Micromolar Metabolite Measurement in an Electronically Multiplexed Format.

OBJECTIVE: The detection of metabolites such as choline in blood are important in clinical care for patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease. Choline is only present in human blood at low concentrations hence accurate measurement in an affordable point-of-care format is extremely challenging. Although complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and microfluidics are individually mature technologies, their integration has presented challenges that we overcome in a novel, cost-effective, single-step process. METHODS: To demonstrate the process, we present the microfluidic integration of a metabolomics-on-CMOS point-of-care platform with four capillary microfluidic channels on top of a CMOS optical sensor array. RESULTS: The fabricated device was characterised to verify the required structural profile, mechanical strength, optical spectra, and fluid flow. As a proof of concept, we used the device for the in-vitro quantification of choline in human blood plasma with a limit of detection of 3.2 µM and a resolution of 1.6 µM. SIGNIFICANCE: Integration of microfluidics on to CMOS technology has the potential to enable advanced sensing technologies with extremely low limit of detection that are well suited to multiple clinical metabolite measurements.

The involvement of caregivers of patients with dementia during mastoid surgery under local anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: With a growing ageing population, there is a higher prevalence of dementia in patients with conditions that can be managed surgically. Patients with dementia undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia often have poorer outcomes than those without. Therefore, local anaesthesia can be an option. METHODS: Two patients with severe dementia and advanced cholesteatoma were identified for operative management. They were deemed too high risk to proceed with general anaesthesia. This article describes our experience of performing mastoid surgery under local anaesthesia in the presence of a primary carer in the operating theatre. RESULTS: The complete extirpation of cholesteatoma was achieved in both cases. The carers reported that local anaesthesia helped to facilitate communication and aid patient co-operation. CONCLUSION: Our experience, albeit limited to two cases, illustrates an alternative individualised peri-operative strategy in the surgical management of patients with dementia and concurrent advanced cholesteatoma.

Prevalence and Pattern of Self-medication with Alternative Medicine: Treatment-switch Analysis in Oral Submucous Fibrosis Patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence and pattern of self-medication with alternative medicine (ALM) among oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) patients with emphasis on treatment-switch analysis. METHODS: A total of 115 OSF patients were recruited and subjected to scientifically validated questionnaire. Two groups were identified: S-ALM: patients who have previously received modern medicinal treatment but switched to ALM; and DN-ALM: patients who started ALM from De Novo. RESULTS: A total of 37 (32.18%) patients reported use of the ALM at some point of time. Twenty-five (67.56%) switched to ALM, whereas 12 (32.43%) patients used ALM from De Novo. The pattern of switching to ALM in short period was significantly prevalent in patients with advanced stages (stage III and IV) as compared to early stages (stage I and II) of OSF. Clarified butter, glycerin, and honey were the most commonly used ALM in both the groups. The most common reasons for switching to ALM were the cost of treatment (32.00%), longer duration of medicinal treatment (24.00%) and ineffectiveness of the medications (24.00%). CONCLUSIONS: ALM usage is common in OSMF patients with significant percentage of patient switched from modern medicine to ALM. Therapeutic efficacy of ALM in OSF needs exploration in future.

Insecticidal activity of the extract, fractions, and pure steroidal saponins of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don for the control of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L.) and aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch).

BACKGROUND: Plutella xylostella L. is the major pest of crucifers globally, causing significant yield loss. Aphis craccivora Koch is the main sucking pest of legumes that transmit viral diseases, leading to economic yield reduction. To minimize loss due to pests, farmers/growers use synthetic insecticides frequently for their control, which led to insecticide resistance, detrimental to natural enemies of pest, environment, etc. Therefore, in this study, the insecticidal activity of plant extract, fractions, and pure steroidal saponins from Trillium govanianum was evaluated for their bio-efficacy against targeted pests. RESULTS: Parent extract was found more effective (LC50 = 1541.2 mg L-1 ) against larvae of P. xylostella after 96 h than n-butanol, n-hexane, and ethyl acetate fractions (LC50 = 3030, 3578 and 3878.1 mg L-1 , respectively). For A. craccivora, ethyl acetate fraction (LC50 = 2186.3 mg L-1 ) was most effective after 96 h than n-hexane fraction (LC50 = 2234.6 mg L-1 ), n-butanol fraction (LC50 = 2696.3 mg L-1 ) and parent extract (LC50 = 3709.1 mg L-1 ). Among pure molecules, govanoside B was found more effective (76% mortality, LC50 = 3279.5 mg L-1 ) followed by borassoside E (74%, LC50 = 3467.1 mg L-1 ) against A. craccivora after 96 h. CONCLUSION: Parent extract/fractions of T. govanianum showed promising efficacy against larvae of P. xylostella and A. craccivora. Further, field study is required for its bio-efficacy against targeted pests for validation and formulation development.

Shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to preformed metal crowns for primary molars using a universal adhesive and two different surface treatments: an in vitro study.

AIM: This was to determine the shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to preformed metal crowns with a new adhesive. Buccal surfaces of the crowns were roughened by two different methods to increase retention. METHOD: Typodont mandibular second primary molars (38) were divided into two groups (19 per group). Preformed metal crowns were cemented to the teeth with glass-ionomer cement. To enhance retention, buccal surfaces of the crowns in group I were roughened with cross-cut carbide burs (SS White #56); crowns in group II were sandblasted (aluminium oxide, 50 µm). Scotchbond Universal Adhesive (3 M-ESPE) was used to bond composite resin to the crowns. A universal testing machine tested the maximum shearing force withstood by the veneered composite surfaces. RESULTS: Sandblasted crowns demonstrated significantly higher resistance (p = 0.001) to shearing force (324.4 N) than did the crowns that were roughened with a bur (234.2 N). CONCLUSION: Chairside veneering of composite resin to pretreated crowns could be a feasible, aesthetically pleasing, and an economical option in paediatric dentistry.

Towards an understanding of bacterial metabolites prodigiosin and violacein and their potential for use in commercial sunscreens.

OBJECTIVES: To exploit the microbial ecology of bacterial metabolite production and, specifically, to: (i) evaluate the potential use of the pigments prodigiosin and violacein as additives to commercial sunscreens for protection of human skin, and (ii) determine antioxidant and antimicrobial activities (against pathogenic bacteria) for these two pigments. METHODS: Prodigiosin and violacein were used to supplement extracts of Aloe vera leaf and Cucumis sativus (cucumber) fruit which are known to have photoprotective activity, as well as some commercial sunscreen preparations. For each, sunscreen protection factors (SPFs) were determined spectrophotometrically. Assays for antimicrobial activity were carried out using 96-well plates to quantify growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. RESULTS: For the plant extracts, SPFs were increased by an order of magnitude (i.e. up to ~3.5) and those for the commercial sunscreens increased by 10-22% (for 4% w/w violacein) and 20-65% (for 4% w/w prodigiosin). The antioxidant activities of prodigiosin and violacein were approximately 30% and 20% those of ascorbic acid (a well-characterized, potent antioxidant). Violacein inhibited S. aureus (IC50 6.99 ± 0.146 µM) but not E. coli, whereas prodigiosin was effective against both of these bacteria (IC50 values were 0.68 ± 0.06 µM and 0.53 ± 0.03 µM, respectively). CONCLUSION: The bacterial pigments prodigiosin and violacein exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and were able to increase the SPF of commercial sunscreens as well as the extracts of the two plant species tested. These pigments have potential as ingredients for a new product range of and, indeed, represent a new paradigm for sunscreens that utilize substances of biological origin. We discussed the biotechnological potential of these bacterial metabolites for use in commercial sunscreens, and the need for studies of mammalian cells to determine safety.

Effect of Tridax procumbens (Linn.) on bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

The present study was undertaken to clarify whether methanolic extract of Tridax procumbens prevents liver fibrosis in rat. The hepatic fibrosis was induced by 28 days of bile duct ligation in rats. The 4-week treatment with Tridex procumbens reduced the serum aspartate aminotransferase (U L⁻¹), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (U L⁻¹), alkaline phosphatase (IU L⁻¹), lactate dehydrogenase (IU L⁻¹), total bilirubin (mg dL⁻¹), direct bilirubin (mg dL⁻¹) and hydroxyproline (mg gm⁻¹) content in liver and improved the histological appearance of liver section. The results of this study led us to conclude that T. procumbens can reduce the degree of hepatocellular damage and may become antifibrotic agent for liver fibrosis.

