Influence of calcitonin administration of serum calcium and inorganic phosphate level of the frog, Rana tigrina

The effect of salmon calcitonin (0.25 MRC mU/g body wt) was investigated on the serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels of the frog. Rana tigrina. The hormone evokes hypocalcemia (on Day 1 and Day 3) which is followed by a significant hypercalcemia on Day 10. Thereafter, the level of calcium decreases again on Day 15. Calcitonin induces hypophosphatemia (on Day 3 and Day 5). Thereafter, hyperphosphatemia is recorded on Day 10. Normal serum phosphate value is achieved by Day 15. The results obtained in R. tigrina have been discussed in relation to the increased calcium deposits in the paravertebral lime sacs and to the possible enhanced secretion of the parathyroid glands.     

Physical Frailty Phenotype and the Development of Geriatric Syndromes in Older Adults with Coronary Heart Disease

BackgroundFrailty, a clinical state of vulnerability, is associated with subsequent adverse geriatric syndromes in the general population. We examined the long-term impact of frailty on geriatric outcomes among older patients with coronary heart disease.MethodsWe used the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a prospective cohort study linked to a Medicare sample. Coronary heart disease was identified by self-report or International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes 1-year prior to the baseline visit. Frailty was measured using the Fried physical frailty phenotype. Geriatric outcomes were assessed annually during a 6-year follow-up.ResultsOf the 4656 participants, 1213 (26%) had a history of coronary heart disease 1-year prior to their baseline visit. Compared to those without frailty, subjects with frailty were older (ages ≥75: 80.9% vs 68.9%, P < 0.001), more likely to be female, and belong to an ethnic minority. The prevalence of hypertension, stroke, falls, disability, anxiety/depression, and multimorbidity were much higher in the frail, than nonfrail, participants. In a discrete time survival model, the incidence of geriatric syndromes during 6-year follow-up including 1) dementia, 2) loss of independence, 3) activities of daily living disability, 4) instrumental activities of daily living disability, and 5) mobility disability were significantly higher in the frail than in the nonfrail older patients with coronary heart disease.ConclusionIn patients with coronary heart disease, frailty is a risk factor for the accelerated development of geriatric outcomes. Efforts to identify frailty in the context of coronary heart disease are needed, as well as interventions to limit or reverse frailty status for older patients with coronary heart disease.     

The correlation between ancestry and color in two cities of Northeast Brazil with contrasting ethnic compositions

The degree of admixture in Brazil between historically isolated populations is complex and geographically variable. Studies differ as to what the genetic and phenotypic consequences of this mixing have been. In Northeastern Brazil, we enrolled 522 residents of Salvador and 620 of Fortaleza whose distributions of self-declared color were comparable to those in the national census. Using the program Structure and principal components analysis there was a clear correlation between biogeographic ancestry and categories of skin color. This correlation with African ancestry was stronger in Salvador (r=0.585; P<0.001) than in Fortaleza (r=0.236; P<0.001). In Fortaleza, although self-declared blacks had a greater proportion of European ancestry, they had more African ancestry than the other categories. When the populations were analyzed without pseudoancestors, as in some studies, the relationship of ‘race'' to genetic ancestry tended to diffuse or disappear. The inclusion of different African populations also influenced ancestry estimates. The percentage of unlinked ancestry informative markers in linkage disequilibrium, a measure of population structure, was 3–5 times higher in both Brazilian populations than expected by chance. We propose that certain methods, ascertainment bias and population history of the specific populations surveyed can result in failure to demonstrate a correlation between skin color and genetic ancestry. Population structure in Brazil has important implications for genetic studies, but genetic ancestry is irrelevant for how individuals are treated in society, their health, their income or their inclusion. These track more closely with perceived skin color than genetic ancestry.     

Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization by thyrotropin, carbachol, and adenosine triphosphate in dog thyroid cells

The effect of TSH, carbachol (CC), and ATP on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in primary cultures of dog thyroid cells was examined using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura-2. TSH caused an increase in [Ca2+]i at 37 C, but not 22 C, while it increased cAMP formation in these cells at both 22 and 37 C. CC and ATP increased [Ca2+]i at both 22 and 37 C. The CC-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was under muscarinic receptor control, and it was biphasic, with an initial spike followed by a sustained increase at a lower level. TSH and ATP were weaker agonists compared to CC, since maximal doses of TSH (100-500 mU/ml) and ATP (100-500 microM) increased [Ca2+]i by 40-70% over basal levels, compared to a 2- to 4-fold increase in [Ca2+] induced by maximal doses of CC (10-50 microM). The TSH-induced increase in [Ca2+]i was transient, returning to basal levels within 1-2 min after application of the agonist. All three agents were able to transiently increase [Ca2+]i to be internal stores. In the presence of the inorganic Ca2+ channel blockers La3+, Ni2+, and Co2+, the peak [Ca2+]i change was little affected, while the persistent response to CC and ATP was blocked, indicating dependence of this phase on influx of Ca2+. Paradoxically, these channel blockers abolished the effect of TSH on [Ca2+]i. TSH stimulation of cAMP formation was also inhibited 80-90% by these blockers, but not in Ca2+-free/EGTA buffer. These results suggest that the Ca2+ channel blockers may have actions in addition to inhibition of Ca2+ entry in these cells. TMB-8 [8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate HCl] specifically blocked both the initial and sustained increase induced by CC, while having no effect on ATP or TSH-induced [Ca2+]i, suggesting that TMB-8 may not be a general antagonist of Ca2+ mobilization. Activators of protein kinase-C, such as phorbol esters or an analog of diacylglycerol, inhibited the [Ca2+]i rise induced by all the three agonists used, indicating a regulatory role of protein kinase-C activation on [Ca2+]i in these cells. In FRTL-5 cells, [Ca2+]i was also increased by TSH and ATP, but not by CC. ATP, however, was a more effective agonist than in dog thyroid cells, while TSH increased [Ca2+]i by a similar magnitude in both cell types. The results of the present study demonstrate that TSH, albeit of lesser potency than CC, increases [Ca2+]i by causing intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in cultured dog thyroid cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Enhanced electron transfer mediated detection of hydrogen peroxide using a silver nanoparticle–reduced graphene oxide–polyaniline fabricated electrochemical sensor

The current study aims at the development of an electrochemical sensor based on a silver nanoparticle–reduced graphene oxide–polyaniline (AgNPs–rGO–PANI) nanocomposite for the sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The nanocomposite was fabricated by simple in situ synthesis of PANI at the surface of rGO sheet which was followed by stirring with AEC biosynthesized AgNPs to form a nanocomposite. The AgNPs, GO, rGO, PANI, rGO–PANI, and AgNPs–rGO–PANI nanocomposite and their interaction were studied by UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX and XPS analysis. AgNPs–rGO–PANI nanocomposite was loaded (0.5 mg cm⁻²) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) where the active surface area was maintained at 0.2 cm² for investigation of the electrochemical properties. It was found that AgNPs–rGO–PANI–GCE had high sensitivity towards the reduction of H₂O₂ than AgNPs–rGO which occurred at −0.4 V vs. SCE due to the presence of PANI (AgNPs have direct electronic interaction with N atom of the PANI backbone) which enhanced the rate of transfer of electron during the electrochemical reduction of H₂O₂. The calibration plots of H₂O₂ electrochemical detection was established in the range of 0.01 μM to 1000 μM (R² = 0.99) with a detection limit of 50 nM, the response time of about 5 s at a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 3). The sensitivity was calculated as 14.7 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻² which indicated a significant potential as a non-enzymatic H₂O₂ sensor.

The current study aims at the development of an electrochemical sensor based on a silver nanoparticle–reduced graphene oxide–polyaniline (AgNPs–rGO–PANI) nanocomposite for the sensitive and selective detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).     

