Iron pill aspiration syndrome: A case report and literature review.

Aspiration of iron pill containing ferrous sulfate into the airway can induce fulminant chemical burn and necrosis of the airway mucosa. Acute chemical burn and inflammatory response can result in life-threatening airway compromise. It can also result in long-term sequelae including but not limited to fibrosis and airway stenosis. Considering the common use of iron supplements, and the potential severity of aspiration related airway injury, clinicians should be fully cognizant of the interaction between aspirated iron and airway passages. Herein, we present a case report with pertinent review of the literature.

Bio-therapeutics from human milk: prospects and perspectives.

Human milk is elixir for neonates and is a rich source of nutrients and beneficial microbiota required for infant growth and development. Its benefits prompted research into probing the milk components and their use as prophylactic or therapeutic agents. Culture-independent estimation of milk microbiome and high-resolution identification of milk components provide information, but a holistic purview of these research domains is lacking. Here, we review the current research on bio-therapeutic components of milk and simplified future directions for its efficient usage. Publicly available databases such as PubMed and Google scholar were searched for keywords such as probiotics and prebiotics related to human milk, microbiome and milk oligosaccharides. This was further manually curated for inclusion and exclusion criteria relevant to human milk and clinical efficacy. The literature was classified into subgroups and then discussed in detail to facilitate understanding. Although milk research is still in infancy, it is clear that human milk has many functions including protection of infants by passive immunization through secreted antibodies, and transfer of immune regulators, cytokines and bioactive peptides. Unbiased estimates show that the human milk carries a complex community of microbiota which serves as the initial inoculum for establishment of infant gut. Our search effectively screened for evidence that shows that milk also harbours many types of prebiotics such as human milk oligosaccharides which encourage growth of beneficial probiotics. The milk also trains the naive immune system of the infant by supplying immune cells and stimulatory factors, thereby strengthening mucosal and systemic immune system. Our systematic review would improve understanding of human milk and the inherent complexity and diversity of human milk. The interrelated functional role of human milk components especially the oligosaccharides and microbiome has been discussed which plays important role in human health.

Effect of Cystamine on Sperm and Antioxidant Parameters of Ram Semen Stored at 4 °C for 50 Hours.

Physical and chemical changes caused by oxidative stress in the spermatozoa membrane can reduce spermatozoa function and even lead to death. Cystamine (NH2-CH2-CH2-SH, ß-mercaptoethylamine) is a natural substance that modulates the endocrine and metabolic status of animals. This substance has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects by inducing intracellular cysteine accumulation. Cystamine is used to treat many diseases despite its many side effects. Sheep semen is sensitive to the stressful condition of chilling storage, which restricts semen storage for artificial insemination in commercial herds. The effect of cystamine on spermatogenesis is not yet fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of cysteamine addition to the sheep sperm extender during cooling storage on semen quality parameters. Sperm samples were collected from six Edilbayevskaya rams (2 and 3 years old, 70-85 kg). The samples were diluted by extender and supplemented with different concentrations of cysteamine (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 mM) and cooled to 4ºC for 50 h. Motility parameters, membrane integrity, viability, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial activity of cooled semen were evaluated at 0, 25, and 50 h of cooling storage. Although cysteamine failed to affect semen quality at start time (0 hrs), extender supplementation with cysteamine improved sperm total motility, progressive motility, and mitochondrial membrane potential during storage periods (P≤0.01). Moreover, using 1 and 2 mM cysteamine functionally and viably improved (P≤0.01) sperm membrane compared to other treatments. Antioxidant potential (AOP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and total glutathione (tGSH) (except AOP at 50 h) were significantly different after semen storage at 4 °C. Therefore, levels of AOP and tGSH were significantly increased by using cysteamine. Cysteamine supplementation (1 and 2 mM cysteamine) leads to lower levels of LPO (p<0.01) at 0, 25, and 50 h. Therefore, finding and using the best concentrations of cysteamine in a cooling extender could be effective in saving sheep semen against damages of the cooling storage process.

