Greater Skeletal Gains in Ovary Intact Rats at Maturity Are Achieved by Supplementing a Standardized Extract of Butea monosperma

With a longitudinally designed study, we tested whether an acetone soluble fraction (ASF) from the stem bark of Butea monosperma resulted in maximizing bone gain in rats during growth and maturation and thus protected against osteopenia following ovariectomy (OVx) with concomitant treatment withdrawal. Female rats at weaning were given ASF (100 mg/kg/d) or vehicle for 12 weeks, and baseline skeletal parameters (micro-CT) and total plasma antioxidant status (TAS) were measured. At this stage, one group was OVx and the other group was sham operated. Vehicle group (untreated) after OVx was given E2 or continued with vehicle (OVx control). ASF group after OVx was given vehicle (ASF withdrawn, ASFW). After another 12 weeks, all groups were killed and various skeletal parameters were determined. ASF resulted in substantially better skeletal parameters and higher plasma TAS over control at maturity. Rats treated with ASF before OVx had reduced rates of bone loss compared to OVx control. Twelve weeks after OVx, the ASFW group exhibited better trabecular microarchitectural preservation, bone turnover profiles, increased cortical deposition, and biomechanical strength over the OVx control, and the effects were comparable to OVx + E2 group. ASF supplementation during skeletal growth could maximize bone accrual and could confer increased resistance to post-OVx osteopenia despite treatment withdrawal

Greater Skeletal Gains in Ovary Intact Rats at Maturity Are Achieved by Supplementing a Standardized Extract of Butea monosperma Stem Bark that Confers Better Bone Conserving Effect following Ovariectomy and Concurrent Treatment Withdrawal

With a longitudinally designed study, we tested whether an acetone soluble fraction (ASF) from the stem bark of Butea monosperma resulted in maximizing bone gain in rats during growth and maturation and thus protected against osteopenia following ovariectomy (OVx) with concomitant treatment withdrawal. Female rats at weaning were given ASF (100 mg/kg/d) or vehicle for 12 weeks, and baseline skeletal parameters (micro-CT) and total plasma antioxidant status (TAS) were measured. At this stage, one group was OVx and the other group was sham operated. Vehicle group (untreated) after OVx was given E2 or continued with vehicle (OVx control). ASF group after OVx was given vehicle (ASF withdrawn, ASFW). After another 12 weeks, all groups were killed and various skeletal parameters were determined. ASF resulted in substantially better skeletal parameters and higher plasma TAS over control at maturity. Rats treated with ASF before OVx had reduced rates of bone loss compared to OVx control. Twelve weeks after OVx, the ASFW group exhibited better trabecular microarchitectural preservation, bone turnover profiles, increased cortical deposition, and biomechanical strength over the OVx control, and the effects were comparable to OVx + E2 group. ASF supplementation during skeletal growth could maximize bone accrual and could confer increased resistance to postOVx osteopenia despite treatment withdrawal

Investigational anabolic therapies for osteoporosis

Importance of the field: Anabolic therapy, or stimulating the function of bone-forming osteoblasts, is the preferred pharmacological intervention for osteoporosis. Areas covered in this review: We reviewed bone anabolic agents currently under active investigation. The bone anabolic potential of IGF-I and parathyroid hormone-related protein is discussed in the light of animal data and human studies. We also discuss the use of antagonists of the calcium-sensing receptor (calcilytics) as orally administered small molecules capable of transiently elevating serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). Further, we reviewed novel anabolic agents targeting members of the wingless tail (Wnt) signaling family that regulate bone formation including DKK-1, sclerostin, Thp1, and glycogen synthase kinase 3β . We have also followed up on the promise shown by β -blockers in modulating the activity of sympathetic nervous system, thus affecting bone anabolism. We give critical consideration to neutralizing the activity of activin A, a negative regulator of bone mass by soluble activin receptor IIA, as a strategy to promote bone formation. What the reader will gain: Update on various strategies to promote osteoblast function currently under evaluation. Take home message: In spite of favorable results in experimental models, none of these strategies has yet achieved the ultimate goal of providing an alternative to injectable PTH, the sole anabolic therapy in clinical use

