CONFINEMENT OF MICRONUCLEUS ON DAWKINSIA TAMBRAPARNIEI BY THE PARADOXICAL EFFECT OF THE ARSENIC DERIVATIVES

Objective: In the current study, in vivo genotoxic effects of arsenic derivatives such as arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on peripheral blood erythrocytes of Dawkinsia tambraparniei were investigated using the micronucleus (MN) test.Methods: MN staining was done using acridine orange pre-coated slides. Fluorescent microscope was used for scoring.Results: In NaAsO2 exposed, the erythrocytes highest value was recorded at 42 days which is twofold higher than exposure at 7 days when compared to As2O3. Highest percentage was recorded about 13.9 in NaAsO2, and in case of As2O3, it was recorded as 0.2% less. It was clearly confirmed that either form of arsenic is toxic to organism.Conclusion: Anthropogenic activities have also brought in substantial amounts of them into the environment by mobilization from their natural insoluble deposits or environmental sins. Hence, arsenic pollution should have measured, and arsenic removal process should have carried out

Survival following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in North Queensland is not associated with remoteness of place of residence

Objective: To assess whether survival and clinical events following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair were associated with remoteness of residence in North Queensland, Australia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included participants undergoing elective AAA repair between February 2002 and April 2020 at two hospitals in Townsville, North Queensland, Australia. Outcomes were all-cause survival and AAA-related events, defined as requirement for repeat AAA repair or AAA-related mortality. Remoteness of participant's place of residence was assessed by the Modified Monash Model classifications and estimated distance from the participants' home to the tertiary vascular centre. Cox proportional hazard analysis examined the association of remoteness with outcome. Results: The study included 526 participants undergoing elective repair by open (n = 204) or endovascular (n = 322) surgery. Fifty-four (10.2%) participants had a place of residence at a remote or very remote location. Participants' were followed for a median of 5.2 (inter-quartile range 2.5-8.3) years, during which time there were 252 (47.9%) deaths. Survival was not associated with either measure of remoteness. Fifty (9.5%) participants had at least one AAA-related event, including 30 (5.7%) that underwent at least one repeat AAA surgery and 23 (4.4%) that had AAA-related mortality. AAA-related events were more common in participants resident in the most remote areas (adjusted hazard ratio 2.83, 95% confidence intervals 1.40, 5.70) but not associated with distance from the participants' residence to the tertiary vascular centre. Conclusions: The current study found that participants living in more remote locations were more likely to have AAA-related events but had no increased mortality following AAA surgery. The findings emphasize the need for careful follow-up after AAA surgery. Further studies are needed to examine the generalisability of the findings

Control of modifiable risk factors and major adverse cardiovascular events in people with peripheral artery disease and diabetes

BACKGROUND People with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a high risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Prior research suggests that medical therapies aimed to control modifiable risk factors are poorly implemented in patients with PAD. AIM To examine the association between the control of modifiable risk factors, estimated by the novel PAD-medical score, and the incidence of MACE in people with PAD and diabetes. METHODS Participants were recruited from out-patient clinics if they had a diagnosis of both PAD and diabetes. Control of reversible risk factors was assessed by a new composite measure, the PAD-medical score. This score takes into account the control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, smoking and prescription of an anti-platelet. Participants were followed to record incidence of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death (MACE). The association of PAD-medical score with MACE was assessed using Cox propor-tional hazard analyses adjusting for age, sex and prior history of ischemic heart disease and stroke. RESULTS Between 2002 and 2020, a total of 424 participants with carotid artery disease (n = 63), aortic or peripheral aneurysm (n = 121) or lower limb ischemia (n = 240) were prospectively recruited, and followed for a median duration (inter-quartile range) of 2.0 (0.2–4.4) years. Only 33 (7.8%) participants had the optimal PAD-medical score of five, with 318 (75%) scoring at least three out of five. There were 89 (21.0%) participants that had at least one MACE during the follow-up period. A one-unit higher PAD-medical score was associated with lower risk of MACE (HR = 0.79, 95%CI: 0.63-0.98) after adjusting for other risk factors. CONCLUSION The PAD-medical score provides a simple way to assess the control of modifiable risk factors targeted by medical management aimed to reduce the incidence of MACE

Comparative study of adenosine deaminase activity, insulin resistance and lipoprotein(a) among smokers and healthy non-smokers

