pH-dependent redox mechanism and evaluation of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of a novel anthraquinone

The pH-dependent oxidation of a novel anthraquinone was investigated and several important kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were determined.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, pH dependent redox mechanism and DNA binding behavior of chlorohydroxyaniline derivatives

Three new chlorohydroxyanilines were synthesized and characterized. The results revealed these compounds to have strong antioxidant activity and DNA binding propensity.

Antenatal diagnosis of achondroplasia

We report a interesting case of antenatal diagnosis of achondrpoplasia in a young multigravida who presented with term pregnancy for routine ultrasound assessment which revealed a single, live intrauterine fetus with a discrepancy between femur length (FL) and biparietal diameter (BPD), narrowing of the interpeduncular distance. The diagnosis of achondroplasia was made with a sonological skeletal survey and findings were correlated with radiological skeletal survey after the baby was delivered. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i1.17443 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 13 No. 01 January2014: 84-87

Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the clavicle: a case report

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i3.8687 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-3, 43-46  

Predicted binding of certain antifilarial compounds with glutathione-S-transferase of human Filariids

: Glutathione-S-transferase is a major phase-II detoxification enzyme in parasitic helminthes. Previous research highlights the importance of GSTs in the establishment of chronic infections in cytotoxic microenvironments. Filarial nematodes depend on these detoxification enzymes for their survival in the host. GST plays an important role in filariasis and other diseases. GST from W.bancrofti and B.malayi are very much different from human GST. This structural difference makes GST potential chemotherapeutic targets for antifilarial treatment. In this study we have checked the efficacy of some well known antifilarial compounds against GST from B.malayi and W.bancrofti. The structure of BmGST was modeled using modeller9v10 and was submitted to PMDB. Molecular docking study reveals arbindazole to be the most potent compounds against GST from both the filarial parasites. Role of some residues playing important role in the binding of compounds within the active site of GST has also been revealed in the present study. The BmGST and WbGST structural information and docking studies could aid in screening new antifilarials or selective inhibitors for chemotherapy against filariasis.

ABBREVIATIONS

GST - Glutathione-S-transferase, Bm - Brugia malayi, Wb - Wuchereria bancrofti.

Association between Serum 25 (OH) Vitamin D Concentrations and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) Activity

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are immune mediated diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Several environmental factors in concert with genetic susceptibilities can trigger IBDs. Recently, one of the important environmental factors contributing to the development of autoimmune diseases is vitamin D (VitD) deficiency. Furthermore, some new evidence points to VitD deficiency and its receptor dysfunction as an underlying factor for the emergence experimental IBDs. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and IBD activity in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Sixty patients with confirmed diagnosis of IBD were recruited for a cross sectional study. Most of the identified confounders affecting serum VitD concentrations were excluded. Disease activity was assessed using validated questionnaires, including Truelove for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn Disease Activity Index (CDAI) for Crohn disease. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were determined by chemiluminescent assay. Serum 25(OH)D≤10 (ng/ml) was considered as VitD deficiency and 11≤25(OH)D<29(ng/ml) as VitD insufficiency. Mean serum 25(OH)D value was 13.1 ± 11.1(ng/ml) in IBD patients. Almost 95% of patients were vitamin D insufficient or deficient. Forty one percent of IBD patients had active disease. VitD deficiency was not associated with IBD activity (p=0.23). However, VitD deficiency was significantly associated with a history of IBD related intestinal surgery (p=0.001). In conclusion, this cross-sectional prospective study suggested that there is no association between vitamin D deficiency and disease activity in a relatively small number of IBD patients in a short period of time.

Comparative analysis of type of myocardial infarction in patients with successful or unsuccessful streptokinase thrombolysis following ST elevation myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of thrombolytic therapy in term of success and failure on the type of ST elevation MI, using streptokinase.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This was a comparative study, conducted at Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from October 2006 to October 2007. Patients with first acute myocardial infarction were divided into group A (successful thrombolysis) and group B (unsuccessful thrombolysis) using ECG criteria.

