Diagnostic significance of IL-6 and IL-8 in tubal ectopic pregnancy.

As there are no specific non-invasive markers for the diagnosis of tubal ectopic pregnancy, our objective in the present study was to explore the role of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in the diagnosis of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. Twenty-eight women with tubal ectopic pregnancy, 31 patients with intrauterine abortion and 29 gestational age matched women having normal intrauterine pregnancy were included in the study. Five millilitre of blood was collected at the time of admission, serum was separated and stored at -70 °C for subsequent analysis of ß hCG, IL-6 and IL-8 levels. The level of IL-6 was a significant increase in the women with tubal ectopic pregnancy compared to intrauterine abortion and normal pregnancy. IL-8 levels decrease significantly in the tubal ectopic pregnancy and in intrauterine abortion patients when compared with the normal pregnancy group. At the cutoff of 26.48 pg/ml IL-6 level predicted the tubal ectopic pregnancy with moderate accuracy. Therefore, it can be concluded that measurement of IL-6 may have relevance in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy as a novel inflammatory serum biomarkers.

The E368Q Mutant Allele of GJA8 is Associated with Congenital Cataracts with Intrafamilial Variation in a South Indian Family.

PURPOSE: To determine the basis of the autosomal dominant congenital cataracts in a three generation south Indian pedigree. METHODS: The proband and several family members underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. The coding regions of eight candidate genes (CRYAA, CRYBB2, CRYGC, CRYGD, GJA3, GJA8, AQP0, and PITX3) were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. Wild type and mutant connexin50 (Cx50) were expressed by stable transfection of HeLa cells. Their cellular distributions and function were examined by immunofluorescence microscopy and by microinjection of gap junction permeant tracers, respectively. RESULTS: Congenital cataracts (with some variations in phenotype) segregated as an autosomal dominant trait within a three generation pedigree. Three affected individuals (proband, sibling and mother) showed a sequence variation in the candidate gene GJA8 encoding Cx50: a c.1102G>C transversion encoding a substitution of glutamate for glutamine at position 368 (E368Q). This substitution was absent from an unaffected family member (paternal aunt) and 100 healthy controls of the same ethnicity. In transfected HeLa cells, both wild type Cx50 and E368Q localized to gap junction plaques, and supported similar levels of intercellular transfer of Neurobiotin. CONCLUSIONS: The E368Q mutant allele of GJA8 is associated with autosomal dominant congenital cataracts with phenotypic variability. E368Q forms gap junction plaques and functional channels in transfected HeLa cells.

An MIP/AQP0 mutation with impaired trafficking and function underlies an autosomal dominant congenital lamellar cataract.

Autosomal dominant congenital cataracts have been associated with mutations of genes encoding several soluble and membrane proteins. By candidate gene screening, we identified a novel mutation in MIP (c.494 G > A) that segregates with a congenital lamellar cataract within a south Indian family and causes the replacement of a highly conserved glycine by aspartate (G165D) within aquaporin0 (AQP0). Unlike wild type AQP0, expression of AQP0-G165D in Xenopus oocytes did not facilitate swelling in hypotonic medium. In transfected HeLa cells, wild type AQP0 localized at the plasma membrane while AQP0-G165D was retained within the secretory pathway, and localized mainly within the endoplasmic reticulum. These results suggest that mutation of this conserved glycine residue leads to improper trafficking of AQP0-G165D and loss of water channel function. They emphasize the importance of AQP0 for maintenance of lens transparency and identify a critical residue that is conserved among aquaporins, but has not previously been associated with disease-associated replacement.

Antidiabetic effect of S-allylcysteine: Effect on plasma and tissue glycoproteins in experimental diabetes.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of S-allylcysteine (SAC) on dearrangement in glycoprotein levels in the streptozotocin induced diabetic model. SAC (150 mg/kg b.w./day) was administered orally for 45 days to normal and diabetic rats. STZ-induced diabetic rats showed significant increase in blood glucose and glycoprotein components such as hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid in plasma, liver and kidneys of diabetic rats. Oral administration of SAC to diabetic rats for a period of 45 days normalized all the above-mentioned biochemical parameters. The antihyperglycemic effect of SAC was compared with glyclazide, a well-known antihyperglycemic drug. The present study indicates that SAC possesses a significantly beneficial effect on the glycoprotein moiety in addition to its antidiabetic effect.

Options in orbital floor reconstruction in blowout fractures: a review of ten cases.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case series was to assess the aesthetic and functional outcome of orbital floor reconstruction performed with calvarial bone graft, titanium mesh or prolene mesh. METHODS: Ten cases of orbital blowout fractures treated at our centre from October 2006 to July 2008 were considered for this study. Clinical examination, patient satisfaction and radiographic investigations were used to assess repaired fractures. RESULTS: Prolene mesh was used in four cases, titanium mesh was used in four cases and calvarial graft used in two cases. Nine patients had significant improvement in their esthetic appearance. Symmetry was restored in all cases. All ten cases had a noticeable improvement in the function. Of total ten cases six had diplopia, three recovered completely during the six months after the surgery. Three cases showed improvement later. All ten cases with enopthalmos recovered completely. Of the nine patients with infraorbital numbness, all recovered completely during the six months following surgery. One patient where the reconstruction was done with calvarial bone graft showed mild discrepancy in the ocular level. CONCLUSION: For small, linear defects measuring less than 2cm with enopthalmos and restricted ocular movements, prolene mesh (four cases) was used. For larger defects and impure blowout fractures involving the infraorbital rim, calvarial graft (two cases) or titanium mesh (four cases) was used. The outcome of surgery with all three materials was satisfactory. No postoperative complications were seen except for mild hypoglobus in a case reconstructed with calvarial graft. All three materials, calvarial graft, titanium mesh, prolene mesh, have the potential to be useful reconstructive materials in orbital floor blowout fractures.

Rate of blood loss over 48 hours following total knee replacement.

The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of blood loss after total knee arthroplasty and assess the efficacy of drains using autologous blood transfusion. A prospective study was undertaken of 100 consecutive patients undergoing routine total knee arthroplasty. The diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 85% of patients and rheumatoid arthritis in 12% of cases. The rate of blood loss was recorded hourly for the first 12 h, 4 hourly for the subsequent 12 h and 6 hourly for the following 24 h. Autologous blood was reinfused within 12 h of surgery according to the protocol. Eighty-four percent of the total blood drained, was collected in the first 12 h and 94% in the first 24 h. 69% of the total blood which was drained was reinfused. The mean preoperative haemoglobin was 13.18 gm/dl and 10.23 gm/dl on the 5th day. A mean volume of 70-80 ml of homologous blood was reinfused in addition to the autologous transfusion in 11 of the 100 cases. There were no cases of deep or superficial sepsis, nor any identifiable complications related to the autologous blood transfusion. This study suggests it is safe to remove the postoperative joint drain after the 12-h period.