The effects of bumetanide on human umbilical artery contractions

The authors investigate the effect of bumetan ide, an inhibitor of NKCC1 and a loop diuretic, on the tone of human umbilical artery (HUA). Rings of HUA (n = 35) from vaginal deliveries were suspended for isometric tension recordings in organ baths. Cumulative concentration-response curves to serotonin, histamine, and KCl were performed in the absence (control) or in the presence of bumetanide. The relaxant effect of bumetanide was also evaluated in serotonin- and histamine-induced contractions. Bumetanide inhibited HUA tone in serotonin- and histamine-induced contractions with significant changes in the potency (pD(2)) and maximum contractile response (E(max)) values. However, only pD( 2) values for KCl-induced contraction significantly changed in the presence of bumetanide. Bumetanide caused concentration-dependent and sustained relaxations in serotonin-induced contraction; however, there was refractoriness in histamine-induced contraction. These findings raise the possibility that NKCC1 may play a role in the regulation of the umbilical artery tone.     

Prevalence of Anosmia or Ageusia in Patients With COVID-19 Among United Arab Emirates Population

ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to determine the relationship and prevalence of taste and smell dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population.MethodsEnrolled participants were interviewed online via a phone call after obtaining their informed consent. Quantification of smell, taste, and other sensations before, during, and after COVID-19 infection was correlated with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.ResultsA total of 500 patients with (mild–severe) COVID-19 completed the survey. A total of 26.4% were asymptomatic, and 21.4% were classified as paucisymptomatic with less severe symptoms. Almost equal proportions of the studied population experienced extreme taste sensation reductions (43%) and loss of smell sensation (44%). Statistically significant drastic decreases in smell and taste senses were seen among younger individuals. The magnitude of reduction in both sense changes increased steeply from the asymptomatic group to the paucisymptomatic group to the symptomatic group.ConclusionsSudden anosmia or ageusia need to be recognised for early detection of COVID-19 infection to identify otherwise hidden carriers, thus favoring an early isolation strategy that will restrict the spread of the disease.     

The Association of Serum Electrolytes with Disease Severity and Obstetric Complications in Pregnant Women with COVID-19: a Prospective Cohort Study from a Tertiary Reference Center

Introduction To evaluate the association of serum electrolytes with disease severity and obstetric complications in pregnant women with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women with confirmed COVID-19. Study population was divided into two groups: 1) Mild COVID-19 group (n = 811) and 2) Moderate/severe COVID-19 group (n = 52). Demographic features, clinical characteristics, obstetric complications, and serum electrolytes were compared between the groups. Afterward, a correlation analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum electrolyte disturbances with COVID-19 severity and obstetric complications. Results Highest serum sodium, hypernatremia, potassium replacement, hypopotassemia, hyperchloremia, initial serum magnesium, hypermagnesemia, and hypocalcemia were significantly higher in the moderate/severe COVID-19 group. The lowest serum sodium, lowest serum potassium, and initial serum calcium were significantly higher in the mild COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive weak correlations were found between hypernatremia, hypopotassemia, hyperchloremia, hypermagnesemia, hypocalcemia and COVID-19 severity (r values were 0.27, 0.20, 0.12, 0.18 and 0.12, p values were < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, statistically significant positive weak correlations were found between hypopotassemia, hypochloremia, hypermagnesemia, and obstetric complications (r values were 0.10, 0.10, and 0.28, p values were 0.004, 0.03, and 0.001, respectively). A statistically significant negative weak correlation was found between hypomagnesemia and obstetric complications (r = − 0.23 and p = 0.01, respectively). Conclusion Electrolyte disturbances in pregnant women with COVID-19 seem to be associated with disease severity and obstetric complications. Key words: COVID-19, disease severity, electrolytes, obstetric complications, pregnancy     

Synthesis,purification and characterization of Plectonema derived AgNPs with elucidation of the role of protein in nanoparticle stabilization

