Terzyme: a tool for identification and analysis of the plant terpenome.

Abstract Background Terpenoid hydrocarbons represent the largest and most ancient group of phytochemicals, such that the entire chemical library of a plant is often referred to as its ‘terpenome’. Besides having numerous pharmacological properties, terpenes contribute to the scent of the rose, the flavors of cinnamon and the yellow of sunflowers. Rapidly increasing -omics datasets provide an unprecedented opportunity for terpenome detection, paving the way for automated web resources dedicated to phytochemical predictions in genomic data. Results We have developed Terzyme, a predictive algorithm for identification, classification and assignment of broad substrate unit to terpene synthase (TPS) and prenyl transferase (PT) enzymes, known to generate the enormous structural and functional diversity of terpenoid compounds across the plant kingdom. Terzyme uses sequence information, plant taxonomy and machine learning methods for predicting TPSs and PTs in genome and proteome datasets. We demonstrate a significant enrichment of the currently identified terpenome by running Terzyme on more than 40 plants. Conclusions Terzyme is the result of a rigorous analysis of evolutionary relationships between hundreds of characterized sequences of TPSs and PTs with known specificities, followed by analysis of genome-wide gene distribution patterns, ontology based clustering and optimization of various parameters for building accurate profile Hidden Markov Models. The predictive webserver and database is freely available at http://nipgr.res.in/terzyme.html and would serve as a useful tool for deciphering the species-specific phytochemical potential of plant genomes

Exploring environmental adaptations and habitat preferences in three microbial lineages using comparative (meta)genomic approaches

The utilization of -omics based approaches (metagenomics, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) in the field of microbiology has greatly advanced our understanding of the microbial world. The utilization of such approaches, either on pure cultures, or directly on environmental samples has provided novel insights into the role of microorganisms in earth biogeochemical cycles, microbial evolutionary dynamics, and their potential biotechnological applications. In the field of microbial pathogenesis, informatics-based methods have helped in uncovering several venues of pathogenesis including pathogens strain-specific characteristics, virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance, and understanding the landscape of various diseases.Here, I present my 3 research projects based on exploiting various -omics based approaches to understand the ecology, evolution, and pathogenic determinants of various groups of cultured, and yet- uncultured microorganisms. In chapter I, I implemented genome-resolved metagenomics to elucidate the ecological roles, metabolic capabilities, and physiological preferences of a novel yet-uncultured microbial phylum recovered from enrichments of tertiary oil reservoir. I showed that this lineage is a slow-growing member of rare biosphere and an aminolytic halothermophilic organism. We proposed creating a new candidate phylum "Mcinerneybacteriota" to accommodate this organism. This work has been published in the journal “Systematic and Applied Microbiology”. In chapter II, I analyzed multiple genome-resolved metagenomes of uncultured Group 18 Acidobacteria to understand their biogeochemical roles and elucidate the key evolutionary innovations that enable Acidobacteria to thrive in soil ecosystems. I demonstrated that soil-dwelling genera were characterized by larger genomes, higher CRISPR loci, expanded CAZyme machinery, possession of a C1 metabolism, and a sole dependence on aerobic respiration, whereas nonsoil genomes encoded a more versatile respiratory capacity and potential for utilizing the Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) pathway as an electron sink. This work is published in the journal “Applied and Environmental Microbiology”. Lastly, my third project (Chapter III) is about utilizing genomics and transcriptomics for an intracellular pathogen, Coxiella burnetii, to understand the changes in its genes crucial for intracellular success during long-term culturing in an axenic media. Here, I showed the expression changes and mutations in multiple genes that are known or most likely predicted to be crucial to their normal intracellular growth lifestyle or pathogenesis

