Aerodynamic size distribution of cromolyn sodium at ambient and airway humidity

The aerodynamic size distribution of cromolyn sodium was determined at ambient and high (98%) humidity using the single particle aerodynamic relaxation time analyzer. This instrument measures the aerodynamic size single, suspended solid particles and liquid droplets in the respirable size range. The measurement accommodates all properties such as density, shape and surface characteristics that affect aerodynamic behavior. Particle morphology under ambient humidity conditions was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Count median aerodynamic diameter increased from 1.40 to 1.52 micron (p < 0.05), and the mass median aerodynamic diameter increased from 2.31 to 3.02 micron (p < 0.005) when measured at ambient and high humidities. The total mass of 0.99 mg of active ingredient aerosolized at ambient humidity in the size range compatible with pulmonary deposition was approximately 5% of the total mass of active ingredient packaged in the capsule. The low mass of particle aerosolized in the size range appropriate for pulmonary deposition may explain the low estimated deposition of cromolyn reported by other investigators.

Anisotropic thermal diffusivity characterization of aligned carbon nanotube-polymer composites

The anisotropic thermal diffusivity of aligned carbon nanotube-polymer composites was determined using a photothermoelectric technique. The composites were obtained by infiltrating poly-dimethyl siloxane (PDMS) in aligned multiwall CNT arrays grown by chemical vapor deposition on silicon substrates. The thermal diffusivities are insensitive to temperature in the range of 180 K-300 K. The thermal diffusivity values across the alignment direction are approximately 2-4 times smaller than along the alignment direction and larger than effective media theory predictions using reported values for the thermal diffusivity of millimeter thick aligned multiwall carbon nanotube arrays. The effective room temperature thermal conductivity of the composite along the carbon nanotube alignment direction is at least 6X larger than the thermal conductivity of the polymer matrix and is in good agreement with the effective media predictions. This work indicates that infiltration of long and aligned carbon nanotube arrays is currently the most efficient method to obtain high thermal conductivity polymer composites.

Aerodynamic size distribution of metered-dose bronchodilator aerosols

The aerodynamic size distributions of 9 commonly used bronchodilator aerosols were determined by using a new instrument, the single-particle, aerodynamic relaxation time analyzer, which can measure the aerodynamic size of single particles and droplets in real time independent of density, shape, and other physical characteristics. The following commercial preparations were studied: Duo-Medihaler, Medihaler-Epi, Medihaler-Epi Medihaler-Iso, Norisodrine Aerotrol, Alupent, Metaprel, Isuprel Mistometer, Bronkometer, and Asthma-Meter. Count median diameters ranged from 0.62 to 0.82 micrometer, and mass median aerodynamic diameters ranged from 2.8 to 4.3 micrometer. The heterodisperse nature of the aerosols was demonstrated by the relatively large geometric standard deviations, which ranged from 1.5 to 2.1. None of these aerosols had a log-normal distribution; rather, the distribution curves were multimodal.

Immunosurveillance of transfusion dependent thalassaemia and hepatitis B vaccination

The study evaluates the probable alteration of the immune system in multitransfused thalassaemics and the modification of their immune response following administration of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. B-thalassaemics (n = 50) and EB-thalassaemics (n = 30) who received multiple blood transfusion for the chronic anaemic status had significant iron overload. They had high prevalence for hepatitis B carrier state and almost all were exposed to hepatitis B virus during the course of transfusion as shown by the positivity of hepatitis B virus markers. Thalassaemics in presence of iron overload have altered immune status in terms of depressed T-lymphocytes and raised immunoglobulins G and M. However, they showed 100 per cent seroconversion with production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen following Hepatitis B vaccination.

Comparison of Ultrasonogram of Brain Findings of Asphyxiated and Non-Asphyxiated Baby Admitted in Neonatal Ward in a Tertiary Level Hospital

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity in developing countries. A significant portion of patient with perinatal asphyxia is admitted with complications. Cerebral complications are the most devastating and the child may be left with lifelong neurological impairment. Therefore, the high index of suspicion, prompt recognition and thorough understanding of common sonographic abnormalities are necessary to ensure timely intervention, management and counseling. A hospital based case control study was conducted in the neonatal unit of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Study period was six months (June 2012 to December 2012). This study was done to compare the ultra sonogram of brain findings of admitted asphyxiated babies with admitted non-asphyxiated babies. A total of 30 asphyxiated (case) and another 30 non-asphyxiated (control) neonate of this department were enrolled in the study. Necessary information was collected by taking detailed history, clinical examination and also close follow up of the neonates according to pre-designed questionnaire. The main outcome variable was abnormality in cranial ultrasound. Among case group (30 neonates), ultrasonogram of brain findings were abnormal in 9(30.0%) cases. Among them most common was ventricular dilatation 5(16.6%), followed by Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) 1(3.0%), intracranial hemorrhage 1(3.0%), HIE 1(3.0%) and cerebral edema in 1(3.0%) cases. On the contrarary, among asphyxiated control group all 30 cases had normal ultra sonogram of brain. In case group 22 babies had normal birth weight and 08 had low birth weight. Among the 22 normal birth weight neonates in case group total 6(27.2%) cases had abnormal ultra sonogram findings. Among normal birth weight cases 3(13.6%) had ventricular dilatation, 1(4.5%) Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), 1(4.5%) HIE, 1(4.5%) cerebral edema. Among 08 low birth weight neonates in case group total 3(37.5%) cases had abnormal ultrasonogram of brain finding. Among low birth weight cases 2(25%) had ventricular dilatation, 1(12.5%) IVH. Ultrasonogram brain findings difference between two groups was statistically significant. Abnormal findings were also common in low birth weight babies than normal birth weight babies. So, early detection of abnormal brain changes can help us for proper management and counseling.

