Search

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. There are multiple factors affecting symptom control in asthma and serum magnesium is one of the factors thought to influence disease control in childhood asthma. Aims and Objectives: To estimate the serum magnesium levels in mild persistent asthma patients aged 6 to 14 years. To correlate serum magnesium levels with Asthma control score (ACT) of mild persistent asthma patients. To correlate serum magnesium levels with peaked expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in mild persistent asthma patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a hospital setting on newly diagnosed cases of mild persistent asthma and serum magnesium was assessed. The normal range of serum Mg levels is considered to be 1.5-to-2.0 mg/dl in children. The ACT score provided a snapshot of how well asthma has been controlled in the last four weeks, giving a simple score out of 25. A PEFR monitor was used to perform the PEFR test. The serum magnesium levels were correlated with PEFR and ACT. Results: Out of 275 cases studied, 247 (89.8%) had serum magnesium levels ≥1.5 mg/dl and 28 (10.2%) had serum magnesium levels

Abstract This review explores the therapeutic potential of propolis, a natural resin produced by bees, by analyzing recent literature spanning from 2005 to 2023. Various databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, SCOPUS, and WoS were searched to uncover recent findings. Propolis exhibits a diverse array of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and wound-healing effects. It shows promise in treating respiratory infections, oral diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin conditions. Additionally, recent research suggests its potential as an anticancer agent. The review also investigates efficacy of propolis in addressing antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, gastrointestinal diseases, metabolic disorders (diabetes), reproductive disorder (PCOS), cardiovascular diseases, hepatotoxicity, and wound healing properties of propolis. Hence, propolis could emerge as a natural remedy with significant potential for enhancing healthcare outcomes.

The clinical course and sequelae of molar pregnancy pose several diagnostic and management challenges, especially conceiving after assisted reproductive technology. A review of the literature was conducted on molar pregnancy with a coexistent fetus following assisted reproductive techniques, its clinical course, and sequelae. The literature review was conducted using search terms “coexistent fetus,” “hydatidiform mole,” “twin,” “assisted conception” AND “persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (PGTD)” OR “chemotherapy” in PubMed. A literature search identified 26 reported cases conceived following assisted conception. Management guidelines for hydatidiform mole with live fetuses are very vague and do not give specificity due to the fact that it is often associated with complications and bad obstetric outcomes. It also requires continuous monitoring and follow-up in a tertiary care center anticipating disease progression to postnatal PGTD. To assess the risk of continuation of pregnancy, multicentric studies with larger sample sizes are required to have a valid finding.

