Rearrangements of nitrogen fixation (nif) genes in the heterocystous cyanobacteria

In the vegetative cells of heterocystous cyanobacteria, such as Anabaena, two Operons harbouring the nitrogen fixaton (nif) genes contain two separate intervening DNA elements resulting in the dispersion of genes and impaired gene expression. A 11 kb element disrupts thenifD gene in thenifH, D-K operon. It contains a 11 bp sequence (GGATTACTCCG) directly repeated at its ends and harbours a gene,xisA, which encodes a site-specific recombinase. A large 55 kb element interrupts thefdxN gene in thenifB fdxN-nifS-nifU operon. It contains two 5 bp direct repeats (TATTC) at its ends and accommodates at least one gene,xisF, which encodes another site-specific recombinase. During heterocyst differentiation both the discontinuities are precisely excised by two distinct site-specific recombination events. One of them is brought about by the XisA protein between the 11 bp direct repeats. The second one is caused by the XisF protein and occurs between the 5 bp direct repeats. As a consequence the 11kb and 55 kb elements are removed from the chromosome as circles and functional nif Operons are created. Nitrogenase proteins are then expressed from the rearranged genes in heterocysts and aerobic nitrogen fixation ensues. How these elements intruded thenif genes and how and why are they maintained in heterocystous cyanobacteria are exciting puzzles engaging considerable research effort currently. The unique developmental regulation of these gene rearrangements in heterocystous cyanobacteria is discussed

Formulation and Optimization of Topical Dapsone Nanoemulsion Gel for Acne Vulgaris

In this work, it was found that it is possible to incorporate dapsone into nanoemulsion systems containing excipients that are compatible with skin. The physicochemical characterization performed here demonstrates that the mean droplet size was in the nanometer range, with good uniformity of diameter and a pH suitable for topical formulation. The use of different oil phases in the nanoemulsion systems enabled evaluation of the differential performance of the systems with regard to in-vitro release and permeation of dapsone, with potential for pharmaceutical application. Thus, the present study demonstrated nanoemulsion gel of dapsone as a possible alternative to a conventional topical formulation for the treatment of acne vulgaris

Association and correlation of thyroid dysfunction with anemia types in pregnant women of northern Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is a common disorder in pregnancy along with anemia. But no study has evaluated the association between them. To estimate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and its association with anemia types in pregnant women during 1st trimester.Methods: Three hundred and eighty pregnant women with <12 weeks of gestational age were selected for the study with no history of thyroid dysfunction and anemia. All the pregnant women were classified into A, euthyroid and B, thyroid dysfunction groups. The B group was again subdivided into hypothyroid, subclinical hypothyroid (SCH), hyperthyroid according to nature of dysfunction. 5 ml of blood sample was collected from all subjects to analyse thyroid hormones and erythrocyte indices.Results: Out of 380 subjects, euthyroid was found to be 77.9%, and rest 22.1% were with thyroid dysfunction. Out of 84 thyroid dysfunction, hypothyroid was found to be 7.9%, SCH 13.9% and hyperthyroid was 0.3%. Out of 296 euthyroid women, anemia was identified in 97 pregnant women (32.8%) whereas in thyroid dysfunction women it was 43 women out of 84 (51.2%) which is a statistically significant. Significantly higher frequency of microcytic hypochromic anemia and normocytic normochromic anemia types were also found in thyroid dysfunction groups compared to euthyroid group (p<0.05). However, no significance between the thyroid dysfunction groups, Statistically significant difference was observed in the Hb concentration, RBC count, MCV, MCH and PCV between euthyroid and different thyroid dysfunction conditions (p<0.05). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between fT4 and erythrocyte indices.Conclusions: As fT4 and TSH correlated with erythrocyte indices, it is advisable to screen for thyroid dysfunction and vice versa so as to prevent the complications associated with anemia and thyroid dysfunction

Shami (Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce) - A Medicinal Benison

Shami (Prosopis cineraria (L) Druce) belongs to family Fabaceae known for its spiritual uses in India mentioned in almost all the Nighantu’s of Ayurveda. It is endemic to Hot, Dry and Arid regions of India. Even though almost all the parts of Shami are having pharmacological actions specially the Bark and Fruit but these remain unexplored. It mainly contains tannins (gallic acid), alkaloids (spicigerine, prosophylline), Flavone derivatives (prosogerin A, B, C, D and E) and quercetin are widely used as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsant, nootropic and antidepressant activity. Thus, the current article reviews on Ayurveda literature, botanical description, varieties and powder microscopy of Shami

