Maternal anthropometric determinants as risk markers of suicidality and severity of illness in women with postnatal depression.

Context: Studies have shown nutrition to play a role in etiology of postnatal depression, but few risk markers have been developed for the same. Anthropometric determinants have not been sufficiently researched in relation to suicidality and severity of illness in women with postnatal depression. Aim: The present study assesses the efficacy of anthropometric determinants as risk markers of severity of illness and suicidal ideations in postnatal depression. Methods and Materials: 100 women were screened at 6 weeks postnatal for the presence of postnatal depression and suicidal ideation using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Anthropometric determinants assessed were height, weight, weight gain in pregnancy, weight at first antenatal visit, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Univariate and multivariate analysis were done for risk estimation using Spearman's rank correlation and multiple regression analysis, respectively. Results: In total, 39% of the women showed the presence of postnatal depression. Out of these 39 women, 31% had suicidal ideations. The waist-to-hip ratio was the most significant factor in all the models, having a negative correlation with suicidality and severity of depression (P < 0.05). The multiple regression model using anthropometric determinants could significantly assess risk of both suicidality (P = 0.03, adjusted R2 = 0.08) and postnatal depression (P = 0.04, adjusted R2 = 0.07). Conclusions: The study concludes that anthropometric determinants can be used effectively as risk markers for suicidality and severity of illness in women with postnatal depression. The most significant risk factor was found to be waist-to-hip ratio in both the models.

Indole-3-acetic acid biosynthetic pathway and aromatic amino acid aminotransferase activities in Pantoea dispersa strain GPK.

This investigation deals with the production of IAA by a bacterial isolate Pantoea dispersa strain GPK (PDG) identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. HPLC and Mass spectral analysis of metabolites from bacterial spent medium revealed that, IAA production by PDG is Trp-dependent and follows indole-3-pyruvic acid (IPyA) pathway. Substrate specificity study of aromatic amino acid aminotransferase (AAT) showed high activities, only when tryptophan (Trp) and α-ketoglutarate (α-kg) were used as substrates. AAT is highly specific for Trp and α-kg as amino group donor and acceptor, respectively. The effect of exogenous IAA on bacterial growth was established. Low concentration of exogenous IAA induced the growth, whereas high concentration decreased the growth of bacterium. PDG treatment significantly increased the root length, shoot length and dry mass of the chickpea and pigeon pea plants.

Mometasone furoate/formoterol reduces asthma deteriorations and improves lung function.

This study evaluated the effect of mometasone furoate (MF)/formoterol (F) versus its monocomponents, each administered via metered-dose inhaler, on asthma deteriorations and lung function. This 26-week, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included subjects aged ≥12 yrs with not well-controlled asthma on low-dose inhaled corticosteroids. After a 2-3-week open-label run-in (MF 100 µg b.i.d.), 746 subjects were randomised to receive placebo, F 10 µg, MF 100 µg or MF/F 100/10 µg b.i.d. Co-primary end-points were time to first asthma deterioration (MF/F versus F to assess effect of MF) and change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) area under the curve of serial spirometry measurements over the 12-h period following the morning dose (AUC(0-12h)) (baseline to week 12; MF/F versus MF to assess effect of F). The therapeutic effect of MF in the combination was demonstrated by a reduction in asthma deterioration incidence with MF/F versus F and a delayed time to first asthma deterioration (p<0.001). Asthma deterioration incidence was also reduced with MF/F versus MF (p=0.006). The therapeutic effect of F in the combination was demonstrated by MF/F versus MF in FEV(1) AUC(0-12h) change (4.00 versus 2.53 L·h, respectively; p=0.001). MF/F treatment also resulted in a marked improvement in health-related quality of life. MF/F 100/10 µg b.i.d. treatment showed greater clinical efficacy than its individual components or placebo; both components contributed to the efficacy of MF/F.

Desloratadine reduces nasal congestion in patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis.