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF EFFECT OF LABOUR INDUCTION ON MECONIUM ASPIRATION AND FOETAL OUTCOME

Objective: Labor induction is a widely used procedure to initiate artificial uterine contractions, but its impact on meconium aspiration and fetal outcome needs further investigation, as meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) poses significant risks to the newborn, including respiratory distress and other complications. Methods: This prospective observational study evaluates labor induction and evaluate the occurrence of meconium aspiration and overall fetal outcomes. Data from a tertiary care hospital were analyzed, including mode of induction, gestational age, Bishop score, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, Apgar scores, NICU admissions, and other relevant parameters. Statistical analysis was conducted to identify significant associations. Results: This observational study aimed to explore the relationship between labor induction and meconium aspiration, as well as their impact on fetal well-being. Data analysis identified correlations between labor induction techniques, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and neonatal outcomes, offering valuable insights for clinical decision-making and optimizing fetal outcomes. Conclusion: The impact of labor induction on meconium aspiration and fetal outcomes was investigated in this study, providing valuable insights for healthcare professionals and contributing to the improvement of safety guidelines for obstetric care

Anticancer potential of algae-derived metabolites: recent updates and breakthroughs

Abstract Background Cancer is an increasing medical condition that poses a threat to worldwide populations, despite improvements in scientific research. For normal cancer treatment, a variety of chemotherapeutics, radiation, and medications are available; however, recurrent side effects and multi-drug resistance have limited treatment options and harmed our immune system. Marine algae are a promising source of novel components for the development of new complementary and alternative medications with anti-carcinogenic properties. Results In this review, we discussed several breakthrough studies on the anti-carcinogenic effects of several macro- and micro-algal components, demonstrating the inhibition of cancer cell development via multiple mechanisms. These components, often referred to as algal biopolymers, have been demonstrated to exhibit a wide range of chemical compositions and physical properties; as a result, they are used in pharmacological, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and microbiological applications in different sectors. Moreover, treatment of antimicrobial-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection-derived gastric cancer prevention may benefit from the use of algae in addition to standard antibiotics. Additionally, in recent years, it has been shown that algae have incredibly promising low-cost biomedical potentials as therapeutic applications for the treatment of cancer. Conclusion In recent years, several preclinical studies with the algal bioactive components in the field of novel drug discovery substituting synthetic drugs have been conducted. To demonstrate their potential anticancer actions on various cancerous signaling pathways and consequently reduce cancer, the enormous plasticity of these algae biopolymers has been intensively explored

Dyslipidemia in pregnancy may contribute to increased risk of neural tube defects -a pilot study in north Indian population

The paper addresses the simultneous determination of goup-sparse loadings by block optimization, and the correlated problem of defining explained variance for a set of non orthogonal components. We give in both cases a comprehensive mathematical presentation of the problem, which leads to propose i) a new formulation/algorithm for group-sparse block PCA and ii) a framework for the definition of explained variance with the analysis of five definitions. The numerical results i) confirm the superiority of block optimization over deflation for the determination of group-sparse loadings, and the importance of group information when available, and ii) show that ranking of algorithms according to explained variance is essentially independant of the definition of explained variance. These results lead to propose a new optimal variance as the definition of choice for explained variance

Case Report - A case of autoimmune myopathy in pregnancy

Autoimmune diseases are not found frequently with pregnancy in clinical practice. Polymyositis Dermatomyositis have a prevalence of 2.4-10.7/ 100,000 in general population. This is further low in pregnant women. It is associated with 57% perinatal morbidity and increased maternal and fetal mortality. Literature suggests that pregnancy outcomes are poorer if it manifests early in gestation while development or exacerbation in second or third trimester is associated with a better fetal prognosis. Not many case reports are published where the disease was diagnosed in third trimester. We present a case detected in third trimester, which was initially mistaken as a case of allergic reaction, however timely diagnosis and adequate management resulted in good fetal and maternal outcome