The high prevalence of serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) in Escherichia coli causing neonatal septicemia

Serine protease autotransporters of Enterobacteriaceae (SPATEs) are secreted proteins demonstrating diverse virulence functions. The distribution of SPATEs is studied among diarrheagenic and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli. However, the contribution of SPATEs to the virulence of neonatal septicemic Escherichia coli (NSEC) has not yet been elucidated. This study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence and phylogenetic distribution of different subtypes of SPATEs among NSEC. The presence of virulence factors and subtypes of SPATEs among different E. coli isolates was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). E. coli phylogrouping was done by triplex PCR. Clonality of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The presence of SPATEs was significantly higher among the septicemic isolates (89 %) than the fecal (7.5 %) and environmental isolates (2.5 %). Vat (vacuolating autotransporter toxin) and Sat (secreted autotransporter toxin) were found to be the two most predominant SPATEs. The incidence of SPATEs was high in septicemic isolates of phylogroups A and B1 (87 %), lacking other virulence factors. The high prevalence of SPATEs in the non-B2 phylogroups of septicemic isolates in comparison with fecal and environmental isolates indicates an association of SPATEs with NSEC. The NSEC isolates were found to be clonally distinct, suggesting that the high prevalence of SPATEs was not due to clonal relatedness of the isolates. This study is the first to show the association of SPATEs with NSEC. The presence of SPATEs in the septicemic/NSEC isolates may be considered as the most discriminatory trait studied here.

Rhizospheric fungal community structure of a Bt brinjal and a near isogenic variety

AIMS

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of Cry1Ac gene expressing brinjal (VRBT-8) on the rhizospheric fungal community structure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

qPCR indicated variations in the fungal ITS rRNA copy numbers of non-Bt (1·43-4·43) × 10(9) g(-1) dws and Bt (1·43-3·32) × 10(9) g(-1) dws plots. Phylogenetic analysis of ITS rRNA clones indicated fungal-related group majority of being Ascomycota compared to that of Basidiomycota and Zygomycota in non-Bt- and Bt-planted soils. Sordariomycetes was the dominant class detected in all the stages.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the variations in the population size and the distribution pattern observed across the non-Bt and Bt brinjal, plant-growth-dependent variability was more prominent compared with genetic modification. Therefore, this study concludes that genetic modification of brinjal crop has minor effect on the fungal community.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Brinjal, the important solanaceous crop, is also prone to attack by many insect pests, especially by Leucinoides orbonalis, resulting in significant losses in the crop yield. However, the reports on the effect of transgenic crops and the associated microbial community are inconsistent. The present communication takes into account for the first time the possible interactions between Bt brinjal and the associated fungal community; the latter playing a significant role in maintaining soil fertility. As this study is limited to the structural diversity of fungal community, additional information regarding the functional diversity of the group seems imperative before recommending the commercialization of GM crops.

Relevance of hepatitis B surface antigen levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B during 5 year of tenofovir treatment

The role of quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels in patients receiving highly potent oral antiviral therapy is controversial, and here, we determined the HBsAg response in 121 chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir 300 mg daily. During tenofovir treatment, HBsAg decline of ≥ 1.0 log from baseline was seen in 16.1%, 16.3%, 18.4%, 34.6%, 36.4% and 11.8%, 15.2%, 14.8%, 28.6%, 20% at years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 for HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients, respectively. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent significant HBsAg level decline. HBeAg seroconversion occurred in 29.9% of HBeAg-positive patients. On multinomial logistic regression, HBsAg level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 or any time subsequently did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion and HBV DNA level decline from baseline at week 4 and week 12 (OR = 3.704; 95% CI = 1.511-9.076; P = 0.006 and OR = 1.732; 95% CI = 1.032-2.867; P = 0.037, respectively) was significantly predictive of seroconversion. A small proportion of chronic HBV-infected patients treated with tenofovir exhibit a significant (≥ 1.0 log) decline in HBsAg levels. Early decline in HBsAg levels at week 4 was predictive of subsequent and significant HBsAg level decline. The HBsAg decline did not correlate with HBeAg seroconversion in HBeAg-positive patients. Reduction in HBV DNA levels at week 4 and 12 correlated with seroconversion.

Comparative analysis of DNA polymorphisms and phylogenetic relationships among Syzygium cumini Skeels based on phenotypic characters and RAPD technique

The Indian black berry (Syzygium cumini Skeels) has a great nutraceutical and medicinal properties. As in other fruit crops, the fruit characteristics are important attributes for differentiation were also determined for different accessions of S. cumini. The fruit weight, length, breadth, length: breadth ratio, pulp weight, pulp content, seed weight and pulp: seed ratio significantly varied in different accessions. Molecular characterization was carried out using PCR based RAPD technique. Out of 80 RAPD primers, only 18 primers produced stable polymorphisms that were used to examine the phylogenetic relationship. A sum of 207 loci were generated out of which 201 loci found polymorphic. The average genetic dissimilarity was 97 per cent among jamun accessions. The phylogenetic relationship was also determined by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) that explained 46.95 per cent cumulative variance. The two-dimensional PCoA analysis showed grouping of the different accessions that were plotted into four sub-plots, representing clustering of accessions. The UPGMA (r = 0.967) and NJ (r = 0.987) dendrogram constructed based on the dissimilarity matrix revealed a good degree of fit with the cophenetic correlation value. The dendrogram grouped the accessions into three main clusters according to their eco-geographical regions which given useful insight into their phylogenetic relationships.

