VARIATION IN THE SIZE OF ABDOMINAL AORTA MEASURED ON COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Objective: The normal size of the abdominal aorta is expected to be <3 cm though the size changes with age as well as workload. There is a need to know the variation in size of the abdominal aorta to avoid the formation of aneurysm and further complications.Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at Kasturba Medical College after taking 130 patients considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 130 patients who all came for abdomen computed tomography (CT) were divided into 65 patients in each age group under 20–40 years and 40–80 years. The measurements of abdominal aorta were anteroposterior (AP) and right left (RL) measured at T12-L1 level on plain axial abdomen CT images on Extended Brilliance Workstation.Result: We observed that there was a statistical significant difference in the average AP diameter between the two age groups (p<0.001). Another finding was a statistical significant difference in the average RL diameter between the two age groups (p<0.001), and, hence the size of abdominal aorta varies with age.Conclusion: The proposed study concluded that there was variation in the size of abdominal aorta with age. These findings would be helpful in early detecting of aneurysm and in avoiding aortic dissection

Twin Studies: Revealing the Genetic Basis of Malocclusion

The relative contribution of genes and the environment to the etiology of malocclusion has been a matter of controversy throughout the twentieth century and the first decace of twentyfirst century. Twin studies provide important insights into how genetic and environmental factors contribute to variation in dental and craniofacial morphology. This review describes research models involving twins, apart from the traditional comparison of similarities in monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (nonidentical) pairs, throws some light on zygositydetermination, summarizes some landmark twin studies in orthodontics and future directions in dental research involving twins are outlined

SUMO Sites Prediction in Human Transcription Factors Involved in Hypoxia induced Cardiac Illnesses

Protein SUMOylation is a reversible and well knownpost-translational modificationprocess of the cells. It may change a protein's cellular location, interactions, and possible structural shape before it develops to carry out its basic functions.Also, it decides the binding of transcription factors and DNA binding proteins tochromatin in addition to various cis and trans regulatory factors. Alterations in protein SUMOylation have been linked with a variety of disorders and developmental anomalies.Tentative approaches to identify SUMO binding sites are challenging due todynamic nature of the SUMOylation processand various critical lab experimentswhich are involved very high cost.Therefore, the computational methodologies may guide the experimental identification of SUMOylation sites and provide insights for improving comprehensionofSUMOylation mechanism in the cells.In this study, we identify the SUMO binding sites in transcription factors that are actively involved and have crucial roles in cardiac development andpathophysiology of the heart.A list of important transcription factors was preparedfrom thehuman transcription factor database.The GPS-SUMO, SUMO plot, and JASSA web serverswere used for the prediction of SUMO binding sites in cardiac transcription factors.We identified the SUMOylation of several novel, previously uncharacterized SUMO targetsthat are actively involved in thecardiovascular system.Thus, the present study may help to uncoverthe significance ofSUMO modificationin cardiac development and illnesses which creates a fresh avenue for future studies ontarget-specific SUMOylation for identification of novel therapeutic targets andmanagement strategies forhypoxia-induced cardiovascular disorders

Gut Microbiome and COVID 19 Role of Probiotics on Gut Lung Axis

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused the greatest worldwide pandemic called Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease. The SARS-CoV-2 virus primarily attacks the respiratory tract, but it also disturbs the gastrointestinal system (GIT). The presence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor in the intestinal epithelial cells, suggest the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 viruses from lungs to gut through systemic circulation. The virus detected in fecal samples of COVID-19 patients causes several gastrointestinal maladies including vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in abdomen. The gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with alterations in gut microbial composition, an increase in inflammatory cytokines and delayed virus clearance. Several studies demonstrated a decreased abundance of beneficial microbial species and increased opportunistic pathogens in the fecal samples of COVID-19 patients. The gut and lungs, share a bi-directional relationship called the “gut-lung axis” which is modulated by imbalanced gut microbiota. Since the gut microbes are suggested to play a vital role in health and disease by maintaining homeostasis of the immune system, therefore targeting the intestinal dysbiosis with beneficial microbial species, seems plausible to eventually diminish the effects of pulmonary infections and diseases. In this review, we have summarized studies demonstrating the gut-lung axis in association with gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 patients. In addition, the review also highlights the studies showing the potential role of probiotic supplementation in the amelioration of various respiratory infections and diseases. Data demonstrate that the restoration of gut microbial communities by probiotic supplementation can enhance lung capacity to combat respiratory viral infections including SARS-CoV-2

Molecular docking studies of natural and synthetic compounds against human secretory PLA2 in therapeutic intervention of inflammatory diseases and analysis of their pharmacokinetic properties

33-38Literature survey reveals that there are several natural and synthetic anti-inflammatory compounds reported till date. As a therapeutic drug target, PLA2 inhibition is preferred over other anti-inflammatory drug targets. The pro-inflammatory effects of group X sPLA2 are acquired from multiple pathways. This study aims to identify the best anti-inflammatory compound among 22 compounds reported in literature using in silico approach. The compound ligands are subjected to docking against the target protein human sPLA2 [PDB ID: 5G3M] at the active site using AutoDock 4.2.6. Based on the Δ binding free energy and hydrogen bonding interactions, it was observed that ten compounds fit at the active site. Out of these, compound 1 (14-deoxyandrographolide) was selected as the best compound. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties of the ligands are analyzed using pkCSM software available online. Compound 1 exhibited the best conformational fit when compared to the co-crystal inhibitor 4-Benzylbenzamide

