Polymeric synthetic nanoparticles for the induction of antigen-specific immunological tolerance

Current treatments to control pathological or unwanted immune responses often use broadly immunosuppressive drugs. New approaches to induce antigen-specific immunological tolerance that control both cellular and humoral immune responses are desirable. Here we describe the use of synthetic, biodegradable nanoparticles carrying either protein or peptide antigens and a tolerogenic immunomodulator, rapamycin, to induce durable and antigen-specific immune tolerance, even in the presence of potent Toll-like receptor agonists. Treatment with tolerogenic nanoparticles results in the inhibition of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation, an increase in regulatory cells, durable B-cell tolerance resistant to multiple immunogenic challenges, and the inhibition of antigen-specific hypersensitivity reactions, relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and antibody responses against coagulation factor VIII in hemophilia A mice, even in animals previously sensitized to antigen. Only encapsulated rapamycin, not the free form, could induce immunological tolerance. Tolerogenic nanoparticle therapy represents a potential novel approach for the treatment of allergies, autoimmune diseases, and prevention of antidrug antibodies against biologic therapies.Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Internationa

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) as a new target for obesity treatment

Recently, we serendipitously discovered that mice with the deficiency of the enzyme prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) have elevated α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) levels which lead to decreased food intake and weight loss. This suggests that PRCP is an endogenous inactivator of α-MSH and an appetite stimulant. Since a modest weight loss can have the most profound influence on reducing cardiovascular risk factors, the inhibitors of PRCP would be emerging as a possible alternative for pharmacotherapy in high-risk patients with obesity and obesity-related disorders. The discovery of a new biological activity of PRCP in the PRCP-deficient mice and studies of α-MSH function indicate the importance and complexity of the hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) system in altering food intake. Identifying a role for PRCP in regulating α-MSH in the brain may be a critical step in enhancing our understanding of how the brain controls food intake and body weight. In light of recent findings, the potential role of PRCP in regulating fuel homeostasis is critically evaluated. Further studies of the role of PRCP in obesity are much needed

Effectiveness of crossword puzzle as an adjunct tool for active learning and critical thinking in Pharmacology

Background: Modern pedagogic methodologies are being introduced in Medical education and there is a growing evidence of crossword puzzle as an educational tool for active learning, problem solving and critical thinking. The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of crossword puzzle as an adjunct to the conventional lecture for active learning and critical thinking in Pharmacology. This was a parallel group; pre and post assessment, educational intervention study conducted among second year undergraduate medical students.Methods: Second year medical students were randomly selected and assigned to two groups A (Cross word puzzle) and B (control), after an hour conventional lecture on “Drugs for Hypertension” In both the groups, pre- and post-intervention knowledge was assessed using the MCQ test. A self-designed crossword puzzle on the lecture topic was used as an intervention and students were allowed to read textbooks with a crossword puzzle in intervention group A, whereas control group B were allowed to read textbook only. After 45 minutes, the post-intervention assessment was done in both groups with the same set of MCQ and students’ feedback on crossword usefulness was obtained.Results: The average MCQ test score in Group A improved significantly from 6.65±3.4 pre-intervention to 11.26±2.5 post-intervention (p <0.05) with absolute learning gain 30.73 % and relative learning gain 69.32 %. The average test score in Group B also improved significantly from 5.7±2.9 pre-intervention to 9.59±2.5 post-intervention (p <0.05) with absolute learning gain 25.93 % and relative learning gain 68.23%. There was a significant improvement in the MCQ scores in both the groups after intervention. But the post-intervention MCQ scores in group A (crossword puzzle) was higher and statistically significant (P <0.05) in comparison to group B.Conclusions: Cross-word puzzle promotes active self-learning and develops critical thinking among medical students. It could be used as supplementary educational tool in pharmacology to enhance problem-solving skills along with the information provided through traditional teaching lectures or could be used as a micro task

Effect of periodontal therapy on maxillary sinus mucous membrane thickening in chronic periodontitis: A split-mouth study

Background. This study evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy on mucous membrane thickening in maxillary sinus in chronic periodontitis patients using radiovisiography (RVG) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods. The study population included 30 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis, exhibiting bilateral mucosal thickening of maxillary sinus. The selected sites were randomly assigned to group I (control group - not receiving periodontal therapy) and group II (test group - receiving periodontal therapy). The clinical parameters and mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus were evaluated at baseline and after 9 months. Results. There was a significant decrease in the PPD, CAL as well as mucosal thickening in group II while, group I showed an increase in these parameters. In group II at the end of 9 months the mean mucosal thickening reduction as assessed by CBCT was 0.76±0.18, 0.73±0.24, 0.88±0.42 and 1.13±0.43 mm at the most anterior point (AP), the most posterior point (PP), the mid-point (MP), point of maximum thickness (MT) as well as in the length of the thickened mucosal lining, respectively. Conclusion. The results of our study indicated a reduction in the mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus after surgical periodontal therapy. The trial was registered with the Clinical Trial Registry of India (Trial REF/ 2016/02/010805)

