Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Its Potential for Point-Of-Care Testing

Point-of-care or ‘near-patient’ testing has received attention in recent years for its usefulness in rapid and reliable delivery of healthcare to a patient in a variety of clinical settings. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-derived optical biomarkers (e.g., tissue oxygen saturation) have been utilized to monitor tissue vascularity and oxygenation status continuously in normal and patient populations. Despite its ease of use and modest cost, the NIRS modality is still not at point-of-care use in the healthcare sector as extensively as other physiological modalities such as Pulse Oximetry. This short communication examines the case for point-of-care testing with two examples of FDA-approved NIRS systems, and discusses the feasibility and implementation of the NIRS modality as a point-of-care technology

Isolation of a galactose-free 20-kDa fragment exhibiting butyrylcholine esterase and aryl acylamidase activity from human serum butyrylcholine esterase by limited α-chymotrypsin digestion

Purified human serum butyrylcholine esterase (~ 90-kDa subunit), which also exhibits aryl acylamidase activity, was subjected to limited α-chymotrypsin digestion. Three major protein fragments of ~ 50 kDa, ~ 21 kDa and ~ 20 kDa were found to be produced, as observed by SDS-gel electrophoresis of the chymotryptic digest. The purified butyrylcholine esterase could fully bind to a Ricinus-communis-agglutinin-Sepharose column but after chymotryptic digestion about 15-20% of the enzyme activity remained unbound and was recovered in the run-through fractions. Sephadex G-75 chromatography of the chymotryptic digest showed an enzymatically active fragment eluted at an approximate molecular mass of 20 kDa, apart from the undigested butyrylcholine esterase eluted at the void volume. The butyrylcholine esterase fragment that did not bind to Ricinus communis agglutinin also was eluted at an approximate molecular mass of 20 kDa from a Sephadex G-75 column. This enzymatically active low-molecular-mass fragment from Sephadex G-75 chromatography showed a single protein band of ~ 20 kDa on SDS-gel electrophoresis. Neutral sugar analysis of the ~ 20 kDa fragment showed the presence of mannose only, whereas the undigested butyrylcholine esterase showed the presence of both mannose and galactose. Amino-terminal-sequence analysis of the ~ 20 kDa fragment showed the sequence Arg-Val-Gly-Ala-Leu, which agrees with amino acid residues 147-151 reported for human serum butyrylcholine esterase [Lockridge et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 549-557]. Both cholinesterase and aryl acylamidase activities were co-eluted in all chromatographic procedures. The results suggested that limited α-chymotrypsin digestion of human serum butyrylcholine esterase resulted in the formation of a ~ 20-kDa enzymatically active fragment with Arg147 as its N-terminal residue and which was devoid of galactose

Localization of the peptidase activity of human serum butyrylcholinesterase in a – 50-kDa fragment obtained by limited α-chymotrypsin digestion

Purified human serum butyrylcholinesterase (∼90-kDa subunit) is known to exhibit aryl acylamidase and peptidase activity. Limited α-chymotrypsin digestion of the purified butyrylcholinesterase gave three major protein fragments of ∼ 50 kDa, ∼21 kDa and ∼ 20 kDa. In our earlier studies [Rao and Balasubramanian (1989) Eur. J. Biochem. 179, 639-644] we characterized the ∼ 20-kDa fragment and showed that it exhibited both butyrylcholinesterase and aryl acylamidase activities. In the present studies the ∼ 50-kDa fragment is characterized. This fragment, after isolation by Sephadex G-75 chromatography from a chymotryptic digest of purified butyrylcholinesterase, exhibited only peptidase activity and was devoid of cholinesterase and aryl acylamidase activities. It could bind to a column of Ricinus communis agglutinin bound to Sepharose, indicating its glycosylated nature and the presence of galactose. The peptidase activity in the ∼50-kDa fragment could be immunoprecipitated by a polyclonal antibody raised against purified butyrylcholinesterase. SDS-gel electrophoresis of this fragment isolated by R. communis agglutinin - Sepharose and Sephadex G-75 chromatography showed a protein band of ~ 50 kDa by silver staining. Amino-terminal sequence analysis of the ∼ 50-kDa fragment gave the sequence of Gly-Pro-Thr-Val-Asp which corresponded to amino acid residues 291-295 in the butyrylcholinesterase sequence [Lockridge et al. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 549-557]. The combined results suggested that α -chymotrypsin digestion of human serum butyrylcholinesterase resulted in the formation of a ∼ 20-kDa fragment exhibiting both cholinesterase and aryl acylamidase activities and a ∼50-kDa fragment exhibiting only peptidase activity

