Vulnerable newborn types: analysis of subnational, population-based birth cohorts for 541 285 live births in 23 countries, 2000-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine prevalence of novel newborn types among 541 285 live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. DESIGN: Descriptive multi-country secondary data analysis. SETTING: Subnational, population-based birth cohort studies (n = 45) in 23 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) spanning 2000-2021. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: Subnational, population-based studies with high-quality birth outcome data from LMICs were invited to join the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We defined distinct newborn types using gestational age (preterm [PT], term [T]), birthweight for gestational age using INTERGROWTH-21st standards (small for gestational age [SGA], appropriate for gestational age [AGA] or large for gestational age [LGA]), and birthweight (low birthweight, LBW [<2500 g], nonLBW) as ten types (using all three outcomes), six types (by excluding the birthweight categorisation), and four types (by collapsing the AGA and LGA categories). We defined small types as those with at least one classification of LBW, PT or SGA. We presented study characteristics, participant characteristics, data missingness, and prevalence of newborn types by region and study. RESULTS: Among 541 285 live births, 476 939 (88.1%) had non-missing and plausible values for gestational age, birthweight and sex required to construct the newborn types. The median prevalences of ten types across studies were T+AGA+nonLBW (58.0%), T+LGA+nonLBW (3.3%), T+AGA+LBW (0.5%), T+SGA+nonLBW (14.2%), T+SGA+LBW (7.1%), PT+LGA+nonLBW (1.6%), PT+LGA+LBW (0.2%), PT+AGA+nonLBW (3.7%), PT+AGA+LBW (3.6%) and PT+SGA+LBW (1.0%). The median prevalence of small types (six types, 37.6%) varied across studies and within regions and was higher in Southern Asia (52.4%) than in Sub-Saharan Africa (34.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is needed to describe the mortality risks associated with newborn types and understand the implications of this framework for local targeting of interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in LMICs.

Bacopa monniera extract mitigates isoproterenol-induced cardiac stress via Nrf2/Keap1/NQO1 mediated pathway.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of standardised hydroalcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (BME) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac stress. Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally to induce cardiac stress in rats. Bacopa monniera extract (BME75 and 150 mg/kg) was orally administered for 21 days followed by ISO on 22nd and 23rd experimental days. ISO caused significant cardiac damage, which was concomitant with increased apoptosis and attenuated expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and regulating apoptotic protein expressions of Bax, Bcl2 and NOS2. Treatment with BME in rats significantly improved cardiac dysfunction by maintaining cardiac rhythm, myocardial integrity. Decreased oxidative stress by restored expressions of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 followed by elevating antioxidant enzymes and total glutathione levels. Our present results suggest that the BME treatment strengthening the endogenous defence system through Nrf2 modulation and played a key role against cardiac oxidative stress induced by ISO in rats.

New insights into odontological exploration of drowning using rat model - A pilot study.

Dental forensics for the resolution of unnatural death remains an underdeveloped field. Accordingly, an experimental study was conducted with six to seven months old Wistar rats that were drowned in order to identify key postmortem features and pattern of dental decomposition. The visual, structural and elemental changes were assessed periodically. Based on mode of death, they were designated as SB (euthanized and soil buried), FWD (fresh water drowned) and SWD (sea water drowned). Postmortem features as well as the structural and elemental patterns of decomposition of teeth were analyzed with Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDAX) periodically for two months. The periodic observation of elemental changes in the teeth of SB, FWD and SWD rats allowed us to derive an equation using linear regression analysis to relate the degree of dental decomposition with the time since death. The difference in pattern of surface deterioration was also observed. The present findings could provide a better knowledge in resolving unnatural deaths and supporting evidence for legal prosecution.

Pelargonidin Modulates Keap1/Nrf2 Pathway Gene Expression and Ameliorates Citrinin-Induced Oxidative Stress in HepG2 Cells.

Pelargonidin chloride (PC) is one of the major anthocyanin found in berries, radish and other natural foods. Many natural chemopreventive compounds have been shown to be potent inducers of phase II detoxification genes and its up-regulation is important for oxidative stress related disorders. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PC in ameliorating citrinin (CTN) induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. The cytotoxicity of CTN was evaluated by treating HepG2 (Human hepatocellular carcinoma) cells with CTN (0-150 µM) in a dose dependent manner for 24 h, and the IC50 was determined to be 96.16 µM. CTN increased lactate dehydrogenase leakage (59%), elevated reactive oxygen species (2.5-fold), depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential as confirmed by JC-1 monomers and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase. Further, apoptotic and necrotic analysis revealed significant changes followed by DNA damage. To overcome these toxicological effects, PC was pretreated for 2 h followed by CTN exposure for 24 h. Pretreatment with PC resulted in significant increase in cell viability (84.5%), restored membrane integrity, reactive oxygen species level were maintained and cell cycle phases were normal. PC significantly up-regulated the activity of detoxification enzymes: heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), glutathione transferase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and quinone reductase. Nrf2 translocation into the nucleus was also observed by immunocytochemistry analysis. These data demonstrate the protective effect of PC against CTN-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and up-regulated the activity of detoxification enzyme levels through Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Cytoprotective propensity of green tea polyphenols against citrinin-induced skeletal-myotube damage in C2C12 cells.

