Effect of feeding Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted total mixed ration on growth performance, nutrient availability, carcass traits and composition in finisher Barbari kids

The study aimed to assess the impact of feeding Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted Total Mixed Ration (TMR) with varying concentrate (C) to roughage (R) ratios on feed intake, nutrient utilization, growth, and carcass characteristics in Barbari kids. Sixteen weaned male Barbari kids (av. age, 233 ± 11 days; weight, 13.86 ± 0.76 kg) were divided into two groups (T1 and T2), each receiving different pelleted diets (TMR) with distinct concentrate to roughage ratios (T1 with 60:40; T2 with 40:60). The kids were fed for 133 days, and a digestion trial was conducted at the end of the study. After completion, all kids were slaughtered. Although, kids under T1 consumed higher (P < 0.001) amount of dry matter, and crude protein compared to T2, which was due to a higher concentrate to roughage ratio in T1. But, the average daily body weight gain (ADG) of finisher kids was 88.53, and 79.83 g/d/kid in T1 and T2, respectively; however, the difference was non-significant. Digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrate was also greater in T1 compared to T2. Total digestible nutrients intake was higher (P < 0.001) in T1; similarly intake of digestible energy, and metabolizable energy were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in T1 compared to T2. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids and NH3-nitrogen were also enhanced (P < 0.05) in T1 compared to T2. We observed similar carcass weight, and dressing percentage in both groups, and carcass composition remained unaffected. The pelleted diet containing greater ratio of concentrate: roughage (60:40) had no additional benefits in terms of ADG, and carcass traits in finisher kids. Therefore, it may be concluded that the Bengal gram residual forage-based pelleted TMR diet containing C40: R60 (TDN 57.13%, DCP 7.64%, ME 9.11MJ/kg feed) is suitable for optimizing growth performance with desirable carcass traits, and meat composition in finisher Barbari kids reared under the intensive system.

Marked variability in institutional deliveries and neonatal outcomes during the COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the interventions to mitigate its spread impacted access to healthcare, including hospital births and newborn care. This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on newborn service utilization in Nigeria.

METHODS

The records of women who delivered in hospitals and babies admitted to neonatal wards were retrospectively reviewed before (March 2019-February 2020) and during (March 2020-February 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in selected facilities in Nigeria.

RESULTS

There was a nationwide reduction in institutional deliveries during the COVID-19 lockdown period in Nigeria, with 14 444 before and 11 723 during the lockdown-a decrease of 18.8%. The number of preterm admissions decreased during the lockdown period (30.6% during lockdown vs 32.6% pre-lockdown), but the percentage of outborn preterm admissions remained unchanged. Newborn admissions varied between zones with no consistent pattern. Although neonatal jaundice and prematurity remained the most common reasons for admission, severe perinatal asphyxia increased by nearly 50%. Neonatal mortality was significantly higher during the COVID-19 lockdown compared with pre-lockdown (110.6/1000 [11.1%] vs 91.4/1000 [9.1%], respectively; p=0.01). The odds of a newborn dying were about four times higher if delivered outside the facility during the lockdown (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 lockdown had markedly deleterious effects on healthcare seeking for deliveries and neonatal care that varied between zones with no consistent pattern.

Stress perceived by drivers in public healthcare facilities in Negeri Sembilan during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Healthcare drivers, including ambulance drivers, were less concerned about health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, with not only the risk of COVID-19 infection but also a higher risk of prolonged states of alertness, stress, burnout, fatigue and road traffic accident. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of stress and its associated factors among healthcare drivers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study employs a crosssectional study design and utilises self-reported data obtained from locally validated personal stress inventory questionnaires. The data collection period spanned from August 1 to 31, 2020. The study sample consisted of 163 healthcare drivers affiliated with the Negeri Sembilan State Health Department. The Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were the first used to determine the association between variables prior to conducting multiple logistic regression to predict the relationship between dependent and independent variables.

RESULTS

In COVID-19's first year, 7.4% (n = 12) of healthcare drivers reported perceived stress with ambulance drivers reporting more stress (10.6%; n = 5) than non-ambulance drivers (6.0%; n = 7). Simple statistical analysis identified perceived stress significantly associated with household income, smoking status and performing on-call. Further analysis by multiple logistic regression found that perceived stress was significantly related to smoking (aOR 19.9, 95% CI: 1.86-213.90), and performing on-call (aOR 8.69, 95% CI 1.21-62.28). Nevertheless, no association was found between perceived stress and age, ethnicity, marital status, education, household income, co-morbidities, driving assignment, employment duration, needing a part-time job or motor vehicle accident history.

