Pongamol from the seeds of Tephrosia purpurea exert anti-cancer activity against cervical cancer cell line

Tephrosia purpurea belongs to the family Fabaceae, is used for the treatment of inflammation, diabetes, cancer, elephantitis, haemmaroids, anaemia, dysmenorrhea, chronic fever, boils, gingivitis etc. In the present study, three compounds (TP-1, TP-3 and TP-5) were isolated from EETP. Quantity of TP-3 (6.05 %) in EETP was determined by HPLC. In-vitro anti-cancer activity of EETP and isolated compound TP-3 on SiHa cells (cervical cancer cell lines) as well as PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5- di methyl thiazol -2-yl)-2,5-di phenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. Spectroscopic analysis and physical properties, structure of isolated compounds TP-1, TP-3 and TP-5 were characterized as teclenone, pongamol and β-sitosterol respectively. Isolated compound TP-3 showed cytotoxicity against SiHa cells with the IC50 33.06 µgmL-1. TP-3 showed cytotoxicity at all the concentrations but significant activity was observed at the concentration range from 20-50 µgmL-1 as compared to control. Maximum cytotoxicity (72.75%) was observed at the concentration of 50 µgmL-1. TP-3 showed non-significant cytotoxicity against PBMCs cells at all the concentrations except at 50 µgmL-1 (cytotoxicity 24.19%). EETP showed significant cytotoxic activity (IC50 value 113.63 µgmL-1) against SiHa cells at the concentration range from 75-150 µgmL-1 as compared to control. Maximum cytotoxicity (75.34%) was observed at the concentration of 150 µgmL-1

Assessment of Status of rpoB Gene in FNAC Samples of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis by Real-Time PCR

Introduction. Multidrug resistance tuberculosis (MDR TB), the combined resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RFM) is a major public health problem in India as it ranks second among the MDR-TB high burden countries worldwide. WHO recommends RFM resistance as a “surrogate marker” for detecting MDR. FNAC is the most widely used noninvasive investigative technique for TB lymphadenitis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, an extremely versatile technique can be used for the timely detection and treatment of MDR TB by assessing RFM resistance status in the FNAC samples of TB lymphadenitis. Aim. To assess the status of rpoB gene by real-time PCR in FNAC samples of TB lymphadenitis. Materials and Methods. Thirty FNAC samples from patients with persistent LAP or appearance of new LAP after 5 months or more of Anti Tubercular Treatment were assessed for status of rpoB gene by Real-Time PCR using probe covering the “hot spot resistance” region of the rpoB gene. Result. By using probe covering codons 531 and 526 of rpoB gene, we could detect 17 of 30 (56.7%) rifampin resistant isolate. The PCR could detect Mtb DNA in 100% of cases. Conclusion. Use of molecular methods like Real-Time PCR for detection of MDR-TB in FNAC samples is time saving, logical and economical approach over the culture based method

Multicentric extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of uterine adnexa in a young female: An unusual presentation

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma, mostly occurring in the proximal extremities and limb girdle. Majority of the patients are in fifth and sixth decades of life with male preponderance. We report here a case of primary extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the uterine adnexa involving the broad ligament and fallopian tube synchronously without any evidence of uterine/ovarian involvement in a young multiparous female of 27 years. After the histopathological diagnosis, re-excision of the tumor bed with wide local margins was recommended. Since the tumor has an aggressive course, with propensity for late recurrence and metastases to lungs, the patient must be considered for long-term follow-up

Evaluation of wistar rat model with pre-transplant subcutaneous transposition of spleen (STS) for possible role in improving results of orthotopic liver transplantation

