AIM: To create a live animal model of cataract for training in phacoemulsification.METHODS: The left eye of each dog was selected, and cataract was induced by puncturing the anterior capsule of the lens with the beveled end of the 26 gauge needle under general anesthesia. Phacoemulsification was performed in all the eyes following development of cataract.RESULTS: Ophthalmologic examination showed posterior cortical opacification started from day 5 to 7 after the induction and the complete cataract formation was observed at 75 days post the induction. The phaco-chop technique was practiced in all the dogs, followed by placement of intraocular lens. Vision was restored in all the dogs following the phacoemulsification.CONCLUSION: Considering the enormous losses caused initially by inexperienced surgeons while performing phacoemulsification, we suppose that this live animal model will be far superior to cadaver eyes that are commonly used for practice of phacosurgery.

Various physiological parameters like blood pressure, temperature, blood sugar after onset of stroke have been proposed as possible marker of stroke prognosis to study the glycaemic status after acute stroke and assess the role of glycaemic status along with other clinical parameters in influencing stroke outcome. Forty-two confirmed stroke patients attending hospital within 6 hours of onset of stroke onset were included in the study. The time lag for hospitalization, blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c, stroke severity according to Toronto Scale, demographic factors, stroke onset type, type of stroke, past history of stroke, diabetes, and hypertension were recorded. The outcome was whether patient survived at the end of forth week. Twenty-one percent of patients who were not known diabetic found to be hyperglycemic though their HBA1C level was normal. Eighty-nine percent of such patients died. This rate was significantly higher than patients known to be diabetic with raised sugar and HBA1c level (26% patients, 12% mortality). There was strong and significant association between stroke severity and poor outcome. Strong and significant association was also found between stroke severity and blood sugar level. Modeling of stroke outcome using decision tree analysis (QUEST) found stroke severity as most important and significant predictor especially for severe stroke cases. In mild and moderately severe stroke, high sugar level was found to be a predictor, though not statistically significant.This study suggests that stroke severity is the most important predictor of stroke outcome, with high sugar level as a marker of stroke severity.
Cerebrovascular accident ; Biological Markers ; Sugars ; prognostic ; Blood Glucose

Epilepsy is a major health problem in India, but community based incidence study is rare. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence rate in a rural community of the state of West Bengal, India. The study was done through house to house survey by a dedicated team of neurologists, who carried out the survey cum case detection over 5 years. A total of 38 cases were detected during the survey period in a population of 20,966. The age adjusted (to World Standard Population) average annual incidence rate was 42.08 per 100,000 persons per year (95% confidence interval, 29.75-57.86). This rate was higher than many developed countries, but lower than the developing countries. Cerebral infection was the most common putative factor observed. An increasing trend of incidence of epilepsy has been observed over the years during the period of the study.

Objective: To investigate hepatoprotective activity of the methanolic extract of Fagonia indica Burm. on CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Methods: Animals in Group 1 served as vehicle control, Group 2 served as hepatotoxin (CCl4 2ml/kg, s.c) treated group, Group 3 served as standard (Silymarin 50mg/kg, p.o.) treated group. Group4 and 5 served as methanolic extract of Fagonia indica (MEFI) in different doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg b.w., p.o).The degree of protection was determined by measuring levels of biochemical marker like SGOT, SGPT, ALP, Bilirubin (Total & Direct) and Cholesterol. The histopathological studies also show the hepatic protection of the test extracts. Results: The levels of the biochemical parameters such as SGPT, SGOT, ALP, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin and Cholesterol were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats when compared with the normal group (P<0.05), but the MEFI (400 mg/kg, bw) treated rats showed maximum reduction of SGOT (114.83±1.51), SGPT (164.33±1.25), ALP (154.83±1.53), Total bilirubin (1.55±0.01), Direct bilirubin (0.65±0.009) and Cholesterol (193.00±1.06) in a significant manner. Histopathological studies also reveal the hepatoprotection property of MEFI in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: These results suggest that MEFI in different doses showed significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and this might be due to the presence of flavonoids and tannins. Further research is sought to explore the exact mechanism of action and phytoconstituents responsible for the pharmacological response.

A pig was confirmed to be a true hermaphrodite on the basis of gross and histomorphological studies of the genital organs. The genitalia was consisted of left ovary, oviduct, two coiled uterine horns, body of uterus alongwith right testis and an epididymis. Vagina and vulva were absent but male urethra with prostate gland was present. Grossly the size of all the genital organs appeared to be normal. Histomorphologically, testis and epididymis were underdeveloped as there was no clearcut spermatogenia and sertoli cells but Leydig cells were normal. The ovary presents normal histological features with some portion of testicular tissue. Degeneration of uterine epithelium was observed along with normal endometrial glands.
Animals ; Female ; Genitalia, Female/abnormalities ; Genitalia, Male/abnormalities ; Hermaphroditism/pathology/*veterinary ; Male ; Swine ; Swine Diseases/*pathology

A 44-year-old male presented with symptoms of spinal cord compression secondary to metastatic prostate cancer. An urgent decompression at the cervical-thoracic region was performed, and there were no complications intraoperatively. Three hours postoperatively, the patient developed acute bilateral lower-limb paralysis (motor grade 0). Clinically, he was in class 3 hypovolemic shock. An urgent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, showing no epidural hematoma. He was managed aggressively with medical therapy to improve his spinal cord perfusion. The patient improved significantly, and after one week, he was able to regain most of his motor functions. Although not commonly reported, spinal cord ischemia post-surgery should be recognized early, especially in the presence of hypovolemic shock. MRI should be performed to exclude other potential causes of compression. Spinal cord ischemia needs to be managed aggressively with medical treatment to improve spinal cord perfusion. The prognosis depends on the severity of deficits, and is usually favorable.
Adult ; Decompression ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paralysis ; Perfusion ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Shock* ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spinal Cord Ischemia*

Congenital absent sternum is a rare birth defect that requires early intervention for optimal long-term outcomes. Descriptions of the repair of absent sternum are limited to case reports, and no preferred method for management has been described. Herein, we describe the use of porcine acellular dermal matrix to reconstruct the sternum of an infant with sternal infection following attempted repair using synthetic mesh. The patient was a full-term male with trisomy 21, agenesis of corpus callosum, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, right-sided aortic arch, and congenital absence of sternum with no sternal bars. Following removal of the infected synthetic mesh, negative pressure wound therapy with instillation was used to manage the open wound and provide direct antibiotic therapy. When blood C-reactive protein levels declined to ≤2 mg/L, the sternum was reconstructed using porcine acellular dermal matrix. At 21 months postoperative, the patient demonstrated no respiratory issues. Physical examination and computed tomography imaging identified good approximation of the clavicular heads and sternal cleft and forward curvature of the ribs. This case illustrates the benefits of negative pressure wound therapy and acellular dermal matrix for the reconstruction of absent sternum in the context of infected sternal surgical site previously repaired with synthetic mesh.
Acellular Dermis ; Agenesis of Corpus Callosum ; Aorta, Thoracic ; C-Reactive Protein ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Down Syndrome ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Head ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methods ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Physical Examination ; Ribs ; Sternum ; Surgical Mesh ; Thoracic Surgery ; Wounds and Injuries