Primary Malignant Melanoma of Female Urethra: A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a very rare case report of female diagnosed with primary malignant melanoma. A 65 years old diabetic elderly postmenopausal femalepresented with a history of intermittent blood spots on undergarments forfew days. Genital examination revealed a single, tan colored, soft chestnut size and polypoidal non ulcerated mass lesion protruding through theurethral meatus. Mass biopsy revealed poorly differentiated epithelial malignancy and immuno-histological analysis revealed positive with HMB45 and protein S-100 suggestive of melanoma. Metastatic work up for themalignancy was negative. Complete urethrectomy with Mitrofanoff procedure with inguinal lymph node dissection was performed. Histopathological examination was suggestive of malignant melanoma of urethra.Here we discuss the clinicopathological features and management optionpossible in this scenario

Simulation-based training in laparoscopic urology – Pros and cons

Surgery is traditionally taught by using Halsteadian principle, which includes “see one, do one, teach one”. This principle relies on sheer volume of surgical exposure rather than a specific course structure. Simulation in minimally invasive surgery allows the learner to practice new motor skills in a safe and stress free environment outside the operating room, thereby decreasing the learning curve. A non-structured exhaustive MEDLINE search was done using MeSH words: “Simulation, Urological Training, Training Models, Laparoscopy Urology, Laparoscopic Skill, Endotrainer, Surgical Simulators, Simulator Validation”. The “ Pros and Cons of simulation based training in laparoscopic urology” were studied. Results were discussed along the following lines : 1. How does skill acquisition occur? 2. Factors affecting simulator-based training. 3. Description of types of simulators and models. 4. Validating a simulator. 5. Task analysis after training on a simulator. 6. How effectively does simulation based training, translate into improved surgical performance in real time? Pros: Simulators have the ability to teach a novice basic psychomotor skills. Supervision and feedback enhance learning in a simulation-based training. They are supplements to and not a substitution for traditional method of teaching. These models can be used as a part of most of the surgical training curriculum. Cons: Cost and availability are the key issues. The cost will determine the availability of the simulators at a center and the availability in turn would determine whether a trainee will get the opportunity to use the simulator. Also, teacher training is an important aspect which would help teachers to understand the importance of simulation in student training. The domains in which it would improve and the extent to which simulation will improve surgical skills is dependent on various factors. Most simulators cannot train a surgeon to deal with anatomical and physiological variations. At present, it is not possible to re-validate all the surgeons in terms of their surgical skills, using simulators

Efficacy of Different Botanicals Extracts Against Sclerotinia Blight of Brinjal (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) under In vivo Conditions

Among the various diseases the sclerotinia blight (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) is an important disease which causes loss in quality and quantity of fruits of brinjal. In between crop seasons, the species of Sclerotinia mainly survive through sclerotia which may be present on soil surface in unploughedfields or in crop debris or as admixture with the seed. In past, brinjal sclerotinia blight disease has been managed by various method, viz. chemical, cultural, biological Control and use of resistant varieties. However, it was observed that pathogens have developed resistance against regular use of chemicals. The uses of alternative management are best option for management of this disease such as resistant varieties and bio-agent/biological control.Between crop seasons, Sclerotinia species rely on sclerotia, which can be found on the surface of the soil in unploughed fields, in crop debris, or as an admixture with the seed. In the past, brinjal sclerotinia blight disease was treated with a variety of methods, including chemical, cultural, and biological treatments. Control and the utilisation of resistant cultivars are also important. Pathogens, on the other hand, have acquired resistance to the application of chemicals on a frequent basis. Alternative management strategies, such as resistant varieties and bio-agent/biological control, are the greatest options for managing this disease.Five plant extracts viz., Garlic, Neem, Ocimum, Dhatura, Onion were tested in vivo against Sclerotiniasclerotiorumat 10 per cent and 15 per cent concentration. All plant extracts were more or less effective and exhibited reduction in sclerotinia blight disease incidence. The effectivity of extracts increased with an increase in concentration. At ten per cent concentration, minimum disease incidence was found in Garlic (18.85%) followed by Neem (20.21%), Ocimum (22.67%), Dhatura (24.07%) and Onion (28.11%) extract as compared to untreated plants (33.07%). Maximum disease severity control (42.99%) was recorded in Garlic followed by Neem (38.88%), Ocimum (31.44%), Dhatura (27.14%) While minimum was recorded in Onion (14.99%). At 15% concentration the most effective was found in garlic which exhibited maximum disease severity control (50.57%) was recorded in Garlic followed by Neem (47.69%), Ocimum (38.50%), Dhatura (37.38%) While minimum was recorded in Onion (23.69%)

Ethyl Methane Sulfonate and Sodium Azide-Mediated Chemical and X-ray-Mediated Physical Mutagenesis Positively Regulate Peroxidase 1 Gene Activity and Biosynthesis of Antineoplastic Vinblastine in Catharanthus roseus

Catharanthus roseus synthesizes bioactive therapeutic metabolites, known as monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), including antineoplastic vinblastine and vincristine, which have high global demand, and antihypertensive ajmalicine, a serpentine. However, the in planta biosynthesis and accumulation of these phytopharmaceuticals are very low, attributed to their high cytotoxicity in the plant. Considering the low in planta concentration and over-harvesting of plant resources, biotechnological interventions have been undertaken to enhance the production of MIAs in plant systems. The present study was carried out to mutation through chemical and physical mutagenesis with sodium azide, ethyl methane sulfonate and X-rays, respectively, on C. roseus to determine their possible effects on the transcriptional modulation of MIA biosynthetic pathways in planta. The chemical mutagenesis resulted in delayed seed pod development in mutated C. roseus plants, with distinct leaf morphology and flower color. However, X-ray mutagenesis resulted in pollen-less sterile flowers. An HPLC analysis confirmed the higher catharanthine, vindoline and vinblastine content in sodium azide and X-ray mutants, and was further supported by higher PRX1 transcript levels estimated through real-time PCR analysis. The transcription factors WRKY1 and ORCA2 were found negatively regulated along with major MIA pathway genes in chemical mutants and their M1 generation, but showed positive regulation in X-ray M0 mutants. The induced mutagenesis of C. roseus provides a prospective strategy to modulate plant transcriptomes and enhance the biosynthesis of pharmaceutically important antineoplastic vinblastine in the plant

Additional file 1: of PEPstrMOD: structure prediction of peptides containing natural, non-natural and modified residues

List of modified residues integrated in PEPstrMOD; AMBER and GROMACS parameters for performing Molecular Dynamics. Table S1. Types of non-natural amino acids present in FFNCAA and SwissSideChain Force field libraries. Table S2. Types of PTMs available in FFPTM force field library. Table S3. AMBER parameters for performing energy minimization and molecular dynamics using AMBER11. Table S4. GROMACS parameters for performing energy minimization and molecular dynamics using GROMACS-4.6.5. (PDF 50 kb