Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Type IV) with Dental Findings in Siblings

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary disorder characterized by increased tendency for bone fractures due to high fragility. The clinical and radiological features of OI manifest in different age groups, although the disease is congenital in nature. Besides bone fragility, features like laxity of the ligaments, blue sclera, growth retardation, and scoliosis are also observed. In severe cases, respiratory distress and death have been reported. The most important oral finding in OI is the presence of yellowish-brown-coloured brittle teeth characteristic of dentinogenesis imperfecta. Genetic factors play a very important role in the pathogenesis of OI either as a dominant or recessive factor. When a child has OI, there is a 25% chance of the sibling to have the same disorder. We report two cases of OI in siblings born to parents with a history of consanguineous marriage. The clinical and radiological features of the two cases are described in detail

Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Physics Teaching in India

When academic institutions in India closed abruptly in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, formal education moved online. This transition had a very uneven impact given the significant digital divide between rural and urban India and the unequal distribution of digital resources in different institutions. Access to resources varied substantially by individual, based on socioeconomic factors as well as gender. Institutional support to the academic community during this critical period was largely inadequate, which has had serious consequences on the teaching of physics and other subjects that require laboratory instruction. Educational institutions also provide safe and enabling learning spaces for women students; reduced access to such facilities undermined the work- and study-related dynamics for women because of the scarcity of resources such as devices, data, and time. This paper reports on efforts made towards understanding such challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and describes steps that were taken to address them.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Agro-morphological Diversity of High Altitude Bean Landraces in the Kailash Sacred Landscape of Nepal

Many varieties of bean are widely grown across diverse agro-ecological zones in Nepal. And opportunities exist for improving the crops and enhancing their resilience to various biotic and abiotic stressors. In this context, an experiment was conducted from June to October 2016 in Khar VDC of Darchula district to study the phenotypic traits of nine landraces of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The bean landraces were planted using randomized complete block design in three sites (Dhamidera, Dallekh and Sundamunda villages), with three replications in each site for their comparative analysis. The study considered the following phenotypic traits: days to emergence, days to 50% flowering, days to 90% pod maturity, number of nodes, pod length, pod width, number of pods, number of seeds per pod and weight and grain yield for 100 seeds. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences in the landraces both within and among locations. KA-17-08-FB and KA-17-04-FB were late  flowering (63 and 65 days respectively) compared to other landraces whereas KA-17-07-FB flowered earliest (within 42 days). In all three sites, three landraces namely KA-17-07-FB, KA-17-04-FB and KA-17-06-FB were found to be relatively more resistant to pest and diseases than other landraces. Eight out of nine landraces in Dhamidera and Dallekh villages and seven out of nine in Sundamunda village produced seeds greater than 1.0 t/ha. Among the nine varieties KA-17-02-FB was the highest yielding variety, with an average yield of 3.8 t/ha. This study is useful for identifying suitable landraces for future promotion based on their maturity, grain yield, diseases resistance and other qualitative and quantitative characteristics

Prior learning factors impacting success in first year general chemistry

Many students find the first semester of tertiary chemistry very challenging. This may be due to having weak backgrounds in chemistry and mathematics, lack of sufficient study time, poor prior teaching or lack of interest in chemistry. Academic staff have implemented various measures to support student engagement and achievement including small group tutorials, a variety of online resources, in-class polling, PASS sessions and weekly online quizzes. In this study we have used a diagnostic survey at the transition to university to investigate students’ prior knowledge in mathematics and chemistry and to establish demographic factors. The results from this survey have been compared with student engagement in various resources and their final scores in the unit in an effort to determine factors that could be used to identify students at risk of failure, and to evaluate the utility of the additional resources offered to students. Gender effects have also been explored

Biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles generated from peels of Solanum tuberosum (potato) and their antibacterial and wastewater treatment potential

