Trachyspermum ammi L. (Carom) Oil Induces Alterations in SOD-3, GST-4 Expression and Prolongs Lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - The use of herbs in the form of dietary supplements and medicine is fascinating the world, owing to their...     

The identification of the UV degradants of melatonin and their ability to scavenge free radicals

Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to induce the generation of free radicals in biological tissues such as skin. Of these free radicals, the O2-. and particularly the.OH radical can induce cellular damage including lipid peroxidation. Thus, the use of antioxidants to prevent such damage induced by UV irradiation has received much attention recently. One such antioxidant, which has the potential to be incorporated into sunscreens, is the pineal secretory product melatonin. One of the concerns of using melatonin in sunscreens is its photostability. In the present study, we investigated the photostability of melatonin subjected to UV irradiation. In addition, we used liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify the degradants and we also assessed the ability of the degradants to inhibit O2-. generation as well as lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate. The results show that UV irradiation of melatonin (0.1 mg/mL) using a 400-W lamp for 2 hr caused a significant decline of melatonin to 18% of its original concentration after 20 min, with the decline continuing until the melatonin concentration reaches zero at 120 min. The LC-MS results show that the degradants of melatonin are 6-hydroxymelatonin and N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynurenamine (AFMK). These degradants were able to provide equipotent activity against potassium cyanide (KCN)-induced superoxide generation compared to non-irradiated melatonin. Thus, the study shows that although melatonin is rapidly degraded by UV irradiation, the degradants retain antioxidant activity, making melatonin a likely candidate for inclusion in sunscreens.     

Infections in Cirrhosis: A Guide for the Clinician

Cirrhosis contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Infections in patients with cirrhosis are common and significantly impact health-related quality of life. As our understanding of immune dysfunction associated with cirrhosis grows and as rates of drug-resistant organisms increase, the management of infections in cirrhosis has become increasingly nuanced. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of cirrhosis-associated immune deficiency, review the most common infections in patients with cirrhosis, and highlight techniques for the general clinician in the prevention and treatment of infections in this high-risk population.     

Anchor residues in protein-protein interactions

We show that the mechanism for molecular recognition requires one of the interacting proteins, usually the smaller of the two, to anchor a specific side chain in a structurally constrained binding groove of the other protein, providing a steric constraint that helps to stabilize a native-like bound intermediate. We identify the anchor residues in 39 protein-protein complexes and verify that, even in the absence of their interacting partners, the anchor side chains are found in conformations similar to those observed in the bound complex. These ready-made recognition motifs correspond to surface side chains that bury the largest solvent-accessible surface area after forming the complex (> or =100 A2). The existence of such anchors implies that binding pathways can avoid kinetically costly structural rearrangements at the core of the binding interface, allowing for a relatively smooth recognition process. Once anchors are docked, an induced fit process further contributes to forming the final high-affinity complex. This later stage involves flexible (solvent-exposed) side chains that latch to the encounter complex in the periphery of the binding pocket. Our results suggest that the evolutionary conservation of anchor side chains applies to the actual structure that these residues assume before the encounter complex and not just to their loci. Implications for protein docking are also discussed.     

Effect of Medicare Dialysis Payment Reform on Use of Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents

ObjectiveIn 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) replaced fee-for-service reimbursement for erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) with a fixed-sum bundled payment for all dialysis-related care and pay-for-performance incentives to discourage maintaining patients'' hematocrits above 36 percent. We examined the impact of the new payment policy on the use of ESAs.ConclusionsCMS''s payment reform for dialysis care reduced the use of ESAs in patients who may not benefit from these agents.     

Associations Between Abortion Services and Acceptance of Postabortion Contraception in Six Indian States

Women receiving induced abortions or postabortion care are at high risk of subsequent unintended pregnancy, and intervals of less than six months between abortion and subsequent pregnancy may be associated with adverse outcomes. This study highlights the prevalence and attributes of postabortion contraceptive acceptance from 2,456 health facilities in six major Indian states, among 292,508 women who received abortion care services from July 2011 through June 2014. Eighty‐one percent of the women accepted postabortion contraceptive methods: 53 percent short‐term, 11 percent intrauterine devices, and 16 percent sterilization. Postabortion contraceptive acceptance was highest among women who were aged 25 years and older, received first‐trimester services, received induced abortion, attended primary‐level health facilities, and had medical abortions. Doctors receiving post‐training support were more likely to offer contraceptives, but no association was observed between such support and acceptance of IUDs or sterilization. Comprehensive service‐delivery interventions, including ensuring availability of skilled providers and contraceptive commodities, offering clinical mentoring for providers, identifying and addressing provider bias, and improving provider counseling skills, can increase postabortion contraceptive acceptance and reduce unintended pregnancy.     

Sonographic detection of an infected maternal urachal cyst during pregnancy

Infection of a maternal urachal cyst during pregnancy is rare; Sonography is an important diagnostic tool that can help minimize maternal and fetal complications. We describe the case of a 35‐year‐old multiparous woman presenting in the third trimester with 2 weeks of fever, abdominal pain, and urinary symptoms. Imaging showed a 5‐cm complex anterior midline mass, found intraoperatively to be eroding into the uterus. Sonographic imaging aided in the diagnosis and management of the urachal cyst, and antepartum sonographic measurements of the lower uterine segment helped to counsel regarding a trial of labor. Following treatment, the patient stabilized and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery.     

Spectrum of ocular firework injuries in children: A 5-year retrospective study during a festive season in Southern India

Purpose:

Ocular trauma is a major cause of acquired monocular blindness in children. Firework injuries account for 20% of ocular trauma. The purpose of our study was to document the profile of ocular firework injuries in children during the festive season of Diwali and to determine the prevalence of unilateral blindness in them.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective chart analysis of ocular firework injury in children during the festival of Diwali from 2009 to 2013, conducted in a tertiary care eye center in Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Children below 18 years of age with ocular firework injuries who presented to the emergency department for 3 consecutive days - the day of Diwali, 1 day before, and 1 day after Diwali - were included in this study.

Results:

Eighty-four children presented with firework-related ocular injuries during the study period. Male to female ratio was 4:1 with mean age 9.48 ± 4 years. Forty-four percentage required hospitalization. The prevalence of unilateral blindness in children due to fireworks was found to be 8% (95% confidence interval - 2–13%).

Conclusion:

Vision 2020 gives high priority to avoidable blindness, especially in children. In our study, for every 12 children who presented with firecracker injury, one resulted in unilateral blindness. This is an avoidable cause of blindness. Awareness needs to be created, and changes in policy regarding sales and handling of firecrackers including mandatory use of protective eyewear should be considered.