A quantum mechanical investigation of nanocone oxide as a drug carrier for zidovudine: AIDS drug.

Traditionally, nanocones as a drug delivery material allow controlled drug delivery close to the target area while reducing the toxicity and generic accumulation associated with traditional intravenous injection methods. In the current study, density functional theory (DFT) is employed to investigate the therapeutic potential of carbon nanocone oxide (ONC) as a carrier with zidovudine drug for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The electronic ground state and excited state were studied to evaluate the drug carrier potential of ONC and Zidovudine-ONC complex. The Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEPs) revealed that the ONC carrier acts as a donor and zidovudine as an acceptor. The FMOs confirmed the interaction between drug and carrier stabilization energy by calculating chemical hardness, material softness, electronegativity, Ionization energy and electron affinity. The natural bond analysis (NBO), non-covalent interaction (NCI) and electron localization function (ELF) revealed the charge transfer between zidovudine and ONC. The density of state (DOS) and Charge Deposition analysis (CDA) provided the charge transfer. To study the excited state of zidovudine, transition density matrix (TDM), UV(Ultra-visible), IR (infrared), Raman, and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectra of ONC and zidovudine-ONC complex have been plotted. The spectra showed a significant red shift in the zidovudine-ONC complex. Photoinduced electron studies (PET) showed fluorescence quenching because of the interaction between the drug and the carrier and provided a graphical explanation of the distinct excited state. All the results show that the ONC carrier has therapeutic potential as a zidovudine carrier for the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord Secondary to Nitrous Oxide Abuse.

Here, we report a case of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord in the setting of nitrous oxide poisoning seen at the Medical Ward, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Our patient was a 28-year-old lady who presented with impaired sensations in the lower limbs and difficulty walking for approximately one and a half months. Her clinical symptoms did not match common neurological conditions. Upon detailed history, she revealed that she had been frequently using nitrous oxide recreationally for several years. Although her baseline investigations were normal, her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine showed bilateral symmetrical T2 hyperintense signal changes in the dorsal columns extending from C2 to C6 spinal segment. Based on history, clinical findings, and MRI of the cervical spine, the diagnosis of SCD of the spinal cord was made, and her symptoms fully resolved with treatment.

Rhombencephalitis Possibly Caused By Mycoplasma Pneumoniae.

We report a rare case of encephalitis that is not often described in clinical settings in neurology. Our case was 11-year-old female patient who had presented with features of meningoencephalitis, but not responded to the conventional treatment. Her magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions in thalami, cerebellum and brainstem. The differentials in this age were infective and inflammatory causes of meningoencephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Paraneoplastic was another differential. Mycoplasma serology came out positive. As a result, diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumoiae associated Rhombencephalitis was made based on diagnosis of exclusion.

Matrix metalloprotease-9 polymorphism and its association with Atherosclerosis - A case-control study in Pakistani population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene with the onset of atherosclerosis in Pakistani population of Punjabi origin. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted from September 2015 to December 2016 at the Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised atherosclerosis cases from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, as well as healthy controls. Single nucleotide polymorphismsrs3918242 (Sph1), rs17577 (Sty1) and rs2274756 (Taq1) were selected from the matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene for allelic and genotypic analysis. Direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism were performed for genotypic analysis. RESULTS: the 201 subjects, 100(49.8%) were controls and 101(50.2%) were cases. There were 75(75%) males among the controls and 70(69.3%) among the cases. Overall mean age of the controls was 47.3}13.1 years, and that of the cases was 59.2}10.2 years. Positive family history was a significant factor risk for atherosclerosis (p<0.05). Allele T and genotype CT and TT of rs3918242 were more frequent in the cases (p<0.05). Change in nucleotide at Sph1 site led towards -1562C >T polymorphism. The frequency of 'A' allele and 'GA' genotype for rs17577 was significantly higher in the cases (Sty1) (p<0.05). No association was detected between rs2274756 (Taq1) and atherosclerosis (p> 0.05). The co-expression of rs17577 and rs2274756 was significantly related with the onset of atherosclerosis (p<0.05). Haplotypes CAG, TAG and TGG were significantly involved in causing atherosclerosis (p<0.05) whereas CGG was protective against atherosclerosis in this population (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 gene was identified as a susceptible gene for the onset of atherosclerosis in Pakistani population of Punjabi origin.