4-Methyl-2,6-diformylphenol based biocompatible chemosensors for pH: discrimination between normal cells and cancer cells

Two compounds, namely, 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-((pyridin-2-ylimino)methyl)benzaldehyde (HM-2py-B) and 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-((pyridin-3-ylimino)methyl)benzaldehyde (HM-3py-B), have been explored as fluorescent chemosensors for pH. HM-2py-B and HM-3py-B were synthesized by single step condensation reaction between 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol and the appropriate aminopyridine. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI mass spectrometry, and absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. Their structures have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both of the compounds show low emission at 530 nm at low pH. Fluorescence intensity increases with the increase in pH. With the alteration in pH of the medium from 4.0 to 10.0, the fluorescence intensity at 530 nm enhances by 66 and 195 fold for HM-2py-B and HM-3py-B, respectively. pK_a values of HM-2py-B and HM-3py-B have been determined to be 7.15 and 6.57, respectively. Fluorescence increase occurs mainly due to deprotonation of the phenolic OH group. Several cations and anions could not induce significant change in fluorescence behavior for both of the probes. The quantum yield and life-time enhance significantly when the pH of the medium is changed from 5.0 to 9.0. Naked eye identification of different pH environments is possible by using these compounds. Some theoretical calculations have been carried out to support experimentally obtained spectral transitions. As cancer cell has a pH in the range of 5.5–7.0 in comparison to normal cell pH of 7.4, these probes have been used effectively to discriminate between normal cells and cancer cells.

Two 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol based compounds with pyridylamine have been established as chemosensors for pH. The probes are able to differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells.     

Isolated vertebral artery injury secondary to suicidal neck stab

Traumatic vertebral artery injuries may be due to blunt or penetrating forces, the presentation of which can vary from being asymptomatic to a life threatening torrential bleed. The following case report describes an isolated vertebral artery injury with a rare mode of injury and presentation along with its management.     

Histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential therapeutic approaches for chordoma: An immunohistochemical and functional analysis

Chordomas are rare malignancies of the axial skeleton. Therapy is mainly restricted to surgery. This study investigates histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors as potential therapeutics for chordomas. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using the HDAC 1–6 antibodies on 50 chordoma samples (34 primary tumors, 16 recurrences) from 44 patients (27 male, 17 female). Pan‐HDAC‐inhibitors Vorinostat (SAHA), Panobinostat (LBH‐589), and Belinostat (PXD101) were tested for their efficacy in the chordoma cell line MUG‐Chor1 via Western blot, cell cycle analysis, caspase 3/7 activity (MUG‐Chor1, UCh‐1), cleaved caspase‐3, and PARP cleavage. p‐Values below 0.05 were considered significant. IHC was negative for HDAC1, positive for HDAC2 in most (n = 36; 72%), and for HDACs 3–6 in all specimens available (n = 43; 86%). HDAC6 expression was strongest. SAHA and LBH‐589, but not PXD101 caused a significant increase of G2/M phase cells and of cleaved caspase‐3 (p = 0.0003, and p = 0.0014 after 72 h, respectively), and a peak of caspase 3/7 activity. PARP cleavage confirmed apoptosis. The presented chordoma series expressed HDACs 2–6 with strongest expression of HDAC6. SAHA and LBH‐589 significantly increased apoptosis and changed cell cycle distribution in vitro. HDAC‐inhibitors should be further evaluated as therapeutic options for chordoma. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1999–2005, 2013     

(ii) Biomechanics of implant fixation

In joint replacement, stability of the implant is provided by a combination of the techniques adopted to fix the implant to the surrounding bone and the geometric features of the implant. Fixation techniques can either use cement or be cementless. Cemented fixation uses PMMA bone cement to grout the implant and bone together, while cementless fixation involves either a press-fit between the implant and bone, or specific design features that encourage bone growth into or onto the implant. Although both of these fixation techniques perform well in terms of longevity, each method functions better than the other in certain patient groups, and each has some positives and negatives. This article reports an overview of the fundamental aspects of the fixation techniques, their clinical advantages and disadvantages, associated clinical concerns and recent trends of fixation in clinical practice. This will be coupled with specific examples on how certain geometric features of an implant help in achieving initial and long-term stability and fixation.     

Role of individual and household level factors on stunting: a comparative study in three Indian states

BACKGROUND: Status of growth especially in early childhood is not only the most important determinant of health of a child but also a reflection of the well-being of the entire society. The extent of malnutrition in India is very high, but the exact magnitude varies considerably depending on which indicator is used. Child health in this paper is measured through chronic malnutrition (termed as stunting). Three states were selected, namely Bihar, West Bengal and Kerala. These three states represent the three stages of development. Bihar is one of the least and Kerala is one of the most developed states in India. AIM: The present paper aims to investigate the degree of chronic malnutrition in the context of socio-economic, demographic and other characteristics of the children and their households in the three selected states in India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The data for this study were taken from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) conducted by the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, in 1998-1999. The NFHS-2 sample covers ever-married women in the age group 15-49 years from 26 states in India. Besides collecting information on health, the survey collects data on socio-economic and demographic characteristics at individual and household level. RESULTS: The percentage of stunting of children in Bihar, West Bengal and Kerala was found to be 54, 39 and 23%, respectively. Regression analysis showed that the major factors that significantly influenced the status of health in the children in all three states were women's education and the household condition index. Months of breastfeeding and birth interval also had some association with health status. The effect of the above-mentioned variables was most prominent in Bihar and least in Kerala in terms of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: There is a close positive link between the nutritional status of pre-school children and the stages of development of the states. Mothers' education and household condition are important influences on children's health status irrespective of the stage of development.