Design of a gait acquisition and analysis system for assessing the recovery in a classical murine model of Parkinson's disease

Includes bibliographical references.2015 Fall.Gait deficits are important clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Data focusing on gait can be used to measure recovery of motor impairments in rodents with systemic dopamine depletion. This thesis presents a design for a gait acquisition and analysis system able to capture paw strikes of a mouse, extract their positions and timing data, and report quantitative gait metrics to the operator. These metrics can then be used to evaluate the gait changes in mice. This work presents the design evaluation of the system, from initial cellphone captured video concepts through prototyping and testing to the final implementation. The system utilizes a GoPro camera, optimally lit walkway design, image processing techniques to capture footfalls, and algorithms for their quantitative assessment. The results gained from live animal study with methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced murine model of PD and treated with 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)methane (C-DIM12) are presented, and it is shown how the quantitative measurements can be used to determine healthy, injured, and recovering gait

INVESTIGATION OF IN VITRO METABOLITES OF ETODOLAC IN HUMAN HEPATIC CELL LINE AND CHICKEN LIVER TISSUE USING LC-MS/MS

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro metabolic profile of etodolac (ETD) using normal human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue, and to characterize the metabolites obtained using Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Methods: In the present study, the metabolic profile of ETD, a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was investigated in normal human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue employing LC-MS/MS technique. The structural details on ETD metabolites were acquired using triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LCMS-8040, Shimadzu). The metabolites were produced by incubation of ETD with the human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue, at 37 °C for 24 h. The incubated extracts were analyzed with LC-MS/MS and their production spectra were acquired, interpreted and tentative structures were proposed.Results: Six phase I and phase II metabolites were successfully detected in the proposed study. The metabolic changes observed included-oxidation, N-acetylation, hydrogenation, decarboxylation, methylation and glucuronidation of dehydrogenated ETD. The tentative structures of the metabolites were postulated based on the chemical reactions predicted and the LC-MS/MS data obtained.Conclusion: The in vitro metabolites of ETD were successfully investigated and characterized in human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue. Also, both the models were found to be equally effective for carrying out the in vitro metabolic study of ETD.Keywords: Etodolac, Metabolites, Hepatic cell lines, Chicken liver tissue, LC, LC-MS/M

STUDY OF THE IN-VITRO METABOLIC PROFILE OF AMLODIPINE IN HUMAN HEPATIC CELL LINE AND CHICKEN LIVER TISSUE USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY/MASS SPECTROMETRY

ABSTRACTObjective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the in-vitro metabolic profile of Amlodipine (AMD) using normal human hepatic celllines and chicken liver tissue and to characterize the metabolites obtained using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Methods: In the present study, the metabolic profile of AMD, a well-known calcium channel blocker, was investigated in normal human hepatic celllines and chicken liver tissue employing LC-MS/MS technique. The structural details on AMD metabolites were acquired using triple quadrupole massspectrometer (LCMS-8040, Shimadzu). The metabolites were produced by incubation of AMD with the human hepatic cell lines and chicken livertissue at 37 °C for 24 h. The incubated extracts were analyzed on LC-MS/MS and their product ion spectra were acquired, interpreted and tentativestructures were proposed.Results: Twelve Phase I and Phase II metabolites were successfully detected in the proposed study. The main metabolic changes observed were oxidativedeamination, N-acetylation, de-esterification, hydrogenation, de-methylation, aliphatic hydroxylation, and glucuronidation of dehydrogenated AMD.Based on this information, the tentative structures of the metabolites were postulated.Conclusion: The in-vitro metabolites of AMD were successfully investigated and characterized in human hepatic cell lines and chicken liver tissue.Furthermore, both models were found to be equally effective for carrying out the in-vitro metabolic study of AMD.Keywords: Amlodipine, Metabolites, Hepatic cell lines, Chicken liver tissue, Liquid chromatography, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry

Assessment of Microbial Air Quality of Nashik City with Particular Reference to Mucorales Fungi, and in Vitro Evaluation of Two Triazole Antifungal Drugs against the Prevalent Mucor Species

Air pollution particularly that of particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 2.10), carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ammonia, lead, and air microbial contaminants, has serious consequences on human health. Air pollution in metros and cities around the world is measured for the above parameters except for the microbial air contaminants. However, microbial air contaminants are important sources of microbial infection in humans and particularly airborne fungi are known to cause diseases like Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients which are about 160 million in the world.In the year 2021, Mucormycosis disease was reported as a post-covid infection in several states of India as a fatal disease caused by a black fungus (Mucor) prevalent in the atmospheric air. In the present study, we assessed the microbial air quality (colony forming unit of microbes/m3 of air) of Nashik city air, in India, for its microbial contaminant, particularly Mucor sp., and further the prevalent Mucor sp. was evaluated for its reaction to two triazole antifungal drugs viz. Itraconazole and Fluconazole available in medical stores.The air quality index of 90 CFU/tidal volume for Mucor species was regarded as safe, based on the studies. Both the triazole drugs at their active ingredient concentration (1000 µg/mL) were unable to check the growth of Mucor fungi. The paper discussed in detail the methods for enumeration of microbial contaminant/m3 of air and in tidal volume

Recommendations for cervical cancer prevention and control in Ghana: public education and human papillomavirus vaccination

Globally, cervical cancer is a major public health issue causing increasing morbidity and mortality especially in low and middle-income countries where preventive and control measures are lacking. In Ghana, it is the most common cancer among women. Approaches to reduce the incidence and mortality of the disease in Ghana have had little success due to lack of accurate data on the disease among other factors, to inform policies on prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, the lack of clear commitment, policy direction and resources has hinderedthe scale-up of some of the initiatives implemented to curb the cervical cancer situation in Ghana. In this paper, we make recommendations on cervical cancer education and human papillomavirus vaccination. A collaborative approach is needed involving both private and government organizations, health professionals and the general public. Public education on cervical cancer and HPV vaccination needs to be delivered through a mixture of systems including both healthcare facilities and outreach programs, involving teachers, youth groups, community members and professional bodies. The vaccination of adolescents aged 10-14 years using the nonavalent HPV vaccine will beimportant in reducing the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in Ghana. The integration of public education on cervical cancer prevention, HPV vaccination and screening programs into both medical and public health services is critical in achieving high coverage of these programs.Funding: NoneKeywords: Cervical cancer, Education, HPV vaccination, Prevention, Ghan

Ionic liquid-catalyzed green protocol for multi-component synthesis of dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles as potential anticancer scaffolds

A series of 6-amino-4-substituted-3-methyl-2,4-dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitriles 5a–j were synthesized via one-pot, four-component condensation reactions of aryl aldehydes 1a–j, propanedinitrile (2), hydrazine hydrate (3) and ethyl acetoacetate (4) under solvent-free conditions. We report herein the use of the Brønsted acid ionic liquid (BAIL) triethylammonium hydrogen sulphate [Et3NH][HSO4] as catalyst for this multi-component synthesis. Compared with the available reaction methodology, this new method has consistent advantages, including excellent yields, a short reaction time, mild reaction conditions and catalyst reusability. Selected synthesized derivatives were evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity against four human cancer cell lines viz. melanoma cancer cell line (SK-MEL-2), breast cancer cell line(MDA-MB-231), leukemia cancer cell line (K-562) and cervical cancer cell line (HeLa). Compounds 5b, 5d, 5g, 5h and 5j exhibited promising anticancer activity against all selected human cancer cell lines, except HeLa. Molecular docking studies also confirmed 5b and 5d as good lead molecules. An in silico ADMET study of the synthesized anticancer agents indicated good oral drug-like behavior and non-toxic nature.UDN is very much thankful to Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI, Pune, India) for financial supportS

