Necrotizing fasciitis of anterior abdominal wall following cesarean section in a low-risk patient.

We report a case of a mono-microbial post-cesarean necrotizing fasciitis caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, in a low-risk healthy woman who presented with acute fulminant infection, sepsis and features of multi-organ dysfunction syndrome on sixth post-operative day. Aggressive management with multiple surgical debridement and supportive therapy was the key to favorable outcome in this case.

Challenges in the Caesarean Section of a Severely Kyphotic Parturient.

Caesarean section in a severely kyphotic patient presents with unique challenges. We report a case of obstructed labor in case of a pregnant lady with severe kyphosis of spine that was managed by caesarean section. Lateral recumbent position with adequate assistance and paramedian or vertical skin incision was used and found to provide good exposure.

Pharmacological and biochemical studies on the role of free radicals during stress-induced immunomodulation in rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the role of free radicals in restraint stress (RS)-induced modulation of immune responses in rats. RS significantly suppressed both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses as evidenced by reduced (a) anti-SRBC antibody titre (b) splenic Plaque Forming Cell counts, (c) footpad thickness response, and (d) IFN-γ and IL-4 levels. Assay for oxidative stress markers in blood showed that there was significant enhancement in plasma corticosterone and products of lipid peroxidation, viz.

Effects of diesel exhaust, heavy metals and pesticides on various organ systems: possible mechanisms and strategies for prevention and treatment.

Environmental pollutants have a significant impact on the ecosystem and disrupt balance between environment, human and non-human components that result in deleterious effects to all forms of life. Identifying environmental factors for potential imbalance are extremely crucial for devising strategies for combating such toxic dysregulation. Automobile exhaust (in air), heavy metals (in food and water) and pesticides (in air, food, soil and water) are the most common environmental pollutants and their short and long-term exposures can cause hazardous effects in humans leading to systemic disorders involving lungs, kidney and immune systems.

Plasma calcitonin gene-related peptide concentration is comparable to control group among migraineurs and tension type headache subjects during inter-ictal period.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is known to increase during acute attack of migraine and tension type headache (TTH). However, its concentration during inter-ictal period is not known. This may help us to understand the pathophysiology of these headaches.

Polymorphism in apolipoprotein E among migraineurs and tension-type headache subjects.

Nitric oxide plays an important role in the pathogenesis of migraine as well as tension-type headache. Studies suggest that the expression of molecules involved in the pathogenesis of headache, i.e.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy: review of the literature.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare but serious form of cardiac failure affecting women in the last months of pregnancy or early puerperium. Clinical presentation of PPCM is similar to that of systolic heart failure from any cause, and it can sometimes be complicated by a high incidence of thromboembolism. Prior to the availability of echocardiography, diagnosis was based only on clinical findings.

Role of free radicals in stress-induced neurobehavioural changes in rats.

Effect of restraint stress (RS) and its modulation by antioxidants were evaluated on elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests in rats. Restraint stress (RS for 1 hr) reduced the number of open arm entries, as also the time spent on open arms indicating enhanced anxiogenic response in the EPM test as compared to normal non RS group of rats. Pretreatment with ascorbic acid (100 and 200 mg/kg) and alpha-tocopherol (30 and 60 mg/kg) attenuated these RS-induced effects.

Modulation of stress-induced neurobehavioral changes by nitric oxide in rats.

The involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in stress-induced neurobehavioral changes in rats was evaluated using the elevated plus maze and open field tests. Restraint stress (1 h) reduced both the number of entries and time spent in open arms, with both expressed as percent of controls (no restraint stress), and these changes were reversed with diazepam (1 mg/kg) and the NO precursor, L-arginine (500 and 1000 mg/kg) pretreatment. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (50 mg/kg), aggravated restraint stress effects in the elevated plus maze test, whereas the lower dose (10 mg/kg) of the drug attenuated the same.