Second-harmonic generation microscopy analysis reveals proteoglycan decorin is necessary for proper collagen organization in prostate.

Collagen remodeling occurs in many prostate pathologies; however, the underlying structural architecture in both normal and diseased prostatic tissues is largely unexplored. Here, we use second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to specifically probe the role of the proteoglycan decorin (Dcn) on collagen assembly in a wild type (wt) and Dcn null mouse (Dcn  -    /    -  ). Dcn is required for proper organization of collagen fibrils as it regulates size by forming an arch-like structure at the end of the fibril. We have utilized SHG metrics based on emission directionality (forward-backward ratio) and relative conversion efficiency, which are both related to the SHG coherence length, and found more disordered fibril organization in the Dcn  -    /    -  . We have also used image analysis readouts based on entropy, multifractal dimension, and wavelet transforms to compare the collagen fibril/fiber architecture in the two models, where all these showed that the Dcn  -    /    -   prostate comprised smaller and more disorganized collagen structures. All these SHG metrics are consistent with decreased SHG phase matching in the Dcn  -    /    -   and are further consistent with ultrastructural analysis of collagen in this model in other tissues, which show a more random distribution of fibril sizes and their packing into fibers. As Dcn is a known tumor suppressor, this work forms the basis for future studies of collagen remodeling in both malignant and benign prostate disease

Comparative evaluation of efficacy of terbinafine and itraconazole in treatment of tinea cruris

Background: In a hot and humid country like India, the prevalence of superficial mycotic infections is on the rise due to contributing environmental and demographic factors. In this study, we sought to assess the efficacies of two oral antifungal drugs, Itraconazole (a traditional azole) and Terbinafine (the only orally available allylamine). The two drugs were analyzed to see whether they differed significantly in their cure rates of tinea cruris. Since data, that compares only systemically administered Itraconazole and Terbinafine in the treatment of tinea cruris, is limited, this study becomes imperative.Methods: 60 patients, all clinically confirmed cases of tinea cruris and belonging to the age group of 18-65 years, were recruited for this prospective study. Patients were then randomly divided into groups A and B and followed-up for a month. Group A received cap. Itraconazole 100 mg, twice a day, for 15 days while group B received tab. Terbinafine 250 mg, once a day, for 4 weeks. Both groups were given topical 2% Sertaconazole that had to be continued for 8 weeks. During the 4 visits, scores for the 3 parameters (erythema, pruritis and scaling) were calculated and recorded for statistical analysis.Results: Authors observed that majority of the patients were exposed to hot and humid environment that contributed to sweating and poor personal hygiene. The changes in scores of erythema, pruritis and scaling from the baseline visit for both, Itraconazole and Terbinafine, were statistically significant at week 4 with P < 0.05 for all parameters. But the difference between the scores of the two drugs was not found to be statistically significant.Conclusions: Although the sample size of this study was small and the data was limited, findings of this study supported that both Itraconazole and Terbinafine were highly effective in the treatment of tinea cruris

Paget’s Disease of Maxilla: A Case Report

Paget disease of bone (PDB) is an idiopathic, chronic progressive disease of the bone, characterized by disordered pattern of bone resorption and formation. It has been observed to manifest itself as both monostotic and polyostotic disease. The scientific literature does not report a lot of cases on the incidence of this disease involving the jaws. In India, however a few cases have been reported in the recent times. Paget’s disease manifests itself as an asymptomatic disorder until it progresses onto the advanced stage where it becomes painful. Thus, its diagnosis on radiographs in the early stage is of paramount importance in order to deter its complications which may not only end up in disability but also can be fatal to life

Sports Dentistry and Dental Traumatology- A Review

Dental traumatology is a major connecting link between sports and dentistry. Sporting activities have become a huge integral part for those people who want to get involved in recreational activities. Dentistry plays a key role in handling oral and maxillofacial injuries which arise due to any sports activity. Sports dentistry is actually associated with prevention of injuries of oral and maxillofacial region and specific oral diseases in this particular area and its manifestations. Over the years, various preventive measures have become a significant part of sports dentistry which includes the use of mouthguard and dietary counselling. A sports team dentist, who plays a huge part in the diagnosis, management and prevention of injuries and diseases in sports-persons is also a great need in schools and colleges. In this review, we discuss the relationship of sports and dental diseases and how the parents and teachers are becoming an important factor in prevention of sports related injuries

Congenital syphilis, still a reality in 21st century: a case report

Congenital syphilis is a preventable disease and its presence reflects a failure of prenatal care delivery systems, as well as syphilis control programmes. The procedure to prevent congenital syphilis through antenatal screening and treatment is well established. But implementation of effective programmes has proved very difficult especially in resource constrained countries