DIAGNOSIS OF MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA USING PLASMA FREE FATTY ACID AS A BIOMARKER

Objective: Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia (MI) in patients attending emergency intensive care unit (ICU) with symptoms of an acute coronarydisease is often difficult. Biochemical markers such as cardiac troponin (cTn) and creatinine kinase MB (CK-MB) may not rise during reversible MI.Previous studies suggest unbound free fatty acid (FFA) increased significantly in ischemic related events. Thus, plasma FFA has shown to be an earlybiochemical marker. To diagnose MI using plasma FFA as a biomarker.Methods: Blood samples were collected from 30 ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients admitted to ICU and 30 healthy volunteers for plasma FFA.Patients were diagnosed as IHD based on the clinical presentation, electrocardiogram (ECG), and coronary angiography findings, cTn, CK-MB. PlasmaFFA was measured enzymatically with (acyl-CoA synthetase- acyl-CoA oxidase) non-esterified fatty acid kit (Randox Laboratories Ltd., Co.Antrium,United Kingdom) on Bayer RA 50 analyzer in both normals and IHD patients.Results: Around 93.3% of the patients presented with the chest pain as a major symptom and 6.7% of the patient presented with dyspnea. Allthe patients showed a positive ECG change and angiographic findings suggestive of IHD. Plasma FFA (1.134±0.21) in IHD was significantly higher(p&lt;0.0001) than the control (0.5233±0.13). With respect to lipid profile triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL was significantly higherin MI when compared to normal with p&lt;0.001, whereas HDL was significantly higher in normals than the study group with p&lt;0.05. There was nostatistical difference in total cholesterol and hemoglobin value between the study group and the normals. Further standard biomarker like cTn waselevated in 60% (18) and CK-MB in 63% (19) of the patients when compared to FFA, which was elevated in 86% (26) of the patients.Conclusion: Thus, plasma FFA can be used as a simple, quick, and early marker of MI. However, should FFAs be measured routinely as a standarddiagnostic marker of ischemia still warrants further studies?Keywords: Myocardial ischemia, plasma FFA, cardiac troponin, creatinine kinase M

Phyto-pharmacognostic evaluation and HPLC study on Sariva (Hemidsmus indicus R.Br) Root

Plants are among the richest sources of bioactive compounds throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to mankind. Roots of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. is an important plant drug which is used to cure leprosy, leucoderma, itching, skin disease, asthma, bronchitis, leucorrhoea, dysentery, piles, syphilis, paralysis, urinary disorders and diabetes mellitus. As per Acharya Charaka has mentioned suitable season for collection of Moola i.e. Greeshma and Shishira Rutu. Here an attempt to study to check the potency of root collected as per classical reference. The present study focused on the pharmacognostical, phytochemical investigation as well as HPLC study were performed by taking different solvent extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root. This study highlights the detailed HPLC study on Hemidesmus indicus root by taking different solvent extracts with their increasing polarity which is a referential information for identification parameters and improves our confidence level of acceptability of herbal drugs

Prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women and the need for universal screening: an observational study in Northern Andhra Pradesh population

Background: The maternal thyroid dysfunction is associated with adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, preterm delivery, preeclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage in mother whereas increased risk of impaired neurological development in foetus. The present study was designed with an aim to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and the need for universal screening in pregnant women.Methods: Three hundred and eighty pregnant women between 8-36 weeks of gestation with age group 20-32 years were recruited. Serum free T3, free T4 and TSH levels were assayed by chemiluminescence method. The pregnant women were classified into euthyroid, subclinical hypothyroid (SH), overt hypothyroid (OH) and overt hyperthyroid groups based on the results obtained in the study.Results: In the present study, the mean ± SD age (in years) and BMI of all pregnant women was 23.9±3.9 and 22.9±1.6 respectively. The maternal age was high in OH and overt hyperthyroid and was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Similarly, women with high BMI were prone to OH than normal BMI (p&lt;0.05). The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was found to be 18.7%. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 17.4% in which the SH was 13.4% and overt hypothyroidism 3.9%, but overt hyperthyroidism was 1.3%. TSH levels increased with the advancement of gestational age from 2.72±1.85 in first trimester to 3.4±2.05 µIU/mL in third trimester, and the difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). Finally, it was also noticed that the prevalence of raised TSH in high-risk pregnant women was high compared to low-risk women (35.6% vs 5.1%) relative risk (RR) 7.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.62-12.65, (p&lt;0.0001). However, 14 out of 51 (27.5%) with SH were in low-risk group.Conclusions: The present study states that the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 18.7% and also emphasizes the importance of screening all pregnant women for thyroid dysfunction rather than targeted high-risk pregnant women to prevent both maternal and fetal morbidity

