Molecular causes of elevated phosphoethanolamine in breast and pancreatic cancer cells

Elevated phosphoethanolamine (PE) is frequently observed in MRS studies of human cancers and xenografts. The role of PE in cell survival and the molecular causes underlying this increase are, however, relatively underexplored. In this study, we investigated the roles of ethanolamine kinases (Etnk‐1 and 2) and choline kinases (Chk‐α and β) in contributing to increased PE in human breast and pancreatic cancer cells. We investigated the effect of silencing Etnk‐1 and Etnk‐2 on cell viability as a potential therapeutic strategy. Both breast and pancreatic cancer cells showed higher PE compared with their nonmalignant counterparts. We identified Etnk‐1 as a major cause of the elevated PE levels in these cancer cells, with little or no contribution from Chk‐α, Chk‐β, or Etnk‐2. The increase of PE observed in pancreatic cancer cells in culture was replicated in the corresponding tumor xenografts. Downregulation of Etnk‐1 with siRNA resulted in cell cytotoxicity that correlated with PE levels in breast and pancreatic cancer cells. Etnk‐1 may provide a potential therapeutic target in breast and pancreatic cancers.     

A Comparative Study Between Bupivacaine with Adrenaline and Carbonated Bupivacaine with Adrenaline for Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness of bupivacaine with adrenaline with that of carbonated bupivacaine with adrenaline on pain, onset of anesthesia and duration of anesthesia following surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar.

Study design

All the patients who underwent surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar and who fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria from 1st June 2013 to 30th June 2014 were included in our study. Patients who were diagnosed as having impacted mandibular third molar were randomly allocated to two groups namely group A (bupivacaine with adrenaline), group B (carbonated bupivacaine with adrenaline). Pain during deposition of local anesthetic, onset of anesthesia and duration of anesthesia were compared between the two groups. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis by Chi Square test, Mann–Whitney U test.

Results and conclusion

The efficacy of carbonated bupivacaine with adrenaline is more compared with bupivacaine with adrenaline in decreasing pain on deposition of local anesthetic solution and in rapid onset of anesthesia. The duration of anesthesia for carbonated bupivacaine with adrenaline and bupivacaine with adrenaline had no significant difference. The use of carbonated bupivacaine with adrenaline will reduce the patient discomfort both intra-operatively and post-operatively.

     

Cardiac Imaging as a Guide for Revascularization and Medical Management of Chronic Coronary Artery Disease

There is a strong association between obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse outcomes. There is an ongoing debate regarding the role of revascularization and maximal medical therapy in patients with obstructive CAD and noninvasive imaging is recognized as a key player in guiding downstream clinical decision making especially in stable patients with known or suspected CAD. Most often risk stratification is performed with noninvasive imaging techniques including echocardiography, coronary CT angiography, single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT-MPI), positron emission computed tomography-based myocardial perfusion imaging (PET-MPI), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Occasionally, risk stratification may be performed with invasive angiography. In this review, we will describe some of the evidence in favor of noninvasive anatomy (CCTA) and physiology-based techniques (SPECT-MPI, PET-MPI, MRI) in guiding the choice of treatment with revascularization vs medical therapy in patients with CAD.     

Novel Eu3+-activated Ba2Y5B5O17 red-emitting phosphors for white LEDs: high color purity,high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability

Eu³⁺-activated Ba₂Y₅B₅O₁₇ (Ba₂Y_5−xEu_xB₅O₁₇; x = 0.1–1) red-emitting phosphors were synthesized by the conventional high temperature solid-state reaction method in an air atmosphere. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the pure phase formation of the as-synthesized phosphors. Morphological studies were performed using field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The photoluminescence spectra, lifetimes, color coordinates and internal quantum efficiency (IQE) as well as the temperature-dependent emission spectra were investigated systematically. Upon 396 nm excitation, Ba₂Y_5−xEu_xB₅O₁₇ showed red emission peaking at 616 nm which was attributed to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ electric dipole transition of Eu³⁺ ions. Meanwhile, the influences of different concentrations of Eu³⁺ ions on the PL intensity were also discussed. The optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ ions in the Ba₂Y_5−xEu_xB₅O₁₇ phosphors was found to be x = 0.8. The concentration quenching mechanism was attributed to the dipole–dipole interaction and the critical distance (R_c) for energy transfer among Eu³⁺ ions was determined to be 5.64 Å. The asymmetry ratio [(⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂)/(⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁)] of Ba₂Y_4.2Eu_0.8B₅O₁₇ phosphors was calculated to be 3.82. The fluorescence decay lifetimes were also determined for Ba₂Y_5−xEu_xB₅O₁₇ phosphors. In addition, the CIE color coordinates of the Ba₂Y_4.2Eu_0.8B₅O₁₇ phosphors (x = 0.653, y = 0.345) were found to be very close to the National Television System Committee (NTSC) standard values (x = 0.670, y = 0.330) of red emission and also showed high color purity (∼94.3%). The corresponding internal quantum efficiency of the Ba₂Y_4.2Eu_0.8B₅O₁₇ sample was measured to be 47.2%. Furthermore, the as-synthesized phosphors exhibited good thermal stability with an activation energy of 0.282 eV. The above results revealed that the red emitting Ba₂Y_4.2Eu_0.8B₅O₁₇ phosphors could be potential candidates for application in near-UV excited white light emitting diodes.

A novel Ba₂Y₅B₅O₁₇:Eu³⁺ red-emitting phosphor with high color purity, high quantum efficiency and excellent thermal stability was developed.     

Peripheral Osteoma of the Body of Mandible: A Case Report

Osteoma is a slow growing benign tumor consisting of well differentiated compact or cancellous bone that increases in size by continuous growth. It can be of a central, peripheral, or extraskeletal type. The peripheral type arises from the periosteum and is rarely seen in mandible. Although completely curable with adequate surgical treatment, osteomas precede the clinical radiographic evidence of colonic polyposis/Gardner’s syndrome. Therefore they may be sensitive markers for the disease. Recurrence of peripheral osteoma after surgical excision is extremely rare. However it is appropriate to provide both clinical and radiographic follow up after surgical excision of peripheral osteoma. This article describes the case of a 45 year old male who presented with painless swelling of the right body of mandible and resultant cosmetic facial disfigurement and functional impairment.     

Twenty-four hour ambulatory simultaneous impedance and pH monitoring: a multicenter report of normal values from 60 healthy volunteers

OBJECTIVES: Impedance monitoring is a new diagnostic method for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where multiple impedance electrode pairs are placed on a standard pH catheter. It detects reflux of a liquid and/or gas bolus into the esophagus, as well as its distribution, composition, and clearing. The aim of this collaborative study is to define normal values for 24-h ambulatory simultaneous impedance and pH monitoring (24-h Imp-pH), and compare bolus parameters by impedance monitoring to changes in [H(+)] measured by pH monitoring. METHODS: Sixty normal volunteers without GER symptoms underwent 24-h Imp-pH with impedance measured at six sites (centered at 3, 5, 7, 9, 15, and 17 cm above lower esophageal sphincter) and pH 5 cm above the LES. Reflux detected by impedance was characterized by the pH probe as either acid, weakly acidic, nonacid, or superimposed acid reflux. Proximal reflux was defined as reflux that reached the impedance site 15 cm above the LES. RESULTS: Reflux frequency was common upright (median-27, 25th and 75th quartile-16, 42), but rare recumbent (median-1; 0, 4). A median of 34% (14%, 49%) of upright reflux reached the proximal esophagus. There was a similar number of mixed composition (liquid + gas; 49%) and liquid-only reflux (51%). Acid reflux was two-fold more common than weakly acidic reflux (p < 0.001). Superimposed acid reflux and nonacid reflux were rare. Acid neutralization to pH 4 took twice as long as volume clearance measured by impedance. CONCLUSIONS: Combining impedance and pH monitoring improves the detection and characterization of GER. This study characterizes the frequency, duration, and extent of reflux in health and provides normal values for 24-h Imp-pH for future comparison with GERD patients.     

