Intermediate-term outcomes of combined phacoemulsification and Aurolab aqueous drainage implant in eyes with refractory glaucoma and coexistent cataract

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-valved Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery combined with phacoemulsification in eyes with refractory glaucoma...     

The Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Type O Outbreak of 1992 Is Not Related to Vaccine Strain (O/R2/75)

Vaccination is the only pragmatic approach to control foot and mouth disease in India. Strict quality control measures are essential to supply potent vaccine to the field application, in addition to monitoring the performance of the vaccine in the field. During the process of monitoring, an outbreak of FMD in vaccinated animals caused by type “O” virus in Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu and a type “O” virus from unvaccinated herd of Karnataka were studied. Field isolates and vaccine virus were sequenced and analyzed. Data indicated that the virus from the outbreak in vaccinated cattle was a variant which could escape neutralization by antibodies against vaccine virus. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Formation of tamoxifen-DNA adducts via O-sulfonation, not O-acetylation, of alpha-hydroxytamoxifen in rat and human livers.

Tamoxifen (TAM) is used as the standard endocrine therapy for breast cancer patients and as a chemopreventive agent for women at high risk for this disease. Unfortunately, treatment of TAM increases the incidence of endometrial cancer; this may be due to the genotoxic damage induced by TAM metabolites. Formation of TAM-DNA adducts in rat liver correlates with the development of hepatocarcinoma. TAM-DNA adducts are proposed to be formed through O-sulfonation and/or O-acetylation of alpha-hydroxylated TAM and its metabolites. However, the role of O-sulfonation and O-acetylation in the formation of TAM-DNA adducts has not been extensively investigated. Rat or human hydroxysteroid sulfotransferases (HST), acetyltransferases, and liver cytosol were incubated with calf thymus DNA, alpha-OHTAM, and either 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) or acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) as a cofactor and analyzed for TAM-DNA adduct formation, using 32P postlableling/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. TAM-DNA adduct was formed when PAPS, not acetyl-CoA, was used. No TAM-DNA adducts were produced using human N-acetyltransferase I and II. HST antibody inhibited approximately 90% of TAM-DNA adduct formation generated by the cytosol or HST, suggesting that HST is primarily involved in the formation of TAM-DNA adducts. The formation of TAM-DNA adducts with rat liver cytosol and HST was much higher than that of human liver cytosol and HST. Our results indicate that TAM-DNA adducts are formed via O-sulfonation, not O-acetylation, of alpha-hydroxylated TAM and its metabolites.     

A case of colouterine fistula managed laparoscopically

Fistulas between the uterus and bowel are rarely reported. We report successful laparoscopic management of a colouterine fistula caused by a foreign body in the uterus. Fistulas between the gastrointestinal tract and the female genital tract are usually found between the vagina and rectum as a result of complications of childbirth or iatrogenic trauma. Communication between the uterus and bowel is rarely reported. We report successful laparoscopic management of an unusual case of colouterine fistula caused by a foreign body in the uterus.     

Rupture of the primigravid uterus: a review of the literature

Uterine rupture is a catastrophic obstetric complication, associated with high rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The most common risk factor is previous uterine surgery, and most cases of uterine rupture occur in women with a previous cesarean delivery. Traditionally, the primigravid uterus has been considered almost immune to spontaneous rupture. In fact, although spontaneous rupture of the primigravid uterus is indeed a very rare event, a number of such cases have been reported recently. Prompt recognition of uterine rupture and expeditious recourse to laparotomy are critical in influencing perinatal and maternal morbidity. Not all uterine ruptures present with the typical clinical picture of abdominal pain, hypovolemia, vaginal bleeding, and fetal compromise. Therefore, it is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for uterine rupture in women presenting with some, or all, of these features, regardless of parity. Here we provide a systematic review of cases of spontaneous uterine rupture in primigravid women reported in the literature to date. Clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, common etiological factors, complication rates, and appropriate management of this rare obstetric event are discussed. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to recall that uterine rupture in a primigravida is a rare event, without typical signs and symptoms, and explain that the morbidity and mortality of the mother and child is directly related to a high index of suspicion and prompt treatment by the clinician.     

Small area variations in low birth weight and small size of births in India

The states and districts are the primary focal points for policy formulation and programme intervention in India. The within‐districts variation of key health indicators is not well understood and consequently underemphasised. This study aims to partition geographic variation in low birthweight (LBW) and small birth size (SBS) in India and geovisualize the distribution of small area estimates. Applying a four‐level logistic regression model to the latest round of the National Family Health Survey (2015–2016) covering 640 districts within 36 states and union territories of India, the variance partitioning coefficient and precision‐weighted prevalence of LBW (<2.5 kg) and SBS (mother''s self‐report) were estimated. For each outcome, the spatial distribution by districts of mean prevalence and small area variation (as measured by standard deviation) and the correlation between them were computed. Of the total valid sample, 17.6% (out of 193,345 children) had LBW and 12.4% (out of 253,213 children) had SBS. The small areas contributed the highest share of total geographic variance in LBW (52%) and SBS (78%). The variance of LBW attributed to small areas was unevenly distributed across the regions of India. While a strong correlation between district‐wide percent and within‐district standard deviation was identified in both LBW (r = 0.88) and SBS (r = 0.87), they were not necessarily concentrated in the aspirational districts. We find the necessity of precise policy attention specifically to the small areas in the districts of India with a high prevalence of LBW and SBS in programme formulation and intervention that may be beneficial to improve childbirth outcomes.     

Salivary oxidative stress biomarkers in chronic periodontitis and acute coronary syndrome

Clinical Oral Investigations - The study aimed at assessing oxidative stress (OS) biomarker levels in the saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and...     

Trachyspermum ammi L. (Carom) Oil Induces Alterations in SOD-3, GST-4 Expression and Prolongs Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The use of herbs in the form of dietary supplements and medicine is fascinating the world, owing to their...