Glycemic control in smokers and risk of type 2 diabetes

Chronic cigarette smoking seems to markedly aggravate insulin resistance that could be due to the increase in counter-regulatory hormones such as GH, cortisol and catecholamine's that elevates blood glucose, Weight gain usually follows the cessation of smoking and increasingly, fear of weight gain discourages many smokers from attempting to quit Yet, weight gain after quitting smoking has proved so unresponsive  to preventive attempt  as to suggest that weight control  might even be incompatible with successful smoking cessation . Innovative treatments that can prevent or minimize weight gain are badly needed to encourage quitting smoking. However recently featured review and research on smoking and diabetes concluded the evidence that smoking is associated with the preparation for development of type 2 diabetes in men and women Therefore, this review focuses in the possible features of smoking cessation on the glycemic control and risk of type 2 diabetes.key words: Hyperglycemia,Smokers, types 2 diabete

Single-Molecule Analysis of i-motif Within Self-Assembled DNA Duplexes and Nanocircles

The cytosine (C)-rich sequences that can fold into tetraplex structures known as i-motif are prevalent in genomic DNA. Recent studies of i-motif–forming sequences have shown increasing evidence of their roles in gene regulation. However, most of these studies have been performed in short single-stranded oligonucleotides, far from the intracellular environment. In cells, i-motif–forming sequences are flanked by DNA duplexes and packed in the genome. Therefore, exploring the conformational dynamics and kinetics of i-motif under such topologically constrained environments is highly relevant in predicting their biological roles. Using single-molecule fluorescence analysis of self-assembled DNA duplexes and nanocircles, we show that the topological environments play a key role on i-motif stability and dynamics. While the human telomere sequence (C3TAA)3C3 assumes i-motif structure at pH 5.5 regardless of topological constraint, it undergoes conformational dynamics among unfolded, partially folded and fully folded states at pH 6.5. The lifetimes of i-motif and the partially folded state at pH 6.5 were determined to be 6 ± 2 and 31 ± 11 s, respectively. Consistent with the partially folded state observed in fluorescence analysis, interrogation of current versus time traces obtained from nanopore analysis at pH 6.5 shows long-lived shallow blockades with a mean lifetime of 25 ± 6 s. Such lifetimes are sufficient for the i-motif and partially folded states to interact with proteins to modulate cellular processes

Single-Step FRET-Based Detection of Femtomoles DNA

Sensitive detection of nucleic acids and identification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is crucial in diagnosis of genetic diseases. Many strategies have been developed for detection and analysis of DNA, including fluorescence, electrical, optical, and mechanical methods. Recent advances in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensing have provided a new avenue for sensitive and quantitative detection of various types of biomolecules in simple, rapid, and recyclable platforms. Here, we report single-step FRET-based DNA sensors designed to work via a toehold-mediated strand displacement (TMSD) process, leading to a distinct change in the FRET efficiency upon target binding. Using single-molecule FRET (smFRET), we show that these sensors can be regenerated in situ, and they allow detection of femtomoles DNA without the need for target amplification while still using a dramatically small sample size (fewer than three orders of magnitude compared to the typical sample size of bulk fluorescence). In addition, these single-molecule sensors exhibit a dynamic range of approximately two orders of magnitude. Using one of the sensors, we demonstrate that the single-base mismatch sequence can be discriminated from a fully matched DNA target, showing a high specificity of the method. These sensors with simple and recyclable design, sensitive detection of DNA, and the ability to discriminate single-base mismatch sequences may find applications in quantitative analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers

Anger;it's impact on human body

Anger is one of our most powerful and vital emotions with behavioural manifestation. It is described as an intense feeling in response to frustration , hurt, disappointment, or threatening.The benefits of anger include overcoming fears and building confidence to counter dangerous phenomenon  or threats which leads to the fight or flight response while the disadvantages of anger consist of excess anger serving as a numbing agent emotionally, physically and cognitively.Physiologically, emotions is considered to commence  from  brain nucleus named as  amygdale , part of brain   responsible for identifying threats to our well-being, and  relaying out an alarm when threats are identified that result in taking steps to protect ourselves. It is important to recognize the physiological effects of anger especially with all the damage this emotion might produce to our body system.This review article examines the physiology, causes of anger and impact of anger on the body

