Role of probiotics in prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is one of the common emergencies in preterm neonates which are associated with high morbidity and mortality despite recent advances in neonatal care. Probiotics may be one of the most effective therapies for the prevention of NEC. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of probiotics in reducing the incidence of NEC in preterm newborns. Methods: This was a prospective randomized control study conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 140 preterm newborns of gestation ≤34 weeks of age were enroled in the final analysis. The recruited newborns were randomized into intervention group and control group by simple random sampling method. The intervention group was fed probiotics mixed with expressed breast milk, and the control group was fed with milk alone. Result: The incidence of NEC in probiotics group was significantly lower than in the control group (2.86% vs. 11.43%), (p=0.04). Although there were no significant differences in the initial presentation of NEC between the two groups, those in the study group who developed NEC had less severe disease, based on Bell’s staging criteria. There was no significant difference in terms of age in diagnosis of NEC and in age at which birth weight is gained between the two groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference in duration of hospital stay (15.62±2.84 vs. 23.54±3.43 days; p<0.001) and time to reach full feed (15.82±3.15 vs. 20.22±2.14; p<0.001). There was no significant difference in incidence of overall mortality (p=0.209; relative risk [RR] 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.029–2.18) and sepsis rate (p=0.673; RR 1.15, 95% CI: 0.593–2.243) between the two groups. Conclusion: Probiotics supplementation reduced the incidence and severity of NEC in the preterm neonates. This resulted in shorter duration of hospital stay and faster achievement of full oral feeds

A comparative clinical study on the efficacy of Siravyadha and Agnikarma in the management of Snayugata Vata affecting Kurpara Sandhi vis-à-vis Tennis Elbow

Background: Snayugatavata (fibromyalgia) affecting Koorpara Sandhi (elbow joint) is one among pain predominant Vata Vyadhi. Tennis elbow is a musculoskeletal, degenerative disorder affecting elbow joint. Acharya Sushruta has mentioned Siravyadha (blood letting) for Snayurogas and Agnikarma (thermal cautery) as specific Chikitsa for Snayuroga.[1] As similar features are shared, the study has been taken up to see the efficacy of Siravyadha and Agnikarma affecting Koorparasandhi in comparison to tennis elbow. Objective: To study the clinical effect of Agnikarma (thermal cautery) in Snayugatavata affecting Kurparasandhi (elbow joint) vis-à-vis Tennis elbow. Method: The method used in the study is single blind clinical study with pre-test and post-test design. 40 patients suffering from Snayugatavata of either sex were selected and divided into two groups. Group A patients were subjected to Agnikarma at maximum point of tenderness and Group B patients were subjected to Siravyadha. Both modalities were done for only once and studied for 28 days. The data during the study was recorded and analysed statistically. Result: The study confirms Agnikarma and Siravyadha are effective in the treatment of Snayugatavata and later being the more effective in comparison statistically

A monoclinic polymorph of 1-(4-chloro­phen­yl)-3-(4-methoxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

The crystal structure of the title compound, C16H13ClO2 (II), (space group P21/c,) is a polymorph of the structure, (I), reported by Harrison, Yathirajan, Sarojini, Narayana & Indira [Acta Cryst. (2006), E62, o1647–o1649] in the ortho­rhom­bic space group Pna21. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the 4-chloro- and 4-meth­oxy-substituted benzene rings is 52.9 (1)° in (II) compared to 21.82 (6)° for polymorph (I). The dihedral angles between the mean planes of the prop-2-en-1-one group and those of the 4-chloro­phenyl and 4-methoxy­phenyl rings are 23.3 (3) and 33.7 (1)°, respectively. in (II). The corresponding values are 17.7 (1) and 6.0 (3)°, respectively, in polymorph (I). In the crystal, weak C—H⋯π inter­actions are observed

Bacteriological profile, antibiotic sensitivity pattern, and detection of extended‑spectrum β-lactamase in the isolates of urinary tract infection from children