ACHARA RASAYANA-A BEHAVIORAL THERAPY IN AYURVEDA TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

Rasayana Tantra is one of the eight major divisions of Astang Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, one of the major methods of presentation of positive health has been described i.e. Rasayana. There are many activities that promote health and happiness by engendering positive emotions and experiences, which in turn promote the production of Ojas. These activities are included in Achara Rasayana . Ayurveda strongly emphasizes prevention, promotion, cure and rehabilitation. For this, it advocates to follow the principles of health, observation of principles – Dincharya (daily regimen), Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen), Ratricharya (Night routine), Sadvritta and Achar Rasayan (Ethical and Moral activities), Aahar (Food), Nidra (Sleep) and Brahmacharya (Regulated Action).Achara Rasayana is described in various texts. It means good conduct. It signifies the physical and mental conducts of a man and it has been designated as an Rasayana – a vitalizer agent for entire span of life. This is a measure having no involvement of drugs and if it is sincerely taken into practice, it may replenish and maintain total life process free from ailments. A careful analysis of qualities of Achara Rasayana reveal that most of them are related with Mana, Dhi, Dhriti along with good conduct and these results in maximum benefit. The principles of Achar Rasayana are more relevant today than ever. It goes into the heart of the issue we are trying to overcome in order to be well and healthy. Environmental toxicity and the food chain we are accustomed to have threatened our lives. The integral connection between nature and man is an understatement

Feto-maternal outcome of second stage cesarean section in B. P. Koirala institute of health sciences: a retrospective study

Background: Cesarean section (CS) is a common surgical procedure performed in obstetrics. The rate of rise of CS can be attributed to the increase in safety of the procedure, enhanced surgical techniques, improved    antibiotics, increase in number of women requesting for CS. In general, caesarean delivery is associated with more severe maternal complications compared to vaginal deliveries. The stage of labour at which CS is undertaken has been shown to influence the rate/risk of complication. Methods: It was an observational and retrospective study that depended on some clinical records related to more than 37 weeks’ gestation. The study was conducted in BP Koirala institute of health sciences, Dharan Nepal from 2021 December to 2022 December. The neonatal as well as maternal outcomes have been evaluated for CS among those who were observing the second stage in their labor period. The test statistics used to analyse the data were descriptive statistics chi-square test. Results:  The total delivery was 16131 out of which there were 6748 cesarean deliveries. Out of 6748 CS 65 patients had cesarean in second stage of labour. The most common cause of CS in second stage of labor was arrest of descent and dilatation (40%), followed by meconium-stained liquor (15.38%), occipito-posterior position (12.30%), and obstructed labour (3.07%) Being the least cause. One patient had to undergo peri-partum hysterectomy and the most common complication of second stage CS was prolong foleys catheterization (15 patients), post-partum febrile illness (20 patients out of 65), followed by wound infection, PPH, blood transfusion. The neonatal admission for NICU were birth asphyxia and respiratory distress were 50% each. Conclusions: CS in the second stage of labor is correlated with considerably improved neonatal and maternal rate of morbidity along with expanded neonatal mortality. A proper judgment and skilled obstetrician are required to perform a second-stage CS. CS in the second stage of labor is a technically demanding procedure with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity compared to the CS in the first stage of labor

Traditional use of medicinal plants in the boreal forest of Canada: review and perspectives

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The boreal forest of Canada is home to several hundred thousands Aboriginal people who have been using medicinal plants in traditional health care systems for thousands of years. This knowledge, transmitted by oral tradition from generation to generation, has been eroding in recent decades due to rapid cultural change. Until now, published reviews about traditional uses of medicinal plants in boreal Canada have focused either on particular Aboriginal groups or on restricted regions. Here, we present a review of traditional uses of medicinal plants by the Aboriginal people of the entire Canadian boreal forest in order to provide comprehensive documentation, identify research gaps, and suggest perspectives for future research.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A review of the literature published in scientific journals, books, theses and reports.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 546 medicinal plant taxa used by the Aboriginal people of the Canadian boreal forest were reported in the reviewed literature. These plants were used to treat 28 disease and disorder categories, with the highest number of species being used for gastro-intestinal disorders, followed by musculoskeletal disorders. Herbs were the primary source of medicinal plants, followed by shrubs. The medicinal knowledge of Aboriginal peoples of the western Canadian boreal forest has been given considerably less attention by researchers. Canada is lacking comprehensive policy on harvesting, conservation and use of medicinal plants. This could be explained by the illusion of an infinite boreal forest, or by the fact that many boreal medicinal plant species are widely distributed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To our knowledge, this review is the most comprehensive to date to reveal the rich traditional medicinal knowledge of Aboriginal peoples of the Canadian boreal forest. Future ethnobotanical research endeavours should focus on documenting the knowledge held by Aboriginal groups that have so far received less attention, particularly those of the western boreal forest. In addition, several critical issues need to be addressed regarding the legal, ethical and cultural aspects of the conservation of medicinal plant species and the protection of the associated traditional knowledge.</p

