A study of bone marrow angiogenesis and its correlation with serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels in acute leukaemia

Background: Angiogenesis, which is the development of new capillaries from existing blood vessels, occurs in both the developing embryo and postnatal life. The growth of solid tumours requires the development of micro vessels; therefore, tumour expansion correlates with the extent of angiogenesis.Methods: A prospective study was conducted on bone marrow trephine biopsies of 40 new cases of acute leukaemia diagnosed on complete blood count, bone marrow aspiration examination, and flow cytometry, including 20 control cases. Micro sections were stained with immuno-histochemical stains using monoclonal antibodies to CD31, CD34 and vWF. Micro vessel density was analysed at a 400× using automated image analyser by two investigators independently. Data were calculated, tabulated and statistically analysed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) statistical program version 18.Results: A total of 1522 micro vessels were analysed using CD31 including 802 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), 512 in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and 208 in the control group. The bone marrow microvessel density (MVD) in acute myeloid leukaemia using CD31, CD34 and Von Willebrand factor (VWF) was 70.83±20.76, 66.48±18.99 and 60.32±18.75 respectively while MVD in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was 62.74±21.09, 70.58±22.46 and 51.22±21.13 respectively. The study revealed significant difference between AML, ALL and normal bone marrow cases by using CD31, CD34 and vWF antibody. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in AML, ALL and control group was 163.74±119.03, 168.23±154.22 and 43.45±9.14 respectively.Conclusions: Higher micro vessel density was observed in acute leukaemia. Present findings suggested the potential significance of characteristics of micro vessel density as potential prognostic marker as well as its application in improved selection of patients for anti-angiogenic and other treatments

Patients' online access to their electronic health records and linked online services: a systematic review in primary care

Background Online access to medical records by patients can potentially enhance provision of patient-centred care and improve satisfaction. However, online access and services may also prove to be an additional burden for the healthcare provider. Aim To assess the impact of providing patients with access to their general practice electronic health records (EHR) and other EHR-linked online services on the provision, quality, and safety of health care. Design and setting A systematic review was conducted that focused on all studies about online record access and transactional services in primary care. Method Data sources included MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EPOC, DARE, King’s Fund, Nuffield Health, PsycINFO, OpenGrey (1999–2012). The literature was independently screened against detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria; independent dual data extraction was conducted, the risk of bias (RoB) assessed, and a narrative synthesis of the evidence conducted. Results A total of 176 studies were identified, 17 of which were randomised controlled trials, cohort, or cluster studies. Patients reported improved satisfaction with online access and services compared with standard provision, improved self-care, and better communication and engagement with clinicians. Safety improvements were patient-led through identifying medication errors and facilitating more use of preventive services. Provision of online record access and services resulted in a moderate increase of e-mail, no change on telephone contact, but there were variable effects on face-to-face contact. However, other tasks were necessary to sustain these services, which impacted on clinician time. There were no reports of harm or breaches in privacy. Conclusion While the RoB scores suggest many of the studies were of low quality, patients using online services reported increased convenience and satisfaction. These services positively impacted on patient safety, although there were variations of record access and use by specific ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Professional concerns about privacy were unrealised and those about workload were only partly so

The provision and impact of online patient access to their electronic health records (EHR) and transactional services on the quality and safety of health care: systematic review protocol

Background: Innovators have piloted improvements in communication, changed patterns of practice and patient empowerment from online access to electronic health records (EHR). International studies of online services, such as prescription ordering, online appointment booking and secure communications with primary care, show good uptake of email consultations, accessing test results and booking appointments; when technologies and business process are in place. Online access and transactional services are due to be rolled out across England by 2015; this review seeks to explore the impact of online access to health records and other online services on the quality and safety of primary health care. Objective: To assess the factors that may affect the provision of online patient access to their EHR and transactional services, and the impact of such access on the quality and safety of health care. Method: Two reviewers independently searched 11 international databases during the period 1999–2012. A range of papers including descriptive studies using qualitative or quantitative methods, hypothesis-testing studies and systematic reviews were included. A detailed eligibility criterion will be used to shape study inclusion .A team of experts will review these papers for eligibility, extract data using a customised extraction form and use the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) instrument to determine the quality of the evidence and the strengths of any recommendation. Data will then be descriptively summarised and thematically synthesised. Where feasible, we will perform a quantitative meta-analysis