Background: Appropriate use of antibiotic in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) is essential so as to curb the spread of drug-resistantorganisms. Objectives: To study the bacteriological profile and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in children with UTI and to determine theprevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species. Methods: This prospectivestudy was conducted from October 2010 to September 2011. The children between age group of 3 and 14 years who attended PediatricDepartment at a tertiary care hospital were included in the study. Single midstream urine specimen was collected from each patient withsuspected UTI. Result: Out of 184 urine samples with suspected UTI, 122 children had culture-proven UTI. Of 122 cases, 81 (66.39%)cases were seen in females. The most common organism isolated was E. coli (50%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (23.77%) andEnterococcus species (8.19%). E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Citrobacter freundii, and Proteus mirabilis responded better to nitrofurantoin (NIT)(76.8%). Ceftriaxone (79.12%), cefotaxime (74.8%), and cefixime (71.7%) showed higher sensitivity as compared to ceftazidime (63.4%)and cefoperazone (CPZ) (59.4%). Among aminoglycosides, amikacin (82.4%) had a better response as compared to gentamicin (64.6%). Outof 61 E. coli and 31 Klebsiella species, 35 (38.04%) were ESBL producers. The sensitivity of these organisms to imipenem was 100% with agood response to meropenem, CPZ-sulbactam, and piperacillin-tazobactam. Conclusion: E. coli and Klebsiella spp. were the most commonisolates and many of them were ESBL producers. NIT seemed to be a reasonable alternative to cephalosporins for the treatment of UTIs inchildren. Carbapenems were found to be effective in ESBLs and non-ESBL producing uropathogens and can be considered as reserve drugs

Gene Transfer of Engineered Calmodulin Alleviates Ventricular Arrhythmias in a Calsequestrin-Associated Mouse Model of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a familial arrhythmogenic syndrome characterized by sudden death. There are several genetic forms of CPVT associated with mutations in genes encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and its auxiliary proteins including calsequestrin (CASQ2) and calmodulin (CaM). It has been suggested that impairment of the ability of RyR2 to stay closed (ie, refractory) during diastole may be a common mechanism for these diseases. Here, we explore the possibility of engineering CaM variants that normalize abbreviated RyR2 refractoriness for subsequent viral-mediated delivery to alleviate arrhythmias in non-CaM-related CPVT

(2E)-1-(2-Bromo­phen­yl)-3-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title compound, C16H13BrO2, two benzene rings form a dihedral angle of 44.3 (9)°. In the crystal, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into chains propagating in [010]. The crystal packing also exhibits short Br⋯Br contacts of 3.4787 (8) Å. A comparison of the DFT-optimized gas-phase mol­ecular geometry with that in the crystal structure revealed only small differences

Gene Transfer of Engineered Calmodulin Alleviates Ventricular Arrhythmias in a Calsequestrin-Associated Mouse Model of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

BACKGROUND: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a familial arrhythmogenic syndrome characterized by sudden death. There are several genetic forms of CPVT associated with mutations in genes encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) and its auxiliary proteins including calsequestrin (CASQ2) and calmodulin (CaM). It has been suggested that impairment of the ability of RyR2 to stay closed (ie, refractory) during diastole may be a common mechanism for these diseases. Here, we explore the possibility of engineering CaM variants that normalize abbreviated RyR2 refractoriness for subsequent viral-mediated delivery to alleviate arrhythmias in non-CaM-related CPVT. METHODS AND RESULTS: To that end, we have designed a CaM protein (GSH-M37Q; dubbed as therapeutic CaM or T-CaM) that exhibited a slowed N-terminal Ca dissociation rate and prolonged RyR2 refractoriness in permeabilized myocytes derived from CPVT mice carrying the CASQ2 mutation R33Q. This T-CaM was introduced to the heart of R33Q mice through recombinant adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9. Eight weeks postinfection, we performed confocal microscopy to assess Ca handling and recorded surface ECGs to assess susceptibility to arrhythmias in vivo. During catecholamine stimulation with isoproterenol, T-CaM reduced isoproterenol-promoted diastolic Ca waves in isolated CPVT cardiomyocytes. Importantly, T-CaM exposure abolished ventricular tachycardia in CPVT mice challenged with catecholamines. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that gene transfer of T-CaM by adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 improves myocyte Ca handling and alleviates arrhythmias in a calsequestrin-associated CPVT model, thus supporting the potential of a CaM-based antiarrhythmic approach as a therapeutic avenue for genetically distinct forms of CPV

(E)-1-(4-Bromo­phen­yl)-3-(2-meth­oxy­phen­yl)prop-2-en-1-one

In the title compound, C16H13BrO2, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the meth­oxy- and bromo-substituted benzene rings is 24.6 (1)°. The angles between the mean plane of the prop-2-en-1-one group and the 4-bromo­phenyl and 2-meth­oxy­phenyl ring planes are 18.8 (1) and 6.0 (1)°, respectively