Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as pneumomediastinum: a case report

This study describes a rare case of a 19 year old girl who presented with features of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum to the emergency department in whom further investigation revealed pulmonary and neurotuberculosis. Tuberculosis presenting as pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema is a rare, but an important entity and a better knowledge of this condition can help in the early diagnosis and adequate management of tuberculosis

BBGD: an online database for blueberry genomic data

BACKGROUND: Blueberry is a member of the Ericaceae family, which also includes closely related cranberry and more distantly related rhododendron, azalea, and mountain laurel. Blueberry is a major berry crop in the United States, and one that has great nutritional and economical value. Extreme low temperatures, however, reduce crop yield and cause major losses to US farmers. A better understanding of the genes and biochemical pathways that are up- or down-regulated during cold acclimation is needed to produce blueberry cultivars with enhanced cold hardiness. To that end, the blueberry genomics database (BBDG) was developed. Along with the analysis tools and web-based query interfaces, the database serves both the broader Ericaceae research community and the blueberry research community specifically by making available ESTs and gene expression data in searchable formats and in elucidating the underlying mechanisms of cold acclimation and freeze tolerance in blueberry. DESCRIPTION: BBGD is the world's first database for blueberry genomics. BBGD is both a sequence and gene expression database. It stores both EST and microarray data and allows scientists to correlate expression profiles with gene function. BBGD is a public online database. Presently, the main focus of the database is the identification of genes in blueberry that are significantly induced or suppressed after low temperature exposure. CONCLUSION: By using the database, researchers have developed EST-based markers for mapping and have identified a number of "candidate" cold tolerance genes that are highly expressed in blueberry flower buds after exposure to low temperatures

COMPUTER-ASSISTED DRUG DESIGNING OF TRIAZOLE DERIVATIVE OF NOSCAPINE AS TUBULIN-BINDING ANTICANCER DRUG

Objective: Microtubule-interfering drugs are commonly used to treat malignant disorders owing to indispensable role of this cytoskeletal element. These drugs include paclitaxel, docetaxel, and the Vinca alkaloids; however, owing to their non-selective action and overpolymerizing effects, these chemotherapy drugs are confounded by complications with serious toxicity (particularly, peripheral neuropathies, gastrointestinal toxicity, myelosuppression, and immunosuppression) (by taxanes) or depolymerizing effects (by Vincas) on microtubules. Thus, there is urgent need to explore novel tubulin-binding agents that are significantly effective and comparatively less toxic compared to currently available drugs for the treatment of human cancer. The current study focuses fusion of two novel anticancer compounds with low toxicity, i.e., noscapine and triazole to generate a new ligand derivative.Methods: Using computer-aided drug designing approach and molecular docking, molecular interaction of these derivatives with αβ-tubulin heterodimer was confirmed and investigated by molecular docking along with dynamics simulation.Results: A greater affinity of the newly designed ligands for binding to tubulin was predicted. The predictive binding free energy (Gbind,pred) of these derivatives (ranging from −10.5178 to −16.8473 kcal/mol) based on linear interaction energy method with a surface generalized born continuum salvation model showed improved binding affinity with tubulin as compared to the lead compound. natural α-Noscapine (−5.505 kcal/mol). The binding energy of ligand determined using LigX, i.e., MM/GBVI was found to be −23.208 kcal/mol.Conclusion: We found that designed derivative compounds have better efficacy as compared noscapine and triazole

Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of the essential oil of Zanthoxylum armatum DC (Rutaceae) against three mosquito vectors

Background & objectives: In view of the recently increased interest in developing plant origininsecticides as an alternative to chemical insecticide, this study was undertaken to assess the larvicidalpotential of the essential oil from the seeds of Zanthoxylum armatum DC [syn. Z. alatum Roxb](Rutaceae) against three medically important species of mosquito vectors, Aedes aegypti, Anophelesstephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods: Essential oil was hydro distilled in the laboratory from the seeds obtained from the marketand the chemical constituents of the oil were determined using GC/GC-MS. Bioefficacy of theessential oil was evaluated under laboratory conditions using III instar mosquito larvae.Results: Among the three mosquito species tested, Cx. quinquefasciatus was the most sensitive(LC50 = 49 ppm) followed by Ae. aegypti (LC50 = 54 ppm) and An. stephensi (LC50 = 58 ppm). GCMSanalysis of the oil revealed at least 28 compounds, consisting mainly of oxygenated monoterpenes(75%) and monoterpenes (22%). Linalool though constituted a major part (57%), failed to produceany appreciable mortality when tested alone.Interpretation & conclusion: From the results it can be concluded that the larvae of the three mosquitospecies were susceptible to the essential oil composition. Such findings would be useful in promotingresearch aiming at the development of new agent for mosquito control based on bioactive chemicalcompounds from indigenous plant sources as an alternative to chemical larvicides