Nasal congestion is among the most bothersome of the symptoms of intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR). Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine are often accompanied by adverse effects and should be avoided by patients with hypertension, arrhythmia, and other medical conditions. Most of the currently available antihistamines are ineffective for nasal congestion. Oral desloratadine, a new, potent H1-receptor antagonist, was examined for its ability to relieve nasal congestion/stuffiness in 346 patients (172 in the desloratadine group and 174 in the placebo group) with IAR. Desloratadine, administered once daily at a dose of 5 mg, demonstrated significant improvement in nasal congestion/stuffiness at all time points assessed in the study. This benefit was observed as early as the first patient evaluation on day 2 and continued throughout the 2 weeks of the study. Desloratadine is a new treatment option for patients with IAR and nasal congestion.

Mometasone furoate: efficacy and safety in moderate asthma compared with beclomethasone dipropionate.

BACKGROUND: Mometasone furoate (MF) is a new inhaled glucocorticoid administered by dry powder inhaler (DPI). OBJECTIVE: MF-DPI was evaluated for safety and efficacy and compared with placebo DPI and beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) administered by metered dose inhaler (MDI) in the treatment of patients with moderate persistent asthma. METHODS: Eligible patients (n = 227), 13 to 75 years of age, maintained on inhaled glucocorticoids before entering the trial, were randomized to receive: MF-DPI, 100 microg, twice daily, MF-DPI, 200 microg, twice daily, BDP MDI, 168 microg, twice daily, or placebo in a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind study. RESULTS: At endpoint, FEV1 (primary efficacy variable) significantly improved for all three active treatments compared with placebo (P < .01, all comparisons). The response to MF-DPI, 200 microg, twice daily treatment was approximately twice as large as the response to MF-DPI, 100 microg, twice daily or BDP MDI treatment, although the differences between these groups did not reach statistical significance. Secondary efficacy variables including PEFR, asthma symptoms, nocturnal awakenings, and albuterol use showed similar trends. The MF-DPI, 100 microg, twice daily and BDP MDI, 168 microg, twice daily treatment groups produced comparable results for all efficacy variables. CONCLUSIONS: MF-DPI, 100 microg and 200 microg, twice daily were well-tolerated and significantly improved lung function and symptom control in the treatment of patients with moderate persistent asthma. In this study, MF-DPI, 200 microg, twice daily seemed to be the most effective dosage.

Once-daily mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler in the treatment of patients with persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Although inhaled glucocorticoids are recommended for all stages of persistent asthma, compliance with long-term therapy is often poor, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. A simplified, once-daily dosing regimen may foster improved compliance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of once-daily (AM) administration of mometasone furoate dry powder inhaler (MF DPI) 200 microg and 400 microg with placebo in patients with asthma previously maintained only on short-acting inhaled beta-adrenergic receptor agonists. METHODS: This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study. The mean change from baseline to endpoint (last treatment visit) for FEV1 was the primary efficacy variable. RESULTS: At endpoint, both doses of MF DPI were significantly more effective than placebo (P < or = .05) in improving FEV1. Based on morning peak expiratory flow rate, once-daily MF DPI 400 microg was more effective than placebo (P < or = .001) at endpoint. Both active treatments also demonstrated improvement at endpoint in asthma symptom scores, physician-evaluated response to therapy and use of rescue medication. Although both MF DPI dosages were efficacious, MF DPI 400 microg provided additional improvement in some measures of pulmonary function (eg, morning PEFR) when these agents were administered once daily in the morning. Both doses of MF DPI were well tolerated and treatment-related adverse events occurred at a similar incidence among the three treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that once-daily (AM) MF DPI provides a convenient and effective treatment option for patients with mild or moderate persistent asthma.

Zafirlukast improves asthma symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate reversible airflow obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Previous trials demonstrated the effectiveness of the leukotriene receptor antagonist zafirlukast in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the efficacy and safety of zafirlukast and its effect on patients' quality of life (QOL) during a 13-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in adults and adolescents with moderate reversible airflow obstruction. METHODS: Patients (age range, 12 to 68 years) with total daytime asthma symptoms scores of 10 or greater over 7 consecutive days (maximum, 21/wk), FEV1 45% or greater but less than or equal to 80% of predicted value (>/=6 hours after beta2 -agonist), and reversible airway disease were randomized to 20 mg zafirlukast twice daily (nZ = 231) or placebo twice daily (nP = 223). Efficacy was assessed from changes in daytime and nocturnal symptoms, beta2 -agonist use, nasal congestion score, and pulmonary function. QOL was evaluated with a disease-specific Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire. Safety was determined from adverse event information and clinical laboratory test results. RESULTS: Zafirlukast was significantly (P <.001) more effective than placebo, with reductions from baseline in the daytime asthma symptoms score (-23%), nighttime awakenings with asthma (-19%), and beta2 -agonist use (-24%) and improvements from baseline in morning (+25 L/min) and evening (+18 L/min) peak expiratory flow rates. Compared with placebo, zafirlukast significantly (P /=0.5-unit change from baseline; P

