Sirtuin dysregulation in Parkinson's disease: Implications of acetylation and deacetylation processes

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that primarily affects motor function and is caused by a gradual decline of dopaminergic neurons in the brain's substantia pars compacta (Snpc) region. Multiple molecular pathways are involved in the pathogenesis, which results in impaired cellular functions and neuronal degeneration. However, the role of sirtuins, a type of NAD+-dependent deacetylase, in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease has recently been investigated. Sirtuins are essential for preserving cellular homeostasis because they control a number of biological processes, such as metabolism, apoptosis, and DNA repair. This review shed lights on the dysregulation of sirtuin activity in PD, highlighting the role that acetylation and deacetylation processes play in the development of the disease. Key regulators of protein acetylation, sirtuins have been found to be involved in the aberrant acetylation of vital substrates linked to PD pathology when their balance is out of balance. The hallmark characteristics of PD such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction have all been linked to the dysregulation of sirtuin expression and activity. Furthermore, we have also explored how the modulators of sirtuins can be a promising therapeutic intervention in the treatment of PD.

Targeting cardiovascular risk factors with eugenol: an anti-inflammatory perspective

Inflammation is a multifaceted biological reaction to a wide range of stimuli, and it has been linked to the onset and progression of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Inflammatory markers found in the blood, including C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6, and soluble adhesion molecules (like intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. These markers play a crucial role in understanding and assessing cardiovascular health. Due to this complicated relationship between inflammation and cardiovascular disease, anti-inflammatory agents of natural origin have been the subject of many preclinical and clinical studies in recent years. Eugenol is a natural phenolic compound found in clove oil, nutmeg oil, cinnamon oil, and bay leaf oil, as well as other essential oils. Eugenol has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in many forms of experimental inflammation. It may scavenge free radicals, which contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. Various studies also suggest that eugenol can limit the production of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, cytokines, and chemokines. Animal models of arthritis, colitis, and lung damage, as well as human clinical studies, have shown that eugenol has phenomenal anti-inflammatory properties. These properties suggest that eugenol may be able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Advancing the frontiers of adaptive cell therapy: A transformative mechanistic journey from preclinical to clinical settings

Although the concept of using the patient's immune system to combat cancer has been around for a while, it is only in recent times that substantial progress has been achieved in this field. Over the last ten years, there has been a significant advancement in the treatment of cancer through immune checkpoint blockade. This treatment has been approved for multiple types of tumors. Another approach to modifying the immune system to detect tumor cells and fight them off is adaptive cell therapy (ACT). This therapy involves using T cells that have been modified with either T cell receptors (TCR) or chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) to target the tumor cells. ACT has demonstrated encouraging outcomes in different types of tumors, and clinical trials are currently underway worldwide to enhance this form of treatment. This review focuses on the advancements that have been made in ACT from preclinical to clinical settings till now.

Pharmacological modulation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathways in Angiogenesis: A mechanistic perspective

The Sonic hedgehog (SHh) signaling pathway is an imperative operating network that helps in regulates the critical events during the development processes like multicellular embryo growth and patterning. Disruptions in SHh pathway regulation can have severe consequences, including congenital disabilities, stem cell renewal, tissue regeneration, and cancer/tumor growth. Activation of the SHh signal occurs when SHh binds to the receptor complex of Patch (Ptc)-mediated Smoothened (Smo) (Ptc-smo), initiating downstream signaling. This review explores how pharmacological modulation of the SHh pathway affects angiogenesis through canonical and non-canonical pathways. The canonical pathway for angiogenesis involves the activation of angiogenic cytokines such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), placental growth factor (PGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), stromal cell-derived factor 1α, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2), which facilitate the process of angiogenesis. The Non-canonical pathway includes indirect activation of certain pathways like iNOS/Netrin-1/PKC, RhoA/Rock, ERK/MAPK, PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch signaling pathway, and so on. This review will provide a better grasp of the mechanistic approach of SHh in mediating angiogenesis, which can aid in the suppression of certain cancer and tumor growths.

Cucurbita pepo seeds improve peripheral neuropathy in diabetic rats by modulating the inflammation and oxidative stress in rats

BACKGROUND

Cucurbita pepo (C. pepo) is cultivated and used traditionally as vegetable as well as medicine in different parts of the world. The aim of current study was to investigate the potential of C. pepo in attenuation of diabetic neuropathy via using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes model in male wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetic neuropathy was induced by administration of STZ; 65 mg/kg, i.p. and Nicotinamide (NAD; 230 mg/kg i.p.) and assessed by measuring thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in experimental animals. Treatment with different doses of (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) petroleum ether extract of C. pepo (CPE) and hydroethanolic extract of C. pepo (CHE) was started from the 60th day of STZ/NAD administration and continued upto 90th day.

RESULTS

CPE and CHE significantly attenuated the behavioural changes including hyperalgesia, allodynia and MNCV linked to diabetic neuropathy. Moreover, the oxidative stress and level of TNF-α, TGF-β and IL-1β was found to be significantly attenuated in experimental animals.

