Dermatoglyphics: A predictor tool to analyze the occurrence of breast cancer

Background: Dermatoglyphics is the branch of science that deals with the study of ridge patterns on finger tips, palm, sole and toes and when once formed, they remain unchanged throughout the except after severe injuries. These patterns can serve as a non-invasive, cost-effective tool which can be used for the prediction of cancer. This can also serve as a baseline guide to identify women with breast cancer. Objective: To study the digital dermatoglyphic patterns among women with breast cancer in comparison with normal individuals. Materials and methods: 50 female patients with breast cancer of age group between 30-70 years were compared with 50 control group of individuals with no history of cancer. The breast cancer patients and the control group were of the same age and sex. Digital dermatoglyphic patterns were taken among these individuals with the aid of a dermatoglyphic kit. Procedure involved was modified purvis smith method. Results: digital dermatoglyphic patterns were analyzed between the patients and control group of individuals which showed statistical difference. Conclusion: we conclude that there is a genetic influence on the dermatoglyphic patterns. With the aid of this, the occurrence of breast cancer can be predicted and this dermatoglyphics can serve as a non-invasive, anatomical marker and a predictor tool to determine the individuals with breast cance

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Natural Products Evaluation from Terrestrial Streptomyces Species Strain KAV 2 Isolated from Rhizosphere Regions of Piper betle

Terrestrial actinomycetes have come to antimicrobial production dominantly and have been the focussed area for bioprospecting of novel secondary metabolites. The secondary metabolites of the fermented culture were prepared by solvent extraction method. In the current research work, Streptomyces species were completely analysed for antioxidant and antibacterial activities and also the GCMS analysis of the crude active extract revealed the presence of 12 bioactive compounds, which makes the particular strain as a potent source for drug validation research. The antioxidant activities assessed by four different methods proved that the crude extract could be effective against various kinds of free radicals. The maximum free radical scavenging activity for Ethyl acetate fraction by DPPH method was found to be 94.84±0.24% at 60 µg/mL concentration and the IC50 value was 26.91 µg/mL concentration respectively. The maximum ferric reducing ability for Ethyl acetate fraction was found to be 81.83±0.48% at 120 µg/mL concentration and the RC50 value was 53.16 µg/mL concentration respectively. The qualitative screening for active compounds gave positive results for alkaloids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, steroids. The Streptomyces species demonstrated antibacterial activities with maximum zone of inhibition as 19 mm against tested bacterial pathogens such as Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis. Keywords: Streptomyces, DPPH˙ radical, ABTS●+ radical cation, antibacterial, GCM

Clinical study on Comparison of Third Trimester Ultrasound Parameters to Diagnose Fetal Growth Restriction

INTRODUCTION: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pathological condition that affects about 5–10% of pregnancies. These are foetuses who failed to achieve their predetermined biological growth potential as a consequence of impaired placental function. The early diagnosis of FGR is important because it is the second most common cause of perinatal mortality. AIM & OBJECTIVE: To estimate the predictive value of Fetal Growth Pathology Score [FGPS] obtained from third trimester ultrasound to diagnose fetal growth restriction [FGR]. JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY: Fetal growth restriction [FGR] is an important cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Fetal biometry parameters with Doppler values in Third trimester ultrasound helps to diagnose fetal growth restriction and classify it as early onset or late onset fetal growth restriction. FGR babies were followed for perinatal outcome. This study aims at finding the predictive value of Fetal Growth Pathology Score derived from each ultrasound parameter to aid us in diagnosing FGR and enumerating the possible perinatal complications encountered. METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study is conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research from January 2019 to September 2020. This study was approved by ethical committee. Patients booked at PSG Medical College, with the reliable dates, also confirmed by dating scan were included in the study. Patients with the third trimester growth scan showing growth disparity with growth falling less than 10th percentile, requiring close monitoring and in need of follow up with interval growth scan to differentiate SGA from FGR baby were included in the study. Third trimester ultrasonogram done between 28 weeks to 40 weeks were taken into consideration. With the available ultrasound parameters, Head Circumference (HC), Abdominal Circumference (AC), Femur Length (FL) and Estimated Fetal Weight (EFW), the negative pathological deviation (-%Devp) is calculated, thus each fetus is assigned a FGPS, Fetal Growth Pathology Score. In the absence of fetal growth abnormality with respect to 5th percentile, -%Devp were considered as zero. After 2 to 3 consecutive ultrasound biometry, the patient is assigned a cumulative score FGPS. With the cumulative FGPS and the birth weight, the growth pattern is assigned. The primary outcome of the study was to identify the predictive accuracy of the FGPS, Fetal Growth Pathology score in diagnosing Fetal Growth Restriction. The growth pattern of each foetuses were assigned individually and categorised, thus helping in accurate diagnosis and preventing the chance of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It also compares association of FGR with gestational age, the need for Emergency caesarean delivery, and the risks of delivering a preterm low birth weight baby developing complications. RESULTS: When the Fetal Growth Pathology Score[FGPS] and the birth weight of the baby is compared, the Postive Predictive Values (PPV) and the Negative Predictive Values (NPV) were calculated after each visit. It is observed that NPV after first ultrasonogram was 73.5%, after second visit 61.1% which improved to 100% after 3rd follow up ultrasonogram. The Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was 56% after first visit, 53.7% after second visit and 63% after third visit and the results are statistically significant. But the diagnostic accuracy is moderate for all the visits. The calculated cumulative Fetal Growth Pathology Score and the birth weight gives us these four patterns: Abnormal-Abnormal[A-A] (52.3%), Normal-Normal[N-N](9.3%), Abnormal-Normal[A-N] (37%), Normal-Abnormal [N-A](1.3%) CONCLUSION: Among the 300 pregnant women who were included in our study, the Fetal Growth Pathology Score helps in identifying 52.3% of babies with growth restriction (A-A-52.3%) and 9.3% of normal babies (N-N-9.3%) i.e. upto 61.6% aggrement and this is statistically significant. Hence, we concluded that Fetal Growth Pathology Score [FGPS] enhances the detection and characterization of abnormal fetal growth prenatally by 61.6%. More evidences to support this new scoring system to influence changes in clinical practice is still awaited

Microalgal Biomass of Industrial Interest: Methods of Characterization

International audienceMicroalgae represent a new source of biomass for many applications. The advantage of microalgae over higher plants is their high productivities. The photoautotrophic microalgae include all photosynthetic microorganisms, i.e. Cyanobacteria (prokaryotes) or microalgae (eukaryotes). These microorganisms are characterized by a large biodiversity and chimiodiversity. Then, the analysis of microalgal and cyanobacterial biomass often needs specific adaptations of the classical protocols for extraction as well as for quantification of their contents. This chapter reviewed the main analytical methods used for the analysis of microalgae biomass and its main vaporizable compounds: proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, pigments and secondary metabolites