Stent Scraping for Histology: An Alternative Method for Obtaining Tissue to Rule out Neoplasia

Despite improvement in diagnostic modalities, confirmation of a histologic diagnosis of cancer of the biliary tree and pancreas remains elusive. Attempts to collect positive cytology specimens from vigorous brushings or washings obtained at endoscopy or percutaneously are often unsuccessful. In our unit, we have increased the yield by obtaining tissue scraped from prostheses that have been previously placed in either the bile duct or the pancreatic duct. The stents are first flushed with saline to collect cytology specimens, after which, they are bisected and scraped, and these contents are prepared in a manner similar to that used to prepare biopsy samples. Twelve of 16 scraped samples, 9 bile duct and 3 pancreas, were positive for adenocarcinoma. The cytology specimens were positive in only 4 of the 12. We recommend this method of sampling from material contained within prostheses as an adjunct when previous brushings, washings, or biopsies are negative.     

Synthetic Pyrethroid effect on blood plasma biomarker enzymes and histological changes in Catla catla

Alpha‐cypermethrin is an isoform of cypermethrin; it is an active pyrethroid used extensively to control a wide range of pests in agriculture and animal breeding. In this study four groups of six fish were examined. The first group served as a control in fresh water alone, with no pyrethroid. The second, third and fourth groups were exposed to alpha‐cypermethrin for 4, 8 and 96 h respectively. At the end of the each exposure period, the fish were sacrificed, and the required muscle tissues were collected for histological examination. The blood was drawn with heparinized needles and processed for serum enzymatic studies. Serum enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), amylase, acid phosphatase (ACP) and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured at 4, 8 and 96 h. AST enzyme activity was significantly increased at 4 h, whereas ALT and amylase enzyme activities were significantly reduced at all the time points. ACP enzyme activity was significantly reduced at 4 and 8 h, whereas GGT enzyme activity was significantly increased at all the time points. Hepatocyte cytoplasmic vacuolisation and degeneration, rupture of blood vessels, and necrosis was found at all time points. Congestion of blood vessels, bulging, distortion of filaments, erosion and disintegration of blood corpuscles and hyperplasia of epithelium were found in treated gills at 4, 8 and 96 h. Breakdown of muscle fibres, vacuolation and accumulation of lipids and melanin in white muscle were observed in treated fish muscle at 4, 8 and 96 h.     

Probiotics for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Probiotics are organisms which provide a desired and beneficial effect on human health. With recent evidence implicating a disruption in the balance of the gastrointestinal microbiome and intestinal immunity as a potential trigger for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there has been growing interest in using probiotics as an adjunct to standard anti-inflammatory and immune suppressing therapy. Animal models describe potential and plausible mechanisms of action for probiotics to counter inflammation of colonic mucosa. Although there are insufficient data to recommend probiotics in ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, good evidence supports the use of specific probiotics for maintenance of remission in pouchitis. Although there are limited regulatory standards for the agents, probiotics are relatively safe with minimal reported side effects or contraindications. More rigorous studies need to be published supporting efficacy and safety of these agents before they become a mainstay of IBD medical treatment.     

Synthesis,supramolecular organization and thermotropic phase behaviour of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane

Herein, we reported the supramolecular organization of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (NATM) in the solid state as well as in aqueous solution. Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that NATM adopts a fully interdigitized structure. The thermodynamic parameters associated with thermotropic phase behaviour of NATM was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The molecular packing and phase state of the NATM analyzed by laurdan and prodan fluorescence supports the formation of an interdigitized phase in aqueous solution. The potential application of the self-assembled NATM vesicles was demonstrated through entrapping model drug, Rhodamine B.

Self assembly of N-acyltris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane into interdigitized vesicles.     

Exploring the therapeutic mechanisms of Cassia glauca in diabetes mellitus through network pharmacology,molecular docking and molecular dynamics

