Cadaveric study of accessory renal arteries and its surgical correlation

A thorough knowledge of the accessory renal arteries has grown in importance with the increasing number of renal transplants and other uroradiological procedures. The literature indicates that multiple renal arteries are found in 9-75% cases. Normal anatomy describes each kidney receives irrigation from single renal artery which arises from abdominal aorta at the level L1-L2 vertebrae just below the superior mesenteric artery. Renal artery variations include their origin, number and course. The most common is the presence of additional vessels (accessory arteries) arising above the usual trunk is more frequent than one arising below. The accessory renal arteries are always end arteries. The kidneys may receive a single artery although each organ may equally be supplied by as many as six end arteries. The right and left renal arteries may arise from the aorta by a common stem or arise at lower point than usual in which case the kidneys lie below their usual position. There may be several renal arteries on each side or the renal artery may divide close to its origin into several branches. Current literature reports great variability in renal blood supply, the number of renal arteries mentioned being the most frequently found variation. Normal renal arterial information is useful not only for planning and performing of endovascular, laparoscopic uroradiological procedures and renal transplants. In order to facilitate the clinical approaches, we studied renal arterial pattern in 25 formalin fixed cadavers, on 50 kidneys during the period of one year. The purpose of this present study was to establish the incidence of accessory (aberrant) renal arteries in human cadavers and also discuss its surgical correlation during uroradiological procedures and angiographic interventions.

Dendrimers as a Novel Carrier in Anti-HIV Therapy

The present treatments for HIV transfection include chemical agents and gene therapies. Although many chemical drugs, peptides and genes have been developed for HIV inhibition, a variety of non-ignorable drawbacks limited the efficiency of these materials. Dendrimers has ability to carrier of antiviral drugs due to some properties such as mono-dispersity, defined structure, amenability for functionalization using diverse ligands and its low-nanometer size. In this review, we discuss the application of dendrimers as both therapeutic agents and non-viral vectors of chemical agents and genes for HIV treatment. In one way, dendrimers with functional end groups combine with the gp120 of HIV and CD4 molecule of host cell to suppress the attachment of HIV to the host cell. In another way, dendrimers are also able to transfer chemical drugs and genes into the host cells, which increase the anti-HIV activity of these materials. Dendrimers as therapeutic tools provide a potential treatment for HIV infection. Keywords: Dendrimers, Drug release, Drug targeting, gp120, CD4, Antiviral dru

Microsponges: A Promising Novel Drug Delivery System

Microsponge is recent novel technique for control release and target specific drug delivery system. More and more developments in drug delivery systems are being integrated to optimize the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the therapy. Microsponges are polymeric delivery system containing porous microspheres having a size range from 5 to 300µm. Microsponge Delivery System (MDS) is a unique technology for controlled drug delivery. This review article mainly deals with Microsponge drug delivery along with its method of preparation, characterization, advantages and release mechanism of MDS. Microsponges are characterized by particle size, entrapment efficacy, true density, % drug content and % yield, dissolution studies, Resiliency, compatibility studies and in-vitro studies. Wide range of applications is also preferred to develop drug with enhanced safety and efficacy. Keywords: Microsponge, Porous microspheres, Control release, Colon

Role of Acupuncture and Fire Cupping in Reducing the Thyroxine Dose and Improving the Thyroid Function in Hypothyroidism Patients: A Case Series

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders linked to various systemic diseases ranging from obesity to cancers. The present line of management is insufficient as reports suggest that there is persistence of symptoms and poor adherence that makes the management of said disease challenging. Acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapies are proven to alleviate endocrine dysfunctions. However, reports on acupuncture and cupping therapy on hypothyroidism are very scarce. Here, we report 5 cases of hypothyroid patients aged between 38-44 yrs who were treated with acupuncture and fire cupping for a period of three months. At the baseline, the patients presented with either a weak, wiry or vacuum pulse which represents spleen Qi deficiency. Further, they presented with elevated levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and higher Body Mass Index (BMI). Acupuncture treatment at ST36, LI4, SP6, and BL20 was given bilaterally whilst CV4, LR3, LR4, SP9, ST40, SP10, GV4, KI3, ST12, and SI17 were punctured unilaterally. At the end of the time period of three months, patients progressed to normal levels of TSH, reduction in BMI and had succeeded in tapering their medication doses. Supplementing this, the patients reported marked improvement in other symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and cold feet post-treatment. The effects were consistent even during the three month follow-up period post-interventions. The results encourage the utilization of acupuncture and fire cupping in the management of hypothyroidism. However, large scale studies are warranted to strengthen this recommendation

Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of new phenyl <i>N,N′-</i>phenylphosphorodiamidates

<p></p> <p>A series of new biologically active phenyl N,N<b>^′-</b>phenyl phosphorodiamidates were synthesized by reacting phenyl phenylphosphoramidochoridate with various amines. All the newly synthesized compounds <b>3a-j</b> were tested for their antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) methods. In all the three methods the compounds <b>3c</b> (phenyl N-(6-methoxy-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-N′-phenyl-phosphorodiamidate) and <b>3e</b> (phenyl N-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-N′-phenylphosphorodiamidate) showed good radical scavenging activity.</p