Associations Between Religious/Spiritual Practices and Well-Being in Indian Elderly Rural Women.

Religion and spirituality (R/S) are embedded in all aspects of life in India, a predominantly rural economy. The aim of this mixed methods study was to assess the associations between a culturally tailored intervention and preexisting religious/spiritual (R/S) practices with indicators of well-being and factors which contribute to happiness among elderly rural women from Haryana state, India. The study consisted of three groups: field experimental group (FEG; n = 24); practitioners of preexisting R/S practices for at least 6 weeks Satsang (SG, n = 54), Brahma Kumaris (BKG, n = 54), and Radha Soami (RSG, n = 30), and non-practitioners of R/S practices (n = 64). All groups completed self-report measures of overall happiness and life satisfaction, global health, quality of life, and health status and physical health. Results revealed that FEG participants improved significantly on physical health, body balancing, and self-care; no changes were observed on the other well-being measures following the intervention. Practitioners of preexisting R/S practices were found significantly different from the non-practitioners on some indicators of health, quality of life, and well-being. Qualitative measures pointed to the importance of R/S and family and interpersonal relationships among elderly rural women.

Fabrication and Cytocompatibility Evaluation of Psyllium Husk (Isabgol)/Gelatin Composite Scaffolds.

Psyllium husk or isabgol contains xylan backbone linked with arabinose, rhamnose, and galacturonic acid units (arabinoxylans). In this study, we demonstrate the fabrication and characterization of a macroporous three-dimensional (3D) composite scaffold by mixing psyllium husk powder (PH) and gelatin (G) in different ratios, viz.100 PH, 75/25 PH/G, and 50/50 PH/G (w/w), using an EDC-NHS coupling reaction followed by freeze-drying method. The reaction was performed in aqueous as well as in alcoholic media to determine the most appropriate solvent system for this purpose. The mechanical strength of the scaffold system was improved from 151 to 438 kPa. The fabricated scaffolds exhibited enhanced structural stability, remarkable swelling capacity, and escalated cell growth and proliferation. ATR-FTIR analysis showed the presence of amide and ester bonds indicating covalent crosslinking. SEM micrographs revealed the porous nature of the scaffolds with pores ranging from 30 to 150 µm, and further pore size distribution curve indicated that 75/25 PH/G (w/w%) EDC-NHS-alcohol scaffold exhibited the best fit to the Gaussian distribution. Swelling capacity of the 100 PH EDC-NHS-alcohol scaffolds was found to be nearly 40% from its original weight in 48 h. MTT assay using fibroblast cells revealed ~ 80% cellular proliferation by 6th day within the fabricated scaffolds in comparison to control. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial activity and bioactive compounds of Bergenia ciliata Sternb.: A valuable medicinal herb of Sikkim Himalaya.

Bergenia ciliata Sternb., commonly known as Paashaanbhed, is a well known herb of Sikkim Himalaya with various pharmaceutical properties. However, scientific exploration of B. ciliata, growing in the Sikkim Himalaya, for phytochemicals and pharmacological properties is in infancy. With this view, the present study was undertaken to investigate B. ciliata leaf extracts for antioxidant, antimicrobial activity and bioactive compounds. Three solvents viz., methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane were used for extraction and the respective leaf extracts were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents along with the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Amongst the tested solvents, methanol was found to be the best solvent for extraction with highest total phenolic contents and the lowest IC50 values for the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Methanol extract also exhibited effective antimicrobial activity, particularly against bacteria and actinomycetes. Further, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that methanolic extract contains the highest amount of all the three analyzed bioactive compounds viz. bergenin, catechin and gallic acid. The current study suggests that the methanol extract of B. ciliata is a potential source of natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds that can be used in food and drug industries.

Functional block of IL-17 cytokine promotes bone healing by augmenting FOXO1 and ATF4 activity in cortical bone defect model.

