Suppression of SlDREB3 increases leaf ABA responses and promotes drought tolerance in transgenic tomato plants.

Drought susceptibility is a major yield limiting factor in agricultural crops especially in hybrids/varieties that have been bred for high yields. We show that manipulation of the SlDREB3 gene in tomato alters ABA responses and thereby sensitivity of stomatal closure to ABA. SlDREB3 suppression lines show ABA hypersensitivity and rapid stomatal closure in response to ABA while over-expression lines show reduced sensitivity to ABA and open stomata even at high ABA levels with rapid water loss after 10 days of water stress. This is accompanied with high ROS levels and increased membrane damage due to senescence of leaves and drastically reduced survival in drought. The relative water content (RWC) of OEx lines is much reduced even when grown under well-watered conditions. In contrast, suppression lines show greater tolerance to water stress and almost complete survival to 10-day water stress. They show much reduced ROS levels, reduced membrane damage, higher RWC and reduced leaf water loss. These changes are associated with higher expression of ABA signalling pathway genes in suppression lines while these are highly reduced in OEx lines. The studies suggest that control of ABA signalling by SlDREB3 can help in withstanding severe drought.

Correction to: GLP-I secretion in healthy and diabetic Wistar rats in response to aqueous extract of Momordica charantia.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that there was an error in the acknowledgements.

Correction to: GLP-I Secretion in Healthy and Diabetic Wistar Rats in Response to Aqueous Extract of Momordica charantia.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that there was an error in the acknowledgements. In this Correction, the incorrect and correct acknowledgements are shown.

GLP-I secretion in healthy and diabetic Wistar rats in response to aqueous extract of Momordica charantia.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is one of the major global health disorders increasing at an alarming rate in both developed and developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of aqueous extract of Momordica charantia (AEMC) on fasting blood glucose (FBG), tissue glycogen, glycosylated haemoglobin, plasma concentrations of insulin and GLP-1 hormone (glucagon-like peptide 1) in healthy and diabetic wistar rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (both normal and diabetic) were treated with AEMC by gavaging (300 mg/kg body wt/day for 28 days). RESULTS: AEMC was found to increase tissue glycogen, serum insulin and GLP-1 non-significantly (P > 0.05) in normal, significantly (P < 0.01) in diabetic Wistar rats, whereas decrease in FBG and Glycosylated haemoglobin non-significantly (P > 0.05) in normal, significantly (P < 0.01) in diabetic Wistar rats. The elevation of GLP-1 level in normal and diabetic treated groups may be due to the L-cell regeneration and proliferation by binding with L-cell receptors and makes a conformational change, resulting in the activation of a series of signal transducers. The polar molecules of M. charantia also depolarize the L-cell through elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and which in turn releases GLP-1. GLP-1 in turn elevates beta-cell proliferation and insulin secretion. CONCLUSION: The findings tend to provide a possible explanation for the hypoglycemic action of M. charantia fruit extracts as alternative nutritional therapy in the management and treatment of diabetes.

Brown-Séquard Syndrome as a First Presentation of Multiple Sclerosis.

A female patient aged 48 years presented with sub-acute onset of weakness in right upper and lower limb over the past one month and numbness over left side of body below neck level. Multiple sclerosis (MS) presenting as Brown-Séquard syndrome is very rare. We present a case of hemicord myelitis which presented as Brown-Séquard syndrome as a first manifestation, which was later diagnosed as MS during subsequent relapses.

Lactobacillus acidophilus Protected Organs in Experimental Arthritis by Regulating the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines.

