Susceptibility to renal candidiasis due to immunosuppression induced by breast cancer cell lines

Candidiasis is a fungal infection which is prone to occur in people with immunosuppression due to debilitating diseases and nosocomial causes. While few studies have shown evidence of this disease co-existing with malignancy-induced immunosuppression disease, there never were any exclusive animal studies demonstrating this relationship, especially renal candidiasis with breast cancer. This study aims to demonstrate the relationship between renal candidiasis and breast cancer by observing the histopathological changes of the kidneys harvested from female Balb/c mice experimentally induced with breast cancer and inoculated with candida. The mice were randomly assigned to 5 different groups (n=12). Group 1 was injected with phosphate buffer solution (PBS), Group 2 with candida, Group 3 with breast cancer and Groups 4 and 5 having coexistence of candidiasis and breast cancer at 2 different doses of candidiasis respectively. Inoculation of mice with candidiasis spores was done by intravenous injection of Candida albicans via the tail vein. Induction of mice with breast cancer was via injection of 4T1 cancer cells at the right axillary mammary fatpad. Stained slides of Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Periodic Acidic Schiff (PAS) and Gomori Methenamine Silver (GMS) were preapred for histopathology analysis. Grading of primary tumour and identification of metastatic deposits were carried out. Scoring of inflammation and congestion in the kidney was also carried out. Results revealed that group 4 exhibited a highly significant increase in inflammation and congestion (

Comparison of thruster configurations in attitude control systems

Several aspects concerning reaction control jet systems as used to govern the attitude of a spacecraft were considered. A thruster configuration currently in use was compared to several new configurations developed in this study. The method of determining the error signals which control the firing of the thrusters was also investigated. The current error determination procedure is explained and a new method is presented. Both of these procedures are applied to each of the thruster configurations which are developed and comparisons of the two methods are made

Histopathological study of lung in autopsy cases: a prospective study

Background: Present days the air pollution and other environmental inhalants, chemical cum toxic substances become uncontrollable. The lungs are involved in a number of infectious, inflammatory and occupational diseases. But involved in almost all cases of terminal events due to cardiovascular causes. Autopsy is an important tool in identifying the cause and manner of death and hence to establish the preventive methods. The aim of this study was to analyse the findings by the histopathological examination in lung tissue received in autopsy specimens.Methods: This study is a prospective study done on 100 autopsy cases received in the Department of Pathology, Chengalpattu medical College for a period of 6 months during July to December 2013. Gross findings were noted during autopsy and specimen was subjected to routine processing and Hematoxylin and Eosin Stain. Histopathological findings were noted.Results: Of the 100 cases, 40% shows pneumonia, 28% shows congestion, 16% shows emphysema, 2% shows normal finding. 14% cases show overlapping. Males were more commonly affected than females.Conclusions: From this study of autopsy specimens of lung the most common findings were pneumonia, emphysema, and congestion. Pneumonia was found to be the most common finding in the study. We should plan to prevent the causes and reduce the prevalence of pneumonia. Educational counseling should be given on exposure of environmental pollutants to the people

METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE ESTIMATION OF ENTECAVIR IN BULK AND PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORMS BY RP-HPLC

Objective: The objective and purpose of the analysis have sensibly assessed by selecting of a rapid and sensitive RP-HPLC method for Entecavir in bulk and pharmaceutical dosage form by using the most commonly employed C-18column with UV detection.Methods: In estimation by RP-HPLC method Agilent 1120 compact LC system with variable programmable UV detector and Rheodyne injector with 20 µl fixed loop was used for the chromatographic separation. The mode of operation was isocratic with the components of a solution consisting of methanol: acetonitrile(70:30v/v) and triethanolamine (2-4drops)at the flow rate of 1.2 ml/min and run time was 10 min. Forced degradation studies were conducted to evaluate the stability and specificity of the method along with the validation parameters.Results: Validation parameters of HPLC were found at a detection wavelength of 255 nm. Linearity was observed with the concentration range (Beer's law range) 20-100µg/ml with R2=0.9991. Robustness with detection wavelengths 253 and 257 nm with a flow rate of 1 ml/min and 1.4 ml/min showed good results. The retention time of the drug was 2.64 min and assay showed 98.1%.Conclusion: The proposed RP-HPLC method was validated as per the ICH Q2B Guidelines, and was found to be applicable for routine quantitative analysis of Entecavir by RP-HPLC using UV detector in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results of linearity, precision, accuracy and specificity, were proved, that does not exceed certain specified limits. The method provides selective quantification with no interference from other formulation excipients. The proposed method was highly sensitive, reproducible, reliable, robust and specific. Therefore, this method is a simple, rapid analysis may actually be more desirable than a more complicated and time-consuming process. The degradation studies at various stress conditions like thermal and hydrolytic, drug gets degraded at a temperature of 80 °c and refluxing with water at 70 °c for 24hours.Â