Cassia glauca is reported as anti-diabetic medicinal plant and is also used as an ethnomedicine. However, its mode of action as an anti-diabetic agent has not been clearly elucidated. Hence, the present study investigated the probable mechanism of action of C. glauca to manage diabetes mellitus via network pharmacology and molecular docking and simulations studies. The reported bioactives from C. glauca were retrieved from an open-source database, i.e. ChEBI, and their targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction. The proteins involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes were identified from the therapeutic target database. The targets involved in diabetes were enriched in STRING, and the pathways involved in diabetes were identified concerning the KEGG. Cytoscape was used to construct the network among bioactives, proteins, and probably regulated pathways, which were analyzed based on edge count. Similarly, molecular docking was performed using the Glide module of the Schrodinger suite against majorly targeted proteins with their respective ligands. Additionally, the drug-likeness score and ADMET profile of the individual bioactives were predicted using MolSoft and admetSAR2.0 respectively. The stability of these complexes were further studied via molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations. Twenty-three bio-actives were retrieved from the ChEBI database in which cassiarin B was predicted to modulate the highest number of proteins involved in diabetes mellitus. Similarly, GO analysis identified the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to be primarily regulated by modulating the highest number of gene. Likewise, aldose reductase (AKR1B1) was majorly targeted via the bioactives of C. glauca. Similarly, docking study revealed methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinate (docking score −9.209) to possess the highest binding affinity with AKR1B1. Additionally, drug-likeness prediction identified cassiaoccidentalin B to possess the highest drug-likeness score, i.e. 0.84. The molecular dynamics simulations and the MMGBSA indicate high stability and greater binding energy for the methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinate (ΔG_bind = −40.33 ± 6.69 kcal mol⁻¹) with AKR1B1, thus complementing results from other experiments. The study identified cassiarin B, cassiaoccidentalin B, and cinnamtannin A2 as lead hits for the anti-diabetic activity of C. glauca. Further, the PI3K-Akt and AKR1B1 were traced as majorly modulated pathway and target, respectively.

Cassia glauca is reported for anti-diabetic action and is also used as an ethnomedicine.     

Assessment of retinal manifestations of Parkinson’s disease using spectral domain optical coherence tomography: A study in Indian eyes

Purpose:To assess the retinal manifestations of Parkinson’s disease using optical coherence tomography.Methods:A prospective case-control study comparing 30 eyes from 15 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 22 eyes from 11 healthy age-matched controls. Total macular subfield thickness and the thickness of the ganglion cell layer, nerve fiber layer, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer were measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).Results:The mean age of PD patients was 68.4 years ± 10.64 (range: 46–82) and in the control group was 66.36 ± 5.22 (range: 64–68). The average disease duration in patients with PD was 6.7 ± 2.8 years (range: 2–10 years). The mean best-corrected visual acuity in PD was 20/26 and 20/20 in controls, with P = 0.0059, which was significant. Significant difference was also found in the contrast sensitivity between both groups. Structural differences in the central macular thickness (P = 0.0001), subfield thicknesses in the superior (P = 0.003), inferior (P = 0.001), nasal (P = 0.004), and temporal subfields (P = 0.017) was seen. Severe thinning of the ganglion cell layer was seen in PD patients (P = 0.000) as well as of the nerve fiber layer (P = 0.004). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber thickness measured showed significant thinning in superotemporal (P = 0.000), superonasal (P = 0.04), inferonasal (P = 0.000), inferotemporal (P = 0.000), nasal (P = 0.000), and temporal quadrants (P = 0.000).Conclusion:Visual dysfunction was observed in patients with PD along with structural alterations on OCT, which included macular volumes, ganglion cell layer, and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer.     

Chronic Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy Associated with Increased Development of Fundic Gland Polyps

Background  

Fundic gland polyps (FGP) have been implicated with long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use.     

Modulatory effect of Gymnema montanum leaf extract on brain antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats

The effects of leaf extract from Gymnema montanum, an endangered and endemic plant, were examined on brain lipid peroxidation in experimental diabetic rats. Ethanolic extract of G. montanum leaves was administered orally (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of body weight) for 3 weeks, and changes in blood glucose, plasma insulin, and lipid peroxidation markers such as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxides, and levels of antioxidants, namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione-S-transferase, were examined in the brain of alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide was used as a standard reference drug. A significant increase in the activities of antioxidants was observed in brain on treatment with G. montanum leaf extract and glibenclamide for 3 weeks. Both the treated groups showed significant decreases in formation of TBARS and hydroperoxides in brain, suggesting a role in protective action against lipid peroxidation-mediated membrane damage. Our findings indicate that G. montanum leaf extract possesses antiperoxidative and antioxidant effects in addition to its antidiabetic activity. This report helps to create awareness on the need for conservation of medicinal plants, and G. montanum is one such plant that needs to be conserved through various propagation trials.