No abstract

No abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of cardamom with pioglitazone on dexamethasone-induced hepatic steatosis, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia in albino rats. There were four groups of 6 rats each. First group received dexamethasone alone in a dose of 8 mg/kg intraperitoneally for 6 days to induce metabolic changes and considered as dexamethasone control. Second group received cardamom suspension 1 g/kg/10 mL of 2% gum acacia orally 6 days before dexamethasone and 6 days during dexamethasone administration. Third group received pioglitazone 45 mg/kg orally 6 days before dexamethasone and 6 days during dexamethasone administration. Fourth group did not receive any medication and was considered as normal control. Fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, blood sugar 2 h after glucose load, liver weight, liver volume were recorded, and histopathological analysis was done. The effects of cardamom were compared with that of pioglitazone. Dexamethasone caused hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Both pioglitazone and cardamom significantly reduced hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia (P < 0.01). Reduction of blood sugar levels after glucose load was significant with pioglitazone in comparison to cardamom (P < 0.01). Cardamom has comparable efficacy to pioglitazone in preventing dexamethasone-induced hepatomegaly, dyslipidemia, and fasting hyperglycemia.

Bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw [BIONJ] is a relatively new pathological condition which was first described in the year 2003. The prevalence of BIONJ in patients on oral formulations is around 0.05% within the first 3 years and increases up to 0.2% after 4 years of consumption. Proven systemic risk factors like anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, corticosteroid therapy, and chemotherapy in neoplastic diseases [e.g., high doses of methotrexate up to 30 mg daily] significantly increase the chances of acquiring BIONJ. We present three patients with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis [RA] who consumed oral bisphosphonates [alendronate] for less than 1 year and developed BIONJ within 2 to 5 months of undergoing a traumatic dental procedure. The patients also gave a history of consuming low doses of methotrexate [disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs] up to 20 mg weekly for 4 to 10 years. No history of steroid consumption was given by any of the patients. This case series highlights the possibility of rheumatoid arthritis and low-dose methotrexate being potential risk factors for BIONJ. This may be on account of the synergistic effect of methotrexate and bisphosphonates and the pro-inflammatory state created by RA which increased the risk of acquiring BIONJ.

No abstract

A B S T R A C TThe Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a heterogeneous group of rare lesions consisting predominantly of inflammatory cells and myofibroblastic spindle cells. Head and neck IMTs account for 14 to 18% of extra-pulmonary IMTs [lungs being the most commonly affected regions]. On account of its ambiguous clinical presentation, an IMT needs to be differentiated from other infectious, granulomatous, autoimmune and neoplastic lesions on the basis of histopathologic findings and immunohistochemical analysis. In this article, we report a case of IMT that presented in the anterior mandible that was treated by peripheral resection. Follow-up at 1 year showed satisfactory healing and no signs of recurrence. A special emphasis has been placed on the disputed nosology of this lesion and the latest therapeutic modalities.

Eighty chronic schizophrenic and 16 manic-depressive psychotic patients conforming to Research Diagnostic Criteria were examined in terms of their mental state, cognitive functioning, current behaviour, and neurological status. They comprised out-patients, day-care patients, and long-stay in-patients belonging to two mental hospitals with different social conditions. Assessed deficits were not significantly related to record variables such as age, duration of illness, duration of hospitalisation, or treatment received. Analysis of the different groups of patients reveals that long-term hospital care has had little effect on the deficits of chronic schizophrenia, and suggests that these are integral features of the disease process.

Context:Motivation plays an important role in the treatment of alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) by influencing the patient to seek and comply with treatment as well as make successful long term changes.Aim:The aim of this study is to study the motivation for change in inpatients with ADS.Settings and Design:One hundred consecutive patients admitted for the treatment of ADS in a medical college hospital were evaluated.Materials and Methods:The International Classification of Disease 10th Revision - AM symptom checklist for mental disorders screener and appropriate modules were used to establish ADS. The assessment of motivation was done using the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment scale at baseline and after 2 weeks of admission. The Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire and Kuppuswamy's scale for socioeconomic status were used.Statistical Analysis:Paired and unpaired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to analyze data.Results:The assessment of motivation showed 60% of patients in precontemplation (PC) stage at baseline, compared to 34% of the patients in PC, 57% in contemplation, and 9% in action stage after 2 weeks of inpatient stay. A highly significant change was seen in the levels of motivation toward contemplation and action stage after 2 weeks of inpatient stay (Z = 5.745, P < 0.001). Motivation to change had a significant association with complications of alcohol use, medical comorbidity, onset and severity of alcohol dependence, socioeconomic status, religion, and mode of referral.Conclusions:The study concludes that certain patients with ADS may have low pretreatment levels of motivation, with significant improvement in the motivation levels after a short duration of inpatient treatment.