Global food production consumes a large fraction of energy budget, land area, and freshwater; however, a larger fraction of the produce is lost or unutilized, which has potential to produce useful products for human use. The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles from such waste food appears to be a promising strategy. A conservative estimate of 70–140 thousand tons of potato peels is produced annually by food-chain companies globally; however, they are primarily utilized to produce substandard feed for livestock or manure. For the formation of highly profitable compounds, enhancement of value, and the process of extraction, such as nanocomposite, organic antioxidants, and organic meal inclusions, potato peels can be used as a cheap, productive, and readily available source of raw material. In the present research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were extracted from the peels of potato (Solanum tuberosum). The fabrication of potato peel-derived AgNPs was established using UV-visible spectroscopy analysis. Approaches like X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflection-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were used to determine the characteristics of the AgNPs. Additionally, strains of Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC 25922) were used to determine the antibacterial activity of AgNPs via the disc diffusion technique. The antibacterial properties of AgNPs could help protect food from microbial contamination. Furthermore, AgNPs were tested for their potential application in purification of industrial wastewater. The results revealed that AgNPs derived from the potato peels could be used in industrial and biomedical applications and possess excellent antibacterial activity. Our research suggests that AgNPs can be extracted from a safe and ecofriendly fabrication technique from largely unused potato peels that have a great potential for inhibiting the bacterial growth and for the in situ purification of wastewater in the upcoming years. Therefore, besides value addition to the farm produce, such recycling of potato peels is likely to reduce the burden of the solid waste volumes in agro-centers, kitchen wastes, and food industries across the globe

Identification of a Classical Mutant in the Industrial Host <i>Aspergillus niger</i> by Systems Genetics: LaeA Is Required for Citric Acid Production and Regulates the Formation of Some Secondary Metabolites

The asexual filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger is an important industrial cell factory for citric acid production. In this study, we genetically characterized a UV-generated A. niger mutant that was originally isolated as a nonacidifying mutant, which is a desirable trait for industrial enzyme production. Physiological analysis showed that this mutant did not secrete large amounts of citric acid and oxalic acid, thus explaining the nonacidifying phenotype. As traditional complementation approaches to characterize the mutant genotype were unsuccessful, we used bulk segregant analysis in combination with high-throughput genome sequencing to identify the mutation responsible for the nonacidifying phenotype. Since A. niger has no sexual cycle, parasexual genetics was used to generate haploid segregants derived from diploids by loss of whole chromosomes. We found that the nonacidifying phenotype was caused by a point mutation in the laeA gene. LaeA encodes a putative methyltransferase-domain protein, which we show here to be required for citric acid production in an A. niger lab strain (N402) and in other citric acid production strains. The unexpected link between LaeA and citric acid production could provide new insights into the transcriptional control mechanisms related to citric acid production in A. niger. Interestingly, the secondary metabolite profile of a ΔlaeA strain differed from the wild-type strain, showing both decreased and increased metabolite levels, indicating that LaeA is also involved in regulating the production of secondary metabolites. Finally, we show that our systems genetics approach is a powerful tool to identify trait mutations

Prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus in south and southeast Asian women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The burden of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is very high in south Asia (SA) and southeast Asia (SEA). Thus, there is a need to understand the prevalence and risk factors for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) postpartum, in this high-risk population. Aim To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM among the women with history of GDM in SA and SEA. Methods A comprehensive literature search was performed in the following databases: Medline, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge and CINHAL till December 2021. Studies that had reported greater than six weeks of postpartum follow-up were included. The pooled prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were estimated by random effects meta-analysis model and I2 statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Results Meta-analysis of 13 studies revealed that the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM in post-GDM women were 25.9% (95%CI 18.94 to 33.51) and 29.9% (95%CI 17.02 to 44.57) respectively. Women with history of GDM from SA and SEA seem to have higher risk of developing T2DM than women without GDM (RR 13.2, 95%CI 9.52 to 18.29, p Conclusion The conversion to T2DM and prediabetes is very high among women with history of GDM in SA and SEA. This highlights the need for follow-up of GDM women for early identification of dysglycemia and to plan interventions to prevent/delay the progression to T2DM

