearance of proximal humeral epiphysis (PHE), consistency of its appearance among ethnic groups and whether 3D imaging helps with its visualization.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on 360 patients with 563 scans in different ethnic groups between August 2013 and July 2015. Inclusion criteria were singleton pregnancies (34–40+ weeks of gestation), well dated by <20 weeks sonogram.

Results: PHE was not seen at 34 (n?=?44) or 35 weeks (n?=?36) and was present at gestational ages 36 (n?=?3), 37 (n?=?126), 38 (n?=?96), 39 (n?=?100) and 40 weeks (n?=?28) in 2%, 12%, 51%, 75% and 100%, respectively. PHE was seen in 20 of 50 (60%) African–Americans, 22 of 61 (64%) south Asians, 41 of 72 (57%) Caucasians, 45 of 86 (48%) Hispanics and 41 of 80 (49%) Asians.

Conclusion: Appearance of PHE did increase with gestational age, prior to 40 weeks, it was not uniformly present and was seen as early as 36 weeks independent of ethnic group.