Study of the Anatomical variations of the liver in Human

INTRODUCTION: The liver is the largest abdominal organ. Variations of the liver can occur in the form of external morphology and the internal branching pattern of the hepatic vasculature. Knowledge about the normal and variant anatomy is essential for the interventional radiologist and the hepatobiliary surgeons for a better postoperative results. AIM OF THE STUDY: To describe the anatomical variations of the hepatic artery and portal vein (PV) within the liver in terms of branching pattern and determine the frequency of each pattern. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The morphological features were studied using 70 formalin fixed livers. The branching pattern of the hepatic vasculature was studied using 100 contrast enhanced computed tomography and 15 formalin fixed livers each for hepatic artery and PV using modified luminal casting technique. RESULTS: The morphological variations include fissures in the right, left, caudate and quadrate lobes of the liver (81.4 %), elongated left lobe or Beaver's lobe or Netter's type 4 (12.86 %), Netter type 2 liver (1.43%), pons hepatis (22.9 %), conical shaped right lobe (18.57%), notched border (10%) and accessory lobe (12.86%). Variations in caudate lobe including underdeveloped and hypertrophied caudate and papillary process were noted. Variations in the extra-hepatic branching of the vasculature was found in 22%. The most common variation was the replaced right hepatic artery (RHA), seen in 13%. The normal intra-hepatic branching pattern was observed in 53.33%. The RHA gave rise to cystic artery and artery to caudate lobe. In 6.6%, the cystic artery arose from left hepatic artery and in 6.6%, the artery to caudate lobe arose from left hepatic artery. Caudate lobe also received dual supply from RHA. The right anterior division of RHA, in addition to its supply to segments V and VIII, it also supplied caudate lobe (20%), cystic artery (6.67%), segment IV (6.67%) and segment VI (6.67%). The right posterior division in addition to its supply to segments VI and VII, it also supplied gall bladder (6.67%), caudate lobe (6.67%), segment V (13.33%) and VIII (13.33%). Radiologically, the normal PV anatomy was seen in 89%. The most common variation was trifurcation of PV (5 %). In one case the left PV gave a branch to segment VII which has not been encountered earlier. Using the modified luminal casting technique all the 15 specimens displayed Type I PV anatomy. Variations were encountered in the intra-hepatic branching pattern and the most common variant pattern observed was the right posterior segmental division supplying segment VIII and only in one case a rare left PV variation, in which it gave branches to segments V and VIII was noted. CONCLUSION: In this study, various morphological variations of liver were observed. Variations in the segmental supply was observed which has not been studied in detail previously in the Indian population. In both hepatic arterial and PV branching patterns, the variations on the left side are infrequent. A prior knowledge of such variations will help the interventional radiologist to reduce misinterpretations and subsequent misdiagnosis and guide the hepatobiliary surgeon in minimizing iatrogenic complications

Synthesis and screening for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of novel 2-thioxo-benzo[f]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones derived by cetylpyridinium chloride catalyzed multicomponent reactions in aqueous micellar media

The cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has been used as micellar catalyst in three-component one-pot reaction involving thiobarbituric acids, aromatic aldehydes and β-napthol for synthesizing the novel 2-thioxo-benzo[5,6]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives in aqueous media. These 2-thioxo-benzo[5,6]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives have been screened for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. It has been found that 2-thioxo-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-benzo[f]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (4a) has shown highest scavenging activity value to reduce DPPH free radicals, which may be due to the presence of nitro group at para-position. Three compounds, 4a, 4b and 4o show significant in vitro antitumor activity. The study of the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities reveal that all the compounds show moderate to good activity indicating that the presence of thiouriedo linkage in the pyrimidine nucleus and the chromeno group attached to pyrimidene moiety are responsible for these activities.

