Comprehensive review of Mycobacterium ulcerans and Buruli ulcer from a bioinformatics perspective - what have we learnt?

Mycobacterium ulcerans is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium responsible for causing Buruli ulcer. This is a neglected tropical disease characterized by ulceration, necrotization and scarring of the soft tissues in human limbs. Pathogenesis of M. ulcerans is mediated by a cytotoxic and immunosuppressive compound called mycolactone. This steadily evolving mycobacteria has adapted itself with the aquatic insect ecosystem. Human communities in wetland ecosystems are prone to Buruli ulcer and several endemic regions have been identified. So far, there is no vaccine and surgery or prolonged treatment with antibiotic cocktail has been mandated to overcome resistance patterns. Application of bioinformatics tools in M. ulcerans and Buruli ulcer research during the post genomic era, has provided immense opportunities. In this review, we summarize the outcome of genome studies, comparative genomics, population genomics, genetic diversity analysis, phylogenetic studies and proteomics research pertaining to this disease. We also highlight the implications of in silico vaccine design and computational studies on natural products. Resultant findings are conducive for interpreting genome architecture, pathogenomic evolution and intraspecific divergence due to phylogeographic and virulence factors of M. ulcerans. Moreover, the outcome of population genomics studies in disease management, coupled with the efforts in discovering vaccine candidates and novel lead compounds, will enrich our understanding of Buruli ulcer

Thermal shock behaviour on generalized thermoelastic semi-infinite medium with moving heat source under Green Naghdi-III model

The present article deals with the thermal shock response in an isotropic thermoelastic medium with a moving heat source. In this context Green and Naghdi type III model of generalized thermoelasticity theory is considered. The basic equations are expressed as vector-matrix differential equation form. The considered formulation is applied to a semi-infinite solid space. The analytical formulations of the problem in the Laplace transform domain have been solved by eigenvalue approach technique. The inversion of Laplace transform is completed by Zakian method. The variation of the temperature, displacement and stress distributions for different values of time and heat source velocity are shown graphically for two different cases. In the first case, a thermal shock free surface is considered subjected to traction and in the second case the surface is under the influence of time dependent thermal shock. Finally, some comparisons of the results for different time and moving heat source velocity are presented. In presence of moving heat source all the thermophysical quantities have a great significant effect in all the distributions

An experimental set up to probe the quantum transport through single atomic/molecular junction at room temperature

Understanding the transport characteristics at the atomic limit is the prerequisite for futuristic nano-electronic applications. Among various experimental procedures, mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ) is one of the well adopted experimental technique to study and control the atomic or molecular scale devices. Here, we present the details of the development of a piezo controlled table top MCBJ set up, working at ambient condition, along with necessary data acquisition technique and analysis of the data. We performed conductance experiment on a macroscopic gold wire, which exhibits quantized conductance plateau upon pulling the wire with the piezo. Conductance peak up to $\sim 20 G_0$ ($G_0 = 2e^2/h$, $e$ being the electronic charge and $h$ being the plank's constant) could be resolved at room temperature. A well-known test bed molecule,$4, 4^\prime$ bipyridine, was introduced between the gold electrodes and conductance histogram exhibits two distinctive conductance peaks, confirming the formation of single molecular junction, in line with the previous reports. This demonstrate that our custom-designed MCBJ set up is capable of measuring quantum transport of a single molecular junction at ambient condition.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

Impact of Industrial Relation Policies on Satisfaction Level of Employees at Rourkela Steel Plant

In today’s dynamic business environment, every organization wants to be a successful organization. It cannot be possible without Human Resource (HR). The most important asset i.e. Human Resource (man power) is known as life blood of any organization. The success of any organization depends upon the performance of their Human Resource. If question arises to find out the most important difference between ordinary organization and successful organization, the answer would be their HR. The organization also wants quality people. The greatest challenge before every organization is to recruit right people in right place. HR is the factors. Employee and Employer both are important. They are the two sides of the same coin. One cannot operate without the services of the other. The main purpose of this study is to observe the industrial relation operation and satisfaction level of the employees, to observe the different welfare schemes provided by the industry

Evaluation of Antiparkinson’s activity of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi-plants with Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition potential.

