A thermal video database for studying deception in real life

In this paper, we have developed a database based on almost real-life theft incidents with due diligence using isolated subjects over a period of time at a government hospital under the plea of free health checkup. The experiment has been conducted at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India, with proper ethical committee approval. The participants are selected at the behest of the police department with habitual crime records. Most of them have been repeatedly charged with petty crimes of pick-pocketing and stealing. They are invited individually at different instances of time under the plea of medical checkup where they have been enticed to steal cash. It is followed by a two-stage process, a friendly interaction followed by a slightly tougher interrogation. Facial thermal imaging could be more effective as it is noninvasive and could be a stealth method of tracking the facial blood flow and temperature patterns.

Anti SARS-CoV 2 IgG antibody response in fully vaccinated Covishield (AZD1222) and Covaxin (BBV-152) recipients: a study done in southern part of West Bengal, India

Background and Objectives: Vaccination being the only way to reduce mortality from the dreaded COVID-19 disease, the vaccine was introduced in India as per the advice of the National Expert Group on January 16, 2021. Duration of immune response elicited by the vaccines has always been a matter of content.With new variants emerging every other day, the study was done to look for the antibody response in vaccine recipients post second dose of vaccination. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted from August 2021 to February 2022 in fully vaccinated individuals who tookeither Covishield (AZD1222) or Covaxin (BBV-152). Blood was collected from the individ- uals at 12-16 weeks post-vaccination to look for IgG antibodyresponse against S1 spike protein of SARS-CoV2 by ELISA. Follow-up was done at 32 weeks post the second dose in individuals who had received Covishield. Results: Among 176 individuals, IgG antibody against S1 spike protein was found to be positive in 89.7% (158). Covishield recipients showed higher antibodyresponse (99.1%) as compared to Covaxin recipients (71%). Antibody response was high- er in males, individuals less than 50 years, and non-comorbidindividuals. Of 38 Covishield recipients, IgG antibody response was positive in 28 (73.6%) individuals when followed up at 32 weeks post the second vaccination dose. Conclusion: The study gives us input with regard to the long-term antibody kinetics of both vaccines. The study has a follow-up plan to co-relate the antibody response to the neutralization test.

Escherichia coli, a common constituent of benign prostate hyperplasia-associated microbiota induces inflammation and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

The role of microbiota in the pathophysiology of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), especially in creating an inflammatory milieu may not be avoided. The major objectives of this study were to investigate the microbial composition of BPH tissues, its association with inflammation and check the effect of clinically isolated bacteria on prostate epithelial cells.

METHODS

The study includes 36 patients with a pathological diagnosis of BPH. Following strict aseptic measures, tissues were collected after transurethral resection of prostate, multiple pieces of the resected tissues were subjected to histopathological analysis, bacterial culture and genomic DNA extraction. Microbial composition was analyzed by culture and/or next-generation sequencing methods. Annotation of operational taxonomy unit has been done with an in-house algorithm. The extent of inflammation was scored through histological evaluation of tissue sections. The effect of clinical isolates on nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity and induction of DNA-damage in the prostate epithelial cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

Histopathological analysis of the BPH tissues showed the presence of inflammation in almost all the tissues with a varied level at different regions of the same tissue section and the level of overall inflammation was different from patients to patients. Microbial culture of tissue samples showed the presence of live bacteria in 55.5% (20 out of 36) of the patient tissues. Majority of the isolates were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, E. coli and Micrococcus spp. Further, V3 16S rRNA sequencing of the DNA isolated from BPH tissues showed the presence of multiple bacteria and the most common phylum in the BPH tissues were found to be Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. The E. coli, isolated from one of the tissue was able to activate NF-κB and induce DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells. Phospho-histone γH2A.X staining confirmed the presence of cells with damaged DNA lesion in BPH tissues and also correlated with the severity of inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Our study has shown that the BPH tissues do have a divergent microbial composition including the commonly found E. coli (phylum Proteobacteria), and these bacteria might contribute to the BPH-associated inflammation and/or tissue damage. The BPH-associated E. coli induced NF-κB signaling and DNA damage in prostate epithelial cells in vitro.

Atypical presentation of atypical mycobacteria in atypical diabetes

A 45-year-old, non-obese male presented with low-grade, remittent fever and a fluctuant swelling over the posterior aspect of his lower left flank. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis, raised ESR, hyperglycemia and raised HbA1C levels. Light microscopy of Ziehl–Neelsen-stained pus sample revealed numerous acid-fast bacilli. After 72 h of incubating aspirated pus in Löwenstein–Jensen media, non-pigmented, cream-colored colonies were observed, suggestive of rapid-growing atypical forms of mycobacteria. Polymerase chain reaction of isolated bacteria identified Mycobacterium chelonae as causative organism. Abdominal skiagram revealed extensive pancreatic intraductal calcifications suggestive of fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes and lumbar vertebral body destruction with evidence of paravertebral abscess. The patient was prescribed a split-mixed insulin regimen, clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin with complete resolution of the subcutaneous abscess at 6 months. Diabetic patients are prone to infections. Mycobacteria, especially atypical ones, involving the spine and subcutaneous tissues have rarely been reported.

Outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in a tribal village: a clinico-epidemiological study

BACKGROUND

Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease that normally affects animals, especially ruminants. It is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. The most common mode of infection is through the skin, which causes a painless sore that usually heals without treatment. If left untreated, cutaneous anthrax may progress in up to 20% of cases to septicaemia with potentially lethal outcome.

METHODOLOGY

We visited a small tribal village of the state of West Bengal, where an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax was suspected following slaughtering a dead bullock. The population at risk were subjected to detailed interrogation, thorough clinical examination and relevant investigations.

RESULTS

The mean age of our study population was 32.1 years, and 100% were male. The mean incubation period was three days. Most cases (81.8%) were exposed to the bacteria during butchering. The predominantly affected sites were fingers (54.5%), followed by forearms (18.2%), around elbows (18.2%) and arm (9.1%). All cases initially had painless papules, ulcers with vesicles; dissemination of the lesion was seen in 27.3% of patients. 9 patients (who were alive) underwent complete blood count, baseline biochemistry and chest X-ray. Smears were made from the cutaneous lesions for gram's stain in 5 patients. Wound swabs were also inoculated in nutrient broth and subcultured in blood agar media. FNAC from the enlarged axillary lymph node was done in 1 patient and blood was sent for aerobic culture in 2 individuals. Both the blood cultures were sterile. Smears made from the culture obtained from cutaneous lesion of one of the affected person revealed gram positive aerobic spore bearing non-motile bacilli in long chain with capsular halo suggesting Bacillus anthracis. In this outbreak, the attack rate was 7% and case fatality rate was 18%.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous anthrax should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases presenting with painless ulcers, vesicles or eschars with a recent history of exposure to animals or animal products. It is important to recognise the clinical aspects of this disease in routine practice since any delay in treatment may have fatal consequences, as observed in this study.