Neutrophil-Free Radical Generation and Enzymatic Antioxidants in Migraine Patients

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of circulating neutrophils if any in oxidative stress in migraine by evaluating free radical generation and activities of enzymatic antioxidants in the blood in 55 patients with migraine and 60 healthy controls. Free radical generation was assessed by flow cytometry, while activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was estimated in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) by standard procedures. Platelet SOD was also measured. No significant change was found in free radical generation and in the activity of catalase, SOD and GPx in migraine patients. Univariate analysis of PMN catalase level revealed that migraineurs with a positive family history had significantly lower catalase activity compared with those with a negative family history. No correlation was found in the activity of antioxidant enzymes with age, duration of disease, time since last attack and headache index. The platelet SOD also did not show any significant change in patients of migraine without aura. Platelet aggregation in the presence or absence of PMNs was also not altered significantly. Thus the findings of the present study suggest that neutrophils are not the cause of oxidative stress observed in migraine patients.

EFFECT OF WATERLOGGING STRESS ON MEIOTIC COURSE, TETRAD FORMATION AND POLLEN FERTILITY OF SESBANIA PEA

Sesbania cannabina a multipurpose leguminous crop of family Fabaceae, is widely adaptable to adverse climatic conditions such as waterlogging, drought and high salinity. Flooding and water logging are very common phenomena and there may be possibility to become more serious alarms for environment, which is progressively deteriorated by human beings by their anthropogenic activities, polluting the atmosphere. Flooding provides a case of natural selection to the nature which selects the plants which are more adaptable to this condition and renders themselves to survive due to this tolerance or resistance behavior. Present study envisages the effect of waterlogging stress on chromosomal biology of Sesbania pea. To study the effect of waterlogging stress on microsporogensis of Sesbania cannabina, presoaked seeds were sown in experimental pots. Permanent waterlogged condition is created by shifting pots in water filled tanks. Cytological studies showed various types of chromosomal aberrations induced by waterlogging stress and reduction in pollen fertility was also encountered.

Supplementation of Slow-Release Melatonin Improves Recovery of Ovarian Cyclicity and Conception in Summer Anoestrous Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The role of melatonin as a protective neurohormone against restoring cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals in photoperiod species has gained wider acceptance. This study was designed to uncover the evidence the slow-release melatonin (MLT) has on initiation of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate (CR) in summer anoestrous buffaloes. Thus, buffaloes diagnosed as summer anoestrous (absence of overt signs of oestrus, concurrent rectal examination and radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone at 10 days interval) were grouped as untreated (Group I, sterilized corn oil, n = 8) and treated (Group II, single subcutaneous injection of MLT @18 mg/50 kg bwt in sterilized corn oil, n = 20). Animals treated and detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI) followed by division into Group III (second dose of MLT on 5th day post-AI, n = 8) and Group IV (no melatonin administration, n = 10). Blood samples were collected at 4 days interval for estimation of serum MLT, progesterone and oestrogen using radioimmunoassay kit. Mean oestrous induction rate (OIR), oestrous induction interval (OII), interoestrous interval (IOI) and CR were estimated. Compared to control, concentration of melatonin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated group ranging from 14.34 ± 1.72 to 412.31 ± 14.47 pg/ml whereas other two hormones did not show any concentration difference. Melatonin-administered buffaloes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher (90%) OIR with OII of 18.06 ± 1.57 days. Results showed improvement in conception rate in buffaloes administered with post-insemination melatonin. It can be concluded from the study that slow-release melatonin supplementation restored cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals resulting in improvement in conception rate in buffaloes.

Perception of Simulation-based Learning among Medical Students in South India

Background:

Traditional methods of educating medical students are no longer sufficient in the current era largely influenced by multimedia. Simulation-based techniques may play a pivotal role in bridging this educational gap.

Aim:

This study was conducted to explore the perception of medical students towards simulation based learning (SBL).

Subjects and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2013 in a private medical college in Mangalore, Karnataka, India. A total of 247 participants from fourth, sixth, eighth semester and internship were chosen by convenience sampling method. Attitudinal data on perception towards SBL were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with responses in a 5-point Likert's scale.

Results:

The mean age of students was 21.3 (standard deviation 1.9) years, and males constituted 55.5% (137/247). Most participants 72.5% (179/247) had favorable perceptions of SBL, with scores of92–118 out of a possible 118 points. Favorable perception towards SBL was seen significantly more among female students (P = 0.04) and senior MBBS students of sixth and eighth semesters (P = 0.05). Nearly, all students (90.7%; 224/247) agreed that simulation supports the development of clinical skills. As many as 29.6% (73/247) agreed that real patients might be replaced with simulated patients in practical examinations.

