Exploring the potential effect of Ocimum sanctum in vincristine-induced neuropathic pain in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the ameliorative potential of Ocimum sanctum and its saponin rich fraction in vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathic pain in rats. Peripheral neuropathy was induced in rats by administration of vincristine sulfate (50 μg/kg i.p.) for 10 consecutive days. The mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, paw heat hyperalgesia and cold tail hyperalgesia were assessed by performing the pinprick, acetone, hot plate and cold tail immersion tests, respectively. Biochemically, the tissue thio-barbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), super-oxide anion content (markers of oxidative stress) and total calcium levels were measured. Vincristine administration was associated with the development of mechanical hyperalgesia, cold allodynia, heat and cold hyperalgesia. Furthermore, vincristine administration was also associated with an increase in oxidative stress and calcium levels. However, administration of Ocimum sanctum (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) and its saponin rich fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg p.o.) for 14 days significantly attenuated vincristine-induced neuropathic pain along with decrease in oxidative stress and calcium levels. It may be concluded that Ocimum sanctum has ameliorative potential in attenuating chemotherapy induced-painful neuropathic state, which may be attributed to decrease in oxidative stress and calcium levels. Furthermore, saponin rich fraction of Ocimum sanctum may be responsible for its noted beneficial effect in neuropathic pain in rats

Optical properties of borotellurite glasses containing metal oxides

Glass samples of the system: 5MxOy-20B2O3-75TeO2 : MxOy = WO3, Nb 2O5, PbO, Nd2O3, Y2O3, Eu2O3 were prepared by melt quenching and characterized by X-ray diffraction, density, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy. XRD patterns confirmed the amorphous structure of all samples. Glass transition temperature was maximum in borotellurite glass containing Y2O3. Refractive index, atomic polarizability and basicity increased in the following order of ions: Y3+ < Eu3+ < Pb2+ < Nd3+ < Nb 3+ < W6+. FTIR studies showed that PbO is outstanding in enhancing the concentration of tetrahedral borons in the borotellurite network

The comparison of clinical efficacy of formoterol and fluticasone versus salmeterol and fluticasone in patients of bronchial asthma

Background: Fixed-dose combinations of Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and Long acting beta agonist (LABA) are established and widely used treatment for bronchial asthma when ICSs as monotherapy are ineffective. This study attempted to compare the efficacy of salmeterol and fluticasone with formoterol (newer LABA) and fluticasone in patients of bronchial asthma.Methods: An open label, randomized, prospective, parallel and comparative study of eight-week duration was conducted on 80 patients of bronchial asthma, with the collaboration of Department of pharmacology and Department of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Hospital, Government medical college, Amritsar. Patients in Group A were treated with 2 actuations of Formoterol and Fluticasone (6/125µg) twice daily and group B patients were treated with 2 actuations of Salmeterol and Fluticasone (50/125µg) twice daily for 8 weeks with metered dose inhaler (MDI). Patients in group A and B were assessed on day zero, 4 weeks and 8 weeks for clinical assessment and computerized spirometry for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEFR.Results: In group A mean±SD of FEV1 statistically significantly increased (<0.001) after eight week of therapy (1.50±0.12) from its baseline values (1.34±0.11). Similarly, in group B mean ± SD of FEV1 statistically significantly increased (<0.001) after eight weeks (1.48±0.13) from its baseline values (1.36±0.12). There was statistically significant (<0.001) improvement in other parameters of spirometry in patients of both the groups.Conclusions: It was observed that both the combination of Fluticasone + Formoterol and Fluticasone + Salmeterol are effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma

Structural transitions in alumina nanoparticles by heat treatment

γ-alumina nanoparticles were annealed sequentially at 800°C, 950°C and 1100°C and structural transitions as a function of heat treatment were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and 27Al Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS-NMR) methods.. XRD studies found that γ-Al2O3 is stable upto a temperature of at least 950°C and transforms to the thermodynamically stable α-phase after annealing at 1100°C. MAS-NMR revealed that γ-alumina contains AlO4 and AlO6 structural units in the ratio 1: 2, while α-phase contains only AlO6 units. DSC confirmed that γ → α transition initiates at 1060°C