Novel titanium - hydroxyapatite biocomposites By mechanical milling

Titanium with nano hydroxyapatite (nHA) as well as with micron size hydroxyapatite was ball milled for various time intervals. The milled powders were characterized using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) techniques. The XRD results show peak broadening with increase in milling time indicating the formation of nanocomposite with titanium and HA phases. Relatively, titanium was found to be more reduced in size with increase in milling time than HA in the composite. The EDX results indicated the presence of Ca and P in the titanium matrix. elemental mapping showed homogeneous distribution of Ti, Ca and P after 16 h of ball milling in all the composites. TEM micrographs also revealed the presence of nanocrystals. The powders were compacted, sintered and immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF), which has the same ion concentration as that of the human body plasma, to study bioactivity under physiological condition. After immersion in SBF for 1 week, the compacts were observed in SEM and all the composites were found to be bioactive with the formation of bone like apatite layer on the surface. The morphology of the apatite formed was globular and more dense for the composite prepared using nano HA compared to micron size HA

Neuroprotective Effects of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Haloperidol-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Rat Brain

Haloperidol is an antipsychotic drug that exerts its' antipsychotic effects by inhibiting dopaminergic neurons. Although the exact pathophysiology of haloperidol extrapyramidal symptoms are not known, the role of reactive oxygen species in inducing oxidative stress has been proposed as one of the mechanisms of prolonged haloperidol-induced neurotoxicity. In the present study, we evaluate the protective effect of alpha lipoic acid against haloperidol-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, alpha lipoic acid alone (100 mg/kg p.o for 21 days), haloperidol alone (2 mg/kg i.p for 21 days), and haloperidol with alpha lipoic acid groups (for 21 days). Haloperidol treatment significantly decreased levels of the brain antioxidant enzymes super oxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and concurrent treatment with alpha lipoic acid significantly reversed the oxidative effects of haloperidol. Histopathological changes revealed significant haloperidol-induced damage in the cerebral cortex, internal capsule, and substantia nigra. Alpha lipoic acid significantly reduced this damage and there were very little neuronal atrophy. Areas of angiogenesis were also seen in the alpha lipoic acid-treated group. In conclusion, the study proves that alpha lipoic acid treatment significantly reduces haloperidol-induced neuronal damage

Abnormal ossified structures around the hip joint and its clinical implications

Background: The hip joint is the body’s second largest weight-bearing joint forms a connection from the lower limb to the pelvic girdle. It is formed by an articulation between the pelvic acetabulum and the head of the femur. Ankylosis or fusion of the joint, ossification of the adjacent ligaments and calcific tendinitis of adjacent muscles can decrease the mobility of the joint. The study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of abnormal ossified structures around the hip joint.Methods: This study was carried out on 228 dry human hip bones (right- 114 and left-114) and 228 dry human femur bones (right- 114 and left-114) irrespective of age and sex at Varun Arjun medical college-Banthra, UP, KMCT Medical College, Manassery-Calicut and Melaka Manipal Medical College-Manipal. All the hip and femur bones were macroscopically inspected for the abnormal ossified structures around the pelvic acetabulum and upper end of the femur. Photographs of the abnormal ossified structures were taken for proper documentation.Results: Very rare and unusual unilateral ossified and complete fused left hip joint was noted (0.43%). Unilateral ossified acetabular labrum with ossified transverse acetabular ligament was noted in seven right hip bones (3.07%). Unusual ossified fibrous capsule on the posterior aspect of neck of femur was noted in 4 left sided femur bones (1.75%). Unusual unilateral ossified deposits near the greater trochanter and intertrochanteric line of femur was noted in nine left sided femur bones (3.94%).Conclusions: Anatomical knowledge of ankylosis of hip joint, ossification of the ligaments and muscles tendons around the hip joint as found in the present study made this study unique such abnormal ossifications may be helpful for clinicians, radiologists and surgeons for differential diagnosis and can be implicated in the development of innovative treatments of hip joint and hip pains