CONCLUSION

Thus C. pepo might ameliorate the progression of diabetic neuropathy via modulation of chronic hyperglycemia and therefore and have therapeutic potential for treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.

Therapeutic implication of Sonic Hedgehog as a potential modulator in ischemic injury

Sonic Hedgehog (SHh) is a homology protein that is involved in the modeling and development of embryonic tissues. As SHh plays both protective and harmful roles in ischemia, any disruption in the transduction and regulation of the SHh signaling pathway causes ischemia to worsen. The SHh signal activation occurs when SHh binds to the receptor complex of Ptc-mediated Smoothened (Smo) (Ptc-smo), which initiates the downstream signaling cascade. This article will shed light on how pharmacological modifications to the SHh signaling pathway transduction mechanism alter ischemic conditions via canonical and non-canonical pathways by activating certain downstream signaling cascades with respect to protein kinase pathways, angiogenic cytokines, inflammatory mediators, oxidative parameters, and apoptotic pathways. The canonical pathway includes direct activation of interleukins (ILs), angiogenic cytokines like hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor alpha (HIF-), which modulate ischemia. The non-canonical pathway includes indirect activation of certain pathways like mTOR, PI3K/Akt, MAPK, RhoA/ROCK, Wnt/-catenin, NOTCH, Forkhead box protein (FOXF), Toll-like receptors (TLR), oxidative parameters such as GSH, SOD, and CAT, and some apoptotic parameters such as Bcl2. This review provides comprehensive insights that contribute to our knowledge of how SHh impacts the progression and outcomes of ischemic injuries.

Biomarkers: Role and Scope in Neurological Disorders

Neurological disorders pose a great threat to social health and are a major cause for mortality and morbidity. Effective drug development complemented with the improved drug therapy has made considerable progress towards easing symptoms associated with neurological illnesses, yet poor diagnosis and imprecise understanding of these disorders has led to imperfect treatment options. The scenario is complicated by the inability to extrapolate results of cell culture studies and transgenic models to clinical applications which has stagnated the process of improving drug therapy. In this context, the development of biomarkers has been viewed as beneficial to easing various pathological complications. A biomarker is measured and evaluated in order to gauge the physiological process or a pathological progression of a disease and such a marker can also indicate the clinical or pharmacological response to a therapeutic intervention. The development and identification of biomarkers for neurological disorders involves several issues including the complexity of the brain, unresolved discrepant data from experimental and clinical studies, poor clinical diagnostics, lack of functional endpoints, and high cost and complexity of techniques yet research in the area of biomarkers is highly desired. The present work describes existing biomarkers for various neurological disorders, provides support for the idea that biomarker development may ease our understanding underlying pathophysiology of these disorders and help to design and explore therapeutic targets for effective intervention.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Novel Dynamically Regulated Therapeutic Modulator in Neurological Disorders

The growth factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) play an active role in numerous areas of the adult brain, where they regulate the neuronal activity, function, and survival. Upregulation and downregulation of BDNF expression are critical for the physiology of neuronal circuits and functioning in the brain. Loss of BDNF function has been reported in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative or psychiatric disorders. This article reviews the BDNF gene structure, transport, secretion, expression and functions in the brain. This article also implicates BDNF in several brain-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy and bipolar disorder.

Modern cemented Furlong hemiarthroplasty: Are dislocations rates better?

BACKGROUND

Dislocation following hip hemiarthroplasty is a major complication with increased mortality and morbidity. Data looking at dislocation following contemporary bipolar stems are lacking in literature.

METHODS

Retrospective review of our prospective national hip fracture database over a two-year period. Group 1 comprised of consecutive patients receiving bipolar Furlong prosthesis (N222) while Group 2 was made up of a historical cohort (uncemented; N254). Clinical and radiological records were reviewed to determine dislocation rates, causes and associative factors of dislocations. Data were analysed using SPSS.

RESULTS

Following 476 hemiarthroplasties performed during the study period, 12 (2.5%) dislocations were reported (eight in Group 1; four in Group 2). There was no significant difference in dislocation rates (3.6% vs 1.6%) between groups (p = 0.159). Subgroup analysis of Group 1 demonstrated a significant difference in dislocations with Furlong cemented (6%) as compared with Furlong uncemented (0%) hemiarthroplasties (p = 0.024). Following dislocation, death rates increased to 8.3% from 1.7% in both groups.

CONCLUSION

There is a statistically significant increase in dislocation rate following use of cemented Furlong prosthesis when compared to similar uncemented prosthesis at the same treatment period. However, when compared to traditional uncemented prosthesis, there is no difference in dislocation rates.

