Demonstration of gross lesions for educational purposes is often based on wet specimens, preserved in formalin, that emit hazardous formaldehyde vapors. This study is a pioneering attempt to ...plastinate pathological lesions in animal tissues using the economical Thermocol instead of costly resins, viz. silicon, epoxy and polypropylene. Six bovine heart samples, showing pathological lesions, were fixed with 5% formol saline, followed by dehydration in pure acetone, and impregnation with 15% Thermocol in organic solvent. Finally, curing of specimens was undertaken using Touchwood. Three gross lesions of the heart, viz. myocardial cyst, fibrinous pericarditis and endocardial/ epicardial hemorrhages, were plastinated in the present study. The myocardial cyst could be fixed in seven days; the fibrinous pericarditis could be fixed in 10 days, whereas hemorrhages required 15 days for fixation. The heart samples were impregnated by 44-48 days. The color of the lesions became darker and prominent in the plastinated hearts. There was no change in the texture of the tissues due to plastination, whereas the consistency of the heart became harder compared to fresh heart tissue. There was an significant reduction in mean mass (42.95%) and mean volume (40%) in the plastinated specimens. The Thermocol plastinated specimens were non-toxic, dry, easy to handle, odourless and durable, without the disadvantages of traditional formaldehyde preservation.
Shear bond analysis is the procedure used most frequently to gauge the tensile strength of adhesives incorporated in orthodontic treatments. In shear tensile strength analysis, pressure is placed as ...close as feasible to the interface between the orthodontic bracket and the surface of the tooth, parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Although numerous research on extracted teeth of human and bovine teeth have been conducted, there may still be variables such as pH, humidity, temperature, and others that could affect how these materials behave in the mouth cavity. The impact of chlorhexidine (CHX) on the binding capacity for non-metallic orthodontic brackets in vivo is not well understood.
The goal of the current study is to determine how mouth rinses containing 0.12% CHX affect the adhesive strength of polycarbonate orthodontic brackets.
Thirty-four patients were part of the test category, and they were instructed to wash their oral cavity for approximately 30 seconds using 20 ml of 0.12% CHX gluconate (Septodent). Thirty-four patients made up the control category and were instructed to wash their oral cavity for 30 seconds with a placebo mouthwash of a similar hue (20 ml). Both types of mouthwash were administered to the participants by an administrator who was not specifically involved in the trial and were kept in 120 ml labeled plastic bottles. The study participants were also kept unaware of the type of mouthwash. For the mouthwash utilized by study participants, a double-blinding technique was applied.
Thirty-four patients were evaluated in the test category. Since the orthodontic bracket broke in two patients, therefore, 32 patients were evaluated in the control category. The mean value of the strength of the shear bond in the experimental category was 15.32 megapascal (Mpa). The SD value was 2.51. The mean value of the strength of the shear bond in the control subgroup was 15.63. On statistical analysis, the t-value was 0.47. The p-value was 0.671. The difference in findings of the strength of the shear bond was statistically non-significant.
The results of this investigation allow us to draw the conclusion that the shear bond properties of polycarbonate orthodontic brackets are unaffected when treated with 0.12% CHX preceding the binding. The clinically meaningful adhesion strength was likewise attained by the polycarbonate orthodontic brackets.
Huntington’s disease (HD) is characterized by cognitive and psychiatric impairment caused by neuronal degeneration in the brain. Several studies have supported the hypothesis that oxidative stress is ...the main pathogenic factor in HD. The current study aims to determine the possible neuroprotective effects of nicotinamide on 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced HD. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups. Group I was the vehicle-treated control, group II received 3-NP (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (
i.p.)
for 4 days, group III received nicotinamide (500 mg/kg,
i.p.
). The remaining groups received a combination of 3-NP plus nicotinamide 100, 300 or 500 mg/kg,
i.p.
respectively for 8 days. Afterward, the motor function and hind paw activity in the limb withdrawal were tested; rats were then euthanized for biochemical and histopathological analyses. Treatment of rats with 3-NP altered the motor function, elevated oxidative stress and caused significant histopathological changes in the brain. The treatment of rats with nicotinamide (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) improved the motor function tested by locomotor activity test, movement analysis, and limb withdrawal test, which was associated with decreased oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, nitrites) and increased antioxidant enzyme (glutathione) levels. In addition, nicotinamide treatment decreased lactate dehydrogenase and prevented neuronal death in the striatal region. Our study, therefore, concludes that antioxidant drugs like nicotinamide might slow progression of clinical HD and may improve the motor functions in HD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the neuroprotective effects of nicotinamide on 3-NP-induced HD.