The mycotoxin citrinin, is produced by several species of Penicillium, Aspergillus and Monascus, and is capable of inducing cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of citrinin in mouse skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) and to overcome the cellular adverse effects by supplementing green tea extract (GTE) rich in polyphenols. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated to myotubes and were exposed to citrinin in a dose dependent manner (0-100 µM) for 24 h and IC50 value was found to be 100 µM that resulted in decreased cell viability, increased LDH leakage and compromised membrane integrity. Mitochondrial membrane potential loss, increased accumulation of intracellular ROS and sub G1 phase of cell cycle was observed. To ameliorate the cytotoxic effects of CTN, C2C12 cells were pretreated with GTE (20, 40, 80 µg/ml) for 2 h followed by citrinin (100 µM) treatment for 24 h. GTE pretreatment combated citrinin-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. GTE at 40 and 80 µg/ml significantly promoted cell survival and upregulated antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GPx) and endogenous antioxidant GSH, while the gene and protein expression levels were significantly restored through its effective antioxidant mechanism. Present study results suggested the antioxidant properties of GTE as a herbal source in ameliorating the citrinin-induced oxidative stress.

Optimisation of extraction of bioactive compounds from Feronia limonia (wood apple) fruit using response surface methodology (RSM).

In this study, the extraction conditions for the maximum recovery of polyphenols with high antioxidant activity were optimised by response surface methodology (RSM) in Feronia limonia fruit. The independent variables were viz. concentration of ethanol (X1: 30-70%), incubation temperature (X2: 37-60%) and solvent-to-solid ratio (X3: 20-40%). ANOVA results showed that concentration of ethanol and temperature affected the total polyphenol content (TPC, Y1), DPPH (Y2) and ABTS (Y3) radical scavenging activities significantly (p<0.05) whereas solvent-to-solid ratio was found to be insignificant. A second-order polynomial model satisfactorily fitted the experimental data with the R(2) values of 0.966, 0.946 and 0.955, respectively for the responses Y1, Y2 and Y3 (p<0.0001), implying a good agreement between the predicted and experimental values. The optimal conditions for the highest yield of TPC (7.21±1.4 g GAE/g) with >80% radical scavenging activities were derived at X1=62.7%, X1=49.7 °C and X3=39.4 mL/g.

Factors associated with HIV infection among Indian women.

There is still a paucity of research on the sociodemographic and other underlying factors associated with HIV transmission among women in India. This study was designed to investigate such factors in sexually experienced Indian women. We used data from the National Family Health Survey 3 (NFHS-3), which tested 52,853 women for HIV, including 27,556 husband and wife pairs. Significant risk factors for all women and married women only were: aged 26-35 years (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 3.65 and 2.53, respectively), being poor (AORs = 1.57 and 1.79), having had a genital sore in the last 12 months (AORs = 3.16 and 3.01) and having more than one sexual partner (AORs = 5.95 and 5.15). For husband and wife pairs, suffering sexual violence (AOR = 2.63), husband having other wife/wives (AOR = 3.40) and husband's education being secondary level or higher (AOR = 0.43) were significant. Intervention strategies in India should target young married (aged 25-35 years) and formerly married urban women who are poor, as well as those who have suffered sexual violence from their husbands, and/or are (or whose husbands are) multi-partnered. Empowerment of women is fundamental to HIV/AIDS prevention in India.

Biodegradation of cyanides, cyanates and thiocyanates to ammonia and carbon dioxide by immobilized cells of Pseudomonas putida.

Pseudomonas putida utilizes cyanide as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Agar, alginate, and carrageenan were screened as the encapsulating matrices for P. putida. Alginate-immobilized cells of P. putida degraded sodium cyanide (NaCN) more efficiently than non-immobilized cells or cells immobilized in agar or carrageenan. The end products of biodegradation of cyanide were identified as ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). These products changed the medium pH. In bioreactors, the rate of cyanide degradation increased with an increase in the rate of aeration. Maximum utilization of cyanide was observed at 200 ml min-1 of aeration. Immobilized cells of P. putida degraded cyanides, cyanates and thiocyanates to NH3 and CO2. Use of Na[14C]-CN showed that 70% of carbon of Na[14C]-CN was converted into 14CO2 and only 10% was associated with the cell biomass. The substrate-dependent kinetics indicated that the Km and Vmax values of P. putida for the substrate, NaCN were 14 mM and 29 nmol of oxygen consumed mg protein-1 min-1 respectively.