A cadaveric study of anatomical variations of fissures and lobes of lung

Background and aim: The anatomical variations of fissures and lobes of lungs have been described by many research workers on CT scans, whereas, there were fewer studies done on gross anatomical specimens. Materials and methods: In the present study, 30 embalmed cadavers have been dissected and lungs were examined for fissures and lobes. Results: Nine out of 30 left lungs showed incomplete oblique fissures. Eight out of 30 right lungs showed incomplete transverse fissure but oblique fissure was complete, and in two right lungs, incomplete oblique and transverse fissures were found. In one cadaver one accessory lobe and one accessory fissure was present, on right side. Comparative analysis of present work with data in literature suggest that different studies performed on radiological images reported greater prevalence of incomplete or absence of pulmonary fissures as compared to present cadaveric study. Therefore our findings with regard to fissures and lobes are different from many studies but are approximately similar to two. Conclusion: Variation of lung anatomy is important for cardio-thoracic surgeons, radiologists for interpreting x-rays, CT scans and MRI and also it is of academic interest to all medical persons.

Land use impact on soil quality in eastern Himalayan region of India

Quantitative assessment of soil quality is required to determine the sustainability of land uses in terms of environmental quality and plant productivity. Our objective was to identify the most appropriate soil quality indicators and to evaluate the impact of six most prevalent land use types (natural forestland, cultivated lowland, cultivated upland terrace, shifting cultivation, plantation land, and grassland) on soil quality in eastern Himalayan region of India. We collected 120 soil samples (20 cm depth) and analyzed them for 29 physical, chemical, and biological soil attributes. For selection of soil quality indicators, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the measured attributes, which provided four principal components (PC) with eigenvalues >1 and explaining at least 5% of the variance in dataset. The four PCs together explained 92.6% of the total variance. Based on rotated factor loadings of soil attributes, selected indicators were: soil organic carbon (SOC) from PC-1, exchangeable Al from PC-2, silt content from PC-3, and available P and Mn from PC-4. Indicators were transformed into scores (linear scoring method) and soil quality index (SQI) was determined, on a scale of 0-1, using the weighting factors obtained from PCA. SQI rating was the highest for the least-disturbed sites, i.e., natural forestland (0.93) and grassland (0.87), and the lowest for the most intensively cultivated site, i.e., cultivated upland terrace (0.44). Ratings for the other land uses were shifting cultivation (0.60) > cultivated low land (0.57) > plantation land (0.54). Overall contribution (in percent) of the indicators in determination of SQI was in the order: SOC (58%) > exch. Al (17.1%) > available P (8.9%) > available Mn (8.2%) > silt content (7.8%). Results of this study suggest SOC and exch. Al as the two most powerful indicators of soil quality in study area. Thus, organic C and soil acidity management holds the key to improve soil quality under many exploitatively cultivated land use systems in eastern Himalayan region of India.

Interleukin 23 in Crohn's disease

: Crohn's disease (CD) is a lifelong inflammatory condition with underlying environmental and genetic components. CD affects multiple parts of the gastrointestinal tract, and it has a growing incidence in Western societies. IL-23 receptor variants have been identified as susceptibility or resistance factors for CD in genome-wide association studies. Accordingly, IL-23 is required for the development of experimental inflammatory bowel disease in many murine models. IL-23 receptor is expressed by both innate and adaptive immune cells, which include Th17, natural killer T, γδ T cells, and RORγt innate lymphoid cells all of which are capable of secreting IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and interferon-γ upon IL-23 stimulation. During the past decade, pathogenic and protective roles have been described for these cytokines in the inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis. More recently, innate lymphoid cells have been implicated in disease development. In this review, we have summarized and discussed these findings with an emphasis not only on the contribution of Th17 but also on innate lymphoid cells to disease etiology.

A New Begomovirus Species in Association with Betasatellite Causing Tomato Leaf Curl Disease in Gandhinagar, India

In December 2012, tomato leaf curl disease (ToLCD) (2) was observed in tomato-growing areas of Gandhinagar District of Gujarat, a state in northwestern India. Incidence of ToLCD was estimated to be between 40 and 70% depending on the cultivars used. Infected plants exhibited symptoms consisting of leaf rolling, leaf curling, and yellowing typical of begomoviruses. Total DNA was isolated from a single affected tomato plant (2). Begomovirus infection in this sample was established by amplification of the expected-size 550-bp DNA fragment from this extract by PCR with degenerate DNA-A primers (3). Rolling circle amplification (RCA) using ϕ29 DNA polymerase was carried out on the total DNA, followed by digestion with Bam HI. An amplicon of ~2.8 kb was gel-eluted and cloned into Bam HI linearized pBluescript II KS(+). Restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA from the resulting clones indicated the presence of one type of molecule. Using PCR and universal betasatellite primers, the expected 1.3-kb fragment was amplified from the DNA extract (1). An amplicon of ~1.3 kb was gel-eluted and cloned into pTZ57RT vector. Sequence analysis revealed that DNA-A (GenBank Accession No. KC952005) is composed of 2,753 nt and showed the highest identity (87.8%) with Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus[India:Kerala:2008] (GenBank Accession No. EU910141). An analysis for recombination showed this begomovirus DNA likely to have originated by recombination between Tomato leaf curl Kerala virus and Tomato leaf curl Karnataka virus. The satellite DNA-β (GenBank Accession No. KC952006) is composed of 1,365 nt and showed the highest identity (75.6%) with Tomato leaf curl betasatellite[India:Ludhiana:2004] (ToLCB-[IN:Lud:04]) (GenBank Accession No. AY765255). On the basis of DNA-A sequence analysis, the ICTV species demarcation criteria of 89% DNA-A sequence identity, and genome organization, the present isolate was considered as a new begomovirus species and named Tomato leaf curl Gandhinagar virus (ToLCGNV). The betasatellite shares less than 78% identity with (ToLCB-[IN:Lud:04]), it is considered a new species of betasatellite and the name, Tomato leaf curl Gandhinagar betasatellite (ToLCGNB) is proposed. Multimeric clones of the begomovirus and betasatellite DNAs were generated in a binary vector and these plasmids transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Nicotiana benthamiana and tomato plants agroinoculated with the cloned begomovirus DNA developed leaf curl symptoms, whereas plants co-agroinoculated with the cloned begomovirus and betasatellites developed more severe symptoms, including leaf rolling, leaf curling, and yellowing. The symptoms induced by the begomovirus and betasatellite DNAs were indistinguishable from those observed in the field. Thus, ToLCGNV is a new monopartite begomovirus which, in association with a new species of betasatellite, causes ToLCD in Gandhinagar, India. The presence of ToLCGNV needs to be considered, along with the already reported begomoviruses infecting tomatoes in this state, e.g., Tomato leaf curl Gujarat virus (2), in studies aimed to developing tomato cultivars with stable resistance to these tomato-infecting begomoviruses in India. References: (1) R. W. Briddon et al. Mol. Biotechnol. 20:315, 2002. (2) C. Reddy et al. Arch Virol. 150:845, 2005. (3) S. D. Wyatt and J. K. Brown. Phytopathology 86:1288, 1996.

Use of GenoType® MTBDRplus assay to assess drug resistance and mutation patterns of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates in northern India

PURPOSE

The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major public health problem. The diagnosis of MDR-TB is of paramount importance in establishing appropriate clinical management and infection control measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug resistance and mutational patterns in clinical isolates MDR-TB by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 350 non-repeated sputum specimens were collected from highly suspected drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases; which were processed by microscopy, culture, differentiation and first line drug susceptibility testing (DST) using BacT/ALERT 3D system.

RESULTS

Among a total of 125 mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains, readable results were obtained from 120 (96%) strains by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay. Only 45 MDR-TB isolates were analysed for the performance, frequency and mutational patterns by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay. The sensitivity of the GenoType® MDRTBplus assay for detecting individual resistance to rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH) and multidrug resistance was found to be 95.8%, 96.3% and 97.7%, respectively. Mutation in codon S531L of the rpoB gene and codon S315T1 of katG genes were dominated in MDR-TB strains, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay is highly sensitive with short turnaround times and a rapid test for the detection of the most common mutations conferring resistance in MDR-TB strains that can readily be included in a routine laboratory workflow.

Hair: an unusual foreign body in airways presenting with haemoptysis in an adult patient

Haemoptysis is defined as expectoration of blood originating from the lungs or tracheo-bronchial tree. It is attributed to various causes like tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung cancer, mycetoma, foreign bodies etc. Various types of foreign bodies have been reported in the literature. We report the case of an adult female patient who presented with an episode of haemoptysis (150 mL) in whom flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy revealed a single long hair at the carina going to left main bronchus. Following successful removal of this hair there were no further episodes of haemoptysis and the patient manifested clinical and radiological improvement.

IL-23R+ innate lymphoid cells induce colitis via interleukin-22-dependent mechanism

Polymorphisms of interleukin (IL)-23R and signaling components are associated with several autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Similar to T helper type 17 (Th17) lineage, type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) express retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (Rorγt) and IL-23R and hence, produce Th17-type cytokines. Recent reports implicated type 3 ILCs in IBD; however, how IL-23R signaling in these cells contributes to pathogenesis is unknown. IL-22, produced in copious amounts by type 3 ILCs, was reported to have both beneficial and pathogenic effects in adaptive, yet only a protective role in innate colitis models. Herein, by employing chronic CD45RB(high) CD4(+) T-cell transfer and anti-CD40 antibody-induced acute innate colitis models in Rag1(-/-) mice, we demonstrated opposite roles for IL-23R in colitogenesis: in the former a protective, and in the latter a pathogenic role. Furthermore, we show that IL-23R signaling promotes innate colitis via IL-22 as neutralization of IL-22 protected mice from colitis and adding back of IL-22 to IL-23R-deficient animals restored the disease. Collectively, our results reveal that similar to its controversial role during chronic or adaptive colitis, IL-22 may also have opposite roles in innate colitis pathogenesis in a context and insult-dependent manner.

A novel flavonoid C-glucoside from Ulmus wallichiana preserves bone mineral density, microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in the presence of glucocorticoid by promoting osteoblast survival: a comparative study with human parathyroid hormone

PURPOSE

6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S)-(+)-5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol (GTDF) is a novel compound isolated from Ulmus wallichiana, reported to have bone anabolic action in ovariectomized rats. Here, we studied the effect of GTDF in glucocorticoid (GC)-induced bone loss and its mode of action.

METHODS

Osteoblasts were cultured from rat calvaria or bone marrow to study apoptosis and differentiation by dexamethasone (Dex), methylprednisolone (MP), GTDF, quercetin and rutin. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with Dex or MP with or without GTDF or PTH. Efficacy was evaluated by bone microarchitecture using microcomputed tomography, determination of new bone formation by fluorescent labeling of bone and osteoblast apoptosis by co-labeling bone sections with Runx-2 and TUNEL. Serum osteocalcin was determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

GTDF preserved trabecular and cortical bones in the presence of Dex and MP and mitigated the MP-mediated suppression of serum osteocalcin. Co-administration of GTDF to MP rats increased mineral apposition, bone formation rates, bone biomechanical strength, reduced osteoblast apoptosis and increased osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells compared to MP group, suggesting in vivo osteogenic effect of GTDF. These effects of GTDF were to a great extent comparable to PTH. GTDF prevented GC-induced osteoblast apoptosis by inhibiting p53 expression and acetylation, and activation of AKT but did not influence transactivation of GC receptor (GR).

CONCLUSIONS

GTDF protects against GC-induced bone loss by promoting osteoblast survival through p53 inhibition and activation of AKT pathways but not as a GR antagonist. GTDF has the potential in the management of GC-induced osteopenia.

