Sirtuin Control of Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Chagas Disease Models

Trypanosoma cruzi is a digenetic parasite that requires triatomines and mammalian host to complete its life cycle. T. cruzi replication in mammalian host induces immune-mediated cytotoxic proinflammatory reactions and cellular injuries, which are the common source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during the acute parasitemic phase. Mitochondrial dysfunction of electron transport chain has been proposed as a major source of superoxide release in the chronic phase of infection, which renders myocardium exposed to sustained oxidative stress and contributes to Chagas disease pathology. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase that acts as a sensor of redox changes and shapes the mitochondrial metabolism and inflammatory response in the host. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which SIRT1 can potentially improve mitochondrial function and control oxidative and inflammatory stress in Chagas disease

To compare the effects of intra vaginal prostaglandin E1 and intra-cervical prostaglandin E2 for prelabour ripening of unfavorable uterine cervix in nulliparous women

Background: Induction of labour by use of prostaglandins improves the obstetric outcome in complicated cases such as prolonged deliveries. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) for prelabour ripening of unfavourable uterine cervix in nulliparous women, to study the effect of PGE1 and PGE2 on duration of labor and to evaluate the obstetrical and neonatal outcome of induction of labour using prostaglandins E1 and E2.Methods: This was a prospective study conducted on 50 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy with gestational age ≥37 weeks during the period from August 2008 to October 2010 in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences and Allied Hospitals, Mumbai. All the 50 patients were divided into two groups. Group-1 containing 25 patients received intravaginal PGE1, (Tablet Misoprostol 25 mcg) inserted in the posterior vaginal fornix under all aseptic precautions. Group-2 containing 25 patients received intracervical PGE2, (Dinoprostone gel, 0.5 mg). Analysis and comparison of various parameters like induction- delivery interval, Bishops score before and after administration of drug, mode of delivery, neonatal outcome, foeto-maternal complications between the two groups were noted and analysed the data statistically by using Chi-square, continuity correction, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney tests.Results: Majority of the patients in both the groups were under the age of 23-27 years. Post-datism was the common indication noticed in 18 (72%) and 13 (52%) patients of both the groups respectively. Maximum patients had a Bishop’s score of 3 in PGE1 (56%) and PGE2 groups (48%) respectively. The improvement in Bishop’s score in both the groups before and after drug administration was 6.20 and 6.76 respectively. Maximum patients in both the groups went into active labour within six hours of induction of labour. The most common side effects seen in our study was nausea and vomiting in both groups. Majority (23) were born with Apgar score 8-10 in group 1 and 21 for group 2 patients.Conclusions: Both the drugs had similar efficacy and safety in induction of labour. Prospective research is required to fully evaluate the impact of AMOR-IPAT on nulliparous birth outcomes

Salinity induced changes in ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation and glutathione content in leaves of salt tolerant and salt-susceptible cultivars of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of NaCl salinization onascorbate content, hydrogen peroxide content and lipid peroxidation in seedlings of saltsensitive(H-1236) and salt-tolerant (H-1226) American cotton genotypes. A nonsignificantchange was observed in ascorbate content in salt-tolerant (H-1226) genotypewhen exposed to salt stress, while there was a significant increase of 33.7% in sensitivegenotype (H-1236). Enhancement in hydrogen peroxide content was observed in both thegenotypes upon NaCl treatment. The basal level of hydrogen peroxide content was higherin sensitive genotype (87.2 μmoles/gFW) as compared to the tolerant genotype (67.9μmoles/gFW). The leaves of both the genotypes showed higher level of malondialdehydecontent when subjected to salt stress, however, the extent of enhancement was more insensitive genotype (182%) as compared to that in tolerant genotype (140%)

Učinak granulirane mineralne melase ureje na vrenje u buragu i biokemijske pokazatelje u krvi jaradi hranjene s Aeschonomene indica Linn