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the rat model remains the animal model of choice for liver transplantation due to the availability of inbred strains, technically simple procedure and the lack of need for immunosuppression. A major limiting factor in the rat liver transplantation is the short anhepatic phase which is poorly tolerated due to ischemia reperfusion injury. Portosystemic shunt induced by subcutaneous transposition of spleen (STS) may help in preventing reperfusion injury. To study this hypothesis 8 rats were subjected to STS which was followed 3 weeks later by portal pedicle clamping for 60 min in 4 rats (STS-60) and 90 min in 4 rats (STS-90). The control group consisted of 8 rats undergoing sham laparotomy by left subcostal incision followed by portal pedicle clamping 3 weeks later for 60 min- 4 rats (SHAM-60) and for 90 min in 4 rats (SHAM-90). These groups were compared on the basis of survival, SGOT levels, intestinal congestion during clamping, collateral formation in the subcutaneous pouch and the histopathological examination of the liver. The ability of the shunt to prevent ischemia reperfusion injury was shown by the survival rate of 100% in STS-60 and STS-90 groups while sham operated groups SHAM-60 and SHAM-90 had survival rates of 25% and 0%, respectively. Intestinal congestion was noted during clamping in the sham operated group but was absent in the STS group. SGOT levels which rose in the first post portal clamping day returned to baseline levels by day 7 in the STS group. Histopathological examination of the livers in STS rats showed maintenance of hepatocellular architecture, absence of sinusoidal dilatation and absence of polymorphonuclear infiltrate. Subcutaneous transposition of spleen can therefore provide an effective portosystemic shunt which is easy to perform. It prolongs the anhepatic phase of rat liver transplantation and can be used to study various factors and mediators involved in ischemia reperfusion injury

A rare case of yolk sac tumor of the vagina: Cytology and histopathological findings

Yolk sac tumors, the most common germ cell tumor in young infants and children, however, are distinctly uncommon site in the vagina. A baby with bleeding per vaginum since one month presented at 9 months of age with raised Serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) but normal levels of ß-HCG and CA-125 is reported. Fine needle aspiration from the mass yielded material suggestive of a germ cell tumor. The histopathological findings further confirmed the diagnosis of a yolk sac tumor. Key ey words: yolk sac tumor, endodermal sinus tumor, pediatric, vagina, germ cell tumor, α-fetoprotei

Evaluation of wistar rat model with pre-transplant subcutaneous transposition of spleen (STS) for possible role in improving results of orthotopic liver transplantation

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the rat model remains the animal model of choice for liver transplantation due to the availability of inbred strains, technically simple procedure and the lack of need for immunosuppression. A major limiting factor in the rat liver transplantation is the short anhepatic phase which is poorly tolerated due to ischemia reperfusion injury. Portosystemic shunt induced by subcutaneous transposition of spleen (STS) may help in preventing reperfusion injury. To study this hypothesis 8 rats were subjected to STS which was followed 3 weeks later by portal pedicle clamping for 60 min in 4 rats (STS-60) and 90 min in 4 rats (STS-90). The control group consisted of 8 rats undergoing sham laparotomy by left subcostal incision followed by portal pedicle clamping 3 weeks later for 60 min- 4 rats (SHAM-60) and for 90 min in 4 rats (SHAM-90). These groups were compared on the basis of survival, SGOT levels, intestinal congestion during clamping, collateral formation in the subcutaneous pouch and the histopathological examination of the liver. The ability of the shunt to prevent ischemia reperfusion injury was shown by the survival rate of 100% in STS-60 and STS-90 groups while sham operated groups SHAM-60 and SHAM-90 had survival rates of 25% and 0%, respectively. Intestinal congestion was noted during clamping in the sham operated group but was absent in the STS group. SGOT levels which rose in the first post portal clamping day returned to baseline levels by day 7 in the STS group. Histopathological examination of the livers in STS rats showed maintenance of hepatocellular architecture, absence of sinusoidal dilatation and absence of polymorphonuclear infiltrate. Subcutaneous transposition of spleen can therefore provide an effective portosystemic shunt which is easy to perform. It prolongs the anhepatic phase of rat liver transplantation and can be used to study various factors and mediators involved in ischemia reperfusion injury

Expression of Concern to: Role of physiotherapy in the mobilization of patients with spinal cord injury undergoing human embryonic stem cells transplantation