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of joints. Exact etiology of the disease is not understood yet; but histopathological examination of vital organs like liver, kidney, ovary and knee joint can anticipate immune mediated damage. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus was administered orally by both prophylactic and curative protocol in freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritic rats. Indomethacin was used as standard anti-arthritic drug. Histopathology of liver, kidney, ovary and right hind knee joint were done. Cytokine concentrations were determined by using ELISA. Effects shown by L. acidophilus were comparable with indomethacin. Histopathological analysis of liver, kidney, ovaries and knee joints of L. acidophilus fed groups revealed significantly less damage as compared with other counterparts. Lactobacillus treatment has down-regulated pro-inflammatory level and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokines level in serum samples. L. acidophilus managed organs damage associated with arthritis. It has significantly down regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Dose-dependent effect of deltamethrin in testis, liver, and kidney of wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide used worldwide in agriculture, household pest control, protection of foodstuff, and disease vector control. Although initially thought to be least toxic, a number of recent reports showed its toxic effects in mammalian and non-mammalian animal species. The current study was performed to assess the dose-dependent deltamethrin toxicity on testes, liver, and kidney of male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided in four groups of 6 each. Group A served as normal control. Group B, C, and D were administered with different doses (2 or 3 or 6 mg/kg corresponding to 1/30(th) or 1/20(th) or 1/10(th) of LD50, respectively) of deltamethrin for 28 days. RESULTS: Deltamethrin exposure caused a significant reduction in weight of reproductive organs, decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, serum testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormones (FSH), and luteinizing hormones (LH) in testis. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were decreased in testis, liver and kidney of exposed rats. Deltamethrin exposure significantly increased sperm abnormalities in testis. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level was observed in testis, liver and kidney. Deltamethrin also caused histological alterations in testes, liver, and kidney. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that deltamethrin at a dose of 6 mg/kg exerts significant harmful effects on testes, liver and kidney as compare to 2 mg and 3 mg/kg. The study concluded that the system toxicity induced by deltamethrin was dose dependent.

Anti-Quorum Sensing and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Rhizomes against Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: The aim of this study was to determination of Anti-Quorum Sensing (AQS) and anti-biofilm potential of the methanol extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizomes against multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Methods: The AQS activity of ginger was determined against Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum) ATCC 12472 (CV12472), a biosensor strain, in qualitative manner using the agar well diffusion method. The violacein pigment inhibition was assessed to confirm AQS activity of ginger. The AQS potential of sub-minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (sub-MICs) of the ginger extract was determined by targeting different QS regulated virulence factors, including swarming motility (using swarm diameter measurement method), pyocyanin pigment (using chloroform extraction method), Exopolysaccharide (EPS) (using phenol-sulphuric acid method), and biofilm formation (using microtiter plate assay), against clinical isolates (CIs 2, 3, and 4) and standard reference strain of P. aeruginosa (PA01). Results: The AQS activity of methanol extract of ginger was confirmed against C. violaceum (CV12472) as inhibition of violacein pigment formation without effecting the growth of CIs and PA01 of P. aeruginosa. The ginger extract exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of virulence factors and biofilm formation. The maximum reduction was found in swarming motility, pyocyanin, EPS and biofilm formation against PA01 (51.38%), CI3 (57.91%), PA01 (63.29%) and CI2 (64.37%), respectively at 1/2 MIC of ginger extract. Conclusion: The results of present study revealed the effective AQS and anti-biofilm potential of Zingiber officinale rhizome methanol extract at a reduced dose (sub-MICs). The extract may be explored as an agent of antimicrobial compounds having AQS and anti-biofilm activity for controlling microbial infection and also for reducing the chances of emergence of resistance in P. aeruginosa.

Cypermethrin induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats: protective role of Tribulus terrestris.

The present study was designed to investigate role of ethanolic extract of Tribulus terrestris (EETT) against alpha-cypermethrin induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. 24 male Wistar rats weighing about 250-300g were divided in four groups. Group-I was control. alpha-cypermethrin (3.38 mg kg-1b.wt.) was given to group-IlI for 28 days. In Group-Ill, alpha-cypermethrin and EETT (100 mg kg -1b.wt.) were administered in combination for 28 days. Rats in group-IV were given EETT for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, testes and epididymis were removed and sperm characteristics, sex hormones and various biochemical parameters were studied. Decrease in weight of testes and epididymis, testicular sperm head count, sperm motility, live sperm count, serum testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), leutinizing hormone (LH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total protein content and increase in sperm abnormalities and lipid peroxidation (LPO) level was observed in rats exposed to cypermethrin. In combination group-Ill, EETT treatment ameliorated alpha-cypermethrin induced damage. EETT treatment in group-IV increased testes and epididymis weight, sperm head counts, sperm motility, live sperm counts, testosterone, FSH, LH, GSH, CAT, SOD, GST, GR, GPx and total protein content. The study suggested that Tribulus terrestris plant possess reproductive system enhancement and antioxidant activity.

