Virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulation studies to predict the binding of Sisymbrium irio L. derived phytochemicals against Staphylococcus aureus dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)

The discovery of antibiotics initiated the era of drug innovation and implementation for human and animal health. Very soon, antibiotic resistance started evolving due to over-prescription and heavy usage of drugs leading to deleterious side effects. However, using plant extracts or medicinal plants has emerged as a new approach to dealing with the current problem. One such medicinal plant Sisymbrium irio L. is widely used in Unani therapy as an antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, bronchoprotective etc. The phytochemicals extracted from the aerial part of the plant have been used as a natural compound library and screened against a well-known anti-bacterial drug target Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)  enzyme of Staphylococcus aureus. The top two phytochemicals with lower docking score along with the positive control were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies to examine the stabilities of the complexes over 100 ns, followed by binding free energy estimation. The Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF) and Radius of Gyration (Rg) yielded established results throughout the MD run. Moreover, the derived phytochemicals exhibited lower binding free energy values than the positive control that can be tested for its in vitro efficacy, followed by further optimization to attain a potent therapeutic against S. aureus. Taken together, the present study suggests two promising phytochemicals derived from the aerial part of the plant S. irio with stable MD simulation results, strong binding affinity and no side effects

Mathematically optimized production, purification and characterization of penicillin G acylase from soil bacterial isolates AA17A and AA17B

260-268This research article deals with production of industrial enzyme penicillin G acylase from soil bacterial isolates namely AA17A and AA17B, which are selected from 80 soil samples. The strains were selected based on qualitative (turbidity) and quantitative (HPLC) test for 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6APA) production. The enzyme was assayed for its activity and optimized for production of enzyme using design of experiments software (DOE) “Design Expert 8.0.7.1”. Optimization of enzyme production of four carbon sources (glucose, glycerol, sucrose and starch), four nitrogen sources (beef extract, tryptone, peptone and yeast extract), for temperature (25°C, 30°C, 35°C and 40°C), four pH (6, 7, 8, 9), four inoculum volumes (2.5 ml, 5.0 ml, 7.5 ml, 10.0 ml) and the phenyl acetic acid (PAA) level  (0.15%, 0.17%, 0.185%, 0.2%). The penicillin acylase activity was enhanced to 1.2 fold under following optimized culture conditions: carbon source - glucose (8%), nitrogen source - beef extract (2%), pH 9.0, temperature 30ºC, phenyl acetic acid 0.185%, inoculum volume 5 ml. Approximately 1.22-fold purification from the initial culture broth was achieved during ammonium sulphate precipitation (70-80%) with a yield of 4.6% enzyme. The specific activity of the final partially purified enzyme was 13.73 IU/mg protein

Developments in Diagnosis and Antileishmanial Drugs

Leishmaniasis ranks the third in disease burden in disability-adjusted life years caused by neglected tropical diseases and is the second cause of parasite-related deaths after malaria; but for a variety of reasons, it is not receiving the attention that would be justified seeing its importance. Leishmaniasis is a diverse group of clinical syndromes caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. It is estimated that 350 million people are at risk in 88 countries, with a global incidence of 1–1.5 million cases of cutaneous and 500,000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Improvements in diagnostic methods for early case detection and latest combitorial chemotherapeutic methods have given a new hope for combating this deadly disease. The cell biology of Leishmania and mammalian cells differs considerably and this distinctness extends to the biochemical level. This provides the promise that many of the parasite’s proteins should be sufficiently different from hosts and can be successfully exploited as drug targets. This paper gives a brief overview of recent developments in the diagnosis and approaches in antileishmanial drug discovery and development

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of topical Tacrolimus (0.03%) versus dexamethasone (0.05%) for subepithelial infiltrates after adenoviral conjunctivitis