A study of vitamin D supplementation with directly observed treatment short course for Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis remains one of major global health problems due to growing resistance in TB bacilli against anti-tubercular treatment (ATT). Vitamin D3 has been reported to have immunostimulatory effect. Aim was to study effect of Vitamin D3 on efficacy and safety of ATT / Directly Observed Treatment, short course regimen.Methods: Prospective, randomized and interventional study of 90 days was carried out in 60 newly diagnosed sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients on DOTS strategy. Study was conducted in Government Medical College, Amritsar, Punjab, India. 30 patients each were randomly divided into two groups, A and B, with group A - vitamin D3 and DOTS regimen and Group B - DOTS alone. Patients were evaluated on day 0, 30, 60 and 90 by TB score, sputum microscopy, laboratory investigations, and adverse drug events. At the end of 90 days, results were tabulated and data analyzed statistically applying relevant tests.Results: Statistically non-significant improvement in symptoms, sputum conversion and decrease in mean TB scores was seen in Group A vs B at 90 days. Significant increase in mean Vitamin D levels was seen in Group A at end of study. Insignificant difference in safety profile was observed in group A which showed additional adverse events suspected to be due to Vitamin D. Equivocal hepatoprotective effect of Vitamin D was observed.Conclusions: Vitamin D as adjuvant to ATT does not confer additional benefit to newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Large multi-centric trials are required to find any benefit of Vitamin D supplementation with ATT

PHOTOSYNTHETIC, BIOCHEMICAL AND ENZYMATIC INVESTIGATION OF Anabaena fertilissima IN RESPONSE TO AN INSECTICIDE-HEXACHLORO-HEXAHYDRO-METHANOBENZODIOXATHIEPINE- OXIDE

A study on the heterocystous, nitrogen fixing cyanobacterium, Anabaena fertilissima was carried out to investigate the effect of an organochlorine insecticide (hexachloro-hexahydro-methano-benzodioxathiepineoxide, called as endosulfan) at different concentrations of 3, 6 and 12 μgml-1 on the photosynthetic pigments-Chl-a, Carotenoids and Phycobiliproteins-phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin, stress metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, phenols and enzyme activities-nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase. The insecticide- Endosulfan showed to be deleteriously affecting the activities in the cyanobacterium. As early as the 4th day, chl-a and carotenoids reduced by 38% and 20% respectively. The phycobiliproteins declined by 60%, 64% and 28% with respect to Phycocyanin, Allophycocyanin and Phycoerythrin. Moreover, Endosulfan adversely depleted the cellular activities, leading to a marked decrease in the carbohydrates, proteins, phenols and amino acids and enzymes-nitrate reductase and glutamine synthetase. Despite of deleterious effects of Endosulfan on the cyanobacterium Anabaena fertilissima, a unique regenerating ability in presence of the insecticide was observed by the end of 12 days in the lower doses of insecticide

Immune effector responses to an excretory-secretory product of Giardia lamblia

The prior immunisation of mice with purified excretory-secretory product (ESP) led to a complete failure of Giardia lamblia colonisation following challenge inoculation of these animals with trophozoites. The prior immunisation of mice with ESP resulted in a significant stimulation of local immunity as evidenced by a significant enhancement of T helper/inducer activity along with a significant increase in immunoglobulin A-bearing cells. Further, the presence of anti-ESP antibodies in the serum of immunised as well as immunised-challenged animals indicated the stimulation of the systemic lymphoid system. This suggests that the ESP is highly immunogenic and it could be one of the major antigens of G. lamblia responsible for protection against the infection

