Community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes from Udupi district, Karnataka, India

Nematodes constitute the most significant, most numerous, and diversified set of multicellular organisms on the earth. They live in various environments and exhibit a wide range of behavioural patterns. In the soil food web, they can be found at various trophic levels as herbivores (plant parasitic nematodes), bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores, and predators. As there were fewer studies on nematode ecology in the Udupi region, the present study aims to study the community structure and functional diversity of soil nematodes. Soil samples were collected following opportunistic random sampling employing a soil auger and were stored at 40C until transported to the laboratory. Nematodes were isolated from soil, killed, fixed, dehydrated, and displayed on a glass slide after isolation. The standard keys were used to identify the individual to genera level. 62 genera of soil nematodes belonging to 26 families and 7 orders were identified. Predator were the most prevalent communities. Various statistical indices for assessing nematode population ecology and nematodes specific indices were also calculated and it indicated a significant abundance of large plant parasitic nematodes. The region exhibits low levels of labile organic carbon and nutrient enrichment (Enrichment Index (EI):14.06 to 21.22). Despite this, the soil food web in the region is well-structured, indicated by Structure Index (SI) (85.51 to 89.74). Prevalence of fungal decomposition dominance and the soil appears to be minimally disturbed, as indicated by high channel index values and low Basal Index (BI) values, respectively

Hemoglobin, ferritin and thyroid profile in women with chronic telogen effluvium

Background:Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is a distinct disorder characterized by an excessive, alarming and diffuse shedding of hair in females. CTE has a major psychological impact on women impairing their quality of life. In the Indian context, rise in the number of CTE patients due to changing and stressful life style, necessitates systematic studies of contributing factors of CTE.Methods:A prospective study of premenopausal women in the age group of 18-50 years, presenting with diffuse hair loss of more than 100 hairs (clinical count) for more than 6 months, was conducted after obtaining an informed consent. General physical examination and a thorough dermatological examination of the scalp were carried out. Laboratory tests for blood hemoglobin, serum ferritin and thyroid hormone levels were performed. A subset of patients was also evaluated for stress levels using the Hamilton Anxiety Index and Hamilton Depression Index scales.Results:One hundred patients with a mean age of 29 years, of which 35% in the age group 18-25 years participated in the study. Prevalence of CTE was high (91%) in the age group 18-40 years. Most of the women (71%) presented with complaints of hair loss, within 12 months of occurrence. Hemoglobin levels were found to be significantly low in 66%, low serum ferritin in 76%, and hypothyroidism in 24% of patients. Out of the 66 women with altered blood hemoglobin levels, 72.7% has significant stress levels and 60.4% of them were working women. Ten patients had significantly low serum ferritin levels of < 40 μg/L, in spite of having normal hemoglobin levels. Nine patients had low serum ferritin and low thyroid levels. As many as eight patients had lower than normal levels of all the three markers.Conclusions:A significant number of patients had low hemoglobin, serum ferritin and thyroid levels, confirming a strong association of anemic conditions with CTE. Therefore, hemoglobin level, serum ferritin and thyroid levels need to be determined in CTE patients. Stress also plays a significant role in the causation of hair loss in women. Background:Chronic telogen effluvium (CTE) is a distinct disorder characterized by an excessive, alarming and diffuse shedding of hair in females. CTE has a major psychological impact on women impairing their quality of life. In the Indian context, rise in the number of CTE patients due to changing and stressful life style, necessitates systematic studies of contributing factors of CTE.Methods:A prospective study of premenopausal women in the age group of 18-50 years, presenting with diffuse hair loss of more than 100 hairs (clinical count) for more than 6 months, was conducted after obtaining an informed consent. General physical examination and a thorough dermatological examination of the scalp were carried out. Laboratory tests for blood hemoglobin, serum ferritin and thyroid hormone levels were performed. A subset of patients was also evaluated for stress levels using the Hamilton Anxiety Index and Hamilton Depression Index scales.Results:One hundred patients with a mean age of 29 years, of which 35% in the age group 18-25 years participated in the study. Prevalence of CTE was high (91%) in the age group 18-40 years. Most of the women (71%) presented with complaints of hair loss, within 12 months of occurrence. Hemoglobin levels were found to be significantly low in 66%, low serum ferritin in 76%, and hypothyroidism in 24% of patients. Out of the 66 women with altered blood hemoglobin levels, 72.7% has significant stress levels and 60.4% of them were working women. Ten patients had significantly low serum ferritin levels of < 40 μg/L, in spite of having normal hemoglobin levels. Nine patients had low serum ferritin and low thyroid levels. As many as eight patients had lower than normal levels of all the three markers.Conclusions:A significant number of patients had low hemoglobin, serum ferritin and thyroid levels, confirming a strong association of anemic conditions with CTE. Therefore, hemoglobin level, serum ferritin and thyroid levels need to be determined in CTE patients. Stress also plays a significant role in the causation of hair loss in women. Keywords: Hemoglobin, Ferritin, Thyroid profile, Chronic telogen effluviu

