Horseshoe crab genomes reveal the evolution of genes and microRNAs after three rounds of whole genome duplication.

Whole genome duplication (WGD) has occurred in relatively few sexually reproducing invertebrates. Consequently, the WGD that occurred in the common ancestor of horseshoe crabs ~135 million years ago provides a rare opportunity to decipher the evolutionary consequences of a duplicated invertebrate genome. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly for the mangrove horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda (1.7 Gb, N50 = 90.2 Mb, with 89.8% sequences anchored to 16 pseudomolecules, 2n = 32), and a resequenced genome of the tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus (1.7 Gb, N50 = 109.7 Mb). Analyses of gene families, microRNAs, and synteny show that horseshoe crabs have undergone three rounds (3R) of WGD. Comparison of C. rotundicauda and T. tridentatus genomes from populations from several geographic locations further elucidates the diverse fates of both coding and noncoding genes. Together, the present study represents a cornerstone for improving our understanding of invertebrate WGD events on the evolutionary fates of genes and microRNAs, at both the individual and population level. We also provide improved genomic resources for horseshoe crabs, of applied value for breeding programs and conservation of this fascinating and unusual invertebrate lineage.

Mitral valve enhancement in a patient with active Rheumatic Fever: An uncommon phenomenon on the MRI examination with possible clinical significance.

Intense enhancement of the mitral valve is documented in a MRI examination performed on a patient with rheumatic multi-valvular disease. Patient had the elevated inflammatory markers indicating active inflammatory process. Such hitherto undocumented phenomenon may have important clinical significance in disease evaluation, thus provide a feasible option to document and follow up, active valvular involvement in patients with active rheumatic fever.

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of statins in chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: Statins are the group of lipid-lowering drugs commonly used to control cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Statins have potential anti-inflammatory effect by blocking the intermediate metabolites of the mevalonate pathway. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of statin medication in chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients of age group between 40 and 60 years were selected from the outpatient pool of Department of Periodontics, Thaimoogambigai Dental College and Hospital, Chennai. Thirty patients selected were grouped into two groups, Group-I consists of patients with generalized chronic periodontitis and on statin medication and Group-II consists of patients with generalized chronic periodontitis. Clinical parameters were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were analyzed for interleukin (IL)-1ß using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean GCF IL-1ß levels in generalized chronic periodontitis patients who are on statin medication (Group-I) were lower than the generalized chronic periodontitis patients without statin medication (Group-II). CONCLUSION: Reduction of GCF IL-1ß levels in statin users indicate that statins have anti-inflammatory effect on periodontal disease.

Development and validation of the liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous estimation of metformin, pioglitazone, and glimepiride in pharmaceutical dosage forms.

INTRODUCTION: A simple, precise, and accurate HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of metformin hydrochloride (MET), pioglitazone hydrochloride (PIO), and glimepiride (GLIMP) was developed and validated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chromatographic separation of the drugs was performed by using a Phenomenex-ODS-3 (C-18) column (250 × 4.60 mm, 5 µm) with a mobile phase consisting of methanol:acetonitrile:15 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 4) in the proportion of 40:35:25 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Detection was carried out using a UV-SPD-10AVP detector at 240 nm. RESULTS: The retention time for MET, PIO, and GLIMP were 2.85 ± 0.03 min, 4.52 ± 0.03 min, and 7.08 ± 0.02min, respectively. Parameters such as linearity (0.2-50 µg/ ml for MET, 0.2-30 µg/ml for PIO, and GLIMP, respectively), precision (intra-day % RSD was 1.01-3.24 and inter-day % RSD was 1.54-4.09 for MET; intra-day % RSD was 1.03-2.09 and inter-day % RSD was 2.26-3.10 for PIO; and intra-day% RSD was 1.00-3.15 and inter-day % RSD was 1.58-3.07 for GLIMP), accuracy (99.66 ± 0.14 for MET, 98.46 ± 0.40 for PIO, and 98.62 ± 0.39 for GLIMP), specificity and robustness were calculated in accordance with ICH guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The method was proved to be simple, rapid, precise, accurate, and cost effective.