Amelioration of Abnormalities Associated with the Metabolic Syndrome by Spinacia oleracea

The present study evaluates the protective effects of an antioxidant-rich extract of Spinacea oleracea (NAOE) in abnormalities associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in rats. HPTLC of NAOE revealed the presence of 13 total antioxidants, 14 flavonoids, and 10 phenolic acids. Rats administered with fructose (20% w/v) in drinking water for 45 days to induce abnormalities of MetS received NAOE (200 and 400 mg/kg, po), the standard drug gemfibrozil (60 mg/kg, po), aerobic exercise (AE), and a combination of NAOE 400 mg/kg and AE (NAOEAE) daily for 45 days. All treatments significantly altered the lipid profile and attenuated the fructose-elevated levels of uric acid, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and marker enzymes (AST, LDH, and CK-MB) in serum and malondialdehyde in the heart and restored the fructose-depleted levels of glutathione and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase). A significant decrease in blood glucose and insulin levels decreased insulin resistance, and improved glucose tolerance was observed in the treatment animals when compared with the fructose-fed animals. The best mitigation of MetS was shown by the NAOEAE treatment indicating that regular exercise along with adequate consumption of antioxidant-rich foods such as spinach in diet can help control MetS

A herbal premix containing Macrotyloma uniflorum, ginger and whey curtails obesity in high fat diet fed rats by a novel mechanism

The present study designed and evaluated a polyherbal premix comprising Macrotyloma uniflorum, whey protein, Zingiber officinale, and Mentha piperita. Animals were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 30 days and were daily administered the premix (1.5 g/kg) in milk (PM) and water (PW), aerobic exercise (AE), premix in milk and water along with AE (PMAE and PWAE), ferulic acid (100 mg/kg), and the reference drug fluoxetine (6 mg/kg). All treatments showed significant reduction in food intake, weight gain, abdominal circumference, and body mass index compared with their initial values. All treatments generated a faster peak of the satiety marker cholecystokinin compared with the HFD group and control groups; PMAE and PWAE exhibited sustained satiety. The HFD-elevated blood glucose levels were significantly attenuated on the 30th day by all treatments when compared with their 15th day and basal values; PMAE exhibited the best results. All treatments significantly attenuated the HFD-elevated serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein levels and significantly restored the HFD-depleted high-density lipoprotein and adiponectin levels. HFD-elevated thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were attenuated successfully and the HFD-depleted reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels were significantly restored by all treatments. The histological findings corroborated the biochemical results. Novelty The polyherbal premix brought about appetite regulation and induction of satiety to control obesity in HFD-fed rats through homeostasis of energy metabolism. The premix along with exercise is a complete way to combat obesity.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

A Peptide Derived from RNA Recognition Motif 2 of Human La Protein Binds to Hepatitis C Virus Internal Ribosome Entry Site, Prevents Ribosomal Assembly, and Inhibits Internal Initiation of Translation

Human La protein is known to interact with hepatitis C virus (HCV) internal ribosome entry site (IRES) and stimulate translation. Previously, we demonstrated that mutations within HCV SL IV lead to reduced binding to La-RNA recognition motif 2 (RRM2) and drastically affect HCV IRES-mediated translation. Also, the binding of La protein to SL IV of HCV IRES was shown to impart conformational alterations within the RNA so as to facilitate the formation of functional initiation complex. Here, we report that a synthetic peptide, LaR2C, derived from the C terminus of La-RRM2 competes with the binding of cellular La protein to the HCV IRES and acts as a dominant negative inhibitor of internal initiation of translation of HCV RNA. The peptide binds to the HCV IRES and inhibits the functional initiation complex formation. An Huh7 cell line constitutively expressing a bicistronic RNA in which both cap-dependent and HCV IRES-mediated translation can be easily assayed has been developed. The addition of purified TAT-LaR2C recombinant polypeptide that allows direct delivery of the peptide into the cells showed reduced expression of HCV IRES activity in this cell line. The study reveals valuable insights into the role of La protein in ribosome assembly at the HCV IRES and also provides the basis for targeting ribosome-HCV IRES interaction to design potent antiviral therapy

