Effect of testosterone on the testicular atrophy caused by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)

The involvement of testosterone in di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) induced testicular injury has been examined by coadministration of testosterone (1 mg/kg) along with DEHP (2000 mg/kg) daily for 15 days. The coadministration of testosterone and DEHP appears to have prevented the testicular injury as judged by the biochemical and histopathological changes. The sperm count and the activity of the testicular enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, related with the maturation of sperm, which were significantly altered by DEHP treatment were found to be within normal levels after the combination treatment of DEHP and testosterone. The histopathological studies also showed more or less normal spermatogenic events. The results of this study have suggested the involvement of testosterone in DEHP induced testicular atrophy.     

Anti-inflammatory activity of substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Various 2-(4-biphenoxymethyl)-5-arylamino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized by cyclization of the corresponding 1-(4-biphenoxyacetyl)-4-substituted thiosemicarbazides. These compounds were characterized by their elemental analyses and infrared, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. All substituted thiosemicarbazides (100 mg/kg, ip) and cyclized substituted oxadiazoles (100 mg/kg, ip) possessed anti-inflammatory activity, as reflected by their ability to provide protection against carrageenin-induced edema in the rat paw which ranged from 28 to 68% and 36 to 76%, respectively. Cyclization of the substituted thiosemicarbazides, in general, resulted in an increase in the anti-inflammatory activity of their corresponding substituted oxadiazoles, with the exception of those containing 2,4-dimethyl and 3,4-dimethyl substituents in their molecular structure. Hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg, ip) and oxyphenbutazone (40 mg/kg, ip) were used as the standard reference drugs and these provided 45 and 53% protection, respectively. All compounds (1 mM) possessed antiproteolytic activity and the in vitro inhibition of trypsin-induced hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin ranged from 13 to 75% for substituted thiosemicarbazides and 39 to 70% for substituted oxadiazoles. There was no relationship between the anti-inflammatory activity of substituted thiosemicarbazides and substituted oxadiazoles and their antiproteolytic effectiveness. The low toxicity of these compounds was reflected by their high approximate LD50 values, ranging from 500 to 1000 mg/kg.     

Effect of Solanum trilobatum on hepatic drug metabolising enzymes during diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis promoted by Phenobarbital in rat

The present study was aimed to investigate the chemopreventive effects of Solanum trilobatum (ST) extract against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis promoted by Phenobarbital (PB) in Wistar rats. Hepatocarcinogenesis was initiated by a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN (200 mg/kg b.w.) and promoted with PB (0.05%) in basal diet. The experimental study extended for periods of 13 and 26 weeks. Alcoholic extract of ST was orally administered for the entire experimental period after initiation along with commencement of promotion. The chemopreventive effect of ST was assessed from the incidence of nodules, drug metabolizing phase I components such as contents of cytochrome P450, cytochrome b(5), activities of NADPH cytochrome c reductase, NADH - cytochrome b(5) reductase and phase II components such as levels of glutathione, activities of UDP-glucuronyl transferase, glutathione S-transferase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the liver. Lipid peroxidation at basal and prooxidants-induced (NADPH + ADP + Fe and Ascorbate + Fe) states was assessed in the microsomes. Animals administered with ST extract evidenced significant inhibition of tumor nodular incidence in DEN + PB + ST animals compared to DEN + PB animals, with favorable alterations in the hepatic drug-metabolizing phase I and phase II components. Administration of ST inhibited basal and pro-oxidant-induced lipid peroxidation. The present result suggests the probable mediation of chemoprevention by ST against DEN-induced carcinogenesis by the modulation of drug metabolizing components in the liver of treated animals.     

Preserved vision in a case of morning glory syndrome: some pertinent questions

Morning glory syndrome, an unusual developmental anomaly of the optic nerve head, presenting with funnelled enlargement of the disc with a white dot in the centre and a peripheral vascular pattern along the disc margin, with features of typical entry and exit of retinal vessels on the optic nerve head and exceptionally good vision in the involved eye with old traumatic retinal detachment in the other, in a young Indian girl is described here for its rarity and indifferent clinical presentation. Various factors in its pathogenesis are postulated.     

Correlation Between Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Anticonvulsants

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory and anticonvulsant properties of 2-substituted styryl-6-bromo-3-(4-ethylbenzoate/4 benzhydrazide)-4-quinazoles are studied. All styryl quinazolone esters except compound number 9 exhibited monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties during oxidative deamination of kynuramine. Corresponding hydrazides were found to have relatively higher activity. All these quinazolones were able to protect against pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. These observations in general do not prove that monoamine oxidase inhibitory properties represent the biochemical basis for the anticonvulsant activity of these compounds.     

Rapid detection and quantitation of hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time PCR using a new fluorescent (FRET) detection system.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has until recently been based on traditional serologic methods targeting viral antigens and antibodies to viral proteins. The development of molecular methods allowing for the quantitation of HBV DNA is proving clinically valuable for monitoring therapy and detecting early treatment failures. OBJECTIVES: Here we report a new real-time (LightCycler) quantitative PCR for the detection of HBV DNA based on sequence specific hybridisation probes (designed in-house), targeting the HBV surface antigen. STUDY DESIGN: The assay was evaluated using a 10-fold dilution series of standard HBV DNA [Eurohep standard reference 1, genotype A, HBsAg subtype adw with a unitage of 10(6) WHO. i.u./ml] and 89 clinical serum samples. The performance was measured against a quantified standard HBV DNA working reagent (NIBSC code 98/780) and the sensitivity compared with our conventional thermal-block PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Real-time PCR detected HBV DNA in 45% (40/89) and thermal-block PCR in 16% (14/75) of clinical samples. Results for 26 samples were below the detection limit of the thermal-block PCR but could be quantified by real-time (LightCycler) PCR. The LightCycler assay was at least 5 logs more sensitive than thermal-block PCR and could detect HBV in a linear range between 5 and 10(7) i.u. per reaction. The broad generic nature of the PCR primers coupled with the enhanced sensitivity and specificity of the fluorescent hybridisation probes makes this assay potentially valuable for both routine diagnostic and epidemiological work.     

Scleredema adultorum

Scleredema adultorum is a rare connective tissue disorder reported usually following streptococcal infection, influenza, measles, and mumps. It has been reported occasionally following trauma and tuberculous lymphadenitis. This is a report of scleredema adultorum developing after chicken pox in an eight-year-old male child. The diagnosis was established by characteristic picture on skin biopsy using special stain. The patient had a benign course and a spontaneous recovery in two weeks. The case has been reported as the first case of scleredema adultorum developing after chicken pox.     

Nephritis and cerebellar ataxia: rare presenting features of enteric fever

Enteric fever is a common infectious disease of the tropical world, about 80% of these cases occur in Asian countries. Enteric fever presenting with isolated cerebellar ataxia or nephritis is rare. We report three cases of enteric fever that presented with these complications. Isolated cerebellar ataxia usually occurs in the second week, whereas in our cases it presented within first four days of fever. The common complications of enteric fever related to the urinary tract are cystitis, pyelitis, and pyelonephritis. Glomerulonephritis is uncommon. Most patients with enteric glomerulonephritis present with acute renal failure, hypertensive encephalopathy, or nephritic syndrome. In comparison, our case had milder manifestations. All three patients were treated with parenteral ceftriaxone and showed a prompt recovery.