Elevated glycohemoglobin HbA1c is associated with low back pain in nonoverweight diabetics

Background Context

Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint in clinical practice of multifactorial origin. Although obesity has been thought to contribute to LBP primarily by altering the distribution of mechanical loads on the spine, the additional contribution of obesity-related conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM) to LBP has not been thoroughly examined.

Effect of lacosamide on ethanol induced conditioned place preference and withdrawal associated behavior in mice: Possible contribution of hippocampal CRMP-2

BackgroundExcessive consumption of ethanol is known to activate the mTORC1 pathway and to enhance the Collapsin Response Mediator Protein-2 (CRMP-2) levels in the limbic region of brain. The latter helps in forming microtubule assembly that is linked to drug taking or addiction-like behavior in rodents. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of lacosamide, an antiepileptic drug and a known CRMP-2 inhibitor, which binds to CRMP-2 and inhibits the formation of microtubule assembly, on ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice.MethodsThe behavior of mice following ethanol addiction and withdrawal was assessed by performing different behavioral paradigms. Mice underwent ethanol-induced CPP training with alternate dose of ethanol (2 g/kg, po) and saline (10 ml/kg, po). The effect of lacosamide on the expression of ethanol-induced CPP and on ethanol withdrawal associated anxiety and depression-like behavior was evaluated. The effect of drug on locomotor activity was also assessed and hippocampal CRMP-2 levels were measured.ResultsEthanol-induced CPP was associated with enhanced CRMP-2 levels in the hippocampus. Lacosamide significantly reduced the expression of ethanol-induced CPP and alleviated the levels of hippocampal CRMP-2 but aggravated withdrawal-associated anxiety and depression in mice.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated the beneficial effect of lacosamide in attenuation of expression of ethanol induced conditioned place preference via reduction of hippocampal CRMP-2 level. These findings suggest that lacosamide may be investigated further for ethanol addiction but not for managing withdrawal.     

Effects of acute administration of d-amphetamine and haloperidol on procedural learning in man

The effects of an indirect dopamine-agonist, d-amphetamine, and a non-selective dopamine receptor antagonist, haloperidol, were investigated in normal male volunteers using a between-subjects double-blind design in a procedural learning task, thought mainly to involve unconscious/automatic learning. The results showed: (1) d-amphetamine facilitated response speed, whereas haloperidol inhibited it, in comparison to placebo; (2) the linear increase in procedural learning corresponded with pharmacological manipulation of degree of dopaminergic activity, i.e. subjects given haloperidol showed the least, and subjects given d-amphetamine the greatest, procedural learning. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to investigation of abnormalities of procedural learning processes in schizophrenia. Received: 28 June 1996/Final version: 2 October 1996     

Bacteriological study of drinking water during epidemic of cholera in Delhi

Sixty drinking water samples collected from various sources in different areas of Delhi during epidemic of cholera and gastroenteritis were analysed for bacteriological standards. Only 27 (45 per cent) samples were found to be satisfactory for human consumption. Remaining thirty-three (55 per cent) samples showed presence of coliform organisms with MPN value ranging from 10 to 1800+ per 100 ml. Among these positive samples, 31 (93.9 per cent) samples contained faecal coli. Twenty out of thirty (66.6 per cent) Hand pump, 9 out of 21 (42.8 per cent) Taps 2 out of 4 (50 per cent) Tube well and 2 out of 5 (40 per cent) of miscellaneous sources showed contamination with coliform organisms.     

Evaluation of specialized laparoscopic suturing and tying devices.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic suturing and tying constitute advanced minimally invasive surgery skills. Developing proficiency in the standard methods with needle drivers is often an arduous process. Recent advances in laparoscopic instrumentations has allowed for easier methods of suturing and tying. This study investigated the hypothesis that the use of a specialized suturing device and a specialized tying device allows inexperienced medical students to suture and tie laparoscopically. METHODS: Preclinical medical students who had not received any training in open or laparoscopic surgery were included in this investigation. Each student was given a 5-minute demonstration of a specialized suturing device and a specialized tying device. The medical students were not allowed to deploy either device before actual use. After the demonstration, each student was given the device to use in a porcine model. Times were recorded and a subjective grade was given for each student. RESULTS: Twenty medical students were involved in this study. All medical students were able to complete the task of suturing and tying. The average time to suture was 104.6 seconds and the average time to tying was 31.2 seconds. The average subjective performance grade was 90 (out of 100). CONCLUSION: Specialized devices are easy to learn and use for laparoscopic suturing and tying with minimal instruction even for inexperienced medical students. Even surgeons who are not well versed in laparoscopic surgery should be able to suture and tie with certain laparoscopic instruments.     

Diagnosis of fetal hydronephrosis in utero using ultrasound

Detection of fetal hydronephrosis in utero, subsequent investigation, and surgical treatment is described. With the increasing use of ultrasound for obstetrical problems and greater experience with fetal sonography, more urologic abnormalities will be diagnosed prenatally.     

Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II — a case report of two siblings in a family

Two children out of three siblings of a family presented with tiredness, fatigue, and breathlessness for more than 6 months. Examination of peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspirate, and a positive acidified serum test (HEMPAS) revealed these children to be a case of congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type II. This case is reported because of its rarity.     

Metastatic mammary carcinoma of the middle ear

Malignancies of the middle ear and mastoid are rare and secondaries in the ear are extremely rare. A rare case of metastic adenocarcinoma from the breast is presented herewith.     

Family Resources and Development of Social Competence in Disadvantaged Children in India

Family resources in terms of their qualitative (process) and quantitative (structure) nature influences the development of social competence in children/adolescents. Present study aims at exploring the relationship of family resource variables with three measures of social competence of 300 adolescent belonging to different socio-cultural status. Socio-culturally advantaged group samples were found to have healthy family environment, whereas, socio-culturally disadvantaged group perceived themselves as at disadvantages and were deprived in seeking positive intra-family support. However inspite of their disadvantages, they were found to be more self-competent. On the other hand, advantaged group adolescents were found to be more competent in the areas of peer and teacher related social competence. Product-moment coefficient correlation analysis revealed that parental education, occupation and family income were found to be significantly associated with positive peer and teacher related social competence in case of the samples belonging to the advantaged socio-cultural group. However, negative responses and outside family support was found to be positively associated with the development of disadvantaged group adolescent's self-related competence. In general, present study supports the hypothesis that Indian family system still continues to be considered as the major source of support for the adolescents, in spite of their growing tendency for independence, self-definition and autonomy.