Huge Anterior Mediastinal Teratoma Leading to Orthopnea in a Young Patient

The anterior mediastinal cysts and masses (AMCM) can be of varied origin and presentation. Although the space in the mediastinum is limited the cysts and masses can grow to a large size before the presentation. They displace the adjacent structures and then can grow into the pleural cavities thereby acquiring a large size. We share our experience of a case of a huge anterior mediastinal cystic mass in a young female who had a characteristic presentation of sudden onset breathlessness in the supine position and immediate relief in the sitting position. The patient recovered well after surgical treatment.

Evaluation of antiallergic activity (type I hypersensitivity) of Inula racemosa in rats.

Alcoholic extract of root of Inula racemosa, was studied for its antiallergic effect in experimental models of type I hypersensitivity, viz. egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) and mast cell degranulation in albino rats. The alcoholic extract was prepared by the process of continuous heat extraction. LD50 of this extract was found to be 2100 +/- 60 mg/kg, i.p. Assessment of protection against egg albumin induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxix by different doses of Inula racemosa was done by giving drug intraperitoneally or orally for seven days or once only. Mast cell degranulation studies were done by using compound 48/80 as degranulation agent with same dosage schedule. Inula racemosa (i.p. as well as p.o.) showed significant protection against egg albumin induced PCA. Protection against compound 48/80 induced mast cell degranulation by alcoholic extract of Inula racemosa (single dose) was similar to that of disodium cromoglycate. The seven days drug treatment schedule showed greater protection than disodium cromoglycate intraperitoneally. The results suggest that Inula racemosa possesses potent antiallergic properties in rats.

Effect of cigarette smoking on lipid profile in the young.

In view of the controversies existing regarding the atherogenic potential of smoking, this study was conducted in 40 healthy young male Cigarette smokers and 40 age and weight matched male non smokers, to find out the difference in the serum lipid profiles of both the groups. Subjects in both the groups were in the age range of 25 and 35 years having no history of alcohol abuse or diseases like diabetes mellitus or obesity. The mean serum total cholesterol (177.3 +/- 32.5 mg/dL) and LDL cholesterol (100.2 +/- 31.0 mg/dL) were significantly higher in smokers (p < 0.05) whereas mean serum HDL- Cholesterol was (43.2 +/- 5.8 mg/dL) was significantly lower (P < 0.05). Mean triglyceride (170.8 +/- 59.7 mg/dL) was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (p < 0.01). In the fed state the total serum cholesterol level and triglyceride level was increased by 10.4 mg/dL and 51.1 mg/dL respectively in smokers whereas the increase was 4.8 mg/dL and 24.3 mg/dL respectively in nonsmokers. There was less rise of HDL cholesterol (1.9 mg/dL) in smokers as compared to that in nonsmokers (3.4 mg/dL) and in LDL-cholesterol (1.8 mg/dL) in smokers compared to nonsmokers (3.4 mg/dL) in fed state.

Malabsorption in thyroid dysfunctions.

Studies of intestinal absorptive functions in 11 hyperthyroid and 14 hypothyroid patients showed that steatorrhoea was common in hyperthyroid patients and rare in hypothyroid patients. D-xylose malabsorption was present in both the groups of thyroid disorders being more common in hypothyroid one. Occasionally vitamin B12 malabsorption was found in 2 hypothyroid patients. Jejunal mucosal changes were almost unremarkable. Both fat and carbohydrate malabsorption in both groups of patients appeared to be casually related to the thyroid dysfunction.

Early onset duodenal ulcer with special reference to serum alpha-1-antitrypsin activity.

Thirteen patients of duodenal ulcer, below 20 years of age, ten age and sex matched controls and 17 first probands were studied to find out (i) the special characteristics of this duodenal ulcer subtype and (ii) the serum alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha-1-AT) activity in these patients and their first probands. Basal and maximal acid output, and serum level of alpha-1-AT were measured, and serum agar gel electrophoresis done, in the above subjects. Special characteristics like positive family history, and high basal (p less than or equal to 0.01) and maximal (p less than or equal to 0.001) acid output were noted in these patients. Serum alpha-1-AT was found to be deficient in nine patients. Five first probands also had the heterozygous level of the enzyme deficiency. Thus, patients of early onset duodenal ulcer seem to have special characteristics with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency in them as well as in their first probands.

Electrokinetic energy conversion studies of aqueous solution of urea, glucose and their mixtures across urinary bladder membranes.

Electrokinetic studies of aqueous solutions of urea, glucose, urea-glucose mixture (urea concentration increasing and glucose fixed) and glucose-urea mixture (glucose concentration increasing and urea concentration fixed) have been carried out across urinary bladder membranes of goat. Results have been analysed using methodology of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. It has been found that energy conversion maxima and degree of coupling for mixtures is higher than urea and glucose solutions. It has also been found that in the case of urea-glucose mixtures, the value of maxima and degree of coupling first decreases and then increases with increase in concentration while in the case of glucose-urea mixture, the trend is not definite. With urea solutions only, both these values increase with increase in concentration. It has been observed that energy conversion maxima and degree of coupling for urine is much higher as compared to other permeants. It appears that second order phenomenological coefficient L112 is related with degree of coupling (qe) as the trend of two is quite similar.