Melatonin, (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) an indoleamine exerts multifaced effects and regulates numerous cellular pathways and molecular targets associated with circadian rhythm, immune modulation, and seasonal reproduction including metabolic rewiring during T cell malignancy. T-cell malignancies encompass a group of hematological cancers characterized by the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of malignant T-cells. These cancer cells exhibit a distinct metabolic adaptation, a hallmark of cancer in general, as they rewire their metabolic pathways to meet the heightened energy requirements and biosynthesis necessary for malignancies is the Warburg effect, characterized by a shift towards glycolysis, even when oxygen is available. In addition, T-cell malignancies cause metabolic shift by inhibiting the enzyme pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase (PDK) which in turn results in increased acetyl CoA enzyme production and cellular glycolytic activity. Further, melatonin plays a modulatory role in the expression of essential transporters (Glut1, Glut2) responsible for nutrient uptake and metabolic rewiring, such as glucose and amino acid transporters in T-cells. This modulation significantly impacts the metabolic profile of T-cells, consequently affecting their differentiation. Furthermore, melatonin has been found to regulate the expression of critical signaling molecules involved in T-cell activations, such as CD38, and CD69. These molecules are integral to T-cell adhesion, signaling, and activation. This review aims to provide insights into the mechanism of melatonin’s anticancer properties concerning metabolic rewiring during T-cell malignancy. The present review encompasses the involvement of oncogenic factors, the tumor microenvironment and metabolic alteration, hallmarks, metabolic reprogramming, and the anti-oncogenic/oncostatic impact of melatonin on various cancer cells.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age and is characterized by multiple ovarian cysts, irregular menstrual cycles, and excessive androgen hormone production. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of melatonin in alleviating PCOS-induced alterations in female Wistar rats. PCOS was induced in female albino rats by administering letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg for 21 days. A total of 24 rats were randomly selected and divided into four groups: group I (normal control), group II (melatonin treatment), group III (letrozole treatment), and group IV (melatonin therapy for PCOS rats). Physical parameters (body and uterus weight), hormone profile (LH and FSH), and steroidogenic enzyme activities and an oral glucose test were assessed using standard methods. Histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The results demonstrated that exogenous melatonin administration significantly improved PCOS symptoms in rats, including reduced body weight gain, changes in organ weight/body weight index, blood glucose level, percentage diestrus phase, testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and LH/FSH ratio, as well as 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD enzyme activity. Histopathological findings revealed well-developed follicles, decreased cystic follicles, and increased antral follicles, Graafian follicles, and corpus luteum in PCOS rats treated with melatonin. These positive outcomes suggest that exogenous melatonin may hold promise as a valuable remedy for PCOS conditions in female rats. Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and potential clinical applications of melatonin in the context of PCOS.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate if intrauterine infusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can improve endometrial parameters and the pregnancy rate in patients undergoing fresh embryo transfer with normal endometrial thickness. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study, at one of the assisted reproductive technique centers in central India. Data were collected from the institutional record system which was established as per the standard protocols. Data on a total of 225 patients who had an endometrial thickness >7 mm without any adjunct and underwent fresh embryo transfer in their first in vitro fertilization cycle during the past 2 years were collected and were categorized into three groups: Group A who had received intrauterine infusion of G-CSF (n = 75), Group B who received intrauterine infusion of PRP (n = 75), and Group C who (control group) received no intervention (n = 75). Results: The implantation rate was significantly higher in Group A (37.24%) than in Groups B and C (21.91% and 21.37%, respectively). No significant difference was found in the clinical pregnancy rate among Groups A, B, and C (50.68%, 40.54%, and 37.84%, respectively). Endometrial thickness increased significantly in Group A by approximately 2.3 mm. No significant change in other endometrial parameters in the three groups. The number of biochemical pregnancies was higher in the G-CSF group compared to the other two groups. Conclusion: Intrauterine infusion of G-CSF in women receiving fresh embryo transfer with normal endometrial thickness can increase endometrial thickness and the implantation rate without affecting other endometrial parameters and the cumulative pregnancy rate.

BACKGROUND: Placenta performs several functions including respiration, nutrition, and excretion for the fetus when playing a central role in regulating metabolic, endocrinological, and immunological functions during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the putative correlation of placental parameters including volume and thickness with adverse maternofetal outcomes. METHODOLOGY: A longitudinal observational study was undertaken for 2 years. The sample size was calculated, which was 140. Data were collected, and fetomaternal outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension (HTN), preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were derived. A correlation was studied between placental volume (PV) and placental thickness (PT) with fetomaternal outcomes. RESULTS: Approximately half (42.85%) of the study population were primigravida, with overall mean age being 22.67 ± 2.94 years. 46 subjects had adverse fetomaternal outcomes in the form of gestational HTN, preeclampsia, GDM, and IUGR. The most frequent adverse outcome noted was IUGR in 19 cases (41.29%). Among the study population, 90% were term deliveries and 10% were preterm. Spontaneous vertex delivery was seen in 74.29% of the cases. 24.29% of the cases underwent lower segment cesarean section and 1.43% underwent vacuum-assisted delivery. The PV and PT (mm) were compared in healthy subjects with HTN, GDM, and IUGR pregnancies in all three trimesters. A strong correlation (R = 0.96, 95% confidence interval = 0.95–0.98) between birth weight with placental weight was noted. The difference between the means of PV during the first, second, and third trimester and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was not statistically significant; among GDM and non-GDM patients, was statistically significant in the first and second trimester; and among IUGR and non-IUGR patients, was seen during the third trimester. Similarly, the difference between the means of PT in all trimesters and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was not statistically significant; among GDM and non-GDM patients, a statistically significant association was seen during the second trimester; and among IUGR and non-IUGR patients, a statistically significant association was seen during the third trimester. CONCLUSIONS: PV in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters is significantly less in patients with HTN and IUGR. PV is a predictor of adverse fetomaternal outcomes. Hypertensive subjects had thin placenta with low PV. Hypertensive subjects had thin placenta with low PV. IUGR subjects had thin placenta with low PV. Diabetic subjects had thick placenta. PT is also a predictor of adverse fetomaternal outcomes. Placental weight is known to correlate with fetal weight at term.