Anticonvulsant activity of aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ficus religiosa Linn is frequently used for the treatment of nervous disorders among Pawara tribe of the Satpuda range, India. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anticonvulsant activity of the aqueous aerial root extract of Ficus religiosa in chemoconvulsant-induced seizures in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anticonvulsant activity of the extract (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) was investigated in strychnine-, pentylenetetrazole-, picrotoxin- and isoniazid-induced seizures in mice. Rat ileum and fundus strip preparations were used to study the effect of the extract on acetylcholine (Ach)- and serotonin (5-HT)-induced contractions, respectively. RESULTS: The extract showed no toxicity and protected the animals in the strychnine and pentylenetetrazole tests in a dose-dependent manner. Its effect in the picrotoxin and isoniazid tests, however, was less potent. The extract also exhibited dose-dependent potentiation of Ach in rat ileum but failed to potentiate the effect of 5-HT in rat fundus strip preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that an orally administered aqueous root extract of Ficus religiosa has dose-dependent and potent anticonvulsant activities against strychnine- and pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures. The observed activities may be ascribed to the appreciable content of zinc and magnesium in the extract.

Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of Phaseolus trilobus, Ait on bile duct ligation induced liver fibrosis in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Phaseolus trilobus Ait (Fabaceae) is extensively used by tribal people of Nandurbar district (Maharashtra, India) in the treatment of Jaundice and other liver disorders. AIM: of the present study was to assess the medicinal claim of Phaseolus trilobus as hepatoprotective and antioxidant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The hepatoprotective activity of methanol and aqueous extract of Phaseolus trilobus was evaluated by bile duct ligation induced liver fibrosis and antioxidant activity was evaluated using in vitro and in vivo antioxidant models viz anti-lipid peroxidation assay, super oxide radical scavenging assay and glutathione estimation in liver. Liver function tests were carried out to detect hepatoprotective activity, which was further supported by histopathological examination. RESULTS: Methanol and aqueous extracts of Phaseolus trilobus reduced elevated level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and hydroxyproline significantly (p<0.01) in bile duct ligated Wistar rats, proving hepatoprotective activity comparable with Silymarin. Both the extracts were found to reduce the elevated levels of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and elevate superoxide scavenging radical activity proving antioxidant activity comparable with ascorbic acid. The reduced level of glutathione was found to be elevated in liver proving antioxidant activity comparable with Silymarin. CONCLUSION: Phaseolus trilobus posses hepatoprotective property and is effective in oxidative stress induced cholestatic hepatic injury.

Larvicidal activities of six plants extracts against two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi.

Larvicidal activity of crude chloroform, dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the leaves and roots of six Indian plants, Aegle marmelos L., Balanites aegyptica L., Calotropis gigantica L., Murraya koenigii L., Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. and Plumbago zeylanica L., were tested against the early fourth instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. and Anopheles stephensi. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h of exposure. All extracts showed moderate larvicidal effects. However, the highest larval mortality was found in methanol extracts of P. zeylanica roots and B. aegyptica roots against Ae.aegypti (LC50 169.61 mg/lit, 289.59 mg/lit) and An.stephensi (LC50 222.34 mg/lit, 102.29 mg/lit), respectively. The methanol extracts of plants were more effective than the other extracts. This is an ideal eco-friendly approach aid for the control of mosquito species, Ae. aegypti, and An.stephensi.

Effects of an integrated yoga programme on chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis in breast cancer patients.

This study examined the effect of an integrated yoga programme on chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis in early operable breast cancer outpatients. Sixty-two subjects were randomly allocated to receive yoga (n = 28) or supportive therapy intervention (n = 34) during the course of their chemotherapy. Both groups had similar socio-demographic and medical characteristics. Intervention consisted of both supervised and home practice of yoga sessions lasting for 60 min daily, while the control group received supportive therapy and coping preparation during their hospital visits over a complete course of chemotherapy. The primary outcome measure was the Morrow Assessment of Nausea and Emesis (MANE) assessed after the fourth cycle of chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes included measures for anxiety, depression, quality of life, distressful symptoms and treatment-related toxicity assessed before and during the course of chemotherapy. Following yoga, there was a significant decrease in post-chemotherapy-induced nausea frequency (P = 0.01) and nausea intensity (P = 0.01), and intensity of anticipatory nausea (P = 0.01) and anticipatory vomiting (P = 0.05) as compared with the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between MANE scores and anxiety, depression and distressful symptoms. In conclusion, the results suggest a possible use for stress reduction interventions such as yoga in complementing conventional antiemetics to manage chemotherapy-related nausea and emesis.

