Exercise and yoga during pregnancy: a survey

The primary objective of this survey was to ascertain the opinions, practices and knowledge about exercise, including yoga, during pregnancy; the secondary objective to compare the responses among women with body mass index (BMI) <30?kg/m² versus ≥30?kg/m². Survey consisted of 20 multiple choice questions assessing demographics and exercise practices, and five questions testing their knowledge about it during pregnancy (ACOG Committee Opinion # 267). Of the 500 surveys distributed, 84% (422) responses were analyzed. While 86% of women responded that exercise during pregnancy is beneficial, 83% felt it was beneficial to start prior to pregnancy, and walking was considered the most beneficial (62%). The majority (64%) of respondents were currently exercising during pregnancy and 51% exercised 2–3 times/week. Among the five questions testing knowledge about prenatal exercise, majority (range 60 to 92%) were aware of ACOG recommendations. About half had a BMI ≥30. Knowledge about benefits of exercise during pregnancy did not differ significantly between obese and non-obese. Yoga was tried significantly more among non-obese, 65% believed it is beneficial, and 40% had attempted yoga before pregnancy. In our population, the majority believes that exercise, including yoga, is beneficial and they are active.     

2-Methoxyestradiol overcomes drug resistance in multiple myeloma cells

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) an estrogen derivative, induces growth arrest and apoptosis in leukemic cells and is also antiangiogenic. In this study, we demonstrate that 2ME2 inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and patient cells. Significantly, 2ME2 also inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in MM cells resistant to conventional therapies including melphalan (LR-5), doxorubicin (Dox-40 and Dox-6), and dexamethasone (MM.1R). In contrast to its effects on MM cells, 2ME2 does not reduce the survival of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes. Moreover, 2ME2 enhances Dex-induced apoptosis, and its effect is not blocked by interleukin-6 (IL-6). We next examined the effect of 2ME2 on MM cells in the bone marrow (BM) milieu. 2ME2 decreases survival of BM stromal cells (BMSCs), as well as secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and IL-6 triggered by the adhesion of MM cells to BMSCs. We show that apoptosis induced by 2ME2 is mediated by the release of mitochondrial cytochrome-c (cyto-c) and Smac, followed by the activation of caspases-8, -9, and -3. Finally, 2ME2 inhibits MM cell growth, prolongs survival, and decreases angiogenesis in a murine model. These studies, therefore, demonstrate that 2ME2 mediates anti-MM activity directly on MM cells and in the BM microenvironment. They provide a framework for the use of 2ME2, either alone or in combination with Dex, to overcome drug resistance and to improve outcome in MM.     

Safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in refractory glaucomas in Northern Indian eyes

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation in refractory glaucoma in Northern Indian eyes.

Background

The success rate of trabeculectomy remains low in cases of refractory glaucoma even with the use of antifibrotics. Glaucoma drainage devices have proven to be more efficacious in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in these glaucomas.

Methods

Retrospective records of 55 consecutive patients who underwent AGV implantation at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, India from January 2003 to December 2012 were reviewed. Pre-operative data included age, gender, eye laterality, specific diagnosis, number of anti-glaucoma medications, number of prior incisional surgeries, visual acuity and IOP on medical treatment. Postoperative data included visual acuity and IOP on day one, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and yearly thereafter, number of anti-glaucoma medications, any complication or additional surgical intervention required. Success was defined as IOP >5 and <22 mmHg with or without treatment.

Results

Mean IOP decreased from 39.71 ± 8.99 pre-operatively to 17.52 ± 5.72 mmHg at last follow-up (p < 0.001) and number of medications reduced from 3.27 ± 0.84 to 1.25 ± 0.88 (p < 0.001). Visual acuity remained within one Snellen line or improved at last follow-up in 47 cases (85.4%). The cumulative probability of success was 85.45% at 1 year and 79.63% at 3 years. The incidence of post-operative complications was 25.45%.

Conclusion

AGV implantation has proven to be safe and is effective in controlling IOP in refractory glaucoma in Northern Indian eyes.     

Kyasanur Forest Disease Outbreak and Vaccination Strategy,Shimoga District,India, 2013–2014

We investigated a Kyasanur Forest disease outbreak in Karnataka, India during December 2013–April 2014. Surveillance and retrospective study indicated low vaccine coverage, low vaccine effectiveness, and spread of disease to areas beyond those selected for vaccination and to age groups not targeted for vaccination. To control disease, vaccination strategies need to be reviewed.     