The Editors-in-Chief of Clinical and Translational Medicine are issuing an editorial expression of concern to alert readers that concerns have been raised regarding the ethics of this study [1]. Appropriate editorial action will be taken once this has been fully investigated. Geeta Shroff disagrees with this notice. Dipin Thakur, Varun Dhingra, Deepak Singh Baroli, Deepanshu Khatri and Rahul Dev Gautam have not responded to our correspondence about this article

Pongamol from the seeds of Tephrosia purpurea exert anti-cancer activity against cervical cancer cell line

182-188Tephrosia purpurea belongs to the family Fabaceae, is used for the treatment of inflammation, diabetes, cancer, chronic fever, boils, gingivitis etc. In the present study, three compounds (TP-1, TP-3 and TP-5) were isolated from ethyl acetate extract of the seeds of T. purpurea (EETP). Quantity of TP-3 (6.05%) in EETP was determined by HPLC. In-vitro anti-cancer activity of EETP and isolated compound TP-3 on SiHa cells as well as PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5- di methyl thiazol -2-yl)-2,5-di phenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. On the basis of spectroscopic analysis and physical properties, structure of isolated compounds TP-1, TP-3 and TP-5 were characterized as teclenone, pongamol and β-sitosterol respectively. Isolated compound TP-3 showed cytotoxicity against SiHa cells with the IC50 33.06 μgmL-1. TP-3 showed significant cytotoxicity at the concentration range from 20-50 μgmL-1 as compared to control. Maximum cytotoxicity (72.75%) was observed at the concentration of 50 μgmL-1. TP-3 showed non-significant cytotoxicity against PBMCs cells at all the concentrations except at 50 μgmL-1 (cytotoxicity 24.19%). EETP showed significant cytotoxicity (IC50 value 113.63 μgmL-1) against SiHa cells at the concentration range from 75-150 μgmL-1 as compared to control. Maximum cytotoxicity (75.34%) was observed at the concentration of 150 μgmL-1

Maternal hemoglobin and risk of low birth weight: A hospital-based cross-sectional study in Nepal

Background: Maternal hemoglobin during pregnancy is an important predictor of neonatal outcomes such as birth weight. The newborn weight of an infant is considered a crucial factor for morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between maternal hemoglobin concentration and newborn weight at term pregnancy. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Kathmandu, Nepal from 14th April 2018 to 13th April 2019. Term singleton pregnant women who were admitted for delivery in the labor room of TUTH were included in this study. Maternal characteristics such as age, parity, birth space, ethnicity, education level, dietary habit, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin level were recorded. The newborn weight was taken immediately after delivery. The main outcome of this study was the birth weight. The association between hemoglobin level and newborn weight was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 2,418 term pregnant women, the prevalence of low hemoglobin and high hemoglobin levels were 24% (95% CI: 22–25.4), and 17% (95% CI: 15.7–18.7), respectively. The prevalence of low birth weight (LBW) was 12.9% (95% CI: 11.7–14.4). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that those mothers who had low hemoglobin concentration (adjusted Odds Ratio/aOR = 3.77, 95% CI: 2.84–5.01), and high hemoglobin concentration (aOR = 3.07, 95% CI: 2.23–4.24) had higher odds of having LBW compared to mothers having normal hemoglobin level. Mothers with both young age pregnancy (aged 16–20 years) and older pregnancy (aged ≥31 years) (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01–2.52) and (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.06–2.41), respectively had higher odds of LBW compared to mothers aged 21–25 years. Those mothers who attended a primary level of education had higher odds of (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.05–3.55) LBW compared to those mothers with a higher level of education. Moreover, mothers who belonged to Janajati ethnic group (aOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.34–0.65) compared to the Brahmin/Chhetri ethnic group, and mothers with a birth space of more than three years (aOR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41–0.97) compared to those who had less than three years of birth spacing and mothers who were overweight/obese (aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55–0.99) compared to normal nutritional status had lower odds of having LBW. Conclusions: Our study concludes that both low and high hemoglobin had an increased risk of having low birth weight. Policies and programs can benefit by adopting the findings of this study. More empirical research is critical to understanding the impact of hemoglobin levels on birth weight