Drug utilization pattern in type II diabetes mellitus patients attending non-communicable disease clinic in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder. Early institution of treatment is necessary to prevent complications. Since treatment of diabetes requires lifetime therapy; this study is designed to understand the prescription trends at Non Communicable Disease clinic set up and to provide rationale.Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over a period of 2 months (May 2017- June 2017). Details of demographic data, duration and family history of diabetes, antidiabetic medications prescribed, history of comorbid diseases and drugs prescribed by physician for the treatment of comorbid diseases were collected in a structured format. Height and weight were recorded, and body mass index was calculated.Results: Study population included 294 patients and patients in the age groups of 40-59 years formed the bulk. 39% patients were overweight and 19.39% were obese. 93.20% patients were prescribed with metformin. 37 patients received insulin injection. 64.29% received more than one antidiabetic drug. Hypertension (82.05%) was the most common comorbid disease. Amlodipine was the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drug.Conclusions: Metformin was the most commonly prescribed antidiabetic drug. Utilization of newer antidiabetic drug is inferior. Use of rationale fixed dose combination improves patient compliance

\u3cem\u3eSphk2\u3csup\u3e−/−\u3c/sup\u3e\u3c/em\u3e Mice are Protected from Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Sphingosine kinases phosphorylate sphingosine to sphingosine 1‑phosphate (S1P), which functions as a signaling molecule. We have previously shown that sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2) is important for insulin secretion. To obtain a better understanding of the role of Sphk2 in glucose and lipid metabolism, we have characterized 20- and 52-week old Sphk2−/− mice using glucose and insulin tolerance tests and by analyzing metabolic gene expression in adipose tissue. A detailed metabolic characterization of these mice revealed that aging Sphk2−/− mice are protected from metabolic decline and obesity compared to WT mice. Specifically, we found that 52-week old male Sphk2−/− mice had decreased weight and fat mass, and increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to control mice. Indirect calorimetry studies demonstrated an increased energy expenditure and food intake in 52-week old male Sphk2−/− versus control mice. Furthermore, expression of adiponectin gene in adipose tissue was increased and the plasma levels of adiponectin elevated in aged Sphk2−/− mice compared to WT. Analysis of lipid metabolic gene expression in adipose tissue showed increased expression of the Atgl gene, which was associated with increased Atgl protein levels. Atgl encodes for the adipocyte triglyceride lipase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of lipolysis. In summary, these data suggest that mice lacking the Sphk2 gene are protected from obesity and insulin resistance during aging. The beneficial metabolic effects observed in aged Sphk2−/− mice may be in part due to enhanced lipolysis by Atgl and increased levels of adiponectin, which has lipid- and glucose-lowering effects

A study of health profile and effects of ambient air pollution among auto drivers of Bangalore city

Background: Auto drivers battle several occupational health hazards due to increasing pollution and unhealthy lifestyle. Improper diet and sleeping habits coupled with smoking, tobacco and alcohol use make them prone to respiratory and cardiovascular health hazards. Objectives: To assess the health status and quality of life (QoL) among auto drivers in Bangalore city and to study the association of selected parameters with respiratory and cardiac morbidities. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 450 auto drivers were given a questionnaire and they were distributed according to age, education, body mass index, smoking, tobacco and/or alcohol consumption. The QoL was assessed by World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) and peak expiratory flow, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels for each participant were recorded. The association between two categorical variables was determined by Chi-square test and p?0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The association of number of years of driving with prevalence of chronic morbidity (p=0.005), hypertension (p=0.008), diabetes (p&lt;0.001), and heart disease (p=0.04) were significant. QoL for physical and environmental domain were 16.11±0.28 and 12.48±0.06, respectively. Conclusion: A proportional increase in the risk of respiratory and cardiac morbidities with increasing number of driving years was observed among auto drivers

The invasive region of glioblastoma defined by 5ALA guided surgery has an altered cancer stem cell marker profile compared to central tumour

Glioblastoma, a WHO grade IV astrocytoma, is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous tumour that infiltrates deeply into surrounding brain parenchyma, making complete surgical resection impossible. Despite chemo-radiotherapy, the residual cell population within brain parenchyma post-surgery causes inevitable recurrence. Previously, the tumour core has been the focus of research and the basis for targeted therapeutic regimes, which have failed to improve survival in clinical trials. Here, we focus on the invasive margin as defined by the region with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5ALA) (GliolanTM) fluorescence at surgery beyond the T1 enhancing region on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This area is hypothesized to constitute unique microenvironmental pressures, and consequently be molecularly distinct to tumour core and enhancing rim regions. We conducted hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), array real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry staining on various intra-tumour regions of glioblastoma to determine molecular heterogeneity between regions. We analyzed 73 tumour samples from 21 patients and compared cellular density, cell proliferation, and the degree of vascularity. There is a statistically significant difference between the core, invasive margin and other regions for cell density (p < 0.001), cell proliferation (p = 0.029), and vascularity (p = 0.007). Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and Nestin immunohistochemistry were used as a measure of stem-like properties, showing significantly decreased Nestin expression (p < 0.0001) in the invasive margin. Array PCR of the core, rim, and invasive regions showed significantly increased fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and ALDH1 expression in the invasive zone, with elevated hypoxia inducing factor 1-alpha (HIF1 alpha) in the rim region, adjacent to the hypoxic core. The influence of varying microenvironments in the intra-tumour regions is a major key to understanding intra-tumour heterogeneity. This study confirms the distinct molecular composition of the heterogeneous invasive margin and cautions against purported therapy strategies that target candidate glioblastoma stem-like genes that are predominantly expressed in the tumour core. Full characterization of tumour cells in the invasive margin is critical, as these cells may more closely resemble the residual cell population responsible for tumour recurrence. Their unique nature should be considered when developing targeted agents for residual glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

Impact of copper cyanide on the key metabolic enzymes of freshwater fish Catla catla (Hamilton)

Short term toxicity experiments were conducted to study the effect of metal cyanide complex (copper cyanide) on the key metabolic enzymes viz., lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST) alanine amino transferase (ALT), acid phosphatase (AcP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in Catla catla juveniles. A total of 60 fingerlings were (2±0.5 cm; 1.5±0.2 g) exposed to two sublethal concentrations (0.253 and 0.152 mg/L) for a period of 15 days. Copper cyanide had significant (P> 0.05) effect on the key metabolic enzymes, the highest activities were observed in the group exposed to 0.253 mg/L. Results suggest that metal cyanide complex significantly altered enzyme activities of fish in both the sublethal concentrations

Retrospective analysis of intrauterine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in controlled ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination cycle

Background: Persistent thin endometrium affects <1% of patients. Various treatments have been proposed with no satisfactory results. GCSF is one such treatment modality which improves endometrial thickness and implantation. Aim of this study was to analyse the effects of dose and the site of instilling intrauterine G-CSF in COS IUI cycles in patients with unexplained infertility and to note the pregnancy rates among them.Methods: It is a 3-year retrospective study done in obstetrics and gynecology department of AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, that included all unexplained infertility cycles with controlled ovulation stimulation-IUI protocols where for a thin endometrium GCSF was used. The method of ovarian stimulation, the drug and dose used, the trigger for ovulation and the ovarian and endometrial response was noted. The day of the intrauterine GCSF and the dose and the site of instillation was noted. The endometrial response to GCSF the outcome for pregnancy was noted. All the data was analyzed statistically.Results: Significant endometrial response was seen with a dose of 100 mg,150 mg and 300 mg. Pregnancy outcome was better when GCSF was instilled just above the level of the os. GCSF instilled at the level of the fundus increases the possibility of ectopic pregnancy.Conclusions: Instillation of GCSF of 100 mg dosage just above the os; is a safe and effective method for improving the endometrial thickness and increasing pregnancy rate

