Efficacy and safety of curcumin in maintaining remission during disease-modifying antirheumatic drug withdrawal in rheumatoid arthritis at 52 weeks: a phase III double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties but current evidence is limited to advocate its use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We explored whether curcumin could maintain remission in patients with RA while tapering conventional synthetic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (csDMARD). In this patient-and investigator-blinded trial, adults with RA in sustained remission for more than six months were randomized to oral curcumin (1 g) with piperine (5 mg) twice daily or matching placebo. Patients who had received biological DMARDs or curcumin supplements in the last 6 months were excluded. csDMARD were tapered and stopped sequentially as per a fixed protocol. The primary outcome was flare-free survival at 52 weeks. The secondary outcomes were flare rate, correlation of serum curcuminoid levels with flares and safety. 200 patients (100 per arm) entered the trial with comparable baseline characteristics. Per protocol analysis included 92 and 93 participants in the curcumin and the placebo group, respectively. Flare-free survival at week 52 was similar between both groups (60% versus 64%; p = 0.76). The median time to flare was similar [Curcumin: 219 days (IQR: 123) versus placebo: 214 days (95.8); p = 0.067]. Cox proportionate regression modelling showed that the flare-free survival was independent of serum curcuminoid levels [adjusted HR = 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97-1.0)]. The model showed that flare-free survival was not associated with age, gender, seropositivity, or csDMARD used at baseline. No serious adverse effects were noted. Curcumin did not impact the flare-free survival in patients with RA in remission during the tapering of csDMARDs despite achieving adequate serum levels.Trial registration: CTRI/2018/04/013279.

Differential Effect of Targeted Temperature Management Between 32 °C and 36 °C Following Cardiac Arrest According to Initial Severity of Illness: Insights From Two International Data Sets

BACKGROUND

Recent guidelines have emphasized actively avoiding fever to improve outcomes in patients who are comatose following resuscitation from cardiac arrest (ie, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest). However, whether targeted temperature management between 32 °C and 36 °C (TTM32-36) can improve neurologic outcome in some patients remains debated.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there an association between the use of TTM32-36 and outcome according to severity assessed at ICU admission using a previously derived risk score?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Data prospectively collected in the Sudden Death Expertise Center (SDEC) registry (France) between May 2011 and December 2017 and in the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium Continuous Chest Compressions (ROC-CCC) trial (United States and Canada) between June 2011 and May 2015 were used for this study. Severity at ICU admission was assessed through a modified version of the Cardiac Arrest Hospital Prognosis (mCAHP) score, divided into tertiles of severity. The study explored associations between TTM32-36 and favorable neurologic status at hospital discharge by using multiple logistic regression as well as in tertiles of severity for each data set.

RESULTS

A total of 2,723 patients were analyzed in the SDEC data set and 4,202 patients in the ROC-CCC data set. A favorable neurologic status at hospital discharge occurred in 728 (27%) patients in the French data set and in 1,239 (29%) patients in the North American data set. Among the French data set, TTM32-36 was independently associated with better neurologic outcome in the tertile of patients with low (adjusted OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.15-2.30; P = .006) and high (adjusted OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.06-3.54; P = .030) severity according to mCAHP at ICU admission. Similar results were observed in the North American data set (adjusted ORs of 1.36 [95% CI, 1.05-1.75; P = .020] and 2.42 [95% CI, 1.38-4.24; P = .002], respectively). No association was observed between TTM32-36 and outcome in the moderate groups of the two data sets.

INTERPRETATION

TTM32-36 was significantly associated with a better outcome in patients with low and high severity at ICU admission assessed according to the mCAHP score. Further studies are needed to evaluate individualized temperature control following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Ventricular fibrillation complicating acute myocardial infarction in women

Background

Very little data is available in women presenting with ventricular fibrillation in the setting of acute myocardial infarction.

Purpose

To investigate sex-discrepancies in the incidence, characteristics and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the FAST-MI registry, which prospectively included 14,406 patients with acute myocardial infarction (mean age 66±14 years, 72% male, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 52±12%, 59% with ST elevation myocardial infarction). All consecutive patients admitted to French cardiac intensive care units ≤48 hours from acute myocardial infarction onset during a 1-month period every five years during 1995 and 2015 were included. This analysis focused on ventricular fibrillation occurring during the initial in-hospital stay for acute myocardial infarction in women compared to men.

Results

A total of 359 patients developed ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction, including 81 women (2.0% of 4,091 women overall) and 278 men (2.7% of 10,315) (p=0.02). ST-elevation myocardial infarction (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.75–2.99, p<0.001) was independently associated with occurrence of ventricular fibrillation, while female gender (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.95, p=0.02), hypertension (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60–0.94, p=0.01) and prior MI (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50–0.96, p=0.03) were protective factors. Women were less likely to have percutaneous coronary intervention during hospitalization than men (48.1% vs. 69.1%, OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29–0.80, p<0.001). One-year mortality was higher in women compared to men (23.1% vs. 7.0%, HR 5.5, 95% CI 1.7–17.2, p=0.001). However, after adjustment for age, type of myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention, female gender was no longer associated with a worse one-year mortality (adjusted HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.71–1.51, p=0.85).

Conclusion and relevance

Women have lower risk of developing ventricular fibrillation during acute myocardial infarction compared to men. However, they are less likely to receive early coronary interventions than men, possibly contributing to worse outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): French Society of Cardiology

LB0003 WITHDRAWING METHOTREXATE AFTER BOTH VERSUS ONLY SECOND DOSE OF THE ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 VACCINE IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS: TWO INDEPENDENT RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS (MIVAC I AND II)

Background

Pausing methotrexate (MTX) for two to four weeks, improved immunogenicity of influenza vaccination in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), albeit a risk of disease flare (1). This guided the framing of guidelines on MTX withdrawal for COVID-19 vaccination (2). However, evidence for MTX withdrawal for COVID-19 vaccination is limited to observational studies only.

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of holding MTX after each (MIVAC 1) and only after the second dose (MIVAC II) of the ChAdOx1 vaccine versus continuation of MTX in two randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Two single centre, investigator-blinded, RCTs were conducted in patients with RA or Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) on stable doses of MTX without prior COVID-19 (CTRI reg. no. MIVAC I: CTRI/2021/07/03463 & MIVAC II: CTRI/2021/07/035307). In MIVAC I, unvaccinated patients were randomised (1:1) to hold or continue MTX for two weeks after each dose of the vaccine. MIVAC II included patients who had continued MTX during the first dose of ChAdOx1 and were randomised (1:1) to hold or continue MTX for 2 weeks after the second vaccine dose. The primary outcome for both the trials was the anti-Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) antibody titres measured four weeks after the second vaccine dose (per protocol analysis). Secondary outcome was the flare rate, defined as an increase in disease activity scores (DAS28/cDAPSA) or physician intent to hike DMARDs.

Results

250 patients were randomized for MIVAC 1 and 178 for MIVAC II and after due exclusions, 158 and 157 were eligible for analysis respectively (Figure 1). In MIVAC I, median anti-RBD titres were significantly high in the MTX hold group [2484 (1050-4388) versus 1147(433-2360), p=0.001] but the flare rate was higher in the hold group [20 (25%) versus 6(8%) p=0.005] compared to continue group. In MIVAC II median anti-RBD titres were significantly high for the MTX hold group [2553 (1792-4823) versus 990 (356-2252), p=0.001] when compared to continue group but there was no difference in the flare rate between the groups [9(11.8%) and 4(7.9%), p=0.15] (Table 1). Since both were parallel studies in similar population, MTX hold arms across both the trials were compared for anti-RBD titres and flare. There was no difference in the anti-RBD titres [p=0.2] between the groups. In MIVAC I, 29(36.25%) patients had reported flare (19 in either first or second dose, 10 for both doses) when compared to MIVAC II where only 9(11.84%) patients had reported flare after the second dose (P <0.001).

Table 1.

Baseline demographics and key results

VariableMIVAC IMIVAC IIMTX HoldMTX ContinuePMTX HoldMTX ContinueP valueN=80N=78valueN=76N=81Age†48 (38-53.3)49 (39-59)0.1953 (42.3-59)53(50-62)0.14Female (%) ‡73 (91.3)75 (96.2)0.3365 (85.5)70 (86.4)>0.99RA (%) ‡69(86.3)69 (93.2)70 (85.6)80 (87.7)PsA (%) ‡11(13.8)6 (8.1)0.316 (7.9)1 (1.2)0.057DAS28†2.7 (2.4-3.2)2.6 (2-3.3)0.62.7(2.3-3.4)2.8 (2.1-3.5)0.78cDAPSA †2(3-4.5)2.5(1.3-3.8)0.463(2.8-3)30.15Prednisolone (%) ‡29 (36.3)23(31.1)0.424(31.6)26 (32.1)>0.99MTX mg/week†17.5 (10-25)15 (10-20)0.05715 (9.4-25)17.5(7.5-25)0.92Anti- RBD antibody titres post second dose (IU/mL) †2484 (1050-4388.8)1147.5 (433.5-2360.3)<0.0012553.5 (1792.5-4823.8)990.5 (356.1-2252.5)<0.001Flare (N%) ‡Post first dose20 (25)6 (8)0.005NANAPost second dose19 (23.8)10(13.3)0.19 (11.8)4 (7.9)0.15

All analysis as per protocol population.