Age-related metabolic effects of acetaldehyde on rats with reference to detoxification enzymes and sulfhydryl groups.

Induced-acetaldehyde toxic effects on gluatathione [GSH] metabolism and sulfhydryl (SH) groups in liver and in brain of female albino rats with reference to age was studied. The total -SH groups were decreased whereas the specific activities of glutathione-S-transferase [GST] and glutathione peroxidase [GPo] were increased in acetaldehyde treated rats. However, the specific activity levels of glutathione reductase [GR] and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase [gamma-GCS] were decreased. In general, acetaldehyde induced changes in the specific activities of the enzymes that increase with increasing age.

Effect of acetaldehyde on oxidoreductases in tissues of rats at different ages.

The toxicity of acetaldehyde and age related changes on oxidoreductases in the liver, brain, kidney, and muscle of female albino rats (Wistar strain) were studied. The specific activities of lactate [LDH], isocitrate [ICDH (NAD/NADP)], succinate [SDH], malate [MDH], glutamate [GDH] and glucose-6-Phosphate [G-6-PDH] dehydrogenases were significantly increased as a function of age. However, acetaldehyde treatment significantly inhibited oxidoreductases in the tissue of 21, 90 and 180 day old rats. Liver enzymes of young (21 days) rats exhibited greater sensitivity to acetaldehyde toxicity. Similar inhibition of oxidoreductases in brain and kidney of adult (180 days) rats treated with acetaldehyde was observed. LDH and GDH as compared to other enzymes studied showed higher susceptibility to acetaldehyde toxicity. The differential sensitivity of tissues and inhibition of oxidoreductases by acetaldehyde as a function of age could be attributed to hypoxic conditions, energy crisis, and mitochondrial structural changes. The results suggest that acetaldehyde affects oxidation of glucose via HMP shunt pathway, glycolytic pathways and Krebs cycle resulting in the impairment of carbohydrate metabolism.

Cell-free extract(s) of Pseudomonas putida catalyzes the conversion of cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, formamide, and cyanide-containing mine waters into ammonia.

Our isolate, Pseudomonas putida, is known to be capable of utilizing cyanides as the sole source of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) both in the form of free cells and cells immobilized in calcium alginate. In the present study, the cell-free extract(s) were prepared from the cells of P. putida grown in the presence of sodium cyanide. The ability of enzyme(s) to convert cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, formamide and cyanide-containing mine waters into ammonia (NH3) was studied at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5. The kinetic analysis of cyanide and formamide conversion into NH3 at pH 7.5 and pH 9.5 by the cell-free extract(s) of P. putida was also studied. The Km and Vmax values for cyanide/formamide were found to be 4.3/8 mM and 142/227 mumol NH3 released mg protein-1 min-1 respectively at pH 7.5 and 5/16.67 mM and 181/434 mumol NH3 released mg protein-1 h-1 respectively at pH 9.5. The study thus concludes that the cell-free extract(s) of P. putida is able to metabolize not only cyanides, cyanates, thiocyanates, and formamide but also cyanide-containing mine waters to NH3.

Effect of temperature and yeast extract on microbial respiration of sediments from a shallow coastal subsurface and vadose zone.

As a part of our study on microbial heterogeneity in subsurface environments, we have examined the microbial respiration of sediment samples obtained from a coastal site near Oyster, VA. The sediments at the site are unconsolidated, fine to coarse beach sand and gravel. A Columbus Instruments Micro-Oxymax Respirometer was used to measure the rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) production during the respiration of the sediment samples. The rate of respiration of the sediment samples ranged from 0.035-0.6 microL CO2/h/g of the sediment. The sediment samples showing maximum (0.6 microL CO2/h/g) and minimum (0.035 microL CO2/h/g) production of CO2 were selected to study the effect of micronutrient-yeast extract (0.5 and 1.0 micrograms/g of the sediment) and water (0.5 and 1.0 mL) on the rate of CO2 production. The rate of CO2 production increased with the addition of water, but increased approx 2 orders of magnitude (from 0.26 to an average of 23.5 microL CO2/h/g) when 1.0 g/g yeast extract was added to the sediment samples. In these coastal sediments, temperature, depth, and addition of water influenced microbial activity, but the addition of 1.0 microgram/g yeast extract as a micronutrient rapidly increased the rate of CO2 production 2 orders of magnitude.

