ABSTRACT
Brucellosis, a neglected tropical disease of zoonotic nature, is caused by the genus Brucella, specifically by Brucella abortus and B. melitensis in cattle and humans, respectively. Arjunolic acid (AA) is a triterpenoid, isolated from Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn., a medicinally important plant used to treat various diseases in the Indian system of medicine. Here, we tried to evaluate AA for its antibacterial activity on Brucella and the in vitro cytotoxicity assay on human lung adenocarcinomic alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549). Also, we assessed the synergistic effect of arjunolic acid and Tarenna asiatica (L.) Kuntze ex K.Schum. on B. melitensis. AA displayed a considerable antibacterial activity [zone of inhibition (9 mm) with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 30 ?g/mL] against B. melitensis. The rate of cell death for the cancer cells were at 100 ?g/mL concentration of AA was 82% which indicates that AA shows significant membrane disruption to cancer cells. The estimated IC50 of AA against the A549 cell line was 139.90 ?g/mL. The highest synergistic activity was exhibited forming a zone of inhibition measuring 10mm when arjunolic acid and AqE of T. asiatica was added in the concentration of 1:1, respectively.
ABSTRACT
Background: Screening of high risk individuals with weak immunity as in diabetics for active tuberculosis is of great public health importance. The prevalence of diabetes in tuberculosis is high and the data regarding the same is necessary for strengthening TB control activities. Methods: This study was conducted to know the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in tuberculosis patients diagnosed from the hospital. This was a hospital based descriptive study conducted in Department of Respiratory medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Northern Kerala in association with DOTS center during a one year period from August 2014 to July 2015. All patients diagnosed as a case of tuberculosis from our institution were included for the study. All patients were screened for diabetes mellitus using Fasting Plasma Glucose value. Additional information regarding age, body mass index (BMI), sputum smear positivity and treatment category of tuberculosis were collected. Results: There was a higher prevalence of diabetes in tuberculosis patients than in general population and the rate was found to be 19.6%. There was a statistically significant association of diabetes with older age, higher BMI and sputum positivity. Conclusions: Routine screening for diabetes needs to be intensified in the community and more importantly in Tuberculosis patients.
ABSTRACT
Background: Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has been established as an effective technique in the emergency treatment of life-threatening hemoptysis, but few data concerning long-term results of the procedure are available The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate and long-term results of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) for hemoptysis due to bronchiectasis. Methods: Twenty five patients (aged 28–76 years) who underwent bronchial artery embolization with polyvinyl alcohol particles, gelatin sponge and coil for massive or continuing moderate hemoptysis caused by bronchiectasis were included in the study. These patients were followed up for 3 years. Initially patients were followed up monthly for 6months by clinical examination. Then yearly follow up by clinical and radiological examination. Results analyzed using SPSS 16 version. Results: In our study16 patients (64%) were males. 11 patients (44%) had bilateral bronchiectasis.14 patients (56%) had no rebleeding in the three year follow-up period. Only 8% developed rebleeding within 24hrs.Only one patient (4%) developed massive hemoptysis within one month and died. Other rebleed were very minimal. In our study there was no significant relation with side of bronchiectasis and rebleed. Conclusions: Bronchial artery embolisation can yield immediate and long-term benefit in patients with hemoptysis due to bronchiectasis.
ABSTRACT
Coeliac autoimmunity [CA] has a known association with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1DM] for which screening is routinely recommended but less frequently followed. The impact of CA in T1DM has been variably reported. The aims of this study are as follows: [1] to study the prevalence of CA in patients with T1DM and [2] to study the impact of CA not only on nutritional parameters but also on glycaemic control, endocrine axes and bone health. Patients and Eighty-six consecutive patients with T1DM were screened for CA using immunoglobulin A [IgA] tissue transglutaminase as a marker [TTG; IgG anti-gliadin in IgA-deficient case]. CA positive [CA+] cases were compared with age-matched and sex-matched CA negative [CA-] T1DM cases for anthropometry, glycaemic control [assessed by glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] and hypoglycaemic/ hyperglycaemic episodes], endocrine [thyroid function, cortisol, growth hormone [GH] axis, gonadal axes], haematological [haemoglobin, iron profile and vitamin B12 status] and calcium metabolism parameters and bone densitometry [by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]]. Consenting patients with CA also underwent upper gastrointestinal [GI] endoscopy with duodenal biopsy. Out of 86 patients, 11 [12.75%] screened positive for CA [seven patients underwent duodenal biopsies which were suggestive of Marsh grade III[2], II[3] and I[2] disease]. The CA+ T1DM patients were comparable with CA- T1DM in terms of anthropometry. CA+ patients had higher HbA1c [10.7 +/- 1.8 vs. 8.4 +/- 1.0 [93 +/- 19 vs. 68 +/- 11 mmol/mol]; p < 0.01], more hypoglycaemic episodes [five vs. two; p < 0.05], higher prevalence of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, lower insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF- 1] levels and lower bone mineral density [BMD] z-score at total body [-1.91 +/- 1.05 vs. -0.63 +/- 0.73; p < 0.05] and lumbar spine [-1.69 +/- 0.92 vs. 0.36 +/- 0.93; p < 0.05]. The incidence of fractures in the past 3 years was also more in CA+ patients than in CA- patients [four vs. one; p < 0.05]. CA has an important autoimmune association with T1DM. The concomitant presence of CA adversely affects stature, bone health, glycaemic control and iron and B[12] levels in T1DM. IgA sufficiency should be ensured before using an IgA-based screening test for CA