Premature Ejaculation: Proposed Diagnostic Criteria, A Letter to Editor

Premature Ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual dysfunction. But its diagnosis is still a challenge for clinicians (1). People are either reluctant to approach doctors with their sexual problems or those who approach health care providers are reluctant to ask for proper history (2). Although being the most common sexual dysfunction, there is no clear-cut case definition or criteria for the clinical diagnosis which can be used in day-to-day practice

Short-period intensity oscillations in the solar corona observed during the total solar eclipse of 26 february 1998

Encouraged by the detection of high-frequency, low-amplitude continuum intensity oscillations in the solar corona during the total solar eclipse of 1995, we designed and fabricated a six-channel photometer incorporating low-noise Hamamatsu R647 photomultipliers. Fast photometry at five different locations in the solar corona was performed at Don Bosco Mission, Venezuela during the total solar eclipse of 26 February 1998. Three interference filters with passbands of about 150Å and centered around 4700, 4900, and 5000Å were used. The photometric data were recorded at a rate of 20 Hz in three channels and 50 Hz in the remaining three channels. The power spectrum analysis of one of the channels that recorded appreciable counts indicates the existence of intensity oscillations in the frequency range 0.01-0.2 Hz. A least-squares analysis yields 90.1, 25.2, and 6.9 s periods for the three prominent components which have amplitudes in the range 0.5-3.5% of the coronal brightness. These periods and their amplitudes are similar to those detected in the coronal intensity oscillations during the 1995 eclipse

An Adolescent with Progressive Enlargement of Digits: Case report and proposed diagnostic criteria for macrodystrophia lipomatosa

Macrodystrophia lipomatosa (ML) is a rare congenital non-hereditary condition caused by an increase in all mesenchymal elements. We report a 14-year-old girl who presented to the Medical Outpatient Department, Kunhitharuvai Memorial Charitable Trust Medical College, Kozhikode, India, in 2017 with progressive enlargement of digits. An X-ray and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan showed enlargement of the phalanges of the middle and index finger of the left hand with an overgrowth of soft tissues. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with ML. As the condition is benign and usually asymptomatic, no medical treatment was deemed necessary. This report describes a case of ML and proposes a set of diagnostic criteria to aid clinicians in the differential diagnosis of the condition. Keywords: Congenital Disorders; Gigantism; Macrodactyly of the Hand; Differential Diagnosis; Case Report; India

Hypolipidemic activity of Coriandrum sativum in diabetic dyslipidemic rats

Background: Metabolic syndrome is described as the clustering of obesity, aberrant glucose metabolism, dyslipidemia and hypertension. A characteristic pattern, termed diabetic dyslipidemia, consists of low HDL, increased triglycerides and postprandial lipemia. This pattern is most frequently seen in type 2 diabetes and may be a treatable risk factor for subsequent cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to compare the hypolipidemic activity of Coriandrum sativum L. with the standard antidiabetic drug, metformin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce diabetes in the rats. The hypolipidemic activity of Coriandrum sativum seed extract was compared to the standard drug metformin. 4 groups (n=8) (normal control, diabetic control, streptozotocin+Coriandrum sativum and streptozotocin+metformin). The drugs were administered once daily for 28 days following which lipid profile was estimated on 28th day by using blood sample collected from the retro-orbital space.Results: STZ induced diabetes and also lead to dyslipidemia. Oral administration of CS seed extracts significantly lowered total cholesterol (TC), LDL:HDL ratio, TC:HDL ratio, thus, reducing the cardiovascular risk. HDL levels were slightly increased with CS seed extract compared to diabetic control group but not statistically significant. There was also statistically insignificant reduction in the atherogenic index with CS seed extract compared to diabetic control.Conclusions: CS seed extract (40 mg/kg) orally may have considerable therapeutic benefit as a hypolipidemic agent and can be suggested as a potential dietary add on

A study to evaluate the analgesic activity of Origanum vulgare in mice using hot plate method