Antibacterial Activity of Selected Fruit Juices against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens Involved in Urinary Tract and Sexually Transmitted Infections among Tribal Women in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit juices on Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens involved in Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among tribal women in the district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. Methods: Fresh juices of lemon (Citrus limon), amla/Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), pineapple (Ananas comosus), mosambi/sweet lime (Citrus limetta), orange (Citrus sinensis), kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), and pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruits were evaluated for in vitro antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens involved in UITs and STIs among tribal women. Physico-chemical analysis of fresh fruits was also carried out by measuring the pH, moisture, protein, fat, crude fibre, carbohydrate, and ascorbic acid content. Results: Lemon and amla juice showed better antibacterial activity against the pathogens as compared to other juices. MIC results fruit juices against UTIs and STIs pathogens vary depending on the specific pathogen and juice chemical constituents. The physico-chemical analysis showed that the moisture content was highest in mosambi (90%), followed by orange (87%). Ascorbic acid content was found highest in amla (540 mg/100 g), followed by kiwi (90.3 mg/100 g). Pomegranate showed highest concentration of carbohydrate (15.28 g/100 g), fat (1.28 g/100 g), and protein (1.65 g/100 g). Lemon juice had lowest pH of 2.20, followed by amla 2.67. Conclusion: The lemon juice showed highest antibacterial activity against MDR bacterial pathogens involved in UTIs and STIs among tribal women in district Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The low pH of lemon may be responsible for its high antibacterial activity as compared to other juices.

Testosterone propionate and Swarna Bhasma treatment modulated D-galactose induced reproductive alterations in male Wistar rats: An experimental study.

Background: The male reproductive system undergoes several adverse age-related changes like decreased hormone synthesis, sperm count, and testicular alteration that can impact on fertility. Objective: The study aims to investigate the effects of testosterone propionate (TP), and ayurvedic formulation Swarna Bhasma (SB) on D-galactose (D-gal) induced reproductive aging in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: 60 male Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups of 6 animals. Reproductive aging was induced by D-gal (150 mg/kg Bwt) exposure for 60 days. The rats were then treated by post and combination treatment with TP (2 mg/kg Bwt) and SB (6.75 mg/kg Bwt). Then sperm parameters, reproductive hormones, inflammatory markers, testicular antioxidant enzymes, steroidogenic enzymes, and histological manifestation of testis were evaluated. Results: Exposure of D-gal caused significant (p < 0.001) decrease in serum testosterone (T), testicular steroidogenic, and antioxidant enzymes. Administration of TP increased the serum T level, testicular antioxidant enzymes, and spermatogenic profile at a significant level of (p < 0.001) compared to D-gal. Further, the SB treatment significantly (p < 0.001) elevated the serum T level, sperm count, testicular antioxidant enzymes, steroidogenic enzymes, when compared to D-gal. Conclusion: Both the treatment of TP and SB treatments recovered the reproductive impairments caused by D-gal. However, exogenous T supplementation via TP administration is associated with various side effects during long-term use. SB is an Ayurvedic formulation having a long history of usage in India. The current findings suggest that the SB may be used as a good alternative for potentiating reproductive function in aging males.

Intelligent control of integrated on-board charger with improved power quality and reduced charging transients.

