Short-term pharmacologically induced growth study of ontogenetic allometry of oxygen uptake in children

BACKGROUND: A range of allometric coefficients have been proposed in describing the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max): body mass relation in children using weight-bearing ergometry. However, a wide deviation in the allometric coefficients for VO2max may be apparent when selected pediatric cohorts are studied in conjunction with clinical intervention for growth abnormalities. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the allometric coefficients for VO2max after short-term pharmacologically induced growth in pre- and early pubescent children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The treatment group consisted of nine subjects with non-growth hormone (GH)-deficient short stature and one with GH-deficient short stature (mean age: 13.7+/-1.7 years). Ten pre- and early pubescent children matched for age, height, weight, VO2max and body mass index (BMI) were controls. The treatment group were evaluated before (Pre-GH) and after (Post-GH) 4 months of subcutaneous GH therapy (0.05 mgkg(-1)day(-1) x 6 days week(-1)). RESULTS: The mean ontogenetic coefficient for the treatment group was 1.50+/-0.20 and for the control group was 0.77+/-0.34. The mean allometric coefficient for body mass relative to VO2max was significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Height, weight, fat free mass (FFM), VO2max indexed to body mass (mLkg(-1)min(-1)) and FFM (mLkgFFM(-1)min(-1)) increased (p<0.05) with GH therapy. GH therapy also increased insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and served as a biochemical marker of GH therapy (p<0.05). The control group had no significant differences in all the variables tested (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The scaling for oxygen uptake (VO2) for body mass varies with GH treatment and the increase in VO2max that commonly occurs in conjunction with physical growth in the pre-and early pubescent individual may be linked to an increase in FFM and linear size.     

Eco-friendly microbial route to synthesize cobalt nanoparticles using Bacillus thuringiensis against malaria and dengue vectors

The developments of resistance and persistence to chemical insecticides and concerns about the non-target effects have prompted the development of eco-friendly mosquito control agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the larvicidal activities of synthesized cobalt nanoparticles (Co NPs) using bio control agent, Bacillus thuringiensis against malaria vector, Anopheles subpictus and dengue vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). The synthesized Co NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis showed three distinct diffraction peaks at 27.03°, 31.00°, and 45.58° indexed to the planes 102, 122, and 024, respectively on the face-centered cubic cobalt acetate with an average size of 85.3 nm. FTIR spectra implicated role of the peak at 3,436 cm^?1 for O–H hydroxyl group, 2924 cm^?1 for methylene C–H stretch in the formation of Co NPs. FESEM analysis showed the topological and morphological appearance of NPs which were found to be spherical and oval in shape. TEM analysis showed polydispersed and clustered NPs with an average size of 84.81 nm. The maximum larvicidal mortality was observed in the cobalt acetate solution, B. thuringiensis formulation, and synthesized Co NPs against fourth instar larvae of A. subpictus and A. aegypti with LC₅₀ values of 29.16, 8.12, 3.59 mg/L; 34.61, 6.94, and 2.87 mg/L; r ² values of 0.986, 0.933, 0.942; 0.962, 0.957, and 0.922, respectively.     

Green synthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Psidium guajava extract and its antibacterial and antioxidant properties

Objective:To determine the efficacies of antibacterial and antioxidant activities of aqueous leaf extract of Psidium guajava mediated biosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles(TiO_2,NPs).Methods:Synthesized TiO_2 NPs were tested by disc diffusion method against against human pathogenic bacteria.The total antioxidant activity and phenolic content(Folin—Ciocalteau method) of synthesized TiO_2 NTs and aqueous plant extract were determined.The scavenging radicals were estimated hv DPPH method.The synthesized TiO_2 NPs were characterized by XRD,FTIR.FESEM and EDX,Results:FTIR spectra of synthesized TiO_2 NPs exhibited prominent peaks at 3410 cm~(-1)(alkynes),1 578 cm~(-1).1 451 cm~(-1)(alkanes),and 1 123 cm~(-1)(C-O absorption).The morphological characterization of synthesized TiO_2 NPs was analysed by FESEM which showed spherical shape and clusters with an average size of 32.58 nm.The maximum zone of inhibition was observed in the synthesized TiO_2 NPs(20 μg/mL) against Staphylococcus aureus(25 mm) and Escherichia coli(23 mm).The synthesized TiO_2 NPs showed more antibacterial activity than the standard antibiotic disk,tetracycline which drastically reduces the chances for the development of antibiotics resistance of bacterial species.The plant aqueous extract and synthesized TiO_2NPs were found to possess maximum antioxidant activity when compared with ascorbic acid.The content of phenolic compounds(mg/g) in Leaf aqueous extract and synthesized TiO_2 NPs were found to be 85.4 and 18.3 mgTA/g,respectively.Conclusions:Green synthesized TiO_2 NPs provides a promising approach can satisfy the requirement of large-scale industrial production hearing the advantage of low—cost,eco—friendly and reproducible.     