Clinical Outcome of Infants Younger than Two Months in Children Ward of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Nepal

Introductions: Newborn and young infants are most vulnerable for preventable deaths, particularly in developing countries. This study was conducted to see the clinical profile and outcome of infants less than two months of age admitted in children ward of Patan Hospital.Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was conducted at Patan Hospital, over 12 months from April 2014 to March 2015. Hospital records of all admitted infant less than two were reviewed. The demographic characteristics, clinical profile and clinical outcome were descriptively analyzed.Results: Out of 2062 admissions in children ward, 614 (29.8%) were infants less than two months,out of which 482were neonate less than 28 days. Among these neonates. 114 were inborn. Out of 436 infection, blood culture was positive in 37 (8.9%). There were 4 (0.04%) deaths, 4 (0.04%) referral and 22 (0.25%) left against medical advice. Infection 436 (436) was the commonest cause of illness, of which neonatal sepsis 163 (37.4%), pneumonia 130 (30%) staphylococcal skin infection 39 (8.7%) and UTI 34 (7.8%). There were 71(11.6%) cases of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Blood culture was positive in 55(9%) with CONS being the commonest organism isolated; 19  (51.3%).Conclusions: Children ward contributes significantly to the care of sick infants less than two months of age, especially out born ones, requiring neonatal care facility in tertiary level hospital of Nepal. As most admissions are for infection, followed by hyperbilirubinemia, pediatrics wards need to be equipped and staffed accordingly to meet the need of sick young infants.Keywords: children ward, clinical profile, neonatal sepsi

Kluver-Bucy Syndrome in a Patient with Bipolar Affective Disorder

Introduction: Kluver and Bucy described a behavioral syndrome in rhesus monkeys following bilateral temporal lobectomy which included psychic blindness, hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis, hypersexuality, and emotional unresponsiveness. Case report: A 44 years old right handed male of Indo-aryan origin, blacksmith by profession, had presented in manic phase of bipolar illness. He had hypersexuality, hypermetamorphosis, hyperorality, and altered dietary habits along with amnesia and fleeting misrecognition of even his close relatives. MRI of the patient showed mild cerebral atrophy with right temporal lobe atrophy. The patient was treated with lithium and olanzapine along with benzodiazepines. The symptoms resolved gradually with resolution of the manic phase. Patient had similar features in the previous manic episode as well that resolved with resolution of mania. Conclusion: The symptoms of Kluver-Bucy syndrome like increased libido, increased activity might be confused with that of mania. Other features of Kluver-Bucy syndrome and the overt hypersexuality could help identify it even during manic phase of bipolar illness

Zero till in wheat from the gender perspective in Nepal

Different tillage practices such as zero-till direct-seeded rice (ZTDSR), zero-till maize (ZTM), and zero-till wheat (ZTW) were implemented in the farmer's field of Sunsari district were evaluated. However, the focus was on ZTW because of high its competitiveness with cheaper wheat from abroad. Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Famers households keeping records, field monitoring, key informant interviews were the primary source of data whereas literature and desktop review were done for secondary data. Zero till wheat operation scale out of the machine use had been increased, by 61.25% out of 109.63ha land in Bhokraha and 66.49 % out of 55.3ha of land in Kaptangunj. Whereas, a new node Chitaha was established with the initiation of non-respondent farmer's where the area occupied 26ha in the year of 2019 respectively as compared to the base year that of 2014. Yield advantage was not much higher with ZTW, the additional benefit of almost 34% over conventional till wheat (CTW) was sufficient enough for the farmers to decide to adopt zero tillage technology. Farmers perceived about 17% saving in seed requirement, 13% saving in irrigation amount and time, and 44% saving in total labor cost with ZTW to make it more profitable as compared to CTW. Among different methods of extension, farmers’ field day with 63% and field trial with 48% with women's participation shows the most effective method to create awareness. Although the percentage of the working hour for the female worker is higher the number of the total hour has been decreased for both the man and women and the total 303.64hr/ha has been saved

The Relationship of The Mandibular Canal to The Roots of Impacted Third Molars- The Root Factor: A Panoramic Radiographic Study.