A study was conducted on twenty graded jamunapari goat kids fed on four different groups. Group I was fed solely on roughage, i.e. sola (Aeschonomene indica Linn) grass hay and rice straw (70:30). Groups II, III and IV were fed on de-oiled rice bran (100 g/d), urea molasses mineral granules (50 g/d) and urea molasses mineral granules (50 g/d) plus fi sh meal (25 g/d). The experiment lasted for 105 days. The effect of supplementing urea molasses mineral granules and fi shmeal was studied on rumen parameters, viz. microbial protein, bacterial and protozoal biomass and blood biochemical constituents, viz. BUN, plasma creatinine, glucose, total protein, Ca and P. Enzymatic activity for alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were also measured. The microbial protein synthesis was higher in group III (42.94 g/100 ml) and IV (57.04 g/100 ml) as compared to control (I) and II. There was a signifi cant improvement of bacterial biomass (0.057 g/100 ml) and (0.082 g/100 ml). Similarly, bacterial and protozoal populations also become affected due to supplementation of fermentable-N and bypass protein, like fishmeal in the diet. The BUN was signifi cantly (P<0.05) higher in group III (28.88 mg/100 ml) and IV (30.35 mg/100 ml) compared to control (I) and group II. Similarly, the activity of alkaline phosphatase was found to be higher in group III (29.77KA units) and IV (44.26 KA units), reflecting the better growth of kids in these groups. Other enzymatic activities were found to be unaffected. Concentration of plasma calcium and inorganic phosphorus were significantly (P<0.05) increased in groups III (9.85 and 9.93 mg/ 100 ml) and IV (7.57 and 8.31 mg/100 ml) compared to other groups. It is inferred that supplementation of fermentable-N and fishmeal in a catalytic amount increases the activity of bacterial and protozoal populations, some blood components and enzymatic activity which could support the growth of kids.Istraživanje je provedeno na 20 jaradi jamunapari pasmine. Prema načinu hranidbe, jarad je razvrstana u 4 skupine. Prva skupina hranjena je isključivo voluminoznom krmom - sijenom Aeschonomene indica Linn i rižinom slamom (70:30). Obrok 2., 3. i 4. skupine sastojao se od odmašćenih rižinih posija (100 g/d), granulirane mineralne melase ureje (50 g/d) i granulirane mineralne melase ureje (50 g/d) s dodatkom ribljeg brašna (25 g/d). Pokus je trajao 105 dana. Utjecaj dodavanja granulirane mineralne melase ureje i ribljeg brašna istraživan je na pokazateljima buraga odnosno mikrobnih bjelančevina, bakterijske i protozoalne biomase i biokemijskih pokazatelja u krvi, tj. BUN, kreatinina plazme, glukoze, ukupnog proteina, kalcija i fosfora. Također je određivana i aktivnost enzima alkalne fosfataze, aspartat transaminaze i alanin transaminaze. Sinteza mikrobnih proteina bila je veća u skupinama 3 (42,94 g/100 ml) i 4 (57,04 g/100 ml) u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom i skupinom 2. Značajno je povećana i bakterijska biomasa (0,057 g/100 ml odnosno 0,082 g/100 ml). Slično, bakterijska i protozoalna populacija su bile pod utjecajem dodatka «bypass» bjelančevina koje u obroku potječu od ribljeg brašna. BUN je bio statistički značajno (P<0,05) veći u skupini 3 (28,88 mg/100 ml) i 4 (30,35 mg/100 ml), a u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom (1) i skupinom 2. Također, utvrđena je veća aktivnost alkalne fosfataze u skupini 3 (29,77 KA jedinica) i 4 (44,26 KA jedinica), što je imalo utjecaja na bolji rast jaradi u tim skupinama. Aktivnosti ostalih enzima nisu bile promijenjene. Koncentracije kalcija u plazmi i fosfora bile su statistički značajno (P<0,05) povećane u skupinama 3 (9,85 i 9,93 mg/100 ml) i 4 (7,57 i 8,31 mg/100 ml) u usporedbi s drugim skupinama. Za pretpostaviti je da dodavanje fermentirajućeg-N i ribljeg brašna, u količinama koje djeluju katalitički, povećava aktivnost bakterijske i protozoalne populacije, podiže razinu nekih pokazatelja u krvi i aktivnost enzima. Navedeno može poboljšati rast jaradi