Role of Moringa oleifera in regulation of diabetes-induced oxidative stress

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the antioxidant activity of aqueous extract ofMoringa oleifera (M. oleifera) young leaves by in vivo as well as in vitro assays.MethodsIn vitro study included estimation of total phenolic, total flavonol, total flavonoid and total antioxidant power (FRAP assay). In addition, in vivo study was done with the identified most effective dose of 200 mg/kg of its lyophilized powder on normal and diabetic rats. Its effect on different oxidative free radical scavenging enzymes,viz, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), lipid peroxide (LPO) contents were measured.ResultsSignificant increase in activities of SOD, CAT, GST while, a decrease in LPO content was observed. Whereas, total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents in the extract were found to be 120 mg/g of GAE, 40.5 mg/g of QE and 12.12 mg/g of QE, respectively. On the other hand, FRAP assay results ofM. oleifera leaves was (85.00±5.00)μM/g of extract powder.ConclusionsThe significant antioxidant activities ofM. oleifera leaves from both in vivo as well as in vitro studies suggests that the regular intake of its leaves through diet can protect normal as well as diabetic patients against oxidative damage

Laboratory Investigation of Indigenous Consortia TERIJ-188 for Incremental Oil Recovery

Bacterial Profile modification is an efficient process which brings the alteration in permeability of the porous media of the reservoir by selective plugging which eventually recover the residual oil. It is an advantageous and feasible method for residual oil recovery from high permeability zones of the reservoir. In this study, indigenous bacterial consortia, TERIJ-188 was developed from Gujarat oil fields. TERIJ-188 was identified as Thermoanaerobacter sp., Thermoanaerobacter brockii, Thermoanaerobacter italicus, Thermoanaerobacter mathranii, Thermoanaerobacter thermocopriae. The novelty of consortia was that it produces biomass (850 mg l-1), bio-surfactant (500 mg l-1), and volatile fatty acids (495 mg l-1) at 70°C in the span of 10 days, which are adequate to alter the permeability and sweep efficiency of high permeability zones facilitating the displacement of oil. The biosurfactant was analyzed for its functional group by FTIR and NMR techniques which indicate the presence of C-N bond, aldehydes, triacylglycerols. TERIJ-188 showed an effective reduction in permeability at residual oil saturation from 28.3 to 11.3 mD and 19.2% incremental oil recovery in a core flood assay. Pathogenicity test suggested that TERIJ-188 is non-toxic, non-virulent and safe for field implementation

sodC-Based Real-Time PCR for Detection of Neisseria meningitidis

Real-time PCR (rt-PCR) is a widely used molecular method for detection of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm). Several rt-PCR assays for Nm target the capsule transport gene, ctrA. However, over 16% of meningococcal carriage isolates lack ctrA, rendering this target gene ineffective at identification of this sub-population of meningococcal isolates. The Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase gene, sodC, is found in Nm but not in other Neisseria species. To better identify Nm, regardless of capsule genotype or expression status, a sodC-based TaqMan rt-PCR assay was developed and validated. Standard curves revealed an average lower limit of detection of 73 genomes per reaction at cycle threshold (Ct) value of 35, with 100% average reaction efficiency and an average R2 of 0.9925. 99.7% (624/626) of Nm isolates tested were sodC-positive, with a range of average Ct values from 13.0 to 29.5. The mean sodC Ct value of these Nm isolates was 17.6±2.2 (±SD). Of the 626 Nm tested, 178 were nongroupable (NG) ctrA-negative Nm isolates, and 98.9% (176/178) of these were detected by sodC rt-PCR. The assay was 100% specific, with all 244 non-Nm isolates testing negative. Of 157 clinical specimens tested, sodC detected 25/157 Nm or 4 additional specimens compared to ctrA and 24 more than culture. Among 582 carriage specimens, sodC detected Nm in 1 more than ctrA and in 4 more than culture. This sodC rt-PCR assay is a highly sensitive and specific method for detection of Nm, especially in carriage studies where many meningococcal isolates lack capsule genes

Mortality Among Adults With Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy and Infected With COVID-19

Importance: Large cohorts of patients with active cancers and COVID-19 infection are needed to provide evidence of the association of recent cancer treatment and cancer type with COVID-19 mortality. // Objective: To evaluate whether systemic anticancer treatments (SACTs), tumor subtypes, patient demographic characteristics (age and sex), and comorbidities are associated with COVID-19 mortality. // Design, Setting, and Participants: The UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project (UKCCMP) is a prospective cohort study conducted at 69 UK cancer hospitals among adult patients (≥18 years) with an active cancer and a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients registered from March 18 to August 1, 2020, were included in this analysis. // Exposures: SACT, tumor subtype, patient demographic characteristics (eg, age, sex, body mass index, race and ethnicity, smoking history), and comorbidities were investigated. // Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was all-cause mortality within the primary hospitalization. // Results: Overall, 2515 of 2786 patients registered during the study period were included; 1464 (58%) were men; and the median (IQR) age was 72 (62-80) years. The mortality rate was 38% (966 patients). The data suggest an association between higher mortality in patients with hematological malignant neoplasms irrespective of recent SACT, particularly in those with acute leukemias or myelodysplastic syndrome (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.30-3.60) and myeloma or plasmacytoma (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.04-2.26). Lung cancer was also significantly associated with higher COVID-19–related mortality (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.11-2.25). No association between higher mortality and receiving chemotherapy in the 4 weeks before COVID-19 diagnosis was observed after correcting for the crucial confounders of age, sex, and comorbidities. An association between lower mortality and receiving immunotherapy in the 4 weeks before COVID-19 diagnosis was observed (immunotherapy vs no cancer therapy: OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.31-0.86). // Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study of patients with active cancer suggest that recent SACT is not associated with inferior outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This has relevance for the care of patients with cancer requiring treatment, particularly in countries experiencing an increase in COVID-19 case numbers. Important differences in outcomes among patients with hematological and lung cancers were observed