Effect of cryogenic grinding on volatile and fatty oil constituents of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) genotypes.

Effect of cryogenic grinding on recovery of volatile oil, fatty oil percentage and their constituents in two cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) genotypes have been analyzed. Cryogenic grinding not only retains the volatiles but enhanced the recovery by 33.9 % in GC 4 and 43.5 % in RZ 209. A significant increase (29.9 %) over normal grinding in oil percentage was also observed in genotype RZ 209. This increase was, however, less (15.4 %) in genotype GC 4. Nineteen major compounds were identified in the essential oil of both genotypes. The two grinding techniques had significant effects on dependent variables, viz., volatile oil and monoterpenes. Cuminaldehyde was the main constituent in both genotypes, content of which increased from 48.2 to 56.1 % in GC 4 on cryo grinding. Content of terpines were found to decrease in cryo ground samples of GC 4 and either decrease or no change was found in RZ 209. Organoleptic test showed more pleasant aroma in cryo ground seeds of both the genotypes. Significant increase was also reported in fatty oil yield due to cryogenic grinding. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis showed oleic acid as major FAME content of which increased from 88.1 to 94.9 % in RZ 209 and from 88.2 to 90.1 % in GC 4 on cryogenic grinding. Other prominent FAME were palmitic, palmitoleic and stearic acid. Results indicated commercial potential of cryogenic grinding technology for cumin in general and spices in particular for better retention of flavour and quality in spices.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver--a case report.

Mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver is a rare benign tumor of infancy and childhood. A case of mesenchymal hamartoma of liver seen in a 37 day old child is reported and the available literature on the subject is briefly reviewed.

Segmental renal dysplasia--a case report.

A case of segmental renal dysplasia presenting with loin pain, a renal mass and hypertension in a young girl of 16 years is being reported. Clinical and histological features of this rare renal anomaly are discussed.

A safe technique of major mammary duct excision.

The classical Hadfield's operation for duct ectasia/periductal mastitis results in nipple anaesthesia in most women and nipple/areola necrosis in some patients. To obviate these two complications we have modified the technique of major duct excision. The incision is given over only one-third of areolar circumference and no areolar flap is raised. In the 17 women treated by this technique the cosmetic results were good in all of them with no nipple/areola necrosis. The nipple sensation was preserved in all cases. There was only one case of recurrence of nipple discharge. The technique offers a safer alternative to the classical Hadfield's operation.

Peritonitis in India--a decade's experience.

Generalised peritonitis is a common and dreaded surgical emergency. Its tropical spectrum continues to be different from its western counterpart. The study represents a retrospective analysis of 250 cases of peritonitis managed surgically over a decade at a large referral surgical unit at New Delhi. Perforations of the upper gastrointestinal tract viz: duodenal ulcer, enteric perforations etc. constitute the majority unlike western series where lower gastrointestinal tract perforations predominate. Despite significant delays in presentation, the overall prognosis remains comparable to the western figures. A comparatively younger age group involved may be responsible for better outcome.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in a 14 year old girl presenting with bone deformities.

A 14 year old girl with bilateral genu valgum of 6 years duration was brought for evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism. She had clinical features of rickets such as frontal bossing, rachitic rosary, lumbar lordosis and fixed adduction deformity of the left leg. She had undergone osteotomy earlier for correction of these deformities without benefit. Laboratory investigations showed hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia, with elevated alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels. A skeletal survey showed generalized decreased density of bone and brown tumours and, coincidentally, a right renal calculus. A computerized tomography scan of the neck and thallium-technetium subtraction scan delineated an adenoma of the left superior parathyroid gland, which was surgically removed. Parathyroid adenoma manifesting with bone deformities, especially genu valgum, is very rare in children. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential to prevent such deformities.

A new incision for intra-oral access without lip split.

A non-lip-splitting approach to the oral cavity is described, using a curved incision through the angle of the mouth along the inferior buccolabial sulcus. The incision provides good access to the entire oral cavity and heals efficiently with good cosmetic results. It is suited to patients who require excision of the oral commissure.

Primary hyperparathyroidism--an Indian study.

Twenty eight patients of sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism seen over a period of 10 years were studied. There were 18 females and 10 males with a mean age of 35.9 years. Bone involvement was the commonest clinical presentation (90%) followed by renal involvement (65%) and more than half the patients (54%) had involvement of both the skeletal and renal systems. The tumor was clinically palapable in six patients. Thalliumtechnetium subtraction scan had a sensitivity of 87% followed by computerised tomography (70%), and ultrasound (65%) in diagnosing parathyroid pathology. All the patients underwent surgical excision of the abnormal gland (S). Adenomas constituted the single largest group (90%). Histologically, only 32% of the patients had chief cell morphology. Clear cell (32%) mixed cell, and oxyphil cell (7.2%) types accounted for the remaining adenomas. Majority of the patients (82%) had symptomatic postoperative hypocalcemia requiring intravenous calcium with or without vitamin D supplementation. In contrast to western reports most of our patients were young, presented late with florid bone and renal disease and had large palpable tumors.

Early discharge after operation.

