Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Effect of Dhatryadi Ghrithm in “Diminishing Ovarian Reserve”

Background: Diminishing ovarian reserve (DOR) describes women of reproductive age with regular cycles, mostly ovulatory, whose response to ovarian stimulation is reduced compared to women of comparable age. The most appropriate correlation of DOR can be done with Dhatukshaya Vandya. Dhatraydi Ghrithm mentioned in Sahasra Yogam is said to have implicit effect in enhancing reproductive potential.   Objectives: To evaluate the effect of Dhatryadi Ghrithm in “Diminishing ovarian reserve”. Materials and methods: It was a pre and post interventional study done during the time period July 2017 to December 2018 with a sample size of 20. Females between the age group of 20-35 years, diagnosed with DOR attending Outpatient Department of Govt Ayurveda College Hospital for Women and Children, Poojappura, Thiruvananathapuram were selected. Serum Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH), Serum Estradiol, Antral Follicular Count (AFC) and LH/FSH ratio, Ovarian volume was assessed on the 2nd day of the cycle after completing 90 days of Ghritha administration. Paired t test was used to analysis the data statistically.   Results: 55 % of total study population were in the low fertility group and 45% confined to the very low fertility group.7 out of 20 patients obtained satisfactory level of fertility after 3 months of treatment. There was a considerable increase in mean value of AMH before and after treatment (2.62 to 9.01), p-value 0.001. AFC was also significantly increased after three months of treatment, p-value <0.002. 3 patients were conceived during the study period. Conclusion: Study concluded that the Dhatryadi Ghrithm was found to be effective in increasing AMH and AFC, but it did not have any effect on serum Estradiol, LH/FSH ratio and in Ovarian volume

Enigma unraveled: Role of ultrasonography in tuberculous lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenopathy is the most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis; cervical region being the frequent affected site. Ultrasound is a useful noninvasive imaging modality in the assessment of cervical lymph nodes. The morphology of lymph nodes is evaluated by grey-scale sonography and the power Doppler sonography helps in the assessment the vasculature of lymph nodes. Tuberculous lymphadenitis exhibits distinctive features like presence of adjacent soft tissue edema and matting of nodes. This article highlights the use of ultrasonographic as a diagnostic approach, by comparing and differentiating the features of tubercular lymph nodes in a 10-year-old female patient

Characterisation and antimicrobial resistance of sepsis pathogens in neonates born in tertiary care centres in Delhi, India: A cohort study

Background: Sepsis is one of the most common causes of neonatal deaths globally. Most sepsis-related deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries, where the epidemiology of neonatal sepsis remains poorly understood. Most of these countries lack proper surveillance networks, hampering accurate assessment of the burden of sepsis, implementation of preventive measures, and investment in research. We report results of neonates born in hospital from a multicentre collaboration on neonatal sepsis. Methods: In this cohort study, dedicated research teams prospectively followed up neonates born in one of three tertiary care centres in Delhi, India (Vardhaman Mahavir Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College, and All India Institute of Medical Sciences [coordinating centre]) and subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit. Neonates were followed up daily until discharge or death. On clinical suspicion, neonates underwent sepsis work-up including blood cultures. The isolated organisms were identified and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. We defined Gram-negative isolates resistant to any three of five antibiotic classes (extended-spectrum cephalosporins, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and piperacillin-tazobactam) as multidrug resistant. Findings: 13 530 neonates of 88 636 livebirths were enrolled between July 18, 2011, and Feb 28, 2014. The incidence of total sepsis was 14·3% (95% CI 13·8–14·9) and of culture-positive sepsis was 6·2% (5·8–6·6). Nearly two-thirds of total episodes occurred at or before 72 h of life (defined as early onset; 1351 [83%] of 1980). Two-thirds (645 [64%]) of 1005 isolates were Gram-negative including, Acinetobacter spp (22%), Klebsiella spp (17%), and Escherichia coli (14%). The pathogen mix in early-onset sepsis did not differ from that of late-onset sepsis (ie, after 72 h). High rates of multidrug resistance were observed in Acinetobacter spp (181/222, 82%), Klebsiella spp (91/169, 54%), and Escherichia coli (52/137, 38%) isolates. Meticillin resistance prevailed in 61% (85/140) of coagulase-negative staphylococci and 38% (43/114) of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Nearly a quarter of the deaths were attributable to sepsis. The population-attributable risks of mortality were 8·6% in culture-negative sepsis, 15·7% in culture-positive sepsis by multidrug-resistant organisms, and 12·0% in culture-positive sepsis by non-multidrug-resistant organisms. Interpretation: The high incidence of sepsis and alarming degree of antimicrobial resistance among pathogens in neonates born in tertiary hospitals underscore the need to understand the pathogenesis of early-onset sepsis and to devise measures to prevent it in low-income and middle-income countries. Funding: Indian Council of Medical Researc