Multi-centre point-prevalence survey of hospital-acquired infections in Ghana

Background: There is a paucity of data describing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Africa. Objective: To describe the prevalence and distribution of HAIs in acute care hospitals in Ghana. Methods: Between September and December 2016, point-prevalence surveys were conducted in participating hospitals using protocols of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Medical records of eligible inpatients at or before 8am on the survey date were reviewed to identify HAIs present at the time of the survey. Findings: Ten hospitals were surveyed, representing 32.9% of all acute care beds in government hospitals. Of 2107 inpatients surveyed, 184 HAIs were identified among 172 patients, corresponding to an overall prevalence of 8.2%. The prevalence values in hospitals ranged from 3.5% to 14.4%, with higher proportions of infections in secondary and tertiary care facilities. The most common HAIs were surgical site infections (32.6%), bloodstream infections (19.5%), urinary tract infections (18.5%) and respiratory tract infections (16.3%). Device-associated infections accounted for 7.1% of HAIs. For 12.5% of HAIs, a micro-organism was reported; the most commonly isolated micro-organism was Escherichia coli. Approximately 61% of all patients surveyed were on antibiotics; 89.5% of patients with an HAI received at least one antimicrobial agent on the survey date. The strongest independent predictors for HAI were the presence of an invasive device before onset of infection and duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: A low HAI burden was found compared with findings from other low- and middle-income countries

Evaluation of Nutritional, Phytochemical, and Mineral Composition of Selected Medicinal Plants for Therapeutic Uses from Cold Desert of Western Himalaya

The aim of this study was to determine the elemental and nutritive values of leaf parts of 10 selected wild medicinal plants, Acer pictum, Acer caecium, Betula utilis, Oxalis corniculata, Euphorbia pilosa, Heracleum lanatum, Urtica dioica, Berberis lycium, Berberis asiaticaand, and Quercus ilex, collected from the high hills of the Chitkul range in district Kinnaur, Western Himalaya. The nutritional characteristics of medicinal plant species were analyzed by using muffle furnace and micro-Kjeldahl methods, and the mineral content in plants was analyzed through atomic absorption spectrometry. The highest percentage of used value was reported in Betula utilis (0.42) and the lowest in Quercus ilex (0.17). In this study, it was found that new generations are not much interested in traditional knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants due to modernization in society. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants along with their phytochemical and minerals analysis in study sites. It was found that rural people in western Himalaya are dependent on wild medicinal plants, and certain steps must be taken to conserve these plants from extinction in the cold desert of Himalayan region. They are an alternative source of medicine because they contain saponin, alkaloid, and flavonoid etc. as well as minerals. The leaves used for analysis possesses good mineral content, such as Na, N, K, P, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ca, Mg, and S. Hence, in the current study it was observed that medicinal plants are not only used for therapeutic purposes, but they can also be used as nutritional supplements

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used in the Health Care System: Survey of the Mid Hills of Solan District, Himachal Pradesh, India

The study was performed in the mid hills of the Dharampur region in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India. At the study site, a total of 115 medicinal plants were documented (38 trees, 37 herbs, 34 shrubs, 5 climbers, 1 fern, and 1 grass). In the study region, extensive field surveys were performed between March 2020 and August 2021. Indigenous knowledge of wild medicinal plants was collected through questionnaires, discussions, and personal interviews during field trips. Plants with their correct nomenclature were arranged by botanical name, family, common name, habitat, parts used, routes used, and diseases treated. In the present study, the predominant family was Rosaceae, which represented the maximum number of plant species, 10, followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae, which represented 8 plant species. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region in the Solan district have been using local plants for primary health care and the treatment of various diseases for a longer time. However, information related to the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants was not documented. The rural inhabitants of the Dharampur region reported that the new generation is not so interested in traditional knowledge of medicinal plants due to modernization in society, so there is an urgent need to document ethnomedicinal plants before such knowledge becomes inaccessible and extinct