Protein landmarks for diversity assessment in wheat genotypes

Grain proteins from 20 Indian wheat genotypes were evaluated for diversity assessment based seed storage protein profiling on sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Genetic diversity was evaluated using Nei’s index, Shannon index and Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis by constructing dendrogram of fractions of proteins, which were used for the calculation of similarity coefficients between these varieties. Diversity analysis attributes exhibited the importance of seed storage as a marker system. The similarity ranged from 32.14% to as high as 100% between genotypes. Adoption of this technology would be useful to plant protection regulatory systems, especially for plant variety identification and registration of new plant varieties, breeding programs and protection purposes.Keywords: Sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), genetic diversity, population diversity index, coefficient of similarity.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(29), pp. 4640-464

Antimicrobial Activity of Actinomycetes Against Multidrug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Various Other Pathogens

Purpose: The rapid emergence of drug resistance among pathogenic bacteria, especially multidrugresistant bacteria, underlines the need to look for new antibiotics.Methods: In the present study, 134 different actinomycetes, isolated from the soil samples collected from different localities of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, were screened for antimicrobial activity against various test organisms including multidrug-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli in order to identify potential antibiotic producers.Results: Among these isolates, 51 (38 %) showed antimicrobial activity against one or more test organisms and six exhibited promising broad-spectrum activity against all the tested organisms. The observed cultural, morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics confirmed that these isolates are species of the genus, Streptomyces.Conclusion: Further studies on the bioactive metabolites from these cultures will be useful for discovering novel compounds of clinical and agricultural use.Keywords: Actinomycetes, Broad spectrum antibiotics, Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces

Clinical Depression Pathway Implementation: Outcomes From Pilot Practices

In 2017, an estimated 17.3 million adults (7.1%) in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. Although there are known, effective treatments for depression, fewer than half of those affected receive such treatments. LVHN implemented an Ambulatory Clinical Depression Pathway at three pilot sites to improve depression screening, symptom management, remission documentation, and patient quality of life. The pathway utilized the PHQ-9 metric for evaluating and tracking severity of depression while providing guidelines for short- and long-term follow up, patient education, and medical management. Five hundred twenty-five individuals were screened during the 6-month pilot study; 38% were diagnosed with depression (PHQ Score =5). Of those, 82% were prescribed antidepressant medications and 60% received education. Over-the-phone follow up for moderately-severe to severe patients occurred in 28% of encounters, while in-office follow up was completed within 6 months for 32% of depressed patients. Seventy three percent of patients who followed up showed improvement in depression with a 15% rate of complete remission. One site’s decreased adherence (58% screened, 24% in-office follow up) resulted in less response in more severe depression

Mortality implications and factors associated with nonengagement in a public epilepsy care initiative in a transient population

BACKGROUND: Community-based, public care programs are a requisite to close the epilepsy treatment gap in disadvantaged communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Potential beneficiaries may, however, choose not to engage in these programs. AIMS: The aim of the study was to describe factors associated with and mortality consequences of nonacceptance of a public epilepsy care initiative. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we contacted 207 (36%) people out of 575 who screened positive for epilepsy during a population-based survey of 59,509 people. They were invited for neurological evaluation and care provision (including antiseizure medications (ASMs)) but chose not to engage. Structured questionnaires and qualitative interviews were conducted to determine reason for their nonengagement. Factors associated with nonengagement were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. We conducted verbal autopsies for those who had died. RESULTS: Ten (5%) of the 207 individuals died since the initial screening; six with epilepsy-related causes. Of those who could be contacted (n = 48), 40 (19%) were confirmed to have epilepsy. Nonengaging individuals were likely to be older (odds ratio (OR): 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01, 1.11), locals (OR: 4.32; 95% CI, 1.55, 12.03), and earn less than US$ 78/month (OR: 3.6; 95% CI, 1.62, 8.06). Reasons for not engaging included a belief that epilepsy is inconsequential, loss of daily wages owing to healthcare facility visit and physical infirmity. CONCLUSIONS: Nonacceptance of a community-based public epilepsy care initiative is associated with high premature mortality, mostly attributed to epilepsy-related causes. Older age, ethnic status, and economic deprivation are factors associated with nonacceptance, though the underlying reasons may be varied