Association between school dropouts, early marriages, childbearing, and mental health in early adulthood of women: Evidence from a cohort study in Bihar, India

School dropouts, early marriages, and low age at childbearing are issues still prevalent in Indian states like Bihar, which may be responsible for poor mental health among young adults. The present study examined the effect of life-course events such as school dropouts, early marriages, and early childbearing on mental health status at later ages (23–28 years). Using data from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults consisting of a 2360 adolescent (ages 15 – 19) girl cohort interviewed in 2007 and re-interviewed at ages 23 – 28 in 2016 from the state of Bihar, India, we applied ordinal logistic regression models in analyzing factors associated with mental health status. Women who never attended school, or dropped out from school, and who got married before age 19 showed a poorer mental health status in their young adulthood (22 – 28 years) compared to their respective counterparts who attended a school and who got married at age 19 or older. As compared to women who had a child before age 19, those who did not have any child, or who had children after 20 years of age were more likely to have poor mental health. Working women, high self-efficacy of women, and women who have decision-making power showed better mental health outcomes as compared to their respective counterparts. To enhance psychological well-being of young women, the study recommends continue education and delaying marriage as the programmatic keys with attention to improving young women’s autonomy and gender role attitudes and reducing societal pressure for bearing first child soon after marriage

Developing and Promoting a Nuclear Security Curriculum at Amity University, India: Beginnings, Successes and Challenges

Amity University is one of India’s leading research- and innovation-driven private universities. The Amity Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (AINST), established in 2009, contribute to Amity’s mission to promote national development through philanthropy, education and research. Very recently, courses related to nuclear security and security culture have been added to the existing AINST curriculum. The purpose of introducing this course was to enhance the understanding of technical, policy, and regulatory challenges associated with nuclear security and to create a nuclear security culture among relevant local institutions. This paper describes the process involved in establishing nuclear security as an elective course in the Engineering and Technology Domain for undergraduate-level and postgraduate-level engineering students at the Institute, discusses both challenges faced in these early stages as well as achievements and successes, and outlines future plans for the program

Correlates of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients of a tertiary care teaching hospital of Central India

Background: Although the prevalence of hypertension is high in India, the relationship between micro-albuminuria and target organ damage in hypertension is not well studied. Hence this study aims to study the prevalence of micro-albuminuria in patients of hypertension and its correlation with other cardiovascular risk factors.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in 112 essential hypertension non-diabetic patients presented at a tertiary care hospital of Madhya Pradesh, India who fulfilled inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria during a calendar year. The diagnosis of essential hypertension was made by the study physician after complete medical history, physical examination and routine biochemical analysis of blood and urine. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20 and Mann Whitney U and Chi-square test was used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively.Results: The total number of patients having micro-albuminuria was 26 and the prevalence came out to be 23.21%. The mean age of micro-albuminuric patients was less compared to non-microalbuminuric patients (p<0.05). The systolic, diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were found to be higher but was statistically insignificant whereas body mass index (BMI) and duration of disease was statistically  higher (p<0.05) amongst the cases having micro-albumin in their urine.Conclusions: The prevalence of micro-albuminuria increases with the increase in duration, stages /severity of hypertension. Micro-albuminuria may be considered as a marker of adverse cardiovascular risk profile such as LVH and hyperlipidemia. High BMI, smoking and advanced stages of retinopathy are also the risk factors of micro-albuminuria.