Serum adiponectin in patients with coronary heart disease

Adiponectin is an adipocyte derived hormone, a modulator of lipid metabolism and systemic inflammation. It has potential anti-atherogenic property. Adiponectin is present in low concentration in patients with obesity, insulin resistance (IR), Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD). In this case control study, we studied the association of Serum adiponectin with CHD. Sixty-four subjects were enrolled. Consecutive 31 CHD patients (Group I) and 33 healthy controls (Group II) were included. Serum adiponectin & lipid profile were estimated in all. Serum adiponectin was significantly lower in CHD patients (3.90±2.21μg/ml) in comparison with controls (5.09±2.13μg/ml)(P<0.05). There was no significant difference of any fraction of lipid profile between cases and controls. Significant negative correlation was observed between Serum adiponectin and Serum triacylglyceride (STG) in cases (P<0.01). It may be concluded that low serum adiponectin may have some important role in development of CHD and probably low adiponectin and dyslipidemia are linked in the development of atherosclerosis. Further study is recommended with larger sample size to explore the role of hypoadiponectinemia in the causation of CHD.

Piperine exerts anti-inflammatory effects and antagonises the properties of celecoxib and ketoprofen: in vivo and molecular docking studies

This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory effects of a natural product, piperine (PPN), using in vivo and in silico methodologies. In the in vivo segment, inflammation was induced in the right hind paw of young chicks via a formalin (50 μL) injection. PPN was orally administered at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg with or without celecoxib (CXB) and/or ketoprofen (KPN) (42 mg/kg). The vehicle acted as the negative control group (NC). The in silico analysis predicted the drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity profile of PPN, along with evaluating its binding affinity and ligand-receptor interactions. Results indicate that PPN significantly (p < 0.05) reduced licking frequency and paw edoema in a dose-dependent manner. However, in combination therapy, PPN diminished the effects of both CXB and KPN. PPN showed high affinity (-8.6 kcal/mol) towards the COX-2 enzyme. Therefore, PPN exerts anti-inflammatory effects in chicks through COX-2 inhibition pathways and antagonises CXB and KPN activities.

Maternal Knowledge and Practice during Postnatal Period Regarding Newborn Care at Hospital Setting

Care of newborn is traditionally provided by mothers. Maternal knowledge and practice of newborn care can significantly affect neonatal morbidity and mortality. There is convincing concern to explore knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care. The objective of the study was to evaluate knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care at hospital setting. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in Special Care Newborn Unit, Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from July 2018 to January 2019. In this study, mean maternal age was 23.27±3.87 years. Out of 150 respondent mothers 121(81.0%) possessed average knowledge and 144(96.0%) demonstrated average practice on newborn care. Level of knowledge was high in the area of clean cord care by using sterile thread 125(83.3%), p<0.001, duration of exclusive breastfeeding 100(66.7%), p<0.001), colostrum as first food of newborn 122(81.3%), p<0.001) and awareness about immunization 95(63.3%), p<0.001). Postnatal mothers demonstrated poor knowledge regarding cord stump stuff 41(27.3%) p<0.001) and first bath of newborn 38(25.3%), p<0.001. Mothers showed higher level of practice in the area of wash and clean napkins after motion 147(98.0%), p<0.001 and poor practice in correct position and attachment of breastfeeding 00(00.0%), p=0.001. Most postnatal mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding 139(92.7%), p<0.001. Association between knowledge and practice of newborn care was non significant (p=0.305). Results of the present study demonstrated that majority of the mothers had average knowledge and practice regarding newborn care. Level of knowledge was high in clean cord care using sterile thread, colostrum as first food, duration of exclusive breastfeeding and awareness about immunization. Mothers had poor knowledge about cord stump material and first bath of newborn. Mothers claimed higher level of practice in the area of napkin wash and clean after motion, eye care, exclusive breastfeeding and poor practice in correct position and attachment of breastfeeding.