Physical activity patterns and gestational diabetes outcomes – The wings project

AbstractObjectiveTo compare physical activity (PA) patterns in pregnant woman with and without gestational diabetes (GDM) and to assess the effects of an exercise intervention on change in PA patterns, blood glucose levels and pregnancy outcomes in GDM women.MethodsFor the first objective, PA patterns were studied in 795 pregnant women with and without GDM. For the second objective, the Women in India with Gestational Diabetes Strategy-Model of Care (WINGS-MOC) intervention were evaluated in 151 women out of 189 with GDM. PA was assessed using a validated questionnaire and a pedometer. Changes in PA patterns, glycemic parameters and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.ResultsOverall, only 10% of pregnant women performed recommended levels of PA. Women with GDM were significantly more sedentary compared to those without GDM (86.2 vs. 61.2%, p<0.001). After the MOC was implemented in women with GDM, there was a significant improvement in PA and a decrease in sedentary behaviour amongst women (before MOC, moderate activity: 15.2%, sedentary: 84.8% vs. after MOC-moderate: 26.5%, sedentary: 73.5%; p<0.001), and an increase in their daily step count from 2206/day to 2476/day (p<0.001). Fasting 1 and 2-h postprandial glucose values significantly decreased (p<0.001 for all). Sedentary behaviour was associated with a fourfold higher risk (p=0.02), and recreational walking with 70% decreased risk, of adverse neonatal outcomes (p=0.04) after adjusting for potential confounders.ConclusionsPA levels are inadequate amongst this group of pregnant women studied i.e. those with and without GDM. However, a low-cost, culturally appropriate MOC can bring about significant improvements in PA in women with GDM. These changes are associated with improved glycemic control and reduction in adverse neonatal outcomes

Higher incidence of perineal community acquired MRSA infections among toddlers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A six-fold increase in pediatric MRSA infections, prompted us to examine the clinical profile of children with MRSA infections seen at Mercy Children's Hospital, Toledo, Ohio and to characterize the responsible strains.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Records were reviewed of pediatric patients who cultured positive for MRSA from June 1 to December 31, 2007. Strain typing by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFT) and DiversiLab, SCC<it>mec </it>typing, and PCR-based <it>lukSF-PV </it>gene (encodes Panton-Valentine leukocidin), arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME) and <it>cap</it>5 gene detection was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Chart review of 63 patients with MRSA infections revealed that 58(92%) were community acquired MRSA (CAMRSA). All CAMRSA were skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI). Twenty five (43%) patients were aged < 3 yrs, 19(33%) aged 4-12 and 14(24%) aged 13-18. Nineteen (76%) of those aged < 3 yrs had higher incidence of perineal infections compared to only 2(11%) of the 4-12 yrs and none of the 13-18 yrs of age. Infections in the extremities were more common in the older youth compared to the youngest children. Overall, there was a significant association between site of the infection and age group (Fisher's Exact p-value < 0.001). All CAMRSA were USA300 PFT, clindamycin susceptible, SCC<it>mec </it>type IVa and <it>lukSF-PV gene </it>positive. Nearly all contained ACME and about 80% were <it>cap</it>5 positive. Of the 58 USA300 strains by PFT, 55(95%) were also identified as USA300 via the automated repetitive sequence-based PCR method from DiversiLab.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CAMRSA SSTI of the perineum was significantly more common among toddlers and that of the extremities in older children. The infecting strains were all USA300 PFT. Further studies are needed to identify the unique virulence and colonization characteristics of USA300 strains in these infections.</p

Metabolic Syndrome: a challenging health Issue in highly urbanized Union Territory of north India

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>1. To determine the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in adults aged 18 years and above in Chandigarh, India. 2. To determine the socio-demographic factors associated with MS. 3. To determine the agreement between IDF (International Diabetes federation definition) and ATP-III (National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults criteria).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a community based cross-sectional study, total 605 subjects aged 18 yrs and above were studied using multistage random sampling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was estimated by using IDF and ATP-III criteria. By IDF, Metabolic Syndrome was found in 287 (47.4%) subjects and it was more prevalent among females 171 (59.6%) as compared to males 116 (40.4%). By applying ATP-III overall prevalence was less i.e. 233 (38.5%) but again its prevalence was more among females 141 (44.8%) than males 116 (39.5%). Higher socioeconomic status, sedentary occupation and high body mass index were significantly associated with Metabolic Syndrome.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Metabolic Syndrome is a major health problem in the region and proper emphasis should be given on its prevention and control.</p