Bioinformatics Techniques for Studying Drug Resistance In HIV and Staphylococcus Aureus

The worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic has been partly controlled and treated by antivirals targeting HIV protease, integrase and reverse transcriptase, however, drug resistance has become a serious problem. HIV-1 drug resistance to protease inhibitors evolves by mutations in the PR gene. The resistance mutations can alter protease catalytic activity, inhibitor binding, and stability. Different machine learning algorithms (restricted boltzmann machines, clustering, etc.) have been shown to be effective machine learning tools for classification of genomic and resistance data. Application of restricted boltzmann machine produced highly accurate and robust classification of HIV protease resistance. They can also be used to compare resistance profiles of different protease inhibitors. HIV drug resistance has also been studied by enzyme kinetics and X-ray crystallography. Triple mutant HIV-1 protease with resistance mutations V32I, I47V and V82I has been used as a model for the active site of HIV-2 protease. The effects of four investigational antiviral inhibitors was measured for Triple mutant. The tested compounds had significantly worse inhibition of triple mutant with Ki values of 17-40 nM compared to 2-10 pM for wild type protease. The crystal structure of triple mutant in complex with GRL01111 was solved and showed few changes in protease interactions with inhibitor. These new inhibitors are not expected to be effective for HIV-2 protease or HIV-1 protease with changes V32I, I47V and V82I. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an opportunistic pathogen that causes hospital and community-acquired infections. Antibiotic resistance occurs because of newly acquired low-affinity penicillin-binding protein (PBP2a). Transcriptome analysis was performed to determine how MuM (mutated PBP2 gene) responds to spermine and how Mu50 (wild type) responds to spermine and spermine–β-lactam synergy. Exogenous spermine and oxacillin were found to alter some significant gene expression patterns with major biochemical pathways (iron, sigB regulon) in MRSA with mutant PBP2 protein

Quorum sensing: An imperative longevity weapon in bacteria

Bacterial cells exhibit a complex pattern of co-operative behaviour as shown by their capacity to communicate amongst each other. Quorum sensing (QS) is a generic term used for bacterial cell-to-cell communication which secures survival of its species. Many QS bacteria produce and release autoinducers like acyl-homoserine lactone-signaling molecules to regulate cell population density. Different species of bacteria utilize different QS molecules to regulate its gene expression. A free-living marine bacterium, Vibrio harveyi, uses two QS system to control the density-dependent expression of bioluminescence (lux), commonly classified as sensor and autoinducer system. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, QS not only controls virulence factor production but also biofilm formation. It is comprised two hierarchically organised systems, each consisting of an autoinducer synthetase (LasI/RhlI) and a corresponding regulator protein (LasR/RhlR). Biofilms produced by Pseudomonas, under control of QS, are ubiquitous in nature and contribute towards colonizations in patients of cystic fibrosis. Other organisms like Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus also utilize QS mechanism to control virulence in otitis and endocarditic decay. Overall, QS plays a major role in controlling bacterial economy. It is a simple, practical and effective mechanism of production and control. If the concentration of enzyme is critical, bacteria can sense it and perform a prompt activation or repression of certain target genes for controlling its environment. This review focuses on the QS mechanisms and their role in the survival of few important bacterial species

Online Conferences: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ways Forward

We have been using video calling or group calling facilities and even small professional meetings virtually through various digital platforms for the last couple of years in India. Many of us may remember our craze to conduct an online or virtual conference or any academics. Some of the institutions have lots of prestige due to having a digital academy. Some of the medical institutions in India had tele or virtual health or mental health services.  COVID-19 pandemic affected our life miserably; it imposed on us a virtual existence, and in many aspects of our personal and professional life we started using it and found it quite useful. Similarly, conference organizers have done lots of experiments that attendees felt beneficial and a good alternative to a conventional way of conducting conferences and that might change the way academicians or scientists gather in the future

Impact of Psychoeducation on Expressed Emotion, Family Environment, Drug Adherence and Illness Outcome of Individual with Schizophrenia

Background: Psychoeducation can be implemented in different formats and settings. The format depends entirely on the disorder, the developmental age of the individual, and their individual needs. Individual-based, Family-based, Group-based. Psycho-education most commonly involves the individual with the disorder, the patient or client, but in some situations, psychoeducation is implemented only to the people who deal with the patient on a day-to-day basis such as family, friends, teachers, or caretakers. Aim: To assess the impact of psychoeducation on expressed emotion, family environment, drug adherence, and illness outcome of the individual with schizophrenia. Methodology: It will be a hospital-based intervention study using pre-post-test control group research design. This study has been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of psychoeducation on different outcome variables. Results: After the intervention, it was found that family environment and drug adherence improved and expressed emotions reduced. So in schizophrenia role of psychoeducation is important. its improved family environment reduced expressed emotions and improved drug adherence. Keywords: Medication adherence, family environment, attitud

