Latent coronary artery disease among smokers and smokeless tobacco users: a cross-sectional study

Background: Tobacco related mortality and morbidity and increase in developing country like India. WHO projected till 2020 India will accounts 15% of tobacco related mortality especially preventable causes of death e.g. cardiovascular disease. Active tobacco smoking is undoubtedly major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but subjects use smokeless tobacco in dependence pattern is not extensively evaluated for cardiovascular risk factor. In India smokeless tobacco especially Khaini is major form of tobacco consumption. Scarcity of data on effects of smokeless tobacco in cardiovascular disease especially coronary artery disease major limiting factor for undermine the detailed evaluation of cardiovascular effects in smokeless tobacco dependence subjects. The aim of the study was to study the risk of coronary artery disease among smokeless tobacco dependence in comparison to tobacco dependence smokers.Methods: Cross-sectional assessments were done on 36 adults (>18 years), treatment-seeking patients with a ICD 10 diagnosis of Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of tobacco. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, and after detailed clinical evaluation treadmill exercise test was done.Results: Mean age of tobacco dependence smokers 51.5±9.6 years vs 53.6±7.5 years. There were male predominant in study subjects and 38% subjects was treadmill test positive. Smokeless tobacco users had 35% positive treadmill test, and among Smokers 42% subjects was positive for treadmill test.Conclusions: Risk for latent coronary artery disease was similarly higher in smokers and smokeless tobacco dependence subjects

Post-partum psychosis: socio-demographic and obstetric profile

Background: Better knowledge of socio-demographic profile and obstetric features may help in early identification and treatment of patients with post-partum psychosis. The aim of present research is to study the age, parity, socio-demographic and obstetric and menstrual profile of patients suffering from post-partum psychosis. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study at in-patient department of psychiatry, SS Medical College and associated SGMH Rewa.Methods: The study was conducted on sixty patients of post-partum psychosis admitted in psychiatry ward. Detailed socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric and menstrual profile along with psychiatric assessment were recorded in proforma specially designed for the study.Results: Bulk of our post partum psychotic subjects (60%) were in the age range of 18-25 years with 83.33% of women were residing at rural areas. Most of subjects (76.67%) of post partum psychosis were illiterate. 73.33% patient were belonging to low socio-economic status and remaining to middle and high socioeconomic status. Majority of subjects (13.33%) were house wife (86.67%) followed by laborer class. Family jointness reveal 80% and 20% of subjects trailed from joint and nuclear family respectively. the maximum number of subjects (60%) were primipara with only 13.33% of subjects had history of obstetric complication in form of prolonged labour and post-partum heamorrhage. 25% subjects had cesarean delivery. 40% patients of puerperal psychosis were having menstrual irregularity and 60% had regular menstruation.Conclusions: Screening of vulnerable groups i.e. younger age, primipara, history of irregular menstruation in post partum period for psychiatric sign and symptoms is requisite for early diagnosis and prompt and adequate management. As most of the patients were from rural areas it is necessary to establish psychiatric services in rural areas as well so that this group of population can be provided holistic care along with already existing medical services

Latent coronary artery disease among smokers and smokeless tobacco users: a cross-sectional study

Background: Tobacco related mortality and morbidity and increase in developing country like India. WHO projected till 2020 India will accounts 15% of tobacco related mortality especially preventable causes of death e.g. cardiovascular disease. Active tobacco smoking is undoubtedly major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but subjects use smokeless tobacco in dependence pattern is not extensively evaluated for cardiovascular risk factor. In India smokeless tobacco especially Khaini is major form of tobacco consumption. Scarcity of data on effects of smokeless tobacco in cardiovascular disease especially coronary artery disease major limiting factor for undermine the detailed evaluation of cardiovascular effects in smokeless tobacco dependence subjects. The aim of the study was to study the risk of coronary artery disease among smokeless tobacco dependence in comparison to tobacco dependence smokers.Methods: Cross-sectional assessments were done on 36 adults (>18 years), treatment-seeking patients with a ICD 10 diagnosis of Mental and behavioral disorders due to use of tobacco. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics, and after detailed clinical evaluation treadmill exercise test was done.Results: Mean age of tobacco dependence smokers 51.5±9.6 years vs 53.6±7.5 years. There were male predominant in study subjects and 38% subjects was treadmill test positive. Smokeless tobacco users had 35% positive treadmill test, and among Smokers 42% subjects was positive for treadmill test.Conclusions: Risk for latent coronary artery disease was similarly higher in smokers and smokeless tobacco dependence subjects