The prescribing pattern for the management of dengue fever in pediatric patients of a tertiary care hospital: an observational study

Background: Dengue fever is a mosquito borne viral infection which has become a global health hazard, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. Children have higher risk of developing severe forms of dengue fever, however, studies show that paediatric complications/fatalities from dengue fever are potentially avoidable by proper management. Data about drug usage patterns for dengue are particularly lacking, especially in the paediatric age group, therefore this study will help facilitate the rational use of drugs and aid in establishing a more specific management for dengue fever. The objective of the present study was to identify the prescribing pattern of dengue fever in paediatric inpatients admitted to RajaRajeswari Medical College and Hospital and assess according to the WHO core prescribing indicatorsMethods: This prospective observational study took place from March 2017 to September 2017 in the paediatric general wards. Data was collected from case files of NS1 positive patients of both genders between 1-18years. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and expressed as percentages, means and standard deviations. The prescription pattern was analysed using the prescribing indicators mentioned in the World Health Organization core drug use indicators.Results: Total of 300 drugs were prescribed for 110 prescriptions that were analysed excluding IV fluids and blood products. Mean number of drugs prescribed was 2.7±0.8. Drugs prescribed by a generic name was 7.33%. Patients prescribed an antibiotic was 12.73%. Patients prescribed with an injection was 62.72% Majority of drugs prescribed in this study come from essential medicines list created by regulatory bodies. Intravenous fluids were administered to all patients with majority receiving normal saline (60.9%).Conclusions: Mainstay of treatment of dengue fever for paediatric patients is symptomatic along with focus on fluid management. Majority of drugs prescribed are from essential medicines lists formed by regulatory bodies. With dengue infections being a worldwide health hazard, more studies are needed to facilitate rational use of drugs in this disease

Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus Rhynchosia: a comprehensive review

Main conclusion: The genus Rhynchosia is a rich source of natural compounds especially flavonoids and prenylated isoflavonoids. Further experimental studies on Rhynchosia members may be result new and novel secondary metabolites with potent biological activities. Abstract: Traditionally, medicinal plants have played a significant role on human life since ancient days. At present, natural compounds are the major source for the modern drug discovery owing to their therapeutic selectivity, minutest of side effects, inexpensive source and serve as lead molecules for the discovery of new drugs. Rhynchosia species (Fabaceae) are extensively circulated throughout the tropical and subtropical areas around the world. A few plants of this genus were used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, abortifacients, healing of wounds, hepatoprotective, remedial of boils, rheumatic pains and skin infections. The present review compiles traditional uses, isolated chemical compounds and pharmacological activities of Rhynchosia species. So far, in total, seventy-seven compounds were isolated from the genus Rhynchosia, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, flavan-3-ols, xanthones, biphenyls, simple polyphenols and sterols. It is interesting to note that the genus Rhynchosia is a rich source of C-glycosylflavonoids and prenylated isoflavonoids. Further, phytochemical and pharmacological studies on this genus are required since only few species have been investigated so far. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature

Evaluation of ultrasound guided verses nerve stimulator technique of interscalene brachial plexus block: insights from Indian multi-super specialty hospital

Background: To provide adequate intraoperative anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia for orthopaedic surgery continues to be a procedural challenge. The administration of brachial plexus anaesthesia can be facilitated through nerve stimulation or by ultrasound guidance. Hence study was conducted to compare differences in these techniques in patients undergoing interscalene brachial plexus block (ISSB).Methods: In this prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study, 60 patients (Male=41, Female=19) were scheduled for orthopaedic shoulder and upper arm surgeries matching inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to either Ultrasound (US, n=30) group or Nerve Stimulator (NS, n=30) group through a computer-generated randomization.Results: There was significant difference between US and NS group with respect to average number of attempts taken, block performance time (BPT), onset of sensory and motor block, duration of motor block and patient satisfaction score. Whereas not much significant difference was observed in duration of sensory block, block success rate and incidence of post operative side effects.Conclusions: The results suggest that US guided ISBB is significantly superior to NS guided block in terms of faster onset of action; lower number of attempts to locate Interscalene brachial plexus; longer duration of block and overall success rate with favourable tolerability at real-life scenario

Synthesis and characterization of 1,2,3-triazole integrated quinazolinone derivatives

Quinazolinones are the important class of heterocyclic compounds having a broad spectrum of biological activities. The present study describes the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole integrated quinazolinone derivatives through click chemistry. © 2020 Author(s).The author AR is thankful to Ural Federal University for providing postdoctoral fellowship