Factors associated with increased blood loss during delivery

Background: The present study was done to assess the blood loss during delivery even after active management of third stage of labor with oxytocin and the maternal outcomes of PPH.Methods: We studied 100 pregnant women were either in spontaneous labor or admitted for induction of labor, underwent vaginal delivery or caesarean section in our institute. Active management of third stage of labor in all 100 cases included 10 IU intramuscular oxytocin or 10 to 20 IU intravenous in 500 ml of Ringer’s Lactate. Blood loss in all cases was noted.Results: Of the included cases, 27 had to be given extra-uterotonics for atonic uterus, of which 12 parturient still had PPH. Atonic uterus was the cause of PPH in 11 of the 12 cases, while one case was of atonic uterus plus trauma. Half of all PPH cases responded to medical management alone, five cases had to undergo tamponade/stepwise devascularization and one case had to undergo obstetric hysterectomy. Blood loss was significantly higher in women aged more than 35 years, primigravida, not in labor, oligohydramnios or post-datism, elective LSCS, scarred uterus in and had more than 1 high risk factor. Among various high-risk conditions, significantly higher blood loss was observed in patients with chronic hypertension, gestational hypertension, pre-gestational diabetes mellitus, multipara with prior PPH, placenta previa, preeclampsia and sickle cell trait.Conclusions: Fifteen women avoided PPH by using a reliable method of blood loss measurement and initiating interventions early. Organized PPH management protocol morbidity and mortality of the mother and neonate can be prevented

Redox balance keepers and possible cell functions managed by redox homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi

The toxicity of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species appears to be merely the tip of the iceberg in the world of redox homeostasis. Now, oxidative stress can be seen as a two-sided process; at high concentrations, it causes damage to biomolecules, and thus, trypanosomes have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to cope with these stressors. At low concentrations, oxidants are essential for cell signaling, and in fact, the oxidants/antioxidants balance may be able to trigger different cell fates. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of the oxidant environment experienced by T. cruzi along the different phases of its life cycle, and the molecular tools exploited by this pathogen to deal with oxidative stress, for better or worse. Further, we discuss the possible redox-regulated processes that could be governed by this oxidative context. Most of the current research has addressed the importance of the trypanosomes’ antioxidant network based on its detox activity of harmful species; however, new efforts are necessary to highlight other functions of this network and the mechanisms underlying the fine regulation of the defense machinery, as this represents a master key to hinder crucial pathogen functions. Understanding the relevance of this balance keeper program in parasite biology will give us new perspectives to delineate improved treatment strategies.Fil: Mesias, Andrea Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Garg, Nisha Jain. University Of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Zago, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentin

Review Paper on Smart Security System

These days, CCTV cameras are a boon to many agencies in order to keep them safe and keep an eye on any sort of malpractices. But they largely require manpower in cases of live streaming. Hence, to reduce manpower and to assure efficiency a smarter system with the camera is required. A smart security system has a lot of uses these days in order to detect any sort of malfunctioning in the companies, detecting hazards in work places, homes etc. or to control any sorts of misconducts. This review paper contains the reviews of existing applications of such cameras for detecting an intruder in the house and smoke in case of fire. The other applications involve using such system in order to detect vehicles and count them to see if they reach the traffic congestion rate. They have also been used for indoor parking purposes using an MAV (Micro Air Vehicle) to detect if a parking spot is available for a car and also find the car for a driver in case he forgets where he has parked it. The paper has also laid a proposal of such system using Raspberry Pi as to show how various conditions can be programmed into that camera in order to deal with the malpractices and misconducts happening in various workplaces and organizations today and why it will be more useful to do so

