Effectiveness of ayurvedic formulation, NAOQ19 along with standard care in the treatment of mild-moderate COVID-19 patients: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicentric trial.

BACKGROUND: Medicines in indigenous systems such as Ayurveda have strong antimicrobial activity but double-blind randomized control trials are infrequent in this system of medicine. The efficacy of a new ayurvedic formulation was evaluated during the pandemic. METHODS: 150 mild-moderate COVID-19 patients were enrolled and randomized in 1:1 to NAOQ19 and placebo group. RT-PCR was done on Day 3, 5 and 7. CBC, CRP, LFT, and KFT were assessed at baseline and exit. Duration of hospital stay was noted and clinical assessment was also performed. RESULT: The results demonstrated more people turning RT-PCR negative in the NAOQ19 group compared to the placebo group on day 3 (p-value = 0.033). The mean time duration to turn RT-PCR negative was significantly lower in the NAOQ19 group (4.6 days) compared to placebo group (5.2 days) (p-value = 0.018). There was significant reduction in hospital stay among patients in the NAOQ19 arm who were discharged earlier (5.6 days) compared to placebo group (6.4 days) (p-value = 0.046). Patients in NAOQ19 arm did not show any adverse life-threatening events. CONCLUSION: The ayurvedic preparation given along with standard of care therapy reduced the duration of hospital stay and there was earlier conversion to RT-PCR negative.The integrated approach can help to reduce patient workload in the hospitals as well as limit the transmission of the virus in the community. STUDY REGISTRATION: CTRI/2021/05/033790.

A Study on Myloblastosis Gene (MYB) in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Using the New IHC Marker MYB (SZ04-81).

Background and aim: Adenoid cystic carcinoma is one of the most common malignant neoplasms of the salivary gland. It has overlapping histological features with other salivary gland tumors. MYB is a nuclear marker which is known to be expressed in Adenoid cystic carcinoma. In this study we aim to determine the sensitivity and specificity of MYB IHC marker to differentiate Adenoid cystic carcinoma from other benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Materials and method: This is a retrospective case control study on the paraffin blocks of 78 cases of salivary gland tumors obtained over a period of 5 years. MYB Ser11 monoclonal antibody of clone SZ04-81 IHC, a nuclear marker was done on all cases. The results observed was tabulated and statistical analysis was done to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of the MYB IHC marker. Results: The mean age group of Adenoid cystic carcinoma was 45 years with a female preponderance. 60% of the cases of Adenoid cystic carcinoma were from minor salivary glands spread across various sites. The sensitivity and specificity of the MYB IHC marker were statistically analyzed and found to be 93.9% and 97.8% respectively. Conclusion: The present study shows substantial expression of MYB immunohistochemical marker in Adenoid cystic carcinoma, with a very high sensitivity and specificity obtained using the clone SZ04-81. Thus this marker can be used in the diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma. However, correlation with H & E and FISH studies are required. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-03471-4.

Morvan's syndrome Presenting with Psychiatric Manifestations - A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The term "la chorιe fibrillare" was used by the French physician Augustine Marie Morvan to describe a syndrome showing hyperactivity features involving the central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous system. The central hyperactivity symptoms are confusion, behavioral problems, hallucinations, myoclonus, and insomnia; the autonomic hyperactivity symptoms are hyperhidrosis and variations in blood pressure; and peripheral hyperexcitability is characterized by painful cramps, myokymia, and neuromyotonia. Here, we present a case that has typical features of Morvan's syndrome and provides a brief description based on available literature.

Spatial distribution of microplastic concentration around landfill sites and its potential risk on groundwater.

Plastic plays a major role in today's human life; moreover, it becomes a part of our life, yet it is a most challenging threat for the freshwater ecosystems in the future. The present study identifies, characterizes, and quantifies the microplastics in groundwater samples around Perungudi and Kodungaiyur municipal solid waste dumpsites in South India. To evaluate and assess the microplastic abundance, characteristics (composite, size, colour, shape, and surface morphology), detection methods of plastic particles, and potential risk factors from the absorption of microplastic in groundwater. Further, the microplastic particle classification was performed using LB-340 Zoom Stereo Microscope with LED Illumination, ATR-FTIR fitted with SEM with EDX analyzer. The groundwater samples (n = 20) were found contaminated with microplastic particles in the range of 2-80 items/L with coloured particles, white (38%), black (27%), green (8%), red (18%), blue (6%), and yellow (2%). The polymer type was found to occur in the following order: nylon (70%), pellets (18%), foam (6%), fragments (3%), fibers/PVC (2%), and polythene (1%). In both sampling sites, 90% of microplastics are derived from the buried plastics and waste fragmentation which are predominantly of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS). Micro and nano plastics abundance in groundwater is of paramount importance as it has a major impact on human health. This study throws light on the characteristics and quantification of the microplastics in groundwater that initiates further research by which microplastics enter into the environment.