Drug utilization pattern in dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai

Background: Skin diseases are common and cause a huge disease burden globally. Different class of drugs and combinational products are available in dermatology for treatment. Periodic prescription analysis in the form of drug utilization study can improve the quality of prescription and curb the menace of irrational prescribing. Aim and objective of the study were to study the prescribing pattern and drug utilization trends in Dermatology outpatient department at a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over a period of three months in dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Navi-Mumbai. A total of 102 adult patients visiting dermatology OPD were included and their prescriptions were analyzed with WHO prescribing indicators and additional indices.Results: Analysis showed that the average number of drugs per prescription was 3.27. Percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name was 31.1%. Percentage of drugs prescribed from National Essential drug list (NEDL) was 44.2%. The commonest prescribed drugs were antihistaminics followed by antifungals. Oral tablets were the commonest prescribed dosage form.Conclusions: Antihistaminics and antifungals dominated the prescribing pattern in this study with restraint on polypharmacy, but showed ample scope for improvement to prescribe generic and selection of essential drugs

ETIOPATHOGENESIS & SHATKRIYAKALA OF MUTRAKRUCCHA (DYSURIA ): A REVIEW STUDY

Now a days, it is seems that several patients are suffering from different types of disorders of Mutravaha Srotas. So, each physician should know the details like nidana (etiological factor), samprapti (pathogenesis), lakshanas(symptoms), sadhyaa-sadhyata (prognosis), updrava(complication), chikitsa (management) of disorders. Mutrakrucha  is one of the important disease of mutravaha srotas. The word †MUTRAKRUCHA †means dysuria is a symptom of pain , discomfort ,or burning when urinating. Cause due to infection  can occure in any part of urinary tract including kidney ,ureter , bladder, urethra. burning micturation is an cardinal features.Exercises, strong potential drugs, excessive indulgence of row alcohol, Ingestionof flesh of wet landed animals &amp; fishes, Eating again before digestion of previous food &amp; indigestion. This factors causes dushti of mutravaha srotas are also may be considered as nidana of Mutrakrucha. Due to this causative factors the doshas get aggravated.  Mutrakrichha, the vitiated Pitta Dosha along with Vata (mainly Apana Vayu) on reaching Vasti (bladder) afflicts the Mutravaha Srotas due to which the patient feels difficulty in micturition along with symptoms like Peeta mutrata, Sarakta mutrata, Sadaha mutrata, Saruja mutrata and Muhur-muhur mutrata. The above mentioned symptomatology has close resemblance with urinary tract infections. up with urine &amp; hence painful urination is accompanied by changes in urine flow such as dribbling , difficulty intiating flow , increased frequency or need to  urinate . Here due to influence over apana vata cited at Basti pradeha(Bladder)the pathology continues &amp; painful urination  is caused. here. Shatkriyakala explains the pathogenesis of a disease in stages right from the incubation period to complete manifestation &amp; later consequences of disease. Hence, I am  review this , mentioned Shatkriyakala of Mutrakrucha  which should be important to managed in early stage (sanchay avastha) and to prevent further complication

Is malaria the cause for decline in the wild population of the Indian White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis)?

The populations of three species of Gyps vultures have shown a decline of more than 95% between 1988 and 1999 in the Indian subcontinent and are now classified as 'critically endangered'. The indiscriminate and widespread veterinary use of diclofenac has been implicated for the decline of the White-backed vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Pakistan, India and Nepal. Similar trends in population decline as seen in the northern regions have also been recorded in Central and South India, but the cause for the decline was not investigated. Here we report a study carried out in a densely forested and sparsely populated region in Central India. An intracellular malarial parasite was identified from the tissues of both live and dead Whitebacked vultures. Further, amplification and sequence analysis of the consensus sequence of the mitochondrial small and large sub-unit rRNA genes indicated a 95-96% similarity with the mitochondrial sequence of Plasmodium falciparum (DQ642845) and other Plasmodium species. In addition, amplification and sequencing of a 502 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cyt b gene identified the haemoprotozoan with Plasmodium sp. AP70, an avian malarial parasite. During the course of this study we also rescued two terminally ill vultures with symptoms of malaria, and treatment with anti-malarials led to their recovery. None of the affected vultures had diclofenac residues, thus implying that malaria could be an additional cause for the decline for the White-backed vulture population