Plants are used as medicine since ancient time, in organized (Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha) and unorganized (folk, native & tribal) form. In these systems, drugs are described either in Sanskrit or vernacular languages. Avartani (Helicteres isora Linn.) is a medicinal plant which is used in several diseases. It is commonly known as Marodphali, Marorphali, Enthani etc. due to screw like appearance of its fruit. Avartani is used as a folk medicine to treat snake bite, diarrhoea and constipation of new born baby. In the research, antioxidant, hypolipidaemic, antibacterial and antiplasmid activities, cardiac antioxidant, antiperoxidative potency, brain-antioxidation potency, anticancer activity, antinociceptive activity, hepatoprotective activity, anti-diarrheal activity and wormicidal activity in this plant were reviewed.

Objective:To evaluate the presence and antibiogram pattern of Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in retail poultry meat products. Methods: Foodborne pathogens (Salmonella and S. aureus) were isolated from poultry meat and confirmed with the help of biochemical and immunological test. Antibiogram of the isolates were examined by following CLSI methods. Results: A total number of 209 poultry meat samples were collected and studied in this study. Out of which, 5.26%were found contaminated with Salmonella while 18.18%were found contaminated with S. aureus. All the Salmonella and S. aureus isolates were found resistant to at least one antibiotic. About 72.72%of the Salmonella isolates showed resistance to tetracycline, while S. aureus isolates were also found highly resistant to tetracycline equal to 44.73%. One of the Salmonella isolates showed multi-drug resistance to almost six antibiotics out of nine antibiotics used in the study. Multidrug resistant S. aureus isolates were also found in the study. Conclusions: The study confirmed the presence of Salmonella and S. aureus in retail poultry meat. It is a potential threat to consumer health. To reduce the risk of contamination, good hygiene practices are necessary from processing to storage.

Amoebic liver abscess (ALA) with jaundice and encephalopathy is a rare occurrence and has been recognised and studied more frequently in recent years. We present a case of massive ALA presenting with jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, and septicaemia that was treated successfully with percutaneous drainage of the abscess, right-sided chest tube insertion, and anti-amoebic therapy.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a severe, potentially fatal necrotizing pyelonephritis with a variable clinical presentation, ranging from mild abdominal pain to septic shock. The majority of cases occur in diabetics with poor glycemic control, while a small percentage may be due to urinary tract obstruction. We present a case of a 57 year old male patient, diabetic on treatment, presenting with left fl ank pain and poor stream of urine since one week. Laboratory tests revealed that the patient had electrolyte imbalance, ketoacidosis and high blood sugar. Urine culture was positive for Escherichia coli with a signifi cant colony count. Radiological examination gave a diagnosis of Left Type 1 Emphysematous Pyelonephritis. Inspite of giving vigorous resuscitation and antibiotics with nephrostomy, the patient had to undergo nephrectomy due to extensive renal parenchymal destruction. The nephrectomy specimen was studied in detail to know the histopathological fi ndings in a case of diabetic patient with emphysematous pyelonephritis. We present this case not only because of it being a rare complication of diabetes, but also to focus on the histopathological fi ndings of the same, documentation of which is limited in literature.

OBJECTIVEDebate continues regarding the management of calcaneal fractures, between open reduction and internal fixation and closed treatment. Hence we aim at evaluating the radiological and functional outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation in displaced joint depression type of calcaneal fractures fixed with locking calcaneal plate.

METHODSIn this series, 28 patients (26 unilateral and 2 bilateral) with joint depression type of calcaneal fractures as per Essex-Lopresti classification system were operated on with locking calcaneal plate within 3 weeks of injury. Patients were evaluated in terms of associated injuries and X-rays of anteroposterior, lateral and axial views of the calcaneum. CT scan was done to assess the amount of comminution and articular depression. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically at least for 1 year. Radiological assessment was done by Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle along with measurement of calcaneal height and width. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale.

RESULTSAt average follow-up of 14.5 months, average AOFAS score was 86.3 (range 66 to 97), with 86% having excellent to good results and 2 (7.7%) and 1 (3.7%) having fair and poor results respectively. All patients had stable ankle joint with all having dorsiflexion and plantar flexion more than 30 degrees. Average subtalar range of motion was 17 degrees The mean Bohler's angle, mean Gissane's angle, calcaneal height and width were 25.47 degrees 121.3 degrees 4.32 cm and 3.81 cm respectively at final follow-up. Three patients had flap necrosis at incision site and one had superficial and deep infection. Subtalar arthritis was seen in 5 patients, whereas sural nerve hypoaesthesia in 1 patient. None of the patients had compartment syndrome, heel pad problems, peroneal tendinitis, reflex sympathetic dystropy or implant failure.

CONCLUSIONOpen reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneal plate gives sound functional outcome, i.e. restoring anatomically reconstruction of height, width, Bohler's and Gissiane's angles of the calcaneum, and allowing early mobilization.

A 45 year old woman was diagnosed as having anteromedial radial head dislocation and distal radius fracture five months after her injury on right forearm. The radial head dislocation led to ulnar nerve compression. She had severe restriction of her elbow movements. She was treated with arthrolysis, decompression of the ulnar nerve and radial head resection. The reverse Essex Lopresti injury and radial head dislocation compressing the ulnar nerve has not been reported in English language literature to the best of our knowledge. A mechanism is proposed for the injury. In acute presentations, restoration of both the radioulnar joints should be done and neglected nature of such injury leads to suboptimal outcomes.
Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Radius ; injuries ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; Ulna ; injuries ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes ; etiology

CDRI compound no. 99/411 is a potent 1,2,4-trioxane antimalarial candidate drug under development at our Institute. An HPLC method for determination of CDRI 99/411 with its starting material and intermediates has been developed and validated for in process quality control and stability studies. The analytical performance parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were determined according to International Conference on Harmonization ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. HPLC separation was achieved on a RP-select B Lichrospheres column (250 mm ? 4 mm, 5μm, Merck) using water containing 0.1%glacial acetic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase in a gradient elution. The eluents were monitored by a photo diode array detector at 245 and 275 nm. Based on signal to noise ratio of 3 and 10 the LOD of CDRI 99/411 was 0.55 mg/mL, while the LLOQ was 1.05 mg/mL. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 1.05-68 mg/mL. Precision of the method was determined by inter- and intra-assay variations within the acceptable range.

Ascorbic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child Nutrition Disorders ; complications ; diet therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Femoral Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Femur ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; complications ; diet therapy ; Radiography ; Scurvy ; diagnosis ; diet therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome