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

A study on clinico social impact of teenage pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital

Background: In India, teenage pregnancy is an important public-health problem, although the national policy of the Government of India advocates the minimum legal age of marriage for girls to be 18 years. Data of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-3 revealed that 16% of women, aged 15-19 years, have already started childbearing. Teenage pregnancies represent a high-risk group in reproductive terms because of the double burden of reproduction and growth. Complications of pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality among girls aged 15-19 years in developing countries. Aim and objective of the study was to study the prevalence of teenage pregnancies and to study the clinic social impact of teenage pregnancies.Methods: The observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Government General Hospital, Guntur in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology over three Months from August to October 2018. All pregnant women coming to either OPD or directly to the labour room were included in the study group. History was taken and examination was done.Results: Among the 709 deliveries in the institute, 138 are teenage pregnancies contributing to 19.4%. Prevalence of anaemia in teenage mothers is as high as 63.7%, pregnancy induced hypertension contributing to 26.8% and abortions 9.4%. The neonatal outcome is poor in teenage mothers, low birth weight 20.2% contributing to the main morbidity.Conclusions: Teenage pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of preeclampsia, eclampsia, preterm delivery, increased incidence of instrumental deliveries and lower segment caesarean sections due to cephalopelvic disproportion, neonatal complications, increased neonatal morbidity and mortality mainly due to low birth weight was noted in babies delivered to teenage mothers.

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

Optimización de un pretratamiento enzimático para semillas de mostaza utilizando metodología de superficie de respuesta

In order to investigate the effect of an enzymatic pre-treatment process for the extraction of oil from black mustard seeds (Brassica nigra) using viscozyme, the reaction parameters such as temperature, buffer-to-seed ratio and enzyme concentration were considered as determinant factors in the central composite design. Optimization was carried out according to the four-variable five-level central composite design of experiments. The effects of enzyme concentration (5–12%), temperature (40–55 °C), pH (5.0–6.0), and reaction time (1–7 h) on the free oil liberated were studied. Residual oil was collected by subjecting the treated meal to soxhlet extraction for 4 h. An enzyme dose of 7.5% (w/w), pH 5.0, 50 °C, and 5 h with constant shaking at 450 rpm were found to be opti­mal conditions. Centrifuging the mixture at 7000 rpm for 30 min separated the oil with a recovery of 71–73.1%.Con el fin de investigar el efecto de un pretratamiento enzimático para la extracción de aceite de semillas de mostaza negra (Brassica nigra) utilizando viscozima, los parámetros de la reacción, como la temperatura, la relación de tampón/semilla y las concentraciones de enzima, se consideraron factores deter­minantes en el diseño. La optimización se llevó a cabo mediante cuatro diseños de experimentos compuestos de cinco niveles. Se estudió el efecto de la concentración de enzima (5-12%), temperatura (40-55 °C), pH (5.0-6.0), y tiempo de reacción (1-7 h) sobre el aceite liberado. El aceite residual se recolectó sometiendo la pasta tratada a una extracción de soxhlet durante 4 h. Las dosis de enzima del 7,5% (p/p), pH 5,0, 50 °C y 5 h con agitación constante a 450 rpm fueron las condiciones óptimas. La centrifugación de la mezcla a 7000 rpm durante 30 minutos separó el aceite con una recuperación de 71-73.1%

Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing <it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®(10⁹in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks. Stool samples were collected at 0, 4 and 8 weeks and assayed for immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin-2 by ELISA. All participants tolerated both normal and probiotic yoghurt well. Human beta-defensin-2 levels in faeces were not altered during the course of the study. On the other hand, compared to the basal sample, faecal IgA increased during probiotic feeding (P = 0.0184) and returned to normal after cessation of probiotic yoghurt intake.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>Bifidobacterium lactis </it>Bb12^®increased secretory IgA output in faeces. This property may explain the ability of probiotics to prevent gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tract infections.</p

Metrics to assess the quantity of antibiotic use in the outpatient setting: a systematic review followed by an international multidisciplinary consensus procedure

Background The international Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) project DRIVE-AB (Driving Reinvestment in Research and Development and Responsible Antibiotic Use) aims to develop a global definition of ‘responsible’ antibiotic use. Objectives To identify consensually validated quantity metrics for antibiotic use in the outpatient setting. Methods First, outpatient quantity metrics (OQMs) were identified by a systematic search of literature and web sites published until 12 December 2014. Identified OQMs were evaluated by a multidisciplinary, international stakeholder panel using a RAND-modified Delphi procedure. Two online questionnaires and a face-to-face meeting between them were conducted to assess OQM relevance for measuring the quantity of antibiotic use on a nine-point Likert scale, to add comments or to propose new metrics. Results A total of 597 articles were screened, 177 studies met criteria for full-text screening and 138 were finally included. Twenty different OQMs were identified and appraised by 23 stakeholders. During the first survey, 14 OQMs were excluded and 6 qualified for discussion. During the face-to-face meeting, 10 stakeholders retained five OQMs and suggestions were made considering context and combination of metrics. The final set of metrics included defined daily doses, treatments/courses and prescriptions per defined population, treatments/courses and prescriptions per defined number of physician contacts and seasonal variation of total antibiotic use. Conclusions A small set of consensually validated metrics to assess the quantity of antibiotic use in the outpatient setting was obtained, enabling (inter)national comparisons. The OQMs will help build a global conceptual framework for responsible antibiotic use

RAMAYAN PAR 'ADHAR|T ADHUNIK HINDI KAVYOM KA VISLESHANATMAK ADHYAYAN

HINDICUSATDepartment of Hindi Cochin University of Science & Technolog