CONCLUSION

The study found that the perceived stress amongst Malaysian healthcare drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively low. This could be due to fewer lifethreatening tasks, emergencies, assigned tasks and increase income due to overtime during the COVD-19 pandemic. The OSH team's efforts to provide consistent safety and health training, including stress management, may have contributed to the healthcare driver's ability to effectively manage the stressful circumstances encountered during the pandemic. In order to enhance salary competitiveness, employers should provide financial management education alongside subsidised housing and childcare provisions. Healthcare drivers who smoke should be taught different stress reduction techniques so that they can handle their stress in a healthy way.

Exploring the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) database chemical space to target I7L protease from monkeypox virus using molecular screening and simulation approaches

In the current study, we used molecular screening and simulation approaches to target I7L protease from monkeypox virus (mpox) from the Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) database. Using molecular screening, only four hits TCM27763, TCM33057, TCM34450 and TCM31564 demonstrated better pharmacological potential than TTP6171 (control). Binding of these molecules targeted Trp168, Asn171, Arg196, Cys237, Ser240, Trp242, Glu325, Ser326, and Cys328 residues and may affect the function of I7L protease in in vitro assay. Moreover, molecular simulation revealed stable dynamics, tighter structural packing and less flexible behaviour for all the complexes. We further reported that the average hydrogen bonds in TCM27763, TCM33057, TCM34450 and TCM31564I7L complexes remained higher than the control drug. Finally, the BF energy results revealed -62.60 ± 0.65 for the controlI7L complex, for the TCM27763I7L complex -71.92 ± 0.70 kcal/mol, for the TCM33057I7L complex the BF energy was -70.94 ± 0.70 kcal/mol, for the TCM34450I7L the BF energy was -69.94 ± 0.85 kcal/mol while for the TCM31564I7L complex the BF energy was calculated to be -69.16 ± 0.80 kcal/mol. Although, we used stateoftheart computational methods, these are theoretical insights that need further experimental validation.

Readily usable strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle: A review

Mastitis in dairy cattle is the most common management disorder that causes higher economic losses by lowering production and quality of milk leads to substantial economical loss. The aim of this article was to review worldwide important advances in strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle. Many scientists worked to identify effective strategies to control mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. It is necessary to identify mechanisms of infection, define clinical and subclinical states of disease, determine exposure time, and identify pathogen-specific characteristics. Evolvement of management strategies that incorporated hygienic procedures (animal, floor, and milkman), post milking standing period of animal and strategic use of antibiotic or herbal therapy at dry-off, nutritional supplementation, fly control, body condition score optimization, etc., resulted in widespread control of mastitis. The udder, teat of animal, scientific management of milking, automatic milking procedure, genetic selection are considered as important factors to control mastitis. As farm management changed, scientists were directed to redefine control of mastitis caused by opportunistic pathogens of environmental sources and have sought to explore management strategies which will maintain animal well-being in a judicial way. Although significant advances in mastitis management have been made changing herd structure, changing climatic scenario and more rigorous milk processing standards ensure that mastitis will remain important issue for future research.

Role of CMV-serostatus and CX3CR1 on lymphocyte kinetics and left ventricular remodelling in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Patients with latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection have higher rates of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, but the reasons for this remain elusive. CMV-induced changes to T-lymphocyte populations, with a proliferation of CMV-specific, CX3CR1+ effector memory cells, may contribute. Effector T-cells are associated with cardiovascular mortality in CMV positive patients, and ischaemia-reperfusion injury after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI).

Purpose

To investigate the effect of CMV status on lymphocyte kinetics and cardiac MRI (cMRI) parameters in 52 STEMI patients receiving pPCI, and examine the prognostic relevance of pre-reperfusion lymphocyte count in a large cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the association between pre-reperfusion lymphocyte count, troponin, and long-term survival in 4874 consecutive STEMI patients. Using flow cytometry, we analysed lymphocyte kinetics in 52 STEMI patients, of known CMV status, during and after pPCI. We assessed the impact of CMV status on infarct size, left-ventricular (LV) function and microvascular obstruction with cMRI in the first week after reperfusion in 101 patients. Repeat cMRI at 12 weeks, to assess LV remodelling, was obtained in 48 patients.

Results

Pre-reperfusion lymphopenia is an independent predictor of mortality over 7.5 years (hazard ratio for lowest vs highest quartile: 2.0; 95% CI 1.7–2.4; p&lt;0.001), and is associated with higher admission troponins (p&lt;0.001 for lowest vs second-lowest quartile), suggesting lymphocyte count falls prior to reperfusion in response to myocardial injury. CMV positive patients had more cytotoxic T-cells, strongly expressing the fractalkine receptor, CX3CR1. In CMV positive patients these cells fell dramatically by 90 minutes post-reperfusion, and dropped more sharply in patients with extensive microvascular obstruction on cMRI (p≤0.05 in all effector subsets). CX3CR1 expression was lower at 90 minutes post-reperfusion than at 24 hours (return to physiological expression) in all effector T-cell subsets. All subsets lost a similar proportion of their 24-hour value, but consistently lost a larger proportion in CMV positive patients (−27% in CMV+, −18% in CMV−; p=0.007). CX3CR1 expression falls in the presence of fractalkine, and we hypothesise that membrane-bound fractalkine is induced more strongly in CMV positive patients, as soluble fractalkine levels were similar. At 12 weeks, LV remodeling was worse in CMV positive patients (change in end-diastolic volume: +10.7ml vs −6.1ml; p=0.02).

