Mild encephalitis with reversible lesion in the splenium (MERS) is a clinicoradiological syndrome presenting as a solitary lesion in the central portion of the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) with a radiological finding of restricted diffusion and low apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Complete resolution of the lesion on follow-up imaging and full clinical recovery are the hallmarks of this syndrome, even with only supportive therapy. MERS is usually associated with normal Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and an excellent prognosis, even without corticosteroid therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the ideal modality for initial diagnosis and follow-up. Not many cases of this uncommon clinicoradiological syndrome with transient elevation of CSF proteins have been reported. In the subsequent sections, we present a case report of this unusual clinicoradiological entity with raised CSF protein. We also elaborate on possible differential diagnoses and the syndrome’s proposed pathophysiology.

No abstract available.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Brain/*pathology ; Brain Neoplasms/*pathology ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gadolinium DTPA/diagnostic use ; *HIV Seropositivity ; Humans ; Image Enhancement/methods ; Immunocompetence ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/*pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/*methods ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: Spinal intramedullary tuberculoma (SIMT) is rare, accounting for 2/100,000 cases of tuberculosis and only 0.2% of all cases of central nervous system(CNS) tuberculosis. We share our experiences of 11 cases of this entity for improving diagnosis and conceptualize the management of this rare disease. METHODS: The clinical profile, radiological data and management of 11 cases of SIMT which were managed either conservatively or by surgical intervention during last 27 years (1987-2014) were analysed. RESULTS: Male:female ratio was 1.75:1. Five cases had associated pulmonary Koch's. Most common site was thoracic cord. Two cases had concurrent multiple intracranial tuberculoma. Most common presentation was paraparesis. X-ray myelography was performed in two patients in the initial period of study suggesting intramedullary pathology. In the subsequent nine cases who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), seven showed typical "target sign" and conglomerate ring lesion. Out of 8 surgically managed patients, 6 cases improved rapidly and in 2 patients gradual improvement was seen in follow-up. Most common indication of surgical excision was rapid neurological deterioration followed by diagnosis in doubt. Histopathology confirmed tuberculous etiology of the intramedullary lesion in all. Clinical and radiological improvement was seen in all 3 conservatively managed patients in follow-up. CONCLUSION: MRI findings of SIMT were specific and proven histologically correct. Surgical intervention may be indicated if there is no response to chemotherapy, the diagnosis is in doubt, or there is a rapid deterioration in neurological function because surgical outcome is good in these circumstances.
Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Paraparesis ; Pathology ; Rare Diseases ; Tuberculoma* ; Tuberculoma, Intracranial ; Tuberculosis

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.

Objective:To evaluate the wound healing activity of the methanolic root extract of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. (B. lanzan), with a focus on antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties.
Methods: The extract was evaluated for its wound healing properties (excision and incision models) as evident from the analysis of tensile strength and wound contraction. The extract was also screened for antibacterial properties against different Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains. B. lanzan was also studied for its effect on biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilms. The synergistic effect of B. lanzan was determined in combination with gentamicin.
Results:Topical application of B. lanzan (10%w/w ointment) significantly increased (40.84%) the tensile strength in the incision wound model. B. lanzan also showed significant wound healing activity in excision model and such significant activity was observed from the 9th day. Whereas Soframycin displayed significant wound healing activity from the 6th day. It was found that root extracts of B. lanzan revealed significant inhibition against all tested pathogens. B. lanzan displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (MIC 0.625 mg/mL) and Gram negative (MIC 0.625-1.25 mg/mL). B. lanzan was able to reduce biofilm formation and also caused disruption of preformed biofilms in a manner similar to ciprofloxacin. However, gentamicin was found to be ineffective against biofilms formed by Gram negative organism. According to the fractional inhibitory concentration index, B. lanzan displayed synergistic activity when it was combined with gentamicin.
Conclusions:From this study it may be concluded that the root extract of B. lanzan revealed significant wound healing potential, which was supported and well correlated with pronounced antibacterial activity of the tested plant parts.