INTRODUCTION : Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the progressive loss of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra innervating the striatum. It was first described by neurologist James Parkinson in 1817 that he called ‘‘Shaking Palsy’’, or ‘‘paralysis agitans’’. The causes are unknown although risk factors in the genetic and toxic domain are being discovered. An important pathophysiological feature in PD is the loss of part of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) resulting in a specific dysorganisation of the complicated basal ganglia (BG) circuits. The relay functions at the level of the striatum e.g., are out of balance leading to disturbed subcorticocortical interactions. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, primarily affecting people of ages over 55 years (approximately 1.5% to 2.0%), although young adults and even children can also be affected. Research on the pathogenesis of PD has rapidly advanced due to the development of animal models. Through the use of these models, the striatal dopamine deficiency could be associated with the motor symptoms of PD, and levodopa (dihydroxyphenylalanine or L-dopa) was first applied to compensate striatal dopamine losses. L-Dopa treatment still remains the standard of PD therapies. Unfortunately, long-time use of L-dopa results in dyskinesia (involuntary movements). Moreover, the specific etiology of PD is still unknown. Thus, the development of animal models is essential for better understanding pathogenesis and progression of PD and testing therapeutic agents for the treatment of PD patients. AIM OF THE RESEARCH : • To investigate whether monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition potential plants [Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi] protects brain against neurodegenaration in 6-OHDA rat models, and to analyse the murine preclinical therapeutic efficacy of test drugs in attaining postural stability after completion of treatment. • To explore the beneficial effects of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi in reducing neurodegenaration by controlling iron induced neurotoxicity, retaining dopamine concentrations and lowered oxidative stress in experimental PD. • To study the effectiveness of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi for neuroprotection in PD model through controlling MAO-B associated pathways of metabolism. OBJECTIVE : In the present study, we would like to evaluate the possible Anti-Parkinson’s activity of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi plants which are showing monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition and anti-oxidant activity and to find out the possible actions of these plants for alleviating or preventing the neurodegeneration and mitochondrial dysfunction for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Monoamine oxidase (MAO), a flavin-containing enzyme, is widely distributed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems20 and plays a central role in the control of substrate availability and activity. MAO catalyzes the oxidation of a variety of amine-containing neurotransmitters to yield the corresponding aldehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ammonia17. MAO exists in two forms, MAO-A and MAO-B, which are distinguished on the basis of different pharmacological and biochemical characteristics. MAO is a key enzyme in catecholamine metabolism, and increased catecholamine metabolism seen in aging has been extensively studied. The control on MAO activity may alleviate symptoms and slow the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. In humans, MAO-B activity increases with age18 and is especially elevated in certain neurodegenerative diseases19. Therefore, inhibition of MAOB activity may improve the quality of life of the elderly and it is used as part of the treatment of Parkinson’s patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Healthy, adult Wistar rats of both sexes (180-220g) were obtained from the Central animal house facility from Padmavathi College of Pharmacy, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu. The animals were kept in a well ventilated room and the animals had exposed to 12 hrs day and night cycle with a temperature between 20±30C. The animals were housed in large spacious, hygienic polypropylene cages during the course of the experimental period. The animals were fed with water and rat feed adlibitum. All experiments were performed after obtaining prior approval from CPCSEA and IAEC. The animals were housed in suitable environmental conditions. Approval no: 1143/ac/07/CPCSEA/PCP/IAEC/PhD/132/12 Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi were collected from local vender from Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu, India. The collected plants were authentified by Dr. S Rajan, Field Botanist, Survey of Medicinal Plants & Collection Unit, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Dept. of AYUSH, The Nilgiris, Tamilnadu. INFERENCES : The efficacy of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi in 6-OHDA induced PD has not been well established. In our study, we have demonstrated the anti-Parkinson’s activity of not only the above mentioned three plant extract but also evaluated the combined effects of all three extracts. In this study, first we have demonstrated the Apomorphne induced circling behavior. Apomorphne is a mixed (D1 and D2) dopamine receptor agonist that does not share transport or metabolic pathways with L-DOPA and presumably acts by direct stimulation of dopamine receptor. In our study, the circling controversial to the lesion side following the administration of LDOPA or dopamine agonist result from stimulation of dopamine receptor rendered supersensitive by partial denervation. The lesioned rats showed a greater level of circling behavior and other treatment groups might be replenishing dopamine or already protected dopaminergic nurons in mid brain (SNpc). Further it could presumably suggest the confirmation of nigral lesion in all the treatment groups. Anyhow, the significant levels in comparing the degree of lesioning is not mandatory in our study, because post treatment lesion verification. CONCLUSION : In view of the above facts we are concluding that Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatic and Banisteriopsis caapi- plants showed significant anti-Parkinson’s activity, and earlier these plants were ethanopharmacologically proven for its anti oxidant, anti ulcer, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti diabetic, immunostimulent, anti cancer and CNS activities. The evaluation of anti Parkinson’s activities of these plants might be leading to a new drug molecule or herbal moiety which can ameliorate the anti-Parkinson’s drug toxicities or can be an anti Parkinson’s drug in future. The anti-Parkinson’s activity of herbal extracts was performed. The extracts showed significant anti-Parkinson’s activity in 6-OHDA lesioned rat models. The estimated parameters were closely relevant to clinical Parkinsonism and the drug treatment protected the diseased brain of rat. And we appreciate further detailed molecular studies with these drugs in anti-Parkinson’s pharmacology and toxicology. From these findings we suggest that, these drug molecules can be a future drug of choice for the treatment of clinical Parkinsonism

