Plasma Amino Acids May Improve Prediction Accuracy of Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhages (aSAH) account for 5% of strokes and continues to place a great burden on patients and their families. Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is one of the main causes of death after aSAH, and is usually diagnosed between day 3 and 14 after bleeding. Its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. To verify whether plasma concentration of amino acids have prognostic value in predicting CVS, we analysed data from 35 patients after aSAH (median age 55 years, IQR 39–62; 20 females, 57.1%), and 37 healthy volunteers (median age 50 years, IQR 38–56; 19 females, 51.4%). Fasting peripheral blood samples were collected on postoperative day one and seven. High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis was performed. The results showed that plasma from patients after aSAH featured a distinctive amino acids concentration which was presented in both principal component analysis and direct comparison. No significant differences were noted between postoperative day one and seven. A total of 18 patients from the study group (51.4%) developed CVS. Hydroxyproline (AUC = 0.7042, 95%CI 0.5259–0.8826, p = 0.0248) and phenylalanine (AUC = 0.6944, 95%CI 0.5119–0.877, p = 0.0368) presented significant CVS prediction potential. Combining the Hunt-Hess Scale and plasma levels of hydroxyproline and phenylalanine provided the model with the best predictive performance and the lowest leave-one-out cross-validation of performance error. Our results suggest that plasma amino acids may improve sensitivity and specificity of Hunt-Hess scale in predicting CVS.

DIGESTIVE DISORDERS (ANNAVAHA SROTAS VYADHI) IN OLD AGE – ISSUES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Old age is the result of the natural process of ageing and the time to enjoy life. As at this time, we are almost free from all responsibilities. But it can be enjoyed only when one is free from major ailments otherwise it becomes a great burden on ourselves as well as on others too. Due to increased health awareness, the average age of people is increasing day by day and the advancement in medical science provides great help in this regard. Therefore, peo- ple live longer but the natural process of ageing and exposure to unfavourable things causes a lot of derangements and weakening of bodily systems and organs in old age. So, there is a great need for geriatric health care in day- to-day practice so that we can improve the quality of life of old age. Besides a lot of major health problems of old age like Heart Disease, Hypertension, Diabetics, Joint disorders, Dementia, Strokes, etc; some minor ailments are equally important as they are often the cause of many major ailments e.g., Gastric Upsets, Insomnia, Anxiety, etc. Keywords: Digestive Disorders, Old age, Vriddhaavastha, Annavahasrotasvyadhi, Issues, Solutions, Agni

A Survey to Reduce STDs Infection in Mongolia and Big Data Virtualization Propagation

Sexually transmitted diseases refer to clinical syndromes and infections that are acquired and transmitted through sexual activity. Worldwide, more than 340 million cases of sexually transmitted disease occur each year, placing a great burden on individuals as well as communities and countries. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Mongolia is relatively high due to their inadequate treatment technologies, religious or local customs, and regional differences. It is rather difficult to grasp the exact number of patients as these diseases are considered ones that should not be disclosed to others. Therefore, this study aims to accurately identify sexually transmitted diseases in Mongolia and reduce infection through an analytic approach of big data virtualization propagation.

Natural-derived glycosides with potential activity against Staphylococcus aureus

: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most common pathogens and implicated in a wide range of infections. It is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality and has already posed a great burden on the healthcare system. S. aureus strains have already generated resistance to almost all available antibiotics, due to which the World Health Organization stratified S. aureus as a high tier priority II pathogen. Glycosides, the secondary metabolites of many plants in nature, possess a variety of pharmacological properties, including antibacterial activity against S. aureus. The structural and mechanistic diversity make glycosides useful weapons against S. aureus. This review summarizes the recent studies on naturally-derived glycosides and provides a comprehensive summary regarding the status of the resources and the anti-S. aureus potential.

Syringomyelia Managed with Classical Homeopathy, A Case Report

Background: Syringomyelia (SM) with Chiari malformation is a rare disease with an unpredictable course. Surgery and other interventions help reduce the severity of symptoms, but over 50% patients require re-operation. Auto-resolution is rare in this type of SM, and most cases progress to complications, which may amount to a great burden. Case presentation: We present a case of SM with Arnold-Chiari malformation type 1 in a 54-year-old Russian woman who was treated with individualized classical homeopathy for over eight years with remarkable improvement in the clinical signs and symptoms of the condition and comorbidities. On MRI, the syrinx completely resolved, which further confirmed the benefit of this therapy. Conclusion: This case of SM with Arnold-Chiari malformation type 1 seemed to benefit from individualized classical homeopathy. Scientific investigation into an individualized classical homeopathic approach towards SM is necessary to establish its relevance in this condition.