MDR- and XDR-TB among suspected drug-resistant TB patients in a tertiary care hospital in India

Aim: To study the anti‐tubercular drug resistance pattern among suspected cases of drug‐resistant TB. Materials and Methods: First and second line drug susceptibility data were retrospectively analysed for all suspected cases of drug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB), presenting to the Pulmonary Medicine department of tertiary care hospital in South India from 2003 to 2007. Results and Discussion: Out of 177 cases of suspected drug‐resistant TB, 103 (58.2%) cases were multi‐drug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB). Out of 75 cases of MDR‐TB for whom second‐line drug susceptibility test was performed, 45 (60.0%) cases met the criteria of extensively drug–resistant (XDR) TB, which is very high when compared with existing worldwide data on XDR‐TB (6.6% cases of MDR‐TB). In comparison with non‐MDR‐TB cases, MDR and XDR‐TB cases had a history of significantly higher duration of anti‐TB treatment (ATT) and significantly higher exposure to multiple ATT regimens. Past exposure to second‐line anti‐TB drugs was significantly high in XDR‐TB cases than in MDR‐TB and non MDR‐TB cases. Conclusion: This study highlights the high burden of XDR‐ and MDR‐TB among TB patients coming to tertiary care hospitals in India. Please cite this paper as: James P, Gupta R, Christopher DJ, Thankagunam B and Veeraraghavan B. MDR and XDR‐TB among suspected drug resistant TB patients in a tertiary care hospital in India. Clin Respir J 2011; 5: 19–25.     

Screening, phylogenetic analysis and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi isolates from typhoid asymptomatic carriers

ObjectiveTo isolate the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) from asymptomatic typhoid carriers in the local population. To assess the antibiotic sensitivity and resistant pattern of S. typhi isolates against viable antibiotics and phylogenetic analysis of S. typhi isolates on the basis of 16S rDNA gene.MethodsS. typhi was isolated and identified based on the cultural characteristics on BSA (Bismuth Sulphite Agar), MacConkey agar, agglutination test with specific antiserum and phylogenetic analysis. S. typhi isolates were tested for sensitivity and resistant pattern with a number of viable antibiotics by disc diffusion method.ResultA total of 15 bile samples were collected from the food handlers to screen the typhoid asymptomatic carriers. Positive result was yielded for 3 out of 15 samples. S. typhi isolates showed resistant to amphicillin (100%), tetracyclin (100%), rifampicin (66.5%), ofloxacin (33.5%), cloxacillin (33.5%) and susceptibility to gentamycin (100%), amikacin (100%), chloramphenicol (100%), streptomycin (100%), kanamycin (100%), cprofloxacin (100%), amoxycillin (66.5%) and ofloxacin (66.5%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the outbreak of typhoid fever occurs through asymptomatic carrier. In addition, this study also reveals the occurrence of considerable drug resistant among the S. typhi isolates.     

The safety and efficacy of ibutilide in children and in patients with congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of ibutilide in the cardioversion of atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation in children and in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) is unknown. METHODS: Data from 19 patients (age 6 months to 34 years, median 16 years) who received ibutilide for atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation between 1996 and 2005 was retrospectively reviewed. There were 15 patients with CHD (14 had prior heart surgery); four children had normal heart structure. RESULTS: There were 74 episodes of atrial flutter and four episodes of atrial fibrillation (median episodes per patient was one, range 1-31). Ibutilide converted 55 of all the episodes (71%). Ibutilide was successful during its first-ever administration in 12 of 19 patients (63%). Fourteen episodes in six patients required electrical cardioversion after ibutilide failed. There were no episodes of symptomatic bradycardia. One patient went into torsade de pointes and one patient had nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. CONCLUSION: With careful monitoring, ibutilide can be an effective tool in selected patients for cardioversion of atrial flutter.