Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gallbladder Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Gastroenterology ; methods ; Humans

<p>AIMTo identify submicroscopic interstitial deletions in azoospermia factor (AZF) loci in idiopathic and non-idiopathic cases of male infertility in Indians.p><p>METHODSOne hundred and twenty two infertile males with oligozoospermia or azoospermia were included in this study. Semen analysis was done to determine the sperm density, i.e., normospermia (>20 million/mL), oligozoospermia (<20 million/mL) or azoospermia. They were subjected to detailed clinical examination and endocrinological and cytogenetic study. Thirty G-banded metaphases were analyzed in the 122 cases and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis was done in 70 cytogenetically normal subjects. For this genomic DNA was extracted using peripheral blood. The STS primers tested in each case were sY84, sY86 (AZFa); sY127, sY134 (AZFb); sY254, sY255 (AZFc). PCR amplifications found to be negative were repeated at least 3 times to confirm the deletion of a given marker. The PCR products were analyzed on a 1.8 % agarose gel.p><p>RESULTSEight of the 70 cases (11.4 %) showed deletion of at least one of the STS markers. Deletions were detected in cases with known and unknown aetiology with bilateral severe testiculopathy and also in cryptorchid and varicocele subjects.p><p>CONCLUSIONAZF microdeletions were seen in both idiopathic and non-idiopathic cases with cryptorchidism and varicocele. The finding of a genetic aetiology in infertile men with varicocele and cryptorchidism suggests the need for molecular screening in non-idiopathic cases.p>
Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Cryptorchidism ; genetics ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Gene Deletion ; Genetic Loci ; Humans ; Male ; Metaphase ; Oligospermia ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reference Values ; Semen ; chemistry ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; genetics ; Sperm Count ; Testis ; pathology ; Varicocele ; genetics

<p>AIMTo determine if Yq microdeletion frequency and loci of deletion are similar in two tissues (blood and sperm) of different embryological origin.p><p>METHODSThe present study included 52 infertile oligozoospermic cases. In each case, DNA was isolated from blood and sperms and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis was done from genomic DNA isolated from both the tissues. The PCR products were analyzed on a 1.8% agarose gel. PCR amplifications found to be negative were repeated at least three times to confirm the deletion of a given marker.p><p>RESULTSOnly 1 case harbored microdeletion in blood DNA, whereas 4 cases harbored microdeletion in sperm DNA.p><p>CONCLUSIONThe frequency of Yq microdeletions is higher in germ cells as compared to blood. As the majority of infertile couples opt for assisted reproduction procreation techniques (ART), Yq microdeletion screening from germ cells is important to understand the genetic basis of infertility, to provide comprehensive counseling and most adapted therapeutics to the infertile couple.p>
Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; DNA ; blood ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; Sequence Deletion ; Spermatozoa ; physiology

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are relatively rare congenital inclusion cysts. They are the third most common cerebellopontine angle cistern mass after vestibular schwannoma and meningioma. White epidermoid is a rare variant. We present the first case, to our knowledge, of a white epidermoid cyst anterior to the pontomedullary junction, emphasising its imaging appearance, location and the importance of pre-operative diagnosis, which may reduce operative complications.
Adolescent ; Cerebellar Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; Cerebellopontine Angle ; diagnostic imaging ; Epidermal Cyst ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Tinnitus ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

<p>OBJECTIVETo study the modulation effect of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines following long term use of water soluble ethanol extracts from different organs of Nyctanthes arbortristis (NAT) in mouse model of arthritis.p><p>METHODSArthritis was induced in mice by two injections of Freund's complete adjuvant on days 0 and 12 in the sub-planter surface of the right hind paw.p><p>RESULTSInjection of adjuvant resulted in a maximum primary edema of the footpad with erythema, and edema and distortion of joints of the right hind paw after 24-48 hours. Second injection of FCA led to the formation of secondary swellings persisting more than four weeks that spread onto the other hind limb but to a lesser extent. Histological analysis of the ankle on day 47 showed marked evidence of cartilage destruction in association with pannus formation and moderate bone resorption. Proinflammatory cytokine levels in the inflamed joint homogenate were elevated on days 2, 14, and 47. Oral administration of leaf and fruit extracts in arthritic mice reduced joint homogenate levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 on days 2, 14, and 47 in comparison to untreated arthritic mice. Interleukin-10 level was elevated in the inflamed joint on days 2, 14, and 47 in comparisons to untreated arthritic mice.p><p>CONCLUSIONEvidence of lesser inflammation of the footpad and joint and associated histological observation support the therapeutic benefit of leaf and fruit extracts from Nyctanthes arbortristis. This study helps in understanding the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of Nyctanthes arbortristis in the light of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance.p>
Animals ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Oleaceae ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; therapeutic use

<p>AIMTo evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats.p><p>METHODMale rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs.p><p>RESULTSS. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately.p><p>CONCLUSIONS. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.p>
Animals ; Blood Cell Count ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phospholipids ; blood ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