Biochemical conversion of biodiesel by-product into malic acid: A way towards sustainability.

Crude glycerol, one of the ever-growing by-product of biodiesel industry and is receiving the closest review in recent times because direct disposal of crude glycerol may emerge ecological issues. The renewability, bioavailability and typical structure of glycerol, therefore, discover conceivable application in serving the role of carbon and energy source for microbial biosynthesis of high value products. This conceivable arrangement could find exploitation of crude glycerol as a renewable building block for bio-refineries as it is economically as well as environmentally profitable. In this review, we summarize the uptake and catabolism of crude glycerol by different wild and recombinant microorganism. The chemical and biochemical transformation of crude glycerol into high esteem malic acid by various microbial pathways is also additionally discussed. An extensive investigation in the synthesis of high-value malic acid production from various feed stock which finds applications in cosmeceutical and chemical industries, food and beverages, and to some extent in the field of medical science is also likewise studied. Finally, the open doors for unrefined crude glycerol in serving as a promising abundant energy source for malic acid production in near future have been highlighted.

Robust Cooperative Moving Path Following Control for Marine Robotic Vehicles.

This paper presents results on recent developments pertaining to the coordinated motion control of a fleet of marine robotic vehicles. Specifically, we address the Cooperative Moving Path Following (CMPF) motion control problem, that consists of steering the robotic vehicles along a priori specified geometric paths that jointly move according to a target frame, while achieving a pre-defined coordination objective. To this end, each vehicle will need to communicate with their neighbors in order to cooperatively solve the CMPF task. Two distinct robust Moving Path Following motion control strategies for achieving robustness on the moving path following tasks are proposed. Experimental results demonstrating the application of CMPF to marine vehicles in the context of source localization and tracking of underwater targets are presented backed with stability and convergence guarantees.

Unusual cases of carcinoma of palatine tonsil.

We present two unusual cases of carcinoma of palatine tonsil in elderly patients. Both the cases were initially diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil, second case, in addition, showed lung metastasis. On subsequent follow-up, the first case developed cutaneous metastasis in the right frontoparietal region while second case showed granulocytosis as paraneoplastic manifestation. The association of cutaneous metastasis and paraneoplastic granulocytosis with carcinoma of tonsil is rare. Cutaneous metastasis has been described only once in the literature while paraneoplastic granulocytosis is being reported for the first time. Both the conditions need long-term follow-up as they manifest at the extreme edges of the neoplastic process.

Association of GST null genotypes with anti-tuberculosis drug induced hepatotoxicity in Western Indian population.

BACKGROUND: The first line anti-tubercular (anti-TB) treatment normally involves isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Clearance of these drugs depends on the activity of several enzymes such as N-acetyl transferase 2, cytochrome P450 oxidase and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Some of these enzymes are highly polymorphic leading to significant inter-individual variation in their activity thereby increasing the risk of drug induced hepatotoxicity (DIH). AIM: To investigate the possible association of anti-TB DIH with genetic polymorphism of GST genes in Western Indian population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective case-control study was undertaken on patients who received anti-TB treatment. Cases (n = 50) were distinguished from controls (n = 246) based on occurrence of DIH during anti-tubercular treatment. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction was employed to identify homozygous null mutation at GSTM1 and GSTT1 loci. Results. Homozygous null mutation in GSTM1 gene alone or in both GSTM1 and T1 genes was found to be significantly associated with anti-TB DIH at p < 0.02 and p < 0.007, respectively, in our study population. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report GSTM1 null and combined GSTM1 and T1 null genotypes to be risk factors of anti-TB DIH in Western Indian population. Screening of patients for these genotypes prior to anti-TB regimen would provide better control of hepatotoxicity.

Study on incidence of bleeding in hospitalized patients after antithrombotic therapy at a tertiary care hospital.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor the different antithrombotic drug combinations, determine the incidence, magnitude of bleeding and the association of HAS-BLED risk scoring schema with the magnitude of bleeding as defined using TIMI bleeding criteria. METHODS: A prospective observational study in a cohort of patients for a period of 8 months, at one of the tertiary care center-Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, was conducted. Consecutive patients were enrolled and followed from the date of admission till the adverse events are perceived/date of discharge. Pearson Correlation Statistics (Fisher's z Transformation) is applied to assess the association between HAS-BLED risk factors and the total risk score with bleeding criteria. RESULTS: A total of 400 cases were collected during the 8-month study period, of which 372 satisfied the inclusion criteria. Among them 34 (9.1%) bleeding cases were reported with mean (+/- SD) age of 57.8 (+/- 14.19) years. Bleeding occurred mostly in males 79.4% and a HAS-BLED Score of > or = 3 has been observed in 67.6% (n = 23) patients out of 34 bled patients. Two antiplatelets + One anticoagulant is the most common combination which caused bleeding in 41.2% (n = 14). Stroke history, bleeding predisposition, labile INR's are the HAS-BLED risk factors which are significant (< 0.05) with the TIMI Bleeding Criteria. CONCLUSION: There was a linear correlation between the HAS-BLED risk score and the TIMI bleeding criteria-higher the risk score the more frequent is the incidence of major bleeding. A HAS-BLED risk score of > or = 3 is associated with TIMI major bleeding.