Labile and stabilised fractions of soil organic carbon in some intensively cultivated alluvial soils

The present investigation was undertaken in view of the limited information on the relative proportion of labile and stabilized fractions of soil organic carbon (SOC) in intensively cultivated lands, particularly under tropics. The specific objectives were i) to study the comparative recovery of SOC by different methods of labile carbon estimation under intensively cultivated lands and ii) to evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on carbon management index. For this purpose, in all, 105 surface soil samples were collected from intensively cultivated tube well and sewage irrigated agricultural lands. These samples were analysed for total as well as labile pools of SOC. Results indicated that Walkley and Black, KMnO4-oxidizable and microbial biomass carbon constituted the total SOC to the extent of 10.2 to 47.4, 1.66 to 23.2 and 0.30 to 5.49%, respectively with the corresponding mean values of 26.2, 9.16 and 2.15%. Lability of SOC was considerably higher in sewage irrigated soils than tube well irrigated soils under intensive cropping. Under soybean-wheat, the higher values of carbon management index (CMI) (279 and 286) were associated with the treatments where entire amount of nitrogen was supplied through FYM. Similar results were obtained under rice-wheat, whereas in case of maize-wheat the highest value of CMI was recorded under treatment receiving NPK through chemical fertilizer along with green manure. There was also a significant improvement in CMI under integrated (chemical fertilizer + organics) and chemical fertilizer-treated plots. The values of CMI ranged from 220 to 272 under cultivated lands receiving irrigation through sewage and industrial effluents.

A Distinct Strain of Tomato leaf curl Sudan virus Causes Tomato Leaf Curl Disease in Oman

Tomato leaf curl disease (ToLCD) is a significant constraint for tomato production in the Sultanate of Oman. The disease in the north of the country has previously been shown to be caused by the monopartite begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae) Tomato yellow leaf curl virus and Tomato leaf curl Oman virus. Many tomato plants infected with these two viruses were also found to harbor a symptom enhancing betasatellite. Here an analysis of a virus isolated from tomato exhibiting ToLCD symptoms originating from south and central Oman is reported. Three clones of a monopartite begomovirus were obtained. One of the clones was shown to be infectious to tomato and Nicotiana benthamiana and to induce symptoms typical of ToLCD. Analysis of the cloned sequences show them to correspond to isolates of Tomato leaf curl Sudan virus (ToLCSDV), a virus that occurs in Sudan and Yemen. However, the sequences showed less than 93% nucleotide sequence identity to previously characterized ToLCSDV isolates, indicating that the viruses represent a distinct strain of the species, for which we propose the name "Oman" strain (ToLCSDV-OM). Closer analysis of the sequences showed them to differ from their closest relative, the "Tobacco" strain of ToLCSDV originating from Yemen, in three regions of the genome. This suggests that the divergence of the "Oman" and "Tobacco" strains has occurred due to recombination. Surprisingly, ToLCSDV-OM was not found to be associated with a betasatellite, even though the isolates of the other ToLCSDV strains have been shown to be. The significance of these findings and the possible reasons for the distinct geographic distributions of the tomato-infecting begomoviruses within Oman are discussed.

Genome-wide analysis of the heat stress response in Zebu (Sahiwal) cattle

Environmental-induced hyperthermia compromises animal production with drastic economic consequences to global animal agriculture and jeopardizes animal welfare. Heat stress is a major stressor that occurs as a result of an imbalance between heat production within the body and its dissipation and it affects animals at cellular, molecular and ecological levels. The molecular mechanism underlying the physiology of heat stress in the cattle remains undefined. The present study sought to evaluate mRNA expression profiles in the cattle blood in response to heat stress. In this study we report the genes that were differentially expressed in response to heat stress using global scale genome expression technology (Microarray). Four Sahiwal heifers were exposed to 42°C with 90% humidity for 4h followed by normothermia. Gene expression changes include activation of heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1), increased expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) and decreased expression and synthesis of other proteins, immune system activation via extracellular secretion of HSP. A cDNA microarray analysis found 140 transcripts to be up-regulated and 77 down-regulated in the cattle blood after heat treatment (P<0.05). But still a comprehensive explanation for the direction of fold change and the specific genes involved in response to acute heat stress still remains to be explored. These findings may provide insights into the underlying mechanism of physiology of heat stress in cattle. Understanding the biology and mechanisms of heat stress is critical to developing approaches to ameliorate current production issues for improving animal performance and agriculture economics.

Sea urchin like shaped cdse nanoparticles grown in aqueous solutions via electron beam irradiation

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles have been grown from an aqueous solutions containing equimolar ammoniated cadmium sulphate and sodium selenosulphate as precursors in presence of citric acid as a capping agent, via electron beam irradiation. The radiolytic processes occurring in the medium result in the formation of CdSe nanoparticles through the reactions mediated by hydrated electrons (e(aq)-). The dynamics of the formation of these nanoparticles was investigated by pulse radiolysis studies. The size of the primary nanoparticles as estimated from the absorption spectra recorded immediately was less than 3 nm. These nanoparticles exhibited strong excitonic absorption pattern and broad photoluminescence at room temperature, which has been attributed to the presence of surface states/defects. This has been confirmed by Raman spectral studies, where CdSe nanoparticles exhibited characteristic surface phonon modes at around 250 cm(-1). The photoluminescence lifetime decay measurements further supported the existence of surface defects on the as-grown CdSe nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were found to exist in the agglomerated form of sea urchin like shapes of uniform size of about 500 nm as revealed from TEM and SEM images. These sea urchin like shaped CdSe nanoparticles grown in this route were found to be very stable under the ambient conditions. We infer that citric acid influences the growth as well as stability of these nanoparticles. It is expected that these nanomaterials could find potential applications in the field of sensors, catalysis and photovoltaics.

Post-Malaria Neurological Syndrome - A Case of Bell’s Palsy After Plasmodium Vivax Malaria

 Post-malaria neurological syndrome (PMNS) is defined as the acute onset of neurological or neuropsychiatric syndrome in a patient who had recently recovered from malaria and have negative blood film at the time of onset of neurological symptoms. It is relatively rare, with various clinical symptoms. We report first case of Bell’s palsy developing on 10th day of afebrile period after successful treatment of Plasmodium vivax (P.vivax) malaria and which completely recovered in next two weeks. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i1.6893 J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013;33(1):66-67

Does 'weight reduction' help all adult snorers?