This paper proposes an intelligent control scheme for a two-stage integrated onboard electric vehicle (EV) battery charger connected to a single-phase household outlet which offers a close to ideal battery charging profile with power factor correction feature. Generally, the front-end AC-DC​ conversion stage is controlled by dual loop proportional-integral (PI) controllers, and tuning their gain constants is a difficult task. Furthermore, to achieve a close to ideal charging profile for an EV battery, the DC-DC conversion stage switches from constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) mode after a certain state of charge (SOC) which may lead to discontinuity in the charging current and voltage. This paper attempts to solve these issues by proposing an intelligent control scheme that includes the dynamic estimation of PI controller gain constants as well as provides a seamless mode transfer feature for battery charging. It is achieved by using fuzzy-PI-based control in the AC-DC conversion stage and Bayesian Regularization (BR) algorithm trained artificial neural network (ANN)-based control in the DC-DC conversion stage. The performance of the proposed control scheme is assessed both in steady-state and transient conditions in MATLAB® Simulink environment by comparing it against similar control schemes. The proposed intelligent control approach improves the dynamic response of DC link voltage, offers unity power factor operation and maintains the line current harmonics within IEEE 519 standards even during the switchover from CC to CV charging mode. Also, there is a decrease of 85% in the third harmonic component of the source current, 23.2% improvement in DC link voltage undershoot and 6.5% reduction in DC link voltage overshoot with reduced settling times using the proposed unified control scheme.

Patient Perspectives and Outcomes in Adult Hypospadias Repair.

Background Hypospadias is a common congenital anomaly that needs repair at an early age (six months to one year). Ironically, many cases in India present late due to a lack of healthcare facilities, poverty, and illiteracy. Adult patients are different from children as they are aware of their genitalia. They are concerned with the aesthetics and, predominantly, the potency. In this study, we present the perspectives and outcomes of 111 adult cases of hypospadias. Methodology In this retrospective study conducted between January 2010 and December 2020, 111 patients aged more than 14 years who were diagnosed with hypospadias of any level with or without mild-to-moderate chordee were included. Hypospadias repair using a tubularized incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty technique was performed, and patients after surgery were followed up at three months, six months, and 12 months for any complications with physical examination, uroflowmetry, and patient-related outcomes (PROs). Results Age varied from 14 years to 32 years (mean = 19.88 years, SD = 5.93). The most frequent meatus positions after chordee adjustment were distal (n = 64, 57.65%), middle (n = 25, 22.52%), and proximal (n = 22, 19.82%). Among these, four patients had penoscrotal transposition. Chordee was present in 65.7% (n = 73) of the cases. (<30° in 38.7%, n = 43; 30°-60° in 23.4%, n = 26, and >60° in 3.6%, n = 4). Chordee was corrected using many techniques, including ventral corporotomies. Urethroplasty was done using TIP and spongioplasty in 89% (n = 99), and one patient underwent inner preputial onlay flap urethroplasty. Snodgraft was used to augment the urethral plate in 10 cases. The success rate of one-stage surgery was 74.77% in our series, which significantly correlated with PROs. Uroflow varied from 12 mL/second to 18 mL/second, and in the majority of the cases, the flow rate improved over time. The most common complication was urethrocutaneous fistula in 11 (11.8%) patients, followed by glanular dehiscence in nine (8.1%) patients. Conclusions Adult patients undergoing primary hypospadias repair generally show good outcomes. Patients can have an acceptable mild degree of residual chordee and torsion, which correlate well with PROs. In our series, hypospadias fistula was the most common complication of hypospadias surgery, followed by glanular dehiscence.

Lactobacillus protected bone damage and maintained the antioxidant status of liver and kidney homogenates in female wistar rats.

The aim of the study was to evaluate protective property of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus in minimizing oxidative stress associated with arthritis from liver and kidney. Subsequently, protective property of Lactobacillus against the bone damage was also taken into consideration. Arthritis was induced by injecting freund's complete adjuvant (100 µl) into sub plantar surface of hind paw. Oral administration of culture, vehicle, and drug started after induction of arthritis (i.e. on day 9th). Indomethacin was used as a standard drug. Radiographic analysis of the hind paw knee joint was also done at the end of the 21st day. Oxidative stress parameters were studied from liver and kidney homogenate. Histopathology of liver and kidney was also performed. Lactobacillus treatment significantly rescued the enzymatic level of catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase in both liver and kidney homogenates, whereas it has decreased the malonaldehyde accumulation. Oral administration of Lactobacillus also significantly decreased the serum ceruloplasmin level. Radiographic analysis also corroborated these findings. Lactobacillus treatment maintained the normal histopathology of liver and kidney. Results of this study clearly suggest that L. casei and L. acidophilus, alone or in combination, decreased the bone damaged and effectively restored antioxidant status of liver and kidney. Lactobacillus has a significant antiarthritic and antioxidant activity against freund's complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats.