Clinical characteristics of epilepsy in resource‐limited communities in Punjab, Northwest India

Objectives: To describe clinical characteristics of a community‐based epilepsy cohort from resource‐limited communities in Punjab, Northwest India. / Methods: The cohort was gathered following a two‐stage screening survey. We cross‐sectionally examined and followed up the cohort for one year. A panel of neurologists assigned seizure types, syndromes, and putative etiologies and categorized drug responsiveness. / Results: The cohort of 240 included 161 (67.1%) men, 109 (45.4%) illiterates and 149 (62.1%) unemployed. Current age was >18 years in 155 (64.6%) but age at epilepsy onset was <18 years in 173 (72.1%). Epilepsies due to structural and metabolic causes were diagnosed in 99 (41.3%), but syndromic assignments were not possible in 97 (40.4%). After one year, drug‐resistant epilepsy was established in 74 (30.8%). Perinatal events (n = 35; 14.6%) followed by CNS infections (n = 32; 13.3%) and traumatic brain injury (n = 12; 5.0%) were common risk factors. Most of those with CNS infections (n = 19; 63.3%), perinatal antecedents (n = 23; 76.7%), and other acquired risk factors (n = 27; 90.0%) presented with epilepsy due to structural and metabolic causes. Perinatal events were the putative etiology for nearly 40.7% of generalized epilepsies due to structural and metabolic causes and 28.2% of all epilepsies with onset <10 years. / Significance: Existing classifications schemes should be better suited to field conditions in resource‐limited communities in low‐ and middle‐income countries. The finding of drug‐resistant epilepsy in nearly at least a third in a community‐based sample underscores an unmet need for enhancing services for this segment within healthcare systems. Perinatal events, CNS infections, and head injury account for a third of all epilepsies and hence preventative interventions focusing on these epilepsy risk factors should be stepped up

Biological Posts: Natural Alternatives in Restoring Smile

Traumatic injuries leading to severely mutilated anterior teeth&nbsp;are common in dentistry. These injuries may leave a severe&nbsp;impact when they affect&nbsp; ndodontically treated teeth as strength&nbsp;of such teeth is compromised. Proper functional and esthetic&nbsp;rehabilitation of such badly broken teeth is a challenge. Dealing&nbsp;with the patient’s mental suffering and their impatience to&nbsp;regain the natural smile back makes the treatment even more&nbsp;challenging. An effective treatment plan including a suitable&nbsp;and cost-effective choice of post is very much necessary in&nbsp;such conditions. Biological posts obtained through extracted&nbsp;teeth from another individual represent an economic option and&nbsp;alternative technique for the functional recovery of extensively&nbsp;damaged teeth. All-ceramic crowns further add to enhanced&nbsp;esthetics. This paper presents a case where biological posts&nbsp;with composite core build up followed by all-ceramic crown&nbsp;adaptation have been used with successful outcom

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO EVALUATE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF NAPROXEN AND VALDECOXIB ON NAPHTHALENE INDUCED CATARACT IN ALBINO RATS

Background:The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cataract formation is still unclear, previous data has indicated a cataractogenic as well as a potential protective effect of NSAIDs against cataract formation. Anti-cataract efficacy of NSAIDs have been studied extensively in different experimental settings. In view of this naproxen is used as standard and valdecoxib, a COX II (cyclooxygenase II) inhibitor is used as drug for comparison to evaluate the protective effects on naphthalene induced cataract in albino rats. Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of naproxen and valdecoxib on naphthalene induced cataract in albino rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult albino rats were taken and divided into six groups containing six animals each. Group I (control) received normal saline orally.  Group II (control) received normal saline eye drops. Group III received naproxen (4mg/kg) orally. Group IV received naproxen eye drops (2%). Group V received valdecoxib (3mg/kg) orally. Group VI received valdecoxib eye drops (2%). Oral dose and eye drops were given daily for 10 days prior to induction of cataract. Cataract was induced by oral administration of naphthalene 1gm/kg in albino rats. Rats were examined daily for appearance of lenticular capacity by indirect illumination, direct ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, and observed for any mortality for period of thirty days. Conclusion: Naproxen is more efficacious than valdecoxib a COX II selective inhibitor in retarding progress of cataract induced by naphthalene