Conclusions

Lymphopenia occurs prior to reperfusion in STEMI, and predicts long-term mortality. Effector T-cells drop substantially after reperfusion only in CMV positive patients, likely mediated by CX3CR1-fractalkine interaction, and this is associated with adverse cMRI findings. Remodeling is worse in CMV positive patients at 12 weeks post-STEMI.

Lymphocytes, troponin and survival

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s)

Interferon-gamma inducible protein IP-10 and left ventricular remodelling post-acute myocardial infarction: a longitudinal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging substudy of CAPRI clinical trial

Background

Adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling is associated with development of heart failure and poor outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Understanding the immunomodulatory mechanisms of LV remodelling is an essential step for the development of novel therapies. Interferon-γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10)/CXCL10 is a chemokine involved in the recruitment of activated T cells into sites of tissue inflammation. Although IP-10 was reported to reduce adverse LV remodeling in a preclinical myocardial infarction model, its role in LV remodeling in humans with AMI remains unknown.

Purpose

To determine the clinical predictive value of serum IP-10 in LV remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

This is a substudy of the double-blind, randomised controlled trial “Evaluating the effectiveness of intravenous ciclosporin on reducing reperfusion injury in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention” (CAPRI; ClinicalTrials.gov registry number NCT02390674), which enrolled 52 acute STEMI patients. LV remodeling was assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and was defined as the 12-week vs. the 3-day post-myocardial infarction change of the left ventricular ejection fraction (ΔLVEF), LV end-diastolic volume (ΔEDV) or LV end-systolic volume (ΔESV). Serum IP-10 was measured before and 5min, 15min, 30min, 90min and 24h after reperfusion by ELISA. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the independent association of IP-10 with the endpoints of the study.

Results

Serum IP-10 concentration peaked at 30min after reperfusion followed by a 2-fold decrease at the 24h post reperfusion compared to pre-reperfusion levels (P&lt;0.001 for all). Comparison of the 12-week CMR to the baseline CMR imaging revealed that baseline pre-reperfusion as well as 5min, 15min, 30min and 90min, but not 24h, post-reperfusion IP-10 serum levels associated with increased LVEF and decreased ESV at 12-weeks (range correlation coefficient r=[0.35–0.41], P&lt;0.05 with ΔLVEF and r=[−0.33 to −0.44], P&lt;0.05 with ΔESV) indicating that the increase of IP-10 at the acute phase of myocardial infarction confers a cardioprotective role. Multivariable linear regression analysis for ΔLVEF showed that in a model including baseline pre-reperfusion or 5min or 15min or 30min or 90min post-reperfusion IP-10 and age, gender, traditional risk factors (arterial hypertension, body-mass index, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking, family history of CAD), infarct location, admission high-sensitivity troponin T, door-to-balloon time and ciclosporin treatment, only IP-10 was the independent determinant of ΔLVEF.

Conclusions

Increased serum IP-10 levels early after reperfusion are associated with reverse LV remodeling in patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. The clinical application of IP-10 as a novel biomarker of LV remodeling post-AMI should be further explored and validated.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P1587Comparison of effects of lowering blood pressure in individuals with blood pressure <140/90 mmHg and hypertension guideline recommendations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Background

Implementation of evidence-based medicine requires minimising delays between data generation and guideline creation. We examined the temporal relationship between accumulating evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of blood pressure (BP) lowering drug therapy among individuals with SBP<140 mmHg, DBP<90 mmHg, or both, and hypertension guideline recommendations over time.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted by searching MEDLINE for RCTs between January 1966 and February 2018. Included trials randomized patients to BP lowering drug(s) vs placebo/no treatment or to more vs less BP lowering with at least 1000 patient-years of follow-up per treatment group, and provided data relevant to BP lowering in patients with SBP<140 mmHg, DBP<90 mmHg, or both (hereafter <140/90 mmHg). Included trials were classified according to major patient groups and whether all patients had baseline BP <140/90 mmHg, or most control group patients had BP <140/90 mmHg during follow-up, which was selected because this is the BP against which interventions were compared. Two reviewers independently extracted relevant data from included RCTs and hypertension guidelines. Cumulative meta-analyses of cardiovascular events were conducted and were compared to hypertension guideline recommendations. The primary outcome was major cardiovascular events.