Efficacy of trans-2-hydroxycinnamic Acid against trichlorfon-induced oxidative stress in wistar rats.

Trichlorfon is an organophosphate insecticide used to control cockroaches, crickets, silverfish, bedbugs, fleas, cattle grubs, flies, ticks, leaf miners, and leaf-hoppers. It is also used to treat domestic animals for control of internal parasites. Trans-2-hydroxycinnamic acid (T2HCA) is a hydroxyl derivative of cinnamic acid. The present study highlights trichlorofon-induced toxicity and the protective role of T2HCA in the liver, kidney, and brain of female Wistar rats. The rats were given a single dose of trichlorofon (150 mg / kg bw) and pre- and post-treatment T2HCA (50 mg / kg bw) for seven days. Trichlorofon enhanced oxidative stress in liver, kidney, and brain of the rats, which was evident from the elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO). The reduced level of non-enzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) also indicated the presence of an oxidative insult. The activity of enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was significantly decreased on trichlorfon administration. Pre and post treatment with T2HCA decreased the LPO level and increased SOD, CAT, GST, GR, GPx, and GSH in the brain, liver, and kidney. Trichlorfon-induced reduction in acelylcholinestrase was also ameliorated with T2HCA treatment. In conclusion, trichlorfon-mediated induction in the reactive oxygen species and disturbance in the antioxidant enzymes' defense system was moderately ameliorated by antioxidant trans-2-hydroxycinnamic acid.

Inhibition of Quorum Sensing Regulated Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation by Eucalyptus globulus against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Objectives: The quorum-sensing-inhibitory and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extract of E. globulus leaves were determined against clinically isolated multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: The preliminary anti-quorum-sensing (AQS) activity of eucalyptus was investigated against a biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472) by using the agar well diffusion method. The effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of the methanol extract of eucalyptus on different quorum-sensing-regulated virulence factors, such as swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, exopolysaccharide (EPS), and biofilm formation, against clinical isolates (CIs 2, 3, and 4) and reference PA01 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined using the swarm diameter (mm)-measurement method, chloroform extraction method, phenol (5%)-sulphuric acid (concentrated) method, and the microtiter plate assay respectively, and the inhibition (%) in formation were calculated. Results: The preliminary AQS activity (violacein pigment inhibition) of eucalyptus was confirmed against Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472). The eucalyptus extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition (%) of swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, EPS, and biofilm formation in different CIs and PA01 of P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: Our results revealed the effectiveness of the E. globulus extract for the regulation of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors and biofilm formation at a reduced dose (sub-MICs) and suggest that E. globulus may be a therapeutic agent for curing and controlling bacterial infection and thereby reducing the possibility of resistance development in pathogenic strains.

Lactobacillus casei reduces the inflammatory joint damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) by reducing the pro-inflammatory cytokines: Lactobacillus casei: COX-2 inhibitor.

This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Lactobacillus casei in treating rheumatoid arthritis using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model. Healthy female Wistar rats (weight-180-200 g) were included in this study. Oral administration of L. casei was started on the same day. Indomethacin was used as standard reference drug. Serum level of IL-6, α-TNF, and IL-10 were observed. Four-point arthritis indexes were also assessed at the end of week for 28th day. L. casei-treated rats had shown normal histopathology without any synovial infiltration, pannus formation, cartilage, and bone destruction. Arthritis score was also lower for the group treated with L. casei. Oral administration of L. casei significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines. Present study suggests that L. casei has potent antiarthritic effect in CIA model. Inhibition of COX-2 via inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokines is an understanding of the complex interactions involved in these pathways.