Anatomical and congenital variations of human dry sternum bone: its embryogenesis and clinical implications

Background: The sternum is one of the skeleton parts with frequently detected variation in cross-sectional images or autopsy series. The anatomical or congenital variations of the sternum in the anterior chest wall may involve malignancies, injuries or severe traumas. The aim of the study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of anatomical and congenital variations of human dry sternum bones.Methods: This study was carried out on 120 dry human sternum bones irrespective of age and sex at Varun Arjun medical college- Banthra, UP, KMCT Medical College, Manassery-Calicut and Melaka Manipal Medical College-Manipal. All the sternum bones were macroscopically inspected for the anatomical and congenital variations of human dry sternum bones. Photographs of the anatomical and congenital variations were taken for proper documentation.Results: Complete sternal foramina in the body of the sternum were noted in 9 bones (7.5%), with an average vertical diameter of 17mm and transverse diameter of 16mm (The highest vertical diameter of 19mm and transverse diameter of 17mm was noted); Incomplete sternal foramina in the body of the sternum were noted in 4 bones (3.3%);Complete sternal foramina in the xiphoid process of the sternum were noted in 7 bones (5.8%) with an average vertical diameter of 6mm and transverse diameter of 8mm; Unusual complete sternal foramina in the body and incomplete sternal foramina in the xiphoid process of the sternum were noted in 8 bones (6.6%); Very rare longer xiphoid process (7.3 cm) with complete sternal foramina was noted in 7 bone (5.8%); Unusual Longer xiphoid process with an average length of 6.7cm with sharp bifid ends was noted in 8 bones (6.6%).Conclusions: The knowledge of existence of anatomical variants and congenital foramina of sternum and xiphoid process found in our study is essential, especially for bone marrow sampling, radiology (X - ray, CT, MRI, and USG) reporting, pathology autopsy and forensic medicine post-mortem reporting and patoacupuncture practice to avoid complications during various surgical procedures

Suppression of piriform cortex activity in rat by corticotropin-releasing factor 1 and serotonin 2A/C receptors

The piriform cortex (PC) is richly innervated by Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and Serotonin (5-HT) containing axons arising from central amygdala and Raphe nucleus. CRFR1 and 5-HT2A/2CRs have been shown to interact in manner where CRFR activation subsequently potentiates the activity of 5-HT2A/2CRs. The purpose of this study was to determine how the activation of CRFR1 and/or 5-HT2Rs modulates PC activity at both the circuit and cellular level. Voltage sensitive dye imaging showed that CRF acting through CRFR1 dampened activation of the layer II of PC and interneurons of endopiriform nucleus. Application of the selective 5-HT2A/CR agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) following CRFR1 activation potentiated this effect. Blocking the interaction between CRFR1 and 5-HT2R with a Tat-CRFR1-CT peptide abolished this potentiation. Application of forskolin did not mimic CRFR1 activity but instead blocked it, while a protein kinase A antagonist had no effect. However, activation and antagonism of protein kinase C (PKC) either mimicked or blocked CRF modulation respectively. DOI had no effect when applied alone indicating that the prior activation of CRFR1 receptors was critical for DOI to show significant effects similar to CRF. Patch clamp recordings showed that both CRF and DOI reduced the synaptic responsiveness of layer II pyramidal neurons. CRF had highly variable effects on interneurons within layer III, both increasing and decreasing their excitability, but DOI had no effect on the excitability of this group of neurons. These data show that CRF and serotonin, acting through both CRFR1 and 5-HT2A/CRs, reduce the activation of the PC. This modulation may be an important blunting mechanism of stressor behaviours mediated through the olfactory cortex