In silico and in vivo analysis to identify the antidiabetic activity of beta sitosterol in adipose tissue of high fat diet and sucrose induced type-2 diabetic experimental rats

Adipose tissue is the primary site of storage for excess energy as triglyceride and it helps in synthesizing a number of biologically active compounds that regulate metabolic homeostasis. Consumption of high dietary fat increases stored fat mass and is considered as a main risk factor for metabolic diseases. Beta-sitosterol (β-sitosterol) is a plant sterol. It has the similar chemical structure like cholesterol. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that β-sitosterol has anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-cancer, anti-arthritic, and hepatoprotective role. However, effect of β-sitosterol on insulin signaling molecules and glucose oxidation has not been explored. Hence in the present study we aimed to discover the protective role of β-sitosterol on the expression of insulin signaling molecules in the adipose tissue of high-fat diet and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic experimental rats. Effect dose of β-sitosterol (20 mg/kg b.wt, orally for 30 days) was given to high fat diet and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic rats to study its anti-diabetic activity. Results of the study showed that the treatment with β-sitosterol to diabetes-induced rats normalized the altered levels of blood glucose, serum insulin and testosterone, lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, insulin receptor (IR), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins. Our present findings indicate that β-sitosterol improves glycemic control through activation of IR and GLUT4 in the adipose tissue of high fat and sucrose-induced type-2 diabetic rats. Insilico analysis also coincides with invivo results. Hence it is very clear that β-sitosterol can act as potent antidiabetic agent.

Sensitivity and specificity of teachers for vision screening among primary school children in South India

AIMS:

This study aims to determine the sensitivity and specificity of vision screening by school teachers among primary school children.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:

Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:

The study was carried in primary school children of Madurai, Tamil Nadu from April 2007 to October 2007. Sixty-five primary school teachers from 57 schools around Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, underwent a half-day training programme at the hospital. Each teacher on return to the school screened around a hundred children using the tumbling E. All screened children were subsequently screened by a team from the hospital. The optometrists used tumbling E (Snellen's 20/30 and Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) 20/32) to check the vision of all children. Any child complaining of defective vision or noted to have defective vision on screening underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation. The sensitivity and specificity of teacher screening was assessed based on the data obtained.

RESULTS:

Screening was completed for 5150 children. The prevalence of vision <20/30 was 2.82%. Teacher screening was noted to have a sensitivity of 24.8% and a specificity of 98.65%. Tumbling E ETDRS screening by the optometrist had the highest sensitivity of 94.48% and specificity of 97.09%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our study shows that vision screening by trained optometrists is a very useful tool to identify visual impairment in primary school children. Measures need to be taken to improve the sensitivity of teacher screening before recommending its generalized use.

A Weighted Speaker-Specific Confusion Transducer-Based Augmentative and Alternative Speech Communication Aid for Dysarthric Speakers

An augmentative and alternative speech communication (AASC) aid comprises a speech recognition system and a speech synthesis system. The main challenge in developing such an aid for dysarthric speakers lies in handling errors in the text derived from the recognition system. These errors (substitution, deletion, and insertion) may be due to inability of a dysarthric speaker to utter certain phones (articulatory error) or due to inaccuracy of the models trained (modeling error). Most existing AASC approaches only focus on the articulatory errors and the ones that do address both errors, and do not differentiate between them. However, this paper performs a three-level cascaded analysis to identify and distinguish between these errors, as differentiating these errors will aid in appropriately handling them. Furthermore, analyses in the paper are independent of the syntax of utterances. Based on these analyses, weighted phone confusion transducers are formulated and used to correct erroneous text from the recognition system. The corrected text is finally synthesized by a text-to-speech synthesis system. The proposed AASC is observed to significantly reduce a word error rate of severe dysarthric speakers from 100% to 41.52%, moderate from 61.85% to 18.08%, and mild from 12.23% to 8.55%.

Identification of rice landraces with promising yield and the associated genomic regions under low nitrogen

With the priority of the low input sustainable rice cultivation for environment friendly agriculture, NUE of rice becomes the need of the hour. A set of 472 rice genotypes comprising landraces and breeding lines were evaluated for two seasons under field conditions with low and recommended nitrogen and >100 landraces were identified with relative higher yield under low nitrogen. Donors were identified for higher N uptake, N translocation into grains and grain yield under low N. Grains on secondary branches, N content in grain and yield appears to be the selection criterion under low N. Through association mapping, using minimum marker set of 50 rice SSR markers, 12 genomic regions were identified for yield and yield associated traits under low nitrogen. Four associated genomic regions on chromosomes 5, 7 and 10 were fine mapped and QTL for yield under low N were identified from the marker delimited regions. Three candidate genes viz., 2-oxoglutarate /malate translocator (Os05g0208000), alanine aminotransferase (Os07g0617800) and pyridoxal phosphate-dependent transferase (Os10g0189600) from QTL regions showed enhanced expression in the genotypes with promising yield under low N. Marker assisted selection using SSR markers associated with three candidate genes identified two stable breeding lines confirmed through multi-location evaluation.