Post-partum psychosis: socio-demographic and obstetric profile

Background: Better knowledge of socio-demographic profile and obstetric features may help in early identification and treatment of patients with post-partum psychosis. The aim of present research is to study the age, parity, socio-demographic and obstetric and menstrual profile of patients suffering from post-partum psychosis. Setting and Design: A cross-sectional study at in-patient department of psychiatry, SS Medical College and associated SGMH Rewa.Methods: The study was conducted on sixty patients of post-partum psychosis admitted in psychiatry ward. Detailed socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric and menstrual profile along with psychiatric assessment were recorded in proforma specially designed for the study.Results: Bulk of our post partum psychotic subjects (60%) were in the age range of 18-25 years with 83.33% of women were residing at rural areas. Most of subjects (76.67%) of post partum psychosis were illiterate. 73.33% patient were belonging to low socio-economic status and remaining to middle and high socioeconomic status. Majority of subjects (13.33%) were house wife (86.67%) followed by laborer class. Family jointness reveal 80% and 20% of subjects trailed from joint and nuclear family respectively. the maximum number of subjects (60%) were primipara with only 13.33% of subjects had history of obstetric complication in form of prolonged labour and post-partum heamorrhage. 25% subjects had cesarean delivery. 40% patients of puerperal psychosis were having menstrual irregularity and 60% had regular menstruation.Conclusions: Screening of vulnerable groups i.e. younger age, primipara, history of irregular menstruation in post partum period for psychiatric sign and symptoms is requisite for early diagnosis and prompt and adequate management. As most of the patients were from rural areas it is necessary to establish psychiatric services in rural areas as well so that this group of population can be provided holistic care along with already existing medical services

Decoding chikungunya virus non-structural protein 3 interacting partners in THP-1 derived infected macrophages through proteomic profiling

IntroductionChikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus transmitted by mosquitoes, has instigated several epidemics in recent years, sparking intensive efforts to understand its biology. Despite progress, the understanding of CHIKV’s molecular interactions with host cell constituents, especially in susceptible cells such as macrophages remains limited.MethodsWe used a mass spectrometry platform to characterize the interactions between CHIKV-nsP3, a viral nonstructural protein, and proteins in human THP-1 macrophage cells.Results and DiscussionOur findings revealed 196 high-confidence interactions primarily involving nsP3. Further, the sub-cellular localization, and pathways these interacting proteins might be involved in were deduced using computational methods. The interacting partners were further incorporated into a comprehensive host-virus interaction network derived from extensive literature on alphavirus-host interactions. Collectively, this study offers the first interaction map between CHIKV nsP3 protein and THP-1 cells, illuminating new probable roles of host cell proteins in CHIKV’s replication cycle

Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Thermal Decomposition Behaviour and Electrical Resistivity of Some Indian Lignite and Bituminous Coals

189-193It is known that irradiation of coal by high-energy and ionising gamma rays affects the structure of coal, as a result of which its physical and chemical properties are also likely to be - and indeed are, affected or modified. Very little work has been on this aspect of Indian coals, which are quite different from their foreign counterparts. From this point of view, over the past some years, the effect of gamma irradiation on different types of Indian coals and lignites have been extensively investigated at the Central Fuel Research Institute, Dhanbad. The work reported here is a part of those studies. Since thermal decomposition behaviour of coal is quite important for the selection of a suitable type of coal to be used in the coal hydrogenation process and also since the electrical resistivity of coal too is an important property which is imperatively considered in the non-fuel use of coal - especially for the manufacture of carbon artifacts (e.g. graphite, electrodes etc.), it prompted us to investigate as to whether the irradiation of coal with gamma rays affects its thermal decomposition behaviour and its electrical resistivity and, if so, to what extent and how will it be useful technologically. Presented in this paper are the results of investigations on the effect of gamma irradiation on the thermal decomposition/transformation of Rajasthan lignite and bituminous coal of Raniganj (West Bengal) coalfield and also on the electrical resistivity of high volatile, non-coking Hariajam (Gopinathpur seam) coal of Raniganj coalfields.   The results of these investigations have evidenced that at a maximum gamma dose of 120 Mrad, the thermal decomposition behaviour of both the Rajasthan lignite and bituminous Raniganj coal is significantly affected and eventually their transformation takes place. A comparison of the differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves of the unirradiated and irradiated coal and lignite samples reveals that in the DTA curves of irrradiated lignite and bituminous coal, additional endothermic and exothermic peaks appear.Whereas exothermic peaks correspond to solidifying temperature, the exothermic peaks connote temperature of maximum fluidity and decomposition and vapourisation of lower molecular weight constituents. Likewise, the results on the effect of gamma irradiation on high volatile, non-coking Hariajam coal clearly shows that the electrical resistivity of this coal is greatly affected. It has been found that in the beginning, upto a gamma dose of 150 Mrad, the electrical resistivity decreases, but at doses higher than this, the electrical resistivity gradually increases at all the temperatures studied (viz. 200, 500. and 800oC) and at 800oC it shoots up abruptly, attaining maximum value.  The results of these investigations have been explained on the basis of degradation and polycondensation as also the cross-linking of molecules that take place in coal under the influence of gamma rays. In conclusion, it is inferred from these studies that whereas the changes/modifications brought out in the thermal decomposition behaviour of Rajasthan lignite and bituminous Raniganj coal after gamma irradiation can be advantageously exploited in the use of these coals in the coal hydrogenation process, the increased electrical resistivity of non-coking Hariajam coal will he potentially useful in the manufacture of coke and other carbon artifacts like graphite and carbon electrodes

Gene Expression Studies to Identify Significant Genes in AR, MTOR, MAPK Pathways and their Overlapping Regulatory Role in Prostate Cancer

Gene expression studies revealed a large degree of variability in gene expression patterns particularly in tissues even in genetically identical individuals. It helps to reveal the components majorly fluctuating during the disease condition. With the advent of gene expression studies many microarray studies have been conducted in prostate cancer, but the results have varied across different studies. To better understand the genetic and biological regulatory mechanisms of prostate cancer, we conducted a meta-analysis of three major pathways i.e. androgen receptor (AR), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) on prostate cancer. Meta-analysis has been performed for the gene expression data for the human species that are exposed to prostate cancer. Twelve datasets comprising AR, mTOR, and MAPK pathways were taken for analysis, out of which thirteen potential biomarkers were identified through meta-analysis. These findings were compiled based upon the quantitative data analysis by using different tools. Also, various interconnections were found amongst the pathways in study. Our study suggests that the microarray analysis of the gene expression data and their pathway level connections allows detection of the potential predictors that can prove to be putative therapeutic targets with biological and functional significance in progression of prostate cancer

An Agrobacterium mediated transformation system of guava (Psidium guajava L.) with endochitinase gene

Genetic transformation of guava (Psidium guajava L.) was developed for the first time using in vitro grown shoot tip explant co-cultivated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 harbouring binary vector pIIHR-JBMch with endochitinase and nptII genes. The highest transformation efficiency was achieved by wounding explants with tungsten particles (0.5 µm) through particle acceleration system, followed by infection for 45 minutes with A. tumefaciens, grown overnight with 100 µM acetosyringone, corresponding to OD600=0.5 followed by co-cultivation for 72 hours under dark condition on co-cultivation medium (MS+100 µM acetosyringone+100 mg L-1 L-Cystein). Putative transformed explants regenerated shoots on selection medium stressed with 200 mg L-1 kanamycin for 12 weeks. Molecular analysis of putative transformants by PCR confirmed the integration of endochitinase and nptII gene in the plant nuclear genome

Role of Host-Mediated Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) in RNA Virus Pathogenesis

Being opportunistic intracellular pathogens, viruses are dependent on the host for their replication. They hijack host cellular machinery for their replication and survival by targeting crucial cellular physiological pathways, including transcription, translation, immune pathways, and apoptosis. Immediately after translation, the host and viral proteins undergo a process called post-translational modification (PTM). PTMs of proteins involves the attachment of small proteins, carbohydrates/lipids, or chemical groups to the proteins and are crucial for the proteins’ functioning. During viral infection, host proteins utilize PTMs to control the virus replication, using strategies like activating immune response pathways, inhibiting viral protein synthesis, and ultimately eliminating the virus from the host. PTM of viral proteins increases solubility, enhances antigenicity and virulence properties. However, RNA viruses are devoid of enzymes capable of introducing PTMs to their proteins. Hence, they utilize the host PTM machinery to promote their survival. Proteins from viruses belonging to the family: Togaviridae, Flaviviridae, Retroviridae, and Coronaviridae such as chikungunya, dengue, zika, HIV, and coronavirus are a few that are well-known to be modified. This review discusses various host and virus-mediated PTMs that play a role in the outcome during the infection

Procjena kakvoće ploda novog hibrida pomela i slatke naranče te njegova molekularna karakterizacija pomoću genetskih biljega specifičnih za kiselost

