Effects of Hydroxytyrosol in Endothelial Functioning: A Comprehensive Review

Pharmacologists have been emphasizing and applying plant and herbal-based treatments in vascular diseases for decades now. Olives, for example, are a traditional symbol of the Mediterranean diet. Hydroxytyrosol is an olive-derived compound known for its antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. Acknowledging the merit of antioxidants in maintaining endothelial function warrants the application of hydroxytyrosol in endothelial dysfunction salvage and recovery. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) is an impairment of endothelial cells that adversely affects vascular homeostasis. Disturbance in endothelial functioning is a known precursor for atherosclerosis and, subsequently, coronary and peripheral artery disease. However, the effects of hydroxytyrosol on endothelial functioning were not extensively studied, limiting its value either as a nutraceutical supplement or in clinical trials. The action of hydroxytyrosol in endothelial functioning at a cellular and molecular level is gathered and summarized in this review. The favorable effects of hydroxytyrosol in the improvement of endothelial functioning from in vitro and in vivo studies were scrutinized. We conclude that hydroxytyrosol is capable to counteract oxidative stress, inflammation, vascular aging, and arterial stiffness; thus, it is beneficial to preserve endothelial function both in vitro and in vivo. Although not specifically for endothelial dysfunction, hydroxytyrosol safety and efficacy had been demonstrated via in vivo and clinical trials for cardiovascular-related studies.

Intestinal myiasis caused by Muscina stabulans

Intestinal maggots were isolated from a patient, who had reported to the Department of General Medicine of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College, Puducherry, in southern India with complaints of abdominal distress, bloating of abdomen and intestinal hurry following a meal. He was diagnosed as a case of intestinal myiasis. Maggots obtained from his stool were identified to be Muscina stabulans based on characteristic patterns of posterior spiracles. He was treated with purgatives and albendazole. This intestinal myiasis case caused by M. stabulans is reported here because of its rare occurrence and the need to establish a correct diagnosis.

Fast-wave periodic complexes in a mentally retarded child who later developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: a modification of a classic EEG by preexisting brain damage?

The EEG of a 12-year-old girl with stage II subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), who had also suffered from a non-progressive mental retardation of unknown aetiology since early childhood, revealed periodic generalised stereotyped fast wave bursts synchronous with myoclonic jerks. The background activity was nearly normal. The diagnosis of SSPE was established by raised serum and measles antibody titres, raised CSF IgG, and brain biopsy. This rare type of periodic complex has only once been described in the literature, again in a mentally retarded child who had developed SSPE. We suggest a mechanism of origin of this type of periodic complex drawn from observations in these two cases, and discuss its significance.

Detection of Campylobacter jejuni/C.coli infection in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome by serology and culture

Serum samples from 43 cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), 32 non-GBS neurology patients, and 35 healthy persons from a medical institute in Kerala, India, were tested for antibody levels against a Campylobacter jejuni strain Penner serotype 0:19 by agglutination and ELISA. Twenty-six percent of samples from GBS cases showed high antibody levels in all assays. Of 8 stool samples of new GBS cases examined by culture, 38% were positive for C. jejuni/C. col1. The results suggest that at least a quarter of GBS cases studied were associated with Campylobacter infection.

Development of silastic polyurethane (Angioflex) materials with antibacterial agent

Bioimplants incorporated with antimicrobial agents are needed to control Foreign Body Associated Infection (FBAI) in clinical settings. Attempts are made here to develop five different types of polyurethane (Angioflex), viz., (1) bare polymer, (2) bare polymer glow discharged, (3) bare polymer coated with chlorhexidine, (4) chlorhexidine coated polymer glow discharged, and (5) material (4) recoated with another layer of chlorhexidine digluconate. These materials are tested for their in vitro antibacterial effects using disc diffusion technique against five different standard clinical staphylococcus strains, viz., Wood 46 (Staph. aureus), A 182 (Staph. epidermidis), A 313 (Staph. epidermidis), A 61 (Staph. epidermidis), and A 72 (Staph. epidermidis). Maximum antibacterial effects (zone of inhibition) are observed with polyurethanes incorporated with chlorhexidine digluconate (3) and chlorhexidine incorporated and glow discharged (4). Findings of this study indicate that glow discharge does not seem to produce either additive 8r synergistic antibacterial effects with chlorhexidine digluconate coated Angioflex material.

Toxoplasma gondii IgM antibody prevalence study in patients suffering from neurological disorders

One hundred and twenty seven patients belonging to Neurosurgery (49), Neuromedicine (48), Cardiac medicine (30) wards and Blood donors (30) as healthy controls were investigated for the prevalence of Toxoplasmosis by means of detecting specific IgM antibody against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) employing Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA). The detection rate of specific IgM antibody against T.gondii was found to be 32.7% (16/49) among Neurosurgery patients, 20.8% (10/48) among Neuromedical patients and 20% (6/30) among Cardiac medical patients. None of the voluntary blood donors tested was found to have T. gondii IgM antibody. Maximum prevalence rate was found among female patients undergoing Neurosurgery (42.3%) followed by Neuromedical patients (40%). There is an increasing rate of prevalence of Toxoplasmosis from the lower age group upto thirty years and a declining prevalence rate among the higher age groups. The present study revealed high prevalence rate of Toxoplasmosis in Neurosurgery patients (32.7%) and in particular among female (35.2%) than male (17.8%) patients.