Effectiveness of current anti-HIV regimen in low-and middle-income countries

Nevirapine (NVP) is a first-generation non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). However, with the emergence of resistance mutations due to a low genetic barrier under NVP pressure, new (second generation) NNRTIs have been approved. Rilpivirine (RPV), a second generation NNRTI, is not frequently used in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) that bear the major HIV burden. RPV has been co-formulated with tenofovir (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC) and has been recommended for patients with viral loads <100,000 copies/mL, inhibiting viruses that are resistant to NVP. It is now being considered in many LMICs. To understand RPV efficacy in HIV-1 subtypes prevalent in LMICs, we cloned RT genes from patients infected with four different HIV-1 subtypes: subtype B (HIV-1B), subtype C (HIV-1C), and recombinant forms CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG. HIV-1B is most prevalent in western countries and accounts for only ~12% of all infections. However, HIV-1C, which accounts for ~52% of all HIV infections, is most prevalent in LMICs. In vitro inhibition assays were performed with the four patient-derived RTs. Our results show that overall, NVP binds RTs with lower affinity than RPV, suggesting that NVP has lower effectiveness than RPV. However, NV binds 02_AG RT with better affinity than RPV. Hence, NVP may still be effective for patients infected with 02_AG. Furthermore, RPV binding affinity with HIV-1C is lower than other subtypes. This result is consistent with clinical results, showing less efficacy of RPV among HIV-1C infected patients

Pubertal lipid levels are significantly lower in youth with type 1 diabetes who experienced partial clinical remission

Importance: The physiologic changes in lipids during puberty in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is unclear as subjects in previous studies were not stratified by partial clinical remission (PCR) status. Aim: To determine the effect of PCR on lipid changes during puberty in youth with T1D. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of 194 subjects consisting of 71 controls of age 12.9±1.3y and 123 subjects with T1D stratified into remitters (n=44, age 13.0±0.8y) and non-remitters (n=79, age 11.2±0.6y). PCR was defined as insulin-dose adjusted HbA1c of ≤9. Pubertal status was determined by Tanner staging. Results: Among the pubertal cohort, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in the non-remitters compared to the remitters, 91.1±25.6mg/dL vs 77.2±25.8mg/dL, p=0.018; and the normal-weight controls, 91.1±25.6mg/dL vs 70.4±22.9 mg/dL, p=0.009; but was similar between the overweight/obese controls and non-remitters, 89.7±28.9mg/dL vs 91.1± 25.6mg/dL, p=0.81, and similarly between the normal-weight controls and remitters, 70.4±22.9mg/dL vs 77.2±25.8mg/dL, p=0.39. Total cholesterol was also significantly higher in the non-remitters compared to the remitters, 167.8±30.5 mg/dL vs 149.8±32.1mg/dL, p=0.012; and normal-weight controls, 167.8±30.5mg/dL vs 143.2±30.1mg/dL, p=0.011; but similar between the non-remitters and overweight/obese controls, p=0.098; and remitters and normal-weight controls, p=0.51. Non-HDL cholesterol was equally significantly higher in non-remitters compared to remitters, 111.3±30.1mg/dL vs 95.9±29.1mg/dL, p=0.028; and normal-weight controls, 111.3±30.1mg/dL vs 86.2± 32.2mg/dL, p=0.028; but similar between non-remitters and overweight/obese controls, p=0.48; and remitters versus normal-weight controls, p=0.39. Conclusions: Puberty-related reductions in LDL, TC, and non-HDL occur in remitters and normal-weight controls, but not in non-remitters and overweight/obese controls