Experimental Study of Hepatic Artery Infusion of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR)-2As2O3 Nanospheres for Targeted Therapy of Implanted Hep G2 Liver Cancer in Rats

This study assesses the effect of VEGFR-2/As2O3 invisible nanospheres on treating liver cancer. The following groups were set: Group I: blank control group (hepatic artery perfusion 0.9% saline 0.5 ml), group II: VEGFR-2/As2O3 nanospheres injection via tail vein, group III: hepatic artery perfusion of VEGFR-2/As2O3 nanospheres. The effect of hepatic artery infusion of VEGFR-2/As2O3 nanospheres on cell proliferation, apoptosis and colony forming ability was evaluated by MTT method, flow cytometry and colony formation experiment. Tumor xenotransplantation was established to observe the effect of hepatic artery infusion of VEGFR-2/As2O3 nanospheres on liver cancer. The in vivo and in vitro experiments both confirmed that hepatic artery perfusion of VEGFR-2/As2O3 nanospheres can inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells, promote cell apoptosis and inhibit cell migration, thereby enhancing the therapeutic effect. The hepatic artery perfusion of VEGFR-2As2O3 nanospheres may be used as a targeted research and development direction for the treatment of liver cancer, providing a new and efficient targeted drug for the interventionaltreatment of liver cancer.

Influence of incubation temperature and embryonic motility on the growth of members of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802)

This study aimed to evaluate whether skeletal development of the Pantanal Caiman (Caiman yacare) is similarly influenced by temperature variation and controlled increases in embryo motility. All eggs were incubated at 90% humidity and 29 °C for the first 45 days. Thereafter, the incubation temperature was either maintained at 29 °C and embryos were treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on days 46, 47, 48, and 49 (Group I, 29 °C 4-AP, n = 15); maintained at 29 °C (n = 14; Group II); or at 33 °C (n = 14, Group III). Embryonic movement was measured using an Egg Buddy® digital monitor on days 30, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 60, at which point embryos were euthanized and samples were collected for analysis. No differences were observed between groups with varying incubation temperatures. In contrast, embryonic motility was greater in embryos treated with 4-AP (P < 0.001) on day 49, and this was associated with higher proportions of snout-vent and hand lengths. This study demonstrates for the first time that pharmacologically induced increases in embryo motility result in phenotypic changes to the proportion of elements during prenatal ontogeny, thereby effectively altering the adaptation of the species to specific environments.

Efficacy of Azoles Antifungals in Treatment of Pityriasis Versicolor

Introduction: Pityriasis versicolor is superficial fungal infection. Topical drugs are often effective in treatment of limited disease while systemic drugs are more suitable in extensive cases. The systemic triazole drugs, itraconazole and fluconazole have shown promising results at different doses. Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of oral fluconazole combined with ketoconazole shampoo and oral itraconazole in the treatment of Pityriasis versicolor. Methods: The study was conducted at department of Dermatology at Nepalgunj Medical College from March 2019 to February 2020. Total 100 patients of both genders with Pityriasis versicolor were randomly allocated into two groups with 50 patients in each group. Patients in Group I received oral fluconazole 300mg a week for two consecutive weeks along with ketoconazole 2% shampoo twice weekly for two weeks while those in Group II received itraconazole 200mg daily for one week. Efficacy was assessed in terms of negative fungal hyphae. The drug is considered safe if no patients were withdrawn for clinical adverse effects or laboratory abnormalities. Results: In this study age ranged from 18 to 50 years with mean age of 31.1 years in Group I and 31.92 years in Group II. Efficacy was seen in 78% of Group I patients as compared to 54% in Group II patients at two weeks and 94% in Group I and 90% in Group II at four weeks. No significant adverse effects were reported in any of the group. Conclusion: Fluconazole along with ketoconazole shampoo is more effective than itraconazole in treatment of pityriasis versicolor with minimal side effects, at lesser cost.

Outcomes of Open Cystolithotomy and Percutaneous Cystolithotripsy in the Management of Urinary Bladder Stone