†Median (interquartile range): Mann Whitney U test.

‡ N (%): Fisher Exact test

. Bolded if p<0.05.

Conclusion

Holding MTX after both the doses or only after the second dose of ChAdOx1 yields higher anti-RBD antibody titres as compared to continuing MTX. Comparing across the trials, holding MTX only after the second dose appears to be non-inferior to holding MTX after both doses of the vaccine with a lesser risk of flare.

References

[1]Park JK et al. Clin Rheumatol. 2020 Feb; 39(2):375-379.

[2]Curtis JR, et al. Arthritis & Rheumatology. 2021 Oct;73(10): e60-75.

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments to all participating investigators, patients and their families

Disclosure of Interests

Anu Sreekanth: None declared, Teny Skaria: None declared, Sneha Joseph: None declared, Rashwith Umesh: None declared, Manju Mohanan: None declared, Aby Paul: None declared, Sakir Ahmed Speakers bureau: Sakir Ahmed had received honorarium as speaker from Pfizer, Dr Reddy’s, Cipla, and Novartis unrelated to this Comment, Pankti Mehta: None declared, Seena Oomen: None declared, Janet Benny: None declared, Justin George: None declared, Anagha Paulose: None declared, K Narayanan: None declared, Sanjana Joseph: None declared, Anuroopa Vijayan: None declared, Kaveri Nalianda: None declared, Padmanabha Shenoy: None declared

Hematological and serum biochemical profile in cattle experimentally infected with foot-and-mouth disease virus

Background and Aim:

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals causing vesicular erosions in the oral cavity and interdigital space. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the time-dependent changes in clinical, hematological, and biochemical profiles in different breeds of cattle following experimental infection.

Materials and Methods:

The animals were inoculated with 1.0×10⁴ 50% bovine tongue infectious dose (BTID₅₀) by intradermolingual route. Clinical signs were observed, and blood/serum samples were collected at different time intervals.

Results:

The white blood cell count declined sharply on days 7-13 and recovered on day 14 post-FMD infection. Biochemical analysis of serum markers for vital organ profile revealed no marked damage. However, a significant increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) value indicated pre-renal azotemia. Transient hyperthyroidism was indicated by the rise in T3 and T4 that can be correlated with a decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. In the cardiac damage assessment study, a distinct breed difference was observed wherein Malnad Gidda calves showed no cardiac damage.

Conclusion:

Except thyroid profile, BUN, and creatine kinase-myocardial band, all other serum biochemical parameters showed no significant abnormalities, whereas lymphopenia is the only hematological change and it is suggested that effective ameliorative measures should be targeted mainly on the feed/water intake, thyroid gland, and the level of lymphocytes.

Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a registry study

Aims

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) despite conventional resuscitation is common and has poor outcomes. Adding extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (extracorporeal-CPR) is increasingly used in an attempt to improve outcomes.

Methods and results

We analysed a prospective registry of 13 191 OHCAs in the Paris region from May 2011 to January 2018. We compared survival at hospital discharge with and without extracorporeal-CPR and identified factors associated with survival in patients given extracorporeal-CPR. Survival was 8% in 525 patients given extracorporeal-CPR and 9% in 12 666 patients given conventional-CPR (P = 0.91). By adjusted multivariate analysis, extracorporeal-CPR was not associated with hospital survival [odds ratio (OR), 1.3; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.8–2.1; P = 0.24]. By conditional logistic regression with matching on a propensity score (including age, sex, occurrence at home, bystander CPR, initial rhythm, collapse-to-CPR time, duration of resuscitation, and ROSC), similar results were found (OR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5–1.3; P = 0.41). In the extracorporeal-CPR group, factors associated with hospital survival were initial shockable rhythm (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.5–10.3; P = 0.005), transient ROSC before ECMO (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1–4.7; P = 0.03), and prehospital ECMO implantation (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.5–5.9; P = 0.002).

Conclusions

In a population-based registry, 4% of OHCAs were treated with extracorporeal-CPR, which was not associated with increased hospital survival. Early ECMO implantation may improve outcomes. The initial rhythm and ROSC may help select patients for extracorporeal-CPR.