Pharmacological evaluation of Thuja occidentalis for the attenuation of neuropathy via AGEs and TNF-α inhibition in diabetic neuropathic rats

When diabetes neuropathy occurs, the oxidative stress caused by chronic hyperglycemia may result in chronic neuronal damage. To mitigate the effects of hyperglycemia-induced neuronal damage, it may be beneficial to address oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. The current study evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of Thuja occidentalis in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NAD)-induced diabetic neuropathy in male Wistar rats. A single dose of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce diabetic neuropathy in Wistar rats. Serum insulin, glucose, hyperalgesia, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and histopathology of the sciatic nerve were evaluated for neuropathy. Wistar rats were treated with varying doses of hydroalcoholic extracts of Thuja occidentalis (HAETO) and gabapentin for 30 days. Thuja occidentalis considerably corrected the levels of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress caused by hyperglycemia; also, it led to the restoration of neuronal functions, indicating that it is effective in treating diabetic neuropathy. Furthermore, the molecular docking of thujone at the active pockets of various inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β1, and TNF-α) has shown good interactions with critical amino acid residues. These findings indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of Thuja occidentalis effectively inhibits the development of diabetic neuropathy. The hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-hyperalgesia, and anti-inflammatory properties of Thuja occidentalis are thought to be responsible for the neuroprotective benefit.

Therapeutic implications of glucose transporters (GLUT) in cerebral ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is a leading cause of death in the globe, with a large societal cost. Deprivation of blood flow, together with consequent glucose and oxygen shortage, activates a variety of pathways that result in permanent brain damage. As a result, ischemia raises energy demand, which is linked to significant alterations in brain energy metabolism. Even at the low glucose levels reported in plasma during ischemia, glucose transport activity may adjust to assure the supply of glucose to maintain normal cellular function. Glucose transporters in the brain are divided into two groups: sodium-independent glucose transporters (GLUTs) and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (SGLTs).This review assess the GLUT structure, expression, regulation, pathobiology of GLUT in cerebral ischemia and regulators of GLUT and it also provides the synopsis of the literature exploring the relationship between GLUT and the various downstream signalling pathways for e.g., AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein), Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF)-1, Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K), Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and adenylate-uridylate-rich elements (AREs). Therefore, the aim of the present review was to elaborate the therapeutic implications of GLUT in the cerebral ischemia.

Tree species composition, growing stock and biomass carbon dynamics of the major timber species in Hindu Kush regions of Pakistan

Using inventory data, this study evaluates the species composition, growing stock volume (GSV), and biomass carbon (BMC) of the five major timber species in the sub-tropical, and temperate/sub-alpine regions of Pakistan. It was found that the stem density varies between 50 and 221 trees ha -1, with a mean of 142 trees ha-1 (13.68 million trees for entire forest area). Among the species, Pinus wallichiana showed a high species composition (27.80%) followed by Picea smithiana (24.64%). The GSV was found in the range of 67.81 to 425.94 m3 ha-1, with a total GSV value of 20.68 million m3 for the entire region. Similarly, The BMC ranged from 27.04 to 169.86 Mg ha-1, with a mean BMC value of 86.80 Mg ha-1. The total amount of stored carbon was found at 8.69 million tons for a total of 95842 ha of commercially managed forest. Furthermore, the correlation analysis between the basal area (BA) and GSV and BMC showed that BA is the best predictor of GSV and BMC. The findings provide insights to the policy makers and forest managers regarding the sustainable commercial forest management as well as forest carbon management in the recent global carbon management for climate change mitigation.

Kynurenine Metabolism and Alzheimer's Disease: The Potential Targets and Approaches

L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid, regulates protein homeostasis and plays a role in neurotransmitter-mediated physiological events. It also influences age-associated neurological alterations and neurodegenerative changes. The metabolism of tryptophan is carried majorly through the kynurenine route, leading to the production of several pharmacologically active enzymes, substrates, and metabolites. These metabolites and enzymes influence a variety of physiological and pathological outcomes of the majority of systems, including endocrine, haemopoietic, gastrointestinal, immunomodulatory, inflammatory, bioenergetic metabolism, and neuronal functions. An extensive literature review of PubMed, Medline, Bentham, Scopus, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases was carried out to understand the nature of the extensive work done on the kynurenine metabolites that influence cellular redox potential, immunoregulatory mechanisms, inflammatory pathways, cell survival channels, and cellular communication in close association with several neurodegenerative changes. The imbalanced state of kynurenine pathways has found a close association to several pathological disorders, including HIV infections, cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and has found special attention in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kynurenine pathway (KP) is intricately linked to AD pathogenesis owing to the influence of kynurenine metabolites on excitotoxic neurotransmission, oxidative stress, uptake of neurotransmitters, and modulation of neuroinflammation, amyloid aggregation, microtubule disruption, and their ability to induce a state of dysbiosis. Pharmacological modulation of KP pathways has shown encouraging results, indicating that it may be a viable and explorable target for the therapy of AD.

Phytochemical and biological attributes of Bauhinia variegata L. (Caesalpiniaceae)

Abstract Bauhinia variegata plant is a very popular and traditionally potent ethnomedicine. Therefore, it is need of hour to study ameliorative characteristics of B. variegata for novel secondary metabolites. The current study was designed to explore antiproliferative potential of B. variegata due to scant reports on this aspect. Extracts of various parts (flowers, leaves, bark, stem, and roots) were prepared by successive maceration using organic solvents in increasing order of polarity (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water). The determination of polyphenolic contents was done by using colorimetric methods while antioxidant potential was measured using reducing power assay. Brine shrimp lethality assay was performed for determining preliminary cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity against breast cancer MCF-7 cell line using MTT protocols. Moreover, antimicrobial activities were detected by using disc diffusion assay. The alpha-amylase assay was performed to monitor the antidiabetic potential of the plant. In case of phytochemical analysis methanolic extract of leaves and bark showed highest phenolic and flavonoids contents. n-Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of stem and roots exhibited more than 90% mortality with LD50 ranges between 1-25 µg/mL when studied by brine shrimp lethality assay. n-Hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of roots and stem also showed antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line with IC50 values ranges between 12.10-14.20 µg/mL. Most of the extracts displayed moderately high antibacterial and antifungal activities. The n-hexane extract of roots showed antidiabetic activity with 60.80 ± 0.20% inhibition of alpha-amylase. In sum, these preliminary results will be useful for further compound isolation from selected plant parts for the discovery of antibacterial, antidiabetic, and anticancer lead candidates.

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma (PPAR-ɣ): Molecular Effects and Its Importance as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cerebral Ischemic Injury

Cerebral ischemic injury is a leading cause of death and long-term disability throughout the world. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-ɣ) is a ligand-activated nuclear transcription factor that is a member of the PPAR family. PPAR-ɣ has been shown in several in vitro and in vivo models to prevent post-ischemic inflammation and neuronal damage by negatively controlling the expression of genes modulated by cerebral ischemic injury, indicating a neuroprotective effect during cerebral ischemic injury. A extensive literature review of PubMed, Medline, Bentham, Scopus, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases was carried out to understand the nature of the extensive work done on the mechanistic role of Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma and its modulation in Cerebral ischemic injury. PPAR-ɣ can interact with specific DNA response elements to control gene transcription and expression when triggered by its ligand. It regulates lipid metabolism, improves insulin sensitivity, modulates antitumor mechanisms, reduces oxidative stress, and inhibits inflammation. This review article provides insights on the current state of research into the neuroprotective effects of PPAR-ɣ in cerebral ischemic injury, as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which these effects are modulated, such as inhibition of inflammation, reduction of oxidative stress, suppression of pro-apoptotic production, modulation of transcription factors, and restoration of injured tissue through neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

Insights into the Mechanism of the Therapeutic Potential of Herbal Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Neurological Diseases

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme that catalyzes the deamination of monoamines and other proteins. MAO's hyperactivation results in the massive generation of reactive oxygen species, which leads to a variety of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and depression-like disorders. Although synthetic MAO inhibitors are clinically available, they are associated with side effects such as hepatotoxicity, cheese reaction, hypertensive crisis, and so on, necessitating the investigation of alternative MAO inhibitors from a natural source with a safe profile. Herbal medications have a significant impact on the prevention of many diseases; additionally, they have fewer side effects and serve as a precursor for drug development. This review discusses the potential of herbal MAO inhibitors as well as their associated mechanism of action, with an aim to foster future research on herbal MAO inhibitors as potential treatment for neurological diseases.

A multi-centre, cross-sectional study on coronavirus disease 2019 in Bangladesh: clinical epidemiology and short-term outcomes in recovered individuals

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly became a global pandemic. This study aimed to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) -associated epidemiology and clinical outcomes in Bangladesh in order to understand the future course of the COVID-19 pandemic and develop approaches to prevention. A cross-sectional study based on retrospective interviews was conducted on 1021 individuals with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 admitted in six different hospitals in Bangladesh and who recovered 4 weeks before the interview date. Of the 1021 patients, 111 (10.9%) were asymptomatic and the other 910 (89.1%) were symptomatic. Higher prevalence of COVID-19 was found in the male population (75%), in cohorts with B-positive blood group (36.3%) and in the 31-40 years age group. Common symptoms observed in our study participants were fever (72.4%), cough (55.9%), loss of taste (40.7%) and body ache (40%); whereas among the biochemical parameters, neutrophil count (46.4%), D-dimer (46.1%) and ferritin (37.9%) levels were elevated. Among the recovered individuals, short-term outcomes including pains and aches (31.8%), weakened attention span (24.4%) and anxiety or depression (23.1%) were also significantly prevalent in the symptomatic cases with comorbidities. Our study showed that in Bangladesh, adult males aged between 31 and 40 years were more vulnerable to developing COVID-19. It also indicated a rising trend of asymptomatic cases as the pandemic progressed. As a consequence, deployment of interventions to curb further spread of community infection is necessary to avoid grave outcomes of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

Hip fracture patients admitted to hospital on weekends are not at increased risk of 30-day mortality as compared with weekdays

Background

Hip fractures remain a major health concern owing to the increasing elderly population and their association with significant morbidity and mortality. The effects of weekend admission on mortality have been studied since the late 1970s. Despite most studies showing that mortality rates are higher for patients admitted on a weekend, the characteristics of the admitted patients have remained unclear. We aim to investigate this ‘weekend effect’ at our hospital in patients presenting with a hip fracture.

