This experiment suggests that butyrate has a significant role in increasing the mechanical strength of colonic anastomoses in rats.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only cure for thalassemia major (TM), which inflicts a significant 1-time cost. Hence, it is important to explore the cost effectiveness of HSCT versus lifelong regular transfusion-chelation (TC) therapy. This study was undertaken to estimate incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained with the intervention group HSCT, and the comparator group TC, in TM patients. A combination of decision tree and Markov model was used for analysis. A hospital database, supplemented with a review of published literature, was used to derive input parameters for the model. A lifetime study horizon was used and future costs and consequences were discounted at 3%. Results are presented using societal perspective. Incremental cost per QALY gained with use of HSCT as compared with TC was 64,096 (US$986) in case of matched related donor (MRD) and 1,67,657 (US$2579) in case of a matched unrelated donor transplantation. The probability of MRD transplant to be cost effective at the willingness to pay threshold of Indian per capita gross domestic product is 94%. HSCT is a long-term value for money intervention that is highly cost effective and its long-term clinical and economic benefits outweigh those of TC.

BackgroundNeurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the brain. Epilepsy is the commonest clinical presentation, though it may also present with headache, symptoms of raised intracranial tension, hydrocephalus and ocular symptoms depending upon the localisation of the parasitic cysts. Anthelmintic drugs, anti-oedema drugs, such as steroids and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) form the mainstay of treatment. ObjectivesTo assess the effects (benefits and harms) of AEDs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures in people with neurocysticercosis.

Congenital macrothrombocytopenia is being increasingly recognised because of the increasing availability of automated platelet counts during routine complete blood count. If not recognised, these patients may be unnecessarily investigated or treated. The study was done to assess the occurrence of macrothrombocytopenia in the North Indian population and the role of automated platelet parameters in its detection. This prospective study was done on patients whose blood samples were sent for CBC to the hematology laboratory of a tertiary care hospital. Samples were run on Advia-120, a 5-part differential automated analyzer. Routine blood parameters including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet cytogram pattern and platelet flagging was studied along with peripheral blood smear examination. ANOVA was used to compare difference in mean MPV in patients with macrothrombocytopenia, and those with secondary thrombocytopenia and ITP. Seventy five (0.6 %) patients with CBC evaluation were detected to have macrothrombocytopenia, majority (96 %) of North Indian origin. The MPV (fl) in the 75 patients ranged from 10.9 to 23.3 (mean 15.1 ± 3

Choledochocholedochostomy (CCD) with a 7 fr/8 fr Cotton Leung internal biliary stent removed at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) 3 months following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) was the technique used on our unit for biliary reconstruction. From June 1995 to July 1996, we randomised 37 OLT patients with CCDs to receive either an internal stent (group I, rzd= 18) or no stent (group 11, n = 19). Patients in group I had an E R C at 3 months for stent removal whereas patients in group I1 had an E R C if indicated.