Study on Myocardial Infarction in Young Adults: Risk Factor Analysis

Coronary heart disease (CHD) imposes a significant burden on health care systems because of high morbidity and mortality. There is documented evidence that South Asian people develop CHD at a higher rate and at an early age. If the affected individual is 40 years old or below, the tragic consequences are catastrophic. Identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of risk factors in young patients with acute myocardial infarction and thus with ischemic heart disease (IHD) aged 40 years and below in our population. It was a descriptive observational study which was carried out at Coronary Care Unit of Rajshahi Medical college Hospital, Rajshahi, Bangladesh in 61 patients from January 2011 to June 2011. All patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria admitted to coronary care unit (CCU) with a diagnosis of Acute MI were included. Their detailed history was then taken including symptoms at presentation and their risk factors were assessed according to the Framingham Risk Scoring System with the help of history and laboratory investigations. Mean age ±SD of the patients was 36±3.7 year. Most of the patients were male. Smoking was the major risk factor (73.8%) followed by family history of IHD (44.3%). Other risk factors were dyslipidaemia (39.35%), hypertension (37.7%), obesity (11.5%) and diabetes mellitus (8.2%). Majority of the patients were adopted in sedentary lifestyle. 91.8% patient presented with chest pain. Other symptoms were dyspnoea (37.7%), palpitation (59.0%), sweating (77.0%), nausea, vomiting (50.8%) and impaired consciousness (19.7%) etc. Most frequent risk factor for acute myocardial infarction (MI) at young age is smoking followed by family history of MI and dyslipidaemia. Majority of the patients had two or more than two identifiable antecedent risk factors.

Structural Determination of Lysine-Linked Cisplatin Complexes via IRMPD Action Spectroscopy: NNs and NO- Binding Modes of Lysine to Platinum Coexist

Despite its success as an anticancer drug, cisplatin suffers from resistance and produces side effects. To overcome these limitations, amino-acid-linked cisplatin analogues have been investigated. Lysine-linked cisplatin, Lysplatin, (Lys)PtCl₂, exhibited outstanding reactivity toward DNA and RNA that differs from that of cisplatin. To gain insight into its differing reactivity, the structure of Lysplatin is examined here using infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy. To probe the influence of the local chemical environment on structure, the deprotonated and sodium-cationized Lysplatin complexes are examined. Electronic structure calculations are performed to explore possible modes of binding of Lys to Pt, their relative stabilities, and to predict their infrared spectra. Comparisons of the measured IRMPD and predicted IR spectra elucidate the structures contributing to the experimental spectra. Coexistence of two modes of binding of Lys to Pt is found where Lys binds via the backbone and side-chain amino nitrogen atoms, NN_s, or to the backbone amino and carboxylate oxygen atoms, NO^-. Glycine-linked cisplatin and arginine-linked cisplatin complexes have previously been found to bind only via the NO^- binding mode. Present results suggest that the NN_s binding conformers may be key to the outstanding reactivity of Lysplatin toward DNA and RNA.

Antimicrobial Resistance of E Coli Causing Urinary Tract Infection in Bangladesh

Rapid spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms is a matter of great concern throughout the glove including Bangladesh. The objective was to identify the causative organisms for urinary tract infection (UTI) and their sensitivity patterns to antibiotics. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on patients admitted with UTI (n=60) at a tertiary level hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh from March 2019 to September 2019. Data were collected through clinical record reviews. Data of all these 60 cases were analyzed for socio-demographic characteristics. Of the 60 patients, culture and sensitivity report was available for 42 patients. Therefore, data were further analyzed for these 42 cases. Median age of patients was 35 years and 80% were female. The main organisms isolated from urine culture of UTI patients were E. coli (64%), Klebsiella (12%) and Enterococci species (10%). Susceptibility to antibiotics was analyzed only for E. coli (n=27) since the number of isolates of other organisms were small. E. coli was found to be resistant to most of the first- and second-line antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin (100%), Amoxyclav (72%), Co-trimoxazole (89%), Nalidixic acid (78%), Ceftazidim (94%), Ceftriaxone (73%), Cefuroxime (100%), Ciprofloxacin (59%), Cephotaxime (80%), Cefixime (100%) and Moxifloxacin (100%). E. coli was the predominant organism responsible for UTI and was resistant to most of the first- and second-line antibiotics. Immediate action is needed to develop empirical guideline for empirical management of UTI and establish surveillance system for monitoring.

Prolonged Jaundice in a Patient with Coexisting Hepatitis A Virus Infection and Wilson's Disease

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis in the world. Infection with hepatitis A virus can cause severe or even fatal illness in patients with chronic liver disease. Here we present a case which seems to be an isolated acute viral hepatitis A infection at the beginning but later found to be coexisted with Wilson's disease. A 14-year-old girl presented in the Department of Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh on 11th April 2019 with progressive jaundice with prodrome, dark urine, itching, hepatomegaly and thyromegaly. She was found positive for serum IgM HAV antibody. Her jaundice was increasing along with prolonged prothrombin time and low albumin. She had coexisting Wilson's disease evidenced by increased 24 hours urinary copper (138μgm/day). She was treated with D-Penicillamine and Zinc acetate. Hepatitis A can be considered as a factor for acute decompensation in undiagnosed patients with Wilson's disease. So it is very crucial to investigate Wilson's disease in appropriate clinical setting of prolonged jaundice and liver dysfunction.

Exponentially Complex "Classically Entangled" States in Arrays of One-Dimensional Nonlinear Elastic Waveguides

We demonstrate theoretically, using multiple-time-scale perturbation theory, the existence of nonseparable superpositions of elastic waves in an externally driven elastic system composed of three one-dimensional elastic wave guides coupled via nonlinear forces. The nonseparable states span a Hilbert space with exponential complexity. The amplitudes appearing in the nonseparable superposition of elastic states are complex quantities dependent on the frequency of the external driver. By tuning these complex amplitudes, we can navigate the state's Hilbert space. This nonlinear elastic system is analogous to a two-partite two-level quantum system.

Molecular Detection and Differentiation of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex and Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium in the Clinical Specimens by Real Time PCR

Mycobacteria are subdivided into three groups: the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, the non-tuberculous mycobacteria called NTM or MOTT (Mycobacteria Other Than Tuberculosis) and Mycobacterium leprae. Over the past few decades, the incidence of infections caused by NTM has increased world wide. The differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex from NTM is of primary importance for infection control and choice of antimicrobial therapy. However, there is so far no report in Bangladesh about the detection of NTM and hence differentiation of MTB and NTM. Neither acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining nor histopathology can discriminate MTB and NTM. In order to detect and differentiate Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and NTM we used commercially available LyteStar TB/NTM Real Time PCR kit (Altona Diagnostics, Germany) and analyzed 782 clinical specimens from tuberculosis suspected patients. We have found 49 MTB and 74 NTM positive samples from variety of clinical specimens such as sputum, bronchial lavages, body fluids, tissues, needle aspirates and swabs. Many of the PCR positive specimens were AFB negative on direct microscopic examination thus, indicating strong sensitivity of PCR than AFB staining. This is the first report in the country about detection of NTM and it warrants further elaborate investigation. Moreover, our results showed that multiplex real-time PCR assay is an effective sensitive tool for the rapid identification and differentiation of MTB and NTM directly from clinical specimens.

Highly conserved regions in Ebola virus RNA dependent RNA polymerase may be act as a universal novel peptide vaccine target: a computational approach

Purpose

Ebola virus (EBOV) is such kind of virus which is responsible for 23,825 cases and 9675 deaths worldwide only in 2014 and with an average diseases fatality rate between 25 % and 90 %. Although, medical technology has tried to handle the problems, there is no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved therapeutics or vaccines available for the prevention, post exposure, or treatment of Ebola virus disease (EVD).

Methods

In the present study, we used the immunoinformatics approach to design a potential epitope-based vaccine against the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase-L of EBOV. BioEdit v7.2.3 sequence alignment editor, Jalview v2 and CLC Sequence Viewer v7.0.2 were used for the initial sequence analysis for securing the conservancy from the sequences. Later the Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource (IEDB-AR) was used for the identification of T-cell and B-cellepitopes associated with type I and II major histocompatibility complex molecules analysis. Finally, the population coverage analysis was employed.

Results

The core epitope “FRYEFTAPF” was found to be the most potential one, with 100 % conservancy among all the strains of EBOV. It also interacted with both type I and II major histocompatibility complex molecules and is considered as nonallergenic in nature. Finally, with impressive cumulative population coverage of 99.87 % for the both MHC-I and MHC-II class throughout the world population was found for the proposed epitope.

Conclusion

To end, the projected peptide gave us a solid stand to propose for vaccine consideration and that might be experimented for its potency in eliciting immunity through humoral and cell mediated immune responses in vitro and in vivo.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40203-015-0011-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Design of Potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) Molecules for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Gene Silencing by Computational Method

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a virus that manifests itself in viral infection with fever, cough, shortness of breath, renal failure and severe acute pneumonia, which often result in a fatal outcome. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed and is irredeemable with present technology. Genetic studies on MERS-CoV have shown that ORF1ab encodes replicase polyproteins and play a foremost role in viral infection. Therefore, ORF1ab replicase polyprotein may be used as a suitable target for disease control. Viral activity can be controlled by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, a leading method for post transcriptional gene silencing in a sequence-specific manner. However, there is a genetic inconsistency in different viral isolates; it is a great challenge to design potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) molecules which can silence the respective target genes rather than any other viral gene simultaneously. In the current study, four effective miRNA and five siRNA molecules for silencing of nine different strains of MERS-CoV were rationally designed and corroborated using computational methods, which might lead to knockdown the activity of virus. siRNA and miRNA molecules were predicted against ORF1ab gene of different strains of MERS-CoV as effective candidate using computational methods. Thus, this method may provide an insight for the chemical synthesis of antiviral RNA molecule for the treatment of MERS-CoV, at genomic level.

In Silico Structural and Functional Annotation of Hypothetical Proteins of Vibrio cholerae O139

In developing countries threat of cholera is a significant health concern whenever water purification and sewage disposal systems are inadequate. Vibrio cholerae is one of the responsible bacteria involved in cholera disease. The complete genome sequence of V. cholerae deciphers the presence of various genes and hypothetical proteins whose function are not yet understood. Hence analyzing and annotating the structure and function of hypothetical proteins is important for understanding the V. cholerae. V. cholerae O139 is the most common and pathogenic bacterial strain among various V. cholerae strains. In this study sequence of six hypothetical proteins of V. cholerae O139 has been annotated from NCBI. Various computational tools and databases have been used to determine domain family, protein-protein interaction, solubility of protein, ligand binding sites etc. The three dimensional structure of two proteins were modeled and their ligand binding sites were identified. We have found domains and families of only one protein. The analysis revealed that these proteins might have antibiotic resistance activity, DNA breaking-rejoining activity, integrase enzyme activity, restriction endonuclease, etc. Structural prediction of these proteins and detection of binding sites from this study would indicate a potential target aiding docking studies for therapeutic designing against cholera.

A Systematic Study on Structure and Function of ATPase of Wuchereria bancrofti

BACKGROUND

Analyzing the structures and functions of different proteins of Wuchereria bancrofti is very important because till date no effective drug or vaccine has been discovered to treat lymphatic filariasis (LF). ATPase is one of the most important proteins of Wuchereria bancrofti. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) converts into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and a free phosphate ion by the action of these ATPase enzymes. Energy releases from these dephosphorylation reactions drive the other chemical reactions in the cell.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study we worked on the protein ATPase of Wuchereria bancrofti which has been annotated from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Various computational tools and databases have been used to determine the various characteristics of that enzyme such as physiochemical properties, secondary structure, three-dimensional (3D) structure, conserved domain, epitope, and their molecular evolutionary relationship.

RESULT

Subcellular localization of ATPase was identified and we have found that 55.5% are localized in the cytoplasm. Secondary and 3D structure of this protein was also predicted. Both structure and function analysis of ATPase of Wuchereria bancrofti showed unique nonhomologous epitope sites and nonhomologous antigenicity sites. Moreover, it resulted in 15 ligand drug-binding sites in its tertiary structure.

CONCLUSION

Structure prediction of these proteins and detection of binding sites and antigenicity sites from this study would indicate a potential target aiding docking studies for therapeutic designing against filariasis.

The influence of central neuropathic pain in paraplegic patients on performance of a motor imagery based Brain Computer Interface

•

Motor imagery based BCI-classifier built on EEG data of paraplegic patients, gives higher classification accuracy in patients with central neuropathic pain compared to patients with no chronic pain.

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Higher BCI classification accuracy in paraplegic patients with central neuropathic pain is accompanied with stronger event related desynchronisation during motor imagery.

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BCI classification accuracy between feet and a hand was comparable with classification accuracy between hands, in all three groups of participants.

Objective

The aim of this study was to test how the presence of central neuropathic pain (CNP) influences the performance of a motor imagery based Brain Computer Interface (BCI).

Methods

In this electroencephalography (EEG) based study, we tested BCI classification accuracy and analysed event related desynchronisation (ERD) in 3 groups of volunteers during imagined movements of their arms and legs. The groups comprised of nine able-bodied people, ten paraplegic patients with CNP (lower abdomen and legs) and nine paraplegic patients without CNP. We tested two types of classifiers: a 3 channel bipolar montage and classifiers based on common spatial patterns (CSPs), with varying number of channels and CSPs.

Results

Paraplegic patients with CNP achieved higher classification accuracy and had stronger ERD than paraplegic patients with no pain for all classifier configurations. Highest 2-class classification accuracy was achieved for CSP classifier covering wider cortical area: 82 ± 7% for patients with CNP, 82 ± 4% for able-bodied and 78 ± 5% for patients with no pain.

Conclusion

Presence of CNP improves BCI classification accuracy due to stronger and more distinct ERD.

Significance

Results of the study show that CNP is an important confounding factor influencing the performance of motor imagery based BCI based on ERD.

Design of potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) molecules for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) gene silencing by computational method

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a virus that manifests itself in viral infection with fever, cough, shortness of breath, renal failure and severe acute pneumonia, which often result in a fatal outcome. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed and is irredeemable with present technology. Genetic studies on MERS-CoV have shown that ORF 1ab encodes replicase polyproteins and play a foremost role in viral infection. Therefore, ORF 1ab replicase polyprotein may be used as suitable target for disease control. Viral activity can be controlled by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, a leading method for post transcriptional gene silencing in a sequence specific manner. However, there is a genetic inconsistency in different viral isolates; it is a great challenge to design potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) molecules which can silence the respective target genes rather than any other viral gene simultaneously. In current study four effective miRNA and five siRNA molecules for silencing of nine different strains of MERS-CoV were rationally designed and corroborated using computational methods, which might lead to knockdown the activity of virus. siRNA and miRNA molecules were predicted against ORF1ab gene of different strains of MERS-CoV as effective candidate using computational methods. Thus, this method may provide an insight for the chemical synthesis of antiviral RNA molecule for the treatment of MERS-CoV, at genomic level.

Design of potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) molecules for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) gene silencing by computational method

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a virus that manifests itself in viral infection with fever, cough, shortness of breath, renal failure and severe acute pneumonia, which often result in a fatal outcome. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed and is irredeemable with present technology. Genetic studies on MERS-CoV have shown that ORF 1ab encodes replicase polyproteins and play a foremost role in viral infection. Therefore, ORF 1ab replicase polyprotein may be used as suitable target for disease control. Viral activity can be controlled by RNA interference (RNAi) technology, a leading method for post transcriptional gene silencing in a sequence specific manner. However, there is a genetic inconsistency in different viral isolates; it is a great challenge to design potential RNAi (miRNA and siRNA) molecules which can silence the respective target genes rather than any other viral gene simultaneously. In current study four effective miRNA and five siRNA molecules for silencing of nine different strains of MERS-CoV were rationally designed and corroborated using computational methods, which might lead to knockdown the activity of virus. siRNA and miRNA molecules were predicted against ORF1ab gene of different strains of MERS-CoV as effective candidate using computational methods. Thus, this method may provide an insight for the chemical synthesis of antiviral RNA molecule for the treatment of MERS-CoV, at genomic level.

Comparative assessment on in vitro antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of Averrhoa bilimbi, Gymnema sylvestre and Capsicum frutescens

Background:

Averrhoa bilimbi, Gymnema sylvestre and Capsicum frutescens are medicinal plants commonly used as traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant activities of Ethanolic extract of A. bilimbi, G. sylvestre and C. frutescens.

Materials and Methods:

The antioxidant activity of the extracts were evaluated using total phenolic and flavonoid contents, ferric reducing power and the free radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).

Results:

Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in G. sylvestre (53.63636 ± 0.454545 mg/g gallic acid equivalent) and C. frutescens (26.66667 ± 2.081666 mg/g quercetin equivalent) respectively. Reducing power of the crude ethanol extracts increased with the concentrations of the extracts and all the extracts showed moderate free radical scavenging activity against DPPH. The plant extract displayed moderate phenolic and flavonoid contents compared to gallic acid and quercetin equivalent respectively, whereas also exhibited significant scavenging of DPPH radical and reducing power compared with ascorbic acid as standard.

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that G. sylvestre has significant antioxidant activity. The antioxidant compound of this plant might be a therapeutic candidate against oxidative stress related diseases. Different sub-fraction of A. bilimbi and C. frutescens should be studied further to assess the effect. Further study is necessary for isolation and characterization of the active antioxidant agents for better treatment.

In Silico Molecular Characterization of Cysteine Protease YopT from Yersinia pestis by Homology Modeling and Binding Site Identification

Plague is a major health concern and Yersinia pestis plays the central causal role in this disease. Yersinia pestis has developed resistance against the commonly available drugs. So, it is now a key concern to find a new drug target. Cysteine protease YopT enzyme is an important factor used by Yersinia pestis for pathogenesis in its host and it has the anti-phagocytic function of removal of C-termini lipid modification. The 3D structure of cysteine protease YopT of Yersinia pestis was determined by means of homology modeling through multiple alignments followed by intensive optimization and validation. The modeling was done by Phyre 2 and refined by ModRefiner. The obtained model was verified with structure validation programs such as PROCHECK, verify 3D and ERRAT for reliability. Interacting partners and active sites were also determined. PROCHECK analysis showed that 93% of the residues are in the most favored region, 5.9% are in the additional allowed region and 1.1% are in the generously allowed region of the Ramachandran plot. The verify 3D value of 0.78 indicates that the environmental profile of the model is good. SOPMA is employed for calculation of the secondary structural features of cysteine protease YopT. Active site determination through CASTp proposes that this protein can be utilized as a potential drug target. However, these findings should further be confirmed by wet lab studies for a targeted therapeutic agent design against Yersinia pestis.

Isolation of Aeromonas hydrophila from EUS Affected Shing Heteropneustes fossilis of a Fish Farm in Mymensingh

Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria was isolated from the suspected EUS-affected shing fish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). The disease investigations were primarily based on clinical signs and subsequently confirmed by the isolation of bacterial pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila from lesion of liver and kidney. The A. hydrophila isolates were identified by a series of morphological, physiological and biochemical tests. The total bacterial load in liver, intestine and kidney were 1.67 × 104 to 6.46 × 108 CFU/g, 1.71 × 103 to 1.18 × 109 CFU/g and 1.47 × 104 to 3.70 × 108 CFU/g respectively.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i1.17362 Progress. Agric. 19(1): 117 - 124, 2008 

A computational assay to design an epitope-based Peptide vaccine against saint louis encephalitis virus

Saint Louis encephalitis virus, a member of the flaviviridae subgroup, is a culex mosquito-borne pathogen. Despite severe epidemic outbreaks on several occasions, not much progress has been made with regard to an epitope-based vaccine designed for Saint Louis encephalitis virus. The envelope proteins were collected from a protein database and analyzed with an in silico tool to identify the most immunogenic protein. The protein was then verified through several parameters to predict the T-cell and B-cell epitopes. Both T-cell and B-cell immunity were assessed to determine that the protein can induce humoral as well as cell-mediated immunity. The peptide sequence from 330-336 amino acids and the sequence REYCYEATL from the position 57 were found as the most potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes, respectively. Furthermore, as an RNA virus, one important thing was to establish the epitope as a conserved one; this was also done by in silico tools, showing 63.51% conservancy. The epitope was further tested for binding against the HLA molecule by computational docking techniques to verify the binding cleft epitope interaction. However, this is a preliminary study of designing an epitope-based peptide vaccine against Saint Louis encephalitis virus; the results awaits validation by in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Beat-to-beat QT interval variability and T-wave amplitude in patients with myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of T-wave amplitude and ECG lead on beat-to-beat QT interval variability (QTV) in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) compared to healthy subjects. Standard resting 12-lead ECGs of 79 MI patients and 69 healthy subjects were investigated. Beat-to-beat QT intervals were measured separately for each lead using a template matching algorithm. In addition, we extracted the beat-to-beat T-wave amplitude in each lead. We computed the standard deviation of beat-to-beat QT intervals as a marker of QTV for both healthy subjects and MI patients. Significant QTV differences were observed between the 12 ECG leads as well as between the groups of healthy subjects and MI patients. Beat-to-beat QTV was significantly higher in MI patients than in healthy subjects for half of the leads. Furthermore, significant T-wave amplitude differences across leads and between groups were observed. A significant inverse relation between beat-to-beat QTV and T-wave amplitude was demonstrated. The group differences in QTV remained significant after co-varying for the T-wave amplitude. In conclusion, the increase in beat-to-beat QTV that has been repeatedly reported in patients with MI is partly due to the lower T-wave amplitudes. However, QTV remains significantly increased in MI patients after covarying for this effect.

Prevalence and determination of occupational diseases of

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ujzru.v31i0.15437Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 31, 2012 pp. 79-82

An in silico approach to design potential siRNA molecules for ICP22 (US1) gene silencing of different strains of human herpes simplex 1

BACKGROUND

The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) is a virus that manifests itself in viral infection with painful, watery blisters in the skin or on the genitals as well as mucous membrane such as the mouth or lips. During an outbreak, the disease is contagious particularly and is irredeemable with present technology. Genetic studies of HSV-1 have shown that ICP22 (US1) gene is an immediate early gene and is responsible for genome replication and also has contribution in viral infection.

METHOD

For disease diagnosis, ICP22 (US1) gene may be suitable target. Viral activity can be controlled through RNA interference technology, a significant method for the post-transcriptional gene silencing. However, in different viral isolates there is a genetic variability; it is very challenging to design possible siRNA molecules which can silence the respective target genes. The work was done by using various computational tools as similarity search, target alignment, secondary structure prediction and RNA interaction evaluation.

RESULT

In our study two effective siRNA molecules for ICP22 (US1) gene silencing of seven different strains of HSV-1 were rationally designed and authenticated using computational methods, which might lead to knockdown the viral activity.

CONCLUSION

siRNA molecules were foreseen against ICP22 (US1) gene of different strains of HSV-1 as effective aspirant using computational methods. Thus, the approach may deliver a vision for the chemical synthesis of antiviral RNA molecule for treatment of HSV-1, at genomic level.

Investigation on the Nitrogen Fixing Cyanobacteria (BGA) in Rice Fields of North-West Region of Bangladesh. I: Nonfilamentous

The experiment was conducted to carry out the nitrogen fixing cyanobaterial (BGA) resources and their distribution pattern in rice fields of North-West region of Bangladesh during the period of 2011. Considering the vast importance of Blue-green algae (BGA) in agricultural land especially in rice fields, twelve months long systematic observation was undertaken. A total of 15 genera with 42 species of non-filamentous (unicellular and colonial) blue-green algal forms were identified and recorded from this region. Out of 42 species, 9 species belonging to the genus Aphanocapsa, 8 to Chroococcus, 5 to Gloeocapsa, 4 to Aphanothece, 3 to Gloeothece, 3 to Merismopedia and 2 to Coelosphaerium; while 1 species belonging to each genus of Chroococcidiopsis, Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Dactylococcopsis, Microcystis, Myxosarcina, Hydrococcus and Xenococcus. The distribution pattern of non-filamentous BGA in rice fields over the study area has also been observed in this study. With few exceptions, the non-filamentous BGA are more or less uniformly distributed all over the study areas. All of the BGA members have a tremendous ability to contribute on enhancing agricultural production by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and adding organic matter, vitamins, growth promoting substances etc to the soil and crops.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i2.14812 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 185-192 2012

A Computational analysis on Lectin and Histone H1 protein of different pulse species as well as comparative study with rice for balanced diet

The issue of balanced nutrition is of great concern to human. Meat and fish are the best sources of protein. The affordability of these resources for people in developing countries is less. Thus, there is an increasing interest in pulses and its derivates as an alternative to fish and meat. Lectin and histone H1 are the most common proteins in various pulses and our interest is in identifying the dominant essential amino acids in them for use as supplements. However, actin and lectin are common among Oryza Sativa and cicer arietinum. We describe the amount of lectin and histone H1 in cicer arietinum, Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum in a comparative manner. cicer arietinum was found to contain more essential amino acids than Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum. The secondary structures of lectin and histone H1 protein were analyzed to gain functional inferences in these species. The comparative study shows the relatively poor presence of the amino acid methionine in most pulses. However, Oryza Sativa was found to contain sufficient methionine. The study shows that pulses (especially cicer arietinum) were a suitable alternative source to meat and fish for Lectin and Histone H1 balance. Hence, pulses could be suggested with rice for balanced protein diet.

Removal of chromium from aqueous waste solution using liquid emulsion membrane

This paper presents a comprehensive study in recovery of Cr (VI) from dilute HCl solution using liquid emulsion membrane (LEM). The liquid membrane is made up of Tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as a carrier, cyclohexane as an organic diluent, sodium hydroxide as a stripping solution and Span-80 (sorbitain monooleate) as an emulsifying agent. The selection of the extractant (TOPO) and the stripper (NaOH) was chosen on the basis of conventional liquid-liquid extraction studies. The important parameters affecting the permeation of Cr (VI) through the prepared membrane are hydrogen ion concentration in the external aqueous phase, stirring speed of mixing the two phases, type of diluents, carrier concentration, stripper concentration, membrane to feed ratio and volume fraction were systematically investigated. The effect of surfactant types and concentration on the stability of LEM were studied because of its important role in the permeation process.

Modeling of gadolinium recovery from nitrate medium with 8-hydroxyquinoline by emulsion liquid membrane

The extraction equilibrium of Gd(III) from nitrate medium by 8-hydroxyquinoline (HOX) in toluene was studied. Liquid-liquid investigations were first carried out. Based on the equilibrium results, the extraction of Gd(III) from aqueous nitrate medium into an emulsion liquid membrane system (ELM) containing 8-hydroxyquinoline in toluene as extractant, HNO(3) as stripping solution, Span-80 as surfactant was studied. The stability of the prepared ELM was studied in terms of the degree of membrane breakage. The different parameters affecting the permeation of gadolinium (III) were also studied. A general permeation model for the recovery of Gd(III) by the selected membrane is presented. The internal mass transfer in the water in oil (W/O) emulsion drop, the external mass transfer around the drop, the rates of formation and decomposition of the complex at the external aqueous-organic interface were considered.

Detection and Processing Techniques of FECG Signal for Fetal Monitoring

Fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) signal contains potentially precise information that could assist clinicians in making more appropriate and timely decisions during labor. The ultimate reason for the interest in FECG signal analysis is in clinical diagnosis and biomedical applications. The extraction and detection of the FECG signal from composite abdominal signals with powerful and advance methodologies are becoming very important requirements in fetal monitoring. The purpose of this review paper is to illustrate the various methodologies and developed algorithms on FECG signal detection and analysis to provide efficient and effective ways of understanding the FECG signal and its nature for fetal monitoring. A comparative study has been carried out to show the performance and accuracy of various methods of FECG signal analysis for fetal monitoring. Finally, this paper further focused some of the hardware implementations using electrical signals for monitoring the fetal heart rate. This paper opens up a passage for researchers, physicians, and end users to advocate an excellent understanding of FECG signal and its analysis procedures for fetal heart rate monitoring system.

EstimatingIn VivoAirway Surface Liquid Concentration in Trials of Inhaled Antibiotics

Antibiotic drugs exhibit concentration dependence in their efficacy. Therefore, ensuring appropriate concentration of these drugs in the relevant body fluid is important for obtaining the desired therapeutic and physiological action. Until recently there had been no suitable method available to measure or estimate concentration of drugs in the human airways resulting from inhaled aerosols or to determine the amount of inhaled antibiotics required to ensure minimum inhibitory concentration of a drug in the airway surface liquid (ASL). In this paper a numerical method is used for estimating local concentration of inhaled pharmaceutical aerosols in different generations of the human tracheobronchial airways. The method utilizes a mathematical lung deposition model to estimate amounts of aerosols depositing in different lung generations, and a recent ASL model along with deposition results to assess the concentration of deposited drugs immediately following inhalation. Examples of concentration estimates for two case studies: one for the antibiotic tobramycin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and another for taurolidine against Burkholderia cepacia are presented. The aerosol characteristics, breathing pattern and properties of nebulized solutions were adopted from two recent clinical studies on efficacy of these drugs in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and from other sources in the literature. While the clinically effective tobramycin showed a concentration higher than the required in vivo concentration, that for the ineffective taurolidine was found to be below the speculated required in vivo concentration. Results of this study thus show that the mathematical ASL model combined with the lung deposition model can be an effective tool for helping decide the optimum dosage of inhaled antibiotic drugs delivered during human clinical trials.

Childhood acute poisoning in a tertiary medical college hospital of Bangladesh

A total of 193(4.7%) cases of acute childhood poisoning admitted to paediatric Unit of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh over a period of two years were studied to see the age and sex distribution, ingredients used, seasonal variation etc. Out of them 107(55.4%) cases were male and rest 86(44.6%) were female. 01-03 years was the most vulnerable age group to be affected. Kerosene was the commonest form of ingredient to be used. Overall mortality rate was 4.66%. Childhood poisoning was a common Medical emergency with considerable morbidity and mortality. Parents should be educated to keep the kerosene out of reach of the children. So, that mortality and morbidity can be reduced to a great extent.

Growth status of Jordanian schoolchildren in military-funded schools

OBJECTIVE

To study the growth status of Jordanian boys and girls in comparison with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) growth charts.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND DATA COLLECTION: A total of 5826 boys and 1414 girls, aged 6.5-17.5 y, were included in the study. Height and weight were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m). Socioeconomic data were collected using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

The height-for-age values fluctuated between the 5th and 10th percentiles of the CDC for both sexes, and then after the age of 8.5 and 14.5 y for boys and girls, respectively, values were just above the 10th percentile. The body weight-for-age values were just above the 25th percentile for boys and fluctuated between the 25th and 50th percentiles for girls; then after the age of 14.5 and 12.5 y for boy and girls, respectively, values fluctuated between the 25th and 50th percentiles for boys and just above the 50th percentile for girls of the CDC values. BMI values for boys were just above the 50th percentile of the CDC and for girls values fluctuated between the 50th and 75th percentiles until the age of 13.5, then values matched the 75th percentile of the CDC.

CONCLUSION

The height of Jordanian children ranges from the 5th to the 10th percentile of the CDC reference values during schools years. Girls have a tendency toward obesity after puberty.

Partial lipodystrophy and rapidly progressive nephritis

We report the association of partial lipodystrophy (PL) and nephritis in an 11-year-old boy. He had symmetric absence of facial fat with retention of adipose tissue in the arms, chest, abdomen and hips associated with macroscopic hematuria, proteinuria combined with depression of the complement C3 level. The patient had rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) and the histopathological study showed findings of mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN) and crescents. We managed and followed up this patient for three years. At the last follow-up visit, he still has mild proteinuria and microscopic hematuria and stable renal function.

Wolfram's (DIDMOAD) Syndrome and Chronic Renal Failure

Wolfram's syndrome is usually considered as an autosomal recessive condition, with wide phenotypic variation. The syndrome is commonly called DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness), although some patients have additional clinical findings including ataxia, hypogonadism, hydronephrosis and psychiatric illnesses. We report a patient with DIDMOAD syndrome with emphasis on the urological tract and its progressive complications. Unfortunately, he developed end-stage renal failure and needed hemodialysis at the age of 14 years. The presentation, investigations and management are discussed.

Autoregressive moving average modeling for finger tapping with an external stimulus

We report the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA) structures of interresponse interval and interstimulus interval in rhythmic finger tapping and how tapping schemes arise from these structures. The interstimulus interval is chosen to be a metronome cue slightly perturbed from its periodic mode by a zero-mean sine-wave modulated sequence. These metronome sequences were chosen to follow an exact Autoregressive model of the third order and are generated using metronome interval durations of 400, 500, and 600 msec. At each frequency, four different perturbation rates were presented to seven subjects: 1, 3, 5, and 7% of the base interval. Synchronization error, i.e., tap-to-beat phase deviations, induced by these ARMA models are stable and thus were bounded. This framework is useful in characterizing the relationship between motor control variables, interresponse interval, synchronization error, and interstimulus interval. Also, several known models can be easily derived and analyzed in this setting.

Sertoli Cell Tumor of Testes in a Child with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

The Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is known to be commonly associated with ovarian tumors. However, its association with testicular tumors is uncommon. We report an eight-year old boy who presented with gynecomastia and had Sertoli cell tumor of both testes with high aromatase activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the seventh such case being reported in the literature and the presenting manifestation in all seven was gynecomastia.

Depth of epidural space in children

We have studied the depth of epidural space in 586 children who had lumbar epidural block as part of their anaesthetic management. The mean depth of epidural space in neonates was 1 cm (SD 0.2, range 0.4-1.5 cm). The depth of epidural space in older infants and children correlated significantly with age and weight with regression equations of depth (cm) = 1 + 0.15 x age (years) and depth (cm) = 0.8 + 0.05 x weight (kg) respectively.

A new technique for fibreoptic intubation in children

We describe a technique involving the use of a laryngeal mask airway, fibreoptic bronchoscope and a guide wire to manage the intubation of a child who was known to be a difficult intubation. The technique is simple, atraumatic, permits the use of an adult bronchoscope for infants and children, and allows control of the airway and ventilation throughout the period of intubation.

Isoflurane in labour

A comparison of the analgesic efficacy of Entonox (50% nitrous oxide in oxygen) and Entonox with 0.2% isoflurane was made in 18 consenting mothers during the first stage of labour. The inhalational gases were self-administered during contractions over a 3 h study period using a standard Entonox demand valve and breathing system. Isoflurane 0.2% was added from an Ohmeda Isotec drawover vaporizer and the inspired concentration of isoflurane was analysed continuously using a Datex Ultima analyser. Linear analogue scores for pain were significantly lower (p < 0.001) during the Entonox-isoflurane administration compared with Entonox alone. Drowsiness was not a clinical problem and there was a high acceptance rate for Entonox-isoflurane inhalational analgesia during labour.

Comparison of automatic oscillometric arterial pressure measurement with conventional auscultatory measurement in the labour ward

We have compared two non-invasive methods of arterial pressure (AP) measurement used in labour wards: an automatic oscillometric measurement obtained by Dinamap 1846, and a conventional auscultatory measurement obtained by midwives. A total of 369 AP measurements were recorded, involving 28 normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women during labour, with or without extradural analgesia. Compared with the midwife group, the Dinamap group had a greater systolic AP, by 2.7 mm Hg (P < 0.01) and smaller diastolic AP, by 9.8 mm Hg (P < 0.01). The correlations between the two methods were highly significant, but the limits of agreement were relatively wide for both systolic and diastolic AP measurements. We conclude that a clinically important difference exists in diastolic AP measurements. Dinamap diastolic AP must be corrected using a regression equation, or simply by adding 10 mm Hg, before being compared with the available normal and hypertensive AP values.