Beneficial role of allicin from garlic in cervical cancer

Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a global health concern for females. Thus, in order to control cervical cancer, attempts are being made by researchers globally to somehow induce programmed cell death in the said cancerous cells. Wide spectrums of molecules are being probed for its ability to induce apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. Focus has now shifted in exploring natural compounds having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules that may induce apoptosis in cancerous cells. Thus, we have employed allicin from garlic- a natural antioxidant, to probe the above in the present study.
Objective: To probe whether or not allicin from garlic, a natural antioxidant, induces apoptosis in monocytes from patients with cervical cancer.
Results: Allicin (500 ng/ml) reduced cell viability to 27% after 24 hours of treatment. Moreover, allicin-induced apoptosis was ascertained by measuring the activity of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9-like proteases in allicin treated and untreated monocytes from cervical cancer patients. Monocyte co-cultured with allicin for 24 hrs exhibited higher activity of caspase-3 followed by caspase-8 and caspase-9 like proteases, thereby indicating that the activation of caspase-3 like proteases was associated with reduced cell survival and apoptotic death of allicin-treated cervical cancer monocytes. This was ascertained by pre-treatment of cancer cells with cell permeable inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK (caspase-3 inhibitor), Z-IETD-FMK (caspase-8 inhibitor) and Z-LEHD-FMK (caspase-9 inhibitor) followed by allicin for 24 hrs (p<0.001). In this case, the cell viability assay showed that the presence of Z-VAD-FMK inhibitor blocked the effect of allicin on the viability of cancer monocytes (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Allicin from garlic may act as an adjunct in the chemotherapy of cervical cancer.
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Azadirachta indica induced suppression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis secreted proteins in human monocyte

The H37Rv strain of MTB was grown in modified Sauton’s medium till mid-log phase. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated by density gradient sedimentation on Ficoll-Paque separation medium. Adherent monocytes obtained from PBMC’s were infected with H37Rv for 90 min. in the ratio of 1:1 (1 bug: 1 cell). Thereafter, after washing, infected cells were co-cultured with varying doses of neem extract for 24 hrs, and harvested subsequently. Modulation of secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 complex expressions in culture supernatants was estimated by ELISA.
We report the high basal expression of secreted tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] (TNF-[alpha]), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and MTB Ag85 complex in MTB-infected monocytes was suppressed by neem extract in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001 for all). A concentration of 1ug/ml of neem extract showed a suppression by ~ 2.5-fold (P<0.001), 1.7-fold (P<0.001) and 1.8-fold (P<0.001) in the expressions of
secreted TNF-[alpha], iNOS and MTB Ag85 respectively in 24 hr culture supernatants of MTB-infected monocytes.
Thus, neem extract seems to be a potential future adjunct for in-depth studies in the management of tuberculosis

A case report: Giant cystic parathyroid adenoma presenting with parathyroid crisis after Vitamin D replacement

Background: Parathyroid adenoma with cystic degeneration is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. The clinical and biochemical presentation may mimic parathyroid carcinoma. Case presentation: We report the case of a 55 year old lady, who had longstanding history of depression and acid peptic disease. Serum calcium eight months prior to presentation was slightly high, but she was never worked up. She was found to be Vitamin D deficient while being investigated for generalized body aches. A month after she was replaced with Vitamin D, she presented to us with parathyroid crisis. Her corrected serum calcium was 23.0 mg/dL. She had severe gastrointestinal symptoms and acute kidney injury. She had unexplained consistent hypokalemia until surgery. Neck ultrasound and CT scan revealed giant parathyroid cyst extending into the mediastinum. After initial medical management for parathyroid crisis, parathyroid cystic adenoma was surgically excised. Her serum calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, creatinine and potassium levels normalized after surgery. Conclusion: This case of parathyroid crisis, with very high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels, is a rare presentation of parathyroid adenoma with cystic degeneration. This case also highlights that Vitamin D replacement may unmask subclinical hyperparathyroidism. Consistent hypokalemia until surgery merits research into its association with hypercalcemia

Vector meson spectral function and dilepton production rate in a hot and dense medium within an effective QCD approach

The properties of the vector meson current-current correlation function and its spectral representation are investigated in details with and without isoscalar-vector interaction within the framework of effective QCD approach, namely Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model and its Polyakov Loop extended version (PNJL), at finite temperature and finite density. The influence of the isoscalarvector interaction on the vector meson correlator is obtained using the ring resummation known as the Random Phase Approximation (RPA). The spectral as well as the correlation function in PNJL model show that the vector meson retains its bound property up to a moderate value of temperature above the phase transition. Using the vector meson spectral function we, for the first time, obtained the dilepton production rate from a hot and dense medium within the framework of PNJL model that takes into account the nonperturbative effect through the Polyakov Loop fields. The dilepton production rate in PNJL model is enhanced compared to NJL and Born rate in the deconfined phase due to the suppression of color degrees of freedom at moderate temperature. The presence of isoscalar-vector interaction further enhances the dileption rate over the Born rate in the low mass region. Further, we also have computed the Euclidean correlation function in vector channel and the conserved density fluctuation associated with temporal correlation function appropriate for a hot and dense medium. The dilepton rate and the Euclidean correlator are also compared with available lattice data and those quantities in PNJL model are found to agree well in certain domain.Comment: 30 pages, 16 figures, typos corrected, references added, to appear in JHE

