The effect of raw garlic on serum cholesterol, fibrinolytic activity and clotting time was studied in 50 medical students of the age group of 17 to 22 years before and after feeding raw garlic. All pre-experimental values ranged within normal limits. The volunteers were then divided into experimental and control groups. The subjects of the experimental group were given 10 gm of raw garlic daily after breakfast for two months. Fasting blood samples of all the subjects were investigated after two months. In the control group, there was no significant change in any of the above parameters. In the experimental group, there was a significant decrease in serum cholesterol and an increase in clotting time and fibrinolytic activity. Hence, garlic may be an useful agent in prevention of thromboembolic phenomenon.

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Oral administration of petroleum ether extract of Allium sativum, Allium cepa and ethylacetate extract of Commiphora mukul in albino rats significantly prevented rise in serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride level, caused by atherogenic diet. All the three agents were also found to confer significant protection against atherogenic diet induced atherosclerosis.

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Sixty-four cases of rupture uterus which occurred during the period 1980-89 were studied and compared with 70 cases in the preceding decade (1970-79). The changing trends in etiological factors and management of this condition have been demonstrated. While spontaneous rupture continued to account for about two-thirds of the cases (70.3%), the incidence of traumatic rupture uterus has become less than half, from 17.1 to 7.8%, and that of scar rupture has increased to more than double (from 11.4 to 23.4%). As regards management, there are improved results seen with conservative repair of the uterus. It was also seen that a subtotal hysterectomy was more commonly resorted to than total hysterectomy in the later decade. There was a decrease in the overall morbidity from 42.8 to 35.9% and also in the mortality rate from 24.3 to 18.7%.

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Crude aconite is an extremely lethal substance. However, the science of Ayurveda looks upon aconite as a therapeutic entity. Crude aconite is always processed i.e. it undergoes 'samskaras' before being utilised in the Ayurvedic formulations. This study was undertaken in mice, to ascertain whether 'processed' aconite is less toxic as compared to the crude or unprocessed one. It was seen that crude aconite was significantly toxic to mice (100% mortality at a dose of 2.6 mg/mouse) whereas the fully processed aconite was absolutely non-toxic (no mortality at a dose even 8 times as high as that of crude aconite). Further, all the steps in the processing were essential for complete detoxification.

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Twenty four cases of endophthalmitis were subjected to pars plana vitrectomy. A final vitreous clearance was obtained in 62.50% cases. Visual improvement occurred in 41.67% cases. It was concluded that prompt detection and early and vigorous therapy--medical and surgical--is the mainstay in the management of endophthalmitis.

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Malignant hypertension in an adolescent due to reflux nephropathy (RN) is rare. Here we are presenting such a case unassociated with the usual symptoms of hypertension. The problems of diagnosis, management, prognosis and prevention of RN are discussed with a review of relevant literature.

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Sixty-four patients suffering from acute viral hepatitis (excluding those suffering from hepatitis B) were selected for the double blind clinical trial. They were randomly allocated to either ribavirin therapy (200 mg four times a day) or placebo. Four patients were lost to follow up and therefore final analysis was carried out on 60 patients (thirty had received ribavirin and the rest placebo). Patients receiving ribavirin showed significant rapid improvement, with the disappearance of annoying symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, etc) and return of good appetite; moreover, the abnormal blood parameters showed significant rapid changes towards normal values in ribavirin treated patients as compared to those observed in placebo group. Ribavirin was well tolerated and there were no side effects. Since acute viral hepatitis is endemic with outbreaks of epidemics in many areas at various times and as yet there is no effective anti-viral drug available with the physicians in India, ribavirin is indeed a most welcome drug for its therapy.

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Very short or prolonged induction-delivery interval (i.e. less than 5 minutes or more than 15 minutes) and uterine-delivery interval of more than 90 seconds has a definite effect on the apgar scoring of a newborn especially when general anaesthesia is administered as compared to regional anaesthesia for caesarean section.

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Hundred and thirty patients with hypospadias were studied between 1983 and 1990, with an aim of analysing the associated anomalies in these patients. Urogenital anomalies were observed in 30% and extra-urogenital anomalies were noted in 16%. Undescended testis was the most frequently seen anomaly, having been noted in 6.9% of 130 cases. Vesico-ureteral reflux was present in 5.4% and inguinal hernia in 3.8%. The incidence of these anomalies increased in proportion to the severity of penile deformity. The present article emphasizes the need for systemic urological and endocrinal examination, especially in severe cases of hypospadias.

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An adult schizophrenic patient developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome following treatment with parenteral haloperidol. An early recognition of the syndrome, immediate discontinuation of the offending agent and prompt treatment with bromocriptine and lorazepam produced a good recovery. The various features of the case are discussed in view of the potential lethality of the syndrome.

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An unusual case of extensive benign lymphoid hyperplasia of the ileo-caecal region causing ileo-caeco-colic intussusception is presented here, with a review of relevant literature. The diagnosis of intussusception was reached with the help of an abdominal ultrasound and barium enema. Histopathology of the resected specimen, revealed lymphoid hyperplasia.

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A 22-year-old patient presented with a clinical picture of unilateral optic neuropathy following blunt trauma to the orbit. Clinical findings, fundus fluorescein angiography and neurophysiological studies were suggestive of an ischaemia, a rare etiology.

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Anaesthesiologist may encounter problems while anaesthetising a patient following organophosphorus poisoning. These problems and the necessary precaution are described.

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Fifteen patients of tetralogy of Fallot with an anomalous left anterior descending coronary artery arising from the right coronary artery were operated during a period of 1982 and 1988. One patient died in the early post-operative period (6.6%). Two patients had a hemodynamically insignificant residual ventricular septal defect. Post-operative peak systolic pressure gradient between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery ranged from 10 mm Hg to 40 mm Hg (mean 24 mm Hg) in 4 patients. There was no incidence of inadvertent coronary artery division.

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A case of choledochal cyst is presented. The cyst was found in an infant aged 40 days and was treated surgically by resection followed by Roux en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

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Two cases of Klinefelter's syndrome with 47 XXY karyotype associated with unelevated follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels are reported. The literature is briefly reviewed.

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Polymorphonuclear neutrophils play an important role in host defense mechanism. To assess PMN function in neonate a micromethod using only a few drops of blood was standardised. PMN adherent to coverslip were incubated with bacteria and using a differential staining with Acridine Orange (AO) phagocytic and bactericidal capacity were estimated.

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Classical Freyer's method was modified in which, prostatic fossa was packed after the enucleation of the gland for hemostatic purpose; and the pack and suprapubic drain were brought out laterally. The pack was removed after 48-72 hours postoperatively and catheter was introduced per urethrum for early closure of suprapubic ostomy. Fifty such cases of Modified Freyer's prostatectomy were compared with cases of classical Freyer's prostatectomy (n = 25) and Millin's prostatectomy (n = 25). The duration of surgery and requirements for perioperative blood transfusion were found to be less with our method.

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