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A dual signal on-off fluorescent nanosensor for the simultaneous detection of copper and creatinine
No full textThe transition of conventional medicine to personalized medicine has paved the roadand need for the sensing of newer biomolecules. Hence, this area has attracted wide interestrecently, due to its capacity to provide information on point of care basis. Multi-analytedetection sensors have emerged recently as they can offer the opportunity to perform quickand affordable analysis with minimum blood sample, as compared to traditional sensing ofeach analytes individually. The present study focuses on the development of a quantum dot(Qd) based nanosensor for the simultaneous detection of copper and creatinine; twobiologically relevant molecules. The sensor was designed by forming a complex of Qd withEthyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and picric acid through carboxylic bond formation of Qd-EDC with picric acid. The dual independent emissions of the Qd-EDCcomplex was used for the simultaneous detection of creatinine and copper by a turn on/turnoff method and was successfully demonstrated with a sensitivity of nanomolar to millimolar,and micromolar to millimolar range respectively. The multianalyte sensor thus developed hasquick response and works well under normal conditions of temperature and pH. It is alsoshown to work in cellular environment and blood serum. A mobile App based detection ofcreatinine using the developed sensor strips has also been attempted and validated withhuman blood sample
Intraoperative assessment of atrial septal defect morphology using 3d transesophageal echocardiography vs 2d transesophageal echocardiography
No full textAdvances in perioperative care for children with congenital heart diseases (CHD)
over the past few decades have resulted in an increasing number of these children
reaching adulthood. Also the present day advanced and non invasive imaging techniques
have started diagnosing CHDs in adults, who were earlier missed. Although surgical cure
is the goal – a true universal cure, without any residua, is uncommon on a population
wide cover. Exceptions however include closure of Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) and non pulmonary hypertensive Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Atrial Septal Defects are one
of the most common congenital defects encountered in adult population, accounting for
30-40% of the total intracardiac shunts in adults.
(1, 2) They account for 6-10% of the
congenital heart effects (CHD), with an incidence of 1in 1500 live births.
(3) The patent
foramen ovale though, is more common and is present in 20-25% of adults.
(4)
Accurate preoperative determination of an atrial septal defect location and size is
important, not only for a successful transcatheter closure but also to ascertain the
feasibility and choice between a device closure and open repair of the ASD. A successful
transcatheter closure of the defect requires reliable preoperative imaging of the location
and size of the defects as well as the information on the relationship of the rim length to
the neighboring cardiac structures.
(5, 6)Intraoperative assessment of atrial septal defect morphology using3D transoesophageal echocardiography
vs2D transoesophageal echocardiography Page 4
Although 2D Transesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) has been widely used
for the preoperative assessment of ASD, it does not always provide reliable information
on the maximal defect size and the minimal rim length due to imaging of the defect in a
single cross section at a time.
(7, 8) 3D echocardiography provides an enface view of the
ASD and the relationship with adjacent structures, thus eliminating some of the
drawbacks of 2D imaging.
(9,10) Earlier 3D studies have also described the dynamic nature
of the ASD size during the phases of the cardiac cycle. (11,12)
We hypothesized that 3D-TEE is more accurate in evaluating the location, size and
the Atrial septal margins of a secundum ASD compared to 2D-TEE, when correlated on
the operation theatre (OT) table with measurements performed by the surgeon
Gender differences and barriers women face in relation to accessing type 2 diabetes care: A systematic review
No full textThe objectives of this systematic review were to find out whether gender differences exist in the domain of access to type 2 diabetes care and to identify the barriers faced by women in accessing type 2 diabetes care. A PubMed search was conducted for English articles published between January 01, 2005, and April 30, 2017, that looked into the above-mentioned topics. The search showed 219 articles, which were scrutinized and 21 articles were chosen for final review. Five articles dealt with gender differences, 14 articles dealt with barriers faced by women in accessing type 2 diabetes care and two articles dealt with both aspects. To accomplish the first objective, major areas studied by articles dealing with gender differences in accessing type 2 diabetes care were identified. In each of those areas, articles which reported gender differences were noted. Six out of these seven articles which dealt with gender differences (87%) reported that gender differences were present in the areas of type 2 diabetes care they studied. These articles also reported that women faced more difficulty in accessing type 2 diabetes care. To accomplish the second objective, data from articles dealing with barriers faced by women in accessing type 2 diabetes care were carefully analyzed and potential themes and theme categories were identified. Results showed that women faced personal, sociocultural, health system, economic, psychological, and geographical barriers in accessing type 2 diabetes care. Since this systematic review could identify only limited studies, evidence from more studies would help to confirm and generalize our findings
Protocol for development of a risk assessment tool for planning and management of religious mass-gathering events of India-a health system-strengthening initiative
No full textBackground
Religious mass gatherings (MGs) have always been an integral part of our society. At the outset, mass-gathering events provide challenging settings to plan a suitable emergency public health response. Published studies basically talk about retrospective reviews, case studies of the public health preparedness, or health care provided at individual events. Developing an understanding of the variables associated with MGs is the first step for public health managers. Risk assessment (RA) is a crucial part of pre-event planning as it helps foresee potential risks. Based on RA, one can develop preventive measures and ensure that the infrastructure to control the potential problems is in place. This study is an attempt to systemize RA process during MG events in a country that is culturally rich but with poor resources to handle such events. A RA tool will be developed for planning and management of religious MG events of India.