Design Paper on Petrol Pump Theft Security System

Automobiles have become an integral part of modern life. The increase in the number of vehicles has led to the rise in the consumption of petroleum fuel and the cheating happening in this business. There are numerous ways in which the consumer can be cheated, and this kind of fraud can harm the consumer as well as the company's reputation. So, there is a need for a system that can reduce such type of malpractices and give the right to the customers to check if they are being cheated or not. The system in which not the operator at dispenser nor the manager of respective petrol pump but the customer has the power to check whether he or she has been wronged or not. The CCTV camera surveillance provides a way to monitor any place 24x7 but it requires manpower to scan the footages captured by the camera, and there is a possibility that such malpractices can remain uncaught in this type of monitoring. So, there is a need for a smarter system at such places which aims at identifying all such malpractices and which do not depend on manpower for their identification. This design paper gives the design of a security system at a petrol pump which can overcome almost all malpractices that can happen in its surroundings. The system identifies the malpractice and notifies the consumer and the manager by itself without depending on manpower at the petrol pump

Schools as opportunity for oral health promotion: Existing status in India

Childhood is a significant stage in people’s lives where they are more receptive toward behavior shaping; thus, schools have been&nbsp;considered important foundation in addressing the health and social issues. School oral health education programs have produced&nbsp;affirmative results in improving the overall health of the child. The aim of the current review was to explore the history of school&nbsp;health, models of school health and existing efforts of School Oral Health Programs (SOHP) in India. The review identified&nbsp;five existing SOHP (Indian Dental Association - Colgate’s “Young India” Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, Chacha Nehru Sehat&nbsp;Yojna - School health scheme [Government of Delhi], Neev - SOHP, Intensive Dental Health Care Program - Punjab, Trinity CareFoundation - Bengaluru, National Oral Health Program, AIIMS) which is either running or proposed. It is recommended that the&nbsp;upcoming SOHP should be crafted on the existing evidence-based guidelines and theoretical models of school health. Prompt&nbsp;execution of proposed programs should be the priority to target the optimum oral health of the children.&nbsp

Profile of boys with posterior urethral valves from a tertiary care center in a developing country

Introduction: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) are the most common cause of obstructive uropathy in boys. While most patients&nbsp;in developed countries are diagnosed in the antenatal period, our patients often present late which adversely affects their outcome.&nbsp;This retrospective study was aimed to study the clinical profile of boys with PUV at follow-up. Methods: Records of 45 boys&nbsp;&nbsp;with PUV who were in follow-up for at least 1-year were retrieved between February and December 2015. Age of presentation,&nbsp;signs and symptoms, anthropometry, radiological findings, surgical interventions, and biochemical investigations were recordedin a pre-structured pro forma. The data were later analyzed on an Excel spreadsheet. Results: The mean age at the diagnosis&nbsp;of PUV was 16±2.8 months, and the mean age at enrollment was 70.6±53.5 months. The condition was detected antenatally in&nbsp;5 (10.9%) subjects only. At the time of data collection, the mean height and weight standard deviation scores were −1.7 and −1.5,&nbsp;respectively. Hypertension was present in 29% of patients. 44.5% of subjects had moderate-to-severe malnutrition and 42.2% had&nbsp;short stature. Mean GFR of the subjects was 66.3 ml/min/1.73m². Bilateral hydronephrosis was present on ultrasound in 26 (57.8%)&nbsp;subjects. Mean anteroposterior diameter on ultrasound was 22.1 mm for the right kidney and 20.8 mm for the left kidney. Significant&nbsp;post-void residue was detected in 54.6% of patients. Bilateral reflux was seen in 21.7% of subjects on micturating cystourethrogram.&nbsp;Urodynamic studies were available for 16 patients, and 31.3% had significant post-void residual urine. Detrusor instability was&nbsp;present in 18.8% of subjects. 35.6% of subjects underwent valve fulguration alone as the surgical procedure while 19 (42.2%) had&nbsp;a diversion procedure&nbsp; (vesicostomy/ureterostomy) along with valve fulguration. Conclusions: Most of the patients with PUV arestill diagnosed postnatally and have significant renal damage at presentation. Urinary diversion procedures are required in almost&nbsp;half of these patients. All these contribute to a poor long-term outcome