P1586Research network in Africa (RNA): antihypertensive drugs strategies in 12 African countries

Background

High Blood Pressure is the worldwide leading global burden of disease risk factor. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of adults with raised blood pressure has alarmingly increased from 0.59 to 1.13 billion between 1975 and 2015. Blood pressure-lowering medicines are cornerstone of cardiovascular risk reduction. Data on management of anti-hypertensive drugs in sub-Saharan Africa are squarce.

Purpose

Our study aims to describe antihypertensive drugs strategies in Africa.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey in urban clinics during outpatient consultation specialized in hypertension cardiology departments of 29 medical centers from 17 cities across 12 African countries (Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambic, Niger, Senegal, Togo). Data were collected on demographics, treatment and standardized BP measures were made among the hypertensive patients attending the clinics. Country income was retrieved from the World Bank database. All analyses were performed through scripts developed in the R software (3.4.1 (2017–06–30)).

Results

A total of 2198 hypertensive patients (58.4±11.8 years; 39.9% male) were included. Among whom 2123 (96.6%) had at least one antihypertensive drug. Overall, 30.8% (n=653) received monotherapy and calcium-channel blockers (49.6%) were the most common monotherapy prescribed follow by diuretics (18.7%). Two-drug strategies were prescribed for 927 patients (43.6%). Diuretics and Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was the combination most frequently prescribed (33.7%). Combination of three drugs or more was used in 25.6% (n=543) of patients. The proportion of drugs strategies differed significantly according to countries (p<0.001), monotherapy ranged from 12.7% in Niger to 47.1% in Democratic Republic of the Congo (figure). Furthermore we observed a significantly difference of strategies between low and middle income countries (55.3% and 44.7% of monotherapy respectively) (p<0.001). According to hypertension grades 1, 2 and 3, the proportion of three-drugs or more combination was 25%, 28% and 34% in middle-income and lower in low-income countries (18%, 19% and 25%). Furthermore, Grade 3 hypertension in low income countries was still treated with monotherapy (36%) instead of 19% in middle income countries (p<0.01).

Antihypertensive strategies by country

Conclusion

Our study described antihypertensive drugs use across 12 sub-Saharan countries, and identified disparities specific to the income context. Inequity in access to drugs combination is a serious barrier to tackle the burden of hypertension in Africa.

Transcriptional and translational abundance of Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2, 4, 6, 7 and their receptors BMPR1A, 1B and BMPR2 in buffalo ovarian follicle and the role of BMP4 and BMP7 on estrogen production and survival of cultured granulosa cells

BMPs and their receptors modulate the granulosa cell (GC) function in the follicle of domestic animals. Since little is known on BMPs in the buffalo, the present study was aimed to investigate the expression of BMP2, 4, 6, 7 and their receptors BMPR1A, BMPR1B, BMPR2 in the GC and theca cells (TC) of ovarian follicles and the role of BMP4 and BMP7 on buffalo GC. Follicles were classified into four groups based on size and E₂ level in the follicular fluid as follows: (i) Group1(4-6 mm; <0.5 ng/mL) (ii) Group 2 (7-9 mm; 0.5-5 ng/mL) (iii) Group 3 (10-13 mm; 5-40 ng/mL) and (iv) Group 4 (dominant follicle) (>13 mm; >180 ng/mL). The results revealed that except BMP6, BMP2, 4 7 and receptors BMPR1A, BMPR1B and BMPR2 showed a minimum of 1.5-2 fold increase in mRNA expression in the GC of dominant follicle as compared to other follicle classes. In the dominant follicle, a two-fold increase in BMP4 and BMP7 expression was observed in the TC. At 100 ng/mL, the BMP4 and BMP7 either alone or in combination maximally down-regulated CASPASE3 and stimulated the transcripts of PCNA, FSHR and CYP19A1 that was supported by E₂ secretion in the granulosa cell culture suggesting their role in cell survival and E2 production. In conclusion, GC and TC of dominant follicles express BMP 2, 4, 6, 7 and their receptors BMPR1A, BMPR1B and BMPR2. BMP4 and BMP7 stimulate E₂ production and promote GC survival.

Long-term exposure to a butter-rich diet induces mild-to-moderate steatosis in Chang liver cells and Swiss albino mice models

BACKGROUND

Butter is one of the widely used fats present in the diet. However, there is no satisfactory study available that evaluates the effect of a high-fat diet containing butter as the principal fat on the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

METHODS

In the present study, butter was used for the development of steatosis in Chang liver cells in an in vitro study and Swiss albino mice in an in vivo study. In vitro steatosis was established, and butter was compared with oleic acid in Chang liver cells using an oil red O (ORO)-based colorimetric assay. In the in vivo study, a butter-rich special diet was fed for 15 weeks to mice, who showed no significant change in body weight. The expression pattern of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and miR-21 was compared by reverse transcriptase-PCR.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Special diet-fed animals showed downregulated PTEN compared to normal diet-fed animals, while levels of miR-21 remained the same. Elevations in biochemical parameters, viz., triglycerides and liver function tests showed symptoms of onset of NAFLD. Histophathological study of livers of test animals confirmed mild-to-moderate degree of NAFLD.