Methods

Patients undergoing acute hip fracture surgery were identified from the local National Hip Fracture Database. Patient demographics, fracture type, co-morbidities and admission blood parameters were examined. The outcome analysed was 30-day mortality. The data were analysed with regard to day of admission, i.e. weekday (Monday to Friday) or weekend (Saturday and Sunday).

Results

A total of 894 patients were included. Results demonstrated that 30-day mortality was similar on the weekend compared with the weekday (6.96% versus 10.39%, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.36–1.14, p = 0.128) for patients who sustained an acute hip fracture. The total number of deaths within 30 days was 85 (69 weekday versus 16 weekend). This remained non-significant after adjusting for several variables: age and sex only (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.37–1.16, p = 0.146), age, sex, and care variables (OR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.33–1.06, p = 0.080), age, sex, and blood test results (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.35–1.12, p = 0.111), and all covariates (OR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.29–1.62, p = 0.392). In the fully adjusted model, the following variables were independent predictors of mortality: sex (male) (OR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.11–3.35, p = 0.019) and ASA > 2 (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.11–6.11, p = 0.028) and age (1.08, 95% CI 1.04–1.13, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The evidence for a ‘weekend effect’ in patients with a hip fracture is absent in this study. However, we have shown other factors that are associated with increased mortality such as increased age, male sex and higher ASA grade.

Level of evidence

Level 3.

Electrostatic rogue waves in double pair plasmas

A nonlinear Schrödinger equation is derived to investigate the modulational instability of ion-acoustic (IA) waves (IAWs) in a double pair plasma system containing adiabatic positive and negative ion fluids along with super-thermal electrons and positrons. The analytical analysis predicts two types of modes, viz., fast ( ω f ) and slow ( ω s ) IA modes. The possible stable and unstable parametric regions for the IAWs in the presence of external perturbation can be observed for both ω f and ω s . The number density of the negative ions and positrons plays a vital role in generating the IA rogue waves in the modulationally unstable region. The applications of our present work in astrophysical environments [viz., D-region (H + , O 2 - ) and F-region (H + , H - ) of the Earth's ionosphere] and in laboratory plasmas [viz., pair-ion fullerene (C + , C - )] are pinpointed.

Heavy ion-acoustic rogue waves in electron-positron multi-ion plasmas

The nonlinear propagation of heavy-ion-acoustic (HIA) waves (HIAWs) in a four-component multi-ion plasma (containing inertial heavy negative ions and light positive ions, as well as inertialess nonextensive electrons and positrons) has been theoretically investigated. The nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation is derived by employing the reductive perturbation method. It is found that the NLS equation leads to the modulational instability (MI) of HIAWs, and to the formation of HIA rogue waves (HIARWs), which are due to the effects of nonlinearity and dispersion in the propagation of HIAWs. The conditions for the MI of HIAWs and the basic properties of the generated HIARWs are identified. It is observed that the striking features (viz., instability criteria, growth rate of MI, amplitude and width of HIARWs, etc.) of the HIAWs are significantly modified by the effects of nonextensivity of electrons and positrons, the ratio of light positive ion mass to heavy negative ion mass, the ratio of electron number density to light positive ion number density, the ratio of electron temperature to positron temperature, etc. The relevancy of our present investigation to the observations in space (viz., cometary comae and earth's ionosphere) and laboratory (viz., solid-high intense laser plasma interaction experiments) plasmas is pointed out.

Frequency, Distribution of Congenital Anomaly and Associated Maternal Risk Factors

This study was done to find out the maternal risk factors associated with congenital anomaly. This cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2011 to December 2011. During this study period 78 patients had pregnancy with congenital anomaly and delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Women with ultrasound report of congenitally abnormal fetus irrespective of gestational age were included. Clinical evaluation of neonates was done by experienced neonatologist. The frequency of congenital anomaly was 3.46%. Most of the women belong to age <35 years (97.43%). Congenital anomalies more commonly were seen in the primiparas (64.10%). Most frequent associated risk factor was the history of abortions (35.89%). Maternal infections during antenatal period were also high (15.58%). There were 58 males (74.35%) and 20 females (25.64%). There was positive history of delivery of congenital abnormal babies in 6 cases (7.6%). Mothers of eight cases (10.25%) had history of drug ingestion during pregnancy. Four cases (5.12%) of mothers had hypothyroidism and 6 cases of mothers (7.69%) had diabetes mellitus respectively.

Intracranial hypertension secondary to high dose cytosine arabinoside - A case study

We report a rare case of intracranial hypertension following high dose cytosine arabinoside (HiDAC) in a 20-year-old man, with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A five drug induction protocol for ALL was initiated; post induction consolidation was with HiDAC (3 g/m² IV every 12 h on days 1, 3 and 5). Post consolidation, cytogenetic remission was attained and he received an intensification and maintenance regimen for ALL, for a period of approximately 24 months. Four months following the completion of his treatment, the patient relapsed within the central nervous system (CNS). Intravenous salvage chemotherapy was initiated using a combination of fludarabine 30 mg/m², followed by cytarabine 2 g/m² 4 h later on days 1 through 5 (FA). On day # 23 of FA, he developed a severe headache. A gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased intracranial pressure. On day # 25, ophthalmology examination suggested bilateral papilledema. He was started on acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily. He had spontaneous resolution of his symptoms. The patient had no recurrence of papilledema or any other neurological symptoms. Intracranial hypertension secondary to HiDAC, is an exceedingly rare complication and is not regularly associated as a common side effect of cytarabine administration. Prompt action in diagnosing and treating intracranial hypertension will save the patient from consequences, such as loss of vision, that are prevalent in this condition.