Chronic Peri-Oral Dermatitis as the First Manifestations of Crohn\u27s Disease

Introduction: Oral manifestations have been reported in crohn’s disease (CD). The reported prevalence of these manifestations varies widely between studies, and range between 0.5%-50% in adults and 10%-80% in pediatrics. Oral manifestations of CD may coincide with the intestinal manifestations, or less commonly precede them. Aphthous ulcers, angular cheilitis, swelling of the lips and gingiva, cobblestoning of the mucosa, deep linear ulcers and periodontal disease have been reported in the literature. Case report: An 18-year-old female with no significant history presented to her primary care physician with recurrent lip swelling and dryness. She was diagnosed initially with angioedema without urticaria. History of an environmental exposure was inconsistent and testing for hereditary angioedema, including C1 esterase and C4 levels were unremarkable. She was referred to a dermatologist who diagnosed her with peri-oral dermatitis. Treatment with antihistamines, topical steroids, antifungals, antibiotics and petroleum jelly-based products were all unsuccessful. She was treated with oral prednisone for a presumed pemphigus vulgaris with a symptomatic improvement, but she did relapse two weeks after weaning steroids. Due to chronicity of symptoms, a lip biopsy was ordered and showed a psoriasiform dermatitis with a granulomatous inflammation. Direct immunofluorescent testing was unremarkable. These results were concerning for CD versus cheilitis granulomatosa. By that time, she denied gastrointestinal symptoms, weight loss or family history of inflammatory bowel disease. Further testing revealed a normal ferritin, vitamin B12, folate, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, and QuantiFERON-TB. She was referred to gastroenterology for further evaluation. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a normal esophagus, stomach and examined duodenum. Biopsies from stomach and duodenum were unremarkable. A colonoscopy showed a normal examined perianal area, colon and terminal ileum. Biopsies from the left colon showed a focal active colitis, foci of neutrophilic cryptitis and focal epithelioid granuloma without dysplasia. Stains for acid fast bacilli and fungi were negative. Biopsies from the right colon and terminal ileum were unremarkable. A magnetic resonance enterography showed no evidence of an active small bowel CD. Given the early onset and wide spread distribution, the decision was to start adalimumab 40 mg subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Her oral disease improved significantly. A repeated colonoscopy with biopsies was unremarkable. Conclusion: The recognition of oral manifestations can constitute an important clue for diagnosis and management of CD, especially that an isolated oral disease is uncommon as a first presentation of the disease. Infections, nutritional deficiencies and medication side effects are important to consider as differential diagnosis.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2019caserpt/1048/thumbnail.jp

Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy among type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in Sabah Primary Health Clinics, Sabah Malaysia

Introduction: T2DM is a chronic progressing disease that often complicates with macrovascular and microvascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the world. 422 million adults suffer DM, lead to 2.6% of global blindness and 1.5 million deaths. In Malaysia, DM increases to 15.2% from 2011 survey and prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 36.8%. Limited study about retinopathy in Sabah and Malaysia. The objectives are to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and major associated risk factors among T2DM patients in primary health clinic, Sabah. Methods: A cross sectional study design. Secondary data review on Sabah T2DM patients profiles that were registered in National Diabetes Registry from the year 2008 to 2015. The study was conducted from 5thMay-23rd May 2016. N=22,435 of T2DM patients from 46 primary government health clinics in Sabah. Respondents defined as T2DM patients who were managed at primary health clinic and entered in National Diabetes Registry. It is updated on new occurrence of complications, comorbidities, loss of follow up and death. Diagnosis by qualified medical doctor. T1DM, IGT, GDM were excluded. Diabetic retinopathy is a disturbance in visual acuity of a diabetic patients and pathological changes seen by fundoscamera. Results: The mean age is 61 years old and at the range of 50-69 years old. 59% are female. Chinese has the highest proportion with 22.9%. More than three quarter has hypertension, dyslipidaemia and has BMI>25.0, with mean of 27.5. The highest complications is retinopathy with 18.5%, followed by nephropathy 6.6%, IHD 1.8%, and <1% of CVA, amputation and foot ulcer. Out of 11 variables, there are 7 significant variables associated with diabetic retinopathy. There are duration of diabetes aOR 1.06(95%CI 1.05-1.07), older age of patients aOR 1.01(95%CI 1.00-1.02), hypertension aOR 1.6(95%CI 1.4-1.9), dyslipidaemia aOR 1.3(95%CI 1.2-1.4), higher than normal level HBA1c aOR 1.3(95%CI 1.1-1.4), nephropathy aOR 2.5(95%CI 2.1-2.9) and diabetic foot ulcer aOR 3.0(95%CI 2.0-4.8). Conclusion: Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among T2DM patients in primary health clinic Sabah is 18.5%. Duration of diabetes, older age of patients, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, higher than normal level HBA1c, nephropathy and diabetic foot ulcer are the associated factors for diabetic retinopathy. The importance of clinical audit on diabetic eye screening and HBA1c monitoring among patients has to be strengthened in primary health clinics, especially patients nearing the pensioner age. Optimisation and control of blood pressure and lipid level could help to reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy