Imidazoline receptors as a new therapeutic target in Huntington's disease: A preclinical overview.

An autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease called Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by motor dysfunction, cognitive decline, and a variety of psychiatric symptoms due to the expansion of polyglutamine in the Huntingtin gene. The disease primarily affects the striatal neurons within the basal ganglia, leading to significant neuronal loss and associated symptoms such as chorea and dystonia. Current therapeutic approaches focus on symptom management without altering the disease's progression, highlighting a pressing need for novel treatment strategies.

Agmatine as a novel intervention for Alzheimer's disease: Pathological insights and cognitive benefits.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and a significant societal burden. Despite extensive research and efforts of the multidisciplinary scientific community, to date, there is no cure for this debilitating disease. Moreover, the existing pharmacotherapy for AD only provides symptomatic support and does not modify the course of the illness or halt the disease progression.

Agmatine mitigates behavioral abnormalities and neurochemical dysregulation associated with 3-Nitropropionic acid-induced Huntington's disease in rats.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by a severe motor incoordination, cognitive decline, and psychiatric complications. However, a definitive cure for this devastating disorder remains elusive. Agmatine, a biogenic amine, has gain attention for its reported neuromodulatory and neuroprotective properties.

Nattokinase prevents β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) induced neuropsychiatric complications, neuroinflammation and BDNF signalling disruption in mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neuronal damage. Although AD is typically considered a cognitive neurodegenerative disorder, almost all people diagnosed with AD develop neuropsychiatric complications at some stage in their life span. The present study investigated the effect of chronic Nattokinase (NK) administration on β-Amyloid peptide (Aβ) induced neuropsychiatric conditions (depression-like behaviour, anxiety, and memory impairment) in mice.

Isolated roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy vs single loop pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background: Pancreatic anastomotic leaks are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy, and no single technique of reconstruction has shown to be superior. The aim of this study was to review the experience of single loop versus isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy in a series of patients undergoing pancreatic head resection.

Methods: A retrospective review involving 111 patients who underwent pancreatic head resections over 13year period (1994-2006) for malignant (n=106) and benign (n=5) disease was performed.

Comparison of major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy.

Background: The mechanism and extent of major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy differ from those of open cholecystectomy.

Methods: To identify differences in the demographic profile, timing of injury detection, management strategies and outcome, we undertook a retrospective review and analysis of our experience with 55 major bile duct injuries following both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies over a period of 9 years.

Results: Thirty-one major bile duct injuries resulted from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (56%) and 24 of them were sustained after open cholecystectomy (44%).

Primary hyperparathyroidism in north India: a description of 52 cases.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has a variable clinical expression. Symptomatic PHPT is still the predominant form of the disease in many parts of the world, especially developing countries. Because the clinical profile of the disease has changed from that described in the past, we sought to improve our understanding of the disease in patients in north India.

Management of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the presentation, characteristics, related investigation, and treatment results of major bile duct injuries (MBDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 27 patients who were treated between January 1995 and December 2002 for MBDI after LC at a single unit in a tertiary center. Major bile duct injury was defined according to the Strasberg classification.

Current management of gall bladder perforations.

Background: Gall bladder perforation is a serious complication of acute cholecystitis. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the presenting symptoms, diagnosis and management of patients with gall bladder perforations.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of 31 consecutive patients with gall bladder perforation in a single unit of a tertiary referral hospital, between January 1996 and December 2001.

Surgical management of phaeochromocytoma.

Objectives: Phaeochromocytoma is a rare tumour, which is benign but metabolically functional, with a potential for malignancy. Surgical resection is the primary treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify the presenting features, diagnostic tests and appropriate surgical approaches for phaeochromocytoma.

Internal pancreatic fistulas with pancreatic ascites and pancreatic pleural effusions: recognition and management.

Background: Internal pancreatic fistulas are well recognized complications of chronic pancreatitis.

Methods: Six patients with internal pancreatic fistulas were treated over a period of 5 years from 1995 to 1999. Four patients presented with ascites, one patient presented with ascites and bilateral pleural effusion and the sixth patient presented with left-sided pleural effusion.

Role of selective intra-operative cholangiography during cholecystectomy.

Background: The use of routine intra-operative cholangiography (IOC) remains controversial. This prospective study was carried out to determine whether to perform selective or routine IOC in patients undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstones.

Methods: All consecutive patients undergoing open cholecystectomy over a 16-month period were included in the present study.

Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to carotid body tumours: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Background: Carotid body tumour is a rare neoplasm of the carotid body. Three cases of carotid body tumour presenting as a painless progressive mass in the neck region are reported here. A review of the relevant literature regarding carotid body tumours is also presented.

Necrotizing fascitis after injection sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids: report of a case.

A case report of a patient who underwent submucosal injection sclerotherapy for hemorrhoids is presented. Subsequently developed necrotizing fascitis of the anorectum, perianal region, and scrotum necessitated emergency debridement and defunctioning colostomy. Postoperatively, the patient developed septicemia and renal failure requiring an extended hospital stay.

Pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery: a rare cause of hemobilia.

Aneurysms are a rare cause of hemobilia, and usually involved are branches of the hepatic and gastro-duodenal arteries. A case of a patient with hemobilia secondary to a pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery is presented. Fewer than 10 cases have been reported in the literature, and in all of them the condition was associated with inflammation of the gall bladder, as in our case.

Preoperative bile salt administration versus bile refeeding in obstructive jaundice.

Background: Endotoxaemia due to intraluminal bile salt depletion may be a cause of renal failure in patients with obstructive jaundice. Administration of bile salts to these patients has been reported to decrease portal and systemic endotoxaemia during surgery and improve renal function. However, such changes have not been shown with bile refeeding.

Biliary obstruction due to pancreatic insulinoma.

Pancreatic insulinomas are rare tumors and their association with polycystic disease of the liver is uncommon. We report here a patient with pancreatic insulinoma with hepatic metastasis and biliary obstruction presenting with neuroglycopenic symptoms and cholestasis on a background of polycystic liver disease.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1.

A 38-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type-1 (Wermer's syndrome) is described. The patient had refractory duodenal ulcers and raised basal acid output (55 mmol/hour) and fasting serum gastrin (1190 pg/ml). Abdominal CT scan revealed mass lesions (gastrinomas) in the head of the pancreas.

Nifedipine and surgical removal of phaeochromocytoma.

The management of five patients with phaeochromocytoma undergoing surgical removal is described. Pre-operative preparation with phenoxybenzamine and nifedipine for 7 days before surgery prevented excessive fluctuations in cardiovascular parameters in the peri-operative period and resulted in an uneventful recovery.

"Bypass arthritis" after gastroileostomy.

We describe a patient who underwent inadvertent gastroileostomy, and subsequently developed malabsorption, granulomatous hepatitis, arthritis, and reactivation of tuberculosis accompanied by circulating immune complexes and lowered C1q. Surgical correction resulted in marked improvement, with disappearance of arthritis, return to normal of complement levels, and absence of demonstrable circulating immune complexes. Arthritis has not been documented in the spectrum of abnormalities described after gastroileostomy.