An egg surface antigen of Setaria digitata (filariae) shed on development to microfilariae

Egg surface antigens of Setaria digitata were investigated by an immunoperoxidase staining technique. Certain antigens on the egg surface were shed when the eggs developed to microfilariae. Rabbit antisera to S. digitata eggs and to the soluble egg antigen reacted (as detected by immunoperoxidase staining) with the surface antigens of S. digitata eggs and immature microfilariae, and with mature microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti and Dirofilaria repens, but not with the surface antigens of mature microfilariae of S. digitata.     

Exploring effects of different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on malondialdehyde profile

As a part of our ongoing effort to explore drug induced lipid peroxidation in relation to drug-induced toxicity, this study was undertaken to determine whether nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely, diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen, paracetamol, nimesulide, celecoxib and indomethacin are involved in oxidative/antioxidative processes by determining malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration as an index of lipid peroxidation. Considering lipid peroxidation, a possible mediator of toxicity, an attempt was made to see the suppressive action of ascorbic acid, a conventional antioxidant compound, on NSAID-induced lipid peroxidation. It was found that diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, flurbiprofen and paracetamol exerted statistically significant decrease of MDA content, suggesting a potential of the molecules to suppress the lipid peroxidation. At earlier stage of incubation nimesulide shows statistically significant decrease of MDA content followed by lipid peroxidation induction at the later stage of incubation period, suggesting involvement of nimesulide in antioxidative/oxidative processes. Celecoxib and indomethacin both exerted statistically significant increase of MDA content, representing significant peroxidation activity. Ascorbic acid, a promising antioxidant, could significantly reduce celecoxib and indomethacin induced lipid peroxidation.     

Cardiopulmonary bypass and renal injury

Renal dysfunction following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is well recognized. The extent of perioperative renal impairment ranges from subclinical injury to established renal failure requiring dialysis. Its incidence varies considerably, depending on the definition and criteria used in the different studies. Acute renal failure (ARF) affects 1-5% of patients and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Co-morbidities, including diabetes mellitus, impaired left ventricular function and advanced age, are recognized predisposing factors. The pathophysiology is multifactorial and is thought related to the systemic inflammatory response and renal hypoperfusion secondary to extracorporeal circulation. Non-pulsatile flow during CPB is thought to be an important aetiological factor, resulting in renal vasoconstriction and ischaemic renal injury. A theoretical reduction in the incidence and severity of postoperative renal impairment has been proposed by advocating the use of pulsatile flow during CPB, or eliminating CPB, especially in high-risk patients. The current evidence, however, is conflicting. Several large observational studies, including a large proportion of high-risk patients, have demonstrated a significant reduction in the frequency of renal failure in patients undergoing off-pump surgery. As older, sicker patients increasingly constitute the cardiac surgical population, the incidence of postoperative renal injury is likely to increase. Further studies addressing various renoprotective strategies in higher-risk patients are awaited.     

Surface chemistry influences implant-mediated host tissue responses

Implant-mediated fibrotic reactions are detrimental to the performance of encapsulated cells, implanted drug release devices, and sensors. To improve the implant function and longevity, recent research has emphasized the need for inducing alterations in cellular responses. Although material surface functional groups have been shown to be potent in affecting cellular activity in vitro and short-term in vivo responses, these groups appear to have little influence on long-term in vivo fibrotic reactions, possibly as a result of insufficient interactions between recruited host cells and functional groups on the implants. To maximize the influence of functionality on cells, and to mimic drug release microspheres, functionalized micron-sized particles were created and tested for their ability in modulating tissue responses to biomaterial implants. In this work, the surfaces of polypropylene particles were controllably coated with four different functional groups, specifically -OH, -NH(2), -CF(x), and -COOH, using a radio frequency glow discharge plasma polymerization technique. The effect of these surface functionalities on host tissue responses were then evaluated using a mice subcutaneous implantation model. Major differences were observed in contrasting tissue response to the different chemistries. Surfaces with -OH and -NH(2) surface groups induced the thickest fibrous capsule accompanied with the greatest cellular infiltration into the implants. In contrast, surfaces with -CF(x) and -COOH exhibited the least inflammatory/fibrotic responses and cellular infiltrations. The present results clearly demonstrate that, by increasing the available functionalized surface area and spatial distribution, the effect of surface chemistry on tissue reactivity can be substantially enhanced.     

Optimization of Ultrasonic Extraction of Major Phenolic Components from Flowers of Ghav-Patta (Argyreia Speciosa Linn.) Via Response Surface Model

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal - Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) or ultrasonic extraction technology has been used for the isolation of bioactive compounds from Argyreia speciosa (Linn. f.)...     

Serum Insulin and Lipid Profile in Normal Pregnant and Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Women from North India

High serum insulin and lipoproteins have been reported in pregnancy-induced hypertension. Little is known about the insulin and lipoprotein profile in Indian women. To address this question we compared serum insulin and lipoproteins of women with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and normotensive pregnant women. The serum insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol of 104 women with PIH were compared with 99 control women. Hypertensive women had significantly higher insulin (53.94 +/- 29.58 versus 37.69 +/- 17.39 pmol/L, p=0.0004) and triglyceride (3.27 +/- 1.2 versus 2.66 +/- 0.6, p=0.0001). There was no significant difference in total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels. Insulin levels had a positive correlation with systolic blood pressure (r=0.64) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.55) in women with PIH. These differences persisted even after adjusting for possible confounding variables such as age, body mass index and the period of gestation. We conclude that elevated serum insulin values or insulin resistance may contribute to the pathogenesis of PIH in Indian women.