Methods/design
Various strategies will be used to develop the risk assessment tool (RA tool). Extensive review of literature clubbed with key informant interviews will be done in order to identify the risk variables and decide the domains and items of the tool. Further, this tool will be developed as a mobile-based application. The feasibility of the mobile-based RA tool will be tested in real-time MG event in one part of the country. Concurrently in the same event, a community survey of residents and visitors will be done in order to assess public perceptions of public health and environmental risks associated with MG events.
Discussion
The findings of this study will provide insights into the public health and environmental concerns that need to be considered if preventive strategies and intervention programs are to be designed for MG events. A “RA Tool,” which can be used in the planning and management of MG events by the public health managers will strengthen the existing health systems preparedness plans for MGs
Intracluster correlation estimates from a World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey for cardiovascular risk factors in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Oommen AM1, Mini GK2, George K3.
No full textOBJECTIVES:
Most World Health Organisation (WHO) STEPS surveys use cluster sampling to assess the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for which design effects need to be estimated using intracluster correlation (ICCs) coefficients, for sample size calculation. Although there are many reports of risk factor surveys reported from developing countries, there are very few reports of ICCs for risk factors for NCDs, which can inform planning the appropriate sample size needed for such surveys. This study reports the ICCs for NCD risk factors, obtained from a WHO STEPS survey conducted in Vellore district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, South India.
STUDY DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 48 urban clusters (wards) and nine rural clusters (villages) between 2011 and 2012, using the WHO STEPS methodology for assessing behavioural, anthropometric, physical and biochemical risk factors. The ICC estimates for various risk factors were obtained using loneway and xtmelogit commands using STATA to study clustering of risk factors.
RESULTS:
The number of respondents was 6196 adults aged 30-64 years. The median ICC of cardiovascular risk factors in the urban area was 0.046, while it was 0.064 in the rural area. Clustering was higher for behavioural risk factors such as physical activity (ICC: 0.179 rural, 0.049 urban) and fruit and vegetable intake (ICC: 0.105 rural, 0.091 urban) as compared with physical risk factors (ICCs for hypertension: 0.044 rural, 0.006 urban; body mass index: 0.046 rural, 0.041 urban) and biochemical outcomes such as fasting plasma glucose (ICC: 0.017 rural, 0.027 urban).
CONCLUSIONS:
This study provides estimates of ICCs for cardiovascular risk factors from Vellore, South India, as such data have not been reported from WHO STEPS surveys in India or neighbouring countries. Such estimates of ICCs if reported from various WHO STEPS being carried out across the country can contribute to better planning of epidemiological surveys. Clustering of behavioural risk factors at village/ward level as seen in this study points to the need for community-based interventions for health promotion, as spatial clustering influences behaviour, which in turn affects chronic disease outcomes
Wound Healing in the Heart: Involvement of a Complex Molecular Circuitry of Discoidin Domain Receptor 2, Integrin-β1, Alpha-Smooth Muscle Actin and Collagen Type I in Angiotensin II-stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts
No full text
Comprehensive Application of Graphene: Emphasis on Biomedical Concerns
No full textGraphene, sp2 hybridized carbon framework of one atom thickness, is reputed as the strongest material to date. It has marked its impact in manifold applications including electronics, sensors, composites, and catalysis. Current state-of-the-art graphene research revolves around its biomedical applications. The two-dimensional (2D) planar structure of graphene provides a large surface area for loading drugs/biomolecules and the possibility of conjugating fluorescent dyes for bioimaging. The high near-infrared absorbance makes graphene ideal for photothermal therapy. Henceforth, graphene turns out to be a reliable multifunctional material for use in diagnosis and treatment. It exhibits antibacterial property by directly interacting with the cell membrane. Potential application of graphene as a scaffold for the attachment and proliferation of stem cells and neuronal cells is captivating in a tissue regeneration scenario. Fabrication of 2D graphene into a 3D structure is made possible with the help of 3D printing, a revolutionary technology having promising applications in tissue and organ engineering. However, apart from its advantageous application scope, use of graphene raises toxicity concerns. Several reports have confirmed the potential toxicity of graphene and its derivatives, and the inconsistency may be due to the lack of standardized consensus protocols. The present review focuses on the hidden facts of graphene and its biomedical application, with special emphasis on drug delivery, biosensing, bioimaging, antibacterial, tissue engineering, and 3D printing applications.