Evaluation of Antiparkinson’s activity of Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi-plants with Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition potential

The study revealed the anti-Parkinson’s activity of three herbal extracts (that Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi and its combination) in 6-OHDA induced Parkinson’s models. In the standard experimental conditions, all the three extracts showed significant anti-parkinson’s activity. The postural and neuro-humoral defects were normalised by the all test drugs. The systematic pharmacological analysis revealed that Uncaria rhynchophylla, Mentha aquatica and Banisteriopsis caapi- plants could be a anti-Parkinson’s remedy, and earlier these three plants were ethanopharmacologically proven for its anti oxidant, anti ulcer, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti diabetic, immunostimulent, anti cancer and CNS activities. The evaluation of anti Parkinson’s activities of these plants might be leading to a new drug molecule or herbal moiety which can ameliorate the anti- Parkinson’s drug toxicities or can be an anti Parkinson’s drug in future. The extracts showed significant anti-Parkinson’s activity in 6-OHDA lesioned rat models, but the lead identification was not carried out in this study. The estimated parameters were closely relevant to clinical Parkinsonism and the drug treatment protected the diseased brain of rat. The time constrains to complete this research and nature of experiment made us to restrict experiments specific to pharmacology. Our invention on these herbal drugs shall be an information to further carryout the lead identification for preclinical pharmacology, and we propose suitable lead optimization from these extracts. And we appreciate further detailed molecular studies with these leads in anti-Parkinson’s pharmacology and toxicology. From these findings we suggest that, these drug molecules could be a future drug of choice for the treatment of clinical Parkinsonism

An atypical manifestation of lateral medullary syndrome

Lateral medullary syndrome is a common brainstem stroke associated with a classical triad of Horner's Syndrome, ipsilateral ataxia and hypalgesia and thermoanasthesia of ipsilateral face.We report a case of a 49-year-old diabetic, non-hypertensive, postmenopausal female who presented with symptoms involving the left dorsal medulla along with right sided hemiparesis and left UMN-type facial palsy. Contralateral hemiparesis was explained by caudal extension of infarct involving the pyramids before decussation at the medulla, known as Babinski-Nageotte Syndrome. UMN-type facial palsy was attributed to involvement of hypothetical supranuclear aberrant corticobulbar fibres of facial nerve which descend down in the contralateral ventromedial medulla, decussate at level of upper medulla and then ascend in the dorsolateral medulla to reach the facial nerve nucleus. Association of these two entities with Wallenberg's Syndrome have been reported separately in literature, but not together as in this case. © The Author(s) 2019