Curcumin in the patient with perennial allergic rhinitis with chronic episodic allergic asthma

A 24-year-old man presented with history of severe wheezing in the last 5 days. He had a history of skin allergy since childhood. He had a strong family history of similar complaints present in mother and other sibling. He was diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. He regularly uses ICS/LABA inhaler and fluticasone nasal spray, tablet bilastine 20 mg once daily and oral bronchodilators frequently. Bioavailable curcumin was added to his usual treatment regimen. Bio AV curcumin tab 500 mg (from Edence Life Sciences Pvt Ltd) twice daily was prescribed for 2 months. Curcumin was added to his usual treatment regimen. Curcumin Bio AV tab 500 mg twice daily was prescribed for 2 months followed by once daily dosing regimen which he continued even at 4 months follow up. After giving curcumin his oral steroids requirements reduced significantly while he continues the inhaled medications. Curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Curcumin relieves the symptoms of both asthma and allergic rhinitis. Curcumin was found to exert diverse immunomodulatory effects in these disorders. Curcumin can have a place in the management of allergic rhinitis and asthma

A Cadaveric Study on Morphology and Morphometry of Pectoralis Major Muscle

Background: The Pectoralis Major (PM) muscle is considered one of the key anatomical structures in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The objective is to study the morphology of PM along with a thorough assessment of its dimensions and to note any other anatomic variations. Subjects and Methods: The study was carried out on 30 upper limb specimens (Right 15 & Left 15) of both sexes available in the department of anatomy. The morphometric analysis at the origin and insertion was done and the muscle was thoroughly observed for any other anatomical variations. Results: We observed that the entire length of the clavicle gave origin to the clavicular head in 6.6% of the specimens and the deltopectoral groove was absent in 6.6% of the cases. 66.6% of the specimens showed the continuation of the pectoralis muscle at its insertion along with the brachial fascia. In 3.3% of the cases, the three heads of the pectoralis major were not distinguishable. The mean height at the midclavicular line was found to be 13.8 cm and at the midaxillary line, it was found to be 6.6 cm. The average width was found to be 18.7cm at the origin. The average length at the insertion was found to be 4.8 cm and the height was found to be 0.89cm. Conclusion: The knowledge regarding pectoralis major is imperative for surgeons in performing surgeries in the pectoral region, especially the surgeries involving the mammary gland

Effect of Azadirachta indica and Tamarindus indica leaf extract and evaporative cooling on the quality characteristics and shelf life of sapota (Manilkara zapota)

Tropical fruits such as Sapota (Manilkara zapota) are highly perishable. The main reasons for the quality deterioration of these fruits are field heat and microbial attack, which can be reduced by proper cooling techniques and by using antimicrobial agents. The present study was undertaken to extend the shelf life of Sapota using evaporative cooling and antimicrobial coating, namely, neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and tamarind leaves (Tamarindus indica), at different concentrations (20, 50 and 100%). Coated Sapota fruits were stored for 24 days, whereas uncoated fruits were stored for only 7 days. Both the selected antimicrobial extracts showed antimicrobial activity, and the cooling efficiency of the evaporative cooling chamber was 81-85%. Fruits were cooled to 15-18°C (core temperature), which could enable retention of physio-chemical properties. The results indicated that fruits coated with the highest level (100%) of antimicrobial extract coating (neem leaves and tamarind leaves) and stored under evaporative cooling conditions had the lowest percentage loss in weight (5-7% after 24 days of storage) and good retention of total soluble solids (1-2%), pH (2-3%) and total sugars (3-5%). Thus, coating Sapota fruits with neem leaves and tamarind leaf extracts and storing them under evaporative cooling conditions can be a better way to enhance the shelf life of sapota

Vaccinating Adult Patients with Cirrhosis: Trends over a Decade in the United States