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Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders, 1990- 2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016
No full textBackground
Seizures and their consequences contribute to the burden of epilepsy because they can cause health loss (premature mortality and residual disability). Data on the burden of epilepsy are needed for health-care planning and resource allocation. The aim of this study was to quantify health loss due to epilepsy by age, sex, year, and location using data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.
Methods
We assessed the burden of epilepsy in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2016. Burden was measured as deaths, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs; a summary measure of health loss defined by the sum of years of life lost [YLLs] for premature mortality and years lived with disability), by age, sex, year, location, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a compound measure of income per capita, education, and fertility). Vital registrations and verbal autopsies provided information about deaths, and data on the prevalence and severity of epilepsy largely came from population representative surveys. All estimates were calculated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).
Findings
In 2016, there were 45·9 million (95% UI 39·9–54·6) patients with all-active epilepsy (both idiopathic and secondary epilepsy globally; age-standardised prevalence 621·5 per 100 000 population; 540·1–737·0). Of these patients, 24·0 million (20·4–27·7) had active idiopathic epilepsy (prevalence 326·7 per 100 000 population; 278·4–378·1). Prevalence of active epilepsy increased with age, with peaks at 5–9 years (374·8 [280·1–490·0]) and at older than 80 years of age (545·1 [444·2–652·0]). Age-standardised prevalence of active idiopathic epilepsy was 329·3 per 100 000 population (280·3–381·2) in men and 318·9 per 100 000 population (271·1–369·4) in women, and was similar among SDI quintiles. Global age-standardised mortality rates of idiopathic epilepsy were 1·74 per 100 000 population (1·64–1·87; 1·40 per 100 000 population [1·23–1·54] for women and 2·09 per 100 000 population [1·96–2·25] for men). Age-standardised DALYs were 182·6 per 100 000 population (149·0–223·5; 163·6 per 100 000 population [130·6–204·3] for women and 201·2 per 100 000 population [166·9–241·4] for men). The higher DALY rates in men were due to higher YLL rates compared with women. Between 1990 and 2016, there was a non-significant 6·0% (−4·0 to 16·7) change in the age-standardised prevalence of idiopathic epilepsy, but a significant decrease in age-standardised mortality rates (24·5% [10·8 to 31·8]) and age-standardised DALY rates (19·4% [9·0 to 27·6]). A third of the difference in age-standardised DALY rates between low and high SDI quintile countries was due to the greater severity of epilepsy in low-income settings, and two-thirds were due to a higher YLL rate in low SDI countries.
Interpretation
Despite the decrease in the disease burden from 1990 to 2016, epilepsy is still an important cause of disability and mortality. Standardised collection of data on epilepsy in population representative surveys will strengthen the estimates, particularly in countries for which we currently have no or sparse data and if additional data is collected on severity, causes, and treatment. Sizeable gains in reducing the burden of epilepsy might be expected from improved access to existing treatments in low-income countries and from the development of new effective drugs worldwide.
Funding
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Biomedical application and hidden toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles
No full textZinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) represent a novel type of metal oxide nanoparticles enabling a new horizon for biomedical applications spanning from diagnosis to treatment. ZnO NPs are extensively used in commercial products such as sunscreens and daily-care products. Apart from that, ZnO NPs are used in food packaging and ointments and as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent. They are extensively used for many biomedical applications noticeably in pharmaceutics and theranostics. Its exceptional optical, electrical, and physiochemical properties, notably its incredible surface chemistry, make ZnO NPs a reliable option for bioimaging, biosensors, antimicrobial action, and drug and gene delivery. The present review covers findings and developments in ZnO NPs research in relation to its application and toxicity mechanism. A special emphasis has been given to the neurotoxic potential of the ZnO NPs and glial cell toxicity. Various factors contributing to the toxic potential of ZnO NPs and cell signaling pathways concerning its toxicity are also discussed. Available data point toward the risk of uncontrollable use of zinc nanoformulation. With increasing use, ZnO NPs pose a severe threat both to the ecosystem and human beings. In a nutshell, the review outlines the current state of the art of ZnO NPs