Squamous Metaplasia in Pleomorphic Adenoma: A Diagnostic and Prognostic Enigma

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign salivary gland tumor. Histologically, squamous metaplasia has been reported in PA, but has rarely been documented as being extensive enough to cause significant misdiagnosis. Here, we present an unusual case of PA in a 50-year-old female patient presenting with swelling on the postero-lateral aspect of the palate for a week. Histopathologically, the tumor exhibited the features of conventional PA with extensive squamous metaplasia and giant keratotic lamellae in cyst-like areas. Such exuberant squamous metaplasia and keratin can be a diagnostic and prognostic pitfall and lead to overtreatment of the patient

Elucidating genetic diversity and variability in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) using yield attribution traits

Fifty-six desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) advance breeding lines were evaluated in order to explore the possibility of genetic divergence for yield and its contributing traits using Mahalanobis’s D2 Statistics and Principal Component Analysis. High estimates of heritability, genetic advance, GCV and PCV were recorded for seed yield per plant (92.2%, 12.4%, 37.1% and 38.7%), biological yield per plant (88.1%, 21.9%, 29.1% and 31.0%) and harvest index (87.3%, 25.0%, 22.7% and 24.3%). All the test genotypes were sort into five discrete clusters. Biological yield/plant (23.5%), days to maturity (17.3%), harvest index (14.6%), seed yield/plant (11.3%), total number of pods/plant (7.4%) and 100 seed weight (6.49%) were found to have highest percentage contributions to genetic diversity in the present research. The first six principal components (PC1 19.7%, PC 16.2%, PC3 11.2%, PC4 9.69%, PC5 7.2% and PC6 6.69%) could explain 70.68% of the total of the interaction variation and have Eigen value more than one.  Genotypes JG 2016-1411, JG 2016-9605, JG 2017-46, ICCV 16105, ICCV 16109, ICCV 16112 and ICCV 16116 were present in more than one PCs hence contributed maximum towards yield and can be used in various breeding programmes for yield improvement.

Primary tubercular liver abscess in an immunocompetent adult: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Isolated primary tubercular abscess is one of the rare forms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. A greater awareness of this rare clinical entity may help in commencing specific evidence-based therapy quickly and preventing undue morbidity and mortality.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 30-year-old man, of Asian origin, developed a hepatic tubercular abscess which was not associated with any pulmonary or gastrointestinal tract foci of tuberculosis. An ultrasonogram of the abdomen showed an abscess in the right lobe of his liver which was initially diagnosed as an amoebic liver abscess. Subsequently, the pus from the lesion yielded <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>using the BACTEC TB 460 instrument and <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>deoxyribonucleic acid by polymerase chain reaction. The patient was started on systemic antitubercular therapy to which he responded favorably.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This report emphasizes the fact that, although a tuberculous liver abscess is a very rare entity, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of unknown hepatic mass lesions.</p

Caspase 8 and maspin are downregulated in breast cancer cells due to CpG site promoter methylation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Epigenetic changes associated with promoter DNA methylation results in silencing of several tumor suppressor genes that lead to increased risk for tumor formation and for progression of the cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Methylation specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing were used for determination of proapoptotic gene Caspase 8 (CASP8) and the tumor suppressor gene maspin promoter methylation in four breast cancer and two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Involvement of histone H3 methylation in those cell lines were examined by CHIP assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The CpG sites in the promoter region of CASP8 and maspin were methylated in all four breast cancer cell lines but not in two non-tumorigenic breast cell lines. Demethylation agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dc) selectively inhibits DNA methyltransferases, DNMT3a and DNMT3b, and restored CASP8 and maspin gene expression in breast cancer cells. 5-aza-dc also reduced histone H3k9me2 occupancy on CASP8 promoter in SKBR3cells, but not in MCF-7 cells. Combination of histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-dc significant decrease in nuclear expression of Di-methyl histone H3-Lys27 and slight increase in acetyl histone H3-Lys9 in MCF-7 cells. CASP8 mRNA and protein level in MCF-7 cells were increased by the 5-aza-dc in combination with TSA. Data from our study also demonstrated that treatment with 5-FU caused a significant increase in unmethylated CASP8 and in CASP8 mRNA in all 3 cancer lines.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CASP8 and maspin expression were reduced in breast cancer cells due to promoter methylation. Selective application of demethylating agents could offer novel therapeutic opportunities in breast cancer.</p

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types