Non-pharmacological management of phantom limb pain in lower limb amputation: a systematic review

Background: The incidence and severity of phantom limb pain (PLP) does not differ much between the extremities of amputation. However, its impact on functional ability and quality of life in lower limb amputation may be different, as prosthetic weight bearing is a key component in the movement and functional rehabilitation of individuals with a lower limb amputation.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for effectiveness or efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions in the management of PLP in adults with lower limb amputation.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search conducted on 11 electronic databases, from their inception to 25 March 2016 identified 626 potentially relevant articles. Full-text randomised controlled trials in English which examined any form of non-pharmacologic intervention for managing PLP in lower limb amputees were included. The data with regard to characteristics of the studies, participants, intervention and outcome measures and overall statistical result were extracted. The Cochrane ‘Risk of bias assessment tool’ was used to assess the bias of all included articles.

Results: Four studies met the final criteria to be included in the review. Four treatment techniques had been used in the treatment of 204 patients with lower limb amputation. Two trials showed a positive impact of intervention on PLP compared to control group. Risk of bias varied across studies, and only one included study was assessed as having a low risk of bias.

Conclusion: The review identified lack of evidence to support non-pharmacological interventions in the management of PLP. Adequately powered high-quality trials are needed in this area to inform rehabilitation.     

Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) Screening Program: 7 Years Experience in Early Detection of Cervical Cancer and Pre-Cancers in Rural South India

Cervical cancer continues to be a major public health problem in India in the absence of wide spread organised cervical screening programs. Visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA) is an effective, inexpensive screening test that can be combined with simple treatment procedures for early cervical lesions, provided by trained health workers. We report 7 years experience in early detection of cervical cancer and pre-cancers using the VIA test in a community-based program in rural Andhra Pradesh, India where there are no existing organised cervical screening programs.

Materials and Methods:

Eligible women aged between 26 and 60 were opportunistically screened by trained health wor kers using the VIA test. Women who tested positive were further evaluated and those with cervical lesions were treated either by cryotherapy in the screening clinic or referred to a higher center.

Results:

A total of 18,869 women were screened by a single round of VIA testing with a positive rate of 10.75%. Biopsy proven high-grade squamous intraepithelials (HSILs) were 90 (0.48%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelials (LSILs) were 43 (0.28%). The overall prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2+ lesion rate is 1.05%. A total of 312 (1.65%) cryotherapies were done and 49 women underwent hysterectomy.

Conclusions:

VIA by trained female health workers is a safe, acceptable, and effective test that can save lives from cervical cancer even in remote areas with few resources. These results have important implications for efficient service delivery in cervical screening programs in low-resourced settings.     

Forest Structure and Community Composition of Cochin Mangroves,South-West Coast of India

This study presents the structural characteristics of Cochin mangroves in Kerala for proposing suitable management and rejuvenation measures of degrading mangrove habitats. The floristic diversity of mangroves revealed 14 species of true mangroves belonging to six families. Multivariate analysis of true mangroves belonging to selected mangrove forests of the study area based on density could be classified into four floristic groups, a water front or low–tide zonation, mid-tide preferring species, high tide and landward zonation. Shannon Weiner index of the three stations revealed that Site I was having higher value (H′ = 2.66) followed by Site II (H′ = 2.01) and Site III (H′ = 1.595). The density of the mangroves varied significantly with sites and species (Global R = 0.537, P < 0.001). The diameter at breast height (DBH) in the study area revealed that most of the species came under 1–10 cm DBH class. The overall structural data (including Importance Value Index, DBH and basal area) showed that Site III, the Mangalavanam forest was having more structural development and could be considered as matured forest whereas, Site I, Aroor is a maturing forest and Site II, Malippuram is the least matured forest from the study. The Importance Value Index and basal area of each species could be used for analysing the maturity of the forest and habitat preferences for restoration programmes of the degraded ecosystems.