Favourable rotational alignment outcomes in PSI knee arthroplasty: A Level 1 systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Implant malposition in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often results in unsatisfactory outcomes. Rotational malalignment leads to impaired patellar tracking, stability and joint biomechanics. Patient-specific instrumentation aims to improve three-dimensional implant positioning while reducing overall costs of instrumentation.

METHODS

A PRISMA compliant search of all relevant literature between 2000 and 2014 was performed. The primary outcome of interest was deviation from a neutral femoral and tibial axial alignment of patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) vs conventional instrumentation. Femoral rotation was measured with reference to the transepicondylar axis. Tibial rotation was reported with reference to the anterior tibial tuberosity and a "best fit" with the anterior tibial cortex.

RESULTS

Six randomised studies met the inclusion criteria reporting on a total of 444 knees. Computed tomography (CT) based PSI systems were used exclusively in three studies, and two further studies in association with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI was used exclusively in one study. Mean femoral rotation in the conventional group was: -1.7 to 1.6° (vs -1.7 to 1° in the PSI group). Meta-analysis demonstrated a significant treatment effect favouring PSI with increased accuracy in "three-degree outliers" with femoral rotation: Z=2.07, P=0.04. A single study reported tibial rotational outcomes with no significant difference demonstrated in conventional instrumentation vs PSI.

CONCLUSIONS

This Level 1 meta-analysis demonstrates favourable femoral rotational alignment outcomes in PSI knee arthroplasty. Only limited data is available for tibial rotational outcomes. Further studies with standardised "gold-standard" measurement criteria are required to clarify tibial rotational outcomes in PSI TKA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

1.

No demonstrable benefit for coronal alignment outcomes in PSI knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies assessing alignment outcomes in patient-specific instrumented (PSI) knee arthroplasty was conducted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PRISMA compliant data was extracted from literature databases up to January 2014.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting a total of 1792 knees. Twenty-three studies reported alignment outcomes in the coronal plane, 11 in the sagittal plane. In all but three series, MRI was the preoperative imaging modality. Range of mean postoperative alignment (hip-knee-ankle [HKA] angle) was 176.5 to 181.70. The proportion of three degrees of outliers showed an overall mean of 18.6%. In total, fifteen studies compared alignment outcomes between standard and PSI. From these, four studies showed significantly higher accuracy of coronal plane alignment with PSI (HKA angle). Meta-analysis of seven high-quality comparative studies demonstrated no significant increased accuracy in postoperative mechanical axis (HKA angle) with PSI. Subgroup meta-analysis of both femoral and tibial rotation was not feasible due to a low number of inclusive high-quality series.

CONCLUSIONS

PSI knee arthroplasty is shown not to confer increased accuracy in reconstituting the postoperative mechanical axis. Further studies are required to demonstrate both clinical and radiological alignment outcomes in PSI knee arthroplasty with focus upon tibial and femoral rotation.

Central Obesity Plays an Important Role for the Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Bangladeshi Women

Background: Diabetes mellitus coexists at a greater frequency with hypertension, obesity, central obesity, and dyslipidemia. Obesity has been identified as the most important modifiable risk factor in the aetiology of type-2 diabetes mellitus. Central obesity has been shown to be the most pathogenically important in the causation of metabolic disorders including type-2 diabetes. Aims: To determine the association of central obesity with type 2 diabetes in Bangladeshi women. Subjects and Methods: A total of 60 type 2 diabetic female subjects along with 60 healthy female subjects were recruited in this study. Anthropometric indices were measured using standard techniques. Serum glucose was measured using glucose-oxidase method, insulin was measured using ELISA and thyroid hormones were measured using chemiluminescence based automated Immulite Auto analyzer (DPC, USA). Insulin secretory capacity and insulin sensitivity were estimated using fasting glucose and fasting insulin by HOMA-CIGMA software. Results: Waist circumference of the control (89±8) subjects was significantly (p=0.046) lower than the diabetic (94±11) subjects. Waist-hip ratio of the control subjects was significantly lower compared to diabetic subjects. Fasting plasma insulin level in control subjects (7.6±2.2) was significantly (p=0.009) lower compared to diabetic subjects (11.8±9.8). Plasma lipid profile and thyroid hormone status in control and diabetic subjects were not found significantly different. Insulin secretory capacity (HOMA %B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA%S) in control subjects (93±21, 95±39 respectively) were found to be significantly higher com-pared to diabetic subjects (45±32, 67±42 respectively). In age-adjusted binary logistic regression analysis, waist circumference was found to be significantly associated with diabetes. In multiple linear regression analysis TSH was found to be significantly associated with waist circumference. Conclusion: Waist circumference may be an independent indicator for the development type 2 diabetes in Bangladeshi women which may have influenced by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i3.19149 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.13(3) 2014 p.278-284

