Association of MTHFR gene polymorphism C677T (rs1801133) studies with early primary knee osteoarthritis in a South Indian population: a hospital-based study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly occurring disease of middle and elderly population, which is characterized by focal loss of joint articular cartilage, osteophyte formation and sub chondral bone remodeling. Classical risk factors of OA include age, gender, weight, joint injury, trauma, however hereditary component is one of the main crucial factors. Severalgenome wide association studies and candidate gene approaches have identified genetic variants involved in the influence and association of OA. In the current study influence of Methylene tetra hydro folate reductase MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) gene with early primary knee OA was evaluated.In this study 400 samples were included (200 cases & 200 controls). DNA was extracted & processed for PCR- RFLP evaluation and genotype analysis. Statistical analysis was performed & results indicated a lack of association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and early primary KOA. The stratification was done based on age & gender and also both. Individual’si.e females below the age of 40 years are more prone to the disease when compared with males. MTHFR gene polymorphism showed a lack of association with early primary knee osteoarthritis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study from south India. Keywords: Polymorphism; MTHFR gene; Osteoarthritis; molecular analysis

Fermentatative production of itaconic acid by Aspergillus terreus using Jatropha seed cake

Fermentation process for the production of itaconic acid was carried out using jatropha seed cake. Itaconic acid is commercially produced by the cultivation of Aspergillus terreus with molasses. Jatropha seed cake is one of the best carbon sources among various carbohydrates, because it is pure, inexpensive and available in a mass supply. The reaction was carried out at various temperatures, agitations and pH. The samples were collected at 24 h time intervals. Itaconic acid concentration wasmeasured by the rapid spectroscopic method. Jatropha seed cake shows maximum yield of 24.45g/lafter 120 h

A Novel Seven Level Inverterwith Modified Modulation Technique for Drive Applications

For high-power, high-voltage applications, multilevel inverters have gained widespread acceptance. Due to its rising advantages. In this paper a new circuit multilevel inverter, comparatively speaking to traditional inverters, this design requires less components as well as fewer gate drives and carrier signals. Because of this, both the total expense and complexity are drastically decreased, especially for higher output voltage levels. This circuit consists by two components one is level generation part contain by four switches and other one is polarity generation part comprise by H-bridge inverter that make up output voltage as a seven level. The portion that generates levels employs high frequency switches to produce various levels, and the part that generates the polarity of the output voltage is at line frequency. Additionally, it is more effective due to an inverter component that uses line frequency to operate switching power devices. As a result, there is no requirement for all switches to operate at high frequency, resulting in easier and more dependable management of the inverter. Here multicarrier Phase Disposition Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (PDSPWM) technique regulates the operation of the inverter.It consists by three carrier signals instead of six carrier signal and it provide less THD of output voltage and current compare to other multicarrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques. The design, analysis and control of the seven level inverter is demonstrated with the help of MATLAB/Simulink tool

Short-Term Clinical Results of Single-Injection Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) as a Therapeutic Option/Tool in Knee Osteoarthritis

Purpose: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a very common cartilage disorder affecting millions of people globally and is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, loss of articular cartilage, and osteophyte formation, resulting in disability. The presently available treatments for KOA are palliative. Hence, there is a need to explore a non-surgical treatment portfolio. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is one of the predominant attention-drawing managements/treatments for KOA in recent times due to its potential advantages of disease-modifying and regeneration capacities. Principle: This study aimed to evaluate the role of single-injection autologous BMAC as a therapeutic option in the treatment of KOA and evaluate the functional and clinical outcomes of KOA patients. In this study, 132 patients with KOA (Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grade II and III) were included as per the inclusion criteria. Autologous bone marrow was aspirated and separated, and concentrated bone marrow aspirate was administered into the knee joint of the affected individual. Results: At the end of the 12th month (end of the follow-up period), 95% of patients showed complete pain relief and improvement in joint function, which shows that the results were promising and encouraging. Unpaired t-test results also indicated that the two-tailed p-value is less than 0.0001, and the difference is extremely statistically significant. No adverse effects were observed in the study patients. Conclusions: BMAC therapy has potential, with satisfactory, efficient, and durable results in KL grades II and III in KOA patients. This can be a safe alternative therapy in the treatment of KOA, especially in the early grades of OA. In summary, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study from India that evaluated BMAC efficacy both subjectively and objectively in KOA (KL-II and KL-III) patients