Parasitic fibroids (PFs) are rare extrauterine fibroids classified as Type 8 leiomyomas as per The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification, without uterine myometrial involvement or attachment. Due to its very low incidence, unusual locations, and atypical presentations, these fibroids cause lot of clinical dilemmas to treating physicians. Hereby, we are presenting an interesting case of PF which is presented to us as a case of abdominopelvic mass. Here, we learned that whenever female patients with abdominal mass and prior surgical history, PF should be considered possibilities to avoid on-table intraoperative surprises where a multidisciplinary surgical team may be required depending upon location and organ involved. We were fortunate that our PF was attached to the omentum and sigmoid colon by connective tissue and feeding vessels and could be removed without much deliberation.

Hydatidiform mole with the coexisting live fetus is a rare entity occurring in 0.005%–0.01% of all pregnancies. With the introduction of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), a significant rise in the incidence of multiple pregnancies has been reported. Here, we report two cases of molar pregnancies with a coexisting live fetus conceived following assisted conception. In our first case, pregnancy was continued and delivered a term live infant. The second case was aborted at 16 weeks' gestation due to maternal complications. These two patients needed chemotherapy due to persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. The rarity of this condition poses several diagnostic and management challenges, especially conceiving after ART the decision of termination for such couples.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), caused by the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), is a global concern that affects cattle and buffalo. Recently, the disease has been reported in new species such as the Indian Gazelle, Camel, Banteng, Gaur, and Giraffe from various parts of the world. This report provides an insight into the occurrence of LSD in Yak from Sikkim, a North-Eastern state of India. During the investigation, both cattle and yak exhibited typical clinical signs of LSD, including skin nodular lesions. The morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates for cattle were 9.08%, 1.84%, and 20.24%, respectively. Similarly, the morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates in yak were 7.57%, 1.24%, and 16.33%, respectively. The virus isolation and amplification of LSDV-specific genes confirmed the presence of LSDV in cattle, yak, and vectors. Further, demonstrated antibodies in randomly collected sera from naïve and unvaccinated cattle and yak using indirect Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (iELISA) and Serum Neutralisation test (SNT) from this region. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of P32, GPCR, and RPO30 genes revealed that the virus isolated from both species was 100% identical to each other and also closely related to the field LSDV isolates circulating in the Indian subcontinent. The study highlighted the emergence of LSDV in unconventional hosts and underscored the need to include other bovine species in national disease control programs, encompassing disease surveillance initiatives.

BACKGROUND: Globally, 36.9 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Like in chronic disease, many individuals may engage in self-initiated behaviors in HIV that are useful to maintain health, quality of life and perceptions of wellbeing. All these behaviors form the part of self-care activities. METHODOLOGY: This is a hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study carried out in a large tertiary care center. A total of 120 consecutive HIV-positive patients were included in the study. RESULTS: While 99% (101) of participants told that good diet is necessary to maintain health, only 42.2% (43) told that adherence to treatment is important. With respect to satisfactory knowledge regarding different attributes of self care, majority (79.4%) had knowledge regarding diet to be taken to stay healthy while only 37.3% had knowledge regarding precautions to be taken while preparing food, 28.4% in case suffering from diarrhea, skin problems (11.8%), fever (61.8%), cough (19.6%), vomiting (11.8%), and headache (45.6%) which were very low. With regard to overall knowledge status, 22.5% (95% confidence interval 14.9–31.89) had satisfactory score while 77.5% had unsatisfactory score. The test of significance revealed that there is statistically significant relation of knowledge regarding self-care with that of education and duration of HIV positivity. CONCLUSION: Findings showed low awareness regarding self-care to be taken, leading to low percentage of overall satisfactory knowledge level among respondents which is a matter of concern. This knowledge which is often neglected and is therefore vital for an HIV-positive person to be able to take care of himself at the right time and take the right actions to prevent the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life.

Melatonin, a hormone which is primarily released by the pineal gland, has a wide range of actions in the female reproductive tract. While the melatonin receptor subtype, MT3, has been identified in amphibian animals and birds, in humans and other mammals, melatonin acts through, MT1 and MT2 receptor subtypes which are expressed in human ovaries. The rhythmic release of melatonin starts at puberty and continues throughout fertile female life, affecting and regulating diverse ovarian functions. Here, we discuss the importance of melatonin in regulating folliculogenesis, oocyte quality, ovulation and luteal function, sex steroid receptor gene expression, ovarian steroidogenesis including the production and steroidogenic enzyme activities in the egg and thecal cells. Melatonin improves the egg quality and increases the chance of success of in vitro fertilization (IVF). In view of such extensive actions, melatonin is central to the fertility in females. The objective of this review is to recapitulate the current understanding of the role of melatonin and its receptors.

