Effect of levothyroxine therapy on dyslipidemia in hypothyroid patients

The aims of the present study are to observe the prevalence of hypothyroidism (both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism), its association with dyslipidemia and whether replacement therapy with thyroid hormone has an effect on plasma lipid profile of hypothyroid patients. This prospective study of one-year duration recruited 232 clinically suspected patients belonging to both sexes and age group between 20-70 years attending OPD of endocrinology department of MLN Medical College, Allahabad. Patients were screened for T3, T4 and TSH and those who were euthyroid (52 cases) were excluded from the study. Thus, the present study included only 180 newly diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine replacement therapy was administered and patients were assessed every 3-4 months for an effect on lipid profile and body mass index during the study period. In both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism associated with dyslipidemia, replacement therapy with levothyroxine resulted in reversal to normal in significant number of cases. Although majority of hypothyroid cases were overweight yet therapy with  levothyroxine caused no significant changes in BMI in all grades of obesity.Keywords: Levothyroxine therapy; Dyslipidemia; Hypothyroidis

Bio-Ecology of the Louse, Upupicola upupae, Infesting the Common Hoopoe, Upupa epops

The population characteristics of the louse, Upupicola upupae (Shrank) (Mallophaga: Philopteridae: Ishnocera), infesting the Common Hoopae, Upupa epops L. (Aves: Upupiformes), were recorded during 2007–08 in District Rampur, Uttar Pradesh India. The pattern of frequency distribution of the louse conformed to the negative binomial model. The lice and its nits were reared in vitro at 35 ± 1° C, 75–82 % RH, on a feather diet. The data obtained was used to construct the life table and to determine the intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.035 female/day), the net reproductive rate was 3.67 female eggs/female, the generation time was 37 days, and the doubling time of the population was 19 days. The chaetotaxy of the three nymphal instars has also been noted to record their diagnostic characteristics. Information on egg morphology and antennal sensilla is also presented

Effect of levothyroxine therapy on hypertension in hypothyroid patients

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to observe whether levothyroxine replacement therapy has an effect on hypertension in patients of hypothyroidism. This prospective study included all newly diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism (overt or subclinical) with hypertension, of either sex between 21-70 years of age. Levothyroxine replacement therapy was administered continuously during study period. Patients were clinically assessed for blood pressure before and every 3-4 monthly on levothyroxine therapy. Statistical analysis was carried out using a paired Student’s t-test. During one year study period, out of 180 newly diagnosed hypothyroid cases enrolled, 88 had overt hypothyroidism (OH) and 92 subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). Male: female ratio was 1: 6.5. Of these, hypertension was present in 51 (28.33%) patients (33 OH and 18 SH). Only diastolic blood pressure was raised in 28(54.9%) cases, systolic in 12 (23.53%) and both systolic and diastolic in 11 (21.57%) cases. Incidence of only diastolic hypertension was comparatively more in overt hypothyroidism (57.57%) than subclinical hypothyroidism (50%). Complete reversal of hypertension was observed in 8 out of 17 SH and 18 out of 29 OH cases while partial reversal was noted in one case in each category. A statistically significant decrease in mean values of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in patients of SH as well as OH. Hypertension is fairly common in patients of hypothyroidism. Replacement therapy with levothyroxine is quite helpful in reversing hypertension, a potential cardiovascular risk factor.KEYWORDS: Hypertension; Hypothyroidism; Levothyroxine therapyInternet Journal of Medical Update 2012 January;7(1):13-1

Dynamic clustering of time series with Echo State Networks

In this paper we introduce a novel methodology for unsupervised analysis of time series, based upon the iterative implementation of a clustering algorithm embedded into the evolution of a recurrent Echo State Network. The main features of the temporal data are captured by the dynamical evolution of the network states, which are then subject to a clustering procedure. We apply the proposed algorithm to time series coming from records of eye movements, called saccades, which are recorded for diagnosis of a neurodegenerative form of ataxia. This is a hard classification problem, since saccades from patients at an early stage of the disease are practically indistinguishable from those coming from healthy subjects. The unsupervised clustering algorithm implanted within the recurrent network produces more compact clusters, compared to conventional clustering of static data, and provides a source of information that could aid diagnosis and assessment of the disease.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Design and Development of Halogenated Chalcone Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents

Purpose: To design and develop halogenated chalcone derivatives and evaluate them as anticancer agents using different cancer cell lines.Methods: Based on in silico design and docking on known target, crystal structure of the complex of interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE) with a peptide based inhibitor, (3S )-N-Methanesulfonyl-3- ({1-[N-(2-naphtoyl)-l-valyl]-l-prolyl}amino)-4-oxobutanamide (1BMQ), novel halogenated chalcone derivatives were designed (7a-h) employing LigandFit module of Accelrys (Discovery Studio, 2.1 version). Standard protocols for ligand and protein preparation were employed and their binding orientation validated using (3S)-N-Methanesulfonyl-3-({1-[N-(2-naphtoyl)-l-valyl]-l-prolyl}amino)-4-oxobutanamide (MNO 601), a caspase inhibitor as reference standard. Energy minimized conformers with best dock scores were considered for the identification of interacting amino acid residues with ligands. Selected derivatives were synthesized and analyzed by melting point, 1H NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy. Their evaluation for anticancer activity was carried out using adriamycin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil as reference standards on prostrate (PC-3), colon (COLO-205), ovary (OVCAR-5), liver (HEP-2) and neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cancer cell lines, and % growth inhibition and half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated.Results: Among synthesized compounds, 7b showed the most promising cytotoxic activity with an IC50 of 49.9 ìM on colon cancer cell lines (Colo-205), followed by 7d with an IC50 of 66.6 ìM against ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-5).Conclusion: We report the successful synthesis, spectral characterization and in vitro anticancer evaluation of a series of novel halogenated chalcone derivatives against a number of human cancer cell lines. The findings indicate the emergence of new anticancer compounds.Keywords: Halogenated chalcones, Dock scores, Anticancer activity,  Interleukin-1beta converting enzyme

Sutureless prepuceplasty with wound healing by second intention: An alternative surgical approach in children's phimosis treatment

Abstract Background A new technique for the treatment of children's phimosis is presented that minimizes the repairing time, the postoperative complications and maintains the physical foreskin appearance intact. Methods Eightyseven children with phimosis were treated with this new developed technique, between 2003 and 2005. Sutureless prepuceplasty creates a permanent surgical extension of the close prepuce. Stretching and retraction of phimotic foreskin reveals a tight prepuce ring that is cutting in its dorsal surface longitudinally. Rarely triple symmetric incisions in the preputial outlet are necessary. The foreskin is loose and moves absolutely free in bilateral courses. The wounds are healing by second intention. Antisepsis, steroids and Elicina cream, (which contains allantoin, collagen, elastin, glycolic acid and vitamins A, D, and E) should apply daily, for twenty to thirty days. Results The foreskin is moving in centripetal or efferent courses absolutely loosely, painlessly and bloodlessly. The mean time of follow-up was 27 months (one to four years). No complications were observed. Conclusion Sutureless prepuceplasty may present an acceptable alternative in children's phimosis reconstruction.</p

Enterobius vermicularis in the male urinary tract: a case report

Enterobius vermicularis is an intestinal nematode of humans. Adults usually have low worm burdens and are asymptomatic. Ectopic infections in the pelvic area or urinary tract rarely occur in women. We report a case of the patient with mild voiding difficulties such as urgency, frequency, nocturia, dysuria, mild low back pain or perineal discomfort. The patient's prostatic secretions showed a large number of inflammatory cells and several eggs. The size and the shape of the eggs identified them as a group of E. vermicularis. On examination we found a soft palpable material which was 5 mm diameter in size and spherical shape. Palpation gave the impression of a tissue than a stone. An incision was performed and a 4 mm long living worm was found. The microscopic examination identified the worm as E- vermicularis. It is an extremely rare manifestation of enterobius vermicularis infection since an intestinal-breeding worm is rarely found in the male genital tract

Remineralization of demineralized dentin using a dual analog system.

ObjectiveImproved methods are needed to remineralize dentin caries in order to promote conservation of dentin tissue and minimize the surgical interventions that are currently required for clinical treatment. Here, we test the hypothesis that bulk substrates can be effectively mineralized via a dual analog system proposed by others, using a tripolyphosphate (TPP) "templating analog" and a poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(aspartic acid) (pAsp) "sequestration analog," the latter of which generates the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) mineralization process studied in our laboratory.Material &amp; methodsDemineralized human dentin slices were remineralized with and without pre-treatment with TPP, using either PAA or pAsp as the PILP process-directing agent. A control experiment with no polymer present was used for comparison.ResultsNo mineralization was observed in any of the PAA groups. In both the pAsp and no polymer groups, TPP inhibited mineralization on the surfaces of the specimens but promoted mineralization within the interiors. Pre-treatment with TPP enhanced overall mineralization of the pAsp group. However, when analysed via TEM, regions with little mineral were still present.ConclusionPoly(acrylic acid) was unable to remineralize demineralized dentin slices under the conditions employed, even when pre-treated with TPP. However, pre-treatment with TPP enhanced overall mineralization of specimens that were PILP-remineralized using pAsp