SwasthGarbh: A Smartphone App for Improving the Quality of Antenatal Care and Ameliorating Maternal-Fetal Health.

The utility of telemedicine in healthcare has been brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic. 'SwasthGarbh' (Healthy Pregnancy) is a multi-functional, interactive smartphone application for providing antenatal care and real-time medical support to all pregnant women (especially those in rural areas and/or do not have easy access to doctors). A randomized controlled trial (n = 150) demonstrates its utility in improving the quality of antenatal care, reducing obstetric/medical complications and achieving a positive pregnancy experience. The test group (patients registered on the App) showed a significantly higher number of mean (± SD) antenatal visits (7.0 ± 1.5 vs. 5.7 ± 1.8; P < 0.001) as well as better compliance with the WHO visit protocol (87.2% vs. 69.8%, P < 0.001) and antenatal investigations (73.2% vs. 41.7%, P<0.001) in comparison to the control group (followed-up conventionally), respectively. Furthermore, substantial reduction in medical (38.0% vs. 55.5%, P = 0.04) and obstetric (52.1% vs. 59.7%, P = 0.36) complications during pregnancy as well as significant improvement in mean (± SD) maternal systolic BP (118.9 ± 11.8 vs. 123.4 ± 14.2 mmHg; P = 0.046), diastolic BP (76.0 ± 8.4 vs. 80.0 ± 10.9 mmHg; P = 0.02) and hemoglobin (11.5 ± 1.4 vs. 10.9 ± 1.4 g/dL; P = 0.03) parameters at delivery was observed in the test group compared to the controls, respectively. All the above mentioned positive clinical outcomes were the result of the provision of high quality antenatal care, timely detection of complications, prompt medical assistance and improved medication adherence. This is first pregnancy App that provides instantaneous access to doctor's advice and is clinically endorsed as well as credible.

Extended-release niacin decreases serum fetuin-A concentrations in individuals with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fetuin-A, a liver-secreted phosphoprotein and physiological inhibitor of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase, is associated with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and an increased risk for type 2 diabetes. However, studies on the modulation of circulating levels of fetuin-A are limited. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of niacin administration on serum total- and phosphorylated fetuin-A (phosphofetuin-A) concentrations in individuals with MetS and correlate with changes in serum lipids, insulin sensitivity, and markers of inflammation. METHODS: Fifteen sedentary, obese, male participants, who met the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria for MetS, were treated with extended-release niacin (Niaspan) for 6 weeks. Blood samples were obtained before and after treatment with niacin. RESULTS: Serum fetuin-A and phosphofetuin-A concentrations were decreased following niacin administration (p < 0.005). Changes in fetuin-A concentrations were correlated with changes in triglyceride (r = 0.62, p = 0.01) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (r = 0.58, p < 0.05) after niacin treatment. Changes in high-density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol following niacin intervention were negatively correlated with changes in serum fetuin-A (p < 0.05) and phosphofetuin-A concentrations (p < 0.05). Serum cortisol levels were significantly elevated after niacin administration. CONCLUSIONS: Niacin treatment lowers serum total- and phosphofetuin-A concentrations in individuals with MetS, and these changes correlate with the beneficial changes in serum lipids. Because niacin is known to induce insulin resistance, these findings suggest that fetuin-A may not be a mediator of niacin-induced insulin resistance but it may blunt the insulin resistance induced by niacin by decreasing its circulating concentrations.

Activities of mixtures of soil-applied herbicides with different molecular targets.

The joint action of soil-applied herbicide mixtures with similar or different modes of action has been assessed by using the additive dose model (ADM). The herbicides chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, pendimethalin and pretilachlor, applied either singly or in binary mixtures, were used on rice (Oryza sativa L.). The growth (shoot) response curves were described by a logistic dose-response model. The ED50 values and their corresponding standard errors obtained from the response curves were used to test statistically if the shape of the isoboles differed from the reference model (ADM). Results showed that mixtures of herbicides with similar molecular targets, i.e. chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron (acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors), and with different molecular targets, i.e. pendimethalin (microtubule assembly inhibitor) and pretilachlor (very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) inhibitor), followed the ADM. Mixing herbicides with different molecular targets gave different results depending on whether pretilachlor or pendimethalin was involved. In general, mixtures of pretilachlor and sulfonylureas showed synergistic interactions, whereas mixtures of pendimethalin and sulfonylureas exhibited either antagonistic or additive activities. Hence, there is a large potential for both increasing the specificity of herbicides by using mixtures and lowering the total dose for weed control, while at the same time delaying the development of herbicide resistance by using mixtures with different molecular targets.

Cellular evidence of allelopathic interference of benzoic acid to mustard (Brassica juncea L.) seedling growth.

Cellular changes in the roots of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) grown in soil treated with 1.09, 1.46 and 1.83 mg benzoic acid per g soil, a known allelochemical, were analyzed after 7 days. The recoverable concentration of 1.09, 1.46 and 1.8 mg benzoic acid per g soil (measured by high performance liquid chromatography) was 68, 150 and 250 microg benzoic acid per g soil, respectively. The benzoic acid treatments suppressed root growth by 30.5%, 58.8% and 81.1% with increasing concentrations. Transmission electron microscopy studies of roots showed irregular shaped cells arranged in disorganized manner and disruption of cell organelles at cellular level. Root cells showed dissolution of middle lamella (at 68 and 150 microg benzoic acid per g soil) but intact middle lamella with increased wall deposits was observed with 250 microg benzoic acid per g soil. Damage to the mustard root at cellular level was evidenced by changes in cell morphology and internal organization.