Small molecule generators of biologically reactive sulfur species

Sulfur metabolism is integral to cellular growth and survival. The presence of a wide range of oxidation states of sulfur in biology coupled with its unique reactivity are some key features of the biology of this element. In particular, nearly all oxidation states of sulfur not only occur but are also inter-convertible. In order to study the chemical biology of reactive sulfur species, tools to reliably detect as well as generate these species within cells are necessary. Herein, an overview of strategies to generate certain reactive sulfur species is presented. The donors of reactive sulfur species have been organized based on their oxidation states. These interesting small molecules have helped lay a strong foundation to study the biology of reactive sulfur species and some may have therapeutic applications in the future as well.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS) are integral to cellular survival and growth. Here, small molecule generators of RSS are reviewed.     

Dressler's syndrome following pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation

Dressler's syndrome, characterized by features of fever, pericarditis and pericardial effusion typically occurs in the weeks to months following a myocardial infarction. The syndrome has also been described following several other myocardial and pericardial pathologies, including two reports of Dressler's syndrome following radio-frequency ablation. We describe a case of Dressler's syndrome following a pulmonary vein isolation procedure, which is being performed with increasing frequency as a treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation.     

Analysis of quantitative relationship between viability determination in leprosy by MFP,ATP bioluminescence and gene amplification assay

Two hundred twenty-one untreated, borderline lepromatous/lepromatous (BL/LL) leprosy patients have been investigated for viability by the mouse foot pad method (MFP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The biopsies were collected at the beginning of and 12/24 months after treatment. The patient group was treated with a) immunotherapy (BCG/Mw) + MDT; b) MDT + pyrazinamide; c) control MDT; d) MDT + minocycline 100 mg once a month supervised + ofloxacin 400 mg once a month supervised. Biopsies were divided in three parts for use in the mouse foot pad, molecular and ATP investigations. In untreated and treated patients (at 12 and 24 months), there was a general agreement among all three techniques, and PCR and ATP showed higher positivity as compared to MFP. Further, there was good correlation among the viable biomass estimated by bacillary ATP levels, PCR assay and growth in mouse foot pads. The positivity was observed by MFP as well as PCR assay (18-kDa and 36-kDa) from all of the specimens when the ATP content was more than 3.6 pg/million. When the ATP content was below 3.5 pg/million, the positive takes in MFP decreased but the PCR positivity correlated with ATP bioluminescence up to 0.04 pg/million. When the ATP content was even lower, the uptake in the MFP was possibly a matter of chance, while PCR positivity was observed in 96% of the cases. For specimens with undetectable ATP, positivity was seen in 1% of the cases, showing the inability of ATP bioluminescence method to detect low background due to host ATP. PCR signals in some cases could be due to the higher sensitivity of the method or persistence of DNA after bacterial death in some cases. On the whole, the PCR methods even though targeting DNA have shown good correlations with biomass which confirm their usefulness in monitoring therapeutic responses in leprosy.     

beta-lapachone,a novel plant product,overcomes drug resistance in human multiple myeloma cells

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-tumor potential of beta-lapachone in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines (U266, RPMI8226, and MM.1S); MM cell lines resistant to dexamethasone (MM.1R), melphalan (RPMI8226/LR5), doxorubicin (RPMI8226/DOX40), and mitoxantrone (RPMI8226/ MR20); and MM cells from patients (MM1-MM4). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cytotoxicity of beta-lapachone was assessed by MTT and [3H]-thymidine uptake assays. Apoptosis was analyzed using propidium iodide staining, DNA fragmentation, TUNEL assay, caspase-9 colorimetric assay, and immunoblotting for caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and caspase-8 cleavage products. Paracrine growth of MM cells was assessed by [3H]-thymidine uptake in cultures of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and MM cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in the culture supernatants was measured by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). RESULTS: beta-lapachone showed significant cytotoxicity in MM cells (IC(50): 4-8 microM). In contrast, normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and BMSCs from MM patients were relatively resistant (IC(50): 8-16 microM). IL-6 did not protect against beta-lapachone-induced apoptosis in MM.1S cells, and dexamethasone showed additive cytotoxicity. beta-lapachone also decreased binding of MM.1S cells to BMSCs; abrogated IL-6 and VEGF secretion triggered by adhesion of BMSCs to MM.1S cells; reduced proliferation of MM.1S cells adherent to BMSCs; and decreased intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression on MM.1S cells. Furthermore, beta-lapachone induced typical PARP cleavage, increased caspase-9 proteolytic activity, and activation of caspase-3, without activation of caspase-8 in U266 cells. CONCLUSION: These studies provide a framework for clinical evaluation of beta-lapachone to improve the outcome for patients with MM.