Dementia associated with seizure disorder - A Case Report

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning including thinking, remembering, reasoning and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management, and the ability to focus and pay attention. Several people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person depends completely on others for their basic activities of living. This condition is to be discussed under the condition of Unmada in Ayurvedic classics for the reason that it starts as Smriti Vibrama and ends in the eight types of Vibramas observed in Unmada. A 52 year old female patient hailing from Odisha was admitted in the IPD of our institute in the month of June 2019. She presented with complaints of not able to remember things, crying without any cause and rigidity in both upper and lower limbs with difficulty in walking. She was completely dependent to her family. She had history of repeated absent mindedness followed by a jerky awakeness and was later diagnosed to have absence seizures. The case was diagnosed as Unmada considering the status of Dosha and the disease condition. Considering the manifestations, the principles of management of Apasmara was also incorporated while managing. A protocol with Siropichu, Udwartana, Patrapodala Sweda followed by Snehapana, Snehavasthi and Nasya were administered accordingly. Considering the progressive nature of disease, Rasayanas were also prescribed after the Sodhana therapy

X-ray Intraday Variability of HBL Blazars with XMM-Newton

We present an extensive study on the X-ray intraday variability of ten TeV-emitting high synchrotron peaked blazars (HBLs): 1ES 0229+200, 1ES 0414+009, PKS 0548-322, 1ES 1101-232, 1H 1219+301, H 1426+428, Mrk 501, 1ES 1959+650, PKS 2005-489, and 1ES 2344+514 made with twenty-five XMM-Newton pointed observations during its operational period. Intraday variability has been estimated in three energy bands: soft (0.3--2 keV), hard (2--10 keV) and total (0.3--10 keV). Although seven out of these ten TeV HBLs exhibited some intraday variability at three-sigma levels no major variations exceeding six percent were detected. We explored the spectral properties of the sample by extracting the hardness ratio from the soft and hard bands; no significant variations in the hardness ratio were observed in any source. We performed power spectral density analyses on the variable light-curves by fitting power-laws, yielding slopes lying in the range from 1.11 to 2.93 for different HBLs. We briefly discuss possible emission mechanisms and carry out rough estimates for magnetic fields, electron Lorentz factors and emission region sizes for seven of these HBLs.Comment: Accepeted for publication in ApJ, 33 pages, 14 figures, 5 table

Micronutrient Profiles and Oxidative Stress in Metabolic Syndrome: A Comparative Analysis and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Metabolic syndrome, a complex condition with multifaceted origins, is closely linked to heightened cardiovascular risk. This investigation focused on the intricate relationship between micronutrient levels, oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and their combined influence on factors contributing to cardiovascular risk. Objectives: The main goal was to examine and contrast the levels of micronutrients and markers of oxidative stress in individuals with MetS against a healthy control group. Additionally, the research sought to analyze novel markers indicative of cardiovascular risk in these cohorts and to determine how these biochemical factors correlate with standard markers of MetS. Methods: In this cross-sectional comparative study, 200 individuals were equally divided into groups of MetS patients and healthy controls at MES Medical College and Hospital in Kerala. The study involved measuring anthropometric variables and assessing serum concentrations of micronutrients like Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper alongside oxidative stress indicators (Malondialdehyde [MDA] and Vitamin C) and newly recognized markers of cardiovascular risk (LpPLA2 and hs-CRP). Established markers of MetS were also evaluated. Results: Individuals with MetS showed notably higher body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference than the control group. Analysis of micronutrients indicated diminished levels of Zinc and Copper in the MetS cohort. Markers of oxidative stress, namely elevated MDA and decreased Vitamin C levels, were observed in the MetS group. Additionally, the MetS patients exhibited increased levels of LpPLA2 and hs-CRP, signaling heightened cardiovascular risk. The research further noted intricate interrelations between these biochemical markers and traditional indicators of MetS. Conclusion: This research emphasizes the vital link between obesity and metabolic syndrome, highlighting the critical role of micronutrient deficiencies and oxidative stress in the underlying mechanisms of the disease. The increased levels of LpPLA2 and hs-CRP among MetS patients point to a greater risk of cardiovascular complications, underscoring the necessity for an inclusive management approach for MetS. These findings support the integration of micronutrient and oxidative stress evaluation into the routine clinical assessment of MetS, in conjunction with monitoring established and emerging cardiovascular risk markers. Future studies should adopt longitudinal designs to delve deeper into the cause-and-effect relationships and assess the impact of specific interventions targeting these areas

Correlation of micronutrient status with atherogenic index and oxidative stress markers in metabolic syndrome