Expression and functional role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) in cyclical corpus luteum in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The role of growth factors in the modulation of ovarian function is an interesting area of research in reproductive biology. Recently, we have shown the expression and role of IGF, EGF, VEGF and FGF in the follicle and CL. Here, we report the presence of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) and their functional receptors in the corpus luteum (CL) of buffalo. The bubaline CL was classified into four stages according to the morphology and progesterone (P₄) concentration. The qPCR, immunoblot and immunohistochemistry studies revealed that BMP2 and BMP Receptors (BMPR1A, BMPR1B and BMPR2) were significantly upregulated during the mid stage whereas BMP4 and BMP7 were upregulated during the early stage of CL (P<0.05). Studies on primary luteal cell culture (LCC) using mid CL showed a significant time and concentration dependent effect of BMP4 and BMP7 (P<0.05). At 100ngml^-1, the BMPs maximally stimulated the transcripts of StAR, CYP11A1 and 3βHSD that paralleled with P₄ accretion in the media (P<0.05). Further, the BMP4 as well as BMP7 upregulated the transcripts of PCNA and downregulated CASPASE3 in the LCC at the same concentration (P<0.05). Though the combined effect of BMP4 and 7 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of individual one, it was not additive. In conclusion, the expression of BMPs and their receptors were dependent on the stages of CL in the buffalo. Treatment of LCC with BMPs in vitro confirmed the presence of functional receptors that stimulated the P₄ production and luteal cell survival. Moreover, the results support the concept that the upregulation of P₄ and its biosynthetic pathway enzymes such as CYP11A1, StAR and 3βHSD in the CL is likely due to the autocrine and /or paracrine effects of BMP4 and BMP7 under physiological milieu.

Effect of non-genetic factors on the prevalence of Stilesia globipunctata in the goat

Despite its high prevalence and pathogenicity, Stilesia globipunctata is a neglected cestode infection of ruminants in the tropics and sub-tropics. The present study reports the effect of sex, age, year and month on the prevalence of S. globipunctata in the goat. A total of 5208 eviscerated intestines of the goat carcasses were screened for a period of seven years, from January 2001 to December 2007. The overall prevalence of 36.6 % was significantly affected by the factors studied (P<0.05). Male goats were more susceptible to the S. globipunctata infection than that of female (P<0.05). Goat aged between 6 months and 1 year were found to be significantly more susceptible (P<0.05) which was followed by animals between 1 and 4 years of age and then more than 4 years of age. Morbidity was high (59 to 86 %) in animals of less than one year of age. The striking observation was that the prevalence peaked during monsoon and at nadir in May.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in placental separation in the bovine: A review

Retention of fetal membranes (RFM), where the fetal placenta is not expelled within 8-12 hr after calving, lowers bovine productivity and fertility, resulting in significant economic loss to the dairy industry. Several risk factors that predispose an individual to RFM are known, but a unifying pathogenesis remains elusive due to its multifactorial etiology. Fetal membrane separation and expulsion after parturition involves structural and immunological changes of the bovine placentome that are governed predominantly by steroid hormones and the prostaglandin milieu of late pregnancy and parturition. Maturation of the placentome, a gradual and concerted event of late gestation, is likely initiated by the up-regulation of fetal major histocompatibility complex class I in the interplacentomal region-which increases the apoptosis of binucleate and other trophoblastic cells, the degradation of collagen in the extracellular matrix by matrix metalloproteinases, and an influx of phagocytic leukocytes. Shear force further distorts the crypt architecture of the mature placentomes when they are forced against the fetus during the second stage of labor. Cotyledon dehiscence from the caruncular crypts is completed following fetal expulsion as a result of acute shrinkage of the cotelydonary villi as well as reduced perfusion to the caruncle; the secundinae is expelled by uterine contractions. A better understanding of placentomal maturation, intra-partum, and immediate postpartum changes of the placentome should help develop strategies for the treatment and prevention of RFM. The present review proposes a model of placentome maturation and separation of fetal membranes in the dairy cow.