Results

A total of 73 trials (n=300,805) were included, including 16 trials/subgroups with all participants baseline BP <140/90mmHg. Benefits of BP lowering in individuals with usual BP <140/90 mmHg began to emerge in the 1970s (Figure). Most evidence was from trials that included some or all patients with hypertension at baseline, but most patients had BP <140/90 mmHg during follow-up due to regression to the mean and background treatment. Starting from 1992, 22 trials reported results by baseline hypertension status with no difference in cardiovascular event relative risk reduction among those with and without hypertension (relative risk 0.87 [95% CI 0.84–0.90] vs 0.86 [0.83–0.90], respectively. Until 2017, no major guidelines recommended treatment initiation or intensification for patients with baseline BP <140/90 mmHg, apart from the periods during which some guidelines recommended treatment at lower thresholds for patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (Joint National Committee 1997 to 2014; European Society of Hypertension 2007 to 2009).

Cumulative meta-analyses of trials

Conclusions

Evidence of benefits of BP lowering among individuals with usual BP <140/90 mmHg have been demonstrated for decades. However, there has been a substantial delay between data generation and guideline recommendations. This delay was may be due to the inappropriate emphasis on baseline rather than usual BP levels, and relatively narrow evidence synthesis, which does not fully account for evidence generated across various major patient groups.

The ESC ACCA EAPCI EORP acute coronary syndrome ST-elevation myocardial infarction registry

Aims 

The Acute Cardiac Care Association (ACCA)–European Association of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (EAPCI) Registry on ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) of the EurObservational programme (EORP) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) registry aimed to determine the current state of the use of reperfusion therapy in ESC member and ESC affiliated countries and the adherence to ESC STEMI guidelines in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results 

Between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2018, a total of 11 462 patients admitted with an initial diagnosis of STEMI according to the 2012 ESC STEMI guidelines were enrolled. Individual patient data were collected across 196 centres and 29 countries. Among the centres, there were 136 percutaneous coronary intervention centres and 91 with cardiac surgery on-site. The majority of centres (129/196) were part of a STEMI network. The main objective of this study was to describe the demographic, clinical, and angiographic characteristics of patients with STEMI. Other objectives include to assess management patterns and in particular the current use of reperfusion therapies and to evaluate how recommendations of most recent STEMI European guidelines regarding reperfusion therapies and adjunctive pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are adopted in clinical practice and how their application can impact on patients’ outcomes. Patients will be followed for 1 year after admission.

Conclusion 

The ESC ACCA-EAPCI EORP ACS STEMI registry is an international registry of care and outcomes of patients hospitalized with STEMI. It will provide insights into the contemporary patient profile, management patterns, and 1-year outcome of patients with STEMI.

Occupational medicine specialist referral triggers: Mixed-methods analysis of teleconsult cases

Background

Qualitative analyses can yield critical lessons for learning organizations in healthcare. Few studies have applied these techniques in the field of occupational and environmental medicine (OEM).

Aims

To describe the characteristics of complex cases referred for OEM subspecialty evaluation and variation by referring provider's training.

Methods

Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a content analysis of clinical cases submitted to a national OEM teleconsult service. Consecutive cases entered between April 2014 and July 2015 were screened, coded and analysed.

Results

108 cases were available for analysis. Local Veterans Health Administration (VHA) non-specialist providers entered a primary medical diagnosis in 96% of cases at the time of intake. OEM speciality physicians coded significant medical conditions based on free text comments. Coder inter-rater reliability was 84%. The most frequent medical diagnosis types associated with tertiary OEM referral by non-specialists were endocrine (19%), cardiovascular (18%) and mental health (16%). Concern for usage of controlled and/or sedating medications was cited in 1% of cases. Compared to referring non-specialists, OEM physicians were more likely to attribute case complexity to musculoskeletal (OR: 2.3, 1.68-3.14) or neurological (OR: 1.69, 1.28-2.24) conditions. Medication usage (OR: 2.2, 1.49-2.26) was more likely to be a source of clinical concern among referring providers.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the range of triggers for OEM physician subspecialty referral in clinical practice with employee patients. The results of this study can be used to inform development of provider education, standardized clinical practice pathways, and quality review activities for occupational medicine practitioners.