We determine the effect of interleukin (IL)-17 neutralizing antibody on new bone regeneration. Anti-IL-17 antibody promoted new bone regeneration in cortical bone defect model by augmenting FOXO1 and ATF4 activity thereby decreasing oxidative stress. Our study demonstrates the bone healing and regeneration potential of neutralizing IL-17antibody in osteoporotic fractures. INTRODUCTION: The immune system plays important role in the fracture healing process. However, fracture healing is prolonged in disorders associated with systemic inflammation. Fracture healing is decelerated in osteoporosis, condition linked with systemic inflammation. Bone regeneration therapies like recombinant human BMP2 are associated with serious side effects. Studies have been carried out where agents like denosumab and infliximab enhance bone regeneration in osteoporotic conditions. Our previous studies show the osteoprotective and immunoprotective effects of neutralizing IL-17 antibody. Here, we determine the effect of IL-17 neutralizing antibody on new bone regeneration and compare its efficacy with known osteoporotic therapies. METHODS: For the study, female BALB/c mice were ovariectomized or sham operated and left for a month followed by a 0.6-mm drill-hole injury in femur mid-diaphysis. The treatment was commenced next day onwards with anti-IL-17, anti-RANKL (Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand), parathyroid hormone (PTH), or alendronate for a period of 3, 10, or 21 days. Animals were then autopsied, and femur bones were dissected out for micro-CT scanning, confocal microscopy, and gene and protein expression studies. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis showed that anti-IL-17 antibody promoted bone healing at days 10 and 21, and the healing effect observed was significantly better than Ovx, anti-RANKL antibody, and ALN, and equal to PTH. Anti-IL-17 also enhanced new bone regeneration as assessed by calcein-labeling studies. Additionally, anti-IL-17 therapy enhanced expression of osteogenic markers and decreased oxidative stress at the injury site. CONCLUSION: Overall, our study demonstrates bone healing and regeneration potential of neutralizing IL-17 antibody in osteoporotic fractures.

Ultrasonography to investigate the effect of supplementing whole milk with complex carbohydrates and specific amino acids on curd retention in the abomasum of dairy calves.

AIM: To determine whether the retention time of curd in the abomasum of calves was influenced by supplementing milk with a plant-derived carbohydrate and amino acid supplement, evaluated non-invasively using ultrasonography. METHODS: Female dairy calves aged between 2-6 days of age were sourced from a commercial farm in March 2013. All calves were fed whole milk until weaning (4 L per day); 21 calves were supplemented with a probiotic until 18 days of age, and thereafter with a plant-derived complex carbohydrate and amino acid supplement until weaning, and 22 calves were just fed whole milk. Treatment groups were balanced for age, weight and breed. At 9-14, 24-29 and 52-57 days of age, the abomasum of each calf was examined using ultrasonography immediately before and after feeding, 1 and 2 hours after feeding, and then at 30 minute intervals until curd was no longer visible in the abomasum. Abomasal volume and curd size were recorded to assess retention time of curd in the abomasum. RESULTS: At 9-14 days of age, mean retention time of curd in the abomasum was similar (4.6 hours) in both groups. At 24-29 days of age, when the supplemented calves had been receiving the supplement for approximately 10 days, mean curd retention time was longer by 1.4 (SE 0.28) hours in supplemented compared with unsupplemented calves (p<0.001). At 52-57 days of age, mean retention time was longer by 0.7 (SE 0.34) hours compared to unsupplemented calves (p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Using ultrasonography, changes in abomasal content could be followed non-invasively over time and it was demonstrated that the plant-derived complex carbohydrate supplement increased the curd retention time in the abomasum. We speculate that the increased retention time enables an increased availability of nutrients following a more complete digestion of milk, thereby improving animal performance.

Effect Of Electromagnetic Waves Emitted From Mobile Phone On Brain Stem Auditory Evoked Potential In Adult Males.