Evaluating a murine model of endometritis using uterine isolates of Escherichia coli from postpartum buffalo

Ascending infection of the uterus with Gram-negative bacteria is responsible for postpartum endometritis in cattle and buffalo and can adversely affect fertility. Development of a laboratory animal model for bovine endometritis would facilitate the understanding of the pathogenesis as it is difficult to conduct controlled experimentation in the native host. In the present study, 30 virgin Swiss Albino mice (5-8 weeks old) were used to evaluate the pathogenic potential of Escherichia coli, isolated from the normally calved postpartum buffalo to induce endometritis. Mice in the diestrus phase of the estrous cycle were randomly allotted to one of the following four intravaginal inoculation (100 μL) treatments: EG (experimental group)-1: sterile normal saline; EG-2, -3 and -4: E. coli^@ 1.5 × 10⁴, 10⁵ and 10⁶ CFU/ml, respectively. The animals were then scarified 36 h post-inoculation to study gross and microscopical lesions. Gross changes were confined to EG-4. Acute endometritis was recorded in 50% of the EG-3 and 66.7% of the EG-4. The rate of acute endometritis development was significantly higher in EG-4 (P<0.05) as compared to the other groups. The present study demonstrated that the animal model for bubaline endometritis can be developed in mice by intravaginal inoculation of E.coli^@ 1.5 × 10⁶ CFU/ml at diestrus. Ease of intravaginal inoculation, apparent absence of systemic involvement and high infective rate are the advantages of the model over other studies.

Supplementation of Slow-Release Melatonin Improves Recovery of Ovarian Cyclicity and Conception in Summer Anoestrous Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

The role of melatonin as a protective neurohormone against restoring cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals in photoperiod species has gained wider acceptance. This study was designed to uncover the evidence the slow-release melatonin (MLT) has on initiation of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate (CR) in summer anoestrous buffaloes. Thus, buffaloes diagnosed as summer anoestrous (absence of overt signs of oestrus, concurrent rectal examination and radioimmunoassay for serum progesterone at 10 days interval) were grouped as untreated (Group I, sterilized corn oil, n = 8) and treated (Group II, single subcutaneous injection of MLT @18 mg/50 kg bwt in sterilized corn oil, n = 20). Animals treated and detected in oestrus were artificially inseminated (AI) followed by division into Group III (second dose of MLT on 5th day post-AI, n = 8) and Group IV (no melatonin administration, n = 10). Blood samples were collected at 4 days interval for estimation of serum MLT, progesterone and oestrogen using radioimmunoassay kit. Mean oestrous induction rate (OIR), oestrous induction interval (OII), interoestrous interval (IOI) and CR were estimated. Compared to control, concentration of melatonin was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in treated group ranging from 14.34 ± 1.72 to 412.31 ± 14.47 pg/ml whereas other two hormones did not show any concentration difference. Melatonin-administered buffaloes showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher (90%) OIR with OII of 18.06 ± 1.57 days. Results showed improvement in conception rate in buffaloes administered with post-insemination melatonin. It can be concluded from the study that slow-release melatonin supplementation restored cyclicity in summer anoestrous animals resulting in improvement in conception rate in buffaloes.

HIV Infection Presenting with Dementia

We present a case of dementia in a young healthy individual. On evaluation he was detected to have HIV infection with low CD4 count and a high viral load. He had no opportunistic infections or any other AIDS defining illnesses. He recovered fully within 3 months of antiretroviral therapy.

Production of β -cyclodextrin from pH and thermo stable Cyclodextrin Glycosyl Transferase, obtained from Arthrobacter mysorens and its evaluation as a drug carrier for Irbesartan

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are carrier molecules produced by cyclization of α-1,4-glucans by Cyclodextrin Glycosyl Transferase (CGTase). These torus shaped molecules have hydrophobic cavity and hydrophilic shell making them useful in pharmaceutical, food, textile, pesticide and cosmetic industries. In this study, culture conditions for the production of CGTase by organism belonging to Arthrobacter genus obtained from a paddy field soil were optimized by single parameter mode. Soluble starch, yeast extract and magnesium sulphate played an important role in CGTase production. Percentage increase in CGTase yield under optimized conditions was 396.77%. The enzyme precipitated by 60% ammonium sulphate was purified using DEAE-sepharose. The molecular weight of the purified protein as determined by SDS-PAGE was 75 kDa. Purified CGTase was thermostable and stable over a wide pH range. Dissolution studies on β -cyclodextrin-Irbesartan complex revealed that β -CDs formed were useful in preparing immediate release oral dosage forms.