The effects of triamcinolone acetonide aqueous nasal spray on adrenocortical function in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Suppression of adrenocortical function, a risk associated with oral corticosteroids, is minimized with intranasal corticosteroids. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) aqueous nasal spray, at therapeutic doses, has no measurable effect on adrenocortical function in adults with allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared the effect of once-daily TAA aqueous nasal spray (220 or 440 microg) with placebo on adrenocortical function after 6 weeks of treatment in pediatric (children 6 to 12 years of age) patients with allergic rhinitis. The pharmacokinetic profile of TAA was examined after once-daily intranasal administration of TAA aqueous nasal spray 440 microg for 6 weeks. METHODS: Eighty children received TAA aqueous nasal spray 220 microg or 440 microg or placebo for 6 weeks. Adrenocortical function was assessed by analyzing plasma cortisol levels before stimulation (0 hour) and at 30 and 60 minutes after a rapid 1-hour intravenous cosyntropin stimulation test performed before treatment and after 6 weeks of treatment. Samples for pharmacokinetic evaluation were collected from 19 patients at baseline (0 hour) and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 6 hours after the final dose of study medication. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, no significant effects on adrenocortical function were observed at 30 or 60 minutes after cosyntropin stimulation with either dose of TAA aqueous nasal spray. TAA concentrations in plasma showed rapid elimination of the drug, with little or no accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: TAA aqueous nasal spray (220 or 440 microg/day) has no measurable effect on adrenocortical function in pediatric patients with allergic rhinitis. Pharmacokinetic parameters after 440 microg/day of TAA aqueous nasal spray indicate a rapid decline of plasma drug levels, with little or no systemic accumulation of study drug.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II phosphorylation of the presynaptic protein synapsin I is persistently increased during long-term potentiation.

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is an increase in synaptic responsiveness thought to be involved in mammalian learning and memory. The localization (presynaptic and/or postsynaptic) of changes underlying LTP has been difficult to resolve with current electrophysiological techniques. Using a biochemical approach, we have addressed this issue and attempted to identify specific molecular mechanisms that may underlie LTP. We utilized a novel multiple-electrode stimulator to produce LTP in a substantial portion of the synapses in a hippocampal CA1 minislice and tested the effects of such stimulation on the presynaptic protein synapsin I. LTP-inducing stimulation produced a long-lasting 6-fold increase in the phosphorylation of synapsin I at its Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) sites without affecting synapsin I levels. This effect was fully blocked by either the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist D(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) or the CaM kinase II inhibitor KN-62. Our results indicate that LTP expression is accompanied by persistent changes in presynaptic phosphorylation, and specifically that presynaptic CaM kinase II activity and synapsin I phosphorylation may be involved in LTP expression.

Oxygenation-sensitive contrast in magnetic resonance image of rodent brain at high magnetic fields.

At high magnetic fields (7 and 8.4 T), water proton magnetic resonance images of brains of live mice and rats under pentobarbital anesthetization have been measured by a gradient echo pulse sequence with a spatial resolution of 65 x 65-microns pixel size and 700-microns slice thickness. The contrast in these images depicts anatomical details of the brain by numerous dark lines of various sizes. These lines are absent in the image taken by the usual spin echo sequence. They represent the blood vessels in the image slice and appear when the deoxyhemoglobin content in the red cells increases. This contrast is most pronounced in an anoxy brain but not present in a brain with diamagnetic oxy or carbon monoxide hemoglobin. The local field induced by the magnetic susceptibility change in the blood due to the paramagnetic deoxyhemoglobin causes the intra voxel dephasing of the water signals of the blood and the surrounding tissue. This oxygenation-dependent contrast is appreciable in high field images with high spatial resolution.