Association of Condylar Bone Quality with TMJ Osteoarthritis

The etiology and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (TMJOA) remain complex and unclear. Based on clinical observations, we hypothesized that low condylar bone quality is significantly correlated with TMJOA and explored this association in a cross-sectional study with human patients. A total of 254 postmenopausal female participants were included in this study. Radiographic findings from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and clinical symptoms were used to classify each TMJ data sample as healthy control ( n = 124) or TMJOA ( n = 130). Condylar bone mineral density (BMD) (computed tomography Hounsfield unit [CT HU]) and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were measured and modeled as predictors of healthy control versus TMJOA status in multilevel logistic regression analyses. Both CT HU (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.9989, interquartile odds ratio [IOR] = 0.4206) and BV/TV (AOR= 0.8096, IOR = 0.1769) were negatively associated with TMJOA ( P = 0.049, 0.011, respectively). To assess the diagnostic performance of CT HU and BV/TV for identification of TMJOA, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. The estimated areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.6622 for BV/TV alone, 0.6074 for CT HU alone, and 0.7136 for CT HU and BV/TV together. The model incorporating CT HU and BV/TV together had a significantly higher AUC than the models using BV/TV alone ( P = 0.038) or HU alone ( P = 0.021). In conclusion, we found that low condylar bone quality was significantly correlated with TMJOA development and that condylar CT HU and BV/TV can be used together as a potential diagnostic tool for TMJOA. Careful clinical evaluation of the condyle coupled with appropriate radiographic interpretation would thus be critical for the early detection of TMJOA.

Validity of visceral adiposity estimates from DXA against MRI in Kuwaiti men and women

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the Middle East is among the highest in the world. Valid measures of abdominal adiposity are essential to understanding the metabolic consequences of obesity. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is increasingly being utilised to assess body composition in population studies, and has recently been used to estimate visceral adipose tissue (VAT). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of DXA-derived VAT in a Middle Eastern population using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the criterion measure.

METHOD

VAT was estimated from abdominal DXA measures in 237 adult men (n=130) and women (n=107), aged 18-65 years, participating in the Kuwait Wellbeing Study. These estimates were compared with MRI measures of the corresponding anatomical region. The agreement between methods was assessed using Bland-Altman as well as correlation analysis.

RESULTS

Median MRI VAT was 1148.5 cm3 (95% confidence interval: 594.2-1734.6) in men and 711.3 cm3 (95% confidence interval: 395.5-1042.8) in women. DXA estimates of VAT showed high correlations with corresponding MRI measures (r=0.94 (P<0.0001) in men; r=0.93 (P<0.0001) in women). DXA overestimated VAT with a mean bias (95% limits of agreement) of 79.7 cm3 (-767 to 963) in men and 46.8 cm3 (-482 to 866) in women. The imprecision of DXA increased with increasing VAT level in both men and women.

CONCLUSION

DXA estimates of VAT are valid for use in Middle Eastern populations, although accuracy decreases with increasing level of visceral adiposity.

Increase in migraine diagnoses and guideline-concordant treatment in veterans, 2004-2012

Background and aim Health administrators, policy makers, and educators have attempted to increase guideline adherence of migraine medications while reducing inappropriate use of opioid- and barbiturate-containing medications. We evaluated the burden of migraine and proportion of guideline-concordant care in a large, national health care system over time. Methods We conducted a time-series study using data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic health record. Veterans with migraines were identified by ICD-9 code (346.X). Prescriptions and comorbid conditions were evaluated before and after migraine diagnosis. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed. Results A total of 57,064 veterans were diagnosed with migraine headache (5.3%), with women significantly more likely diagnosed (11.6% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). The number of veterans diagnosed with migraine has significantly increased over the years. By 2012, triptans were prescribed to 43% of people with migraine, with no difference by gender. However, triptan prescriptions increased from 2004 to 2012 in men, but not women, veterans. Preventive medicines showed a significant increase with the year of migraine diagnosis, after controlling for age, sex, race, and for comorbidities treated with medications used for migraine prevention. Conclusions The burden of migraines is increasing within the VHA, with a corresponding increase in the delivery of guideline-concordant acute and prophylactic migraine-specific medication.

Fabrication of nanofiber stationary phases from chopped polyacrylonitrile co-polymer microfibers for use in ultrathin layer chromatography of amino acids

Polyacrylonitrile co-polymer microfibers of diameter 12.5 μm was used for electrospinning to produce nanofibers and then used as a stationary phase in UTLC for on-plate identification and separation of amino acid from drug sample.

Long-term stability study of Prussian blue-A quality assessment of water content and cyanide release

CONTEXT

Prussian blue, ferric hexacyanoferrate is approved for (oral) treatment of internal contamination with radioisotopes of cesium or thallium. Cyanide makes up 35-40% of Prussian blue's molecular composition; thus, cyanide may be released during transit through the digestive tract under physiological pH conditions.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term stability of Prussian blue drug products and active pharmaceutical ingredients and its impact on cyanide release. The study involves the determination and comparison of the loss in water content and cyanide released from Prussian blue under pH conditions that bracket human physiological exposure.