The Evaluation of the virulence factors of clinical Candida isolates and the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against multi-drug resistant Candida albicans

Background and Purpose:

Today, treatment of life-threatening fungal infections, caused by Candida species, has become a major problem. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility patterns of different clinical Candida isolates, determine the virulence factors in multi-drug resistant (MDR) Candida species, and assess the anti-biofilm activity of Elettaria cardamomum against MDR Candida species.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 202 isolates from different Candida species were obtained from three governmental hospitals in Senthamangalam, Tiruchengode, and Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India. The isolates were identified, using conventional methods. Candida species were tested for virulence factors such as biofilm, protease, and phospholipase activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Elettaria cardamomum against MDR biofilm-forming C. albicans was determined, using plate and tube methods.

Results:

The identified Candida isolates (n=202) were C. albicans (74/202), C. glabrata (53/202), C. parapsilosis (44/202), C. tropicalis (15/202), and C. dubliniensis (16/202). The isolates were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing and the virulence factors were determined. In terms of biofilm production, non-C. albicans species such as C. dubliniensis showed 75% activity. Also, regarding protease activity, C. parapsilosis (75%) showed the highest percentage of protease production. In addition, Candida species showed strong positivity for phospholipase activity (62.87%). In the MIC method, the acetonic extract completely inhibited biofilm production at a concentration of 125 µl (56.25 µg). In comparison with the ethanolic extract, the acetonic extract showed major activity against biofilm production.

Conclusion:

Based on the findings, pathogenic C. albicans species were inhibited by the ethanolic and acetonic extracts of E. cardamomum. In recent years, MDR and biofilm-forming pathogenic Candida species have been increasingly detected in clinical settings. Therefore, herbal derivatives might contribute to the treatment of infections without causing any side-effects and prevent the associated mortality.

Indian Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Euthanasia

The debate about euthanasia continues worldwide, with nurses’ attitudes becoming increasingly more important. The aim of this study is to investigate gender differences among nurses’ perceptions of attitudes toward euthanasia. A nonprobability quantitative, cross-sectional design was carried out among nurses working at a tertiary care center. Data were collected through self-reported questionnaires at their work place. Significant differences were found between men and women to the items such as “Fear of death shows differences due to religious beliefs” (χ2 = 10.550, p < 0.05), “If patient wants euthanasia, nutrition support should be stopped” (χ2 = 12.209, p < 0.05), “CPR should not be applied in case of sudden respiration and heart stop” (χ2 = 9.591, p < 0.05), and “burden for relatives to take care of a patient who is in terminal period and who will die” (χ2 = 9.069, p < 0.05). The present study depicts that gender plays an important role in euthanasia; hence, the researchers strongly suggest that there is an urgent need to draft uniform guidelines after wide consultation with all the stake holders regarding nurses’ role in taking care of patients who request euthanasia, to face these situations effectively and competently within professional boundaries.

Periventricular leukomalacia with −16 DS high myopia in a 2½ months old infant: A rare case presentation

Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is coagulation necrosis of white matter seen in preterm, low birth weight (LBW) infants and associated with a range of ocular manifestations. We report a case of 2½ months old (47 weeks gestational age) female infant with PVL associated with bilateral high myopia (−16 DS). On examination, child had difficulty in tracking objects and inferior field defect with preference for superior gaze. She was prescribed spectacles and visual stimulation exercises to preserve existing vision and prevent amblyopia. Periventricular leukomalacia can affect full-term infants although it is more common in preterm and LBW infants. All preterm, LBW infants, and those with positive neuroradiological findings must be assessed by an ophthalmologist as early as possible to detect the associated ocular manifestations.

Ocular Morbidity Associated With Retinopathy of Prematurity in Treated and Untreated Eyes: A Review of the Literature and Data From a Tertiary Eye-care Center in Southern India

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an emerging cause of childhood blindness in low- and middle-income countries. We review the magnitude, causes, prevention and treatment of visual impairment caused by ROP over a time span. A review of literature on short and long term structural and functional outcomes of ROP was conducted through PubMed search primarily focusing on studies published during the last decade. Additionally, we have shared data from our institute located in Southern India. Visual Impairment in ROP-treated children ranged from 4.1% to 30% in various settings, attributable mainly to refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus and perinatal neurological events followed by structural changes like macular scarring and retinal detachment. We conclude that towards an early detection and a proper management of all the above mentioned conditions, these children need to be followed-up for a long time by a committed pediatric ophthalmologist at a specifically scheduled interval. The overall success depends upon the strength of the networking system between parents/neonatologists/pediatricians/pediatric ophthalmologist and a retina specialist.

Double Augmented Vertical Rectus Transposition for Large-Angle Esotropia Due to Sixth Nerve Palsy

PURPOSE

To study the binocular alignment and ocular motility in patients with large-angle esotropia due to sixth nerve palsy treated with double augmented vertical recti transposition.