Evaluation of anti-mosquito properties of essential oils

129-133Essential oils from Cedrus deodara, Eucalyptus citriodora, Cymbopogon flexuous, C. winterianus, Pinus roxburghii, Syzygium aromaticum and Tagetes minuta were evaluated for bioactivity against the adults of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Serial dilutions of the oils were made in deodorized kerosene to obtain a range of concentrations (0.5-10%) and the adults were exposed to the vapour of the different oils for 1h in WHO kits for sensitivity testing. C. winterianus and S. aromaticum oils were equi effective and found most effective with LC50 and LC95 values respectively at 0.5 and 0.9 % for C. quinquefasciatus and 1.0 and 2.0 % for A. aegypti. Activity was found in the order: S. aromaticum > C. flexuous > E. citriodora > C. winterianus > C. deodara > T. minuta

Hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients at admission in a tertiary care centre in central India

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus is an acute respiratory infection with systemic manifestations.Studies have shown that abnormal hematological parameters can help in prognostication of patients. Our study analyses hematological parameters for prognostication and prediction of mortality in SARS-CoV-2 patients from central India. Aim: Present study aims to compare the mean value of hematological parameters from 350 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (survivors and non-survivors), in order to assess their role in prognostication and prediction of mortality. Our study evaluates complete blood count (CBC) and their ratios, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) in COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in central India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 350 patients hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19. They were divided into two groups on the basis of their outcome: group 1 comprised of 28 non- survivors; group 2 comprised of 322 survivors.Results: Male predominance was seen in both survivors and non survivors.Mortality rate was 8%. Statistically significant differences were observed with respect to total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophil percent (N%), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), Lymphocyte percent (L%), zero eosinophil percent (E%), absolute eosinophil count (AEC), NLR, MLR, PLR and SII at admission between survivors and non survivors of COVID-19 patients.Conclusion: Elevated TLC, neutrophil percent, ANC, NLR, MLR, PLR and SII at admission are useful in prognostication and prediction of mortality in COVID-19 patients

A STUDY INTO THE DIAGNOSTIC YIELD OF FIBER-OPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY AT RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE IN THE POST COVID ERA

<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Thefiber-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) has become an integral and essential part of respiratory medicine as diagnostic, therapeutic and interventional modality due to advancement that has occurred during last five decades. FOB facilitates direct visualization of centrally located lung pathology and the biopsies can also be procured from lung parenchyma. The diagnostic yield is variable and depends upon available resources and skill.     </p><p><strong>Material and Method:</strong> 241 cases of FOB that were performed in post Covid-19 era were evaluated for diagnostic yieldat RD Gardi Medical College hospital, Ujjain, India.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>230 cases of FOB done for the diagnosis were considered for study after exclusion of 11 casesin which FOB was performed for therapeutic or other reason. The male predominance was found with > 80% in the patients belonging to age group of 41 yrs and above. The diagnostic yield remained at 82.6% including the inflammatory malignancy, bacterial TB and fungal infection which were 36.3%, 33.7%, 17.9, 7.4% and 3.2 % respectively.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The clinical, radiologic, and pathologic investigations are prerequisite and determine the indication to perform endoscopy for further evaluation and it helps in selecting procedure during FOB. The gross abnormalities are not always seen but TBLB, TBNA and inflammatory cytology of BAL definitely helpful in diagnostic yield. The minor complications during and post procedure are not uncommon. Occasionally the anatomical variations and anomalies of the airways can also be detected during FOB.    </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The FOB enables to procure tissue and secretions from the airways and also facilitates evaluation of lung parenchyma for diagnosis of underlying pathology. The advancement in multifunctional</p><p>utility of FOB, supported with basic knowledge of guidelines, with expertise and skill is required for better outcomes. </p><p> </p&gt