Background: Diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems in 21st century. It is a group of endocrine-metabolic disorder characterized by high glucose level (hyperglycemia) due to insufficient insulin secretion/action or both. It causes multi-organ failure viz hepatorenal damage, adult-onset blindness, lower-limb amputations, heart diseases and stroke, high blood pressure and nerve damage. Moreover, diabetic patients are having higher risk of cardiovascular complications including atherosclerosis, hypertension, lipoprotein abnormalities and cerebrovascular disease.Study design: Considering the potencies of currently available drugs for the treatment of diabetes and associated complications, present study was focussed to explore the role of plant bioactive components as alternative and easily accessible therapeutic remedies.Hypothesis/Purpose: This study the pooled status of diabetes, available treatments, attitude and traditional herbal polyphenols regarding diabetes.Results: This study was aimed to summarize the natural polyphenols having anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-cancerous activities. Polyphenols can decrease other metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemic, and obesity and Type-2 diabetes.Conclusion: Polyphenols are promising alternatives that can decrease the severity of diabetes and promote the other protective roles by decreasing the adverse effects of diabetes on other metabolic organs and their functions.

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an under-recognized, under-diagnosed and under-studied disorder; its prevalence varies between 5–26%, 6–10% of reproductive age (NIH) criteria, and 15% (Rotterdam's criteria). Various allopathic drugs (metformin and clomiphene) that are used for the treatment of PCOS have various limitations and are unable to cure PCOS effectively. Therefore, for this reason, search for new therapeutic approaches that are capable of filling these limitations is necessary. Hypothesis/Purpose: Keeping this in view, polyphenols are hypothesized to be new alternative/options to control the PCOS and its complications (Figure 1). Study design: Therefore, the objective of this study was to review the natural polyphenols that have anti-androgenic, ovulatory, estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptic, anti-cancerous activities, hormonal and menopausal regulating capability in animal models. Results: Different research papers have described the anti-androgenic, ovulatory, estrogenic and fertility, menstrual, hormonal and menopause regulating activities of polyphenols. Moreover, these polyphenols are capable of decreasing the incidence of other metabolic diseases such as infertility, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity and Type-2 diabetes caused by PCOS. Conclusion: : These polyphenols can be promising alternatives for various pharmacological mechanisms which could not only decrease the incidence of PCOS, but also promote the other protective roles by decreasing the adverse effects of PCOS on other metabolic organs and their functions. However, further studies are required to determine the mechanism of action and safety evaluation of these polyphenols.

Diabetic striatopathy is a neurological condition in patients with diabetes characterized by hemichorea-hemiballismus due to vascular and metabolic derangements in basal ganglia. This is a known entity in type 2 diabetic adult patients; however, seen rarely in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetic striatopathy develops in patients with poor glycemic control in the absence of ketosis. The patient tolerates hyperglycemia for a long time, which results in metabolic injury.

The aim of the present was to ameliorate the protective effect of exogenous melatonin and insulin against the diabetes induced alterations in the different hematological variables. Albino rats were administrated streptozotocin at the dose of 15 mg/kg for 6 days. Total 54 rats were randomly selected for the experimental purpose and were divided into two major groups. Group-1 consisting twenty four (24) and were further sub-divided into four (4) different groups viz. group-I served as normal control, group-II served as melatonin treated, group-III served as insulin treated and group-IV served as glibenclamide treated. Group-2 consisting thirty (30) rats were given streptozotocin (STZ) injection (15 mg/kg) for 6 days. After confirmation of diabetes by measuring blood glucose level, animals having blood glucose level above 250 mg/dl) confirmed as diabetic. Thirty (30) Diabetic rats were further subdivided into following sub-groups and were given different therapeutic treatments, Viz group-I served as Diabetic control, group-II treated with melatonin, group-III treated with insulin, group-IV given treatment of melatonin and insulin and group-V were given treatment of glibenclamide respectively. Diabetic rats showed modulation in all the studied hematological variables. Diabetic rats displayed significant decline in RBCs count, HB level and its associated indices (HCT, RDW, MCV, MCH, MCHC), WBCs and its related indices (polymorphs and lymphocytes) and platelet distribution width (PDW %) whereas platelet count showed significant increase. Nonetheless alone as well as combined treatment of exogenous melatonin and insulin restored all altered hematological parameters. However, significant recovery was found in the group in which combined dose of melatonin and insulin was administrated. Therefore, it might be concluded that combined administration of melatonin and insulin will be better remedy to normalize the altered blood profile during the diabetic condition.