Optimization, purification and characterization of α-glucosidase inhibitors from Streptomyces costaricanus EBL.HB6 isolated in Vietnam

BackgroundDiabetes, a disease that has been a great burden of the treatment cost for patients and society. There are many drugs have been used to cure this disease available on the pharmaceutical market. One of the most prevalent source to produce these compounds are microorganism. Among them, Streptomyces sp. are popular microorganisms used for the production of α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs). Methods and ResultsIn this study, different cultivation conditions were optimized to enhance the production of AGIs. Purification and evaluation of AGIs from S. costaricanus EBL.HB6 were also performed. Our results demonstrated that Streptomyces costaricanus EBL.HB6 had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity among 6 Streptomyces sp. strains were isolated in Vietnam. The 16S rRNA sequencing of isolating HBC6-2 indicated 99% identity to the corresponding sequence of Streptomyces costaricanus, and was registered on GenBank with the code MT 453944.1. Streptomyces costaricanus EBL.HB6 was able to produce melanin yellow pigment, and its aerial and substrate mycelia have brown and yellow-grey pigment on ISP2 cultivating medium, respectively. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the supernatant was increased by a factor of 1.2 under optimal conditions (media containing 1.5% glucose, 1.2% yeast extract at 28°C, initial pH of 6.5, and culture time for 120 h) in comparison with the initial media and condition. The purified efficacy of a-glucosidase inhibitors was 5% with a retention factor of 0.71 on thin-layer chromatography and IC50 value of 9.59 mg/mL.ConclusionsStreptomyces costaricanus EBL.HB6 strain was selected, purified and evaluated for its highly producible of α-glucosidase inhibitors.

The Distribution and Prevalence of High-Risk HPV Genotypes Other than HPV-16 and HPV-18 among Women Attending Gynecologists’ Offices in Kazakhstan

Cervical cancer represents a great burden to public health of women. This study aimed to obtain a nationwide genotyping survey and analysis of high risk-HPV including those that are caused by HPV types other than HPV-16 and HPV-18, among women in Kazakhstan. This study was conducted based on the collection of survey and cervical swabs of 1645 women across the country. The samples were genotyped for high-risk HPV types based on real-time PCR methods. Collected data was analyzed with the focus on high-risk HPV types other than HPV-16 and -18. Infection was present in 22% of women who participated in the study. The most prevalent types were HPV-31 among single infections and HPV-68 among multiple infections. Conclusively, despite the lack of attention high-risk HPV types beyond HPV-16 and -18 get in attempts of cervical cancer prevention in Kazakhstan, their prevalence is high and plays a large role in cervical cancer epidemiological situation.

Data driven high resolution modeling and spatial analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread around the world with over 100 million infections to date, and currently many countries are fighting the second wave of infections. With neither sufficient vaccination capacity nor effective medication, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) remain the measure of choice. However, NPIs place a great burden on society, the mental health of individuals, and economics. Therefore the cost/benefit ratio must be carefully balanced and a target-oriented small-scale implementation of these NPIs could help achieve this balance. To this end, we introduce a modified SEIRD-class compartment model and parametrize it locally for all 412 districts of Germany. The NPIs are modeled at district level by time varying contact rates. This high spatial resolution makes it possible to apply geostatistical methods to analyse the spatial patterns of the pandemic in Germany and to compare the results of different spatial resolutions. We find that the modified SEIRD model can successfully be fitted to the COVID-19 cases in German districts, states, and also nationwide. We propose the correlation length as a further measure, besides the weekly incidence rates, to describe the current situation of the epidemic.

Stem cells as a potential therapeutic option for treating neurodegenerative diseases

: In future, neurodegenerative diseases will take over cancer's place and become the major cause of death in the world, especially in developed countries. Advancements in the medical field and its facilities have led to an increase in the old age population, and thus contributing to the increase in number of people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Economically it is of a great burden to society and the affected family. No current treatment aims to replace, protect, and regenerate lost neurons; instead, it alleviates the symptoms, extends the life span by a few months and creates severe side effects. Moreover, people who are affected are physically dependent for performing their basic activities, which makes their life miserable. There is an urgent need for therapy that could be able to overcome the deficits of conventional therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells, the unspecialized cells with the properties of self-renewing and potency to differentiate into various cells types can become a potent therapeutic option for neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells have been widely used in clinical trials to evaluate their potential in curing different types of ailments. In this review, we discuss the various types of stem cells and their potential use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease based on published preclinical and clinical studies.

Atlantic, Man Went Down

Both “Atlantic” and “Man Went Down” were first drafted during Lena’s time at Boston University. Lena’s mother having been a dancer who trained with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the music and choreography of Ailey’s Revelations has always been a great source of inspiration to her. This is proven particularly true in the poem “Man Went Down,” which is a story of memory, home, and spiritual return that alludes to Revelations’ “Wade in the Water,” as well as the Spiritual that lends the dance piece its name. “Atlantic” is an intergenerational story of Black womxnhood and emotional encumbrance. Matriarchs in many Black cultures carry both great stature and great burden, thus informing and complicating the dialogue surrounding what it means to be a Black (Atlantic) womxn in the digital age. “Atlantic” then locates itself amongst the writer/speaker’s memories of visiting the ocean as a child and how those memories transformed into adulthood.