Introduction. The progression of chronic liver disease to cirrhosis involves both innate and adaptive immune system dysfunction resulting in increased risk of infectious complications. Vaccinations against pneumococcus, hepatitis A virus (HAV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are well tolerated and effective in disease prevention and reduction in morbidity and mortality. Prior studies assessing vaccination rates in patients with cirrhosis have specific limitations and to date no study has provided a comprehensive evaluation of vaccination rates in patients with cirrhosis in the United States. Aim. This study assessed vaccination rates for pneumococcus, HAV, and HBV in patients with cirrhosis. Results. Overall 59.7% of patients with cirrhosis received at least 1 vaccination during the study period. Vaccination rates within the same or following year of cirrhosis diagnosis were 19.9%, 7.7%, and 11.0% against pneumococcus, HAV, and HBV, respectively. Trend analysis revealed significant increases in vaccination rates for pneumococcus in all patients with cirrhosis and within subgroups based on age, gender, and presence of concomitant diabetes. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that vaccination rates in patients with cirrhosis remain suboptimal. Ultimately, the use of electronic medical record (EMR) reminders improved communication between healthcare professionals and public health programs to increase awareness are fundamental to reducing morbidity, mortality, and health-care related costs of vaccine preventable diseases in patients with cirrhosis

Single cell analyses of ES cells reveal alternative pluripotent cell states and molecular mechanisms that control self-renewal

Analyses of gene expression in single mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) cultured in serum and LIF revealed the presence of two distinct cell subpopulations with individual gene expression signatures. Comparisons with published data revealed that cells in the first subpopulation are phenotypically similar to cells isolated from the inner cell mass (ICM). In contrast, cells in the second subpopulation appear to be more mature. Pluripotency Gene Regulatory Network (PGRN) reconstruction based on single-cell data and published data suggested antagonistic roles for Oct4 and Nanog in the maintenance of pluripotency states. Integrated analyses of published genomic binding (ChIP) data strongly supported this observation. Certain target genes alternatively regulated by OCT4 and NANOG, such as Sall4 and Zscan10, feed back into the top hierarchical regulator Oct4. Analyses of such incoherent feedforward loops with feedback (iFFL-FB) suggest a dynamic model for the maintenance of mESC pluripotency and self-renewal

Proteins associated with pancreatic cancer survival in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal disease with a dismal prognosis. However, while most patients die within the first year of diagnosis, very rarely, a few patients can survive for >10 years. Better understanding the molecular characteristics of the pancreatic adenocarcinomas from these very-long-term survivors (VLTS) may provide clues for personalized medicine and improve current pancreatic cancer treatment. To extend our previous investigation, we examined the proteomes of individual pancreas tumor tissues from a group of VLTS patients (survival ≥10 years) and short-term survival patients (STS, survival <14 months). With a given analytical sensitivity, the protein profile of each pancreatic tumor tissue was compared to reveal the proteome alterations that may be associated with pancreatic cancer survival. Pathway analysis of the differential proteins identified suggested that MYC, IGF1R and p53 were the top three upstream regulators for the STS-associated proteins, and VEGFA, APOE and TGFβ-1 were the top three upstream regulators for the VLTS-associated proteins. Immunohistochemistry analysis using an independent cohort of 145 PDAC confirmed that the higher abundance of ribosomal protein S8 (RPS8) and prolargin (PRELP) were correlated with STS and VLTS, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that 'High-RPS8 and Low-PRELP' was significantly associated with shorter survival time (HR=2.69, 95% CI 1.46-4.92, P=0.001). In addition, galectin-1, a previously identified protein with its abundance aversely associated with pancreatic cancer survival, was further evaluated for its significance in cancer-associated fibroblasts. Knockdown of galectin-1 in pancreatic cancer-associated fibroblasts dramatically reduced cell migration and invasion. The results from our study suggested that PRELP, LGALS1 and RPS8 might be significant prognostic factors, and RPS8 and LGALS1 could be potential therapeutic targets to improve pancreatic cancer survival if further validated