Monostotic fibrous dysplasia with Raynaud′s phenomenon

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a benign bone disorder characterized by alteration in bone morphology. Monostotic FD is the commonest variant and affects the craniofacial bones. Raynaud's phenomenon is recurrent vasospasm of the fingers and toes due to cold exposure. The disease is usually idiopathic or secondary to connective tissue disorders. Raynaud's phenomenon is not described previously with FD. We recently encountered two interesting patients of craniofacial monostotic FD with Raynaud's phenomenon and report the same in this report.

Energy Consumption Response to Climate Change: Policy Options for India

In this article, the contributions of energy use to the climate variation debates are explored. Analyses based on secondary data depict that global fossil fuel use has increased and dominated world energy consumption and supply which is quite similar to the Indian case. This increase in the global energy use has resulted in higher emissions. To account for the changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission, this article follows an index decomposition analysis using data from PROWESS database of the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). Two factors are considered to account for the changes in emission intensity of Indian economy: (i) shift in output among three sectors of the India economy (Agriculture, Service and Manufacturing) and (ii) structural change due to change in aggregate output with respect to emissions change. Based on the estimates, we conclude that structural changes in the Indian economy from 1991 to 2007 played important major driving factor in reducing emissions compared to output shifts across sectors. Based on the findings and international experiences, few policy options for Indian economy, such as, energy pricing reforms, promoting investment in renewable energy technologies and creating public environmental awareness, are further suggested.

The expression of IL6 and 21 in crossbred calves upregulated by inactivated trivalent FMD vaccine

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is an economically important disease and a whole-virus inactivated trivalent virus vaccine is the mainstay for controlling the disease in India. The protective humoral immune response to FMD vaccination is a complex, but, tightly regulated process mediated by the interplay of interleukins (IL). Based on the specific role of IL6 and 21 in adaptive immune response, we hypothesized that inactivated trivalent FMD vaccine would stimulate IL6 and 21 expression in the circulating lymphocytes. The expressions of IL6 and 21 were assayed on 0, 28, 60, 90, and 120 d post-vaccination (DPV) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) with simultaneous assessment of FMDV antibody titer by liquid phase blocking ELISA. The results revealed that the peak expression of IL6 and 21 was on DPV 28 which correlated well with the FMDV antibody titer and plummeted to the prevaccination titer level by 60 DPV. As IL21 is the final effector of antibody production as compared to IL6, we investigated the expression of IL21 in calves that had protective titer (>1.8) with the unprotected group (<1.8). Expression of IL21 on 28 DPV was numerically higher in the protected than that of the unprotected group of calves.

Synthesis, characterization and biological studies of some novel 3-fluorosalicylaldehyde based amine derivatives

A series of biologically important substituted 3-fluorosalicylaldehyde derivatives (1a-h) with various primary amines were synthesized by using ionic liquid (1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) as an efficient catalyst. A new series of Schiff base derivatives (1a-h) were synthesized and characterized by IR, NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (1)H-(1)H COSY and HSQC), mass spectra and elemental analysis. Further crystal structure of compound 1a was evaluated by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. All the synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of selected bacterial and fungal strains using Streptomycin and Amphotericin B as standards. Most of the synthesized compounds demonstrated moderate effects on both antibacterial and antifungal activities at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC's).

Association of BoLA DRB3 alleles with variability in immune response among the crossbred cattle vaccinated for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)

Polymorphism of bovine leukocyte antigen (BoLA) DRB3 gene is being intensively investigated for potential association with economically important diseases of cattle. Accordingly, we investigated the association of DRB3 Exon 2 polymorphism as evidenced by the variation in the binding pockets with variability in immune response to inactivated trivalent (O, A and Asia1) foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccine in a closed population of crossbred cattle. Antibody titer of ≥ 1.8 was set as the cut off value to distinguish the protected (≥ 1.8) and unprotected (<1.8) animals. Eleven different alleles of over 3% frequency were detected in the population. We found that DRB3 alleles 0201, 0801 and 1501 always ranked high for protective immune response whereas alleles 0701, 1103 and 1101 consistently ranked low for unprotected immune response for all the three serotypes. Rank correlation of DRB3 alleles among the three serotypes was positive, high in magnitude and statistically significant (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that odds of protection from the vaccine were highest for all the three serotypes if allele (∗)1501 was present and strengthened the results of allele ranking. Predicted amino acid substitution in the peptide binding pockets revealed that all the important sites had high Wu-Kabat index. Similarly, specific residues in pockets were crucial for immune response to FMD vaccine. There were specific substitutions in un-protected alleles such as absence of acidic amino acids substituted by basic amino acid at β71, presence of non-polar cysteine or basic histidine at β30 and presence of polar tyrosine at β37. From the observations, we hypothesize that the substitutions lead to unique conformational changes in the protein products of the studied alleles that would associate with the protective or unprotective antibody response to FMDV vaccine. The knowledge has potential implications in future selection programs if integrated with the complete BoLA haplotype details and production traits of the herd.