Cytological diagnosis of chondrosarcoma: A case report with review of literature

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor of bone showing cartilaginous differentiation. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is found to be effective in the preoperative diagnosis of chondrosarcoma combined with radiological and clinical evaluation. Ribs is one of the most common skeleton sites for chondrosarcoma, the others being pelvis, proximal femur, proximal humerus and distal femur. We are presenting the case of a 40-year-old man who presented with a tumor in the anterior chest wall on the left side. On FNAC of the mass, a diagnosis of low-grade chondrosarcoma was made which was later confirmed on histopathology

Clinicopathological study of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women

Background: Until recently, perimenopause has been little understood and ignored especially in developing the country like India. It is a distinct entity from menopause and in terms of symptomatology, it may be even more important than postmenopause. Aims and Objectives: (1) To ascertain the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in perimenopausal women (40-55 years). (2) To study the spectrum of morphological changes in perimenopausal bleeding with high-risk factors predisposing to endometrial hyperplasia and malignancy. Materials and Methods: The study was undertaken in a large tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 3 years. All the outdoor and indoor patients presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding with or without other clinical features in the perimenopausal age group (40-55 years) were included in the study. Women with menstrual cycles of 21-35 days with a duration of flow of 2-6 days were considered normal and were excluded from the study. Specimen considered for histopathological study included endometrial biopsy, dilation and curettage, fractional curettage, cervical biopsy, and or hysterectomy with or without salpingo-oophrectomy done for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Statistics Used: Totally, 100 cases were selected on the basis of simple random sampling and analyzed. Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 40-45 (45%) with menorrhagia as the chief complaint. The bulk of the specimens were of total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy (43%). Functional endometrial changes were the most common cause in 40-50 years age group but endometrial carcinoma was the main cause of bleeding in the 51-55 years group indicating heightened occurrence of malignancy with increasing age

Myoepithelial carcinoma arising in recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate: A case report with review of literature

Myoepithelial carcinomas (MCs) are rare neoplasm of salivary glands composed predominantly of cells with myoepithelial differentiation characterized by infiltrative growth, necrosis, multinodular architecture, and potential for metastasis. Majority are seen in major salivary glands like parotid. They can arise either de novo or within a preexisting pleomorphic adenoma or myoepithelioma, the latter being very uncommon. We report a rare case of malignant myoepithelioma arising from a pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate. A 66-year-old male patient presented with recurrent soft palate mass, with history of a pleomorphic adenoma at the same location operated 2 years ago. The recurrent tumor showed histopathological features of MC, confirmed by immunohistochemistry

Comparison of modified ultrafast Papanicolaou stain with the standard rapid Papanicolaou stain in cytology of various organs

Background: Since the first introduction of Papanicolaou (Pap) stain in 1942 there have been many modifications. Of these, the Ultra-Fast Pap stain has become popular. This technique was further modified in India as many of the reagents were not available in our country. Our study was conducted by adapting this modified staining technique which involves the replacement of Gill′s hematoxylin with Harris hematoxylin. Aims: The aim of our prospective study was to assess the use of the modified Ultra-Fast Pap stain (MUFP) for fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of various organs in comparison with the standard rapid Pap stain. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 FNAC cases were studied by random sampling. Two smears were prepared for each case and stained by both, the MUFP and the rapid Pap stain. Scores were given and the quality index was calculated, followed by the statistical analysis. The number of cases was as follows: lymph node (43), thyroid (25), breast (23), salivary gland (02), and soft tissues (07). Scores were given on four parameters: Background of smears, overall staining pattern, cell morphology and nuclear staining. Quality index was calculated from the ratio of score achieved to the maximum score possible. Statistical Analysis: Results were analyzed using Mean, Median, Standard Deviation, ′t′ paired test, ′P′ value and M-diff for statistical significance. Results: Correct diagnosis was made in all cases. The quality index of MUFP smears was better compared to the rapid Pap stain in all the organs, and was statistically significant. MUFP smears showed a clear red blood cells background, transparent cytoplasm and crisp nuclear features. Conclusion: MUFP is a reliable and rapid technique for cytology diagnosis

Chondrolipoma of breast: A case report with the review of the literature

Chondrolipoma of the breast is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor composed of mature cartilage and adipose tissue. We present one such case in a 55-year-old woman presenting with left breast lump detected by self-examination. The tumor was diagnosed as fibroadenoma clinically. The diagnosis of chondrolipoma was possible only by histopathological examination. This case is reported because of its rarity in breast