Studies on endophytic fungi associated with medicinally important aromatic plant Artemisia nilagirica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. and their antagonistic activity against Phytophthora infestans

Antagonistic activity of endophytic fungi associated with medicinally important aromatic plant Artemisia nilagirica was studied against the pathogen Phytophthora infestans that causes late blight of potato. The study has a dual purpose, firstly identification of endophytic fungi isolated from Artemisia nilagirica; secondly, to evaluate their antagonism against Phytophthora infestans using the dual culture method. Altogether 23 fungal endophytes were isolated from root, stem and leaf of which 14 fungal endophytes were isolated from roots, 10 from stem and 6 from leaf. Among the isolates, 4 fungal species, namely Trichoderma viride, Penicillium atrovenetum, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cladosporium cladosporioides were selected to study the antagonistic effect against Phytophthora infestans. T. viride was found to have the highest percentage of inhibition of 67.0% followed by A. fumigates (59.6%), P. atrovenetum (56.7%) and C. cladosporioides (33.0%). Among the test organisms, a zone of inhibition was produced only by T. viride and P. atrovenetum. T. viride showed the maximum inhibition zone of 1cm against P. infestans while that of P. atrovenetum was 0.4cm. This study shows that out of the four test organisms, Trichoderma viride may be recommended as a good source of biocontrol agent against P. infestans the causal organism of potato late blight

Synthesis and screening for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of novel 2-thioxo-benzo[f]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones derived by cetylpyridinium chloride catalyzed multicomponent reactions in aqueous micellar media

1243-1257The cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) has been used as micellar catalyst in three-component one-pot reaction involving thiobarbituric acids, aromatic aldehydes and β-napthol for synthesizing the novel 2-thioxo-benzo[5,6]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives in aqueous media. These 2-thioxo-benzo[5,6]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivativeshave been screened for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. It has been found that 2-thioxo-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-benzo[f]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (4a) has shown highest scavenging activity value to reduce DPPH free radicals,which may be due to the presence of nitro group at para-position. Three compounds, 4a, 4b and 4o show significant in vitroantitumor activity. The study of the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities reveal that all the compounds show moderate togood activity indicating that the presence of thiouriedo linkage in the pyrimidine nucleus and the chromeno group attachedto pyrimidene moiety are responsible for these activities

CRISPR Inhibition of Prophage Acquisition in Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes, one of the major human pathogens, is a unique species since it has acquired diverse strain-specific virulence properties mainly through the acquisition of streptococcal prophages. In addition, S. pyogenes possesses clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas systems that can restrict horizontal gene transfer (HGT) including phage insertion. Therefore, it was of interest to examine the relationship between CRISPR and acquisition of prophages in S. pyogenes. Although two distinct CRISPR loci were found in S. pyogenes, some strains lacked CRISPR and these strains possess significantly more prophages than CRISPR harboring strains. We also found that the number of spacers of S. pyogenes CRISPR was less than for other streptococci. The demonstrated spacer contents, however, suggested that the CRISPR appear to limit phage insertions. In addition, we found a significant inverse correlation between the number of spacers and prophages in S. pyogenes. It was therefore suggested that S. pyogenes CRISPR have permitted phage insertion by lacking its own spacers. Interestingly, in two closely related S. pyogenes strains (SSI-1 and MGAS315), CRISPR activity appeared to be impaired following the insertion of phage genomes into the repeat sequences. Detailed analysis of this prophage insertion site suggested that MGAS315 is the ancestral strain of SSI-1. As a result of analysis of 35 additional streptococcal genomes, it was suggested that the influences of the CRISPR on the phage insertion vary among species even within the same genus. Our results suggested that limitations in CRISPR content could explain the characteristic acquisition of prophages and might contribute to strain-specific pathogenesis in S. pyogenes

