Discovery of double BSS sequences in the old Galactic open cluster Berkeley 17

Blue straggler stars (BSS) are peculiar objects which normally appear as a single broad sequence along the extension of the main sequence. Only four globular clusters (GCs) have been observed to have two distinct and parallel BSS sequences. For the first time for any open cluster (OC), we report double BSS sequences in Berkeley 17. Using the machine-learning based membership algorithm ML-MOC on Gaia EDR3 data, we identify 627 cluster members, including 21 BSS candidates out to 15 arcmin from the cluster center. Both the BSS sequences are almost equally populated and parallel to one another in Gaia as well as in Pan-STARRS colour-magnitude diagram (CMD). We statistically confirm their presence and report that both BSS sequences are highly segregated compared to the reference population out to $\sim$5.5 arcmin and not segregated thereafter. The lower densities of OCs make BSS formation impossible via the collisional channel. Therefore, mass transfer seems to be the only viable channel for forming candidates of both sequences. The gap between the red and blue BSS sequences, on the other hand, is significant and presents a great opportunity to understand the connection between BSS formation and internal as well as external dynamics of the parent clusters.Comment: Accepted for publication at MNRAS Letter

Phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotides induce the formation of nuclear bodies

Antisense oligonucleotides are powerful tools for the in vivo regulation of gene expression. We have characterized the intracellular distribution of fluorescently tagged phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (PS-ONs) at high resolution under conditions in which PS-ONs have the potential to display antisense activity. Under these conditions PS-ONs predominantly localized to the cell nucleus where they accumulated in 20-30 bright spherical foci designated phosphorothioate bodies (PS bodies), which were set against a diffuse nucleoplasmic population excluding nucleoli. PS bodies are nuclear structures that formed in cells after PS-ON delivery by transfection agents or microinjection but were observed irrespectively of antisense activity or sequence. Ultrastructurally, PS bodies corresponded to electron-dense structures of 150-300 nm diameter and resembled nuclear bodies that were found with lower frequency in cells lacking PS-ONs. The environment of a living cell was required for the de novo formation of PS bodies, which occurred within minutes after the introduction of PS-ONs. PS bodies were stable entities that underwent noticeable reorganization only during mitosis. Upon exit from mitosis, PS bodies were assembled de novo from diffuse PS-ON pools in the daughter nuclei. In situ fractionation demonstrated an association of PS-ONs with the nuclear matrix. Taken together, our data provide evidence for the formation of a nuclear body in cells after introduction of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides

Aortico-Left Atrial Fistula: A Rare Complication of Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Endocarditis Secondary to Enterococcus faecalis

Paravalvular aortic root abscess with intracardiac fistula formation is an exceedingly rare complication of infective endocarditis. This condition is even more rarely encountered in patients with bioprosthetic valve endocarditis. We report an unusual case of a 68-year-old Bosnian female with a bioprosthetic aortic valve, who developed an extensive aortic root abscess, complicated by an aortico-left atrial intracardiac fistula. This case illustrates that a high index of suspicion, prompt diagnosis by echocardiography, proper antibiotic therapy, and early surgical intervention are crucial to improving treatment outcomes for this rare condition

Temporoparietal Headache as the Initial Presenting Symptom of a Massive Aortic Dissection

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency often presenting with severe chest pain and acute hemodynamic compromise. The presentation of aortic dissection can sometimes be different thus leading to a challenge in prompt diagnosis and treatment as demonstrated by the following presentation and discussion. We present a case of a 71-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with complaints of left sided temporoparietal headache and was eventually diagnosed with a thoracic aortic dissection involving the ascending aorta and descending aorta, with an intramural hematoma in the descending aorta. This case illustrates the importance of keeping in mind aortic dissection as a differential diagnosis in patients with acute onset headaches in which any intracranial source of headache is not found

Measurement of antioxidant synergy between phenolic bioactives in traditional food combinations (legume/non-legume/fruit) of (semi) arid regions: insights into the development of sustainable functional foods

Abstract Numerous under-researched edible plants are present in the desert regions of the world. These plants could be potential candidates to ensure food security and provide valuable bioactive compounds through diet. In general, the bioactives present in food manifest synergistic, additive, or antagonistic interactions. The current study investigates such interactions between food combinations traditionally consumed in (semi) arid regions. Five edible plants (representing three food categories) were selected: Prosopis cineraria and Acacia senegal (legume), Capparis decidua and Cordia dichotoma (non-legume), and Mangifera indica (fruit), in which the first four are largely underutilized. The antioxidant capacities of individual plant extracts and their binary mixtures were analyzed by DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were also determined. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained for Prosopis cineraria extract (EC50—1.24 ± 0.02 mg/ml, FRAP value—380.58 ± 11.17 μM/g), while Mangifera indica exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity (EC50—2.54 ± 0.05 mg/ml, FRAP value—48.91 ± 4.34 μM/g). Binary mixture of Prosopis cineraria (legume) and Mangifera indica (fruit) manifested maximum synergy (experimental EC50—0.89 ± 0.01 mg/ml, theoretical EC50—3.79 ± 0.05 mg/ml). Correlation studies [Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) and Principal component analysis (PCA)] showed a high correlation of TFC with DPPH and TPC with FRAP values. LC–MS analysis of methanolic plant extracts detected 43 phenolic compounds (including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids), possibly responsible for the observed food synergy. For edible plants of the (semi) arid zones, this study is a first-of-its-kind and provides scientific validation to the traditional wisdom of consuming these foods together. Such indigenous food combinations derived from desert flora could offer valuable insights into development of sustainable functional foods and nutraceuticals. Graphical Abstrac

Mycoplasmal upper respiratory infection presenting as leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Mycoplasma is a virulent organism that is known to primarily infect the respiratory tract; however, affection of the skin, nervous system, kidneys, heart and bloodstream has been observed in various forms, which include Stevens Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, encephalitis, renal failure, conduction system abnormalities and hemolytic anemia. Small vessel vasculitis is a lesser-known complication of mycoplasma pneumonia infection. We report a case of mycoplasmal upper respiratory tract infection with striking cutaneous lesions as the presenting symptom. Mycoplasmal infection was confirmed by serology testing, skin biopsy was suggestive of leukocytoclastic vasculitis. This case brings forth an uncommon manifestation of mycoplasmal infection with extra-pulmonary affection, namely small vessel vasculitis