<p>OBJECTIVECalcium Glucarate (Cag), Ca salt of D-glucaric acid is a naturally occurring non-toxic compound present in fruits, vegetables and seeds of some plants, and suppress tumor growth in different models. Due to lack of knowledge about its mode of action its uses are limited in cancer chemotherapy thus the objective of the study was to study the mechanism of action of Cag on mouse skin tumorigenesis.p><p>METHODSWe have estimated effect of Cag on DMBA induced mouse skin tumor development following complete carcinogenesis protocol. We measured, epidermal transglutaminase activity (TG), a marker of cell differentiation after DMBA and/or Cag treatment and [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA as a marker for cell proliferation.p><p>RESULTSTopical application of Cag suppressed the DMBA induced mouse skin tumor development. Topical application of Cag significantly modifies the critical events of proliferation and differentiation TG activity was found to be reduced after DMBA treatment. Reduction of the TG activity was dependent on the dose of DMBA and duration of DMBA exposure. Topical application of Cag significantly alleviated DMBA induced inhibition of TG. DMBA also caused stimulation of DNA synthesis in epidermis, which was inhibited by Cag.p><p>CONCLUSIONCag inhibits DMBA induced mouse skin tumor development. Since stimulation of DNA synthesis reflects proliferation and induction of TG represents differentiation, the antitumorigenic effect of Cag is considered to be possibly due to stimulation of differentiation and suppression of proliferation.p>
9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene ; toxicity ; Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Anticarcinogenic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinogens ; toxicity ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; toxicity ; Female ; Glucaric Acid ; therapeutic use ; Mice ; Skin Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; prevention & control ; Thymidine ; metabolism ; Transglutaminases ; metabolism

Background/Aims: Most patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report food-related aggravation of symptoms. Wheat/gluten is one of the most commonly incriminated. We studied the prevalence of self-reported wheat sensitivity in patients with IBS and in a healthy population from a region in India consuming mixed-cereal diets, correlated it with serological and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers of celiac disease, and evaluated the response to a wheat-free diet. Methods: We surveyed 204 patients with IBS and 400 healthy persons for self-reported wheat sensitivity. Testing for IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase and HLA DQ2 or DQ8 was done in individuals who reported wheat sensitivity. Consenting persons with wheat sensitivity were put on wheat-free diet and monitored for symptom change. Results: Twenty-three of 204 patients with IBS (11.3%) and none of the healthy subjects self-reported wheat sensitivity. Of 23 patients, 14 (60.9%) were positive for HLA DQ2 or DQ8 and none for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody. After 6 weeks on wheat-free diet, all 19 participating patients reported clinical improvement; fewer patients had bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and easy fatigue. Conclusions Eleven percent of patients with IBS self-reported wheat sensitivity. None of them had positive celiac serology; 60.9% were positive for HLA DQ2 and DQ8, suggesting a possible genetic basis. All of them improved symptomatically on a wheat-free diet.

Background/Aims: Most patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report food-related aggravation of symptoms. Wheat/gluten is one of the most commonly incriminated. We studied the prevalence of self-reported wheat sensitivity in patients with IBS and in a healthy population from a region in India consuming mixed-cereal diets, correlated it with serological and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) markers of celiac disease, and evaluated the response to a wheat-free diet. Methods: We surveyed 204 patients with IBS and 400 healthy persons for self-reported wheat sensitivity. Testing for IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase and HLA DQ2 or DQ8 was done in individuals who reported wheat sensitivity. Consenting persons with wheat sensitivity were put on wheat-free diet and monitored for symptom change. Results: Twenty-three of 204 patients with IBS (11.3%) and none of the healthy subjects self-reported wheat sensitivity. Of 23 patients, 14 (60.9%) were positive for HLA DQ2 or DQ8 and none for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody. After 6 weeks on wheat-free diet, all 19 participating patients reported clinical improvement; fewer patients had bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and easy fatigue. Conclusions Eleven percent of patients with IBS self-reported wheat sensitivity. None of them had positive celiac serology; 60.9% were positive for HLA DQ2 and DQ8, suggesting a possible genetic basis. All of them improved symptomatically on a wheat-free diet.

Purpose: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has evolved as a first-line therapeutic option for carotid revascularization in indicated patients for stroke prevention, but there is still a lack of data on its effect on cognitive function (CF), especially among Indian patients. To determine the effect of CAS on CF and to study the immediate and delayed complications of CAS in Indian patients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational, single-center study. CF was assessed using Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination version III (ACE) before and 3 months after stenting. The demographic and clinical parameters were also assessed. A follow-up evaluation after 3 months was done to compare CF and to observe the occurrence of any complications. Results: Out of 31 patients, 3 were lost to follow up. There were no immediate or delayed procedure-related complications. There was a statistically significant improvement in overall ACE score and memory before and after stenting. On subgroup analysis of those with and without strokes, there was a significant improvement in visuospatial function and mean ACE score. Those with left CAS had significant improvement in memory, visuospatial, language, and ACE scores than right CAS. Conclusion CAS was associated with significant improvement in CF in patients.