Ten patients with gastric scarring and an outlet obstruction secondary to ingestion of corrosive substances were referred to our department for surgical management, between May 1999 and April 2003. Hydrochloric acid was the most common corrosive ingested (4 cases), although many were not aware of the nature of the ingested substance. An associated esophageal stricture was present in 5 cases (50%). All the patients initially underwent feeding jejunostomy, with definitive surgery performed at a later date. A partial gastrectomy was found to be the most satisfactory procedure, and was performed in 90% of the cases (9 patients).
Adult ; *Caustics ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction/*chemically induced/*surgery ; Human ; Jejunostomy ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: Controversy exists over the pain during prostate biopsy. Periprostatic nerve block is a commonly used anaesthetic technique during transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. The recent trend toward increasing the number of cores has become popular. This practice further increases the need for a proper anaesthetic application. We compared the efficacy of periprostatic nerve block with or without intraprostatic nerve block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective double-blinded placebo-controlled study at our institute with 142 consecutive patients. Patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Group 1 received periprostatic nerve block with intraprostatic nerve block with 1% lignocaine. Group 2 patients were administered periprostatic nerve block only with 1% lignocaine. Group 3 received no anaesthesia. Patients were asked to grade their level of pain by using an 11-point linear analogue scale at the time of ultrasound probe insertion, at the time of anaesthesia, during biopsy, and 30 minutes after biopsy. RESULTS: The study groups were comparable in demographic profile, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and prostate size. The mean pain scores at the time of biopsy in groups 1, 2, and 3 were 2.70, 3.39, and 4.16, respectively. Group 1 recorded the minimum mean pain score of 2.70 during prostate biopsy, which was significantly lower than the scores of groups 2 and 3 (p<0.001). There were no significant differences in pain scores among the 3 groups during probe insertion, during anaesthesia, or at 30 minutes after biopsy (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periprostatic nerve block with intraprostatic nerve block provides better pain control than does periprostatic nerve block alone in TRUS-guided prostate biopsy.
Analgesia ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Needle ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Needles ; Nerve Block ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen

OBJECTIVE: The use of non-platinum drugs in concurrent chemoradiation in carcinoma cervix has not been well explored and hence a two arm study was planned to compare the outcome of concomitant cisplatin or gemcitabine in locally advanced carcinoma cervix. METHODS: Thirty six patients were evaluated in this study for response rates and complications. These patients were divided into two arms, sixteen patients in the cisplatin arm and twenty patients in the gemcitabine arm. Cisplatin and gemcitabine were given as i.v. infusion at doses of 40 mg/m2 and 150 mg/m2 respectively for five weeks concomitant with radiotherapy. All patients had received pelvic radiotherapy to a dose of 50 Gy/25 fraction/5 weeks by four field box technique followed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy (3 sessions, each of 7.5 Gy to point A). RESULTS: Median follow up was of 10.4 months (range, 3 to 36 months) and 10.9 months (range, 2 to 49 months) in the cisplatin and gemcitabine arms, respectively. At first follow up, 68.8% in the cisplatin arm and 70% in the gemcitabine arm had achieved complete response (p=0.93). Similar response rates were noted in different stages in both arms. None of the patients except one developed grade 4 toxicity. Similar toxicity profiles were observed in both arms. Local disease control, distant disease free survival and overall survival was 68.8% vs. 70%, 93.8% vs. 85%, 68.8% vs. 60% in the cisplatin and gemcitabine arms, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weekly gemcitabine had similar disease control and tolerable toxicity profile with cisplatin. Gemcitabine may be used as an alternative to cisplatin in patients with compromised renal function.
Arm ; Brachytherapy ; Cervix Uteri ; Cisplatin ; Deoxycytidine ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

Hospital management in modern milieu has become patient oriented and good patient outcome is a result of effective and efficient medical care along with provisions of hygienic food, clean linen, safe environment, congenial atmosphere and good interpersonal relationship.[1] Laundry is one such important support service which ensures prevention as well as containment of hospital infections and is also a determining factor for maintenance of good image of a hospital.[2]

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate a possible association between the anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (anti-tTG) titer and stage of duodenal mucosal damage and assess a possible cut-off value of anti-tTG at which celiac disease (CD) may be diagnosed in children in conjunction with clinical judgment. METHODS: This observational study was conducted at a gastroenterology clinic in a tertiary hospital from April 2012 to May 2013. Seventy children between 6-months and 18-years-old with suspected CD underwent celiac serology and duodenal biopsy. Statistical analyses were done using SPSS 16. Diagnostic test values were determined for comparing the anti-tTG titer with duodenal biopsy. An analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer tests were performed for comparing the means between groups. A receiver operating characteristics curve was plotted to determine various cut-off values of anti-tTG. RESULTS: The mean antibody titer increased with severity of Marsh staging (p<0.001). An immunoglobulin (Ig) A-tTG value at 115 AU/mL had 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity with a 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 17% negative predictive value (NPV) for diagnosis of CD (p<0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–1). CONCLUSION: There is an association between the anti-tTG titer and stage of duodenal mucosal injury in children with CD. An anti-tTG value of 115 AU/mL (6.4 times the upper normal limit) had 76% sensitivity, 100% specificity, with a 100% PPV, and 17% NPV for diagnosing CD (95% CI, 0.75–1). This cut-off may be used in combination with clinical judgment to diagnose CD.
Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Celiac Disease ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Duodenitis ; Gastroenterology ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Judgment ; Observational Study ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Wetlands