Heat preconditioning prevents enterocyte mitochondrial damage induced by surgical manipulation.

Background: The small intestine is susceptible to free radical-induced damage and our earlier work has shown that surgical manipulation of the intestine results in generation of oxygen free radicals, leading to mucosal damage. Heat preconditioning has been shown to offer protection against various stresses including oxidative stress and this study looked at the effect of heat preconditioning on surgical manipulation-induced intestinal mitochondrial alterations.

Methods: Control and rats pretreated with heat were subjected to surgical manipulation by opening the abdominal wall and handling the intestine as done during laparotomy.

Heat preconditioning attenuates oxygen free radical-mediated alterations in the intestinal brush border membrane induced by surgical manipulation.

Background: The intestine is highly susceptible to free radical-induced damage and our earlier work has shown that surgical manipulation of the intestine results in generation of oxygen free radicals and mucosal damage along with alterations in the brush border membrane (BBM). Heat preconditioning is known to offer protection against various stresses including oxidative stress and this study looked at the effect of heat preconditioning on the intestinal BBM alterations following surgical manipulation.

Methods: Control and rats heat preconditioned were subjected to surgical manipulation by opening the abdominal wall and handling the intestine.

Laparoscopic orchidectomy for undescended testis in adults.

Background: Impalpable testis is a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in adults, for both radiologist and surgeons, with few reports in literature addressing this problem in adults. Laparoscopy is a reliable and definitive procedure obviating the necessity of advance investigation and subsequent inguinal exploration in adults.

Aims: To study the utility of laparoscopy as combined diagnostic and therapeutic modality for undescended testis in adults.

Intestinal mucosal alterations in experimental cirrhosis in the rat: role of oxygen free radicals.

Cirrhosis is associated with altered gastrointestinal function, and bacterial translocation from the gut plays an important role in the etiology of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) seen in this condition. Although alterations in gut motility and intestinal permeability are recognized in cirrhosis, the intestinal damage at the cellular and subcellular levels is not well understood. This study looked at the mucosal alterations in experimental cirrhosis and the role of oxygen free radicals in this process.

Role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous retromammary abscesses.

Objective: To assess the role of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of rib and lung involvement in tuberculous abscess in the retromammary region.

Design And Patients: Eight patients with tuberculous retromammary abscess were examined by CT and the findings were evaluated. A cold abscess (purulent collection with absence of acute inflammation) was aspirated in all cases.

Effect of surgical manipulation of the rat intestine on enterocyte populations.

Background: The intestine is susceptible to operations at remote locations, and the barrier function is altered during intestinal manipulation, leading to bacterial or endotoxin translocation into the systemic circulation. One of the mainstays for the maintenance of the integrity of the barrier function is epithelial cell proliferation and migration. The present study looked at the effect of gut manipulation after laparotomy on different cell populations of the intestinal epithelium.

Pre-transplant risk factors for renal allograft dysfunction at one year in Indian patients.

Background: Only a few patients with end-stage renal disease in the Indian subcontinent receive optimal treatment. Of these only a minority can afford a second renal transplant. Awareness of modifiable pre-transplant risk factors that influence allograft function is crucial before embarking on the first transplant.

A novel method of preparation of small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles by polyethylene glycol precipitation.

A novel method of brush border membrane vesicle (BBMV) preparation from the small intestinal mucosa using polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation has been presented. This preparation is compared with calcium-precipitated BBMVs in marker enzyme enrichment, contamination by other subcellular membranes, transport of glucose, and lipid composition. PEG-precipitated BBMVs are comparable with calcium-precipitated membranes in all parameters except lipid composition and thiol content.

Surgical stress induces phospholipid degradation in the intestinal brush border membrane.

Background: Surgical stress can lead to translocation of bacteria from the intestine into the systemic circulation. The intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) plays an important role in defense against such invasion by luminal bacteria and endotoxin. Our earlier work has shown the development of oxidative stress in the intestine after surgical stress and since the BBM is sensitive to free radical attack, this study examined the effect of surgical stress on the structure and function of intestinal BBM.

Isolated splenic lymphoma: an elusive preoperative diagnosis.

Four patients underwent splenectomy for various clinical and radiological diagnoses and were found to have primary splenic lymphoma at surgery and histology. The diagnosis was classical Hodgkin's lymphoma, mixed cellularity type (one case); marginal zone B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (one case); and large B cell type non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (two cases). The first two patients had multiple nodules in the spleen measuring 0.

Development of a methodology for selecting criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management: a case study on participatory assessment.