The prognostication of cardiovascular events in people with metabolic syndrome (MetS) is paramount due to their heightened risk profile. MetS is typified by a cluster of medical conditions such as raised blood pressure, hyperglycemia, central adiposity, and anomalous levels of cholesterol or triglycerides, which collectively increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease. Anticipating cardiovascular events in these individuals enables enhanced prevention approaches, more efficient management, and better patient results. The present investigation involved an examination of the correlation between a range of biomarkers, namely Lp-PLA2, Apo A1, Apo B, hs-CRP, OxLDL, MDA, and Vitamin C, and the atherogenic index in a population afflicted with MetS. The results indicated no statistically significant association between the markers mentioned above and the atherogenic index within the sample population. This suggests that these markers may not possess sufficient predictive value for cardiovascular events in this demographic. Nevertheless, it was noted that although there was no discernible correlation with the atherogenic index, the MetS cohort exhibited increased serum concentrations of Lp-PLA2, OxLDL, and MDA. The markers mentioned above are widely recognized as reliable indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress, two crucial processes in the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular events. As a result, the increased prevalence of MetS may indicate heightened susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of implementing a comprehensive approach to managing cardiovascular risk in affected individuals. In summary, although the markers analyzed in this investigation may not directly associate with the atherogenic index, their increased concentrations warrant prudence and emphasize the significance of vigilant management of cardiovascular risk in individuals diagnosed with MetS. Accurately forecasting cardiovascular events remains a multifaceted obstacle that necessitates the examination of numerous variables and persistent scholarly endeavors

Effect of casirivimab-imdevimab on mild COVID-19 patients with diabetes in reducing oxygen supplementation at 28 days: an observational study

Background: Monoclonal antibody therapy is one of the most promising treatments for COVID-19 infection. Casirivimab-imdevimab is a monoclonal antibody cocktail which is approved for high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. The aim of the study was to determine the safety and efficacy of casirivimab-imdevimab on diabetic patients with COVID-19.Methods: This was an observational study conducted on diabetic patients admitted with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. The patients were divided into 2 groups. While 101 patients were administered with casirivimab-imdevimab (test group), 100 of them were provided with standard treatment (control group). Regular follow-ups ensued for 10 days during the period of their hospitalization and finally on the 28th day through a telephonic enquiry. Apart from this, safety of administering the drug was assessed in all patients who belonged to the test group.Results: One of the patients who were administered casirivimab-imdevimab developed anaphylactic reaction. Three fourth of the patients who participated in the study were vaccinated and the oxygen requirement up to 10 days of admission was significantly lower in the vaccinated group (p=0.018). Oxygen requirement, mechanical ventilation and death up to 10 days of admission were less for patients who were administered monoclonal antibody, but it was not statistically significant. Oxygen requirement, and death after 10 days up to 28 days were also less for patients who were administered monoclonal antibody, even though not statistically significant.Conclusions: Casirivimab-imdevimab was not found to be beneficial in diabetic patients with mild COVID-19. More studies with higher sample size are required to prove the clinical benefit of casirivimab-imdevimab beyond doubt

Broodstock collection, Transportation and Maintenance of Marine finfishes

Wild collection and transportation of adult/sub-adults of marine finfish have a pivotal role in developing the broodstock in captive conditions. Physiological stress and physical injury of a brood fish while transportation and handling may have a more detrimental effect on spawning success than any other factor (Rottman et al., 1991). Mainly marine broodfishes are collected from the wild only. Wild collection can be done from Alappuzha, Vizhinjam, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin and Ramanathapuram areas along India’s southwest and southeast coast. The availability of broodfishes from a particular area can be assessed by a short-term market survey or by interviewing fishermen who target the particular fish. Experienced fishermen can confirm the presence of sub-adults of target fish around 200 meters from the high tide line during the post-monsoon period. Wild collection of fishes mainly done using Gill nets and Hook and line fishin

Fluorescence Polarization and Fluctuation Analysis Monitors Subunit Proximity, Stoichiometry, and Protein Complex Hydrodynamics

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy is frequently used to study protein interactions and conformational changes in living cells. The utility of FRET is limited by false positive and negative signals. To overcome these limitations we have developed Fluorescence Polarization and Fluctuation Analysis (FPFA), a hybrid single-molecule based method combining time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy (homo-FRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. Using FPFA, homo-FRET (a 1–10 nm proximity gauge), brightness (a measure of the number of fluorescent subunits in a complex), and correlation time (an attribute sensitive to the mass and shape of a protein complex) can be simultaneously measured. These measurements together rigorously constrain the interpretation of FRET signals. Venus based control-constructs were used to validate FPFA. The utility of FPFA was demonstrated by measuring in living cells the number of subunits in the α-isoform of Venus-tagged calcium-calmodulin dependent protein kinase-II (CaMKIIα) holoenzyme. Brightness analysis revealed that the holoenzyme has, on average, 11.9±1.2 subunit, but values ranged from 10–14 in individual cells. Homo-FRET analysis simultaneously detected that catalytic domains were arranged as dimers in the dodecameric holoenzyme, and this paired organization was confirmed by quantitative hetero-FRET analysis. In freshly prepared cell homogenates FPFA detected only 10.2±1.3 subunits in the holoenzyme with values ranging from 9–12. Despite the reduction in subunit number, catalytic domains were still arranged as pairs in homogenates. Thus, FPFA suggests that while the absolute number of subunits in an auto-inhibited holoenzyme might vary from cell to cell, the organization of catalytic domains into pairs is preserved