Liposomal delivery system enhances anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin

Curcumin is a well-established natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Up till now its potential in treatment of vaginal inflammation has not been evaluated. We are aiming at developing liposomal delivery system for curcumin targeting vaginal administration. Liposomes as nanosized phospholipid-based vesicles are expected to solubilize curcumin and enhance its activity, thus serving as an advanced topical formulation in the treatment of vaginal inflammation. Curcumin and curcuminoids were analyzed by the high-performance liquid chromatography method. Liposomes containing curcumin/curcuminoids of various sizes were prepared and characterized. Antioxidant activities of curcumin and liposomal curcumin were compared based on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and superoxide dismutase activities. The anti-inflammatory activities were determined by measuring the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide -induced nitric oxide, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Curcumin/curcuminoids were encapsulated in phosphatidylcholine vesicles with high yields. Vesicles in the size range around 200 nm were selected for stability and cell experiments. Liposomal curcumin were found to be twofold to sixfold more potent than corresponding curcuminoids. Moreover, the mixture of curcuminoids was found to be more potent than pure curcumin in regard to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Liposomal delivery systems for curcumin are promising formulations for the treatment of vaginal inflammation.     

Transarticular screw fixation for atlantoaxial instability - modified Magerl's technique in 38 patients

Background  

Symptomatic atlantoaxial instability needs stabilization of the atlantoaxial joint. Among the various techniques described in literature for the fixation of atlantoaxial joint, Magerl's technique of transarticular screw fixation remains the gold standard. Traditionally this technique combines placement of transarticular screws and posterior wiring construct. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes in subjects of atlantoaxial instability who were operated using transarticular screws and iliac crest bone graft, without the use of sublaminar wiring (a modification of Magerl's technique).     

Rheum australe D. Don: a review of its botany, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Rheum australe D. Don (Polygonaceae) has been commonly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory and skeletal systems as well as to infectious diseases.

Aim of the review

To provide the up-to-date information that is available on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Rheum australe. Additionally, to highlight the possible uses of this species to treat different diseases and to provide a basis for future research.

Materials and methods

The present review covers the literature available from 1980 to 2011. The information was collected from scientific journals, books, theses and reports via a library and electronic search (Google Scholar, Web of Science and ScienceDirect).

Results

Ethnomedical uses of Rheum australe have been recorded from China, India, Nepal and Pakistan for 57 different types of ailments. The phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many secondary metabolites belonging to anthraquinones, stilbenes, anthrones, oxantrone ethers and esters, chromones, flavonoids, carbohydrate, lignans, phenols and sterols. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from Rheum australe show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective and immune-enhancing activities, as well as a usefulness for improving renal function.

Conclusion

Rheum australe has been widely used source of medicine for years without any adverse effects. Many studies have provided evidence for various traditional uses. However, there is a need for additional studies of the isolated compounds to validate the traditional uses in human models. The present review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and toxicity has provided preliminary information for further studies and commercial exploitations of the plant.     

Profile of ocular injury in pediatric age group

目的：研究北印度三级转诊中心儿童眼外伤的临床特征。

方法：基于医院的流行病学研究。包括所有年满16岁的眼外伤儿童。记录关于患者的社会经济状况,治疗手段和出院情况。随访3mo,记录初始和最终视力。眼部创伤分类指南和Birmingham眼部创伤术语用于眼外伤的定义和分类。社会经济地位是根据改良B.G. Prasad分类和Kuppuswamy社会经济级别分级的。

结果：在42例儿童中,男女比例为3.6：1。发生在11～16岁儿童眼外伤最多(50%)。大多数儿童(59.52%)属于较低的社会经济阶层,且均为农村背景。在家中发生眼外伤的儿童为20例(47.61%),其次在学校,游乐场和街道发生为6例(14.28%)。其中开放性眼外伤19例(45.24%),闭合性眼外伤23例(54.75%)。因木棍、石头、烟花、跌倒、玩具而受伤的儿童数量分别为12例(28.57%),5例(11.90%),3例(7.14%),3例(7.14%)和2例(4.76%)。 17例(40.47%)儿童需要药物治疗,25名(59.53%)需要手术治疗。

结论：农村地区和经济条件较差的男童更易患眼外伤。儿童在家里更易患眼外伤。木棍和石头是引起眼外伤最常见的因素。开放性眼外伤的患病率更高且视力不良增多。需要进一步的以人群为基础研究以补充本研究。基于此,人们可以计划在该地区实施一项长期的政策以预防儿童眼外伤。     

Acute Lower Respiratory Infection in Childhood and Household Fuel Use in Bhaktapur,Nepal

Background: Globally, solid fuels are used by about 3 billion people for cooking. These fuels have been associated with many health effects, including acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in young children. Nepal has a high prevalence of use of biomass for cooking and heating.Objective: This case–control study was conducted among a population in the Bhaktapur municipality, Nepal, to investigate the relationship of cookfuel type to ALRI in young children.Methods: Cases with ALRI and age-matched controls were enrolled from an open cohort of children 2–35 months old, under active monthly surveillance for ALRI. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on family characteristics, including household cooking and heating appliances and fuels. The main analysis was carried out using conditional logistic regression. Population-attributable fractions (PAF) for stove types were calculated.Results: A total of 917 children (452 cases and 465 controls) were recruited into the study. Relative to use of electricity for cooking, ALRI was increased in association with any use of biomass stoves [odds ratio (OR) = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.98], kerosene stoves (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.83), and gas stoves (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.50). Use of wood, kerosene, or coal heating was also associated with ALRI (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 0.97, 2.14), compared with no heating or electricity or gas heating. PAFs for ALRI were 18.0% (95% CI: 8.1, 26.9%) and 18.7% (95% CI: 8.4%–27.8%), for biomass and kerosene stoves, respectively.Conclusions: The study supports previous reports indicating that use of biomass as a household fuel is a risk factor for ALRI, and provides new evidence that use of kerosene for cooking may also be a risk factor for ALRI in young children.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma pneumoniae</Emphasis> among HIV Infected Children

Objectives  

To determine the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among HIV infected children. Also, to correlate various hematological and radiological findings associated with M.pneumoniae infection.