[Traumatic rupture of hepatic hydatid cyst]. / Rottura traumatica di cisti idatidea epatica.

Hydatid disease is endemic in some areas of the world. It is located mostly in the liver. The cysts rupture is possible after a trauma, or spontaneously by the increase of intracystic pressure. Rupture of the hydatid cyst requires urgent surgical intervention. We report our experience in treatment of traumatic rupture of hepatic hydatid cyst.

Antifeedant activity of Momordica dioica fruit pulp extracts on Spodoptera litura.

The hexane extract and ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extract of the fruit pulp of Momordica dioica exhibited moderate and concentration dependent antifeedant activity against Spodoptera litura.

Diclofenac sodium loaded gelatin magnetic microspheres for intra-arterial administration: formulation, characterization and in vitro release studies.

Gelatin magnetic microspheres loaded with diclofenac sodium were prepared by emulsification and crosslinking by glutaraldehyde. The microspheres were formulated with 23-30% theoretical diclofenac sodium and magnetite content. The formulated microspheres were characterized by drug loading, entrapment efficiency, encapsulation efficiency, magnetite content, FT-IR spectroscopy, particle size analysis, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and in vitro release studies. The data obtained from the in vitro release studies were applied to various kinetic models. The FT-IR revealed no drug/polymer interaction. The average particle size was between 36 to 61 microm depending on quantity of magnetite and gelatin used. Optical microscopy and SEM showed spherical and compact nature of microspheres. The formulated microspheres released the drug for a period of 42 to 78 hours depending on drug loading. The release was diffusion controlled at lower drug loading and dissolution/diffusion controlled at higher drug loading.

Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Azadirachta indica fruit skin extract and its isolated constituent azadiradione.

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of carbon tetrachloride extract (CTCE) of Azadirachta indica fruit skin and its isolated constituent azadiradione at two different dose levels (50 and 100 mg kg⁻¹ body weight). Anti-nociceptive screening by writhing test and hot-plate technique supported both peripheral and central mechanisms, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was observed using carrageenan-induced paw oedema model. The results concluded that the animals treated with 100 mg kg⁻¹ dose of CTCE and azadiradione exhibited significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. This study had rationalised the ethnomedicinal use of the plant for wound, burns and injury by tribal people.

Thyroid status in various degrees of protein-calorie malnutrition in children.

The thyroid functional parameters of 102 children with protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) classified as undernourished, marasmic, kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor were studied by measuring the serum T4, T3, T3 percentage uptake (T3%UT), free thyroxine index (FTI), and (in a few subjects) TSH. Total plasma proteins, albumin and globulin were also estimated. T4 was increased markedly in the undernourished children and significantly decreased in kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor groups. There was a consistent and significant fall in T3 levels of all PCM children. From normal values, the fall in T3 levels was progressive in the order of undernourished, marasmic, kwashiorkor and the marasmic-kwashiorkor states. The T3%UT was increased above normal in the marasmic, kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiorkor conditions. The FTI decreased somewhat in marasmus and kwashiorkor groups and was very low in marasmic-kwashiorkor. Total protein and albumin levels were above normal in the undernourished but became markedly depressed in the marasmic-kwashiorkor children. The changes in the levels of both T4 and T3 in our observations are well correlated with the levels of plasma proteins in the undernourished, marasmic and kwashiorkor states but not in the marasmic-kwashiorkor group.

Thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyrotrophin levels in meningococcal meningitis, typhoid fever and other febrile conditions.

Thyroid status was estimated serially by measuring triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyrotrophin (hTSH) in 20 patients suffering from meningococcal meningitis, typhoid fever and other acute febrile illnesses. Significantly low T3 and only slightly increased T4 were observed in all the patients. hTSH was normal in all of these. A significant reciprocal relationship was found between the degree of fever and fall in T3 concentrations. T3 tended to rise in patients who recovered but in those who deteriorated or died, T3 remained persistently low.