To assess the feasibility and advantages of short-stay surgery in India, a policy of early discharge was adopted for 386 patients undergoing various major and minor operations. The mean postoperative and total hospital stays of patients admitted for minor surgery were 1.9 and 3.7 days respectively; the corresponding figures for age- and sex-matched historical controls were 7.4 and 11.3 days. The mean postoperative and total stays of patients who had undergone major surgery were 4.1 and 8.0 days respectively; the corresponding control values were 8.9 and 12.5 days. The use of absorbable subcuticular skin sutures helped to shorten postoperative hospital stay and avoided an extra follow-up visit. The overall complication rate in the study group was 9.6 per cent and in historical controls 13.4 per cent (P > 0.05). A total of 2357 hospital bed-days were saved during the study and 95.6 per cent of patients approved of short-stay surgery.

Clinical utility of ketoconazole in cases of adrenocortical carcinoma.

Ketoconazole, an imidazole derivative is known to decrease adrenal steroid biosynthesis by inhibiting cytochrome P450 dependent adrenal enzymes. Three patients of adrenal carcinoma treated with ketoconazole, 600-1200 mg daily showed significant fall in plasma and urinary cortisol levels, but no reduction in tumor size, one patient developed liver dysfunction which reverted back to normal on discontinuing the drug.

Sepsis after Ivalon sponge rectopexy: an unusual case.

A case with an unusual presentation of sepsis after Ivalon sponge rectopexy is reported. A strong index of suspicion is important for correct diagnosis. Early removal of infected sponge allows quick resolution of the sepsis without recurrent prolapse.

Pancreatic islet transplantation: utility of ductular obstruction and exocrine atrophy model?

Introduction of 'silent' exocrine atrophy (and endocrine 'enrichment') in pancreatic grafts following ductular blockade may have a role in human diabetes by circumventing currently elusive islet isolation/purification protocols. To explore this potential, pancreatic isografts were performed in 12 pairs of inbred Wistar NIN rats. Donor pancreatectomy was performed after distal clamping and canulation of common bile duct and injection of 0.5 ml. polyacrylamide gel (blocked n = 7) or normal saline (un-blocked n = 5) respectively. One to 2 m.m. fragments of the resulting mildly distended pancreases were transplanted in to 2 sites (renal capsule and iliac fossa subcutaneously) of cach recipient. Post-operative biopsies of the transplanted grafts (unilateral nephrectomy and iliac fossa biopsies) revealed macroscopic and microscopic evidence of necrotizing pancreatitis in both the groups at both the sites (histiocytic and giant cell infiltration, fat necrosis and focal calcification with destruction of exocrine and endocrine cells) as early as 1 and 3 weeks. Possible detrimental factors include: volume and pressure of ductal injection, graft sites (confined spaces), post-operative wound infection and bio-compatibility of the material used for ductular blockade.

Bilateral angiosarcoma of the breast: an overview.

Angiosarcoma of the breast is a rare and aggressively malignant tumour. A case of a young lady presenting with bilateral mammary angiosarcoma and associated pregnancy is reported. Only one such case is documented in the literature. Existing literature is also reviewed. The often deceptively benign histological appearances which are extremely variable demand serious suspicion of angiosarcoma when confronted with an angiomatous lesion of the breast. Early and complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice, and adjuvant chemotherapy may have a role in the treatment. Histological grading is the most important prognostic factor with poor grades having an unfavourable outlook.

Effects of haemorrhagic septicaemia vaccination and levamisole administration on the humoral response in cross-bred calves.

Levamisole administered by oral, subcutaneous or transdermal routes following vaccination against Pasteurella multocida enhanced the humoral response in cross-bred calves. The group that received levamisole subcutaneously elicited highly significant (P less than 0.01) antibody titres during the primary humoral response in comparison with groups that received levamisole orally or transdermally. During the secondary response in the same experiment, levamisole administered subcutaneously and transdermally showed highly significant (P less than 0.01) haemagglutination titres relative to oral administration of the drug. In a second experiment, the group that received levamisole subcutaneously showed highly significant (P less than 0.01) antibody titres during the anamnestic humoral response over other treated groups.

Effect of ganglionic stimulating and blocking agents on the fast components of colonic myoelectrical activity in the rat.

The presence of two types of fast myoelectrical activities, medium fast activity and fast activity, has been demonstrated previously in the electromyogram of colon in normal children and in the rat by the authors. An absence of medium fast activity in Hirschsprung's disease and in experimental aganglionosis of colon in the rat has also been described. In the present study the fast components of colonic myoelectrical activity were analysed during the procedures affecting ganglionic transmission. It was observed that ganglionic stimulants, such as balloon inflation, and intra-arterial injections of acetylcholine and small amounts of nicotine, increased the spike activity and the frequency of medium fast activity without affecting fast activity. The intra-arterial injections of ganglionic blocking agents, such as nicotine in large amounts and pentolinium tartrate, completely abolished the medium fast activity. These observations suggest that the ganglionic activity is responsible for the genesis of medium fast activity and that the absence of cholinergic ganglionic transmission is the most important single factor for the reported altered electromyogram pattern in aganglionosis.

Emptying of the intrathoracic stomach with and without pyloroplasty.

By radioisotope technique, we studied the emptying function of the vagotomized intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus in 24 patients, and compared it with the preoperative emptying function. The patients were randomized into a control group (no pyloroplasty) and a study group (pyloroplasty). Gastric emptying was delayed in both groups, postoperatively; however, the delay was greater in the control group than in the study group. Therefore, vagotomy delays the emptying of the thoracic stomach, and this delay is not completely corrected by pyloroplasty.