A new endoscopic method of retrieval of a migrated and transmurally embedded intrauterine contraceptive device in the rectum.

A 45-year-old lady presented with left lower quadrant abdominal pain and hematochezia of 1 month duration. She had Copper-T, an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) inserted in the immediate post-partum period 25 years ago elsewhere and was lost to follow up. CT abdomen done 2 weeks earlier before reporting to us revealed a migrated and translocated IUCD embedded in the right lateral wall of the rectum. On colonoscopy, an area of friable mucosal nodule was noticed in the right lateral wall 10 cm from the anal verge but the IUCD was not visible intraluminally. Fluoroscopy showed the horizontal limb lying in close approximation with the rectal wall and the vertical limb of the IUCD embedded at the site of mucosal nodule in the rectum. After a careful endoscopic mucosotomy, the vertical limb was exposed and the Copper-T in its entirety was retrieved using a polypectomy snare. The mucosal defect was closed with hemoclips. She became asymptomatic after the procedure.

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) on gastric ulcer production in pylorus ligated rats.

Intraperitoneal injection of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor, captopril, reduced significantly (P < 0.001), the production of gastric ulcers in pylorus-ligated albino rats, compared to the control groups, irrespective of the dose schedule--single or quadruple. In the light of evidence available in the literature, it is reasonable to hypothesise that the anti-ulcer effect of captopril may be mediated through prostaglandins.

Influence of handedness on the visual and auditory reaction time.

Visual Reaction Time (VRT) and Auditory Reaction Time (ART) were measured in right-handed and left-handed human volunteers, using an Electronic Response Timer Unit. The study demonstrated that a group of left-handed women reacted faster (P < 0.05) with their left hand to an auditory stimulus than their counterpart using their right hand. VRT did not show any significant change within, and between, the groups and was not influenced by sex or age. The observed differences in ART may be due to central phenomenon.

Limb dominance and motor conduction velocity of median and ulnar nerves.

The influence of one-sided limb dominance on the muscles, bones and motor conduction velocity of median nerve has been investigated and reported. We have undertaken a more detailed study of the conduction velocity of the efferent fibres of median and ulnar nerves of both sides in 25 right-handed and an equal number of left-handed subjects of both sexes in the age group of 18-30 years. A significant correlation between "handedness" and motor nerve conduction especially in median nerve, is shown by the results in both right handers and left handers.

Effect of alcohol-feeding on gastric mucosal mast cell population and gastric tissue histamine concentration in albino rats.

Albino rats fed on 30% ethyl alcohol for 60 days demonstrated significant reduction in the histamine concentration of the gastric wall, estimated by bio-assay, as well as in the gastric mucosal mast cell population. It can, therefore be concluded that alcohol liberates histamine from the gastric mast cells even in the presence of alcohol-induced gastritis.

Sensory nerve conduction in diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy.

Electrophysiological evaluation of conduction in sensory fibres of right ulnar and median nerves were carried out in normal subjects and diabetics with and without neuropathy. The sensory conduction velocities of ulnar as well as median nerves are significantly depressed in both groups of diabetics, particularly in those with neuropathy. The diabetics with or without neuropathy require a higher strength of stimulus for conduction in both median and ulnar nerves as compared to the normal subjects. The amplitude of action potentials is also lowered in both ulnar and median nerves of the two groups of diabetics. Estimation of conduction velocities of sensory fibres can be considered as a more useful parameter than the measurement of amplitude of action potentials in the diagnosis and evaluation of neuropathy in diabetics. It is concluded that assessment of sensory nerve conduction in median nerve is a better indicator than that of ulnar nerve for this purpose.

Effect of pylorus ligation on gastric mucosal mast cell population in normal and adrenalectomised albino rats.

Pylorus ligation in normal albino rats acts like a stressor leading to degranulation of mast cells in gastric mucosa, thereby decreasing their number. This decrease is less pronounced when pylorus ligation is done in adrenalectomized rats. This implies that action of a stressor on gastric function involves the adrenal steroids which liberate the powerful gastric stimulant histamine from gastric mucosal mast cells.

Effect of sub-diaphragmatic vagotomy on gastric mucosal mast cell population in pylorus ligated rats.

Gastric mucosal mast cell population was studied following sub-diaphragmatic vagotomy in albino rats, 6 and 12 h after pylorus ligation. Sub-diaphragmatic vagotomy significantly increased the gastric mucosal mast cell population in both 6 and 12 h groups, the increase being more in the latter. The results suggest that the vagal impulses act on the gastric mucosal mast cells causing their degranulation. Following vagotomy the contents stay bound within the mast cells. Increase in mast cell population with the longer experimental situation was possibly due to the continuation of normal turnover of the mast cells in the gastric mucosa. The present study, however, does not lead to a conclusion that the vagal influence on mast cell population is similar throughout the gastro-intestinal tract.

Effect of bilateral adrenalectomy and parenteral betamethasone on gastric mucosal mast cell population in albino rats.

The histamine-laden mast cells of gastric mucosa in albino rats are shown to degranulate on administration of Betamethasone, but they increase in number in adrenalectomized rats. It is concluded that Betamethasone, and also adrenal glucocorticoids increase gastric secretion by liberating histamine from mast cells and histamine in turn acts on the gastric glands.