This paper describes an application of multiple criteria analysis (MCA) in assessing criteria and indicators adapted for a particular forest management unit. The methods include: ranking, rating, and pairwise comparisons. These methods were used in a participatory decision-making environment where a team representing various stakeholders and professionals used their expert opinions and judgements in assessing different criteria and indicators (C&I) on the one hand, and how suitable and applicable they are to a forest management unit on the other.

Giant prosthesis for reinforcement of visceral sac for complex bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernias: a prospective evaluation.

Aims: To evaluate giant prosthesis for reinforcement of visceral sac (GPRVS) as a treatment for complex bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernias.

Subjects And Methods: The prospective study carried out in a single surgical unit at a tertiary health care center involved consecutive series of 31 patients with complex bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernias who underwent GPRVS. All were men and the mean age was 58 years (range 49-95 years).

Paraesophageal mediastinal drainage with diversion for delayed presentation of esophageal perforation.

Esophageal perforation is a serious condition; a delay of more than 48 hours in initiation of treatment leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Management of such patients is a surgical dilemma. We successfully managed 4 patients (2-iatrogenic, 1-tuberculous, 1-Boerhaave's syndrome) with delayed presentation of esophageal perforation by esophageal exclusion and paraesophageal mediastinal drainage, achieving good control of mediastinal sepsis, healing of perforation and at the same time avoiding thoracotomy and subsequent second surgery.

Laparoscopic management of hydatid cyst of liver.

We describe the laparoscopic excision of a hydatid cyst in the liver. During the procedure, done after treatment with the scolicidal agents praziquantel and albendazole, care was taken to prevent spillage of scolices during evacuation of contents and to excise the entire germinal epithelium. The patient had no immediate or short-term complications and is asymptomatic 3 months later.

Isolation of emetine resistant clones of Entamoeba histolytica by petri dish agar method.

Emetine resistant clones of Entamoeba histolytica strain HM1:IMSS were isolated by using petri dish agar method after mutation with ethyl-methanesulphonate. Two emetine resistant clones were obtained and both were resistant to emetine at a concentration of 24 micrograms/ml of emetine. The 50 per cent inhibitory concentration (IC50) for both emetine sensitive and resistant clones was 5 and 14 micrograms/ml respectively.

Primary hepatic low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) associated with primary biliary cirrhosis.

We describe a case of low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) arising in the liver of a patient with early-stage primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The patient, a 62-year old woman, presented with abnormal liver function tests, a positive antimitochondrial antibody titer (1:160), and a liver mass. The resected mass, 6.

Studies on some trace and minor elements in blood. A survey of the Kalpakkam (India) population. Part III: Studies on dietary intake and its correlation to blood levels.

In our studies on elemental levels in blood of the Kalpakkam population, it was found that the reference values for many elements were normal, but some deficiency with respect to Se was noticed. As a followup study, the dietary ingredients of the local population were analyzed for trace and minor elements to assess the dietary intake of these elements. Details of the analytical methods developed using the technique of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) have been described.

Studies on some trace and minor elements in blood. A survey of the Kalpakkam (India) population. Part II: Reference values for plasma and red cell, and correlation with coronary risk index.

Since data on the trace element levels in Indian population are lacking, we chose to conduct a survey of the Kalpakkam township population. People in the age group 40-55 were included in this study. Reference values for trace and minor elements of the blood of the Kalpakkam population were arrived at by carrying out the analysis of plasma and red cells of healthy subjects of the Kalpakkam population.

Studies on some trace and minor elements in blood. A survey of the Kalpakkam (India) population. Part I: Standardization of analytical methods using ICP-MS and AAS.

Blood is one of the widely used specimens for biological trace element research because of its biological significance and ease of sampling. We have conducted a study of the blood of the Kalpakkam township population for trace and minor elements. For this purpose, analytical methods have been developed and standardized in our laboratory for the elemental analysis of blood plasma and red cells.

Predictors of inotropic support during weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

Early or prophylactic inotropic drug administration is occasionally required to facilitate separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in cardiac surgery. However, it is not without untoward effects and should be conducted on the basis of rational criteria. The purpose of our study was to clarify variables associated with the requirement for inotropic support during separation from CPB and to testify whether pre-CPB left ventricular (LV) function, as evaluated by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), is one of the significant variables.

Reduction pneumonoplasty for emphysema. Early results.

Objective: The authors determined the role of Nd:YAG laser reduction pneumonoplasty for selected patients with diffuse emphysema.

Summary Background Data: The study is based on the concepts introduced 30 years ago by Brantigan regarding the value of lung reduction surgery in patients with emphysema. The authors used minimally invasive techniques with the hopes of providing appropriate clinical results with the least surgical morbidity.