An experimental study on the effect of felodipine on serum electrolytes and lithium concentration in albino rabbits

Objectives: To study the effect of felodipine, a calcium channel blocker, on concurrent administration with lithium carbonate on serum electrolytes and lithium in Albino rabbits. Material and Methods: Albino rabbits weighing 2.5 – 3 kg were divided in three group of ten each and were administered lithium carbonate and/or felodipine in suspension made of gum tragacanth daily for eight days. Blood was drawn from marginal ear vein after 24 hours of first dose and then at 28th day of drug/s administration for acute and chronic effects respectively. Serum was separated out and supernatant was decanted after centrifugation at 3000 rpm. Serum sodium, potassium and/or lithium were estimated using flame photometry. Heart rate was measured by heart transducer and polygraph. Mortality was observed till a week after last dose administration in this study. Results:  Acute effects of co-administration of felodipine and lithium resulted in highly significant decrease in heat rate but no fall in serum potassium and insignificant increase in sodium levels from the baseline values. On chronic co-administration, significant decrease in heat rate was maintained without any significant change in serum electrolytes and lithium levels from base line. No mortality was observed in the group treated with felodipine and lithium simultaneously. Conclusions: Felodipine with lithium co-administration minimally affect the serum electrolytes and lithium concentration and thus appears relatively safe for co-administration.Key words: Bipolar-disorder, Felodipine, Hypertension, Lithiu

Green concrete production incorporating waste carpet fiber and palm oil fuel ash

With the increasing amount of waste generation from various processes, there has been a growing interest in the utilization of waste in producing building materials to achieve potential benefits. This paper highlights the results of an experimental investigation on the performance of concrete incorporating waste carpet fiber (WCF) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as partial replacements of ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Six volume fractions varying from 0 to 1.25% of 20-mm-long carpet fiber were used with OPC concrete mixes. Another six mixes were made that replaced OPC with 20% POFA. The specimens were cured in water and tested for fresh and hardened state properties. The combination of WCF and POFA decreased the slump values and increased the VeBe time of fresh concrete. The addition of WCF to either OPC or POFA concrete mixes did not improve the compressive strength or modulus of elasticity. At 91 days, the compressive strength was in the range of 38.1e49.1 MPa. The positive interaction between WCF and POFA, however, leads to high tensile and flexural strengths, thereby increasing the concrete ductility with higher energy absorption and improved crack distribution. The maximum increases in tensile and flexural strengths compared to those of plain concrete were achieved by the addition of 0.5% carpet fiber at the age of 91 days. The ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) was examined and was classified as good quality concrete. The study showed that the use of waste carpet fiber and palm oil fuel ash in the production of sustainable green concrete is feasible both technically and environmentally

LENALIDOMIDE: RECENT ARMAMENTARIUM IN MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA

Lenalidomide is an analogue of thalidomide. It is an oral immunomodulatory compound with potent activity and different toxicity profile than thalidomide. Lenalidomide is one of the novel drug agents used to treat multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell malignancy characterized by excess monotypic plasma cells in the bone marrow. Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone is one of the most promising MM novel treatment options. It induces at least additive direct cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma cells. The lenalidomide has possibility of being used as an adjuvant in support of more specific immunotherapeutic interventions including cancer chemotherapy, anticancer vaccines and adoptively transferred cells which warrants further investigation