Efficacy and Safety of Microsomal Ferric Pyrophosphate Supplement for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnancy.

Introduction Anemia during pregnancy is characterized by decreased hemoglobin levels. Iron deficiency poses a significant global health concern, especially in pregnant women, where increased iron demands are crucial for both maternal and fetal well-being. Method In the current study, we investigated the effectiveness and safety of 30 mg SunActiveTM Fe (Taiyo GmbH, Yokkaichi, Japan), emulsified microsomalTM ferric pyrophosphate (EMFP) tablets in treating iron deficiency anemia in 27 second-trimester singleton pregnant women. Results Our study results demonstrated that hemoglobin levels increased significantly within 30 days of treatment and continued to remain higher than baseline throughout the study. Serum ferritin levels exhibited a 6.61-fold increase, maintaining elevated levels consistently. Serum iron also increased significantly by 46.9%. Additionally, symptoms such as nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, irritability, and heartburn were notably reduced, leading to improved quality of life. Subjects reported decreased overall fatigue, indicating an enhanced quality of life. Babies born during the study showed healthy birth weights, with uncomplicated deliveries. High treatment compliance of 99.5% underscored patient commitment to the study. Furthermore, the investigational product demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with only two mild adverse events observed, unrelated to the treatment. Conclusion These findings suggest that EMFP could be a valuable therapeutic option for managing iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women, promoting better maternal and fetal outcomes. Further research with an increased sample size is warranted to delve into the underlying mechanisms behind these positive outcomes, nonetheless, our study provides a promising foundation for addressing this critical health issue.

Clinical Quantitative Antibacterial Potency of Garlic-Lemon Against Sodium Hypochlorite in Infected Root Canals: A Double-blinded, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium hypochlorite for endodontic treatment has been shown to exhibit significant antimicrobial properties, with adverse effects such as sodium hypochlorite accidents. Natural irrigants have shown significant antimicrobial action and the added advantage of being biocompatible. This study proposes an alternative intracanal irrigant made from Garlic-Lemon (Ga-Li) extract. AIM: To evaluate the antimicrobial action of 1.8% Garlic-Lemon (Ga-Li) mixture in contrast to 3% sodium hypochlorite in a tooth diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A, 3% sodium hypochlorite and Group B, 1.8% Garlic-Lemon. Single- or multirooted teeth root canals were instrumented and prepared by using ProTaper Gold. Root canal samples were taken both pre- and postinstrumentation. These samples were subjected to DNA extraction, amplification, and quantification by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: Samples before preparation (S1) were tested positive for microbial presence, with mean numbers of 7.0 ×107 and 12.4 ×107 bacterial cells for the sodium hypochlorite and Garlic-Lemon groups, respectively. Postpreparation (S2), in sodium hypochlorite and Garlic-Lemon groups, bacterial counts were still present with mean counts seen at 27.4 ×105 and 7.7 ×105 bacterial cells, respectively. Intergroup comparison resulted in a statistically insignificant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Garlic-Lemon has shown microbial load reduction that is as effective as sodium hypochlorite, with the highest mean bacterial reduction percentage. The results of the present randomized, controlled clinical trial suggest that Garlic-Lemon is a potential new alternative as an endodontic irrigant.

Assessment of the Cardiac Function in Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Fetuses and Appropriate for Gestational Age Fetuses.

AIM: Aim of the study is to evaluate the myocardial performance index in intrauterine growth restricted fetuses and compare this index with appropriate for gestational age fetuses. MATERIALS & METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in S.M.S Medical College Jaipur, involving 72 singleton fetuses ≥ 28 weeks of gestation divided into two groups: 36 intrauterine growth restricted fetuses (IUGR) and 36 appropriate for gestational age fetuses (AGA). Myocardial performance index was obtained by fetal echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean myocardial performance index in the IUGR fetuses and AGA fetuses was statistically significant and that was 0.62 ± 0.02 and 0.45 ± 0.01, respectively; (p value: < 0.0001). These findings suggest that IUGR induces primary cardiac changes, which could explain the increased predisposition to cardiovascular disease in adult life. This study concluded that Fetal echocardiographic parameters (MPI) identify a high risk group within the IUGR fetuses, which could be targeted for early screening of blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors, as well as for promoting a healthy diet and physical exercise.

MIR155 Regulation of Ubiquilin1 and Ubiquilin2: Implications in Cellular Protection and Tumorigenesis.

Ubiquilin (UBQLN) proteins are adaptors thought to link ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome. However, our lab has recently reported a previously unappreciated role for loss of UBQLN in lung cancer progression. In fact, UBQLN genes are lost in over 50% of lung cancer samples examined. However, a reason for the loss of UBQLN has not been proposed, nor has a selective pressure that could lead to deletion of UBQLN been reported. Diesel Exhaust Particles (DEP) are a major concern in the large cities of developing nations and DEP exposed populations are at an increased risk of developing a number of illnesses, including lung cancer. A connection between DEP and UBQLN has never been examined. In the present study, we determined the effect of DEP on lung cell lines and were interested to determine if UBQLN proteins could potentially play a protective role following treatment with DEP. Interestingly, we found that DEP treated cells have increased expression of UBQLN proteins. In fact, over-expression of UBQLN was capable of protecting cells from DEP toxicity. To investigate the mechanism by which DEP leads to increased UBQLN protein levels, we identified and interrogated microRNAs that were predicted to regulate UBQLN mRNA. We found that DEP decreases the oncogenic microRNA, MIR155. Further, we showed that MIR155 regulates the mRNA of UBQLN1 and UBQLN2 in cells, such that increased MIR155 expression increased cell invasion, migration, wound formation and clonogenicity in UBQLN-loss dependent manner. This is the first report of an environmental carcinogen regulating expression of UBQLN proteins. We show that exposure of cells to DEP causes an increase in UBQLN levels and that MIR155 regulates mRNA of UBQLN. Thus, we propose that DEP-induced repression of MIR155 leads to increased UBQLN levels, which in turn may be a selective pressure on lung cells to lose UBQLN1.