BACKGROUND

Obesity is now a global epidemic. Obese people are at higher risk of snoring. Weight reduction could influence the prevalence of snoring. Present study tried to find out, whether weight reduction is of benefit in all adult snorers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

It is a cross sectional study, on 349 subjects (196 males and 153 females). They and their spouses were asked for snoring habits. Their neck circumference, height and weight was measured and Body mass index (BMI) was calculated, and they were classified into low normal, high normal, pre-obese and obese BMI groups. Prevalence rates of snoring in different groups were compared, to find out any statistically significant difference, between them.

RESULTS

Statistically significant difference, in prevalence rates of snoring was found, when obese and pre-obese group were compared with normal BMI group, separately. No significant difference was found in prevalence rates, when comparison was made between obese and pre-obese group. Difference in prevalence of snoring, was also not significant, when comparison was made between low normal and high normal BMI groups. Neck circumference of snorers was significantly more than the neck circumference of non-snorers in all BMI groups. Gender wise difference, in prevalence of snoring was also not significant.

CONCLUSION

Body mass index target needs to be set at 25 kg/m(2), in weight reduction programmes, to achieve clinically relevant response in a snorer. There is no need to put extra emphasis, on further reduction of BMI. Weight reduction, is not helpful in all adult snorers, especially those with normal BMI, where other causes of snoring, like fat around upper airways, need to be considered.

T1-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MR evaluation of different stages of neurocysticercosis and its relationship with serum MMP-9 expression

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Epileptogenesis in NCC is associated with perilesional inflammation and disruption in BBB. We quantified BBB in different stages of NCC by using DCE-MR imaging to look for the differences in perfusion indices and to correlate these indices with serum MMP-9 expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DCE-MR imaging along with conventional MR imaging was performed in 57 single cysticercous brain lesions to quantify the kep, K(trans), and ve around the lesions, which were in different stages of evolution. There were 6 lesions in the vesicular stage and 17 lesions each in the colloidal, granular-nodular, and calcified stages. Serum MMP-9 was quantified from all patients, whereas perfusion indices were quantified from all stages except for the vesicular stage.

RESULTS

We observed significant differences among the 3 stages of NCC in serum MMP-9 expression as well as DCE-derived kep values. In addition, kep showed a strongly significant positive correlation with MMP-9 expression when modeled with the individual stage of the disease as well as with all stages when pooled together. Other DCE-derived hemodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters showed inconsistent differences with each stage of the disease. The correlation of DCE-derived parameters with serum MMP-9 expression and edema volume also showed inconsistency with the stage of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that kep correlates best with serum MMP-9 expression among the pharmacokinetic indices and most closely represents the degree of BBB breakdown, which is highest in the colloidal stage and lowest in the calcified stage. kep may be used as a noninvasive image biomarker of BBB breakdown in different stages of NCC.

Effect of gibberellic acid and calliterpenone on plant growth attributes, trichomes, essential oil biosynthesis and pathway gene expression in differential manner in Mentha arvensis L

Extensive research is going on throughout the world to find out new molecules from natural sources to be used as plant growth promoter. Mentha arvensis L. is the main source of menthol rich essential oil used commercially in various food, pharmaceutical and other preparations. Experiments were conducted on field grown plants for understanding the effect of calliterpenone (CA), a stereo-isomer of abbeokutone, in comparison to gibberellic acid (GA3) on growth attributes, trichomes, essential oil biosynthesis and expression of some oil biosynthetic pathway genes. The exogenous application of CA (1 μM, 10 μM and 100 μM) was found to be better in improving plant biomass and stolon yield, leaf area, branching and leaf stem ratio than with counterpart GA3 at the same concentrations. CA treated plants showed higher glandular trichome number, density and diameter and also correlated with enhanced oil biogenetic capacity as revealed by feeding labeled (14)C-sucrose for 72 h to excised shoots. Semi-quantitative PCR analysis of key pathway genes revealed differential up regulation under CA treatments. Transcript level of menthol dehydrogenase/menthone reductase was found highly up regulated in CA treated plants with increased content of menthone and menthol in oil. These findings demonstrate that CA positively regulated the yields by enhanced branching and higher density of trichomes resulting into higher accumulation of essential oil. The results suggest CA as a novel plant derived diterpenoid with growth promoting action and opens up new possibilities for improving the crop yields and essential oil biosynthesis in qualitative and quantitative manner.

Plastid transformation for abiotic stress tolerance in plants

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures are major limiting factors in plant growth and development and pose serious threat to global agricultural production. Here we describe a procedure, using a tobacco plastid transformation vector, to generate transplastomic plants with an enhanced ability to tolerate abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, or cold stress. The procedure involves biolistic delivery of a plastid transformation vector into explants, antibiotic selection procedures, and -identification of transplastomic lines. The plastid transformation vector contains an aadA gene that encodes resistance to spectinomycin as a selectable marker along with the gene of interest for developing transplastomic plants that are tolerant to abiotic stresses. Shoot buds appear over the surface of bombarded explants following spectinomycin selection. Transplastomic shoots are multiplied following several rounds of -spectinomycin selection. Homoplasmic transplastomic lines are confirmed by spectinomycin and streptomycin double selection over a period of 4-5 weeks. The available reports suggest that transplastomic technology is a useful tool for expressing genes in plastids or chloroplasts for enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in plants.

