Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm ; complications ; Humans ; Male ; Syndrome ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; physiopathology

Plants synthesize certain phytoconstituents for their protection, which, because they are not of primary need, are known as secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites of plants, have often been found to have medicinal uses for human beings. One such gymnosperm having secondary metabolites of medicinal potential for humans is Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan yew). Besides being the source of taxol, this plant has been investigated for its essential oil, diterpenoids, lignans, steroids, sterols and biflavonoids. Traditionally, it is used to treat disorders of the digestive, respiratory, nervous and skeletal systems. Although pharmacologically underexplored, it has been used for antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antipyretic, analgesic, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial activities. The present review compiles traditional uses, phytochemical constituents (specifically the secondary metabolites) pharmacological activities and the toxicity of T. wallichiana.

A sensitive electroanalytical method for quantification of pheniramine in pharmaceutical formulation has been investigated on the basis of the enhanced electrochemical response at glassy carbon electrode modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes in the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate.The experimental results suggest that the phcniramine in anionic surfactant solution exhibits electrocatalytic effect resulting in a marked enhancement of the peak current response.Peak current response is linearly dependent on the concentration of pheniramine in the range 200-1500 μg/mL with correlation coefficient 0.9987.The limit of detection is 58.31 μg/m L.The modified electrode shows good sensitivity and repeatability.

Electrochemical reduction behavior of Adefovir was studied using Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode (HMDE) in Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution.Voltammetric study showed one well-defined reduction peak in the potential range -1.2 to -1.4 V (vs.Ag/AgCl) due to reduction of C=N bond of the imidazole ring.Solid-phase extraction and protein-precipitation techniques were employed for extraction of Adefovir from human plasma.The proposed method allows quantification of Adefovir in human plasma over the concentration range 0.50-5.00 μg/mL with the detection limit 0.17 μg/mL,whereas in pharmaceutical formulation 0.25-2.25 μg/mL with the detection limit 0.08 μg/mL.

Objectives: The main objectives of the study were to determine: (i) the prevalence of depression among breast cancer patients in Nepal; (ii) the association between depression and socio-demographic and disease related variables; and (iii) to explore correlates and predictors of depression among these patients. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Structured form for sociodemographic and disease related information, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to collect information from 120 participants. The study was conducted at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Nepal. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 16. Results: The mean age of respondents was 51.92 (S.D=10.1783).The mean depression score was 11.266 (S.D=2.782) and mean anxiety score was 11.81 (S.D=3.47). 4.2% had severe depression, 60% had moderate depression, and 29.2% respondents had mild levels of depression. There were no significant difference between age group, marital status, family status, time since diagnosis, and treatment done with depression level of respondents where-as educational level (p=0.014), occupation (p=0.001), and anxiety level of respondents (p=0.000) had significant impact on depression. Depression was found to be negatively correlated with educational status of respondents (r=-0.226, P=0.013) and positively correlated with anxiety level of respondents (r=0.450, P=0.000). Educational status (P=0.008, B=-0.466 and Beta=-0.212) along with anxiety level of respondents (P=0.000, B=0.369 and Beta=0.461) accounts for 30.4% of variance in depression level of respondents (F=25.494 and R2=0.304). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among breast cancer patients was high. Psychological morbidities compromise the treatment and quality of life of the patient. Thus management of cancer should include screening for psychological morbidities, Psychological rehabilitation should be provided along with anti-cancer treatment.

All the components of the kallikrein-kinin system are located in the cardiac muscle, and its deficiency may lead to cardiac dysfunction. In recent years, numerous observations obtained from clinical and experimental models of diabetes, hypertension, cardiac failure, ischaemia, myocardial infarction and left ventricular hypertrophy, have suggested that the reduced activity of the local kallikrein-kinin system may be instrumental for the induction of cardiovascular -related diseases. The cardioprotective property of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors is primarily mediated via kinin releasing pathway, which may cause regression of the left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive situations. The ability of kallikrein gene delivery to produce a wide spectrum of beneficial effects makes it an excellent candidate in treating hypertension, cardiovascular and renal diseases. In addition, stable kinin agonists may also be available in the future as therapeutic agents for cardiovascular and renal disorders.

To investigate the potential of hydroethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera (MOHE) against 7, 12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene (DMBA)-induced toxicity in male Swiss albino mice.

To scrutinize the protective role of hydroethanolic extract of Euphorbia neriifolia leaves (HEEN) against N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in male Swiss albino mice.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain are uncommon congenital lesions with a complex array of arterial to venous shunts. The common clinical manifestations include haemorrhage, seizures, headache, progressive neurologic defi cits and congestive cardiac failure. We report a child who presented with bilateral acquired ptosis, a very rare presentation of AVM which has not been previously reported.

Sepsis is a common cause of death in infants and children. Haemostatic abnormalities have been reported in such patients. There is scant information on the nature and frequency of these abnormalities in children especially from India. Our aim was to evaluate the nature and frequency of haematological and haemostatic abnormalities in children with sepsis. Fifty children between 1-10 years of age admitted with sepsis and 50 age-matched, healthy controls were included in the study. Complete blood counts, examination of stained peripheral blood film, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), plasma fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, liver function tests and serum creatinine were done in all patients and controls. Prolonged PT and APTT were seen in 9 (18%) and 24 (48%) patients respectively. Plasma fibrinogen was decreased in 6% and increased in 8% patients. One or more haemostatic parameter was abnormal in 35 (70%) patients and in all patients who died.