Mobile phone (MP) is commonly used communication tool. Electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from MP may have potential health hazards. So, it was planned to study the effect of electromagnetic waves (EMWs) emitted from the mobile phone on brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) in male subjects in the age group of 20-40 years. BAEPs were recorded using standard method of 10-20 system of electrode placement and sound click stimuli of specified intensity, duration and frequency.Right ear was exposed to EMW emitted from MP for about 10 min. On comparison of before and after exposure to MP in right ear (found to be dominating ear), there was significant increase in latency of II, III (p < 0.05) and V (p < 0.001) wave, amplitude of I-Ia wave (p < 0.05) and decrease in IPL of III-V wave (P < 0.05) after exposure to MP. But no significant change was found in waves of BAEP in left ear before vs after MP. On comparison of right (having exposure routinely as found to be dominating ear) and left ears (not exposed to MP), before exposure to MP, IPL of IIl-V wave and amplitude of V-Va is more (< 0.001) in right ear compared to more latency of III and IV wave (< 0.001) in left ear. After exposure to MP, the amplitude of V-Va was (p < 0.05) more in right ear compared to left ear. In conclusion, EMWs emitted from MP affects the auditory potential.

α-Tocopherol mediated amelioration of camptothecin-induced free radical damage to avert cardiotoxicities.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as O2(-), hydrogen peroxide, and OH(-) are highly toxic to cells. Cellular antioxidant enzymes and free radical scavengers normally protect a cell from toxic effects of ROS. However, when generation of ROS overtakes the antioxidant defense of the cells, it leads to various pathological conditions. The present study investigated the protective efficacy of α-tocopherol on the peroxidative damage and abnormal antioxidant levels in the myocardial tissue of camptothecin (CPT), administered at the dosage of 6 mg/kg/day in male Wistar rats. CPT-administered rats showed significant increase (p < 0.001) in lipid peroxidation and abnormal changes in the activities/levels of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase) and nonenzymic antioxidants (reduced glutathione and vitamin E). Alterations in the levels of tissue alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (p < 0.01), alanine transaminase (p < 0.001), and aspartate transaminase (p < 0.001) were also observed in CPT-treated rats. In contrast, rats pretreated with α-tocopherol showed significant revision of elevated levels of lipid peroxides and abnormal antioxidant enzyme activity suggesting the ameliorative property of vitamin E. Histopathological alterations in the heart tissue observed after CPT administration were also protected in animals that were pretreated with vitamin E. Based on our results, we conclude that supplementation of vitamin E may improve the efficacy of standard and experimental cancer therapies by subsiding the toxic effect of the antineoplastic agent.

How do the new WHO discharge criteria for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition affect the performance of therapeutic feeding programmes? New evidence from India.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To assesses how the introduction of new WHO discharge criteria for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) may affect the performance of therapeutic feeding programmes in India. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The analysis concerns 6041 children admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh between 1 July 2009 and 31 December 2011. RESULTS: A total of 217 children (3.6%) had bilateral pitting oedema, 1803 (29.8%) had severe wasting with medical complications, 4021 (66.6%) had uncomplicated severe wasting and 4810 (79.7%) were in the age group 6-23 months old. The programme has high survival (>99%), default (⩾ 15%) and discharge (> 75%) rates. The use of weight gain ⩾ 15% as recovery criteria (old criteria) translates into recovery rates in NRCs that range from 33.6% for children admitted with weight-for-height z-score (WHZ) ⩽ -3 to 35.2% for children admitted with mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) < 115 mm. The use of WHZ ⩾ -2 as recovery criteria reduces recovery rates by ~ 2-fold (17.5%) while the use of MUAC ⩾ 125 mm as recovery criteria reduces recovery rates by 3.5-fold (10%). The new criteria tends to keep longer in the programme children who are younger and/or have poorer anthropometry at admission (that is, more vulnerable). CONCLUSIONS: The new WHO discharge criteria reduce the recovery rates currently reported by programmes for the treatment of children with SAM in India. However, their introduction in the programme practice will increase programme impact-particularly if accompanied by a general improvement in the strategy and protocols currently used-as they prioritize the most vulnerable children.