Synthesis, spectral characterization and antimicrobial studies of novel s-triazine derivatives

A series of fifteen novel triazinyl derivatives, with various natural nucleobases by mono, di and tri substitution in cyanuric chloride at the 2,4- and/or 6-positions was synthesized. Target molecules were synthesized by stoichiometric addition of various nucleophiles to cyanuric chloride in the presence of suitable base. The structural characterizations of all the compounds were made by spectral and analytical techniques, IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC), mass spectral and elemental analysis. All the synthesized compounds were screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity against a panel of selected bacterial and fungal strains using Streptomycin and Amphotericin B as standards. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) results revealed that most of the purine (1a-2a, 1b-2b, and 1c-2c) compounds exhibit excellent activity against selected bacterial and fungal strains.

A Comparative Study of Technology and Industry Clusters of SMEs in India

This article attempts to compare the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) belonging to industry and technology clusters in India. They are compared in terms of the technological efforts, nature of competition, competitive strategy, outward orientation, research and development intensity and export intensity. First part of the article gives the economics of clustering and the second part analyses the inter-cluster differences, if any, between the firms belonging to 13 clusters drawn from Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. The analysis reveals that the firms in the technology cluster are more outward oriented and R and D intensive compared to their counterparts in the industry cluster. They also differ in terms of the type of competitors and the competitive strategies. While the firms in the technology cluster face competition from established foreign firms, those in the industry cluster from established local firms. Process innovations are used by firms in the technology cluster whereas productivity improvements are used by firms in the industry cluster for sustaining competitive advantage. In the regression analysis, the nature of cluster, use of technology/business collaboration (Networking) and market share emerge as significant variables in explaining the R and D intensity of firms. Export intensity is explained by the R and D intensity and scale of operation.

Impact of Environmental Regulation on Technical Efficiency

There is a large concentration of chemical firms around Mumbai, and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has been actively monitoring them. Such monitoring is likely to have an impact on the productive efficiency of these firms. The firms argue that additional costs to minimise environmental damage have reduced their efficiency. We try to find out whether these water-polluting firms in the chemical industry around Mumbai are actually unable to cope with the additional cost of pollution abatement, or whether by using cleaner practices, are able to improve their efficiency, and support the ‘win-win’ opportunities as claimed by the Porter Hypothesis. The study is carried out by estimating an Output Distance Function using a stochastic production function. The panel data of fifty water-polluting small-to medium-scale firms for three-year period of 2004–06 was collected in a primary survey of chemical industries around Mumbai. We find that the polluting firms are technically more efficient than those firms which adhere to pollution norms. Thus, the Porter Hypothesis does not hold for the sample.

Correlation between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, C3, C4 and Anti-dsDNA Antibodies

BACKGROUND

Therapeutic decisions in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are based on the disease activity and nature of organ involvement. There are various clinical and laboratory methods to assess the lupus flares.

METHODS

Fifty one SLE patients with active disease (lupus flare) were studied. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI), C3, C4 and anti-double stranded DNA levels were estimated and repeated monthly till remission. After remission these tests were done three monthly. Values of serological parameters were then correlated with SLEDAI score.

RESULT

Thirteen (25.4%) patients had predominantly renal involvement while 38 (74.6%) patients had non-renal affliction. Musculoskeletal and mucocutaneous symptoms were the commonest features of lupus flare (90%). It was observed that 12 out of 13 (92.3%) patients with active renal involvement had low C3 levels and 11 (84.6%) had low C4 levels. The anti-dsDNA levels were elevated in all patients with predominant renal flare. In non-renal flare anti-dsDNA titre was raised only in 35% cases. Low C3 and C4 levels were noticed in 43% and 53% of non-renal flares respectively. Significant positive correlation was noticed between SLEDAI score and anti-dsDNA levels (0.01 level two-tailed prediction) and a significant negative correlation was observed with SLEDAI and C3, C4 levels (0.01 and 0.05 levels, two-tailed prediction) in our patients. On subgroup analysis it was noticed that this correlation is stronger for renal lupus. Negative correlation of SLEDAI and complement levels was not observed in non-renal flares.

CONCLUSION

Calculation of SLEDAI is a vital clinical tool for assessment of SLE patients. Serial estimation of anti-dsDNA titre, C3 and C4 levels help us diagnose lupus flare and make appropriate therapeutic decisions in patients with high SLEDAI score.