Pseudomonas marginalis: its degradative capability on organic nitriles and amides.

Pseudomonas marginalis, capable of utilizing acetonitrile as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen, was isolated from an industrial waste site. P. marginalis metabolized acetonitrile into ammonia and acetate. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of different nitriles and amides for P. marginalis were in the range 5-300 mM. The bacterium was able to transform high-molecular-mass nitrile compounds and their respective amides into ammonia. The data from substrate-dependent kinetics showed that the Km and Vmax values of P. marginalis for acetonitrile were 33 mM and 67 nmol oxygen consumed min-1 (ml cell suspension)-1 respectively. The study with [14C]acetonitrile indicated that nearly 66% of the carbon was released as 14CO2 and 12% was associated with the biomass. The enzyme system involved in the hydrolysis of acetonitrile was shown to be intracellular and inducible. The specific activities of the enzymes nitrile aminohydrolase and amidase were determined in the cell-free extracts of P. marginalis. Both the enzymes could hydrolyze a wide range of nitriles and amides. The present study suggests that the biodegradation of organic nitriles and the bioproduction of organic acids may be achieved with the cells of P. marginalis.

Degradative capability of Pseudomonas putida on acetonitrile.

Pseudomonas putida, capable of utilizing acetonitrile as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen, was isolated from contaminated soil and water samples collected from industrial sites. The P. putida cells were immobilized in calcium alginate beads. The degradation of acetonitrile by the immobilized cells of P. putida was investigated. The immobilized cells degraded different concentrations of acetonitrile into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The effect of aeration on the degradation rate was also studied. Oxygen limitation was suggested in the alginate-immobilized system. The rate of degradation of acetonitrile increased with increase in the rate of aeration.

Degradation of nitriles and amides by the immobilized cells of Pseudomonas putida.

Pseudomonas putida, capable of utilizing acetonitrile as a sole source of C and N, was immobilized in calcium alginate and the rates of degradation of nitriles, including acetonitrile, and their respective amides were studied. All the organic nitriles and amides tested were converted into NH3 and CO2.

Effect in vitro of propoxur on kinetics of K+ stimulated PNPPase and protection by thiol reagents.

Kinetics analysis of K+ stimulated PNPPase was studied in the rat brain synaptosomes in the presence of propoxur. Non-competitive inhibition with respect to activation by PNPP was seen by the decreased maximal velocity (Vmax) without change in Michaelis-Menten Constant (Km). Activation energy values (delta E) were increased suggesting the decreased catalytic potential of the enzyme. It is also observed that dithiothrietol (DTT) (76 microM), cysteine (82 microM) and glutathione (120 microM) neutralized the inhibition of K(+)-PNPPase by propoxur to different extents.

Modulations in ionic composition and ATPase system in the brain of albino rat under induced propoxur toxicity.

Modulations in ionic composition were seen in the rat brain during propoxur treatment indicating an impairment in the electric activity of neurons, oxygen consumption, ATPase system, disruption in the movement of ions across ionic pumps and synaptic transmission. The specific activity levels of ATPases were also altered confirming that the impairment in the ATPase system might be due to the ionic imbalances under propoxur stress.

Effect in vitro of propoxur on calcium dependent ATP hydrolysis and calcium uptake by the rat brain synaptosomes.

Effect in vitro of propoxur on the specific activity of calcium stimulated ATPase and calcium uptake was studied in the rat brain synaptosomes. The data suggest that propoxur might disrupt the synaptic function by altering the calcium dependent ATP hydrolysis and calcium uptake in the central nervous system.

Substrate-affinity relation of succinate and lactate dehydrogenases in tissues of toad, Bufo melanostictus under electropolarity treatment.

The kinetic analysis of succinate and lactate dehydrogenases (SDH and LDH) has been studied in muscle and liver of Bufo melanostictus under electropolarity treatment. Increased Vmax and decreased Km were observed both in liver and muscle under cathode electropolarity treatment whereas a reverse trend was noticed under anodal treatment. But the activation energy values (delta E) of both the enzymes decreased indicating enhanced catalytic efficiency under both cathodal and anodal treatments.

Effect in vitro of benthiocarb on rat brain succinate dehydrogenase.

Kinetic study of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) was studied in the brain of albino rat to elucidate the interaction of benthiocarb, an organocarbamate with oxidative metabolism. The significant decrease in maximal velocity (Vmax) without appreciable change in Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) indicates that benthiocarb did not affect or interfere with succinate oriented sites on the enzyme and the inhibition is of a classical non-competitive type.