Sahana Pentyala

Ketamine enantiomers in the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects

Recent evidence has suggested that the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine shows significant therapeutic effects in major depression and bipolar disorder. This effect is especially important in treatment-resistant depression and depression with suicidal ideation. In this review we explain the mechanism of action, drug efficacy, and the side effects of ketamine; the antidepressive effects of ketamine; the individual effects of ketamine isomers, R(–) ketamine and S(+) ketamine; the effects of the combination of ketamine with electroconvulsive therapy; and the possible use of ketamine in treating depression.

A Novel Point-of-Care Biomarker Recognition Method: Validation by Detecting Marker for Diabetic Nephropathy

Biological fluid collection to identify and analyze different disease markers is a routine and normal procedure in health care settings. Body fluids are as varied as urine, blood, mucus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tears, semen, etc. The volumes of the collected fluids range from micro liters (e.g., tears, CSF) to tens and hundreds of milliliters (blood, urine, etc.). In some manifestations, a disease marker (particularly protein markers) can occur in trace amounts, yet the fluids collected are in large volumes. To identify these trace markers, cumbersome methods, expensive instruments, and trained personnel are required. We developed an easy method to rapidly capture, concentrate, and identify protein markers in large volumes of test fluids. This method involves the utilization of two antibodies recognizing two different epitopes of the protein biomarker. Antibody-1 helps to capture and concentrate the biomarker and Antibody-2 adsorbed or conjugated to nanogold beads will detect the biomarker. This method was validated in capturing and detecting lipocalin type prostaglandin-D2 synthase, a marker in urine that implicates diabetic nephropathy. A one-step collection, concentration, and detection device was designed based on this method. This device can replace many of the normal body fluid collection devices such as tubes and containers. A one-step fluid collection and biomarker capture and concentration device for rapid diagnosis of diseases has tremendous advantage in terms of cost and providing timely results.

Biomechanical properties of 3D-printed bone scaffolds are improved by treatment with CRFP

BackgroundOne of the major challenges in orthopedics is to develop implants that overcome current postoperative problems such as osteointegration, proper load bearing, and stress shielding. Current implant techniques such as allografts or endoprostheses never reach full bone integration, and the risk of fracture due to stress shielding is a major concern. To overcome this, a novel technique of reverse engineering to create artificial scaffolds was designed and tested. The purpose of the study is to create a new generation of implants that are both biocompatible and biomimetic.Methods3D-printed scaffolds based on physiological trabecular bone patterning were printed. MC3T3 cells were cultured on these scaffolds in osteogenic media, with and without the addition of Calcitonin Receptor Fragment Peptide (CRFP) in order to assess bone formation on the surfaces of the scaffolds. Integrity of these cell-seeded bone-coated scaffolds was tested for their mechanical strength.ResultsThe results show that cellular proliferation and bone matrix formation are both supported by our 3D-printed scaffolds. The mechanical strength of the scaffolds was enhanced by trabecular patterning in the order of 20% for compression strength and 60% for compressive modulus. Furthermore, cell-seeded trabecular scaffolds modulus increased fourfold when treated with CRFP.ConclusionUpon mineralization, the cell-seeded trabecular implants treated with osteo-inductive agents and pretreated with CRFP showed a significant increase in the compressive modulus. This work will lead to creating 3D structures that can be used in the replacement of not only bone segments, but entire bones.

Temporomandibular joint disorder and inner ear pruritus: resolution by eminectomy.

Recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk is caused by many factors. Dislocation can result in an acute or chronic closed lock condition. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is often presented with otalgia symptoms. Other aural symptoms such as deafness, tinnitus, pressure/blockage, and vertigo are also commonly presented together with TMJ dysfunction (Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1980;5:23-36). However, pruritus associated with TMJ dysfunction in the inner ear has never been reported in the literature. We report a case history of TMJ dysfunction and associated inner ear pruritus, which are both resolved by eminectomy.

Osteoporosis in Female Athletes

Osteoporosis is a condition that affects almost 10 per-cent of the total female population worldwide and is especially prevalent among female athletes. This dis-ease is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density and enlargement of bone spaces producing po-rosity and fragility. With the number of women of all ages participating in physical activity steadily increas-ing, the relationship between osteoporosis and female athletes is a growing concern [1-4]. It is estimated that more than 6 million women now compete in strenuous exercise, worldwide. Despite the benefits of exercise, excessive and strenuous physical activity can have neg-ative effects on the reproductive and skeletal systems, leading to osteoporosis [5,6]

Correction to: Biomechanical properties of 3D-printed bone scaffolds are improved by treatment with CRFP

Correction to: J Orthop Surg Res (2017) 12: 195. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-017-0700-2In the original publication of this article [1] there was an error in one of the author names. In this publication the correct and incorrect name are indicated.

The Effectiveness of Hypnosis and Suggestive Techniques in Reducing Postoperative Side Effects in Children

Introduction Suggestive techniques including hypnosis have been used to alleviate surgical side effects [1]. Hypnosis is described as an artificially induced trancelike state, in which the subject is highly susceptible to suggestion, oblivious to all else, and responds readily to the commands of the hypnotist [2]. Hypnosis was used as a therapy throughout many millennia. Since ancient times as old as Mesopotamian, Mayan and Indus Valley civilizations, hypnosis was seen as a cure to many physical and mental illness. Franz Anton Mesmer, a Viennese physician played a key role in the development of hypnosis for modern medical use [3]. While in the early 19th century, several hundred surgical interventions were described with hypnosis as the sole anesthetic, and it was prejudicially abandoned with the onset of the anesthetic age [4]. More recently however, the value of hypnosis has been increasingly recognized in medicine, especially in adults [5, 6]. Hypnosis could also be used on pediatric patients and yield effective results, as children have a vast imagination and lack full cognitive development, thereby making them more susceptible for suggestions [7]. However, literature on the effectiveness of suggestive techniques in children is scant. Using the terms, ‘suggestive techniques’ or ‘hypnosis’ and ‘children’ or ‘pediatric’ and ‘postoperative’, studies from the database – PubMed, managed by US government funded National Center for Biotechnology Information, were collected and reviewed. The quality of the study and the ability to draw conclusions with respect to effect on postoperative pain, hospital stay, anxiety and nausea/vomiting were analyzed. This review summarizes the available literature and draw conclusions for possible postoperative benefit of suggestive techniques in pediatric patients.

Nanomaterials in Healthcare

The strength of a nation invariably depends upon the strength of every individual. Healthy citizens make a healthy and strong society. As a society, we started looking at expensive macroscopic high-tech solutions to solve many of our problems. With growing interests in the field of nanotechnology, looking microscopically at the problem to come up with solutions has generated a paradigm shift. Nanomaterials are currently being used in every branch of science, and particularly their use in healthcare opened up a new horizon to provide quality care to patients. The tools and therapies for diagnosis and prognosis of diseases and symptoms revolve around three important aspects – diagnostics, devices and drugs. Nanomaterial applications are now found in all these three aspects and are being effectively used in health care. New discoveries and inventions in the field of nanohealth care point to a bright future for the wellbeing of mankind. An introduction to nanomaterials in healthcare has been presented in this review.