Adenylate cyclase activator forskolin alleviates intracerebroventricular propionic acid-induced mitochondrial dysfunction of autistic rats

Neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction increases inflammatory mediators and leads to free radical generation and anti-oxidant enzymatic alterations,which are major neuropathological hallmarks responsible for autism.Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism is associated with decreased ATP levels due to reduced levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate.Rat models of autism were established by intracerebroventricular injection of propionic acid.These rat models had memory dysfunction,decreased muscle coordination and gait imbalance.Biochemical estimation of propionic acid-treated rats showed changes in enzyme activity in neuronal mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes and increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines,oxidative stress and lipid biomarkers.Oral administration of 10,20 and 30 mg/kg adenylate cyclase activator forskolin for 15 days reversed these changes in a dose-dependent manner.These findings suggest that forskolin can alleviate neuronal mitochondrial dysfunction and improve neurological symptoms of rats with autism.This study was approved by the RITS/IAEC,SIRSA,HARYANA on March 3,2014(approval No.RITS/IAEC/2014/03/03).     

Reduction of hospitalizations with diarrhea among children aged 0–5 years in Nouakchott,Mauritania, following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine

Introduction

Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in Mauritania in December 2014. We investigated hospitalizations with diarrhea during pre and post-vaccination periods among children aged 0–5?years in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.

Iodine deficiency status amongst school children in Pauri,Uttarakhand

Objective

To assess the iodine deficiency status amongst school age children in district Pauri, Uttarakhand.

Methods

2067 children (age of 6–12 years) were included. Clinical examination of thyroid gland of each child was conducted. On-the-spot urine and salt samples were collected from children.

Results

Total Goitre Rate was found to be 16.8% and median Urinary Iodine Concentration level was 115 μg/L. Only 40.4% of salt samples had e 15 ppm of iodine.

Conclusion

There is a mild degree of iodine deficiency in school age children in district Pauri. There is a need of strengthening the National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program.     

Detection,removal and prevention of calculus: Literature Review

Dental plaque is considered to be a major etiological factor in the development of periodontal disease. Accordingly, the elimination of supra- and sub-gingival plaque and calculus is the cornerstone of periodontal therapy. Dental calculus is mineralized plaque; because it is porous, it can absorb various toxic products that can damage the periodontal tissues. Hence, calculus should be accurately detected and thoroughly removed for adequate periodontal therapy. Many techniques have been used to identify and remove calculus deposits present on the root surface. The purpose of this review was to compile the various methods and their advantages for the detection and removal of calculus.     

Dsteosynthesis with long volar locking plates for meta- physeal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius

Objective：Metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius are a major treatment dilemma and orthopaedic surgeons have to pay due consideration to restoration of anatomy of distal radius together with rotation of the radial shaft and maintenance of radial bow and interosseous space.We performed this study to evaluate the clinic-radiological outcome of metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of the distal radius treated with long volar locking plates.Methods：This prospective study involved 27 patients （22 males and 5 females） with metaphyseal-diaphyseal fracture of the distal radius.Their mean age was （30.12±11.48） years （range 19-52 years） and the follow-up was 26.8 months （range 22-34 months）.All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a long volar locking plate.According to AO/OTA classification,there were 7 type A3,13 type C2 and 7 type C3 fractures.Subjective assessment was done based on the disabilities of the arm,shoulder and hand （DASH） questionnaire.Functional evaluation was done by measuring grip strength and range of motion around the wrist and the radiological determinants included radial angle,radial length,volar angle and ulnar variance.The final assessment was done according to Gartland and Werley scoring system.Results：Postoperative radiological parameters were well maintained throughout the trial,and there was significant improvement in the functional parameters from 6 weeks to final follow-up.The average DASH scores improved from 37.5 at 6 weeks to 4.2 at final follow-up.Final assessment using Gartland and Werley scoring system revealed 66.67%（n=l8） excellent and 33.33% （n=9） good results.There was one case of superficial infection which responded to antibiotics and another carpel tunnel syndrome which was managed conservatively.Conclusion：Volar locking plate fixation for metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures of distal radius is associated with excellent to good functional outcome,early rehabilitation and minimal complications.     

Molecular Detection and Assessment of Hemato-Biochemistry,Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Natural Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis Cases from Northern India

The present study was aimed at detecting natural cases of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis (CME) by molecular and cytological methods and assessment of clinico-patho-biochemical parameters among the affected population. Nested polymerase chain reaction was found to be highly sensitive (47.7 %) in detecting the acute cases, followed by buffy coat (29.5 %) and blood smear examination (22.7 %). CME incidence rate was found to be 8.4 %. Hemogram revealed significant (P < 0.01) depletion in the levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, total erythrocyte count, monocyte and platelet count in diseased dogs as compared to healthy controls. Plasma biochemistry revealed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia along with significantly (P < 0.05) higher blood urea nitrogen and alanine aminotransferase values. CME revealed non-significant increase in the levels of erythrocytic lipid peroxides, reduced glutathione and activity of superoxide dismutase, whereas activities of glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione reductase showed significant (P < 0.05) increase and decrease, respectively as compared to healthy controls. Plasma levels of cortisol, insulin and blood level of copper showed non-significant (P > 0.05) reduction, whereas blood level of zinc showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction as compared to healthy controls. These findings revealed that changes in erythrocytic oxidant–antioxidant profile and blood mineral concentration in canine monocytic ehrlichiosis are largely non-significant and inconsistent. Hence, further study is required to elucidate their role in pathogenesis of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis.