Intrauterine Infection and Preterm Labor

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Evidence suggests that intrauterine infection plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor. This article reviews the clinical data supporting this theory and the cellular and biochemical mechanisms by which intrauterine infection may initiate uterine contractions. The clinical and laboratory methods of diagnosing clinical chorioamnionitis and asymptomatic bacterial invasion of the intraamniotic cavity are also reviewed. Finally, the management of clinical chorioamnionitis and asymptomatic microbial invasion of the amniotic fluid and the use of adjunctive antibiotic therapy in the treatment of preterm labor are presented

Green Tea Consumption Reduces Oxidative Stress in Parkinson’s Disease Patients

Oxidative stress is one of the underlying causes of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Because of its antioxidant effect, we hypothesize that green tea consumption (3 cups daily for 3 months) would improve antioxidant status and reduces oxidative damage in Parkinson’s disease. Fifteen subjects who were within the first five years of PD, on stable PD medication, and not regular green tea consumers were recruited. Iron status, oxidative stress and PD status were evaluated before and after 3 months of green tea consumption. Hemoglobin, serum iron, iron saturation and ferritin concentrations were used to assess iron status. Antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to determine antioxidant status. Lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls were measured as oxidative damage markers. There were no changes in total motor scores of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), PDQ-39 total scores and various iron status markers after 3 months. Catalase (p \u3c 0.05) and SOD activities (p \u3c 0.005) were increased significantly indicating an improvement of antioxidant status. Both lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls decreased by ~52% (p \u3c 0.01) with green tea consumption, indicating less oxidative stress. In conclusion, 3 cups of green tea consumption for 3 months can improve antioxidant status and reduce oxidative damage in PD patients. Further studies are needed to determine if these changes result in slowing the disease progression

Understanding the bulk electronic structure of Ca1-xSrxVO3

We investigate the electronic structure of Ca1-xSrxVO3 using careful state-of-the-art experiments and calculations. Photoemission spectra using synchrotron radiation reveal a hitherto unnoticed polarization dependence of the photoemission matrix elements for the surface component leading to a substantial suppression of its intensity. Bulk spectra extracted with the help of experimentally determined electron escape depth and estimated suppression of surface contributions resolve outstanding puzzles concerning the electronic structure in Ca1-xSrxVO3.Comment: 4 pages including 3 figure

Evaluation of Local Bacillus thuringiensis from the Soils of Westernghats, Karnataka and their Biocontrol Potential against White Grub, Holotrichia serrata (F.) (coleoptera) and House Fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera)

he Western Ghats of India is one of the world's "biodiversity hotspots" that runs along the western part of South India through four states including Karnataka. As a result, Western Ghats are expected to yield high diversity of any taxon. With a view to understand this aspect study on the diversity of Bacillus spp. in the soils of Western Ghats was conducted. A total of 292 Bacillus isolates were identified as Bacillus thuringiensis which were recovered from 35 soil samples collected from different habitats of Western Ghats of Karnataka. Soils of different habitats varied tremendously in the natural load of Bacillus CFUs. Lowest CFU load was observed in soil W15 (2.6 x 106 ) whereas the soils W13, W20, W24, W29 (8.1 x 106) yielded the highest number of Bacillus CFUs/g of soil, with an overall mean of 6.07 x 106 CFUs per g of soil. On an average, 8.34 ( 1.95) colonies were picked from each soil sample. These colonies were subjected to standard biochemical tests to identify the B. thuringiensis colonies. On an average, 5.6 (67.12 %) of the picked colonies per soil sample were observed to be B. thuringiensis colonies. Tests of activity of these isolates against a species of white grub, Holotrichia serrata (F.) and a fly pest, Musca domestica revealed 14 isolates to be active against H. serrata and 10 against M. domestica, with three of these against both the species. The study thus demonstrated that there is potential for the use of these isolates in pest management

Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages

The effects of different polyphenol-containing beverages on Fe absorption from a bread meal were estimated in adult human subjects from the erythrocyte incorporation of radio-Fe. The test beverages contained different polyphenol structures and were rich in either phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid in coffee), monomeric flavonoids (herb teas, camomile (Matricaria recutita L.)), vervain (Verbena officinalis L.), lime flower (Tilia cordata Mill.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), or complex polyphenol polymerization products (black tea and cocoa). All beverages were potent inhibitors of Fe absorption and reduced absorption in a dose-dependent fashion depending on the content of total polyphenols. Compared with a water control meal, beverages containing 20-50 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption from the bread meal by 50-70 %, whereas beverages containing 100-400 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption by 60-90 %. Inhibition by black tea was 79-94 %, peppermint tea 84 %, pennyroyal 73 %, cocoa 71 %, vervain 59 %, lime flower 52 % and camomile 47 %. At an identical concentration of total polyphenols, black tea was more inhibitory than cocoa, and more inhibitory than herb teas camomile, vervain, lime flower and pennyroyal, but was of equal inhibition to peppermint tea. Adding milk to coffee and tea had little or no influence on their inhibitory nature. Our findings demonstrate that herb teas, as well as black tea, coffee and cocoa can be potent inhibitors of Fe absorption. This property should be considered when giving dietary advice in relation to Fe nutritio

Inhibition of non-haem iron absorption in man by polyphenolic-containing beverages

The effects of different polyphenol-containing beverages on Fe absorption from a bread meal were estimated in adult human subjects from the erythrocyte incorporation of radio-Fe. The test beverages contained different polyphenol structures and were rich in either phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid in coffee), monomeric flavonoids (herb teas, camomile (Matricaria recutita L.)), vervain (Verbena officinalis L.), lime flower (Tilia cordata Mill.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) and peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), or complex polyphenol polymerization products (black tea and cocoa). All beverages were potent inhibitors of Fe absorption and reduced absorption in a dose-dependent fashion depending on the content of total polyphenols. Compared with a water control meal, beverages containing 20–50 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption from the bread meal by 50–70 %, whereas beverages containing 100–400 mg total polyphenols/serving reduced Fe absorption by 60–90 %. Inhibition by black tea was 79–94 %, peppermint tea 84 %, pennyroyal 73 %, cocoa 71 %, vervain 59 %, lime flower 52 % and camomile 47 %. At an identical concentration of total polyphenols, black tea was more inhibitory than cocoa, and more inhibitory than herb teas camomile, vervain, lime flower and pennyroyal, but was of equal inhibition to peppermint tea. Adding milk to coffee and tea had little or no influence on their inhibitory nature. Our findings demonstrate that herb teas, as well as black tea, coffee and cocoa can be potent inhibitors of Fe absorption. This property should be considered when giving dietary advice in relation to Fe nutrition

Assessment of Adherence with Lifestyle Modification and Drug Regimen: To Develop a Mobile App

Introduction: WHO (2003) estimates that only about 50% of patients with chronic diseases follow treatment recommendations. Non-adherence to lifestyle modification and medication regimen among Coronary Heart disease CHD patients post Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is a major area of concern. It is essential for post CABG patients to adhere with the prescribed regimen to prevent complications and to save their life. Smart phone applications have the potential to address the complexity of non-adherence behaviour regarding both medical treatments and lifestyle modification.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess the level of adherence with lifestyle modifications and drug regimen, to identify factors contributing to adherence with lifestyle modifications and drug regimen among post CABG patients to establish association between adherence with lifestyle modification and drug regimen and selected socio-demographic variables i.e. age, sex, education, income and marital status and to develop and disseminate mobile application for modifying lifestyle and improving adherence to drug regimen.Methodology: A descriptive research design included 50 post CABG patients who were attending cardiac surgery OPD during data collection period and were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was gathered through interview schedule and was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using software SPSS 10.Results: It showed that more than half of the subjects (52%) were non-adherent to lifestyle modification and only (48%) were adherent to lifestyle modification. Study also revealed that majority of subjects (80%) were adherent to drug regimen and only (20%) were non-adherent to drug regimen. Among factors contributing to adherence, knowledge about importance of adherence to diet and exercise were having most significance. Busy schedule found to be an important factor affecting adherence to exercise regimen. Motivational factors like support from family member or partner in following diet exercise and drug regimen were found very significant. There were no significant association found between selected variables i.e. age, sex, education, income, marital status of subjects and their level of adherence.Conclusion: The study concluded that the majority of the subjects were non-adherent to lifestyle modification but majority of them are adherent to drug regimen. Among factors contributing to adherence, knowledge, time, motivation, beliefs and forgetfulness were significant. There were no significant association found between level of adherence and selected socio-demographic variables