METHODS

Test samples of active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product were stored for 10 years at ambient temperatures that mimic warehouse storage conditions. Water loss from Prussian blue was measured using thermogravimetric analysis. An in vitro physiological pH model that brackets gastric exposure and gastrointestinal transit was utilized for cyanide release. Prussian blue was incubated in situ at pH: 1.0, 5.0, and 7.0 @ 37°C for 1-24 h. Cyanide was measured using a validated colorimetric method by UV-Vis spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Although the water content (quality attribute) of Prussian blue active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product decreased by about 10.5% and 13.8%, respectively, since 2003, the cyanide release remained comparable. At pH of 7.0 for 24 h cyanide released from active pharmaceutical ingredient-1 was 21.33 ± 1.76 μg/g in 2004, and 28.45 ± 3.15 μg/g in 2013; cyanide released from drug product-1 was 21.89 ± 0.56 μg/g in 2004, and 27.31 ± 5.78 μg/g in 2013. At gastric pH of 1.0 and upper gastrointestinal pH of 5.0, the data for active pharmaceutical ingredients and drug products were also comparable in 2013. The cyanide release is still pH-dependent and follows the same trend as observed in 2003 with minimum release at pH of 5.0 and maximal release at pH of 1.0. In summary, this is the long-term stability study of Prussian blue which correlates cyanide release to water loss. Cyanide released from Prussian blue was maximum at pH of 1.0 (47.47 μg/g) and minimum at pH of 5.0-7.0 (20.01 μg/g).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on maximal dose, maximal residence time in stomach and intestine, the maximal cyanide released from Prussian blue is about 1.31 mg, which is far below the minimal lethal dose of cyanide of 50 mg, and therefore does not present a safety concern following long-term storage.

Wild and attenuated vaccine RS-12 strains of mumps virus exhibit differences in amino acid sequences of their proteins

Attenuated mumps virus (MuV) RS-12 strain-based vaccine is one of several effective vaccines available in the prevention of mumps. Since previous studies have unveiled only about one-third of the attenuated vaccine RS-12 strain genome sequence, the rest of sequence and molecular basis for attenuation remained unsolved. Therefore, in this study, the full-length genome sequences of wild and attenuated RS-12 strains were determined and compared. The comparison revealed nucleotide substitutions at 9 positions leading to amino acid substitutions at 6 positions in P, V, I, M, and L proteins, while the remaining substitutions were silent. This result indicates that the observed mutations in P, V, I, M, and L proteins of MuV might be responsible for the attenuation of the RS-12 vaccine strain.

Surfactant modified/mediated thin-layer chromatographic systems for the analysis of amino acids

This review incorporates a large number of chromatographic systems modified by the surfactants. A large number of solvent systems and stationary phases are summarized in this paper. Three different kinds of surfactants (anionic, cationic, and nonionic) are used as modifiers for stationary phases as well as solvent systems. Surfactants are used at all the three different concentration levels (below, above, and at critical micelle concentration) where surfactants behave differently. Modifications of both stationary phases and solvent systems by surfactants produced a new generation of chromatographic systems. Microemulsion solvent systems are also incorporated in this paper. Microemulsion thin-layer chromatography is a new approach in the field of chromatography.

Primary systemic vasculitis with severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency revisited

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of the combination of primary systemic vasculitis (PSV) and severe alpha-1 antitrypsin (α1-AT) deficiency.

METHOD

Patients with PSV [granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) (Wegener's), microscopic polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) (Churg-Strauss), and polyarteritis nodosa] were identified through diagnosis registries and serological databases. Clinical and laboratory data, including the presence of severe α1-AT deficiency, were collected from the time of diagnosis. During follow-up, data on relapses and permanent organ damage were collected. Using the county of Skåne as the denominator population, we estimated the annual incidence rate and point prevalence of PSV in people with severe α1-AT deficiency.

RESULTS

Five patients (three women, median age 49 years) with PSV diagnosed between 1996 and 2008 were found to have α1-AT deficiency, all of them carrying the protease inhibitor ZZ (PiZZ) phenotype. During follow-up (median time 166 months, range 53-208), four patients experienced a total of 13 relapses. The median Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) score for all patients was 3 (range 1-4) at year 1, and 7 (range 3-9) at the last follow-up. The incidence rate of PSV among PiZZ carriers was estimated to be 397/million [95% confidence interval (CI) 8-787]. The point prevalence on 1 January 2013 was estimated to be 4689/million (95% CI 94-9285).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study both the incidence and prevalence of PSV were elevated nearly 10-fold for individuals with severe α1-AT deficiency compared with the general population. Combined with previous publications, this indicates a dose-response relationship for the genetic risk and suggests a causal relationship between the PiZ allele and vasculitis.