Conclusion:

SBL was perceived as favorable by a large number of participants in this study indicating a bright prospect for its implementation in the medical curriculum.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic effect of the YHK phytocompound in hepatocytes: in view of an age-management liver-protecting approach

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) regulates cellular proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to test the in vitro effect of Yo Jyo Hen Shi Ko (YHK), a nutraceutical with prior data suggesting its hepatocyte-protecting role, in regulating RAGE in the proliferation of the HCC cell line HuH7 as well checking also its potential modulation in the expression of the transcriptional factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65. Our study showed that YHK significantly reduced cellular growth in the HuH7 cell line (p<0.05). Moreover, this phytocompound partly reduced gene expression of NF-κB p65 (by 35%, p<0.05). These data suggest that YHK has a potential role as a modulator of RAGE and RAGE ligands for potential healthy liver intervention in HCC prevention strategies.

SHIP-1 deficiency in the myeloid compartment is insufficient to induce myeloid expansion or chronic inflammation

SHIP-1 has an important role in controlling immune cell function through its ability to downmodulate PI3K signaling pathways that regulate cell survival and responses to stimulation. Mice deficient in SHIP-1 display several chronic inflammatory phenotypes including antibody-mediated autoimmune disease, Crohn's disease-like ileitis and a lung disease reminiscent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The ileum and lungs of SHIP-1-deficient mice are infiltrated at an early age with abundant myeloid cells and the mice have a limited lifespan primarily thought to be due to the consolidation of lungs with spontaneously activated macrophages. To determine whether the myeloid compartment is the key initiator of inflammatory disease in SHIP-1-deficient mice, we examined two independent strains of mice harboring myeloid-restricted deletion of SHIP-1. Contrary to expectations, conditional deletion of SHIP-1 in myeloid cells did not result in consolidating pneumonia or segmental ileitis typical of germline SHIP-1 deficiency. In addition, other myeloid cell abnormalities characteristic of germline loss of SHIP-1, including flagrant splenomegaly and enhanced myelopoiesis, were absent in mice lacking SHIP-1 in myeloid cells. This study indicates that the spontaneous inflammatory disease characteristic of germline SHIP-1 deficiency is not initiated solely by LysM-positive myeloid cells but requires the simultaneous loss of SHIP-1 in other hematolymphoid lineages.

A Visual Basic simulation software tool for performance analysis of a membrane-based advanced water treatment plant

A Visual Basic simulation software (WATTPPA) has been developed to analyse the performance of an advanced wastewater treatment plant. This user-friendly and menu-driven software is based on the dynamic mathematical model for an industrial wastewater treatment scheme that integrates chemical, biological and membrane-based unit operations. The software-predicted results corroborate very well with the experimental findings as indicated in the overall correlation coefficient of the order of 0.99. The software permits pre-analysis and manipulation of input data, helps in optimization and exhibits performance of an integrated plant visually on a graphical platform. It allows quick performance analysis of the whole system as well as the individual units. The software first of its kind in its domain and in the well-known Microsoft Excel environment is likely to be very useful in successful design, optimization and operation of an advanced hybrid treatment plant for hazardous wastewater.

Clinical efficacy of various root canal obturating methods in primary teeth: a comparative study

AIM

The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different obturating methods used in primary teeth, when obturated using a combination of zinc oxide and iodoform paste (Endoflas F.S.).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A group of 29 patients aged 3-9 years and a total of 64 teeth were selected. These 64 teeth (32 anterior teeth=32 canals, and 32 posterior teeth=80 canals) were randomly divided into 4 groups. Teeth were obturated with Lentulo spiral, pressure syringe, bi-directional spiral and Pastinject. Post-operative evaluation was done for: quality of canal obturation, (underfilled, optimally filled, overfilled) and presence of voids.

RESULTS

Pastinject exhibited the highest number of optimally filled canals, while the highest number of underfilled canals were observed with bi-directional spiral, and the highest number of overfilled canals were observed with pressure syringe. A minimum number of voids was present in canals filled with the Pastinject technique and pressure syringe.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Pastinject was the most effective technique for obturation of primary teeth.

Effect of yogic intervention on the autonomic nervous system in the patients with coronary artery disease: a randomized controlled trial

In this study 258 patients from the Department of Cardiology in Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow were selected to participate. All had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. They were randomly divided into 2 groups, the yoga group and the non-yoga group, 129 in each group; 208 completed the study protocol. The yogic intervention consisted of 35-40 min/day, 5 days a week over a period of 18 months in the Department of Physiology. Autonomic function testing was done in both the groups at zero time and after 18 months. We observed a statistically significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate (P < 0.05), i.e., a significant positive effect was observed when yoga therapy was used as an adjunct in patients with coronary artery disease.