Neonatal pulmonary flow pattern--a pulsed Doppler echo study.

The pulmonary flow pattern was analysed by pulsed Doppler in 77 normal neonates, at < 48 hours (36 subjects), 49 to 96 hours (25 subjects) and 97 to 148 hours (16 subjects). From the flow velocity spectrum, using an built in computer system, the acceleration time and the ejection time were measured, and the ratio was calculated. This ratio was 0.24 +/- 0.08 in the subjects within 48 hours whereas this ratio was 0.53 +/- 0.11 in the subjects above 97 hours; thus the ratio increased with age. We noticed that the ratio obtained from the pulsed Doppler is useful in assessing the pulmonary vascular status, even in neonates.     

Serum and intestinal immune response to rotavirus enteritis in children.

This study was designed to assess the serum and mucosal immune response to naturally acquired rotavirus enteritis in children. Serum and duodenal secretions were collected 1 week and again 4 to 5 weeks after the onset of illness from 10 children. In two of these children, the procedure was repeated 12 to 15 months later. Another 10 children with bacterial enteritis were studied as controls. The antibody response in serum included a significant elevation of rotavirus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) in acute-phase samples (P less than 0.05), but not in convalescent-phase samples, when compared with controls. Rotavirus-specific IgG and IgA levels were significantly elevated in convalescent-phase serum when compared with acute-phase serum (P less than 0.025), but not in control serum. Rotavirus-specific IgA levels in convalescent duodenal secretions were significantly raised when compared with both acute-phase and control samples (P less than 0.01). Rotavirus-specific IgM levels were elevated in acute-phase duodenal secretions (P less than 0.05), but not in convalescent-phase secretions. In two children, the secretory IgA response had disappeared by 12 months. These studies demonstrate the presence of rotavirus-specific antibody in duodenal secretions which may be important for protection against reinfection and may be capable of being stimulated by oral vaccination.     

Antimalarial efficacy of dynamic compound of plumbagin chemical constituent from Plumbago zeylanica Linn (Plumbaginaceae) against the malarial vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

In the present investigation, the effective root compound of plumbagin of Plumbago zeylanica (Plumbaginaceae) was evaluated for chemical constituent and antimalarial effect against the fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera). In the chromatographic analyses of root compound with Rf value of 0.788 and NMR analyses also revealed that the effective compound contain naphthoquinone plumbagin were identified as the major chemical constituent. Larval mortality was observed after 3 h of exposure period. The plumbagin compound showed remarkable larvicidal activity against A. stephensi (LC₅₀ 32.65 and LC₉₀72.27 ppm). Histopathological effects of compound was observed in the treated larvae. Based on the results, the plumbagin compound of P. zeylanica can be considered as a new source of natural larvicide for the control of malarial vector.     

Heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes vs. those without diabetes: A retrospective observational study from South India

Background and aimDespite diabetes being an independent risk for HF, only some DM patients develop HF and hence our aim was to compare the clinical features of DM with and without HF and non-DM with and without HF.MethodsA retrospective observational study was conducted among 397 individuals who visited two tertiary care centres. They were classified into 4 groups – DM with HF(DM-HF), DM without HF, non-DM with HF(non-DM-HF) and non-DM without HF. We assessed and compared the clinical profile of DM with HF vs. DM without HF and non-DM with HF groups respectively.ResultsThe parameters such as age, BMI, BP, eGFR showed significant difference between the groups. People with DM-HF were older compared to DM without HF group(58.9 ± 9.2vs.49.5 ± 9.3; p < 0.001). An increasing trend was observed in HF prevalence with increasing duration of DM among the DM-HF group. DM-HF showed a higher prevalence of hypertension and coronary artery disease(CAD) by history than DM without HF group. DM-HF group(91.2%) had HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction(HFpEF) whereas a high proportion(43.5%) of non-DM-HF group had HF with reduced LV ejection fraction(HFrEF).ConclusionsThe DM-HF group differed from other groups significantly in age, diabetes duration, HbA1c level, prevalence of hypertension, CAD and HFpEF.     

Determination of anti-inflammatory activities of standardised preparations of plant- and mushroom-based foods

Purpose

Chronic inflammatory processes contribute to the pathogenesis of many age-related diseases. In search of anti-inflammatory foods, we have systematically screened a variety of common dietary plants and mushrooms for their anti-inflammatory activity.

Methods

A selection of 115 samples was prepared by a generic food-compatible processing method involving heating. These products were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in murine N11 microglia and RAW 264.7 macrophages, using nitric oxide (NO) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) as pro-inflammatory readouts.