Neural Transplantation in Experimental Model of Parkinson Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. The present therapy for the treatment of this disease is mainly symptomatic. The best treatment available is the combination of L-DOPA and carbidopa which can alleviate most of the behavioral abnormalities observed in these patients. The search for the cure of this disease has instigated many minds to the development of modern strategies like deep brain stimulation, and cell replacement therapy (CRT). CRT aims at replenishing the lost neurons by transplanting new neurons. The last twenty five years have seen many developments in this field and has enhanced the understanding of the intricacies of CRT. It has faced much hindrance in clinical trials with the development of side effects like dyskinesia and dystonia. The clinical trials had been rather inconsistent with some patients showing good results whereas many patients showing no improvements or exhibiting side effects. The current status calls for intensive research to develop and fabricate new methods for successful application of the technique in clinical set up. The major focus of research in CRT at present is to develop new methods for the production of good and consistent source of transplantable cells which could be used for transplantation. The use of animal models for pre-clinical trials in PD is a highly accepted means as many models are available that mimic the cardinal features of PD, that are reproducible and quantifiable. The study is aimed at developing a new and easy method for differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into dopaminergic neurons that can be used for transplantation in rodent models of PD. Once this is achieved, the next target is to look for one or more behavioral tests which could be used as the means for assessing the animals for the severity of the disease, and to investigate the quantum of cells to be implanted for complete recovery of the disease in the parkinsonian animals. These studies have been completed and the results are combined to form this thesis

Study of morphological variations of liver in human

Introduction: Knowledge of variations in the external morphology of liver is essential during radiological investigations and surgery. There are only a few studies which have dealt with the surface variations of the liver. The aim of the present study is to determine the gross anatomical variations of the liver in the South Indian population. Material and methods: The morphological variations of the liver such as changes in size and shape, presence of fissures, pons hepatis and accessory lobes were noted in 70 formalin fixed livers. Results: The morphological variations included fissures in the right, left, caudate and quadrate lobes of the liver (81.4%), elongated left lobe or Beaver's lobe or Netter's type 4 (12.86%), Netter type 2 liver (1.43%), pons hepatis (22.9%), conical shaped right lobe (18.57%), notched border (10%), accessory lobe (12.86%) and quadrate lobe with tongue like projection (7.14%). Variations in caudate lobe including underdeveloped and hypertrophied caudate and papillary process were noted. Conclusion: In this study, various morphological variations of liver were observed. The awareness about this will aid the radiologists to make more accurate analysis of the radiological images and thereby aiding in the reduction of the false reports. Keywords: Fissure, Beaver's lobe, Pon hepatis, Accessory lobe, Caudate lob

Pulmonary Paragonimiasis, a rare cause of haemoptysis

It is a case of persistent haemoptysis presented at the OPD of the Department of Respiratory Medicine. The HRCT thorax picture showed a mass like subpleural nodule in the right lower lobe of the lung with central cavitation and adjacent bronchiectasis. CT-guided FNAC of the nodule showed oval shaped eggs of Paragonimus species in the smear prepared. Paragonimus eggs were found in the sputum and specific serological test for Paragonimus was also positive

Astrocytosis in differentiated cells implanted striatum.

<p>Striata, ipsilateral to the side of rotenone infusion were grafted with vehicle without any cells (ROT; A–D), embryonic stem cells undifferentiated (ES; E–H) or 7 days differentiated cells (7 d; I–L), were stained for the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity. Increased immunostaining for GFAP is seen only in the ES and 7 d cells grafted striata. A,E and I are low magnification images, whereas D,H,L and C,G,K are magnified images from the ‘boxes’ each from the previous figures, as marked in the same lane. A,E,I are 5× magnification, whereas scale bars in B,F, and J are 200 µm; in C,G, and K are 50 µm, and D,H, and L are 10 µm.</p

Changes in mRNA expression levels in cells following differentiation.

<p>Undifferentiated and differentiated embryonic stem cells (ES), and 7 days and 10 days differentiated (7 d; 10 d) cells were analysed for the mRNA expression of stem cells (NANOG; OCT3/4), neuronal (NESTIN; MAP2) and dopaminergic markers (TH; Pitx3; c-RET; NURR1; LMX1B; ENG). (A) Equal amount of cDNA was amplified for each gene and representative image of agarose gel bands obtained following electrophoresis. (B) Band intensities as normalised by hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT; as housekeeping gene), showing relative gene expression. Results are Mean ± S.E.M, n = 3–4. *<i>p</i>≤0.05 vs. ES group, #<i>p</i>≤0.05 vs. 7 d group; Student's t-test.</p