Background: The International Association for Study of pain, has defined pain as actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. But the burden of unwanted side effects with current regimens are high. To explore the potential of Ayurveda drugs, this study is done by using Origanum vulgare.Methods: In vivo model used-Hot plate method. Origanum vulgare (84 mg/kg p.o) was administered in mice. The analgesic activity was studied by recording the reaction time after administration of the drug at frequent intervals up to 3 hrs. The results were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test. P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Pentazocine showed statistically prolongation in the reaction time after 30 min as compared to Origanum vulgare.Results: In hot plate method, pentazocine showed statistically significant increase in the reaction time after 30 min of administration as compared to control group. However, Origanum vulgare in a dose of 84 mg/kg showed significantly increase in the reaction time after 30 min of administration as compared to control group. On comparing pentazocine and Origanum vulgare, pentazocine showed highly significant increase in the reaction time after 30 min as compared to Origanum vulgare at 84 mg/kg dose.Conclusions: From the present study, it was concluded that extract of Origanum vulgare exerted analgesic activity in both the models. However, it was less potent than pentazocine. Thus, Origanum vulgare can be used in mild to moderate painful conditions

A study to evaluate the analgesic activity of Origanum vulgare in mice using tail flick method

Background: Pain is a complex experience consisting of physiological and psychological response to a noxious stimulus. Analgesics like opiates and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used for relieving pain but are associated with various unwanted side effects; therefore this study was conducted by using Origanum vulgare for their analgesic efficacy.Methods: In vivo model used was tail flick method. Origanum vulgare (84 mg/kg p.o) was administered in mice. The analgesic activity was studied by recording the reaction time after administration of the drug at frequent intervals up to 3 hours. The results were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test. P-value <0.05 was considered as significant. Pentazocine showed statistically prolongation in the reaction time after 30 min as compared to Origanum vulgare.Results: In tail flick method, pentazocine showed statistically significant increase in the reaction time after 30 min of administration as compared to control group. However, Origanum vulgare in a dose of 84 mg/kg showed significant increase in the reaction time after 30 min of administration as compared to control group. On comparing pentazocine and Origanum vulgare, pentazocine showed highly significant increase in the reaction time after 30 min as compared to Origanum vulgare at 84 mg/kg dose.Conclusions: From the present study, it was concluded that extract of Origanum vulgare exerted analgesic activity in both the models. However, it was less potent than pentazocine. Thus, Origanum vulgare can be used in mild to moderate painful conditions

Effect of drought on gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence of groundnut genotypes

Drought is one of the major threats to groundnut productivity, causing a greater loss than any other abiotic factor. Water stress conditions alter plant photosynthetic activity, impacting future growth and assimilating mobilization towards sink tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate how drought impacts the photosynthesis of plants and its links to drought tolerance. The influence of reproductive stage drought on photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll fluorescence of groundnut is well studied. The experiment was conducted in Kharif 2019 (Jul-Sep), where recent series in groundnut genotypes (60 nos) sown under rainfed conditions and water stress was created by withholding irrigation for 20 days between 35-55 days after sowing in the field to simulate drought conditions. Imposition of water deficit stress reduced PS II efficiency, which significantly altered the photosynthetic rate in the leaf. Observation of gas exchange parameters viz., photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate after 20 days of stress imposition revealed that of all 60 genotypes, 20 genotypes (VG 17008, VG 17046VG 18005, VG 18102, VG 18077, VG 19572, VG 19709, VG 18111, VG19561, VG19576, VG 19620, VG 19681, VG 19688, etc.,) had better Photosynthetic rate, Stomatal conductance. Similarly, PS II efficiency analyzed through fluorescence meter revealed that among the 60 and all the genotypes given above recorded higher value in Fv/Fm. Results obtained from Cluster analysis and PCA confirmed that photosynthetic rate and Fv/Fm is useful parameter in screening adapted cultivars under drought stress. These findings lay the groundwork for a future study to decipher the molecular pathways underpinning groundnut drought resistance