Introduction: Urinary bladder stone occupies only 5% of all urinary tract stone. Various techniques have been used for the management of bladder stone. Open Cystolithotomy is the traditional treatment but a percutaneous approach has been also in practice. Aims: To confirm the best options between open cystolithotomy and percutaneous cystolithotripsy for the treatment of bladder stone. Methods: It is a prospective hospital based study from May 2019 to January 2021 in Nepalgunj Medical College. Total 42 patients with inclusion criteria were divided into two groups. Group I was allocated to 21 patients who were treated with open cystolithotomy while Group II were allocated to 21 patients who were treated with percutaneous cystolithotripsy. Two groups were compared for stone free rate, mean hospital stay, mean postoperative scar, mean operation time and rate of post-operative complications. Results: The stone free rate in Group I was 100 % and in Group II was 90.47 %. Mean Operation time was in Group I and Group II were 40.09+ 2.48 minutes and 31.38+15.65 days, respectively with p<0.05. Mean hospital stay was significantly low in Group II (3.71+1.87 days ) when compared to Group I (7.67+ 2.12 days) with p<0.001. Mean scar length of Group I (5.466+2.9 cm) with respect to Group II (1.04+0.09) was significantly long (p<0.01). Rate of complications were not significantly different between two groups (p>0.5). Conclusion: For management of urinary bladder stones sized up to 4 cm, both open cystolithotomy and percutaneous cystolithotripsy are effective, with a low incidence of complications. However, comparing the surgery time, hospital stay, length of scar between two procedures, percutaneous cystolithotripsy procedure is more beneficial for treatment of urinary bladder stone.

Efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma on graft uptake in myringoplasty: a single-blinded randomized control trial

Background and aim Chronic otitis media is defined as a chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft producing irreversible pathological changes. The myringoplasty aims at the reconstruction of the tympanic membrane using a graft material. Autologous platelet-rich plasma can be used along with the graft to have a successful outcome. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma on graft uptake in myringoplasty. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial with a sample size of 76 patients. All patients were above 18 and below 55 years of age diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media and were planned for myringoplasty. The participants were randomly allotted to two groups by block randomization (block of 4). Intra-operatively, group I (n=38) received platelet-rich plasma–soaked gel foam and group II (n=38) was taken as the control group who received saline-soaked gel foam and examined by a blinded examiner at the end of 1st and 3rd months. Results The mean air-bone gap reduction post-operatively in the platelet-rich plasma group was 8.68 ± 4.8 (P value 0.034) and 6.05 ± 4.05 in the control group. The improvement in pure-tone average in the platelet-rich plasma group (P = 0.009) is more than that in the control group. The graft uptake was higher among the platelet-rich plasma group than the control group both at 1st and 3rd months (P value 0.049) which were statistically significant. Conclusion The present study concludes that the usage of platelet-rich plasma in the conventional myringoplasty technique has improved the success rate of graft uptake and reduced the graft migration. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry-India (ICMR-NIMS) CTRI/2020/04/024416. Date of registration: 01/04/2020. Date of enrolment of the first participant to the trial: 06/04/2020. URL of the trial registry: http://www.ctri.nic.in. Highlights Usage of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in conventional myringoplasty in underlay technique. Assessment of graft uptake, percentage of perforation closure, and the audiological outcome. Significant mean reduction of ABG in the PRP group. Significant improvement in PTA average in the PRP group. Graft uptake and percentage of perforation closure were higher in the PRP group and the control group. PRP is also beneficial in revision cases.

Assessment of Effect of Exercise on Body Composition in Obese and Overweight

Background: Aim: To assess the effect of exercise on body composition in obese and overweight. Methods: A total of seventy- two overweight subjects of either gender were enrolled for the study. Two groups were prepared. One group was experimental group (n=36) and the second group was control group (n=36). Parameter such as age, height and weight was recorded. On the basis of variables body mass Index and body fat percentage of every subject was determined. The experiment group were put on aerobic exercises spread over duration of four weeks. Results: The mean height in group I was 163.7 cm and 165.4 cm in group II. Weight was 65.2 kg and 63.5 kgs in group II, BMI (Kg/m2) was 29.4 and 29.1, body fat was 29.3% and 29.6% in group I and II respectively. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). The mean pre- test BMI was 29.6 and 38.5 and post- test value was 26.4 and 38.9 in group I and II respectively. A significant difference was observed (P< 0.05). Conclusions: Regular physical activity appears to confer a health benefit to the people. There was a positive relationship between aerobic exercises and overweight women in order to reduce the value of fat in the body.

Assessment of Role of Platelet Aggregation in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients

Background: To assess role of platelet aggregation in metastatic breast cancer patients.Methods:40 cases (Group I) of metastatic breast cancer patients and equal number of healthy control (Group II) subjects were included. Platelet aggregation studies in vitro using ADP and Thrombin were performed using an optical aggregometer. Detection of platelet aggregation was done by Chrono log series 490 dual and four channel optical aggregometer systems.Results:There were 4 subjects in group I and 12 in group II having ADP <60, 26 subjects in group I and 28 in group II with ADP 61-72 and 10 subjects in group I with ADP >72. Low thrombin <58 was seen in 8 in group II, normal thrombin between 61-72 was seen among 11 in group I and 32 in group II and high thrombin >82 among 29 in group I respectively. Amongst patients with normal platelet count, 14 patients had platelet aggregation with ADP in the normal range and 4 patients had platelet aggregation with ADP in the lower range. In patients with high platelet count, 12 showed aggregation in the normal range, and 10 patients showed aggregation in the higher range which was statistically significant (P< 0.05) (Table III, Graph II).Conclusion: Platelet aggregation has an important part to play in the tumor metastasis of breast cancer patients.

