A comprehensive review of peptide toxins vs synthetic modulators of BK channels in Epilepsy | Author : Naveena Lavanya Latha Jeevigunta | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :BK channels, or voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, are essential regulators of neuronal excitability and muscular contractions, all of which are abnormal in epilepsy, a chronic neuronal disease. The form, frequency, and transmission of action potentials (APs), as well as neurotransmitter release from presynaptic terminals, are all influenced by BK channels found in the plasma membrane of neurons. Over the last two decades, several naturally occurring BK channel modulators have attracted a lot of attention. The structural and pharmacological properties of BK channel blockers are discussed in this article. The properties of various venom peptide toxins from scorpions and snakes are first identified, with a focus on their distinctive structural motifs, such as their disulfide bond formation pattern, the binding interface between the toxin and the BK channel, and the functional consequences of the toxins blockage of BK channels. Then, several non-peptide BK channel blockers are discussed, along with their molecular formula and pharmacological impact on BK channels. The precise categorization and explanations of these BK channel blockers are hoped to provide mechanistic insights into BK channel blockade. The structures of peptide toxins and non-peptide compounds may serve as models for the development of new channel blockers, as well as aid in the optimization of lead compounds for use in neurological disorders. |
| Awareness of Ultrasonography, Preconception during Pregnancy and use of Sonography by Tribal Women -Rural Community based Study | Author : S. Chhabra | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: Ultrasonography (USG) has become part of everyday care of pregnant women in most of the countries of the globe. However like any other technology, it has potential to raise social, ethical, economic dilemmas about benefits, challenges for health providers, beneficiaries of the services. Awareness, utilization of USG by rural tribal women who live in extreme poverty with access problems is not well known.
Objective: Community based study was carried out to know awareness of USG amongst rural, tribal, preconception, pregnant women and use of USG during pregnancy.
Material methods: Study was conducted in tribal communities of 100 villages where community based mother child care services were initiated after having developed a health facility in one of 100 villages. Total 2400 preconception, 1040 pregnant women of 15-45 years, were interviewed in villages for knowing their awareness about USG, whether pregnant women had USG during pregnancy.
Results: Of 2400 preconception women, 626 (26.08%) were not aware of sonography. Of those who knew, 694 (39.1%) said sonography helped in confirmation of pregnancy, 1080 (60.88%) said it helped in knowing fetal age and position. Of 1040 pregnant women also 271 (26.1%) were not aware of USG. Those who knew, sources of information, were Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in 208 (27%), nurse midwives in 170 (22.1%), family members in 311 (40.4%), doctors in 80 (10.4%). Only 258 (33.5%) of 769 women who knew about USG had got USG done. Of them 82 (31.8%) were told that something was wrong without any details.
Conclusion: Study revealed that many rural tribal women did not even know about USG. Community health workers, ASHAs did create awareness of USG in some. Only 25% pregnant women had USG done but without knowing any details of findings. |
| Our Infertility Cases With Pregnant Pregnancy After The Wet-Cupping | Author : Hayriye Alp | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :There is a physiological balance between our systems in our body. When this physiological balance is disturbed, diseases occur. It is thought that this balance is achieved by eliminating potentially harmful substances that cause diseases with wet-cupping. Infertility); It is defined as not having a pregnancy despite the couples having regular sexual intercourse. Voluntary infertility patients who applied to Erbakan University Meram Medical Faculty Traditional and Complementary Medicine Center were applied cupping procedure. The excretory systems in our bodies may be insufficient to remove heavy metals. Lead, mercury and nickel, which contributed to the development of pain, were found to be quite high in painful groups in our study. The fact that the height of the volume in the blood is higher than venous blood indicates that these heavy metals can be detoxified better with the cupping process. We think that during conventional infertility treatment, one of the complementary applications, cupping therapy can be added as an adjunct therapy in order to regulate the hormonal balance by heavy metal detox and in pregnancy treatment. |
| Evaluation of Sonographic Measurement of Umbilical Cord Coiling Index in the Second Trimester and Its Correlation to Perinatal Outcome | Author : Naglaa Ali Mohammed Hussein | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The umbilical cord represents a unique lifeline between the fetus andmother and contains two arteries and one vein wrapped up in Wharton’s jelly with moderate twists. Umbilical coiling abnormalities canresult in fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, or intrauterine fetal death.
Hypocoiled umbilical cords are associated with intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), fetal growth restriction, fetal distress, low Apgar scores, fetal congenital anomalies, and abnormal insertion of the umbilical cord. Hypercoiled umbilical cords are associated with IUFD, fetal distress, asphyxia, fetal congenital anomalies, and the presence of a single umbilical artery.
The aim of this work is to determine if the umbilical Cord coiling index measurement during second trimester ultrasound scan can predict perinatal outcome. Seventy eight healthy uncomplicated pregnant women who regularly attended the antenatal care clinic for antenatal care and to do anomaly ultrasound scan on her baby in 2nd trimester.
All participants were informed about the aims and the procedures of the study and signed an informed consent form prior to beginning.
Regular antenatal care visit was done every two weeks till delivery with assessment of perinatal outcomes regarding: gestational age at delivery, fetal monitoring by CTG, method of delivery, meconium staining amniotic fluid or not, examination by apgar score at 1stand 5th minute, birth weight, admission to NICU or not and perinatal death.
According to umbilical cord index, of total 78 pregnant women who completed the study 62 (79.2%) were having normal UC coiling, 10 of cases (12.8%) were having hypocoiling and 6 (7.7%) were having hypercoiling.
Our results showed that hypo- and hyper-coiling were associated with increased incidence of preterm labor (32-36 weeks) “22.2%and 40% respectively” while normo-coiling was associated with lesser incidence “2%”. Both hypocoiling “10%” and hypercoiling “16.7%”groups showed higher incidence of IUGR when compared with the normocoiling group “1.6%”. APGAR score at minute one was significantly lower in the both hypocoiling and hypercoiling groups than the normocoiling group with p- value: 0.005. While at minute five, there was no significant difference between the three groups of the study.
Conclusion: The abnormal umbilical coiling index “< 10th percentile or > 90th percentile” is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Therefore, early evaluation on Umbilical cord Index in the 2nd trimester can identify fetuses who are at risk and thus help in further management. |
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