Background: Adenosine deaminase also known as adenosine aminohydrolase involved in purine metabolism. Its primary function is development and maintenance of immune system. The main objective of the study was to estimate adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme and find its correlation with lipoprotein(a) and insulin resistance among smokers and healthy non-smokers.Methods: Fifty smokers and fifty healthy non-smokers were selected based on WHO definition. ADA, lipid profile and glucose was estimated on a fully automated analyser by IFCC approved methods and lipoprotein(a) was done by latex enhanced immune-turbidimetric assay method respectively.Results: After appropriate screening ADA activity and insulin was significantly elevated among smokers when compared with healthy non-smokers. A positive correlation was found between pack size of cigarette and ADA activity and also with Lp(a) respectively. In addition, there was no correlation between serum lipid profile and ADA activity.Conclusions: Adenosine deaminase activity was increased in patients in response to nicotine which is the key component of cigarette smoke. These findings indicate that nicotine and carbon monoxide can alter lipoprotein synthesis and also modify LDL to oxidized form which can lead to ischemic heart disease

DISTRIBUTION, ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LYTIC BACTERIOPHAGES AGAINST MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT AND EXTENDED-SPECTRUM OF β-LACTAMASE PRODUCING PATHOGENS FROM HOSPITAL EFFLUENTS

Objective: To isolate. Screen and characterize an effective phage for MDR and ESBL producing pathogenic bacterial strains.Methods: Bacteriophages were isolated from hospital effluent samples by double layer agar method. Isolated phages were propagated by liquidenrichment technique and its host range was analyzed by double layer agar method. Morphology of the isolated phages was identified by TransmissionElectron Microscope (TEM). Genomic and proteomic analysis was confirmed by electrophoresis technique.Results & Discussion: 46 bacteriophages were isolated against 20 different MDR and ESBL strains of those 7 phages (Mm81, Ec84, Ps85, En833,Sal836, Ec8ATCC and Ec8PMG) were selected for further studies. According to the host range analysis result the 7 phage has been shown narrow hostrange. The phage genomic DNA and structural proteins were analyzed. In addition to based on the TEM analysis two phages viz., Mm81 and Ec84 werebelongs to Siphoviridae and Podoviridae family respectively. Present study evaluates the extensive occurrence of phages in the hospital effluent. Inaddition, this is first report of isolation and characterization of Morganella morganii lytic phage in Tamil Nadu, India.Conclusion: The study highlights the distribution of bacteriophages in the hospital effluent and it gives the therapeutic potential of isolated phagesfor the treatment of MDR and ESBL Producing Pathogens.Keywords: Phage therapy, Transmission electron microscope, Extended-spectrum of β-lactamase, Multi-drug resistant

Immunosuppressive drugs for nontransplant comorbidities are not associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm growth

Background: In the present study, we examined the association of immunosuppressant drug prescriptions with the growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods: Participants with an AAA measuring between 30 and 50 mm were recruited from four Australian centers. AAA growth was monitored by ultrasound. The immunosuppressant drugs included conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (eg, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, leflunomide), steroids, hydroxychloroquine, other immunosuppressant drugs (eg, cyclosporine, azacitidine), or a combination of these drugs. Linear mixed effects modeling was performed to examine the independent association of an immunosuppressant prescription with AAA growth. A subanalysis examined the association of steroids with AAA growth. Results: Of the 621 patients, 34 (5.3%) had been prescribed at least one (n = 26) or more (n = 8) immunosuppressant drug and had been followed up for a median period of 2.1 years (interquartile range, 1.1-3.5 years), with a median of three ultrasound scans (interquartile range, two to five ultrasound scans). No significant difference was found in AAA growth when stratified by a prescription of immunosuppressant drugs on either unadjusted (mean difference, 0.2 mm/y; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.4 to 0.7; P =.589) or risk factor-adjusted (mean difference, 0.2 mm/y; 95% CI, −0.3 to 0.7; P =.369) analyses. The findings were similar for the unadjusted (mean difference, 0.0 mm/y; 95% CI, −0.7 to 0.7; P =.980) and risk factor-adjusted (mean difference, 0.1 mm/y; 95% CI, −0.6 to 0.7; P =.886) subanalyses focused on steroid use. Conclusions: The results from this study suggest that AAA growth is not affected by immunosuppressant drug prescription. Studies with larger sample sizes are needed before reliable conclusions can be drawn

Circulating biomarkers are not associated wtih endoleaks after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objective: Endoleak is a common complication of endovascular repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but can only be detected through prolonged follow-up with repeated aortic imaging. This study examined the potential for circulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), osteoprotegerin (OPG), D-dimer, homocysteine (HCY) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to act as diagnostic markers for endoleak in AAA patients undergoing elective EVAR. Methods: Linear mixed effects models were constructed to assess differences in AAA diameter after EVAR, between groups of patients who did, and did not develop endoleak during follow-up, adjusting for potential confounders. Circulating MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY and CRP concentrations were measured in pre- and post-operative plasma samples. The association of these markers with endoleak diagnosis was assessed using linear mixed effects adjusted as above. The potential for each marker to diagnose endoleak was assessed using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Seventy-five patients were included in the current study, 24 of whom developed an endoleak during follow-up. Patients with an endoleak had significantly large AAA sac diameters than those that did not have an endoleak. None of the assessed markers showed a significant association with endoleak. This was confirmed through ROC curve analyses indicating poor diagnostic ability for all markers. Conclusions: Circulating concentrations of MMP9, OPG, D-dimer, HCY and CRP were not associated with endoleak in patients undergoing EVAR in this study

Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D status in apparently healthy adolescents and its association with body mass index in Puducherry population

Background: Several earlier studies were focused on Vitamin D status and insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus in adultpopulation. However, very few studies have been done among the healthy adolescents associating Vitamin D status with bodymass index (BMI) (anthropometric marker of central obesity). Objective: To examine the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25[OH]D) in apparently healthy adolescent and its association with BMI in apparently healthy adolescents (12-19 years age group)of Puducherry region. Methods: About 60 apparently healthy adolescents were evaluated for anthropometric, physiological, andbiochemical (fasting insulin and glucose, lipid profile, and 25[OH]D) parameters. Correlation between Vitamin D levels and BMIwas calculated. Results: Our study demonstrated a significant low level of 25(OH)D level in overweight (BMI=25-29.9) and obeseadolescent (BMI≥30) compared to non-obese (BMI<25) group. Pearson’s correlation analysis showed strong negative associationbetween BMI and serum 25(OH)D. Conclusion: Overweight or obese adolescents are more prone to Vitamin D deficiency. Hence,major efforts should be undertaken to tackle Vitamin D deficiency in adolescents such as food fortification and micronutrientsupplementation

Assessment of Hepatobiliary Status and Cardiometabolic Risk Markers among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients. A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and NAFLD itself is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). With both NAFLD and T2DM, there is a vicious circle of disease worsening, with one disease aggravating the development and progression of the other, thereby predisposing to early CVD events. Hence, we aimed to study the association betweenhepatobiliary status and cardiometabolic risk among T2DM patients. Material and methods: Eighty two patients with T2DM without any established liver and cardiac disease were recruited for the study. Routine biochemical parameterswere measured by an autoanalyzer. Parameters such as triglyceride glucose index (TyG index), lipid pentad index, fatty liver disease index (FLDI) etc. were calculated using the established formulas. HbA1c was estimated using Biorad D10 autoanalyzer. Apolipoprotein B (Apo-B), Apo-A, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], insulin, C-peptide were analyzed using ELISA. Results: Significant positive correlation was seen between cardiometabolic risk biomarkers and hepatobiliary biomarkersand significant negative correlation with total bilirubin and De-Ritis ratio. Through stepwise regression, FLDI was found to be a significant factor in the prediction of lipid pentad index (LPI). LPI, TyG index, FLDI were able to differentiate patients with T2DM based on the gold standard HbA1c values for T2DM diagnosis. Conclusions: Increase in hepatobiliary dysfunction contributes to increased CVD risk in T2DM patients. This study highlights the need for collaborative actions of diabetologists and hepatologists in identifying the people with NAFLD among T2DM patients, who should be targeted with intensive therapy to decrease their risk of future CVD events

New genomic regions identified for resistance to spot blotch and terminal heat stress in an interspecific population of triticum aestivum and T. spelta

Wheat is one of the most widely grown and consumed food crops in the world. Spot blotch and terminal heat stress are the two significant constraints mainly in the Indo–Gangetic plains of South Asia. The study was undertaken using 185 recombinant lines (RILs) derived from the interspecific hybridization of ‘Triticum aestivum (HUW234) × T. spelta (H+26)’ to reveal genomic regions associated with tolerance to combined stress to spot blotch and terminal heat. Different physiological (NDVI, canopy temperature, leaf chlorophyll) and grain traits (TGW, grain size) were observed under stressed (spot blotch, terminal heat) and non-stressed environments. The mean maturity duration of RILs under combined stress was reduced by 12 days, whereas the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was 46.03%. Similarly, the grain size was depleted under combined stress by 32.23% and thousand kernel weight (TKW) by 27.56% due to spot blotch and terminal heat stress, respectively. The genetic analysis using 6734 SNP markers identified 37 significant loci for the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) and NDVI. The genome-wide functional annotation of the SNP markers revealed gene functions such as plant chitinases, NB-ARC and NBS-LRR, and the peroxidase superfamily Cytochrome P450 have a positive role in the resistance through a hypersensitive response. Zinc finger domains, cysteine protease coding gene, F-box protein, ubiquitin, and associated proteins, play a substantial role in the combined stress of spot blotch and terminal heat in bread wheat, according to genomic domains ascribed to them. The study also highlights T. speltoides as a source of resistance to spot blotch and terminal heat tolerance