Serum C3d levels in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia

Background & objectives: Results of earlier studies to evaluate the possible role of complement system in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) using classical methods like serum haemolyte component CH50, C3 and C4 levels were inconclusive. In this study we determined levels of serum C3d which is a catabolic fragment of C3, to find out any direct evidence of activation of the complement system in TPE. Methods: The study population consisted of 3 groups. Group A consisted of 37 patients with well characterized TPE. In group B, 26 patients with pulmonary eosinophilia had similar respiratory and haemotological features as in Group A but had associated worm infestation in stool. The control group consisted of 39 healthy volunteers. Serum C3d levels were determined by sandwich ELISA technique. Results: The serum C3d levels in TPE patients were not significantly different from those of the patients of group B or the normal controls. Interpretation & conclusions: Absence of significant change in serum C3d goes against the possibility of complement activation in TPE. Results of our study suggest that complement system is unlikely to play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of TPE

A Comaparitive Study on MSCT Coronary Angiographywith Conventional Coronary Angiography in Diadgnosis of Coronary Artery Disease in A Tertiary Care Center

Background: The evolution of multi slice computed tomography (MSCT) in recent years has generated interest in its ability to detect the extent of obstructive CAD. The use of high-speed tube rotation, coupled with simultaneous acquisition of multiple slices and fast post processing imaging software has created the opportunity to acquire high-quality images of the entire heart within one breath-hold. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy between dual source CT coronary angiography and invasive catheter coronary angiography with respect to site and degree of stenosis. Material & Methods:Study Design: Prospective comparative study. Study area: The study was done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad. Study Period: 1st Feb. 2010 to 30th June 2010. Study population: patients who were recommended and referred for angiographic evaluation of suspected CAD by the Department of Cardiology. Sampling method: Purpose or convenient sampling method. Study tools: MSCT scan protocol, coronary angiography. Statistical analysis: The diagnostic performance of coronary angiography by MSCT for detecting obstructive CAD was compared to catheter angiography. The results were calculated as the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the investigation. Results: Out of 33 patients, 11 (33%) patients were females and 22 (67%) patients were males. The age of the study subjects ranged between 28 years to 80 years. In our study, most 27(81.8%)of the study population were having right dominant circulation, followed by 3 (9.09%) in left dominant circulation and remaining 3 (9.09%) were presented with codominance circulation

A prospective study on role of PET-CT in the evaluation of lung masses in a tertiary care center

Background: Lung cancer is a leading cause of death in both men and women worldwide. For the past decades, Computed Tomography (CT) has been the gold standard imaging method in oncology. It has been used for initial staging, tumor evaluation after treatment, and follow-up of patients with cancer. The PET-CT scanners are essentially full ring coincidence detectors, the P.E.T. portion, physically mounted together with CT systems of various types. AIM: To study diagnostic role and accuracy of PET-CT in evaluating lung masses in our study population. Material & Methods: Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study , Study area: The study was done in the Department of Radiodiagnosis & Dept.of.Nuclear medicine, Yashoda Hospital, Hyderabad. , Study Period: 1st Feb. 2011 to 30th June 2011. , Study population: patients who were recommended and referred for the evaluation of lung masses detected on chest x-ray or by CT., Sample size: All the patients who were referred for lung masses evaluation, within the study period. Samplingmethod: Purpose or convenient sampling method. Study tools: The machine used for this study is Siemens biograph sensation 16. Ethical consideration: Institutional Ethical committee permission was taken prior to the commencement of the study. Data collection procedure: After obtaining institutional Ethical clearance, the purpose of the study was explained to the patients and their consent was taken in this regard. Observations & Results: The mean and SD of age of the study population was 61.233 ± 10.101. Out of 30 patients, 10 (33%) patients were females and 20 (67%) patients were males. Conclusion: PET CT is sensitive for detecting sub clinical adenopathy and osseous involvement