Gastrointestinal mucormycosis—four cases with different risk factors, involving different anatomical sites

Mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare infection that usually occurs in patients who are immunocompromised and carries a high mortality. We report four cases of gastrointestinal mucormycosis seen over a one year period with different presentations, risk factors and different anatomical sites of involvement. A preoperative diagnosis was made only in one patient. All underwent surgery, three survived and one died postoperatively from multiorgan failure.     

Interventions to improve or facilitate linkage to or retention in pre-ART (HIV) care and initiation of ART in low- and middle-income settings – a systematic review

Introduction

Several approaches have been taken to reduce pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) losses between HIV testing and ART initiation in low- and middle-income countries, but a systematic assessment of the evidence has not yet been undertaken. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the potential for interventions to improve or facilitate linkage to or retention in pre-ART care and initiation of ART in low- and middle-income settings.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted on Medline, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science and conference databases to identify studies describing interventions aimed at improving linkage to or retention in pre-ART care or initiation of ART. Additional searches were conducted to identify on-going trials on this topic, and experts in the field were contacted. An assessment of the risk of bias was conducted. Interventions were categorized according to key domains in the existing literature.

Results

A total of 11,129 potentially relevant citations were identified, of which 24 were eligible for inclusion, with the majority (n=21) from sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, 15 on-going trials were identified. The most common interventions described under key domains included: health system interventions (i.e. integration in the setting of antenatal care); patient convenience and accessibility (i.e. point-of-care CD4 count (POC) testing with immediate results, home-based ART initiation); behaviour interventions and peer support (i.e. improved communication, patient referral and education) and incentives (i.e. food support). Several interventions showed favourable outcomes: integration of care and peer supporters increased enrolment into HIV care, medical incentives increased pre-ART retention, POC CD4 testing and food incentives increased completion of ART eligibility screening and ART initiation. Most studies focused on the general adult patient population or pregnant women. The majority of published studies were observational cohort studies, subject to an unclear risk of bias.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that streamlining services to minimize patient visits, providing adequate medical and peer support, and providing incentives may decrease attrition, but the quality of the current evidence base is low. Few studies have investigated combined interventions, or assessed the impact of interventions across the HIV cascade. Results from on-going trials investigating POC CD4 count testing, patient navigation, rapid ART initiation and mobile phone technology may fill the quality of evidence gap. Further high-quality studies on key population groups are required, with interventions informed by previously reported barriers to care.     

Protective effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum leaf extract on glycoprotein components on STZ–induced hyperglycemic rats

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective role of Cardiospermum halicacabum (C. halicacabum) leaf extract on glycoprotein metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.MethodsDiabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by intraperitonial administration of STZ. The C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) was administered orally to normal and STZ–diabetic rats for 45 days. The effects of C. halicacabum leaf extract (CHE) on plasma and tissue glycoproteins (hexose, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid) were determined.ResultsThe levels of plasma and tissues glycoproteins containing hexose, hexosamine and fucose were significantly increased in STZ–induced diabetic rats. In addition, the level of sialic acid significantly increased in plasma and liver while decreased in kidney of STZ–induced diabetic rats. After administration of CHE to diabetic rats, the metabolic alteration of glycoprotein reverted towards normal levels.ConclusionsThe present study indicates that the CHE possesses a protective effect on abnormal glycoprotein metabolism in addition to its antihyperglycemic activity.     

Production,purification and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of adeno-associated virus serotype 4

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) serotypes 1 to 5 are currently under development as clinical gene delivery vectors for the treatment of human diseases. However, the ubiquitous nature of their cell surface receptors, heparin sulfate (AAV2 and 3) and sialic acids (AAV4 and 5), can preclude specific tissue targeting in vivo. Structural studies of AAV4 were initiated to characterize its capsid surface for re-targeting manipulations. Crystals obtained diffracted synchrotron radiation to 3.2 A resolution. The unit cell is body-centered orthorhombic, I222, with a = 339.6, b = 319.2 and c = 285.0 A. The virus particle orientation and position have been determined.     

Immunomodulatory effects of Premna tomentosa (L. Verbenaceae) extract in J 779 macrophage cell cultures under chromate (VI)-induced immunosuppression

OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the immunomodulatory effects of Premna tomentosa extract against chromate (VI)-induced toxicity was assessed in J 779 macrophage cell line. DESIGN: The cells were analyzed for cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, oxidant burst, antioxidant status, and cell proliferation. RESULT: Chromate treatment resulted in a significant increase in cytotoxicity and free radical production. Furthermore, there is a significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPx). There was an appreciable decrease in cell proliferation and phagocytosis by macrophages in the presence of chromate. However, pretreatment of the cells with P. tomentosa extract (500 microg concentration), 30 minutes prior to chromate (VI) treatment resulted in a significant inhibition of chromate-induced cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species production. The extract also restored the antioxidant status, cell proliferation, and phagocytosis similar to that of control cells. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the cytoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of the leaves of P. tomentosa and its possible usage in immunosuppressed conditions.