Caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid modulate Nrf2 and inhibit Ehrlich ascites carcinomas in mice

Objective: To assess the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) modulatory effect of caffeic acid and protocatechuic acid and determine the anti-tum...     

Synthesis and Antimycobacterial Activity of a Novel Series of Isonicotinylhydrazide Derivatives

A novel series of 14 new isonicotinyl hydrazide derivatives 2a – g , 3a – g containing a 4‐thiazolidinone / 2‐azetidinone nucleus were synthesized by reacting N′‐substituted arylidene / heteroarylidene isonicotinyl hydrazide 1a – g with thioglycollic acid in the presence of dry benzene and with chloroacetyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine, respectively. Structures of all newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses and spectral data (IR and ¹H‐NMR). All the title compounds were tested for their in‐vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv using Alamar‐Blue susceptibility test, and the activity is expressed as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in μg/mL. Among the series, compounds 2b , 2g , 3b , and 3g displayed an encouraging antimycobacterial activity profile as compared to that of the reference drugs isoniazid / rifampicin.     

Acute massive pulmonary embolism treated by thrombo-embolectomy using intermittent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest

Acute massive pulmonary embolism is a life threatening medical emergency resulting in a high mortality rate. Usually, urgent thrombo-embolectomy is performed using double venous cannulation without circulatory arrest. We describe a patient suffering from acute massive pulmonary embolism that was treated by emergency thrombo-embolectomy. Due to back-bleeding the view into the lobar and segmental pulmonary arteries was severely compromised. In order to achieve complete thrombo-embolectomy, intermittent deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was performed.     

Accuracy of Intraoperative Epicardial Echocardiography in the Assessment of Surgical Repair of Congenital Heart Defects confirmed

Objective:

To determine the accuracy of epicardial echocardiography in detecting residual lesions after surgical repair of congenital heart defects. To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive valve, negative predictive valve, and false negative and false positive percentage of the same.

Materials and Methods:

One year hospital-based prospective study of epicardial echocardiography in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for surgical correction of congenital heart defects in children and adults.

Results:

Epicardial echocardiography was done in 158 patients. Residual lesions were detected in 38 patients by epicardial echocardiography. In 28 of these cases the residual lesions were significant. In 24 of them immediate reoperation was done with good outcome. Epicardial echo has high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive valve, in detecting residual lesion with congenital heart defects.

Conclusion:

Routine use of intraoperative epicardial echocardiography allows detection of majority of residual defects. It has high accuracy. There were no complications associated with use of epicardial echocardiography. The use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can be avoided in small children and neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.     

Protective effect of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid on testosterone induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in Wister rats

Oxidative stress is one of the major causative factors for development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid (HMBA), a potential antioxidant on testosterone induced BPH in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6), Group I—received saline, Group II—received testosterone (3 mg/kg/s.c.), Group III—received testosterone+finasteride (5 mg/kg/oral), Group IV and V received testosterone+HMBA (200 and 400 μg/kg/i.p.), respectively, for 21 days. Animals were weighed before and after the study period. On 22nd day, animals were humanly killed by cervical dislocation. Prostates were excised and weighed, and used for biochemical and histological studies. As a result, testosterone treated rats showed increased prostate weight; prostatic index accompanied with depleted antioxidant enzymes levels, elevated lipid peroxides and total nitrite and associated histology disruption. HMBA treatment at 200 μg/kg/i.p. and 400 μg/kg/i.p. significantly restored (P<0.05) antioxidant enzyme levels, lipid peroxide and total nitrite when compared to disease control animals. It also ameliorated the testosterone induced histological changes. The present study suggests the protective role of HMBA on testosterone induced BPH by virtue of its antioxidant potential.