GM1 Ganglioside Modifies α-Synuclein Toxicity and is Neuroprotective in a Rat α-Synuclein Model of Parkinson\u27s Disease.

While GM1 may interact with α-synuclein in vitro to inhibit aggregation, the ability of GM1 to protect against α-synuclein toxicity in vivo has not been investigated. We used targeted adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) overexpression of human mutant α-synuclein (A53T) in the rat substantia nigra (SN) to produce degeneration of SN dopamine neurons, loss of striatal dopamine levels, and behavioral impairment. Some animals received daily GM1 ganglioside administration for 6 weeks, beginning 24 hours after AAV-A53T administration or delayed start GM1 administration for 5 weeks beginning 3 weeks after AAV-A53T administration. Both types of GM1 administration protected against loss of SN dopamine neurons and striatal dopamine levels, reduced α-synuclein aggregation, and delayed start administration of GM1 reversed early appearing behavioral deficits. These results extend prior positive results in MPTP models, are consistent with the results of a small clinical study of GM1 in PD patients that showed slowing of symptom progression with chronic use, and argue for the continued refinement and development of GM1 as a potential disease modifying therapy for PD

Is maternal age risk factor for low birth weight?

Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant public health concern at global level. LBW is the outcome of interplay of multiple maternal factors. Maternal age is an important variable leading to LBW and preterm births. The literature review was done with extensive search from Medline, the Educational Resources Information Center, and the Combined Health Information Database for publications that identified the studies related to maternal age and birth weight. With exception of few studies which concluded that age did not significantly affect birth weight of newborns, majority of research indicated that a very young maternal age is causally implicated with an increased risk of having LBW and preterm births. Little research has been conducted on births to older mothers, even though such births are becoming increasingly common in developed countries. Advancing maternal age is associated with a decreased potential for fetal growth, possibly reflecting biological aging of maternal tissues and systems or the cumulative effects of disease. Results of multivariate analysis showed a U-shaped relationship between maternal age and LBW among whites, with the youngest (younger than 15) and the oldest (aged 40 and older) mothers being at high risk than 25-29 years old; older teenagers were not at any significantly higher risk. For the black, the risk of LBW rose steeply with maternal age (mothers aged 15-19 years are significantly lower risk than those of 25-29 years for LBW infants)

Kinetic Attributes of Na +

Kinetic properties of Na , K ATPase of membranes from rat and human erythrocytes were examined. The enzyme stability decreased with incubation time. The V of the human enzyme was about 4 times lower than the values of the rat enzyme. However the energies of activation were higher. Phase transition temperature for the rat and the human enzyme was 24 °C and 17 °C, respectively. The human erythrocyte membranes were characterized by lower total phospholipid and cholesterol contents and were relatively more fluid. The human membranes contained lower proportions of acidic phospholipids which correlated well with the lower V of the enzyme; the proportion of lysophosphoglyceride and sphingomyelin was higher in the human membrane

Stigma against HIV/AIDS patients, among Nurses from a Private Hospital in South Karnataka

Background: Health care settings are reported to be the most significant contexts for stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS in India, which may lead to severe social consequences and also hampers the treatment and diagnosis contributing to further spread. Objective: The study was planned to study the stigma against PLWHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) among in-service nurses of a private hospital. Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional survey was conducted among all the nursing personnel, willing to participate in the study of a private hospital in south Karnataka, India. The study was conducted for a period of 3 months using a pre-tested and predesigned tool to measure HIV related stigma and discrimination in health facilities and the data collected was analyzed using SPSS 16.0 Results: About the attitudes of PLWHA, majority (68.6%) reported that, people living with HIV/AIDS do not care if they infect other people. When enquired about the perception of rights of PLWHA and the care provided to them, majority agreed that respective families has the right to know about the HIV/AIDS status (95.71%); women with HIV/AIDS status should not get pregnant if they already have children (92.86%); should be sterilized without their willingness (72.86%) and majority of them were not worried to touch PLWHA clothing and taking their temperature (p=0.014). Most (35%) of the nurses observed other Health care providers giving HIV treatment conditional on use of family planning Conclusion: High level of stigma against PLWHA exists among HCPs and such may lead to prejudicial actions accompanied by discriminatory behavior

Male health clinic strategy in control of STI/HIV: A program review

A community-based, longitudinal interventional study was conducted in a slum in north-east (NE) Mumbai, using a pretested, semi-structured proforma and a pre- and follow-up interview schedule to assess the male health clinic (MHC) strategy as an approach for the control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in males. The focus groups that emerged for behavior change communication (BCC) activities were clients in second and third decades of life, unmarried and married but not staying with wife, clients with no permanent place of occupation, clients with habit of alcohol, and illiterate clients. Postintervention, there was an overall increase in STI knowledge score, alcohol habit score, and high-risk sexual activity score. Less than 50% of the clients received advice on substance abuse and information on consequences of STI/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The study concluded that MHC strategy is an effective approach for control of STIs in males and recommended strengthening of the weaker components of the strategy with focus on the important client groups