Outpatient taping in the treatment of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus

The Ponseti and French taping methods have reduced the incidence of major surgery in congenital idiopathic clubfoot but incur a significant burden of care, including heel-cord tenotomy. We developed a non-operative regime to reduce treatment intensity without affecting outcome. We treated 402 primary idiopathic clubfeet in patients aged < three months who presented between September 1991 and August 2008. Their Harrold and Walker grades were 6.0% mild, 25.6% moderate and 68.4% severe. All underwent a dynamic outpatient taping regime over five weeks based on Ponseti manipulation, modified Jones strapping and home exercises. Feet with residual equinus (six feet, 1.5%) or relapse within six months (83 feet, 20.9%) underwent one to three additional tapings. Correction was maintained with below-knee splints, exercises and shoes. The clinical outcome at three years of age (385 feet, 95.8% follow-up) showed that taping alone corrected 357 feet (92.7%, 'good'). Late relapses or failure of taping required limited posterior release in 20 feet (5.2%, 'fair') or posteromedial release in eight feet (2.1%, 'poor'). The long-term (> 10 years) outcomes in 44 feet (23.8% follow-up) were assessed by the Laaveg-Ponseti method as excellent (23 feet, 52.3%), good (17 feet, 38.6%), fair (three feet, 6.8%) or poor (one foot, 2.3%). These compare favourably with published long-term results of the Ponseti or French methods. This dynamic taping regime is a simple non-operative method that delivers improved medium-term and promising long-term results.

Multi-phonon assisted upconversion emission and power dependence studies in LaF3:Er3+ phosphor

LaF3:Er3+ phosphor is synthesized through chemical precipitation method and its upconversion (UC) emission studies have carried out using 532-nm excitation. Phosphor has shown two-photon absorption UV bands at the 325 nm, 342 nm, 383 nm, 403 nm and 411 nm wavelengths. At relatively higher excitation powers multi-phonon assisted energy migration from 2H11/2 (4S3/2) level to the upper 4F3/2, 4F5/2 and 4F7/2 levels has observed and this energy migration opened new channel of emission at 440 nm, 453 nm and 488 nm due to the 4F3/2→4I15/2, 4F5/2→4I15/2 and 4F7/2→4I15/2 transitions, respectively. Temperature dependent UC measurement is also done and observed emission pattern is correlated with the power dependence studies. Upconversion bands at 411 and 488 nm wavelengths have shown reversal in intensity as either excitation power or sample temperature is increased and hence these two bands are found to act as optical switch. Planck blackbody like continuum emission has also observed at higher excitation powers.

Prospects of nano-material in breast cancer management

Breast cancer evaluation and early diagnosis are core complexity worldwide and an ambiguity for scientists till date. Nano-materials are innovative tools for rapid diagnosis and therapy, which may induce an immense result in the field of oncology. Their exceptional size-dependent properties make them special and superior materials and quite indispensable in several fields of the human activities. The major obstacle in finding cure for malignant breast cancer is to increase in development of resistances for tumors to the therapeutic treatments. The widespread mammo-graph particle is being developed by nations to diagnosis disease in primitive stage to decline the mortality rates caused by breast carcinoma. The advancement of nano-particle based diagnostic tools facilitates in evaluation and provides encouraging development in breast cancer therapeutics. In this compact review, efforts have been made to compose the current advancements in the area of functional nano-particles. Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro applications of nano-materials in breast cancer management are also discussed.

Role of replication protein A in double holliday junction dissolution mediated by the BLM-Topo IIIα-RMI1-RMI2 protein complex

The conserved BTR complex, composed of the Bloom's syndrome helicase (BLM), topoisomerase IIIα, RMI1, and RMI2, regulates homologous recombination in favor of non-crossover formation via the dissolution of the double Holliday Junction (dHJ). Here we show enhancement of the BTR-mediated dHJ dissolution reaction by the heterotrimeric single-stranded DNA binding protein replication protein A (RPA). Our results suggest that RPA acts by sequestering a single-stranded DNA intermediate during dHJ dissolution. We provide evidence that RPA physically interacts with RMI1. The RPA interaction domain in RMI1 has been mapped, and RMI1 mutants impaired for RPA interaction have been generated. Examination of these mutants ascertains the significance of the RMI1-RPA interaction in dHJ dissolution. Our results thus implicate RPA as a cofactor of the BTR complex in dHJ dissolution.

Genetic diversity studies in pea (Pisum sativum L.) using simple sequence repeat markers

The genetic diversity among 28 pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes was analyzed using 32 simple sequence repeat markers. A total of 44 polymorphic bands, with an average of 2.1 bands per primer, were obtained. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.657 to 0.309 with an average of 0.493. The variation in genetic diversity among these cultivars ranged from 0.11 to 0.73. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) revealed 2 distinct clusters, I and II, comprising 6 and 22 genotypes, respectively. Cluster II was further differentiated into 2 subclusters, IIA and IIB, with 12 and 10 genotypes, respectively. Principal component (PC) analysis revealed results similar to those of UPGMA. The first, second, and third PCs contributed 21.6, 16.1, and 14.0% of the variation, respectively; cumulative variation of the first 3 PCs was 51.7%.

Identification of compatible bacterial and fungal isolate and their effectiveness against plant disease

Forty-three isolates of Trichoderma spp. and forty isolates of bacterial (fluorescent pseudomonads) biocontrol agents were isolated and evaluated for their relative biocontrol potential and thereafter development of mixed formulation of efficient compatible fungal and bacterial bio-agents. Different isolates of either Trichoderma or Pseudomonas exhibited differential antagonistic activity with different species of tested pathogens. Pseudomonas in general, suppressed the growth of Trichoderma under in-vitro conditions however, a few combinations were found compatible. Fungal isolate PBAT-43 (T. harzianum) and bacterial isolate PBAP-27 (P. fluorescens) emerged as most compatible and efficient and therefore were used for development of mixed formulation. Individual and mixed formulations were evaluated for their relative bio-efficacy under glass-house and field conditions. Mixed formulation exhibited increase in seed germination ranges from 25.5 - 72.11% and disease control 47.68- 76.00% in different crops as compared to control. Application of compatible mixture of fungal and bacterial biocontrol agents possessing various mechanism of pathogen suppression is suggested as a reliable and potential means of disease suppression.