Age-related macular degeneration and protective effect of HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors (statins): results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2008.

PURPOSE: To determine the association of hydroxymethylglutarylcoenzyme A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitor (statin) use with the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 5604 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2008, ≥ 40 years of age, who were ascertained with regard to the diagnosis of AMD, the use of statins, and comorbidities and health-related behaviors such as smoking. RESULTS: The mean age of participants denying or confirming a history of AMD was 68 (SEM 0.90) and 55 (SEM 0.36) years, respectively. Individuals 68 years of age or older who were classified as long-term users of statins had statistically significant less self-reported AMD (odds ratio (OR) 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.84; P=0.002), after adjusting for potential confounding variables. No significant association was found between the prevalence of AMD and statin consumption among subjects between 40 and 67 years of age (OR 1.61, 95% CI 0.85-3.03; P=0.137). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a possible beneficial effect of statin intake for the prevention of AMD in individuals 68 years of age or older.

Glaucoma and vitamins A, C, and E supplement intake and serum levels in a population-based sample of the United States.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential association between glaucoma prevalence and supplemental intake, as well as serum levels of vitamins A, C and E. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 2912 participants in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, age ≥40 years, who self-reported a presence or absence of glaucoma. Participants were interviewed regarding the use of dietary supplements during the preceding 30-day period. Participants also underwent serum measurements of vitamins A, C, and E (both alpha- and gamma-tocopherol). Information on the primary outcome measure, presence or absence of glaucoma, as well as demographic information, comorbidities and health-related behaviors, was assessed via interview. RESULTS: Multivariate odds ratios for self-reported glaucoma, comparing the highest quartile of consumption to no consumption, and adjusted for potential confounding variables were 0.48 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-1.82) for vitamin A, 0.47 (95% CI 0.23-0.97) for vitamin C, and 2.59 (95% CI 0.89-7.56) for vitamin E. Adjusted odds ratios for self-reported glaucoma comparing the highest vs lowest quintiles of vitamin serum levels were 1.44 (95% CI 0.79-2.62) for vitamin A, 0.94 (95% CI 0.42-2.11) for vitamin C, 1.40 (95% CI 0.70-2.81) for alpha-tocopherol, and 0.64 (95% CI 0.24-1.70) for gamma-tocopherol. CONCLUSION: Neither supplementary consumption with nor serum levels of vitamins A and E were found to be associated with glaucoma prevalence. While low- and high-dose supplementary consumption of vitamin C was found to be associated with decreased odds of glaucoma, serum levels of vitamin C did not correlate with glaucoma prevalence.

Therapeutic effect of yoga in patients with hypertension with reference to GST gene polymorphism.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, a chronic medical condition of increased blood pressure, is a serious public health problem. Environmental and genetic risk factors are known to predispose to hypertension. The present study was designed to investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphism with oxidative stress in hypertensive patients and the possible beneficial effect of yoga on them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty (60) hypertensive individuals, between 30 and 60 years of age, were divided into two groups of 30 each. The yoga group was subjected to 50-60 minutes of yogic practices daily for 42 days, while the control group included the remaining 30 age- and sex-matched hypertensive individuals. GST gene polymorphism was analyzed using multiple allele specific polymerase chain reaction, and oxidative stress parameters were assessed biochemically. RESULTS: Assessment of blood pressure showed a statistically significant though modest reduction (p<0.05) in the yoga group as compared to the control group. Malondialdehyde was observed to be significantly low (p<0.05), while antioxidant capacity in the form of GST showed an increasing trend and ferric-reducing ability of plasma was significantly increased (p<0.05) in the subjects who practiced yoga. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, yoga has been found to decrease blood pressure as well as the levels of oxidative stress in patients with hypertension.