Audit of caesarean deliveries in a tertiary care hospital of northern Andhra Pradesh using modified Robson criteria

Background: Today, there is an increased trend in the incidence of caesarean section (CS) rate worldwide particularly in India, even with the lack of evidence supporting considerable maternal and perinatal benefits with higher CS rates. The main objective of our study was to find the incidence of CS rate, auditing the data on the basis of modified Robson criteria, factors responsible for the most common group, to know the changing trends of CS and finally put forth the strategies to reduce CS rate.Methods: This is a retrospective study of 472 CS cases carried out in a tertiary care hospital during the year 2016. All the cases were grouped according to the modified Robson criteria and the data was analyzed. The data were grouped into 3 different slots of 4 months each (FF = first four months; MF = middle four months and LF = last four months of the year 2016).Results: A significant increasing trend was observed in the groups of 2B and 5C where as a significant decreasing trend was noticed in 6C and 7C. The most common indications for caesarean delivery were cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD) (28%) and fetal distress (22%) in group 1 whereas in group 2A CPD, fetal distress and failed induction were found to be 12%, 24% and 30% respectively.Conclusions: The change in trend has been noticed in the last few months particularly in 2B and 5C groups suggesting that there is a change in the attitude of obstetricians in conducting caesarean deliveries before the onset of labour rather than performing CS after the onset of labour. Targeting 2B along with 5C would help our efforts in reducing the CS rate

Use of vaginal misoprostol before endometrial biopsy in premenopausal women: an observational study

Background: It is well-known since long time the beneficial effects of misoprostol particularly as a cervical softening agent in obstetric practice. Keep in view, study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vaginal misoprostol 400 mcg before endometrial biopsy in premenopausal women.Methods: All the 200 patients were classified into two groups viz. study group (Group I) with 100 patients and control group (Group II) with 100 patients. To Group I patients, 400 mcg of misoprostol was given vaginally, 4 hours prior to the commencement of endometrial biopsy whereas no medication was received by Group II patients.Results: In the present study, the base line cervical dilatation is found to be 5.8±1.3 mm in Group I patients whereas 3.8±0.92 mm in Group II patients which is significantly higher (p<0.05). Only 32 patients in Group I required further dilatation whereas 88 patients in Group II underwent further dilatation. The mean time required for further dilatation in Group I and Group II patients was 42.6±17.4, 64.6±16.8 sec respectively and was significantly higher in Group II patients (p<0.05). Out of 100 patients in Group I, only 2% of patients complained severe pain whereas in Group II 48% of patients experienced intolerable pain and required anesthesia.Conclusions: Vaginal administration of 400 mcg misoprostol 4 hours prior to endometrial biopsy in premenopausal women had a significant effect on cervical resistance and cervical dilatation

EVALUATION OF PREHYPERTENSION, HYPERTENSION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG I YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS

  Background and Objectives: Pre-hypertension is associated with increased progression to hypertension and cardiovascular risk. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension, as well as the associated factors among Ist year medical students who are from a similar socioeconomic status, dietary habits and lifestyle.Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 137 Ist year medical students using digital blood pressure (BP) monitor on three different occasions and the average was taken and also a questionnaire was obtained to assess the associated factors and other demographic details. Data were analyzed with the use of SPSS software and results were demonstrated using descriptive tables where Chi-square test and one-way analysis was used.Result: The prevalence of elevated BP (pre-hypertension and hypertension) as per JNC 7 criteria, among the medical students was 46.7%. There was a significant association of pre-hypertension with the individual risk factor like the family history of diabetes mellitus, diet and stress.Conclusion: The study shows a significant proportion of individuals with elevated BP at a younger age, associated with risk factors such as family history of diabetes, diet and stress. Elevated BP increases the risk for the development of hypertension during adolescence. Hypertension being a disease of iceberg goes unnoticed leading to chronic disease, therefore identification at the earliest can curb the disease.Keywords: Pre-hypertension, Adolescents, Prevalence, Hypertension