Objective: The prevalence of chronic growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and its association with other hormonal deficiencies was determined in middle-aged patients post-stroke with and without ...consideration of body mass index (BMI).
Methods: Clinical records were reviewed to determine pituitary function at least 3 months post-stroke. Patients with a history of endocrine anomalies were excluded. GHD was determined by utilizing standard peak GH cutoffs following the glucagon stimulation test. A secondary analysis was conducted with stricter BMI-adjusted cutoffs. The accuracy of IGF-1 in predicting GHD was also examined.
Results: GHD was diagnosed in 54% of patients (≥5.0 μg/L), with 32% falling into the severe (≤3 μg/L) category. Patients with GHD had lower levels of FSH, T3, LH, and SHBG. Analyzes of BMI-adjusted GH levels, revealed that 14% of patients were GHD. These patients had higher prolactin. IGF-1 values were not predictive of GHD. Latency to be admitted to post-acute rehabilitation was greater in patients with GHD.
Conclusions: Evidence suggests patients with stroke may be at risk for developing GHD. GHD was associated with decreased levels of other hormones. Co-morbidities for stroke and neuroendocrine dysfunction overlap and may have implications for recovery following stroke.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are common conditions in middle-age or older men. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a useful and ...validated questionnaire to evaluate LUTS secondary to BPH. Van der Walt et al have developed an alternative questionnaire named the Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) questionnaire. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the VPSS and IPSS in the evaluation of men with LUTSs due to BPH in an Indian population.
This was a prospectively designed study conducted at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prashanthigram (Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, India). A total of 121 patients who presented to the urology outpatient department with LUTS due to BPH were enrolled in the study. Patients were followed up at 1-month and 3-month intervals. All patients were given both questionnaires. The correlation test was used to assess the correlation between two symptom scores and various parameters. Observations with a P value < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
There was a statistically significant difference in the number of patients requiring assistance to fill the questionnaires according to their education level. There was a positive correlation between IPSS total score and VPSS total score (r = 0.7235; P < 0.0001), VPSS total score and VPSS quality of life (Qol; r = 0.70753; p < 0.0001), IPSS total versus IPSS Qol (r = 0.65583; P < 0.0001), and IPSS Qol versus VPSS Qol (r = 0.84093; P < 0.0001). A negative correlation was observed between total VPSS with Qmax, total IPSS with Qmax, IPSS total versus Qavg (r = −0.479; P < 0.0001), and VPSS total versus Qavg (r = −0.5; P < 0.0001). All VPSS questions showed statistically significant correlation with the corresponding IPSS questions.
There is a statistically significant correlation between the VPSS and IPSS and it can be completed by a greater number of patients without assistance.
Individuals with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at increased risk for a number of disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. ...However, mediators of the long-term morbidity are uncertain. We conducted a multi-site, prospective trial in chronic TBI patients (∼18 years post-TBI) living in long-term 24-h care environments and local controls without a history of head injury. Inability to give informed consent was exclusionary for participation. A total of 41 individuals (17 moderate-severe TBI, 24 controls) were studied before and after consumption of a standardized breakfast to determine if concentrations of amino acids, cytokines, C-reactive protein, and insulin are potential mediators of long-term TBI morbidity. Analyte concentrations were measured in serum drawn before (fasting) and 1 h after meal consumption. Mean ages were 44 ± 15 and 49 ± 11 years for controls and chronic TBI patients, respectively. Chronic TBI patients had significantly lower circulating concentrations of numerous individual amino acids, as well as essential amino acids (p = 0.03) and large neutral amino acids (p = 0.003) considered as groups, and displayed fundamentally altered cytokine-amino acid relationships. Many years after injury, TBI patients exhibit abnormal metabolic responses and altered relationships between circulating amino acids, cytokines, and hormones. This pattern is consistent with TBI, inducing a chronic disease state in patients. Understanding the mechanisms causing the chronic disease state could lead to new treatments for its prevention.
Summary
Context and Objective
Bilateral adrenal vein sampling (AVS), the diagnostic standard for identifying surgically remediable aldosteronism (SRA), is commonly performed after cosyntropin ...stimulation (post‐ACTHstim). The role of AVS without cosyntropin stimulation (pre‐ACTHstim) has not been established. The selectivity index (SI), the adrenal vein (av) serum cortisol concentration divided by that in a peripheral vein, confirms av sampling. The minimally acceptable SI is controversial. The objectives of this study were to determine the role of pre‐ACTHstim AVS and a predetermined SI.