A microfocus X-ray fluorescence beamline at Indus-2 synchrotron radiation facility

A microfocus X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy beamline (BL-16) at the Indian synchrotron radiation facility Indus-2 has been constructed with an experimental emphasis on environmental, archaeological, biomedical and material science applications involving heavy metal speciation and their localization. The beamline offers a combination of different analytical probes, e.g. X-ray fluorescence mapping, X-ray microspectroscopy and total-external-reflection fluorescence characterization. The beamline is installed on a bending-magnet source with a working X-ray energy range of 4-20 keV, enabling it to excite K-edges of all elements from S to Nb and L-edges from Ag to U. The optics of the beamline comprises of a double-crystal monochromator with Si(111) symmetric and asymmetric crystals and a pair of Kirkpatrick-Baez focusing mirrors. This paper describes the performance of the beamline and its capabilities with examples of measured results.

A preliminary clinical evaluation of external snehan and asanas in the patients of sciatica

Lower back pain radiating to either on one leg or both legs along the course of sciatic nerve is a common ailment in the clinical practice, this type of peculiar symptomatology is termed as "Sciatica" in modern medicine. The medical treatment is unsatisfactory for both the patient and the neurosurgeons, as the surgical treatment has its own hazards and the cost of the surgical procedure and medical treatment is prohibitory to most of the Indian patients. Hence, most of the patients present themselves to the practitioners of Indian medicines like Ayurveda and yoga. This study was designed to evaluate the preliminary clinical effects of Bahya Snehan and Asanas in the patients of sciatica. This was a prospective randomized active control trial. A total of 60 participants showing classical symptoms of Sciatica between 18 and 65 years of age were randomly assigned to receive Ayurvedic or Yogic measure. One group received Snehan (external) with Bhujang and Shalabh Asana while another group received Bhujang and Salabh Asana only. Both groups practiced supervised intervention for 4 weeks. The signs and symptoms like Katishool (pain), tenderness, Stambha (rigidity), difficulty in walking, pain on bending forward were graded and interpreted at the end of the trail Significant improvement was observed in both groups before and after external Snehan with Bhujang and Shalabh Asana and in another group Bhujang and Salabh Asana only. Conclusions: Both groups, one with Snehan with asanas and the second with asanas only showed significant improvement in the patients of sciatica (Gridhrasi).

Laser excited long lasting luminescence in CaAl₂O₄: Eu³⁺/Eu²⁺+Nd³⁺ phosphor

The europium and neodymium oxides doped nano-structured calcium aluminate phosphor samples have prepared through combustion technique and their luminescence properties are studied using laser excitations. Samples prepared in open atmosphere showed the presence of both Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) states and their ratio changes with calcination temperature. Single Eu(3+)/Eu(2+) ions doped sample has found to give broad emission at 450 nm without the persistence glow while the Eu(3+)+Nd(3+) ions codoped sample has shown persistence glow at 450 nm (Eu(2+)) on 355 nm laser excitation. Wavelength selective excitations show that 266 nm excitation gives the intense emissions from both Eu(3+) and Eu(2+) states with no afterglow but 355 nm excitation gives negligible emission from Eu(3+) ions and a strong afterglow at 450 nm wavelength. The mechanism of wavelength dependent phosphorescence has been discussed. Studies on Stark splittings and their relative intensities in emission spectra of Eu(3+) ions have shown that Eu(3+) ion can be used as excellent probe of crystal structure.

Effect of mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation on growth, reproductive performance and adaptive capability of Malpura ewes subjected to heat stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mineral and antioxidant supplementation on growth, reproductive performance and physiological adaptability of heat-stressed Malpura ewes. The study was conducted for a period of 21 days in 21 adult Malpura ewes. The ewes were randomly divided into three groups with seven animals each viz. GI (control; n = 7), GII (heat stress; n = 7) and GIII (heat stress + mineral and antioxidant supplementation; n = 7). The animals were stall fed ad libitum with the diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. GI ewes were maintained under normal controlled condition in the shed, while GII and GIII ewes were subjected to heat stress by exposing them to 42 °C in the climatic chamber. The parameters studied were feed intake (FI), water intake (WI), body weight, body condition score (BCS), physiological, biochemical and endocrine responses. Heat stress significantly altered FI, water intake, BCS, respiration rate and rectal temperature in the afternoon, oestrus duration, estradiol, progesterone, Hb, PCV, plasma glucose, total protein, cortisol, T3 and T4 levels while mineral and antioxidant supplementation ameliorated this heat stress effect on the parameters studied. Further, the adverse effect of heat stress on the productive and reproductive efficiency of Malpura ewes was reduced considerably by mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation. This is evident from the non-significant difference in BCS, oestrus duration and plasma estradiol between GI and GIII in this study. Hence, it is very pertinent to conclude from this study that mineral mixture and antioxidant supplementation were able to protect Malpura ewes against heat stress.

Validation of Tanaka and Johnston's analysis in western UP Indian population

OBJECTIVE

To examine the applicability of the Tanaka and Johnston's method of prediction in a western UP population and to develop a new prediction method for this specific population if necessary.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 western UP school children (87 males and 63 females) with a mean age of 15.5 years were randomly selected. The mesio-distal crown diameters of the permanent canine and premolars were measured and comparisons were done between the actual tooth sizes and the values predicted by the Tanaka and Johnston method.

RESULTS

Significant sexual dimorphism was found in the tooth sizes. There were significant differences between the actual measurements and the predicted measurements derived by the Tanaka and Johnston prediction method. New linear regression equations were derived for both the genders for tooth size prediction in western UP population.

CONCLUSION

There are limitations in the application of the Tanaka and Johnston's prediction method to a western UP population. A gender discrepancy is seen between the males and the females. New regression equations were formulated for both the males and the females separately.