The effects of elevated endogenous GABA levels on movement-related network oscillations.

The EEG/MEG signal is generated primarily by the summation of the post-synaptic potentials of cortical principal cells. At a microcircuit level, these glutamatergic principal cells are reciprocally connected to GABAergic interneurons and cortical oscillations are thought to be dependent on the balance of excitation and inhibition between these cell types. To investigate the dependence of movement-related cortical oscillations on excitation-inhibition balance, we pharmacologically manipulated the GABA system using tiagabine, which blocks GABA Transporter 1(GAT-1), the GABA uptake transporter and increases endogenous GABA activity. In a blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover design, in 15 healthy participants we administered either 15mg of tiagabine or a placebo. We recorded whole-head magnetoencephalograms, while the participants performed a movement task, prior to, one hour post, three hour post and five hour post tiagabine ingestion. Using time-frequency analysis of beamformer source reconstructions, we quantified the baseline level of beta activity (15-30Hz), the post-movement beta rebound (PMBR), beta event-related desynchronisation (beta-ERD) and movement-related gamma synchronisation (MRGS) (60-90Hz). Our results demonstrated that tiagabine, and hence elevated endogenous GABA levels causes, an elevation of baseline beta power, enhanced beta-ERD and reduced PMBR, but no modulation of MRGS. Comparing our results to recent literature (Hall et al., 2011) we suggest that beta-ERD may be a GABAA receptor mediated process while PMBR may be GABAB receptor mediated.

Effect of yoga practices on pulmonary function tests including transfer factor of lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO) in asthma patients.

Prana is the energy, when the self-energizing force embraces the body with extension and expansion and control, it is pranayama. It may affect the milieu at the bronchioles and the alveoli particularly at the alveolo-capillary membrane to facilitate diffusion and transport of gases. It may also increase oxygenation at tissue level. Aim of our study is to compare pulmonary functions and diffusion capacity in patients of bronchial asthma before and after yogic intervention of 2 months. Sixty stable asthmatic-patients were randomized into two groups i.e group 1 (Yoga training group) and group 2 (control group). Each group included thirty patients. Lung functions were recorded on all patients at baseline, and then after two months. Group 1 subjects showed a statistically significant improvement (P<0.001) in Transfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (TLCO), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st sec (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and slow vital capacity (SVC) after yoga practice. Quality of life also increased significantly. It was concluded that pranayama & yoga breathing and stretching postures are used to increase respiratory stamina, relax the chest muscles, expand the lungs, raise energy levels, and calm the body.

Ethno-veterinary uses and informants consensus factor of medicinal plants of Sariska region, Rajasthan, India.

AIM OF STUDY: The study was conducted in Sariska region of Rajasthan, India to identify the important species used for ethno-veterinary medicine; finding out methods for various ethno-veterinary medicine preparations, and calculate the informant consensus factor (ICF) in relation to medicinal plant use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ethno-veterinary survey was carried out in the Sariska region of Rajasthan, India. A total of 490 informants (287 men, 203 women) belonging mainly to families which had strong links with animal keeping activities of the area were interviewed using 'specimen display' method and forest walk method. RESULTS: The highest ICF (0.61) was scored for the digestive problems including ailments stomachache, indigestion, liver expansion, diarrhea, intestinal worms, and stomach disorder. Citrullus colocynthis is used for fever and general sickness, with a highest use value (UV) of 0.62. While Pedalium murex, and Ziziphus nummularia used for diarrhea (UV=0.57) and Azadirachta indica, used as antiseptic, in foot and mouth disease and prevention from diseases were reported with a UV 0.51. CONCLUSIONS: The documentation of this inherited rich traditional ethno-medicinal knowledge has provided novel information and this will not only provide recognition of this undocumented knowledge but will also help in conservation of such rare, gradually vanishing important ethno-veterinary species. It will also provide new pharmacological dimensions for better health care of the human being regarding many ailments.