Improved trauma system multicasualty incident response: comparison of two train crash disasters.

BACKGROUND: Two train crash multicasualty incidents (MCI) occurred in 2005 and 2008 in Los Angeles. A postcrash analysis of the first MCI determined that most victims went to local community hospitals (CHs) with underutilization of trauma centers (TCs), resulting in changes to our disaster plan. To determine whether our trauma system MCI response improved, we analyzed the distribution of patients from the scene to TCs and CHs in the two MCIs. METHODS: Data from the emergency medical services and TC records were interrogated to compare patients triage status, type of transport, and the destination in the 2008 MCI to the 2005 MCI. Clinical data from the 2008 MCI were tabulated to evaluate severity of injuries, need for immediate and delayed operation, need for intensive care unit, and need for specialty surgical services, and appropriate distribution of patients. RESULTS: In 2005, 14 (56%) of the 25 severely injured patients and 75 (71%) of the 106 total patients were transported to four CHs. In 2008, 53 (93%) of 57 of the severely injured patients were transported to TCs and only 34 (35%) of 98 of total patients were transported to nine CHs. In 2008, more TCs were used (8 vs. 5) and more patients were transported by air (34 vs. 2). In 2008, the most severely injured victims were transported to four level I TCs (median injury severity score, 16; range, 1-43; 10 emergent operations) and four level II TCs (median injury severity score, 10; range, 1-22; 4 emergent operations). Only 11 patients were admitted to CHs, and no operations were required. CONCLUSIONS: A trauma system performance improvement program allowed us to significantly improve our response to MCIs with improved utilization of TCs and improved distribution of victims according to injury severity and needs.

Protective role of curcumin on lindane induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.

The aim of this study was to explore the adverse effects of lindane pesticide on testes and epididymus weight, sperm head counts, sperm motility, abnormal changes in sperm morphology, biochemical changes in endogenous antioxidants and oxidative enzymes in male wistar rats as well as to assess ameliorating role of 'curcumin'. Rats were exposed daily to lindane (30 mg/kg bw) for 14 and 28 days and administered with curcumin (100 mg/kg bw) in pretreatment, post treatment and combination groups. We observed decrease (p < 0.001) in testes and cauda epididymus weight, decrease (p < 0.001) in testicular sperm head count, increase (p < 0.001) in abnormal tail morphology (headless tail, multiple tail, broken tail, coiled tail and bent tail), abnormal head morphology (excessive hook, amorphous head, pin head, short head, blunt hook and detached hook) and decrease (p < 0.001) in sperm motility after lindane exposure, as compared to control. There was (p < 0.01) decline in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-s-transferase activity on lindane exposure, however, no change (p > 0.05) was observed in glutathione level. Lipid peroxidation was (p < 0.01) enhanced on lindane exposure as compared to control. Curcumin administration was able to ameliorate lindane induced reproductive toxicity in pretreatment, post treatment and combination groups. The study indicated that even after 14 days of metabolism, toxic effects of lindane were evident.

Predictors of Presenting Seizures in Acute Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Risk of seizure is significantly higher in cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVST) compared to other stroke subtypes. There is paucity of literature on predictors of presenting seizures in CVST. This study was designed to investigate the risk and predictors of seizures in CVST at presentation. METHODS: Total 181 consecutive patients with CVST were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Total 181 patients with CVST were enrolled (age range, 14 to 96 years; mean age, 34.64±14.66 years). A total of 44 patients had presenting seizures. Younger age (p=0.028), involvement of superficial cortical veins (p=0.016), presence of hemorrhagic venous infarct (p≤0.001) and involvement of frontal lobe (p≤0.001) were significantly related to the presenting seizures on the univariate analysis. The hemorrhagic venous infarct (odds ratio [OR], 4.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.89-10.44; p=0.001) and involvement of the frontal lobe (OR, 10.66; 95% CI, 4.02-28.29; p≤0.001) were independently associated with the presenting seizures on the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: About one fourth of the patients with CVST had presenting seizures. The patients with hemorrhagic venous infarct in the frontal region are more prone to have presenting seizures.