Design
Using biochemical cure as the endpoint, we performed a retrospective head‐to‐head comparison of pre‐ACTHstim AVS to post‐ACTHstim AVS. The specificity of a predetermined minimum SI of 1.5 in pre‐ACTHstim AVS was determined.
Patients
At a regional AVS referral centre, we analysed 32 patients who had undergone simultaneous bilateral AVS both pre‐ and post‐ACTHstim and had returned for postadrenalectomy evaluation.
Measurements
Simultaneous bilateral AVS was performed with measurements of venous concentrations of aldosterone and cortisol. End points were postadrenalectomy plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone concentration, and number of antihypertensive medications.
Results
All 32 patients achieved a biochemical cure following adrenalectomy. The two AVS protocols were complementary. Notably, seven patients (22%; CI = 11‐38) were found to have SRA by a lateralization index (LI) > 4 on the pre‐ACTHstim AVS, but not on the post‐ACTHstim AVS. SI pre‐ACTHstim was divided into tertiles. Specificity was 100% in all.
Conclusions
Simultaneous bilateral AVS performed both pre‐ACTHstim and post‐ACTHstim maximizes SRA identification. A SI of 1.5 pre‐ACTHstim does not reduce specificity.
Bilateral adrenal vein sampling (AVS), the diagnostic standard for identifying surgically remediable aldosteronism (SRA), is commonly performed after cosyntropin stimulation (post‐ACTHstim). The role of AVS without cosyntropin stimulation (pre‐ACTHstim) has not been established. Simultaneous bilateral AVS performed both pre‐ACTHstim and post‐ACTHstim maximizes SRA identification.
Background: Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is the primary treatment modality for Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumour ...(RETURBT) is indicated to reduce risk of residual disease and correct staging errors after primary TURBT. The aim of the study is to evaluate the risk of residual tumour and upstaging in NMIBC after TURBT and to investigate the risk factors for the same.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over 4 years and 87 patients were included in the study. Patients with NMIBC underwent RETURBT after 2-6 weeks of primary TURBT. The incidence of residual tumour and upstaging in RETUBRT was correlated with various histopathological and morphological parameters in primary TURBT.Results: Out of 87 patients, who underwent RETURBT, residual disease was present in 51 patients (58.6%) and upstaging occurred in 22 patients (25.2%).On univariate analysis, T1 stage (p=0.01), high grade (p=0.01), Carcinoma in situ(CIS) (p=0.01) and multifocality (p=0.05) were predictive for residual disease in RETURBT. High grade (p=0.01), CIS (p=0.01) and absence of detrusor muscle in specimen (p=0.03) were risk factors for upstaging in RETURBT.Conclusions: NMIBC have high incidence of residual disease and upstaging after primary TURBT. T1 stage, high tumour grade, CIS, and multifocality are risk factors for residual disease after primary TURBT. High tumour grade, CIS and absence of detrusor muscle are strongly associated with upstaging during RETURBT.
The action of homeopathic medicines, in ultra-high dilution, is not directly observable. An attempt was made to explore autonomic response of selective homeopathic medicines, in healthy persons, ...using Medical Analyzer System (Electronics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India).
The objective of the study was to observe the action of homeopathic medicines on physiologic variability of heart rate and blood flow.
Pre- and postinterventional variability spectra of heart rate and blood flow of 77 subjects were recorded with the Medical Analyzer System, administering homeopathic preparations of Aconitum napellus (6c, 10M), Arsenicum album (200c, 1M), Gelsemium sempervirens (200c, 1M), Phosphorus (200c, 1M), Pulsatilla nigricans (200c) and Sulphur (200c, 1M) versus placebo control. The amplitude of the peaks viz. low-frequency, medium-frequency, and high-frequency was measured for postintervention analysis. An increase in the amplitude of any valid peak by 100% or a decrease by 50% was considered as significant change.
Aconitum napellus produced a response in heart rate variability (HRV) with 30c potency and in blood flow variability with 1M potency. Sulphur 200c and 1M, Gelsemium 200c and Pulsatilla 200c, produced a 62.5% response in HRV against the placebo response of 16.6%. Gelsemium, Phosphorus, and Sulphur produced a response in blood flow variability with a 1M potency, similar to the response of Aconitum napellus 1M.
These data suggest that it is possible to record the response of homeopathic medicines on physiologic parameters of the autonomic nervous system.
Composite materials are engineered materials, made from two or more constituents with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate on a macroscopic level within the ...finished structure. Due to their special mechanical and physical properties they have the potential to replace conventional materials.
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