Isolated major aortopulmonary collateral as the sole pulmonary blood supply to an entire lung segment

Congenital systemic-to-pulmonary collateral arteries or major aortopulmonary collaterals are associated with cyanotic congenital heart disease with decreased pulmonary blood flow. Though it is usually associated with congenital heart diseases, there is an increased incidence of isolated acquired aortopulmonary collaterals in premature infants with chronic lung disease. Interestingly, isolated congenital aortopulmonary collaterals can occur without any lung disease, which may cause congestive heart failure and require closure. We present a neonate with an echocardiogram that showed only left-sided heart dilation. Further workup with a CT angiogram demonstrated an anomalous systemic artery from the descending thoracic aorta supplying the left lower lobe. He eventually developed heart failure symptoms and was taken to the catheterization laboratory for closure of the collateral. However, with the collateral being the only source of blood flow to the entire left lower lobe, he required surgical unifocalization. Isolated aortopulmonary collaterals without any other congenital heart disease or lung disease are rare. Our patient is the first reported case to have an isolated aortopulmonary collateral being the sole pulmonary blood supply to an entire lung segment. Due to its rarity, there is still much to learn about the origin and development of these collaterals that possibly developed prenatally

Permethrin induced neuronal inefficiency in the supraoesophageal ganglion of mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori. L

The primary target for pyrethroid insecticides is the nervous system. Available literature on the toxicity of pyrethroids to mulberry silkworm, are confined to specific tissues like haemolymph, fat body, eggs of silk moth and no study is indicated on supraoesophageal ganglion tissue, hence this study was conducted. In this study the changes occurring in the level of cholinergic and GABAergic transmitters (ACh and GABA)​; their connected enzymes viz., ChAT, AChE, GAD were studied in the supraoesophageal ganglionic tissue of silkworm Bombyx mori upon permithrin intoxication. Findings indicate that suppression of acetyl cholinesterase has led to the accumulation of ACh in greater quantities. Contrary to the cholinesterase suppression, a profound increase in GABAergic system was evident in the nervous tissue suggesting existence of an imbalance of excitatory-​inhibitory interplay in the supraoesophageal ganglia due to the toxic insult caused by permethrin; this substantially affects the growth, development, fecundity and silk prodn. In conclusion, the permethrin induced neurotoxicity resulted a series of perturbations in silkworm neurotransmitter metab

SERUM FERRITIN AND HbA1c LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Introduction: Complications due to diabetes are a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life and death. Recent studies have emphasized the role of serum ferritin in insulin resistance and the incidence of diabetes mellitus. However, the role of ferritin as a marker of iron overload in pancreatic damage and peripheral insulin resistance or its role as an inflammatory marker is not clear. The aim of this study is to establish a correlation between serum ferritin, FBS and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate the role of serum ferritin on the glycemic status in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: This was a cross- sectional study of 100 cases, visiting medical outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Diabetic patients were compared with age and sex matched normal healthy controls. Effect of serum ferritin on glycemic status, gender and age was noted. Results: Statistically significant increase of FPG, HbA1C and serum ferritin levels were observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus group than controls in both females and males while there was no statistically significant difference of hemoglobin between diabetic group and controls in females and males. There was a high (r= 0.62, r= 0.66) positive correlation between SF and HbA1c of females and males respectively in diabetic group P-value=< 0.01. Conclusion: Higher positive correlation of serum ferritin with HbA1c shows that hyperglycemia affects ferritin levels possibly due to inflammation or oxidative stress or a combination of the two. KEYWORDS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Glycosylated haemoglobin; Ferritin

Stopped-Flow Kinetic Study of Reduction of Ferric Maltol Complex by Ascorbate

Stopped-flow kinetic investigation of reduction of Fe(III)-maltol complex is reported. The rates are dependent on pH in a complex way. On one hand at low pH there is a predominance of Fe(III)(maltol)2 which is easier to reduce compared to Fe(III) (maltol)3 which is more resistant to reduction. On the other hand ascorbate is a stronger reducing agent at higher pH. The rates are also found to be inversely dependent on the concentration of free ligand. These observations are explained by the following rate law:Rate = ((k0 +k1[H+])k2 [Asc-]/ (k-1[HMal] + k2[Asc-])) + k3 [Asc-] ) [FeIII(Mal)3] Here k1 is the rate constant for acid hydrolysis of the Fe(maltol)3 complex to Fe(maltol)2 complex and is directly controlled by H+, k0 is the rate constant for hydrolysis of the Fe(maltol)3 complex to Fe(maltol)2 complex and is an intrinsic process, k-1 is the rate constant of reformation of the tris complex by reaction of the bis complex and the free ligand, k2 is the rate constant for reduction of the bis complex by ascorbate and k3 is the rate constant for the reduction of the tris complex by ascorbate

EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIALS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF TEPHROSIA VILLOSA AGAINST THIOACETAMIDE INDUCED LIVER TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: The present study was conducted to determine the hepatoprotective potentials of methanol s extracts of Tephrosia villosa leaves against thioacetamide (TAA) induced liver damage in rats. Methodology: The acute oral toxicity study was conducted as per OECD guidelines, and the extract was proved to be safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. The total duration of the study was 21 days, and animals were divided into six groups. Hepatotoxicity was induced in the animals of all groups except normal control by single dose administration of TAA (100 mg/kg) at 1st day of the study followed by animals were treated daily with standard drug silymarin and methanol extract of T. villosa (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) to respective groups for 21 days. Variations in biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, albumin, total protein, ions and others parameters such as clotting time and weight of the liver were considered to determine beneficial effect of the extract. At the end of the study liver samples were collected and subjected to histopathological evaluation. Results: In control animals treated with TAA alone, there were variations in the above mentioned parameters. However in the animals treated with methanol extract and standard drug silymarin, all the parameters were normal possibly due to their beneficial property in protecting the liver against TAA induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: The results obtained in the above study suggesting that, the methanol extract of T. villosa possess significant hepatoprotective activity

HbA1C AS AN INDEX OF GLYCEMIC STATUS IN OBESE TYPE 2 DIABETICS

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes has become a worldwide issue with the dramatic increase in incidence and prevalence over the past two decades. As the epidemiological burden of diabetes increases, the economic burden on individuals and nation is expected to rise. Obesity being one of the major risk factor for development of T2DM and its complication, glycemic control is crucial for management of diabetes. HbA1c is an index of long term glycemic status of diabetic subjects and has become the gold standard test around the world for initiation of treatment in diabetics. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the association of obesity with T2DM and to correlate dysglycemia with obesity. Material and Methods: A total of 100 type 2 diabetics were enrolled for the study. The subjects were categorized based on the revised consensus guidelines for India for generalized obesity and abdominal obesity. Results: The results of the study showed that gender wise there was no significant difference of the various clinical and biochemical characteristics except for the duration of diabetes. Subjects of this study were mostly overweight and obese having abdominal obesity. A significant correlation was seen between the glycemic and metabolic status of the diabetic study population. Conclusion: Overall an increasing trend of dysglycemia in diabetic subjects with normal BMI, overweight to obese was observed. The prevalence of both central and peripheral obesity was increased in the diabetic subjects. KEY WORDS: HbA1c; Obesity; Type 2 diabetes mellitus

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MULLIGAN (SNAGS) AND MAITLAND MOBILIZATION IN NECK PAIN

Objectives: Comparative Study of Mulligan (SNAGs) and Maitland’s Mobilization in Neck Pain. Design: Randomized Control Trial. Methodology: A total of 50 patients were included as per pre define inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned into two groups each having 25 patients. Group A was given conventional therapy (Active, Isometrics exercises, moist hot packs) plus SNAG while Group B was given conventional therapy (Active, Isometrics exercises, moist hot packs) plus Maitland’s mobilization for 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week one session per day. The patient’s outcome measures were assessed by visual analog scale, NDI (Neck disability Index) and Goniometry for Cervical Range of Motion. Pre and post treatment values were recorded for comparison of results. Results: Results revealed that means and S.D of both group were clinically significant but statically the Group of patients treated with conventional therapy plus SNAGS managed pain (pre=4.25±1.6, post=2.35±0.3), NDI (pre= 15.81±2.5, post= 8.18±1.7) and range of motion (flexion pre=48.9±8.9, post=53.9±4.9, extension pre=55±4.1, post=63.9±3.1, Rt side flexion pre=38.5±2.1, post=43.1±2.0 and lt. side flexion pre=38.5±2.1, post=43.6±1.8, Rt side rotation pre= 61.7±6.3, post=65.7±5.5) lt. side rotation pre=60.5±3.01, post=67.6±3.5) is not better than group of patient treated with conventional therapy plus Maitland’s mobilization in terms of pain (pre=4.27±1.5, post=1.73±0.19), NDI (pre=17.1±3.31, post=8.10±1.10) and range of motion (flexion pre=48.5±4.7, post=56.7±6.5,extension pre=57.1±4.8, post=67.9±3.9, Rt side flexion pre=35.6±2.9 post=43.1±2.2, lt Side flexion pre=38.1±2.1, post=42.5±2.0, Rt side rotation pre=58.5±5.5 post=67.1.±5.4, lt Side rotation pre=59.6±5.6, post=67.7±4.3. Conclusion: The result of study suggests that both SNAG and Maitland’s improves the symptoms of Neck pain. Better improvement was shown by Maitland’s group than SNAGs group. Based on these results Maitland mobilization with conventional therapy should be the treatment of choice for Neck pain rather than SNAGs with conventional therapy.  Article visualizations

One Review on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

The fuel cell is a highly efficient electrochemical clean energy conversion device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by reacting gaseous fuel (H+) with oxidizing gas (O2-) though a solid ion conducting electrolyte with reduced greenhouse gas emission and reduced oil consumption. FC generates high alteration efficiencies as compared to the other available conventional combustion engine mechanical approaches. The working principle of batteries and fuel cell are analogues to each other for the production of electricity. Oxygen pass through the cathode and hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels supply through the anode, and then the electrochemical reaction takes place at the electrode/electrolyte interface due to the active charge carrier passing through the electrolyte, thereby releasing the electrons into external circuit to generate electricity without pollution. There is no need to store energy as it is a continuous reforming process as long as both fuel and oxidant are provided in the fuel cell continuously. Thus, the main characteristic of a fuel cell is the production of highly efficient energy with negligible pollution. Thus, in the 21st century, energy technology such as fuel cell becomes a key determinant factor of economic development and is essential to raising the living standards in the form of the most influencing and challenging alternating source of generation of electricity

Sex-specific effects of microbiome perturbations on cerebral Aβ amyloidosis and microglia phenotypes.

We demonstrated that an antibiotic cocktail (ABX)-perturbed gut microbiome is associated with reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque pathology and astrogliosis in the male amyloid precursor protein (APP)SWE /presenilin 1 (PS1)ΔE9 transgenic model of Aβ amyloidosis. We now show that in an independent, aggressive APPSWE/PS1L166P (APPPS1-21) mouse model of Aβ amyloidosis, an ABX-perturbed gut microbiome is associated with a reduction in Aβ pathology and alterations in microglial morphology, thus establishing the generality of the phenomenon. Most importantly, these latter alterations occur only in brains of male mice, not in the brains of female mice. Furthermore, ABX treatment lead to alterations in levels of selected microglial expressed transcripts indicative of the "M0" homeostatic state in male but not in female mice. Finally, we found that transplants of fecal microbiota from age-matched APPPS1-21 male mice into ABX-treated APPPS1-21 male restores the gut microbiome and partially restores Aβ pathology and microglial morphology, thus demonstrating a causal role of the microbiome in the modulation of Aβ amyloidosis and microglial physiology in mouse models of Aβ amyloidosis

Food and Migration: Dietary Acculturation among Migrants to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a large migrant workforce particularly from North Africa, other Gulf states and South Asia. Migration influences food behavior; however, the change is not often health conducive. This study aimed to investigate the dietary acculturation among 880 migrants and their families in a large University in the Kingdoms’ capital city, Riyadh. Methods: A cross sectional study design was used based on 2 questionnaires; Rosenmoller et al’s and the WHO STEPS surveillance tool for chronic disease surveillance. Data on length of residency, dietary patterns, anthropometric and biochemical measurements were collected by trained interviewers. Descriptive statistics were reported as a percentage or mean, as appropriate. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test or independent t test, Univariate and Multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to compare the significance between variables. Results: Both male and female participants showed a similar mean age (39.7 and 38.5 years). Approximately 61% of them had <5 year’s duration of residency. Significant gender differences were observed in blood pressure and biochemical measurements, with men showing higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and dyslipidemia than women (P < .001). Women had significantly higher BMI (P < .001), showed higher mean food practice (P < .001) and awareness scores than men. Conclusions: Migration into Saudi Arabia from this subgroup showed marked changes in the food practice; acquisition of unhealthy dietary practices also co-existed despite improved awareness and the presence of comorbidities. Findings from this study have relevance to other migrant communities and public health policy