Purpose: To compare the safety and efficacy of tacrolimus 0.03% ointment with dexamethasone 0.05% ointment for subepithelial infiltrates (SEIs) following adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis (AK). Methods: A randomized, double blind trial was done. Eligibility criteria was corrected distance visual acuity of 6/9 Snellen or worse for at least 4 weeks with corneal SEIs following AK. The grading of SEIs was done on a scale of 0 to 3; 0, no infiltrates, 1 mild infiltration, 2 moderate infiltration and 3, severe infiltration. Consecutive patients with SEIs following AK were randomized to receive either topical tacrolimus 0.03% or dexamethasone 0.05% ointment twice daily for 6 months. Treatment was successful if there was reduction of SEIs and improvement in vision. Results: A total of 45 patients each were assigned to the Tacro and Dexa groups, respectively. Baseline characteristics of patients did not differ significantly (P > 0.001). There was a significant change in symptoms, vision and SEIs in both the groups. However, the magnitude was greater in tacro group. Treatment was successful in 37 (92.5%) patients in Tacro and 34 (85%) patients in dexa group. In dexa group, after a period of 1.24 ± 0.24 months, 7 (15.6%) patients developed a significant rise in intraocular pressure (IOP). Three (7.5%) eyes in tacro and 6 (15%) eyes in dexa group had recurrence of SEIs after cessation of therapy. Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.03% is an effective alternative to dexamethasone 0.05% with low recurrence rate, no significant rise in IOP but may cause burning and foreign body sensation in some patients

Improved Approaches and Various study on image Steganography

Steganography is the sciences that include impart secretive information in an appropriate interactive media bearer, for eg, picture, sound, and video records. It comes beneath the assumption so as to if feature is visible, point of assault is obvious, thus aim here is for all time to hide the extremely existence of embedded data. Steganography has a variety of use applications. Though, like any other science it is able to use for the ill intentions. It has been impelled to front of present security strategies by momentous improvement in computational power, increment in wellbeing mindfulness by, e.g., individuals, groups, agency, and government and all the way through intellectual detection. A wide range of transporter record organizations can be utilized, yet advanced pictures are the most famous in view of their recurrence on the web. This paper presents two new procedures where in cryptography and steganography are united to scramble the data and notwithstanding cover the data in another medium through IP. This Report securing the picture by encryption is finished by DES calculation utilizing the key picture. The scrambled picture can be covering up in another picture by utilizing RSA procedures, with the goal that the mystery’s exceptionally presence is hidden. The decoding should be possible by a similar key picture utilizing DES calculation.

Neutrophilic pustular eruption with behcet's like illness post Covid-19 vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted the lives of many. In such unprecedent times, mass vaccination has been the cornerstone in decreasing morbidity and mortality. However, various adverse events (AEs) to COVID-19 vaccines including cutaneous AEs have been reported worldwide. We report a case of neutrophilic pustular eruption with a Behcet's disease–like illness following COVID-19 vaccination with no history of known allergies or prior severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection

The Diagnostic Value and Accuracy of Conjunctival Impression Cytology, Dry Eye Symptomatology, and Routine Tear Function Tests in Computer Users

Aims and Objectives: To compare the diagnostic value and accuracy of dry eye scoring system (DESS), conjunctival impression cytology (CIC), tear film breakup time (TBUT), and Schirmer's test in computer users. Methods: A case-control study was done at two referral eye centers. Eyes of 344 computer users were compared to 371 eyes of age and sex matched controls. Dry eye questionnaire (DESS) was administered to both groups and they further underwent measurement of TBUT, Schirmer's, and CIC. Correlation analysis was performed between DESS, CIC, TBUT, and Schirmer's test scores. A Pearson's coefficient of the linear expression (R 2) of 0.5 or more was statistically significant. Results: The mean age in cases (26.05 ± 4.06 years) was comparable to controls (25.67 ± 3.65 years) (P = 0.465). The mean symptom score in computer users was significantly higher as compared to controls ( P < 0.001). Mean TBUT, Schirmer's test values, and goblet cell density were significantly reduced in computer users (P < 0.001). TBUT, Schirmer's, and CIC were abnormal in 48.5%, 29.1%, and 38.4% symptomatic computer users respectively as compared to 8%, 6.7%, and 7.3% symptomatic controls respectively. On correlation analysis, there was a significant (inverse) association of dry eye symptoms (DESS) with TBUT and CIC scores (R 2 > 0.5), in contrast to Schirmer's scores (R 2 < 0.5). Duration of computer usage had a significant effect on dry eye symptoms severity, TBUT, and CIC scores as compared to Schirmer's test. Conclusion: DESS should be used in combination with TBUT and CIC for dry eye evaluation in computer users