A stress steroid triggers anxiety via increased expression of α4βδ GABAA receptors in methamphetamine dependence

Methamphetamine (METH) is an addictive stimulant drug. In addition to drug craving and lethargy, METH withdrawal is associated with stress-triggered anxiety. However, the cellular basis for this stress-triggered anxiety is not understood. The present results suggest that during METH withdrawal (24h) following chronic exposure (3mg/kg, i.p. for 3-5weeks) of adult, male mice, the effect of one neurosteroid released by stress, 3α,5α-THP (3α-OH-5α-pregnan-20-one), and its 3α,5β isomer reverse to trigger anxiety assessed by the acoustic startle response (ASR), in contrast to their usual anti-anxiety effects. This novel effect of 3α,5β-THP was due to increased (three-fold) hippocampal expression of α4βδ GABAA receptors (GABARs) during METH withdrawal (24h-4weeks) because anxiogenic effects of 3α,5β-THP were not seen in α4-/- mice. 3α,5β-THP reduces current at these receptors when it is hyperpolarizing, as observed during METH withdrawal. As a result, 3α,5β-THP (30nM) increased neuronal excitability, assessed with current clamp and cell-attached recordings in CA1hippocampus, one CNS site which regulates anxiety. α4βδ GABARs were first increased 1h after METH exposure and recovered 6weeks after METH withdrawal. Similar increases in α4βδ GABARs and anxiogenic effects of 3α,5β-THP were noted in rats during METH withdrawal (24h). In contrast, the ASR was increased by chronic METH treatment in the absence of 3α,5β-THP administration due to its stimulant effect. Although α4βδ GABARs were increased by chronic METH treatment, the GABAergic current recorded from hippocampal neurons at this time was a depolarizing, shunting inhibition, which was potentiated by 3α,5β-THP. This steroid reduced neuronal excitability and anxiety during chronic METH treatment, consistent with its typical effect. Flumazenil (10mg/kg, i.p., 3×) reduced α4βδ expression and prevented the anxiogenic effect of 3α,5β-THP after METH withdrawal. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism underlying stress-triggered anxiety after METH withdrawal mediated by α4βδ GABARs.

Synergistic Effect of Cationic-Nonionic Surfactants on Simultaneous Separation of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine

A new thin layer chromatographic system comprising of silica gel impregnated with 0.1% aqueous solution (below CMC) of nonionic surfactant Brij-35 as stationary phase and 0.1% aqueous solution (below CMC) of cationic surfactant (cetrimide) as eluent has been found most suitable for the separation of closely related amino acids (phenylalanine and tyrosine) from their mixture. Effect of substitution of Brij-35 by cetrimide and sodium cholate has been examined to assess the impact of charge of impregnant on the chromatographic behavior of analytes. The changes brought about by the impregnation in the structure and homogeneity of silica gel have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. Optimizations of concentration of Brij-35 and cetrimide in the stationary and mobile phases respectively and the effect of bed height on the separation have also been examined. Chromatographic parameters like ΔRF, separation factor (α) and resolution (RS) were calculated for the separation of tyrosine from phenylalanine and separation mechanism have been proposed. The limits of detection for phenylalanine and tyrosine were found to be 0.25 and 0.23 μg respectively. The proposed method studied is simple, rapid and free from the use of volatile organic solvents.

On Plate Analysis of Surfactants by High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography: Simultaneous Identification and Separation of Polyoxyethylene p-t-Octyl Phenol, Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide and Polyoxyethylene(20) Stearyl Ether

Thin – layer chromatography of fifteen surfactants (cationic, anionic and non – ionic) has been performed on silica HPTLC plates using chromogenic reagents methylene blue (MB), bromocresol green (BCG), and bromophenol blue (BPB) in the presence of aqueous formic acid plus acetone. Mobile phase system comprising acetone + 10−4 M bromophenol blue in 1 M aqueous formic acid is found most favourable for the separation of coexisting, polyoxyethylene p-t-octylphenol (TX-100), polyoxyethylene(20) stearyl ether (Bj-78), and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTABr). Effects of sample pH, presence of impurities in the analyte sample, nature of adsorbent and the composition of mobile phase have been investigated on the separation of TX-100, Bj-78, and DTABr from their mixtures. The limits of detection of poly oxyethylene p-t-octylphenol, polyoxyethylene(20) stearyl ether and dodecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide have been determined.

Micelles Activated Planar Chromatographic Separation of Hydrophilic Vitamins

The separation efficiency of micellar solutions in thin layer chromatography of hydrophilic vitamins (B1, B9, B12 and C) has been examined using silica gel as stationary phase. The best results were obtained with mixed micelles (aqueous solution of anionic SDS (0.5%) plus non-ionic Triton X-100 (0.5%) surfactants) and butanol (9:1 v/v) as mobile phase. The proposed method is applicable to the identification and separation of vitamins (B1, B9 and C) present in drug samples (Becosule and Celin). The separation 1 μg of vitamin C from milligram quantities (up to 0.50 mg) of vitamin B1 has been successfully realized. Effect of metal ions as impurities on the separation of B1, B9 and vitamin C and limit of detection of these vitamins have been examined.