Differences in Demographic and Radiographic Characteristics between Patients with Visible and Invisible T1 Slopes on Lateral Cervical Radiographic Images

Introduction: The T1 slope is important for cervical surgical planning, and it may be invisible on radiographic images. The prevalence of T1 invisible cases and the differences in demographic and radiographic characteristics between patients whose T1 slopes are visible or invisible remains unexplored. Methods: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the differences in these characteristics between outpatients whose T1 slopes were visible or invisible on radiographic images. Patients (n = 60) who underwent cervical radiography, whose T1 slope was confirmed clearly, were divided into the visible (V) group and invisible (I) group. The following radiographic parameters were measured: (1) C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), (2) C2-7 angle in neutral, flexion, and extension positions. Results: Based on the T1 slope visibility, 46.7% of patients were included in group I. The I group had significantly larger C2-7 SVA than the V group for males (p < 0.05). The C2-7 SVA tended to be larger in the I group, without significant difference for females (p = 0.362). Discussion: The mean C2-7 angle in neutral and flexion positions was not significantly different between the V and I groups for either sex. The mean C2-7 angle in the extension position was greater in the V group. The T1 slope was invisible in males with high C2-7 SVA.

Effect of Sex Sorted Semen in Synchronized Estrus on Pregnancy Rate and Female Ratio in Gir Cows

Background: At present there is huge demand for Gir cow females however, prolonged inter calving period, more inseminations per conception and post-partum anestrus are the predominant reproductive disorder along with use of unsexed semen limit the birth of more females in Gir cows. The present research study was conducted to study the effect of sex sorted semen in synchronized estrus with Ovsynch protocol on pregnancy rate and gender ratio in Gir cows. Methods: Total twenty Gir cows that have completed post-partum period of sixty days with normal reproductive genitalia, without clinical as well as subclinical infection were selected and divided into two equal groups. The cows from both the groups were synchronized with Ovsynch protocol. In Group- I (n=10), the cows were inseminated with sex sorted semen while in Group-II, the cows were inseminated with coneventional semen. The pregnancy rate and gender ratio was recorded. Result: Efficacy of estrus synchronization was 100.00 per cent for Gir cows treated by Ovsynch protocol in both groups. The pregnancy rate was numerically lower after AI with sex sorted semen (40%) than conventional semen (50%) and results are non significant (P less than 0.05) with 100% calving rate. The proportion of female calves born from sex sorted semen AI was 75% and from conventional semen was 60%. The proportion of live calves born from sex sorted and conventional semen AI was 100%. The sex sorted semen may be used in Ovsynch protocol in Gir cows.

The Influence of Highly Dispersed Metal Forms on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Polygastric Animals

Determining which forms of mineral feed additives can increase farm animal productivity is a key area of research. This study assessed the mineral composition of ruminal fluid and the effectiveness of calcium and phosphorus used by animals after the introduction of finely dispersed particles (FDP) of SiO2 (group I) and FeCo (group II) with a hydrodynamic radius of 109.6 ± 16.6 and 265 ± 25 nm, respectively. The deposition and use of calcium and phosphorus in the body of the experimental animals exceeded the control values. In group I, 30.8% more calcium was deposited (p ≥ 0.05), and in group II, the value was 30.3% (p ≥ 0.01). In the experimental groups, the calcium utilization rate was 27.3% higher in group I (p ≥ 0.05), and 28.2% higher in group II (p ≥ 0.01) compared to in the control. Phosphorus deposition was 34% higher (p ≤ 0.01) in experimental group I and 6% higher in experimental group II, compared with the control. Group I had a high utilization rate of phosphorus from the feed (with a 29% difference compared to the control). Comparison of the experimental groups revealed that the introduction of SiO2 FDP promoted an increase in the concentration of silicon, phosphorus, and calcium in the ruminal fluid. The introduction of FeCo FDP was accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of iron and cobalt in the ruminal fluid. Thus, the use of feed additive in finely dispersed form in the diet of animals was accompanied by an increase in the use of calcium and phosphorus by the animal’s body, which is advisable when intensifying milk and meat productivity. The obtained results require further research. Keywords: finely dispersed forms of microelements, ruminants, calcium and phosphorus exchange, feeding