A sensitive, selective and high-throughput liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of tolvaptan in rabbit plasma. Sample clean-up involved liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) and chromatography was performed on Zorbax SB C18 analytical column (50 mm ? 2.1 mm, 3.5 mm) using 0.1%formic acid:methanol (20:80, v/v) as the mobile phase. The parent-product ion transitions for the drug (m/z 449.2-252.1) and IS (m/z 456.2-259.2) were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) and positive ion mode. The method was validated over the concentration range of 0.10–1000.00 ng/mL and successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of healthy rabbits.

Objective: Sponges (phylum Porifera) are sessile marine invertebrates and are known to be the richest source of pharmacologically-active compounds. This work was taken to investigate the antibacterial, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity from marine sponge. Method: In this study the marine sponge Spongosorites halichondrioides crude extracts were investigated for three bioassays. The first is an antimicrobial test against Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa and the second is an antifungal test against three pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillusniger and Metarhizium anisopliae. The third is a cytotoxicity test using larva of Artemia salina, for detection of cytotoxic activity in the extracts. Result: For all the three bioassays, extracts were found to be bioactive. This result suggests that this marine sponge is able to produce biologically active agents required for an overall defense against their predators. Conclusions: Further GC MS was done and the fragmentation pattern, showed the presence of sterol esters and terpenoids in the active extracts.

Unused and discarded latex collection containers (LCCs) are the major breeding habitats of Aedes albopictus in the rubber plantations of Kerala, India. Platynectes sp. (Family: Dytiscidae) was observed to invade these habitats during the monsoon season and voraciously devour the larval instars of this major vector species of arbo-viral diseases. Field observations showed a reduction of 70.91% (p = 0.0017) and 100% in Aedes larval density, on the first and four days post release of eight beetles per LCC respectively. In laboratory, a beetle was found to devour 17.75 + 5.0 late larval instars of Ae. albopictus per day. Our findings indicate Platynectes sp. could be a potential bio-control agent against Ae. albopictus, the vector of chikungunya/dengue fevers, in rubber plantations.

Objective: The study represents an interesting case report for a very good aphrodisiac activity observed during an oral glucose tolerance test performed while evaluating the antidiabetic potential of Pedalium murex Linn. fruit. Methods: Ethanolic extract of Pedalium murex at a dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg p.o. was given to the rats followed by administration of 2 g/kg p.o. of glucose 30 min after the administration of extract. Results: Pregnancy was observed in the treated groups after 20-25 days of treatment in females which resulted in birth of pubs ranging upto ten in some females (more significant in case of 500 mg/kg p.o.). The observation also showed a significant increase in weights of pubs along with a normal behavior pattern. The increased pregnancy rate in the drug treated groups may be due to the healthy viable sperm and enhancement of sexual desire of the rats. Conclusion: From the results it may be concluded that the fruits of the plant may be used as a good aphrodisiac agent to promote fertility rate.

Worldwide breast cancer remains as the most common malignancy in women and the numbers who form a subgroup with dense breast parenchyma are substantial. In addition to mammography, the adjuncts used for further evaluation of dense breasts have been anatomically based modalities such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. The practice of functionally based imaging of breasts is relatively new but has undergone rapid progress over the past few years with promising results. The value of positron emission mammography is demonstrated in patients with dense breasts and mammographically occult disease.
Breast Neoplasms ; Mammography

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) was first reported by J. Erdheim and W. Chester, in 1930. There are less than 250 reported cases till date. We report a case of ECD in a 16- year-old Malay male, who initially presented with elusive anemic symptoms with more specific symptoms of bony pain, cardiorespiratory and hepatic involvement evolving as the disease progressed.

Objective: Social Networking Sites (SNS) are gaining popularity across different cultures and age groups with its increasing role in the day-to-day life of its users. Objective of the present investigation is to study the SNS use and its relationship with online and real-life social capital, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships in normal and clinical population. Methods: The sample consisted of 93 participants of the age range 17-37 years, 63 participants from the general population and 30 from the clinical population with a diagnosis of any depressive or anxiety spectrum disorder. The tools used for this study are Basic Data Sheet, the Facebook Intensity Scale, Internet addiction Test, Internet Social Capital Scale. Results: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Sentence Completion Test Results show that Facebook use has a positive correlation with online bonding and bridging capital. A significantly higher percentage of participants from the clinical group met the criteria for problem use of the Internet. Compared to average users, problem users of the Internet are found to have higher mean scores for online bridging capital and conflicts in inter-personal relationships and lower mean scores for real life bonding capital and self-esteem. Conclusions: It necessitates an exploration of Facebook's use patterns in routine evaluation and management of clinical conditions and implies the need for further research to develop explanatory models and management strategies for problematic use of the Internet.

Introduction: The aims of this randomised study were to compare the induction characteristics of sevoflurane using vital capacity breath technique to that of tidal breathingtechnique in adults undergoing day-care surgery., and to compare patients' acceptance of these two techniques. Methods: Sixty ASA I and II adult patients undergoing day-care surgery were randomly allocated to receive either the vital capacity breath or tidal breathing technique for induction of anaesthesia with 7.5% sevoflurane in nitrous oxide and oxygen. Haemodynamic changes, induction characteristics and patients' acceptance were compared. Results: The mean time for induction was significantly faster with the vital capacity breath technique. There were no significant differences in haemodynamic changes and oxygenation during induction between these two groups. There was a significant increase in incidence of exictatory movement in patients receiving the tidal breathing technique. Either technique was found to be acceptable by most of the patients studied. Conclusion: The vital capacity breath technique appears to be better tolerated with shorter onset time and less movement during induction of anaesthesia. As it is well accepted by the patients and has a stable haemodynamic profile, its use should be encouraged.

Radiofrequency ablation is one of the more established forms of local treatment in patients with unresectable tumours, including colorectal hepatic metastases. Complications associated with this method of intervention include thermal and mechanical injuries, including vascular insults resulting in haemorrhage or pseudoaneurysm formation. This is the first case demonstrating the detection of post-ablation acute pseudoaneurysm formation identified on the table using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and the subsequent successful management.

The knowledge of the relationship of the vertebral artery with the atlas is very important, in order to avoid any injury to the vertebral artery, during surgeries in the craniovertebral region. Different researchers have measured the distance of the vertebral artery from the midline along the posterior arch of atlas (oblique distance), but some authors have measured the perpendicular distance of vertebral artery from the midline. Usually, it is the perpendicular distance along which the surgeons are exploring in this region. Hence, the present study was planned to study and compare both oblique and perpendicular distances of the vertebral artery from the midline and find out statistical differences between these two parameters. It was carried out on 30 atlas vertebrae of Indian origin. The oblique and perpendicular distances of vertebral artery groove from midline and the thickness of vertebral artery groove were measured. The results suggest that dissection on the posterior aspect of the arch of atlas should remain 17.00 mm lateral to the midline and dissection on the superior aspect of the arch of atlas should remain 8.00 mm from the midline to prevent injury to the vertebral artery. It was also observed that “oblique distances of vertebral artery groove from the midline to the medial margin of inner and outer cortex are larger than the corresponding perpendicular distances from the midline”. Although, the differences of oblique and perpendicular distances are not statistically significant but it may be clinically significant for the surgeons operating in the craniovertebral region. Hence, it is concluded that the surgeon should be aware of both the distances while operating in the craniovertebral region to avoid any iatrogenic injury to the vertebral artery.