A preliminary study on the interaction of cell-polymer extract towards biodegradation

Two newly synthesised polyurethanes were subjected to a preliminary study, in-vitro, on the interaction of cell polymer extract to understand the phenomenon of biodegradation by employing VERO cells. VERO cells exposed to the saline extract of the polymer showed cytopathic effect with granulations in the digestive vacuoles. It is suggested that the long term material performance of an implant-material can be evaluated by using VERO cells and/or macrophages and by analysing metabolic products secreted by the cells during interaction.

Coxsackie viral myocarditis: a clinical and echocardiographic study

Thirty two patients with acute onset of cardiac symptoms following an episode suggestive of viral infection, were studied. 11 patients had Coxsackie viral myocarditis. All had 4 fold rise of neutralising Coxsackie viral antibody titres on paired sera tested. Coxsackie B virus types 2 and 4 were commonly detected. Among the eleven patients, 8 presented with congestive heart failure, 2 with ventricular arrhythmias and one with chest pain and S3 gallop. All had ECG changes. Echocardiographic examination showed global left ventricular dysfunction in 7, regional wall motion abnormalities in 2 and normal left ventricular function in one. Serial echocardiographic examination showed progressive myocardial dysfunction in 3 and improvement in myocardial function in two patients. Two patients died during the follow up period. Echocardiography helped in assessing the course of patients with viral myocarditis.

Prevalence of coagulase negative Staphylococcus species among hospital personnel and surgical patients

Two hundred and fourteen strains of Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) isolated from hospital personnel (114 strains) and patients (100 strains) were identified upto species level. The prevalence rate of CNS in relation to sex, sources and type of specimens were analysed. Most of the CNS strains belonged to S. epidermidis (49.1% among carriers and 39% in clinical isolates) and S. hominis (36% each). Besides, five more CNS species, namely S. saprophyticus, S. capitis, S. haemolyticus, S. cohnii and S. xylosus were also isolated. (0.5 to 10.3% isolation rates). Maximum S. hominis isolated were from hospital personnel and urine from patients (63.4% and 72.2%, respectively), 50.0% and 33.3% of S. hominis were found from urine and blood, respectively. The present study revealed that the leading species S. epidermidis and S. hominis may play an important role in the nosocomial infections, especially among immunocompromised hosts during their hospital stay.

Correlation between beta-lactamase production and MIC values against penicillin with coagulase negative staphylococci

Two hundred strains of coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from various clinical specimens (116) and healthy hospital personnel (84) were investigated for the production of beta-lactamases by means of three iodometric techniques and correlated with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of penicillin-G by agar dilution technique and disc diffusion technique. One hundred and fifty (75.0%) of the 200 strains tested produced beta-lactamases. Seventy two per cent of the CNS were found to be beta-lactamase positive by the starch paper technique which was the most sensitive one in our study. The MIC values of penicillin against CNS ranged from less than or equal to 1.25 to greater than or equal to 2000 units. The present study indicated the higher prevalence of beta-lactamase producers with increased penicillin resistance among CNS strains isolated from healthy carriers and hospitalised patients.

Fatal outcome of group-G streptococcal meningitis (a case report)

An adult woman developed meningitis caused by Group-G streptococci. The organism was successfully isolated both from blood and cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. The woman succumbed to infection despite an appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Hepatitis B surface antigen in blood donors. An epidemiologic study

Of 8085 volunteer donors attending the blood bank at SCTIMST screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier state by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, 103 (1.27%) were HBsAg positive. The personal data of donors showed a higher rate of HBsAg among men than women and in the age group of 21 to 30 years than in the other age groups. A significantly higher rate was noted among donors belonging to the lower socioeconomic group (p less than 0.05).

Seroprevalence of rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnant women from Kerala State

Prevalence of rubella antibody in 536 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody in 260 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic, in India, was studied by means of hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) test (for rubella antibody) and complement fixation test (CFT-for CMV antibody). The antibody detection rate in pregnant women was 74.1% for rubella and 85.4% for CMV. The prevalence rate of CMV infection was higher during third trimester (89.6%), while rubella antibody was more prevalent during second trimester (77.5%). The geometrical mean titre (GMT) was 73 for rubella antibody and 57 for CMV. Further, rubella antibody was found to be more prevalent in the age group of 26-30 years (76.8%), while for CMV, the highest prevalence rate was seen in 21-25 years (89.2%). The present study indicates the potential possibility of primary rubella infection in 26.0% and CMV infection in 15.0% of the susceptible women during pregnancy and the development of congenital malformations in children born to the infected women.