On Plate Resolution and Identification of Three-Component Mixture of Nonionic Surfactants

Silica gel 60 F254 plates were used with mixed aqueous-organic solvent systems consisting of dioxan and lithium chloride for the chromatography of three nonionic surfactants. The resolution of coexisting Triton X-100, Brij-57 and Brij-78 was achieved with the solvent system 1,4-dioxan:1% aqueous LiCl (40:60, v/v). The effect of concentration of Li+ ions in the solvent system on the mobility of the three surfactants was studied. The interference on the resolution of the mixture of Triton X-100, Brij-57 and Brij-78, due to the presence of metal cations as impurities, is also examined. The limits of detection of Triton X-100, Brij-57 and Brij-78 estimated were 0.075, 0.150 and 0.20 μg/zone respectively. The practical applicability of proposed method was tested for the identification of three coexisting nonionic surfactants after their separation from the spiked aqueous systems.

Malignant tumors of digestive organs and liver metastases at the time of diagnosis

AIM

Malignant tumors localized in the digestive tract have a tendency to local growth and invasion with lymph node metastasis. Distant metastases through blood with prevalent liver location are detected late in disease progression, in an advanced stage, when therapeutic possibilities are often limited to palliative therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included a series of 139 patients with liver metastases admitted to the Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology lasi between January 1 and October 10, 2011 for the identification of primitive tumor. The patients were investigated by endoscopy, imaging, laboratory tests including tumor markers.

RESULTS

At 99 of the patients (71%) we identified primitive digestive tumors, in 19 patients (13.6%) we found tumors with extradigestive location and in 21 patients (15%) the primitive tumor could not be identified. Primitive.tumor was located in various segments of the digestive tract, liver, and pancreas was follows: esophagus 4 - (4%), eso-cardial-tuberositary 2 - (2%), eso-cardial-tuberositary with pancreatic invasion 1 -(1%), stomach 15 - (15%), ileocolon 1 - (1%), colon 19 - (19%), rectum 12 - (12%), liver, multicentric hepatolcellular carcinoma 23 - (23%) billiary tract - cholangiocarcinoma 2 (2%), pancreas 2 - (20%). In a series of 586 patients with malignant tumors of the digestive organs referred to the Iasi Oncology Outpatient Unit between January 1 and September 30, 2011, 132 patients (23%) had liver metastases at the time of diagnosis; the most common locations were the stomach 41% cases (42/119 patients), followed by the pancreas, 35%, and colon 31% patients (28/79 patients and 37/119 patients, respectively). Males were most affected, regardless of primitive tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

Although diagnostic and therapeutic methods have made remarkable progress in recent years, these tumors, by their frequency and advanced stage at diagnosis, remain both an oncologic and public health problem mainly due to the limitations of curative treatment.

Accumulation of cadmium in near-isogenic lines of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum): the role of transpiration

Concentrations of cadmium in the grain of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) are often above the internationally acceptable limit of 0.2 mg kg(-1). Cultivars that vary in concentrations of cadmium in the grain have been identified but the physiology behind differential accumulation has not been determined. Three pairs of near-isogenic lines (isolines) of durum wheat that vary in aboveground cadmium accumulation (8982-TL 'high' and 'low', W9260-BC 'high' and 'low', and W9261-BG 'high' and 'low') were used to test the hypothesis that the greater amounts of cadmium in shoots of the 'high' isolines are correlated with greater volumes of water transpired. In general, cadmium content was positively correlated with transpiration only in the 'low' isolines. Although shoots of the 'high' isolines of W9260-BC and W9261-BG contained higher concentrations of cadmium than did their corresponding 'low' isolines, they did not transpire larger volumes of water. In addition, isolines of 8982-TL transpired less water than did the other pairs of isolines yet both 'high' and 'low' isolines of 8982-TL contained higher amounts of cadmium than did the other pairs. The difference between 'high' and 'low' isolines appears to be related to the relative contribution of transpiration to cadmium translocation to the shoot. Increased transpiration was associated with increased cadmium content in the 'low' isolines but in the 'high' isolines increased cadmium in the shoot occurred independently of the volume of water transpired.

Cardiac arrest in intensive care unit: Case report and future recommendations

Initiation of hemofiltration in a patient in septic shock can cause hemodynamic compromise potentially leading to cardiac arrest. We propose that the standard '4Hs and 4Ts' approach to the differential diagnosis of a cardiac arrest should be supplemented in critically ill patients with anaphylaxis and human and technical errors involving drug administration (the 5^th H and T). To illustrate the point, we report a case where norepinephrine infused through a central venous catheter (CVC) was being removed by the central venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) catheter causing the hemodynamic instability. CVVH has this potential of interfering with the systemic availability of drugs infused via a closely located CVC.