Spurious hyperkalaemia: an insight

Hyperkalaemia is a common electrolyte disorder with potentially lethal consequences and can lead to life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias. Spurious hyperkalaemia, also known as pseudohyperkalaemia or factitious hyperkalaemiais, is also quite common in clinical practice and it\u27s a source of avoidable emergency department visits or hospital admissions. We report a case in which alarming hyperkalaemia was found in a patient having Chronic Monomyelocytic Leukaemia on two different occasions, later diagnosed to be spurious

Development of skin hypopigmentation in a patient with metastatic papillary carcinoma thyroid treated with Sorafenib.

Background: Sorafenib can be considered as the effective option of treatment in patients with metastatic radioiodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancers. The cutaneous manifestations of Sorafenib include rash, desquamation, hand foot skin reactions, pruritus, alopecia and erythema. We report the first case of hypopigmentation related to sorafenib therapy. Case presentation: We report the case of a middle aged gentleman with metastatic papillary carcinoma of thyroid diagnosed in 2005. He was managed with total thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine and TSH suppressive therapy. Despite receiving radioactive iodine 530 mci cumulative dose, patient had persistant disease with lung metastasis. Therefore a TKI, sorafenib, was started. He developed hypopigmentation of the skin more prominent on face six weeks after starting sorafenib treatment.He also developed diarrhea, desquamation of hands and feet, hair loss over scalp, eye brows and moustache. Sorafenib treatment was discontinued. His diarrhea stopped in one week and after four weeks his skin became normalized whereas he regained his hairs in six weeks. Conclusion: To our knowledge, hypopigmentation in our patient appears to be the first reported of its kind in the literature to date. Sorafenib is used in Renal cell carcinoma, Hepatcellular carcinoma and radioactive iodine refractory thyroid carcinoma therefore it is very important to be aware of hypopigmentation as a potential side effect for both physicians and patients

Use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and cyclonic separator for simultaneous NOx and PM reduction in DI diesel engines

This study presents the results of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and cyclonic separator for simultaneous oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) reduction in a direct injection (DI) diesel engine under different engine loads and speeds. There is a significant NOx reduction by EGR, but PM is hugely increased, especially at high EGR rate-high load conditions. A significant reduction in PM is achieved by the use of cyclonic separator without deteriorating other emissions. At high speed-high load conditions, the cyclonic separator has a greater efficiency. Both NOx and PM reduce simultaneously when EGR and cyclonic separator are used together. Using cyclonic separator with high EGR rates, a remarkable NOx reduction is possible keeping the PM level significantly lower than non-EGR level

Does choice of therapy save costs and improve outcomes in hyperthyroid patients

OBJECTIVE: To compare cost of treating hyperthyroidism with antithyroid medications (ATD) versus radioactive iodine (RAI). As secondary outcome we also analyzed data in terms of remission rates. METHODS: This was a retrospective comparative analysis of hyperthyroid patients treated with ATD or RAI from January 2000 to December 2005. Cost of ATD, TSH. FT4, doctors visits; thyroid technetium scan and RAI treatment were calculated for the duration of treatment and for one year of follow-up after remission. RESULTS: A total of 143 patients were included, with an average duration of follow-up of 32 months. Mean age was 41 +/- 15.5 years and M: F\u27 ratio was 1: 2. More expenses were incurred in treating patients with ATD (Rs. 28,900 +/- 15 400 or US$481.67 +/- 256.67) than with RAI (Rs.18.800 +/- 15800 or US$313.33 +/- 263.33). The former cost Rs.10,100 (US$ 168.33) more, (p \u3c 0.001; 95%). Remission rate in the RAI group were significantly higher than the ATD group (81.3% vs 49.5%, p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Treatment of hyperthyroid patients with RAI is not only better in terms of remission of disease, but it is also a more cost effective modality, and should be considered as first line of treatment

Preconception optimization of glycaemic control in diabetes

The prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing worldwide. In developing countries 25% of adult females with diabetes are in the reproductive age. Thus in developing countries increased number of pregnancies are complicated by diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes in pregnancy is associated with increased risk for both mother and foetus. These risks can be minimized by good control of diabetes before and during pregnancy. Management in the preconception period is discussed in this review article. Detailed management involves general advice of lifestyle modification followed by specific details of screening for complications of diabetes. Changes in the drugs for both glycaemic control and other co-morbid conditions are discussed. The recommended insulin regimen in the preconception period and monitoring of glycaemic control by self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and HbA1C has also been highlighted