Driven by the need to biosynthesize alternate biomedical agents to prevent and treat infection, silver nanoparticles have surfaced as a promising avenue. Cyanobacteria-derived nanomaterial synthesis is of substantive interest as it offers an eco-friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and biocompatible route for further development. In the present study optimal conditions for synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were 1 : 9 v/v [cell extract: AgNO₃ (1 mM)], pH 7.4, and 30 °C reaction temperatures. Synthesis of nanoparticles was monitored by UV-vis spectrophotometry and the maximum absorbance was observed at a wavelength of 420 nm. SEM with EDX analysis confirmed 96.85% silver by weight which revealed the purity of AgNPs. TEM & XRD analysis exhibited a particle size of ∼12 nm with crystalline nature. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of possible biomolecules involved in the synthesis and stabilization of AgNPs. Decapping of AgNPs followed by SDS-PAGE, LCMS and MALDI TOF analysis elucidates the proteinaceous nature of the capping and stabilizing agent. Cyanobacterial-derived capped AgNPs showed more cytotoxicicity towards a non-small cell lung cancer (A549) cell line, free radical scavenger and an antimicrobial than de-capped AgNPs. In addition they showed significant synergistic characteristics with antibiotics and fungicides. The test revealed that the capped AgNPs were biocompatible with good anti-inflammatory properties. The blend of antimicrobial and biocompatible properties, coupled with their intrinsic “green” and facile synthesis, made these biogenic nanoparticles particularly attractive for future applications in nanomedicine.

Illuminating the role of protein on the surface of cyanobacterial derived capped, decapped AgNPs and its biomedical application.     

Serum lubricin levels in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

ObjectivesLubricin, encoded by the proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) gene, is mainly responsible for lubricating joints. However, there is expanding evidence on its involvement in inflammatory pathways. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of chronic arthritides with an unknown origin in children aged below 16 years. It is characterized by chronic joint inflammation, including synovial inflammation, and may result in cartilage destruction. We aimed to determine whether serum lubricin levels are affected in JIA patients.Material and methodsThis cross-sectional study included children diagnosed with JIA and 28 healthy controls. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of remission at the time of study. Lubricin protein analysis was performed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Serum samples were obtained at the study enrollment, and lubricin levels were measured once, and compared between JIA patients and healthy controls, and between JIA patients with active disease and remission.ResultsThe study included 52 JIA patients (28 female, 24 male) and 28 healthy controls (18 female, 10 males). The mean age at study enrollment was 11.66 ±4.41 years and 12.72 ±4.52 years in the JIA patient and control groups, respectively. Although median serum lubricin level did not differ between JIA patients (median: 0.66 ng/μl, range: 0.02–3.85 ng/μl) and healthy controls (median: 0.52 ng/μl, range: 0.06–3.84 ng/μl), it was statistically significantly higher in patients with active disease (median: 1.58 ng/μ, range: 0.08–3.85 ng/μl) than both patients in remission (median: 0.57 ng/μl, range: 0.02–3.57 ng/μl) and healthy controls. A low degree positive correlation was also found between serum lubricin levels and erythroid sedimentation rate of the JIA patients (r = 0.383 and p = 0.011).ConclusionsThis is the first study investigating serum lubricin levels in JIA patients, and we found elevated serum lubricin levels in JIA patients with active disease. Further studies are needed to clarify our results.     

Clinical and ultrasound assessment in patients with placenta previa to predict the severity of intrapartum hemorrhage

Objectives

Evaluate whether maternal history and ultrasound can predict massive hemorrhage during cesarean section in placenta praevia.

Study design

Sixty singleton pregnant women with persistent placenta praevia (after 28 weeks’ gestation) were prospectively enrolled in this study.Comprehensive maternal history and findings obtained by antenatal ultrasound, including placental location, presence of lacunae, lack of a clear zone, abnormal color Doppler indices were reviewed, and their effect on the severity of maternal hemorrhage during cesarean section was analyzed.

Results

Twenty two cases had massive intra operative hemorrhage, among them 20 patients were confirmed to have placenta accreta and its variants (including increta and percreta) at the time of cesarean delivery.For diagnosis of severe bleeding (>1500 ml), the sensitivity of previous uterine surgery, abnormal color Doppler and lack of clear zone was high (95.5%, 81.8%, 81.8% respectively) while sensitivity of presence of lacunae was low (36.4%). And the specificity of abnormal color Doppler, lack of clear zone and presence of lacunae was high (94.7%, 94.7%, 97.4% respectively) while of previous uterine surgery was low (36.8%).

Conclusion

Prenatal maternal history and ultrasound examination can predict the amount of intraoperative hemorrhage and reduced the morbidity and mortality in patients with placenta previa.