Research backgroundThere is considerable diversity in newly developed pummelo × sweet orange citrus hybrids. Most hybrids showed lower peel thickness and high juice yield but there is a lack of information on fruit quality parameters and molecular characterization. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to determine the content of antioxidants and properties of the fresh juice of 24 new pummelo × sweet orange citrus hybrids (Citrus maxima [Burm. f.] Osbeck × Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck) and the parental genotypes along with molecular characteristics determined using acidity specific markers. Experimental approach. The correlation and estimate of inheritance of the fruit juice properties: ascorbic acid, total phenol, total flavonoid, total antioxidant, total soluble solid and sugar contents, pH, titratable acidity, along with sensory evaluation was performed. Molecular characterization of these hybrids was carried out using de novo generated acidity specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Results and conclusions. The main constituents of the fruit juice of pummelo × sweet orange hybrids were observed in the range of w(ascorbic acid)=40.00–58.13 mg/100 g, total phenols expressed as gallic acid equivalents w(GAE)=40.67–107.33 mg/100 g, total antioxidants expressed as Trolox equivalents b(Trolox)=2.03–5.49 µmol/g, total flavonoids expressed as quercetin equivalents w(QE)=23.67–59.33 mg/100 g, along with other properties: total soluble solids=7.33–11.33 %, w(total sugar)=2.10–5.76 %, w(reducing sugar)=1.69–2.78 %, w(non-reducing sugar)=0.39–3.17 % and titratable acidity 1.00–2.11 %. The above parameters differed significantly in the fruit juice of the evaluated pummelo × sweet orange hybrids. Considering these parameters, the hybrids SCSH 17-9, SCSH 13-13, SCSH 11-15 and SCSH 3-15 had superior antioxidant properties in terms of these parameters. A higher heritability (≥80 %) was also observed for all juice properties. Molecular characterization of pummelo × sweet orange hybrids showed that >50 % of the hybrids were grouped with medium acidity parents. Both molecular and biochemical parameter-based clustering showed that interspecific hybrids exhibit transgressive segregation with increased antioxidants that help alleviate the health problems. Novelty and scientific contribution. These newly developed pummelo × sweet orange citrus hybrids are a valuable source of high-quality antioxidants for a healthy diet. The identification of trait markers that enable selection at the seedling stage is of great benefit to citrus breeders, as the characteristic features of a mature tree are not yet visible at the juvenile stage.Pozadina istraživanja. Među novorazvijenim citrusnim hibridima pomela i slatke naranče postoji bitna različitost. Većina ih ima tanju koru i veliki prinos soka, no dosad nije bilo podataka o parametrima kakvoće ploda i njihovoj molekularnoj karakterizaciji. Stoga je svrha ovog istraživanja bila odrediti udjel antioksidansa i svojstva svježeg soka 24 novih citrusnih hibrida pomela i slatke naranče (Citrus maxima [Burm. f.] Osbeck × Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck), te roditeljske genotipove zajedno s molekularnim značajkama određenim pomoću genetskih biljega specifičnih za kiselost. Eksperimentalni pristup. Utvrđene su korelacije i procijenjeno je nasljeđivanje sljedećih svojstava voćnog soka: maseni udjeli askorbinske kiseline, ukupnih fenola, flavonoida, antioksidansa, topljivih tvari i šećera, te pH-vrijednost, titracijska kiselost, kao i senzorska svojstva. Molekularna karakterizacija ovih hibrida provedena je korištenjem de novo generiranih mikrosatelitnih biljega (jednostavnih ponavljajućih sekvencija (SSR)) specifičnih za kiselost. Rezultati i zaključci. Glavni sastojci voćnog soka hibrida pomela i slatke naranče bili su u rasponu w(askorbinska kiselina)=40,00–58,13 mg/100 g, ukupni fenoli izraženi kao ekvivalenti galne kiseline w(GAE)=40,67–107,33 mg/100 g, ukupni antioksidansi izraženi kao ekvivalenti Troloksa b(Troloks)=2,03–5,49 µmol/g, ukupni flavonoidi izraženi kao ekvivalenti kvercetina w(QE)=23,67–59,33 mg/100 g, zajedno s drugim svojstvima: ukupna topljiva čvrsta tvar TSS=7,33 –11,33 %, w(ukupni šećer)=2,10–5,76 %, w(reducirajući šećer)=1,69–2,78 %, w(nereducirajući šećer)=0,39–3,17 % i titracijska kiselost 1,00–2,11 %. Navedeni parametri bitno su se razlikovali u voćnom soku ocjenjivanih hibrida pomela i slatke naranče. S obzirom na ove parametre, hibridi SCSH 17-9, SCSH 13-13, SCSH 11-15 i SCSH 3-15 imali su superiorna antioksidacijska svojstva. Također je uočena veća nasljednost (≥80 %) svih svojstava soka. Molekularna karakterizacija hibrida pomela i slatke naranče pokazala je da je >50 % hibrida grupirano s roditeljima koji imaju srednju kiselost. Grupiranje prema molekularnim i biokemijskim parametrima pokazalo je da interspecifični hibridi pokazuju transgresivnu segregaciju s povećanim udjelom antioksidansa, koji pomažu pri ublažavanju zdravstvenih poteškoća. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Ovi novorazvijeni citrusni hibridi pomela i slatke naranče vrijedan su izvor visokokvalitetnih antioksidansa za zdravu prehranu. Identifikacija biljega svojstava koji omogućuju selekciju biljke u fazi sadnice od velike je koristi za uzgajivače agruma, jer karakteristična obilježja zrelog stabla još nisu vidljiva u fazi mlade biljke