Results

Ten food samples including lime zest, English breakfast tea, honey-brown mushroom, button mushroom, oyster mushroom, cinnamon and cloves inhibited NO production in N11 microglia, with IC₅₀ values below 0.5 mg/ml. The most active samples were onion, oregano and red sweet potato, exhibiting IC₅₀ values below 0.1 mg/ml. When these ten food preparations were retested in RAW 264.7 macrophages, they all inhibited NO production similar to the results obtained in N11 microglia. In addition, English breakfast tea leaves, oyster mushroom, onion, cinnamon and button mushroom preparations suppressed TNF-α production, exhibiting IC₅₀ values below 0.5 mg/ml in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Conclusion

In summary, anti-inflammatory activity in these food samples survived ‘cooking’. Provided that individual bioavailability allows active compounds to reach therapeutic levels in target tissues, these foods may be useful in limiting inflammation in a variety of age-related inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, these foods could be a source for the discovery of novel anti-inflammatory drugs.     

Urinary protein/creatinine ratio as an indicator of allograft function following live related donor renal transplantation

In a study of 656 urine specimens from 53 consecutive recipients of live related donor renal allografts we found an excellent correlation between the protein content of 24-h urines and protein/creatinine ratio (Up/Ucr) in overnight urine samples. Using this ratio, we evaluated proteinuria up to 180 days after renal transplantation (overnight urine samples analysed, n = 2745). Heavy proteinuria in the immediate post-operative period had no prognostic significance. Eighty-nine percent of all clinically observed acute rejection episodes were accompanied by an increase over baseline of Up/Ucr; in 56.5% of these episodes elevation of Up/Ucr preceded that of serum creatinine. However, as a marker of rejection the usefulness of this parameter was limited owing to large number of false positive elevations. In 50 recipients whose grafts survived for more than 3 mth, proteinuria was graded into minimal, moderate and heavy. Renal function at the end of six months was good in all patients who exhibited proteinuria with Up/Ucr less than 100 mg/mmol creatinine. Persistent proteinuria with Up/Ucr above 100 mg/mmol preceded significant deterioration of graft function. Therefore, a protein-creatinine ratio of 100 mg/mmol can be considered as an apparent cut-off to differentiate stable from deteriorating graft function in long term evaluation of transplant recipients.     

Can iron status be improved in each of the three trimesters? A community-based study

OBJECTIVE: Intervention with iron supplementation, deworming, and information, education and communication (IEC) to improve the haematological status among each of the three trimesters of pregnant women in a rural community. DESIGN: A community-based study was carried out using a two-group pre-post experimental design in a rural community. SETTING: Two rural blocks in Vellore district were selected for the study. KV Kuppam block with a population of 120,000 and the adjacent Gudiyatham block with a population of 132,000 served as study and control areas for the study. SUBJECTS: Using a multistage sampling, initially 50% of the panchayats, the local village administrative units, were randomly selected and all pregnant women were the subjects. In the pre-intervention survey 458 and 387 pregnant women had haemoglobin tested and the post-intervention survey covered 403 and 425 pregnant women in the study and control areas, respectively. Similarly serum ferritin was tested in a randomly selected sub-sample with 254 and 191 pregnant women before intervention and in 216 and 223 pregnant women after intervention in both study and control areas, respectively. INTERVENTION: Iron supplementation and deworming were provided to all pregnant women in the study area from the fourth month of their pregnancy. An intensive information, education and communication was carried out with facts on anaemia and diet modification to each pregnant woman, using a one-to-one approach in the community, and a group method in the mobile clinics. This was carried out for a period of 18 months. RESULTS: A significant decrease in the prevalence of anaemia was found, from 56.1% to 25.07% (P<0.001), 73. 4% to 49.2% (P<0.001) and 68.8% to 56.8% (P<0.01) among women in the first, second and third trimesters, respectively, in the intervention area. Significant (P<0.001) increases in the mean haemoglobin of 0.85 g/dl (95% CI 10.18-10.84, 11.09-11.63), 0.59 g/dl (95% CI 9.98-10.34, 10.55-10.95) and 0.36 g/dl (95% CI 9.93-10. 33, 10.25-10.73) were also observed in each of the groups. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive community-based intervention with iron supplementation, helminthic treatment and increase in knowledge using IEC through effective strategies can improve the haematological status of pregnant women in each trimester.     

Renal enlargement as primary presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Renal enlargement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is well reported in literature from Western Countries. However there are very few reports from developing countries. Bilateral symmetrical enlargement of kidneys as a primary presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is rare. We report a child who had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia presenting with bilateral renal mass.     

Non-01 Vibrio cholerae septicemia and meningitis in a neonate

Non-01 Vibrio cholerae is known to cause diarrhoea as well as extra-intestinal infections in adults and children. However meningitis in children is a rare occurrence. We report a neonate who developed septicemia and meningitis due toNon-01 Vibrio cholerae.