Assessment of quality of life in patients on antiepileptic drugs: a hospital based cross sectional study

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is a broad, multidimensional concept that usually includes subjective evaluations of both positive and negative aspects of life. Very few studies have been carried out on QOLIE 31 in India and research in this area will identify factors affecting QOL. study was therefore conducted to determine the level of health related QOL of patients of epilepsy in a tertiary care teaching hospital. To evaluate patterns of the use of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and their impact on the Quality of Life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy.Methods: The study was a hospital based cross sectional study conducted by the Department of Pharmacology in association with the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar. A total number of 134 patients, aged >18 years were studied for a period of one and a half years, January 2015-July 2016. QOLIE‑31 questionnaire was used for collecting data on health‑related QOL.Results: The mean overall QOLIE-31 score was 53 corresponding to a t-score of 44. Amongst the QOLIE-31 subscales, the highest mean score was the cognitive subscale (73.6) followed by medication effects (55.5) and social functions (52).Conclusions: It is evident from our study that there are many factors that influence QOL of people with epilepsy. Among them, type of drug therapy plays an important role. Adding clinical counselling and other interventions to address the physical, mental, psychological, social, and emotional aspects of health wellbeing is likely to achieve better health outcomes for epilepsy patients

Fourth-generation SM imprints in B -> K^*l^+l^- decays with polarized K^*

The implication of the fourth-generation quarks in the B -> K^*l^+l^- (l=mu,tau) decays, when K^* meson is longitudinally or transversely polarized, is presented. In this context, the dependence of the branching ratio with polarized K^* and the helicity fractions (f_{L,T}) of K^* meson are studied. It is observed that the polarized branching ratios as well as helicity fractions are sensitive to the NP parameters, especially when the final state leptons are tauons. Hence the measurements of these observables at LHC can serve as a good tool to investigate the indirect searches of new physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, V2: some of the graphs are modified according to the new data from recent experiments. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1107.569

An end-user perspective on Organ-on-a-Chip: Assays and usability aspects

Analytical BioScience

PREVALENCE OF PULMONARY CRYPTOCOCCOSIS IN HIV/AIDS PATIENTS

Cryptococcus neoformans causes both pulmonary and meninges infection in healthy and immunocompromised hosts. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary cryptococcosis in HIV/AIDS patients and assess the clinical presentations due to the infection. The subjects recruited for this study were confirmed HIV/AIDS patients, presenting with pneumonia complications. The demographic and clinical features were abstracted from the medical records and administered questionnaire. Early morning sputum samples were collected from the patients and examined by bacteriological methods. The isolated Cryptococcus neoformans were sub-cultured onto thistle bird seed agar and the identity was confirmed with API 20C Kit. Out of 250 patients investigated, 47 (18.8%) had pulmonary cryptococcosis. The C.neoformans isolates were more in females, 26 (10.4%) than the males, 21 (8.4%), while the age group of 20-40 years old had 39 (15.6%) isolates. The clinical features that were associated with the pulmonary cryptococcosis were the production of purulent and bloody sputum, and fever. The patients with prolonged duration of HIV/AIDS and are not on HAART regimens had higher C.neoformans isolates. The isolation of C.neoformans from HIV/AIDS patients is a major public health concern, since it complicates the severity of the disease. There is a need for routine check of pulmonary cryptococcosis, especially, in those who do not avail themselves for antiretroviral therapy

A Critical Tryptophan and Ca2+ in Activation and Catalysis of TPPI, the Enzyme Deficient in Classic Late-Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Tripeptidyl aminopeptidase I (TPPI) is a crucial lysosomal enzyme that is deficient in the fatal neurodegenerative disorder called classic late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL). It is involved in the catabolism of proteins in the lysosomes. Recent X-ray crystallographic studies have provided insights into the structural/functional aspects of TPPI catalysis, and indicated presence of an octahedrally coordinated Ca(2+).Purified precursor and mature TPPI were used to study inhibition by NBS and EDTA using biochemical and immunological approaches. Site-directed mutagenesis with confocal imaging technique identified a critical W residue in TPPI activity, and the processing of precursor into mature enzyme.NBS is a potent inhibitor of the purified TPPI. In mammalian TPPI, W542 is critical for tripeptidyl peptidase activity as well as autocatalysis. Transfection studies have indicated that mutants of the TPPI that harbor residues other than W at position 542 have delayed processing, and are retained in the ER rather than transported to lysosomes. EDTA inhibits the autocatalytic processing of the precursor TPPI.We propose that W542 and Ca(2+) are critical for maintaining the proper tertiary structure of the precursor proprotein as well as the mature TPPI. Additionally, Ca(2+) is necessary for the autocatalytic processing of the precursor protein into the mature TPPI. We have identified NBS as a potent TPPI inhibitor, which led in delineating a critical role for W542 residue. Studies with such compounds will prove valuable in identifying the critical residues in the TPPI catalysis and its structure-function analysis

Metabolic response of blood vessels to TNF alpha

TNF alpha signaling in the vascular endothelium elicits multiple inflammatory responses that drive vascular destabilization and leakage. Bioactive lipids are main drivers of these processes. In vitro mechanistic studies of bioactive lipids have been largely based on two-dimensional endothelial cell cultures that, due to lack of laminar flow and the growth of the cells on noncompliant stiff substrates, often display a pro-inflammatory phenotype. This complicates the assessment of inflammatory processes. Three-dimensional microvessels-on-a-chip models provide a unique opportunity to generate endothelial microvessels in a more physiological environment. Using an optimized targeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measurements of a panel of pro- and anti-inflammatory bioactive lipids, we measure the profile changes upon administration of TNF alpha. We demonstrate that bioactive lipid profiles can be readily detected from three-dimensional microvessels-on-a-chip and display a more dynamic, less inflammatory response to TNF alpha, that resembles more the human situation, compared to classical two-dimensional endothelial cell cultures.Analytical BioScience

Advancing research on emergency care systems in low-income and middle-income countries: ensuring high-quality care delivery systems

Emergency care systems (ECS) address a wide range of acute conditions, including emergent conditions from communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, pregnancy and injury. Together, ECS represent an area of great potential for reducing morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is estimated that up to 54% of annual deaths in LMICs could be addressed by improved prehospital and facility-based emergency care. Research is needed to identify strategies for enhancing ECS to optimise prevention and treatment of conditions presenting in this context, yet significant gaps persist in defining critical research questions for ECS studies in LMICs. The Collaborative on Enhancing Emergency Care Research in LMICs seeks to promote research that improves immediate and long-term outcomes for clients and populations with emergent conditions. The objective of this paper is to describe systems approaches and research strategies for ECS in LMICs, elucidate priority research questions and methodology, and present a selection of studies addressing the operational, implementation, policy and health systems domains of health systems research as an approach to studying ECS. Finally, we briefly discuss limitations and the next steps in developing ECS-oriented interventions and research

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery III: Training and Robotic-Assisted Approaches.

Minimally invasive mitral valve operations are increasingly common in the United States, but robotic-assisted approaches have not been widely adopted for a variety of reasons. This expert opinion reviews the state of the art and defines best practices, training, and techniques for developing a successful robotics program

Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery I: Patient Selection, Evaluation, and Planning.

Widespread adoption of minimally invasive mitral valve repair and replacement may be fostered by practice consensus and standardization. This expert opinion, first of a 3-part series, outlines current best practices in patient evaluation and selection for minimally invasive mitral valve procedures, and discusses preoperative planning for cannulation and myocardial protection