Conjunctival impression cytology versus routine tear function tests for dry eye evaluation in contact lens wearers

Aims: Prolonged contact lens wear is often accompanied by dryness of the eyes. The aim of this study was to compare conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) and tear film tests such as tear film break up time (TBUT) and Schirmer test for dry eye evaluation in contact lens wearers and measure their correlation with dry eye symptoms. Setting: A case control study was done at three referral eye centers. Materials and Methods: The eyes of 230 contact lens users were compared to 250 eyes of age- and sex-matched controls. Participants were recruited based on their response to a questionnaire of dry eye symptoms, (Dry Eye Scoring System, DESS © ) and measurements of TBUT, Schirmer test, and CIC was done. A correlation analysis between symptom severity and tear film tests was performed. Pearson′s coefficient, R 2 > 0.5 was considered significant. Results: As compared to controls (r2 = 0.010), Nelson grade correlated significantly with dry eye symptoms (r2 = 0.765), among cases. However, there was moderate correlation between dry eye symptoms, Schirmer test, and TBUT (r2 = 0.557 and 0.530, respectively) among cases and a weak correlation among controls (r2 = 0.130 and 0.054, respectively). The sensitivity of TBUT was 86.4%, specificity was 82.4%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) was 4.50 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.46-5.85)], and negative LR was 0.09. The sensitivity of the Schirmer test was 48.2%, specificity 88%, LR 2.12 (95% CI 1.48-2.96), and negative LR 0.83. Conclusion: CIC correlates better than Schirmer and TBUT with dry eye symptoms. It may be the most appropriate test for dry-eye evaluation in contact lens wearers

Phacoemulsification versus small incision cataract surgery in patients with uveitis

AIM: To compare the safety and efficacy of phacoemulsification and small incision cataract surgery (SICS) in patients with uveitic cataract.METHODS:In aprospective, randomized multi-centric study, consecutive patients with uveitic cataract were randomized to receive phacoemulsification or manual SICS by either of two surgeons well versed with both the techniques. A minimum inflammation free period of 3mo (defined as less than 5 cells per high power field in anterior chamber) was a pre-requisite for eligibility for surgery. Superior scleral tunnel incisions were used for both techniques. Improvement in visual acuity post-operatively was the primary outcome measure and the rate of post-operative complications and surgical time were secondary outcome measures, respectively. Means of groups were compared using t-tests. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used when there were more than two groups. Chi-square tests were used for proportions. Kaplan Meyer survival analysis was done and means for survival time was estimated at 95% confidence interval (CI). A P value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:One hundred and twenty-six of 139 patients (90.6%) completed the 6-month follow-up. Seven patients were lost in follow up and another six excluded due to either follow-up less than six months (n=1) or inability implant an intraocular lens (IOL) because of insufficient capsular support following posterior capsule rupture (n=5). There was significant improvement in vision after both the procedures (paired t-test; P&lt;0.001). On first postoperative day, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/63 or better in 31 (47%) patients in Phaco group and 26 (43.3%) patients in SICS group (P=0.384). The mean surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was 0.86±0.34 dioptres (D) in the phacoemulsification group and 1.16±0.28 D in SICS group. The difference between the groups was significant (t-test, P=0.002). At 6mo, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/60 or better in 60 (90.9%) patients in Phaco group and 53 (88.3%) in the manual SICS group (P=0.478). The mean surgical time was significantly shorter in the manual SICS group (10.8±2.9 versus 13.2±2.6min) (P&lt;0.001). Oral prednisolone, 1 mg/kg body weight was given 7d prior to surgery, continued post-operatively and tapered according to the inflammatory response over 4-6wk in patients with previously documented macular edema, recurrent uveitis, chronic anterior uveitis and intermediate uveitis. Rate of complications like macular edema (Chi-square, P=0.459), persistent uveitis (Chi-square, P=0.289) and posterior capsule opacification (Chi-square, P=0.474) were comparable between both the groups.CONCLUSION:ManualSICS and phacoemulsification do not differ significantly in complication rates and final CDVA outcomes. However, manual SICS is significantly faster. It may be the preferred technique in settings where surgical volume is high and access to phacoemulsification is limited, such as in eye camps. It may also be the appropriate technique for uveitic cataract under such circumstances