Survival, growth, behavior, hematology and serum biochemistry of mice under different concentrations of orally administered amorphous silica nanoparticle.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are used extensively in consumer products and biomedical research basically due to ease of production and low cost. However, insufficient literature is reported regarding the toxicity and biocompatibility of SiNPs. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of amorphous SiNPs on survival, growth, behavioral alterations, hematology and serum biochemistry of mice at four concentrations (control, 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day) of an oral supplementation for a period of 3 months. Signs of toxicity (lethargy, nausea, coma, tremors, vomiting and diarrhea, etc.) were noted at 9:00 am and 9:00 pm (twice a day) and the body weight of each of these mice was measured every week. The data were subjected to mean, standard deviation (S.D). Moreover, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test were applied for analysis of statistical significance between groups by using SPSS software, version 20. All the mice survived with minor alterations in behavior and no significant weight changes were observed during the stipulated time period. Complete blood count (CBC) analysis indicated non-significant (P ≥ 0.05) systemic dysfunctions of organ systems. However, there was elevation in the level of AST and ALT in the analysis of serum biochemistry, while the values of all other examined parameters were not-significant (P ≥ 0.05). The study concluded that orally administered large silica nanoparticles up to the dose level of 150 mg/kg/day are nontoxic for the in vivo use in mice.

Comparative study of biogenically synthesized silver and gold nanoparticles of Acacia auriculiformis leaves and their efficacy against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

The present article reports the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from the extract of Acacia auriculiformis (AA) leaves using biogenic approach. Several spectral and morphological studies namely UV-vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), tunneling electron microscopy along with selected area electron diffraction (TEM/SAED), scanning electron microscopy along with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were carried out which ascertains the successful formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) starting from Silver nitrate and Chloroauric acid respectively. On the basis of TEM/SAED and SEM-EDX, AgNPs were found to be more regular with smaller particle size and hence they were selected for biological studies. Thermal techniques like thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were also performed to study the comparative thermal stability of AgNPs and AuNPs where AgNPs were found to be thermally more stable. Several biophysical techniques including Thioflavin T assay, ANS assay, Rayleigh scattering method and turbidity assay were also performed. These assays confirm that AgNPs possess better inhibitory property. Moreover, antioxidant activity of AgNPs was also carried out using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and AgNPs were found to be good antioxidant.

Expert recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia during pregnancy and the postpartum period in the Asia-Pacific region.

Anemia during pregnancy and the postpartum period is commonly caused by iron deficiency and is a significant worldwide issue with severe consequences for both mother and developing fetus. From a worldwide perspective, iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy is highest in the Asia-Pacific region; however, there has been little guidance in this region for safe and effective treatment. An expert panel was convened to develop a concise and informative set of recommendations for the treatment of IDA in pregnant and postpartum women in the Asia-Pacific region. This manuscript provides these recommendations and aims to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with IDA in pregnant and postpartum women in the Asia-Pacific region. The consensus recommendations define anemia as a hemoglobin (Hb) level <10.5 g/dL during pregnancy and <10 g/dL during the postpartum period, and provide cut-off Hb levels to initiate therapy with oral iron, intravenous iron or red blood cell transfusion.

Sublingual versus oral misoprostol for induction of labour in prelabour rupture of membranes at term.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of sublingual with oral misoprostol for induction of labour in primigravida with prelabour rupture of membranes at term. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-II, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from June 2004 to January 2006. METHODOLOGY: The study included 100 primigravidas with singleton pregnancy at term, having pre-labour rupture of membranes and unfavourable Bishop score with no contraindication of induction of labour, vaginal delivery or misoprostol use. The cases were randomized into two equal groups, A and B. Women in the group A were given 100 microg of misoprostol orally at an interval of 4 hours to a maximum of 2 doses while patients in the group B were prescribed the medicine sublingually (50 microg, 4 hourly, maximum of 2 doses). Induction to delivery interval, mode of delivery and fetomaternal complications were main outcome measures of the study. RESULTS: In the sublingual misoprostol group (B), 92% women delivered within 12 hours of induction while 84% of subjects delivered in this time period in oral group (A, p < 0.05). There was no failed induction in either group. Regarding dosage, 64% of women delivered with single dose in group B while only 32% delivered with single dose in group A (p < 0.05). The frequency of vaginal delivery was 92% in group B versus 80% in group A, while rate of caesarean section was 8% in the group B and 20% in the group A, which is statistically insignificant. No significant fetomaternal complications were seen in both groups. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of sublingual misoprostol in the dosage of 50 microg was comparable to 100 microg oral dose for the induction of labour in the primigravidas at term with pre-labour rupture of membranes.

Comparison of oral versus vaginal misoprostol for mid-trimester pregnancy termination.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of oral versus vaginal administration of misoprostol for second trimester pregnancy termination. STUDY DESIGN: Interventional, quasi experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit-II, Fatima Jinnah Medical College/Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, from August, 2003 to October, 2004. METHODOLOGY: Sixty pregnant women at second trimester of gestation who were candidates for therapeutic termination of pregnancy were recruited for the study. Grandmultipara, women who had scarred uterus and history of hypersensitivity to prostaglandins were excluded. The subjects were assigned into two groups. Group 1 (n=30) had misoprostol orally, while the group 2 (n=30) received the drug by the vaginal route. Dosage regimen was similar in both groups that was 200 microg 4 hours apart till expulsion of fetus or maximum of upto 5 doses. Main outcome measures of the study were induction-expulsion interval, need for surgical evacuation and maternal complications. RESULTS: The mean induction-expulsion interval in the group 1 and 2 was 11.8+/-8.3 and 12.8+/-8.5 hours respectively, which was not different statistically. The process of expulsion was complete in 53.3% of subjects in both groups by misoprostol only, while 36.6% required surgical evacuation in oral group versus 33.3% in vaginal group. The rate of failed induction in groups 1 and 2 was 10% and 13.3% respectively. There was no reported case of nausea, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, shivering, pyrexia and hyperstimulation in both the groups. However, a case of vomiting (3.3%) was observed in the vaginal group.