Background: Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score is one of the widely used scoring systems to quantify critical illness in the pediatric age group. This study was carried out to find the association of PRISM III score with the outcome (discharge/mortality) and also hospital stay in survivors and nonsurvivors. Setting: The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from January 2014 to June 2015. Materials and Methods: A total of 524 patients were admitted, and after excluding the patients who met the exclusion criteria, 486 patients were analyzed. Statistical Analysis: Logistic regression was used to find the association of variables under the PRISM III score with mortality. Linear regression was used to find the association of PRISM III score with length of stay. Results: Mortality was 31%; male: female ratio was 1.5:1. Maximum patients presented with respiratory system involvement (26.3%), and maximum mortality (20.3%) was observed in the patients with respiratory involvement. Discrimination by the model between mortality and survival was excellent (receiver operating characteristic curve [0.903]). Maximum risk of mortality was noticed in mechanically ventilated patients (odds ratio [OR]: 10.87) followed by lower systolic blood pressure (OR: 2.72), deranged prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time (OR: 1.50), deranged mental status (OR: 1.41), and tachycardia (OR: 1.37). Length of stay (LOS) in patients increased till PRISM III score of 25. Average LOS in survivors was 4.327 days which was not accounted by difference in PRISM III score between different patients. With each unit increase in PRISM III score, LOS increased by 5 h. Conclusions: PRISM III score has excellent capacity to discriminate between survival and mortality. PRISM III score can be used to predict LOS among survivors.

Diabetes is very common all over the world, but still not curable and controlled; it causes alteration in all over body. It needs serious concern for the scientific community to find out some control measures. The current work was planned to explore the possible defensive effect of melatonin against the diabetes induced changes in whole blood profile. For this study albino rats were treated with streptozotocin [(STZ) (15 mg/kg for 6 days)] to induce diabetes. Induction was confirmed by blood glucose and serum sugar assessment. Total 36 rats were randomly selected for the experimental purpose and were divided into two major groups. Major group-1 consisting eighteen (18) and were further sub-divided into three (3) different groups viz. group-I served as normal control, group-II served as melatonin treated, group-III served as glibenclamide treated. Major group-2 consisting eighteen (18) rats were given streptozotocin (STZ) injection (15 mg/kg) for 6 days. After confirmation of diabetes by measuring blood glucose level, animals having blood glucose level above 250 mg/dl) confirmed as diabetic. Eighteen (18) Diabetic rats were three subdivided into following sub-groups and were given different therapeutic treatments, Viz group-IV served as Diabetic control, group-V treated with melatonin, group-VI treated with glibenclamide, respectively. Diabetic rats demonstrated inflection in all hematological variables. Diabetic animals revealed considerable reduction in RBCs count, HB content and its associated indices (HCT, RDW, MCV, MCH and MCHC). Decrease in WBCs and its related indices (polymorphs and lymphocytes). Platelet count showed significant increase, but platelet distribution width (PDW %) was found decreased. However administration of melatonin restored all the alterations in hematological parameters. Therefore, it can be concluded that melatonin will be better therapeutic molecule to revive hematological alterations during diabetes.

Introduction: Children are vulnerable to the effects of air pollution because of immature organ system and immune system. Air pollutants can lead to both upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms. Methodology: Adolescents in the age group of 10–19 years children from residential areas with established maximal and low pollution levels as reported by State Pollution Control Board were included in the study using age-, sex-, weight-, and height-matched case–control study design. For the assessment of respiratory dysfunction, the values of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25%–75% were included in this study. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was calculated to ascertain the strength of association. Results: The distribution of abnormalities for a restrictive pattern in males in polluted group was 42% as compared to 29% in low polluted group (P = 0.007). The mean values of pulmonary function parameters FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF 25%–75% (expressed as percentage of predicted values) were compared in two groups, a deficit of approximately 4.5%, 6%, 1.06%, and 3.4% was observed in males versus 4.9%, 6.3%, 2.44%, and 2.4%, respectively for females. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant difference in the pulmonary functions in the polluted versus less polluted areas with the children being affected in a harmful manner in the former areas.