Local anaesthesia for carpal tunnel decompression: a comparison of two techniques.

Carpal tunnel decompression is mostly performed as a day case procedure using local anaesthesia. The local anaesthetic is commonly administered by subcutaneous infiltration alone (the Gale technique) or by infiltration of the local anaesthetic into the carpal tunnel in addition to the subcutaneous infiltration (the Altissimi and Mancini technique). The intention of this study was to compare the efficacy of anaesthesia using these two techniques. Twenty patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were recruited. One side underwent surgery at a time. Patients were randomised to receive anaesthesia by one technique on the first side and the other on the second. Pain was evaluated using the numerical rating pain scale (0-10). Six patients experienced intraoperative pain with the Gale technique, while none had pain with the Altissimi and Mancini technique (P = 0.02). The postoperative pain was not significantly different between the two groups, although the patients anaesthetised by the Altissimi and Mancini technique required significantly lower numbers of analgesic tablets.

Oxygen consumption and respiration during and after two yoga relaxation techniques.

Cyclic meditation (CM) is a technique which combines "stimulating" and "calming" practices, based on a statement in ancient yoga texts suggesting that such a combination may be especially helpful to reach a state of mental equilibrium. The oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume of 50 male volunteers (group mean age+/-SD, 27+/-6.3 years) were assessed before, during, and after sessions of CM and sessions of supine rest in the corpse posture (shavasana, SH). The sessions were one day apart and the order was alternated. The oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume increased during the "stimulating" practices of CM, returned to the baseline during the "calming" practices, and the oxygen consumption decreased by 19.3 percent below baseline values after CM. During the SH session the oxygen consumption, breath rate and breath volume reduced; however the decrease in oxygen consumption after SH was less than after CM (i.e., 4.8 percent). The results support the idea that a combination of yoga postures with supine rest (in CM) reduces the oxygen consumption more than resting supine alone does.

Evaluation of antimitotic activity of Rotula aquatica (Lour): a traditional herb used in treatment of cancer.

Rotula aquatica was extensively used by vaidyas (Ayurvedic practioners) in holistic treatment of cancer. In the present study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the antimitotic activity of R. aquatica. Preliminary antimitotic screening was done using Allium cepa root tip assay. The mitotic index of the root tips markedly decreased with increasing concentration of the aqueous extract. The different fractions obtained by successive extraction of R. aquatica using solvents of increasing polarity were also evaluated for their antimitotic activity. Tannins were isolated which showed a better activity than the non-tannin fraction. Experiments were also carried out with incorporation of folic acid in the aqueous extract. Folic acid inhibited the antimitotic activity of aqueous extract of R. aquatica in a dose dependent manner. The results obtained were compared with methotrexate--a known drug available in market as anti-cancer agent. The studies were extended to human cells using 3 pancreatic cancer cell lines, viz: HPAF-II, BxPC-3, and CAPAN-2. Extract of R. aquatica was found to be extremely effective in the prevention of cell proliferation of the pancreatic cancer cell lines. The phytochemical evaluation revealed presence of polyphenols (tannins) and steroids. A HPTLC fingerprinting was developed and studied. Two compounds were isolated and subjected to spectral studies like UV, IR and mass spectrums. The empirical formula was derived by considering this data with elemental analysis of the compounds.

Effect of ethanol extract of Rivea hypocrateriformis on the estrous cycle of the rat.

The ethanol extract of Rivea hypocrateriformis was administered orally at the dose levels of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight to adult albino rats and resulted in an irregular estrous cycle with shortened estrus and metestrus, and with lengthened proestrus in non-dose dependent manner. Significant decreases in number of graffian follicles and corpora lutea and significant increases in number of atretic follicles in treated rats during experimental period indicated the antiovulatory effect of the extract. Increases in the weight of the uterus, its thickness and diameter indicated the uterotrophic effect of the extract. The significant increase in the level of cholesterol in the tissues of treated rats indicated the inhibition of steroidogenesis of cholesterol by ovarian endocrine tissues. Restoration of normal estrous cycles after withdrawal of treatment indicate the reversible effect of ethanol extract in rats.

Chickpea: a major food allergen in the Indian subcontinent and its clinical and immunochemical correlation.

BACKGROUND: The food allergy pattern of a country is influenced by the foods most commonly consumed. In India, the majority of the population consumes a vegetarian diet made up of pulse (legumes), cereals, and vegetables. In contrast to many western countries, chickpea preparations are consumed in large quantities in India. This study reports for the first time chickpea hypersensitivity reactions diagnosed with in vivo and in vitro tests. METHODS: One thousand four hundred patients visiting allergy clinics were randomly selected for the study. Those patients reporting an allergic reaction on every occasion after eating chickpea were considered history-positive. Modified prick tests were performed with chickpea and other members of the legume family on all these patients. The claims of the history-positive patients were verified with double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFCs). Proteins in chickpea extracts were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred on nitrocellulose paper. Serum specimens from history-positive patients were analyzed by immunoblot and ELISA. To verify the IgE specificity, an immunoblot inhibition assay was also performed. RESULTS: Of the 1,400 patients screened, 142 patients were history-positive to some food and 59 of these implicated chickpeas. Forty-one patients were skin test-positive and 31 were DBPCFC-positive for chickpea. The predominant symptoms after chickpea ingestion were respiratory. The ELISA results did not correlate well with the DBPCFC results; however, the skin test results correlated with DBPCFC in 75% of patients. Immunoblot analysis showed that 70, 64, 35, and 26 kD proteins were major allergens. CONCLUSIONS: Chickpea is an important source of allergen that can cause IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions ranging from rhinitis to anaphylaxis.

Hepatoprotective action of abhrak bhasma, an ayurvedic drug in albino rats against hepatitis induced by CCl4.

Abhrak bhasma is a commonly used ayurvedic drug against many diseases including hepatitis. It is tested in albino rats using a model of hepatitis induced by a single dose of CCl4 (3 ml/kg body wt). Different doses of abhrak bhasma (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg body wt) were tested to decide the dose related hepatoprotective efficacy. The centrolobular necrosis induced by single dose of CCl4 was reduced significantly by abhrak bhasma (10 mg) and liver histology was also protected by 20 mg dose. Liver acid lipase activity was lowered, while alkaline and lipoprotein lipase activities were elevated due to treatment of single dose of CCl4. Abhrak bhasma counteracted the action of CCl4 on liver lipolytic enzymes. CCl4 did not alter the kidney histologically. Activities of three lipases of rat kidney (acid, alkaline and lipoprotein lipases) were reduced by CCl4 treatment and were reversed by administration of abhrak bhasma. Acid lipase activity of rat adipose tissue was reduced by CCl4 treatment. On the contrary alkaline, lipoprotein and hormone sensitive lipases were enhanced after 24 hr of administration of CCl4. Acid lipase activity was raised by administration of different doses of abhrak bhasma concurrent with CCl4. Abhrak bhasma treatment along with CCl4 enhanced alkaline lipase activity at 10 and 20 mg dose and later it was reduced at 30 and 40 mg doses and came to normal levels. Lipoprotein and hormone sensitive lipases were reduced by the counteraction of increasing doses of abhrak bhasma.

Influence of legume blends on fried papad quality.

Legumes and their blends are widely used for the production of papads. Papads with low fat content would be a boon to populations looking for low-calorie foods with retention of organoleptic profile. Judicious blending of legumes such as black gram, green gram, bengal gram, red gram and cowpea revealed that low-fat fried papads could be prepared from a blend of 40:36:24 blend of bengal gram:black gram:green gram flours. The blend had 15.6% lower fat content as compared to the control prepared from black gram flour alone. Other quality parameters such as expansion ratio, texture in terms of crispness, colour and overall organoleptic quality were also evaluated.

Antianaemic properties of ayurvedic drugs, raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas louh in albino rats during phenylhydrazine induced haemolytic anaemia.

Single injection of phenylhydrazine[PH] reduced the number of RBC and haemoglobin content; decreased myeloid; erythroid cell ratio in bone marrow and increased Cathepsin D activity in spleen of rats. Ayurvedic drugs raktavardhak, punarnavasav and navayas louh recovered the number of RBC and haemoglobin content and raised myeloid: erythroid cell ratio and normalised cathepsin D activities by counteracting the action phenyl hydrazine. The results confirm the claims of ayurveda that these drugs possess the potency to cure anaemia through protection of RBCs from haemolysis and simultaneously lowering cathepsin D activities from the spleen.