Successful management of ventral abdominal hernia in goat: a case report

The study was conducted a four month old Jamunapari doe weighing 15kg that was brought to the SAQ teaching veterinary Hospital, CVASU, Chittagong with the history of unknown cause, loss of appetite and gradual swelling in the pelvic region since one month. Based on clinical examination the case was subjected as a ventral abdominal hernia and corrected by surgical intervention. The case was recovered unevenfully at 10th postoperative day. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v2i2.11387 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2012), 2(2):60-62

Nonplanar dust-acoustic Gardner solitons in a four-component dusty plasma

The nonlinear propagation of Gardner solitons (GSs) in a nonplanar (cylindrical and spherical) four-component dusty plasma (composed of inertial positively and negatively dust, Boltzmann electrons, and ions) is studied by the reductive perturbation method. The modified Gardner equation is derived and numerically solved. It has been found that the basic characteristics of the dust-acoustic (DA) GSs, which are shown to exist for μ around its critical value μ(c) [where μ=Z(dp)m(dn)/Z(dn)m(dp), Z(dn) (Z(dp)) is the number of electrons (protons) residing on a negative (positive) dust, m(dp) (m(dn)) is the mass of the positive (negative) dust, μ(c) is the value of μ corresponding to the vanishing of the nonlinear coefficient of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, e.g., μ(c)≃0.174 for μ(e)=n(e0)/Z(dn)n(dn0)=0.2, μ(i)=n(i0)/Z(d)}n(dn0)=0.4, and σ=T(i)/T(e)=0.1, n(e0), n(i0), and n(dn0) are, respectively, electron, ion, and dust number densities, and T(i) (T(e)) is the ion (electron) temperature], are different from those of the KdV solitons, which do not exist for μ around μ(c). It has been also found that the propagation characteristics of nonplanar DA GSs significantly differ from those of planar ones.

Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder and their management: a Pakistani experience

INTRODUCTION

This was a retrospective study conducted to assess the nature, presentation, mode of insertion, diagnosis and management of foreign bodies in the urinary bladder.

METHODS

Between January 1998 and December 2007, 20 patients with foreign bodies in their urinary bladder were treated at our centre. The records of these patients were reviewed and analysed for their symptoms, mode of insertion, diagnosis, management and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 20 foreign bodies were recovered from the urinary bladders during the study period. These included JJ stents with calculi, intrauterine contraceptive devices with stones, a rubber stick, ribbon gauze, encrusted pieces of Foley catheter, proline thread with calculus, a suture needle, broken cold knives, the ceramic beak of a paediatric resectoscope, a knotted suprapubic tube, a hair clip, a nail, an electrical wire and a hairpin. The common presenting features were dysuria and haematuria. The diagnosis was established radiologically in most of the cases. The circumstances of insertion were variable; iatrogenic in 16 (80.0 percent) cases, sexual stimulation in two (10.0 percent), accidental insertion by a child in one (5.0 percent) and physical torture in one (5.0 percent). 17 (85.0 percent) foreign bodies were recovered endoscopically, and cystolithotomy was required in three (15.0 percent) patients.

CONCLUSION

The instances of foreign bodies in the urinary bladder are uncommon. A diagnosis is usually made radiologically. Iatrogenic foreign bodies were found to be the most frequent type of insertion encountered. Endoscopic retrieval is usually successful, with minimal morbidity.

Antimicrobial activity of clove oil and its potential in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis

In the present study, we evaluated antimicrobial activity of clove oil against a range of fungal pathogens including that responsible for urogenital infection. Clove oil was found to possess strong antifungal activity against opportunistic fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus, etc. The oil was found to be extremely successful in the treatment of experimental murine vaginitis in model animals. On evaluating various formulations, topical administration of the liposomized clove oil was found to be most effective against treatment of vaginal candidiasis.

'Screw'--appendicitis

We report a rare case of appendicitis due to screw in the appendix in a 4-year old boy. An appendicectomy was done. Foreign body appendicitis should be treated with early surgical intervention.

Psychosocial outcomes derived from an acid burned population in Bangladesh, and comparison with Western norms

Assault by acid burns typically results in severe disfigurement, yet the psychosocial impact of this injury is so far unreported. This study provides the first empirical data using standardised assessment scales, from 44 acid burns survivors in Bangladesh. Compared with published norms, individuals show high levels of psychological distress including social anxiety and avoidance, anxiety and depression. Consistent with the published literature, there is no relationship between severity of injury and level of psychological distress. One interesting feature of this population is the relative preservation of perceived self-concept, and this is discussed with relation to the supportive and therapeutic environment of the clinic where this group were studied. We also note an interesting sub-group who were attacked by members of their own family and for whom psychological morbidity seems particularly pronounced.