Introduction: Third molar extractions are one of the most common reasons of injury to mandibular nerve and postoperative complications. Pre-operative assessment of pending doom is a must. In order to study the relations between change in Inferior Alveolar Canal (IAC) and Type, Class, and Level of impaction with radiographic root change of impacted third mandibular molar, we designed a study to assess the relationship of the mandibular canal to the roots of impacted third molar in reference to changes in roots and factors affecting it. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study wherein the panoramic radiographic records of subjects with impacted third molar were assessed for change in root and its correlation with change in IAC, Type, Class and Level of impacted mandibular third molar. Results: Roots of impacted third molar when in contact with IAC presented most often in our study subjects with the Darkening of roots in both sides {right side (16.79%) and left side (11.29%)} and both genders {males (right-14.29%, left-8.75%) and females (right-19.39%, left-13.94%)}. They were statistically significantly associated with interruption of white line of IAC, vertically impacted third molars and Pell and Gregory Class II, Level A of impaction. Conclusion: There is a need to properly identify radiographic risk predictor signs to avoid any surprises at the time of extraction and post operation complications following it

Determinants of gross income from carp production in Bara district, Nepal

A study was conducted from March to June 2020 to analyze the determinants of gross income from carp production in the Bara district of Nepal. Altogether, 90 carp producers, 45 each from Simraungadh and Pachrauta municipality in equal basis were sampled by using cluster sampling technique. Primary information was collected through a pre-tested semi-structured interview-based schedule while secondary information was collected reviewing the relevant publications. Data was entered in SPSS 25 and analyzed using STATA 12.1. The results  revealed that the cost of labor, cost of feed, assistances and services, and training had significant positive effect on gross income from carp prodcuiton. Furthermore, lack of quality inputs was identified as the most severe production problems whereas Dhalta to be given was recognized as the most severe marketing problems. Thus, encouraging the carp producer to manage the cost of labor and cost of feed deliberately, rationally providing the assistance and services and strengthening the skills and knowledge of producer through training could significantly increase gross income from carp production

Beta-Lactamases in a Tertiary Care Hospital: "Biological Quake" Knocking at the Door

Background: Antimicrobial resistance due to the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases, and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) have emerged as a major health catastrophe limiting antibiotic treatment options. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the current level of ESBLs, AmpC β-lactamases, and MBLs- producing bacteria and their antibiotic susceptibility profile in a Nepalese hospital. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among the inpatients of Medicare National Hospital, Kathmandu from April to September 2015. During the study period, a total of 589 specimens (urine, sputum, blood, pus, body fluids, throat swab, central venous catheter - CVC tip) collected aseptically from the admitted patients were selected in the study. The collected specimens were processed, and the isolated organisms were identified following the standard microbiological methods. ESBL was detected by standard combination disc method and double-disc synergy test.  Results: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans were the common microbial agents isolated from hospital-admitted patients. Among total 84 Gram-negative bacteria tested for ESBL-production, 23 (27.4%) isolates were ESBL-producers. ESBL production was seen in 32.3% of Escherichia coli and 28.6% of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Similarly, MBL production was identified in 28.6% of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 6.5% of Escherichia coli. Likewise, 3.2% of Escherichia coli were AmpC β-lactamase-producers. The ESBL-producing bacteria showed less susceptibility to different antibiotics as compared to non-ESBL-producers. Consistent results were found with different methods like combination disk method, MASTDISKSTM ID AmpC and ESBL disk, Ezy MICTM Strip (MIX+/MIX) method, and triple ESBL detection Ezy MICTM strips employed for the detection of ESBL and AmpC. Conclusions: ESBL was commonly seen in Escherichia coli while MBL in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Routine monitoring of these kinds of resistance phenotypes following appropriate methods is essential for the proper treatment of patients. Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, Beta-lactamases, ESBL, Hospital-admitted patients, MB