Hydrogen peroxide is a diffusible paracrine signal for the induction of epithelial cell death by activated myofibroblasts

Cell‐cell signaling roles for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in response to growth factors/cytokines in nonphagocytic cells are not well defined. In this study, we show that fibroblasts isolated from lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) generate extracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in response to the multifunctional cytokine, transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1). In contrast, TGF‐β1 stimulation of small airway epithelial cells (SAECs) does not result in detectable levels of extracellular H2O2. IPF fibroblasts independently stimulated with TGF‐β1 induce loss of viability and death of overlying SAECs when cocultured in a compartmentalized Transwell system. These effects on SAECs are inhibited by the addition of catalase to the coculture system or by the selective enzymatic blockade of H2O2 production by IPF fibroblasts. IPF fibroblasts heterogeneously express α‐smooth muscle actin stress fibers, a marker of myofibroblast differentiation. Cellular localization of H2O2 by a fluorescent‐labeling strategy demonstrated that extracellular secretion of H2O2 is specific to the myofibroblast phenotype. Thus, myofibroblast secretion of H2O2 functions as a diffusible death signal for lung epithelial cells. This novel mechanism for intercellular ROS signaling may be important in physiological/pathophysiological processes characterized by regenerating epithelial cells and activated myofibroblasts.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154383/1/fsb2fj042882fje.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/154383/2/fsb2fj042882fje-sup-0001.pd

DEVELOPMENT OF MALTED MILLET MIXES FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND LACTATING MOTHERS

In the present study cost effective malted mixes were prepared by using millets which are very nutritious for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Millets are processed by traditional processing techniques to improve the bioavailability of micronutrients, decrease anti nutrient factors.Ragi, Bajra, Jowar, Barley based premixes were developed as alternative health mix for pregnant women and lactating mothers.The premixes were prepared into two formulations with variations.The premixes were prepared with roasted wheat flour,skim milk powder and sugar powder along with millets (ragi,bajra,jowar,barley). Formulation 1 contains roasted millets mixes with variations 50%, 45%, 40%, 35% . Formulation 2 contains germinated millets mixes with variations 50%,45%, 40%, 35% . Sensory evaluation of the samples was carried out using 9 point Hedonic scale.The superior products were packed in a packaging material. The physico chemical characteristics and nutritional quality characteristics along with microbial quality the shelf life of the superior products at ambient and accelerated conditions were studied

NNZ-2566 treatment inhibits neuroinflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression induced by experimental penetrating ballistic-like brain injury in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Inflammatory cytokines play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury (TBI), exerting either deleterious effects on the progression of tissue damage or beneficial roles during recovery and repair. NNZ-2566, a synthetic analogue of the neuroprotective tripeptide Glypromate^®, has been shown to be neuroprotective in animal models of brain injury. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of NNZ-2566 on inflammatory cytokine expression and neuroinflammation induced by penetrating ballistic-like brain injury (PBBI) in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NNZ-2566 or vehicle (saline) was administered intravenously as a bolus injection (10 mg/kg) at 30 min post-injury, immediately followed by a continuous infusion of NNZ-2566 (3 mg/kg/h), or equal volume of vehicle, for various durations. Inflammatory cytokine gene expression from the brain tissue of rats exposed to PBBI was evaluated using microarray, quantitative real time PCR (QRT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) array. Histopathology of the injured brains was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunocytochemistry of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>NNZ-2566 treatment significantly reduced injury-mediated up-regulation of IL-1β, TNF-α, E-selectin and IL-6 mRNA during the acute injury phase. ELISA cytokine array showed that NZ-2566 treatment significantly reduced levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the injured brain, but did not affect anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Collectively, these results suggest that the neuroprotective effects of NNZ-2566 may, in part, be functionally attributed to the compound's ability to modulate expression of multiple neuroinflammatory mediators in the injured brain.</p