Planting geometry to optimize growth and productivity in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and soil fertility

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) responses to alteration of its ambient environment leads to certain modification in the crop phenology, yield attributes and economic yield. To know the extent and pattern of response by faba bean to alterations, a two year field experimentation was carried out with two crop establishment methods (i) flatbed planting (ii) raised bed planting, four planting geometry (i) 30 x 20 cm(ii) 30 x 30 cm (iii) 30 x 45 cm and (iv) 45X45cm and three seeding depth. All the treatment (two crop establishment methods, four planting geometry and three seeding depth) were combined together consisting twenty four treatments, were organized in factorial experiment in complete randomized block design (CRBD) with three replications. Data were recorded on growth and development; yield attributes and yield. Soil analysis was done and finally statistical tool were applied to come in to valid conclusion. Raised bed planting proves superior over flatbed in case of seed yield. Square planting architect with 30 cm apart prove better (3690.9 kg ha(-1)) than other tested planting geometry. Seeding at 10 cm depth showed, significant improvement in seed yield per plant and per ha over other two tested seeding depth. Phosphorus availability was significantly higher in raised bed planting (36.9 kg ha(-1)). However, available K (kg ha(-1)) was significantly influenced by planting geometry and seeding depth. It was maximum (155.2 kg ha(-1)) with 30 x 45 cm plant geometry, proved significantly higher than 30 x 20 cm and 30 x 30 cm and at par with 45 x 45 cm planting.

Tobacco addiction augments obesity and carcinogenesis: Matter of concern for Indian patients

Purpose:

Patients and Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Role of serotonin in seasonal affective disorder

This review was prepared with an aim to show role of serotonin in seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder, which is also called as winter depression or winter blues, is mood disorder in which persons with normal mental health throughout most of the year will show depressive symptoms in the winter or, less commonly, in the summer. Serotonin is an important endogenous neurotransmitter which also acts as neuromodulator. The least invasive, natural, and researched treatment of seasonal affective disorder is natural or otherwise is light therapy. Negative air ionization, which acts by liberating charged particles on the sleep environment, has also become effective in treatment of seasonal affective disorder.  

Development of soya milk extender for semen cryopreservation of Karan Fries (crossbreed cattle)

Egg yolk based semen extenders are used widely, with the potential risk of xenobiotic contamination. This study was designed to develop a soya milk based extender to substitute egg yolk based extender for bovine semen cryopreservation. In the first experiment soya milk was prepared from fresh soya bean (Glycine max). Concentration of soya milk in tris based extender was standardized based on quality parameters of spermatozoa during liquid preservation at 5°C up to 72 h and compared with egg yolk tris (EYT) extender. Sperm in soya milk tris (SMT) extender with 25 percent soya milk showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences in all the quality parameters like motility, viability, membrane integrity and acrosome integrity, as compared to sperm in EYT extender up to 72h in liquid dilution. In the second experiment the Karan Fries semen was cryopreserved in SMT extender with 25 percent soya milk (selected from the first experiment) using different concentration of glycerol, as cryoprotectant, ranging from 6-7 percent with a difference of 0.2 percent to standardize optimum concentration based on post thaw motility of spermatozoa. Glycerol at a final concentration of 6.4 percent was found to be the best among all. Further, semen samples were split and cryopreserved in newly developed SMT extender containing 6.4 percent glycerol and compared with conventional EYT extender for post thaw sperm quality parameters and degree of cryocapacitation. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between sperm in EYT extender and SMT extender for post thaw motility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity and cryocapacitation. In conclusion, the newly developed SMT extender maintained comparable semen quality as compared to EYT extender hence it can.

Bioethics: a new frontier of biological science

New researches in the field of biological sciences are creating new problems which were hitherto not faced. New techniques in biotechnology have paved way for transplantation for kidney, heart and liver successfully. In vitro fertilization, surrogate mothership, researches in totipotent stem cells which are capable of cloning are creating moral dilemma for the scientists. These techniques have immense capacity for the wellness of human beings. But there is every possibility of their misuse. Should researches in biotechnology be allowed unconditionally or there be some guiding principles? If the technique of cloning is perfected what will be the fate of the society which is based on conjugal love and trust? Should abortion and euthanasia be allowed? These questions need a clear answer. Here comes the role of bioethics to deal with such queries. In our view no such laws can be framed which can guide scientists in each and every case. Each case is specific and requires particular attention. There should be some norms for individual decision taker which are given in spiritual book of Hindu 'ShrimadBhagavataGeeta'With the help of this technique of decision making specific cases can be dealt with.

Skin substitutes: An Indian perspective

There have been numerous alternatives developed to replace skin. These can either be permanent substitutes or temporary substitutes, which need to be replaced later by autologous grafts. These have been tried in recent times as an attempt to reduce the need or in the case of permanent substitutes ,altogether replace autologous skin grafts. However till date no ideal skin substitute has been developed. Various factors have to be considered while choosing one of these substitutes. In a developing country like India awareness and availability of these skin substitutes is not adequate considering the volume of cases that require this modality of treatment. Also there are skin substitutes developed in our country that need to be highlighted. This article is an attempt to review the vast array of skin substitutes that have been developed and consider their utility and feasibility for developing countries.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor for Detection of Bacillus anthracis, the Causative Agent of Anthrax from Soil Samples Targeting Protective Antigen

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax is one of the most important biological warfare agents. In this study, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology was used for indirect detection of B. anthracis by detecting protective antigen (PA), a common toxin produced by all live B. anthracis bacteria. For development of biosensor, a monoclonal antibody raised against B. anthracis PA was immobilized on carboxymethyldextran modified gold chip and its interaction with PA was characterized in situ by SPR and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. By using kinetic evaluation software, KD (equilibrium constant) and Bmax (maximum binding capacity of analyte) were found to be 20 fM and 18.74, respectively. The change in Gibb's free energy (∆G = -78.04 kJ/mol) confirmed the spontaneous interaction between antigen and antibody. The assay could detect 12 fM purified PA. When anthrax spores spiked soil samples were enriched, PA produced in the sample containing even a single spore of B. anthracis could be detected by SPR. PA being produced only by the vegetative cells of B. anthracis, confirms indirectly the presence of B. anthracis in the samples. The proposed method can be a very useful tool for screening and confirmation of anthrax suspected environmental samples during a bio-warfare like situation.

Rhinolith: An unusual presentation

A case of rhinolith in a 60 years old male prsenting with palatal performation is, presented alongwith a brief discussion on the pathogenesis and treatment.