Impact of Drug Non-adherence on Individuals with Schizophrenia and their Family

Introduction: The study regarding poor adherence to medications in schizophrenic patients, a report was done by the World Health organization submitted in 2003 that report shows schizophrenic patients were found to be the most non-adherent 75.7% the difference between the findings may be due to the coverage of sampling. The World Health organization report also shows that based on the MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale), out of total respondents, half of them (50.2%) were found non-adherent to their medication. The relative risk of residence on adherence odd ratio equals 0.962 (95% CI; 0.766–0.206) for rural areas and the odds ratio equals 1.058 (95% CI; 0.765–1.463) for urban. Aim: To assess the impact of Drug Adherence of individuals with schizophrenia on psychopathology and their family functioning. Methodology: It was a hospital-based study using a descriptive research design with 60 chronic schizophrenia patients have been selected by the purposive sampling method. The schizophrenia patient and his caregiver have been assessed in the outpatient department at the Department of Psychiatry and Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health Pune. The data has been collected by direct personal interviews of patients and family members that scales used for this study were self-prepared socio-demographic datasheet McMasters Family Functioning Scale, PANSS, and MARS. The procedure was applied to their caregivers giving informed cons were as selected for the study. After data collection statistically analysis using SPSS results have been arranged in tables. Results: Study findings suggested poor drug adherence associated with psychopathology and family functioning of the patients. Conclusion: The present study shows that if the medication adherence is good then the family functioning of the family will be good. If the medication adherence is good, then most of the patients had no impairment in their positive symptoms.   Keywords:  Medication Adherence, family functioning, Schizophreni

Awareness of Sexual Harassment among Women Working in Chakan MIDC Pune

Background: Sexual harassment at a workplace is considered a violation of women's right to equality, life, and liberty. In 2013, the number of sexual harassment at the workplace increased rapidly, it is important to know the awareness level among women employees of "Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013". Aim: To study the level of awareness and perception about the implementation and prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace. Methodology: Sixty samples were selected by using Probability Sampling (Simple Random Sampling Method) and tools used for assessment were a semi-structured socio-demographic datasheet and a Self-made questionnaire. Results: More than half of respondents were not knowing the implementation of sexual harassment policy at the workplace and approximately two-thirds of respondents are not aware of the establishment of a women complaint cell in their office. Some respondents have been harassed at the workplace. More than half of the respondents feel sexual harassment at the workplace as being mentally disturbed and a hurdle in the growth of their carrier. Conclusion: Study has evoked the attention towards the importance of awareness of prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace so we can hope to inculcate better and effective implementation of policy and influence organizations to take initiative to spread awareness about prevention of sexual harassment that leads to the safe and healthy working environment for women employees. Keywords: POSH, Awareness level, Sexual Harassment&nbsp

A Study on Social Economical Status Related towards Schizophrenia and Mood Disorder Patients

Introduction: Schizophrenia can be defined as a serious mental disorder with some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that prejudices daily functioning, and can be disabling.Mood disorders can cause changes in your behavior and can affect your ability to deal with routine activities, such as work or school. (Woodruff Jr, R. A., Murphy, G. E., &Herjanic, M. (1967)).Anyone can feel sad or depressed at times .Children, teens, or adults who have a parent with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder These life events and stress can bring on feelings of sadness or depression or make a mood disorder harder to manage.Method:In present study researcher adopted a Simple Random Sampling   Method was used. A comparative  study was conducted to assess different outcome in schizophrenia and mood disorder.the data collection was done on 120 patients.Result: Study results shows that schizophrenia patients are belonging from lower middle socioeconomic status and mood disorder patients are belonging from lower class and lower middle class. the socioeconomic status of schizophrenia and mood disorder patient’s different socioeconomic status in geographical area there is significant difference found in rural and urban area; rural area socioeconomic status is good compared to urban area and have good quality of life of rural area patients compare to urban area it shows there is good prognostic factors of rural area patient because have good socioeconomic status and quality of life. The socioeconomic status and quality of life schizophrenia and mood disorder patient have interdependent on each other if their socioeconomic status is good it improve / reflect good quality of life.Conclusion: There is a slightly difference in socio economic status and quality of life of the schizophrenia and mood disorder patients. There is statistically no any significant difference in a both groups. Keywords:- Schizophrenia, mood disorder, socio economic statu

Family Environment, Socio-occupational Functioning, Illness Outcome and Gender Differences in Schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious but treatable brain disorder form of mental illness.  In this disorder affected population was about 7 per 1000 of the adult population. It is also estimated that globally about 29 million people are currently living with this debilitating illness. Research studies on schizophrenia over the last three decades have demonstrated various relationships between family and illness. Following the implementation of the deinstitutionalization model most persons with schizophrenia were cared for by a family member. The family environment could be crucial in the outcome of the illness however very little research has focused on the family environment and its relationship with illness outcome and gender differences were not been studied so far. Aim: The major aim of the study was to examine the family environment, illness outcome and gender differences in schizophrenia. Methods and Material: In this study, 104 participants were selected purposively. Data were collected using a Socio-demographic data sheet, family relationship index (FRI), positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS) and socio-occupational functioning scales (SOFS). Patients and family members were interviewed in the inpatient and outpatient departments. Result: There was a significant correlation between various domains of the family relationship index and illness outcomes among patients. Detailed result is described in the paper.  Keywords: Family environment, schizophrenia, illness outcome, gende

Computational Identification of Indispensable Virulence Proteins of Salmonella Typhi CT18

Typhoid infections have become an alarming concern with the increase of multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella serovars. The new pathogenic Gram-negative strains are resistant to most antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin and even co-trimoxazole and their derivatives thereby causing numerous outbreaks in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asian and African countries. Conventional and modern methods of typing had been adopted to differentiate outbreak strains. However, identifying the most indispensable proteins from the complete set of proteins of the whole genome of Salmonella sp., comprising the Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPI) responsible for virulence, has remained an ever challenging task. We have adopted a network-based method to figure out, albeit theoretically, the most significant proteins which might be involved in the resistance to antibiotics of the Salmonella sp. An understanding of the above will provide insight into conditions that are encountered by this pathogen during the course of infection, which will further contribute in identifying new targets for antimicrobial agents