METHODS

This was a prospective interventional study. Fifteen patients with non-resolving sixth nerve palsy who underwent surgical correction were included in the study. Fourteen patients also underwent an additional medial rectus recession. Two patients with an associated small vertical deviation had a selective augmentation of one vertical rectus muscle. Binocular alignment, ocular motility, duction limitation, improvement in head posture, induced vertical deviations, and field of diplopia-free binocular single vision (when possible) were analyzed. Successful outcome was defined as a residual horizontal deviation of 10 prism diopters (PD) or less with no vertical deviation at final follow-up (6 months).

RESULTS

The double augmented Hummelsheim procedure improved esotropia from 58.3 ± 10.8 PD preoperatively to 7.2 ± 5.1 PD postoperatively (P = .001). Three (20%) patients had residual deviation of greater than 10 PD, of which 1 patient had diplopia and was treated with prisms. Postoperative binocular field of vision was performed in 6 patients, the mean of which was 20° for abduction and 45° for adduction. Three of 6 patients had elimination of face turn and the rest had residual head posture of less than 5°. Two patients had an induced vertical deviation of less than 4 PD. In patients who had selective augmentation, the vertical deviation was completely corrected.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients operated on with double augmentation of the Hummelsheim procedure combined with medial rectus recession had reduced mean primary esotropia and improved diplopia-free field of vision postoperatively. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2016;53(6):369-374.].

Situational Restriction of Elevation in Adduction Relieved by Faden on the Medial Rectus

We describe a patient with situational restriction of elevation in adduction in his left eye. Clinical examination pointed to instability of the left medial rectus pulley. This was corrected by Faden on the medial rectus. The importance of this relatively new concept in identifying and treating orbital pulley instability is discussed.

High Permeate Recovery for Concentrate Reduction by Integrated Membrane Process in Textile Effluent

  The textile dyeing industry consumes a significant amount of high-quality water for processing, which stresses water resources. In recent decades, technologies have been developed to recover water from wastewater. This study describes the high recovery (greater than 92%) of reusable water from an industrial-scale hosiery dye-water recovery facility, consisting of three stages of reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration. The effluent was pre-treated before the membrane process was performed to prevent biofouling. The process performance results in the generation of a consistent water quality that is required for dyeing operations. An average feed flux of 15 l/m²h was maintained in the reverse osmosis membrane by regular chemical dosing and cleaning. The integrated membrane process achieved a permeate with a pH of 6.5 and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 160 mg/l, with no other contaminants, which is of sufficient quality for reuse in the cotton hosiery dyeing process.

Effect of Uoncept Mapping in Improving Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Related to Care of HIV/AIDS Patients

This one group pre- and post-test study evaluated the effectiveness of concept mapping and lecture method of teaching among 73 under graduate nursing students. One group was exposed to concept mapping technique and the other group was exposed to lecture method of teaching about HIV/AIDS. Findings indicated a statistically significant increase in the knowledge and attitude of students towards HIV/ AIDS among students exposed to concept mapping than students who underwent lecture method. The results of this study indicated that moden teaching strategies may enhance learning among nursing students. However further evaluation is needed.

Mutational analysis and genotype-phenotype correlations in southern Indian patients with sporadic and familial aniridia

PURPOSE

Aniridia is a rare panocular disorder characterized by iris hypoplasia and other associated eye anomalies. Heterozygous null mutations in paired box gene 6 (PAX6) are the major cause of the classic aniridia phenotype. This study aims to detect the mutational spectrum of PAX6 and associated phenotypes in southern Indian patients with sporadic and familial aniridia.

METHODS

Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood from all participants. The coding regions and flanking intronic sequences of PAX6 were screened with Sanger sequencing in 30 probands with aniridia. The identified variations were further evaluated in available family members and 150 healthy controls. The pathogenic potential of the mutations were assessed using bioinformatics tools.

RESULTS

Thirteen different mutations were detected in eight sporadic and five familial cases. Eleven novel mutations, including five insertions (c.7_10dupAACA, c.567dupC, c.704dupC, c.868dupA and c.753_754insTA), two deletions (c.242delC and c.249delT), and four splicing variants (c.10+1G>A, c.141G>A, c.141+4A>G and c.764A>G) were identified in this study. Clinical findings of the patients revealed phenotypic heterogeneity with the same or different mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reported 11 novel mutations and thus expanded the spectrum of PAX6 mutations. Interestingly, all mutations reported in this study were truncations, which confirms the hypothesis that haploinsufficiency of PAX6 causes the aniridia phenotype. Our observations revealed inter- and intrafamilial phenotypic variability with PAX6 mutations. The common ocular findings associated with PAX6 mutations were iris hypoplasia, nystagmus, and foveal hypoplasia reported in almost all cases, with cataract, glaucoma, and keratopathy reported in approximately 50% of the patients.

Congenital oculomotor nerve palsy due to effects of carotid artery agenesis

Isolated carotid artery agenesis is not generally recognized as a cause of congenital oculomotor nerve palsy. We report this rare association in 2 children and examine the underlying mechanism.