RESULTS

Total number of patients were 200. Group A included 136 (68%) patients and group B included 64 (32%) patients. There were total 88 (44%) patients of anterior MI with 47 patients in group A and 41 patients in group B (34.6% vs 64.0%, p < 0.001). There were total 110 (55.0%) patients of inferior MI with 88 patients in group A and 22 patients in group B (64.7% vs 34.4%, p < 0.001). Lateral myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 2 (1%) patients with 1 patient each in group A and group B (0.7% vs 1.6%, p = 0.583).

CONCLUSION

Anterior MI was associated with a higher rate of thromblysis failure while inferior MI and lateral wall MI was associated with a higher rate of successful thrombolysis.

Mapping and analysis of the LINE and SINE type of repetitive elements in rice

Non-LTR retrotransposons comprise significant portion of the plants genome. Their complete characterization is thus necessary if the sequenced genome is to be annotated correctly. The long and short interspersed nucleotide repetitive elements (LINE and SINE) may be responsible for alteration in the expression mechanism of neighboring genes, the complete identification of these elements in the rice genome is essential in order studying their putative functional interactions with the plant genes and its role in genome composition. The main emphasis of this work is to assemble a comprehensive dataset of nonLTR (LINEs and SINEs) and the map of completely inserted LINEs and SINE type of retroelement by both intact ends (3' and 5' ends). The assembled information and work may help for further research in this direction.

Online information needs of cancer patients and their organizations

Increasingly patients, relatives and carers are accessing health information via the internet. However, the health profession and people affected by cancer are becoming concerned with the quality of that information. A European survey was conducted under the auspices of the FP7 European Commission funded Eurocancercoms project during the period September 2010-March 2011. Its aim was to assess current online information needs of people with cancer particularly those who seek information using online social media technologies and the internet more broadly. A literature review was undertaken to gain a greater understanding of health seeking behaviour regarding cancer patients' information needs and patient preferences for accessing different formats and media. This was used to inform the design and validation of online pan-European, multi-lingual questionnaires distributed via patient organizations and via specific Eurocancercoms partner organizations. This paper presents the results of this survey and suggests recommendations to be incorporated into the design of the online platform, ecancerHub, one of the intended outcomes of the Eurocancercoms project following this research. People want a wide variety of easy to find, easy to understand accurate information about cancer and how it is likely to impact on their everyday lives and on those close to them. They differ in the amount and detail of the information they would like and on their ability to identify quality information and understand it sufficiently to base their health-care decisions on. The majority of respondents raised the issue of quality of information and many requested recommendations of websites by the people who usually influence them most, the health professionals involved in their care.

Spinal anaesthesia in paediatric patients undergoing surgery of sub umbilical region of the body

BACKGROUND

The use of spinal anaesthesia in infants and children requiring surgeries of sub umbilical region is gaining considerable popularity worldwide. But in our setups in South Asia. this technique has not gained popularity yet. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the haemodynamic and respiratory safety of spinal anaesthesia in infants and children.

METHODS

In our study, 66 paediatric patients of age ranging from 6 months to 10 years of either sex, ASA I and II, undergoing surgeries of sub umbilical regions were included. Spinal anaesthesia was administered with Quincke 25 gauge needles at L3-L4 and L4-L5 space in the lateral decubitus position after premedication. Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP), Heart rate, Sp(O2), duration of surgery and attempts of spinal block were the data recorded.

RESULTS

Out of the 66 patients, intra-operative Mean Arterial Blood Pressure (MAP) was normal in 65 (98.5%) of the patients. Heart rate was increased in 57 (86.4%) patients, intra operatively. Pulse oximetery was normal during surgery in all the children. Duration of surgery was less than one hour in 48 (72.7%) patients and it was between 1-2 hours in 18 (27.3%) of the patients. Feasibility in the form of attempts was first in 37 patients and second in 29 patients.

CONCLUSION

The ease of performance and the safety regarding cardio- respiratory functions makes spinal anaesthesia as an alternative to general anaesthesia in infants and children undergoing surgeries of sub umbilical regions.