Tuftsin-mediated immunoprophylaxis against an isolate ofAspergillus fumigatusshows less in vivo susceptibility to amphotericin B

In the present study, we evaluated the immunopotentiating efficacy of tuftsin against experimental murine aspergillosis in both normal and immunodebilitant BALB/c mice. The animals were challenged with an isolate of Aspergillus fumigatus (1x10(8) cfu/mouse) that was showing less susceptibility to lower doses of amphotericin B in murine animal model. Co-administration of the immunomodulator tuftsin and liposomised-amphotericin B was found to be highly effective in the treatment of systemic infection of A. fumigatus in both immunocompetent and leukopenic mice. Moreover, pre-treatment of mice with liposomised-tuftsin prior to challenging them with A. fumigatus infection and subsequent treatment with tuftsin-bearing liposomised-amphotericin B was found to be extremely efficient in successful elimination of fungal pathogen. In another set of experiments, tuftsin-mediated antigen-specific memory antibody response was also assessed by immunizing the animals with A. fumigatus cytosolic antigen. The animals that received a booster 150 days after the first immunization with tuftsin-liposomes-antigen showed more resistance to A. fumigatus infection in comparison with the naïve animals.

Alternative splicing, chromosome assignment and subcellular localization of the testicular haploid expressed gene (THEG)

We have previously isolated and characterized the mouse Testicular Haploid Expressed Gene (Theg) that is specifically expressed in haploid germ cells. We now describe the molecular cloning and characterization of the human homologue (THEG) of mouse Theg. Expression studies by using both dot blot and Northern blot techniques revealed that human THEG is expressed specifically in the testis. Additionally, we found two alternatively spliced transcripts (THEG major and THEG minor) for THEG by using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction on human testicular RNA. Sequence analysis of these PCR products demonstrated that the smaller transcript (THEG minor) lacks 72 bp which was also observed for the mouse Theg. We have isolated the cDNAs of human THEG major and THEG minor, containing the complete open reading frames, which encode putative nuclear proteins of 379 amino acids and 355 amino acids, respectively. Database searches identified two genomic clones on chromosome 19 harboring the human THEG gene, which is approximately 14 kb pairs in size, contains eight exons, and comparison of the two cDNA sequences with the genomic sequence indicated that the smaller transcript lacks exon 3. Furthermore, we assigned the human THEG gene (THEG) to human chromosome 19ptel--> p13 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Moreover, we detected mouse THEG protein prominently in the nucleus of round spermatids by using an antibody against THEG on both testicular sections and cellular suspensions. Additionally, the subcellular localization of mouse THEG was confirmed by a green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein of mouse THEG which was found mainly in the nucleus of transfected NIH3T3 cells. These data suggest that both human and mouse THEG are specifically expressed in the nucleus of haploid male germ cells and are involved in the regulation of nuclear functions.

Adolescent nutrition in a rural community in Bangladesh

The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional status of adolescent boys and girls in a rural community in Bangladesh. Between December 1996 and January 1997, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in 803 households, each containing at least one adolescent, sampled consecutively from four purposely-selected villages in Rupganj Thana, Narayanganj district. Initially, the guardians of 1483 healthy and unmarried 10-17 year old adolescents (51% boys and 49% girls) were interviewed about family structure and socio-economic status. Out of these children, 906 (47% boys and 53% girls) from 597 households were weighed, had their height and MUAC measured and were clinically examined. Blood was then collected from 861 adolescents for haemoglobin estimation. The median monthly income per person in these 597 families was approximately Taka 554 (US $12). Twenty seven per cent of the household heads were labourers, 21% were solvent farmers, 14% ran small scale businesses and 6% were unemployed. Sixty seven per cent of adolescents were thin (defined as BMI < 5th centile of WHO recommended reference) with 75% boys and 59% girls being affected. The percentage of thin adolescents fell from 95% at age 10 years to 12% at age 17 years. The prevalence of stunting (height for age < 3rd centile NCHS/WHO) was 48% for both boys and girls and rose from 34% at age 10 to 65% at age 17. On clinical examination angular stomatitis was present in 46%, 27% had glossitis, 38% had pallor, 11% had dental caries, 3.2% had an conspicuously enlarged thyroid and 2.1% had eye changes of vitamin A deficiency. According to INACG (International Nutritional Anaemia Consultative Group, 1985) cut-off values, 94% of the boys and 98% of the girls were anaemic. We conclude that rural Bangladesh adolescents suffer from high rates of malnutrition and almost universal anaemia. Nutritional interventions to target this population are urgently required.

Pharmacodynamic studies on Polypodium vulgare (Linn.)

Aqueous extract of the root of P. vulgare (PV) produced CNS depressant effect. It decreased the spontaneous motor activity, prolonged the pentobarbitone induced hypnosis, reduced body temperature and increased the reaction time to pain stimuli. PV also caused prevention against supramaximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazol induced seizures. PV showed a positive inotropic and chronotropic effect on perfused frog heart and caused hypotension and tachycardia in anaesthetised dogs. The effects were blocked by propranolol. PV produced dose dependent inhibition of contractions of rabbit small intestine and the effect was blocked by propranolol. PV appears to possess CNS depressant and beta-adrenoceptor agonistic activities.