A Study on Consumer Buying Behaviour towards Eatery Outlets in Silvassa City

The Indian food joint industry has witnessed high growth strides in the past years, with increasing disposable income, exposure to a number of cuisines and consumers’ willingness to experiment a mix of both western and local menu. The purpose of the research is to study consumer buying behaviour towards food eatery outlets with respect to Silvassa city. The article aims to perceive the consumption pattern towards food joint; the likes, dislikes and perception and preferences of consumers towards eatery outlets. The article will contain issues regarding place of purchase and the factors determining the behaviour of buyers of food products as well as factors affecting preferences of buyers of eatery services. The main aim of the study is to understand the concept, significance & process of consumer buying behaviour, to analyse the consumers’ buying behaviour towards eatery outlets in Silvassa city and to gather inferences from the study and extend recommendation with respect to the impact of consumer buying behaviour on business of Eatery Outlets. The research design is exploratory and descriptive and the data collected was primary and secondary using questionnaire as research instrument. The sample size is 121 and the population is residents from Silvassa city. The sampling technique used is non -probability convenience sampling. The scope of the study states the extent of Consumer Behaviour attributes is gathered in Silvassa City only. The Project enables to characterize the 7 Ps pertaining to the Eatery Outlets. The respondents hesitated to respond as the survey intended to ask their personal choices. The behavioural context is gathered from a limited area; hence the inferences are indicative in nature

MiRNA: Biological Regulator in Host-Parasite Interaction during Malaria Infection

Malaria is a severe life-threatening disease caused by the bites of parasite-infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It remains a significant problem for the most vulnerable children and women. Recent research has helped establish the relationship between microRNAs (miRNAs) and many other diseases. MiRNAs are the class of small non-coding RNAs consisting of 18–23 nucleotides in length that are evolutionarily conserved and regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level and play a significant role in various molecular mechanisms such as cell survival, cell proliferation, and differentiation. MiRNAs can help detect malaria infection as the malaria parasite could alter the miRNA expression of the host. These alterations can be diagnosed by the molecular diagnostic tool that can indicate disease. We summarize the current understanding of miRNA during malaria infection. miRNAs can also be used as biomarkers, and initial research has unearthed their potential in diagnosing and managing various diseases such as malaria

Pathophysiology of Cerebral Malaria: Implications of MSCs as A Regenerative Medicinal Tool

The severe form of malaria, i.e., cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum, is a complex neurological syndrome. Surviving persons have a risk of behavioral difficulties, cognitive disorders, and epilepsy. Cerebral malaria is associated with multiple organ dysfunctions. The adhesion and accumulation of infected RBCs, platelets, and leucocytes (macrophages, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and monocytes) in the brain microvessels play an essential role in disease progression. Micro-vascular hindrance by coagulation and endothelial dysfunction contributes to neurological damage and the severity of the disease. Recent studies in human cerebral malaria and the murine model of cerebral malaria indicate that different pathogens as well as host-derived factors are involved in brain microvessel adhesion and coagulation that induces changes in vascular permeability and impairment of the blood-brain barrier. Efforts to alleviate blood-brain barrier dysfunction and de-sequestering of RBCs could serve as adjunct therapies. In this review, we briefly summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, the role of some factors (NK cells, platelet, ANG-2/ANG-1 ratio, and PfEMP1) in disease progression and various functions of Mesenchymal stem cells. This review also highlighted the implications of MSCs as a regenerative medicine

Highly efficient green light harvesting from Mg doped ZnO nanoparticles: Structural and optical studies

Highly efficient green light emission was observed from Mg doped ZnO nanoparticles synthesized via facile wet chemical route with an average particle size similar to 15 nm. The XRD analysis confirmed the growth of wurtzite phase of ZnO nanoparticles. Moreover, the optical properties of these nanoparticles were investigated by different spectroscopic techniques. The resulted nanoparticles exhibit intense green emission peaking at 530 nm (2.34 eV) upon 325 nm (3.81 eV) excitation. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of visible emission depends upon the doping concentration of Mg. The PL intensity was found maximum up to 4% doping of Mg, and beyond it exhibits a decrees in emission. Furthermore, by varying the band gap from 3.50 to 3.61 eV, the PL spectra showed a near band edge (NBE) emission at wavelength around 370 nm (3.35 eV) and a broad deep level emission in the visible region. The obtained highly luminescent green emission of ZnO nanoparticle would be an ultimate choice for next generation portable optoelectronics device materials

Urease Inhibitory Kinetic Studies of Various Extracts and Pure Compounds from Cinnamomum Genus

Urease is an enzyme that plays a significant role in the hydrolysis of urea into carbonic acid and ammonia via the carbamic acid formation. The resultant increase in pH leads to the onset of various pathologies such as gastric cancer, urolithiasis, hepatic coma, hepatic encephalopathy, duodenal ulcers and peptic ulcers. Urease inhibitors can reduce the urea hydrolysis rate and development of various diseases. The Cinnamomum genus is used in a large number of traditional medicines. It is well established that stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia exhibits antiulcerogenic potential. The present study evaluated the inhibitory effect of seven extracts of Cinnamomum camphora, Cinnamomum verum and two pure compounds Camphene and Cuminaldehyde on urease enzyme. Kinetic studies of potential inhibitors were carried out. Methanol extract (IC50 980 µg/mL) of C. camphora and a monoterpene Camphene (IC50 0.147 µg/mL) possess significant inhibitory activity. The Lineweaver Burk plot analysis suggested the competitive inhibition by methanol extract, hexane fraction and Camphene. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis of hexane fraction revealed the contribution of various terpenes. The present study targets terpenes as a new class of inhibitors that have potential therapeutic value for further development as novel drugs