The antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of Centella asiatica and Andrographis paniculata leaves was observed against fourteen fungi, viz., Alternaria alternata, A. brassicae, A. brassicicola, A. solani, A. tenuissima, Cercospora blumae, Curvularia lunata, C. penniseti, and Drechslera monoceras, D. oryzae, D. turitica, Fusarium albizziae and F. udum. Different concentrations of the methanolic extract (1000, 2000, 3000, 5000, 7000, 10000ppm) were used. The effect of mixed leaf extract (1500 ppm of C. asiatica + 1500 ppm of A. paniculata) and its 1:2 ad 1:4 dilutions were also studied. The individual extracts of both the plants showed significant inhibitory effect on spore germination of all the fungi tested. F. udum, F. albizzae, D. oryzae, D. turtica, and D. monoceras were particularly sensitive to these extracts. In general, the extract of C. asiatica showed a higher inhibitory effect in all concentrations against all the fungi as compared to A. paniculata, except for A. brassicae A. solani, D. oryzae, D. penniseti and Curvularia sp. The inhibitory effect of extracts increased when they were used in combination with or without dilutions against A. brassicicola, A. solani A. brassicae, A. alternata, A. tenussima, C. blumae, C. lunata, C. penniseti and Curvularia species. Higher efficacy of active ingredient of these extracts under field condition is envisaged against plant pathogens.
Albizzia ; Alternaria ; Andrographis* ; Brassica ; Centella* ; Fungi ; Fusarium ; Germination ; Methanol* ; Oryza ; Plants ; Spores

Adult ; Female ; Hemangioma ; complications ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; Lipoma ; complications ; Lung Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; Tuberous Sclerosis ; complications ; diagnosis

This is a report of a study on the long term results of PHILOS plating and percutaneous K-wire fixation in a prospective series of proximal humerus fractures in elderly patients. We reviewed a total of 60 patients with proximal humerus fractures in 30 patients (Group 1), who were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Proximal Humeral Internal Locking System (PHILOS) plate and 30 patients(Group 2) who were treated with percutaneous K-wire fixation. Functional outcome was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Constant-Murley Score. Mean Constant-Murley score was 84.6 points (range: 61-100) in Group 1 and - 76.4 points(range:56-100) in Group2 at final follow up. Values varied depending upon the fracture type with worst in 4-part fractures. Mean VAS Score was 2.6(range:0-10) in Group 1 and 3.8(range:0-10) in Group 2. We obtained satisfactory results in both the groups, with each procedure having its advantages and shortcomings. We found that PHILOS plate fixation provided stable fixation with minimal implant problems and enabled early range-ofmotionexercises to achieve acceptable functional results. Fixation with percutaneous K-wires presented an efficient treatment option with the advantages of minimal invasiveness and soft tissue dissection.
Humeral Fractures

AIMTo investigate the role of CAG and GGN repeats as genetic background affecting androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) phenotype.

METHODSWe analyzed lengths of androgen receptor (AR)-CAG and GGN repeats in 69 AIS cases, along with 136 unrelated normal male individuals. The lengths of repeats were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by allelic genotyping to determine allele length.

RESULTSOur study revealed significantly shorter mean lengths of CAG repeats in patients (mean 18.25 repeats, range 14-26 repeats) in comparison to the controls (mean 22.57 repeats, range 12-39 repeats) (two-tailed P < 0.0001). GGN repeats, however, did not differ significantly between patients (mean 21.48 repeats) and controls (mean 21.21 repeats) (two-tailed P = 0.474). Among patients' groups, the mean number of CAG repeats in partial androgen insensitivity cases (mean 15.83 repeats) was significantly less than in complete androgen insensitivity cases (mean 19.46 repeats) (two-tailed P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggest that shorter lengths of repeats in the AR gene might act as low penetrance genetic background in varying manifestation of androgen insensitivity.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; genetics ; DNA ; genetics ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Phenotype ; Receptors, Androgen ; genetics ; Regression Analysis ; Testosterone ; blood ; Trinucleotide Repeats ; genetics

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effects of 19-nortestosterone (NT) on the growth and development of the ventral prostate (VP), epididymis, and seminal vesicles (SV) in hypogonadal (hpg) mice.

METHODSThe silastic tube filled with NT was implanted subdermally into mature hpg mice (n = 7) for five weeks. Similar silastic tubes without NT were implanted into both of hpg mouse control group (n = 7) and normal mouse group (n = 10) instead. The weights of sex accessory glands and the branch tip number of VP from all mice were evaluated.

RESULTSThe weights of VP, SV, and epididymis in NT treated hpg group were significantly higher than those of hpg control group (P < 0.005); and the branching morphology of the VP showed a tendency to be normal and the development of prostate ductal tip was improved significantly. Especially, the weight of SV in NT treated hpg mice was equal to that of normal mice, while the weights of VP, epididymis and branching tip number in NT treated hpg group was still significantly lower than that of normal mice (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONSThe NT treatment significantly stimulates the growth and development of the sex accessory gland in mature hpg mouse.

Animals ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Genitalia, Male ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Hypogonadism ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice ; Nandrolone ; therapeutic use ; Prostate ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seminal Vesicles ; drug effects ; growth & development

The effect of methanolic extract of cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale) shell extract was seen on conidial germination of Erysiphe pisi and powdery mildew development in pea (Pisum sativum). Maximum conidial germination inhibition of E. pisi on glass slides was observed at 300 ppm. Similar effect on floated pea leaves was observed after 48 h at the same concentration. Conidial germination on intact untreated pea leaves was also assessed on II and IV nodal leaves while IV and II nodal leaves were treated with the extract and vice versa. There was tremendous reduction in conidial germination on all the nodal leaves. The disease intensity of pea powdery mildew was significantly reduced by methanolic extract of cashewnut shells. Maximum reduction was observed with 200 ppm where 39% disease intensity was recorded in comparison to 96.53% in the control. The phenolic acid content of pea leaves following treatments with this extract varied and no definite pattern was observed. Out of several phenolic compounds, namely, gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids, only gallic acid was found to be present consistently in all the treatments with varied amounts.
Anacardium ; Gallic Acid ; Germination ; Glass ; Hydroxybenzoates ; Methanol ; Peas ; Phenol

Atlanto-occipital assimilation is an osseous embryological anomaly of the craniovertebral junction in which the atlas (C1) is fused to the occiput of skull. Embryologically, this assimilation may happen due to failure of the segmentation and separation of the caudal occipital and the cranial cervical sclerotome. The segmentation clock is maintained by NOTCH and WNT signalling pathways along with Hox genes and retinoic acid. This condition is likely to be a consequence of mutation in above mentioned genes. The knowledge of this assimilation may be crucial for the clinicians as it may lead to various neurovascular symptoms. The present case report involves the analysis of atlanto-occipital assimilation with its clinical significance and embryological basis.

BACKGROUND: Epidural injections are performed utilizing 3 approaches in the lumbar spine: caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal. The literature on the efficacy of epidural injections has been sporadic. There are few high-quality randomized trials performed under fluoroscopy in managing disc herniation that have a long-term follow-up and appropriate outcome parameters. There is also a lack of literature comparing the efficacy of these 3 approaches. METHODS: This manuscript analyzes data from 3 randomized controlled trials that assessed a total of 360 patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 120 patients per trial either receiving local anesthetic alone (60 patients) or local anesthetic with steroids (60 patients). RESULTS: Analysis showed similar efficacy for caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal approaches in managing chronic pain and disability from disc herniation. The analysis of caudal epidural injections showed the potential superiority of steroids compared with local anesthetic alone a 2-year follow-up, based on the average relief per procedure. In the interlaminar group, results were somewhat superior for pain relief in the steroid group at 6 months and functional status at 12 months. Interlaminar epidurals provided improvement in a significantly higher proportion of patients. The proportion of patients nonresponsive to initial injections was also lower in the group for local anesthetic with steroid in the interlaminar trial. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this assessment show significant improvement in patients suffering from chronic lumbar disc herniation with 3 lumbar epidural approaches with local anesthetic alone, or using steroids with long-term follow-up of up to 2 years, in a contemporary interventional pain management setting.
Chronic Pain ; Fluoroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Injections, Epidural* ; Pain Management ; Radiculopathy ; Spine ; Steroids

In most of the medical colleges in India, unclaimed bodies from various mortuaries reach the dissection hall; and here, the body donors club has yet to gain the desired dimensions. In spite of all the adverse circumstances, the cadaver and the dissection both have survived the most rigorous test of pedagological fitness--the test of time. Today, many of the Western countries have long donor waiting lists where cadavers are acquired as anatomical gifts or through body donor programmes. Thailand's approach to body donors offers a role model for resolving the present situation. The spirit of volunteerism reflects the drastic shift in public perception and a global change in approach is needed in the present time.
Anatomy ; education ; Cadaver ; Dissection ; Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; Humans ; India ; Tissue Donors

Adenocarcinoma ; complications ; Female ; Hernia ; etiology ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; etiology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Middle Aged