Biodiversity of microalgae in Western and Eastern Ghats, India.

The systematic study was conducted on the microalgal flora of Western Ghats and other parts of Eastern Ghats revealed a rich wetland algal resource for biotechnological exploration. The present study reveals with the diversity of microalgal flora in the region of Kodaikanal (10 degrees 14' N, 77 degrees 28' E), Gudalur (9 degrees 19'N 77 degrees 12'E), Agasthiyar falls (9 degrees 58'N, 78 degrees 10'E) and Kolli hills (10 degrees 12'N, 77 degrees 56'E) located in Western and Eastern Ghats of Tamilnadu, India collected in May 2011. In total, 97 species of micro algae belonging to three taxonomic groups were identified, of which 41 species belonging to Cyanophyceae, 38 species from Chlorophyceae and 18 species from Bacillariophyceae. The predominant species in Cyanophyceae were Aphanothece microscopica, Chroococcus minutus, Coelospharium dubium, Hydrococcus rivularism, Oscillatoria princeps, Nostoc muscorum, Nostoc puncteforme, Nostoc commune, Gleotricha gausii, Calothrix braunii, Rivellaria sp., Tolypothrix tenuis, Scytonema schmidtii, whereas in Chlorophyceae, Chlorella sp., Scenedesmus sp., Pediastrum duplex, Cosmarium consperum, Euastrum elagans, Micrasterias americana and in Bacillariophyceae, Navicula hallophyla, Rhophaldia gebrella, Fragellaria intermedia, Pinnularia virdis, Nitzchia palliate. Physicochemical nature of water samples were analyzed and correlated with the total microalgal diversity. Based on the correlation coefficient data, the micro algae showed positive relationship with dissolved oxygen, salinity, nutrients and negative relationship with temperature and turbidity. The species diversity index (H'), Species Richness (SR) and species evenness (J') were calculated and analyzed for microalgal population dynamic variation in the Western and Eastern Ghats.

Water quality and bacteriology in an aquaculture facility equipped with a new aeration system.

The HOBAS aeration system was tested to compare changes in environmental and bacteriological parameters in ponds growing Penaeus monodon during a single production cycle. The stocking density in the aerated pond was doubled to 12 post-larvae (PL) m(-2) in contrast to the non-aerated pond with 6 (PL) m(-2). Microbial abundance in the ponds ranged between 10(5-6) cells ml(-1). Among the physiological groups of bacteria enumerated, the heterotrophs dominated with an abundance of 10(4) CFU ml(-1). Of the nitrogen and sulfur cycle bacteria, the nitrifiers flourished in the aerated pond and could maintain ammonia-N concentration within permissible levels. Bacterial activity also maintained sulfide concentrations at < 0.03 mg l(-1). Non-aerated conditions promoted denitrification maintaining nitrate concentration between 0.32 and 0.98 microM NO(3)(-)-N l(-1). However, a marked increase in ammonium content was observed in the non-aerated pond at the end of the culture period. Thus in high-density ponds, the aerators served to stimulate bacterial growth and activity which consequently maintained the quality of the water to match that of low-density ponds. Accordingly, these aerators could be effectively used to sustain higher yields. The effluent from the aerated pond is less likely to alter the redox balance of the receiving waters.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome manifesting as multiple cranial neuropathies: MRI findings.

We report a case of primary Sjögren's syndrome presenting with multiple cranial nerve palsies and radiological evidence of cranial pachymeningitis and hypophysitis. A 47-year-old woman developed right sensory neural hearing loss followed, 2 months later, by right facial palsy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging showed features of pachymeningitis and pituitary gland infiltration. The diagnosis of primary Sjögren's syndrome was confirmed by demonstrating positive SS-A and SS-B antibodies and histological evidence of lymphocytic infiltration of the sublabial salivary gland. During the 2-year follow-up, the patient had transient VI(th), IX(th), X(th), and XII(th) cranial nerve palsies. Sjögren's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with multiple recurrent cranial nerve palsies, even if prominent sicca symptoms are absent.