Characterization of Fowlpox Virus.

The complex cytoplasmic DNA virus known as the fowlpox virus (FWPV) is a member of the avipoxvirus genus, Subfamily Chordopoxvirinae, and Family Poxviridae. The large genome size of FWPV makes it a potential vector for the creation of vaccines against a range of serious veterinary and human ailments. It also allows for multiple gene insertion and the generation of abortive infection in mammalian cells. The virus, which causes fowlpox in chickens and turkeys, is mainly transmitted to poultry through aerosols or biting insects. Fowlpox is a highly contagious disease that affects both domestic and wild birds, causing cutaneous and/or diphtheritic illnesses. To control the illness, strict hygiene practices and immunization with FWPV attenuated strains or antigenically similar pigeon pox virus vaccines are employed. Recent years have seen an increase in fowlpox outbreaks in chicken flocks, primarily due to the introduction of novel forms of FWPV. It is believed that the pathogenic characteristics of these strains are enhanced by the integration of reticuloendotheliosis virus sequences of variable lengths into the FWPV genome. The standard laboratory diagnosis of FPV involves histopathological analysis, electron microscopy, virus isolation on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated chicken eggs or cell cultures, and serologic techniques. For quick and consistent diagnosis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be the most sensitive method. PCR is used in concert with restriction endonuclease enzyme analysis (REA) to identify, differentiate, and characterize the molecular makeup of isolates of the fowlpox virus. Sequencing of the amplified fragments is then done.

Immune-dysregulation in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: An exploratory case-control study.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a chronic progressive neurological condition caused by a defective measles virus. It is postulated that immune-dysregulation might result in persistent infection (immune evasion) as well as initiation of autoimmune phenomenon (via natural killer cells) leading to panencephalitis. The primary objective of this case-control study was to analyse the pattern of immune dysregulation in cases with SSPE. The secondary objective was to assess the correlation between the measured immunological variables and disability/death at 6 months. This was an exploratory case-control study conducted at a tertiary-care referral-facility from January 2020 to September 2021. Thirty consecutive patients fulfilling the Dyken's criteria for SSPE and 30 age-and-sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Immunological profile constituted by lymphocyte subset analysis, immunoglobulin levels and complement levels were done in all cases and controls. Cases were staged as per Jabbour's system; disability was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Patients with SSPE had a mean age of 14.76 years (±6.9 years). There were 25 males and 5 females; 6.7% cases belonged to Jabbour's first stage, 40% to second stage and 53.3% to third stage. At least 1/4th had evidence of measles vaccination. Levels of absolute lymphocyte count, B-cells, T cells, helper T-cells, and cytotoxic T-cells were significantly higher in cases. IgG, IgM, and IgE levels were significantly higher while IgD levels were significantly lower in cases. At baseline, 13.3% of cases had a mRS score of 0-2 and 86.7% had a score of 3-6; at 6 months 10% had a mRS score 0-2 (favorable outcome) while 90% had a mRS score 3-6 (poor outcome). Higher IgE levels were found to correlate significantly with favorable outcome. Immune-dysregulation may play a significant role in shaping one's response to measles infection as well as in determining vaccine-efficacy.

Phenomenology, quality of life, and predictors of reversibility in patients with drug-induced movement disorders: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Drug-induced movement disorders (DIMDs) form an important subgroup of secondary movement disorders, which despite conferring a significant iatrogenic burden, tend to be under-recognized and inappropriately managed. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to look into phenomenology, predictors of reversibility, and its impact on the quality of life of DIMD patients. METHODS: We conducted the study in the Department of Neurology at a tertiary-care centre in India. The institutional ethics-committee approved the study. We assessed 55-consecutive DIMD patients at presentation to our movement disorder clinic. Subsequently, they followed up to evaluate improvement in severity-scales (UPDRS, UDRS, BARS, AIMS) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D-5L). Wilcoxan-signed-rank test compared the scales at presentation and follow-up. Binary-logistic-regrerssion revealed the independent predictors of reversibility. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (25.45%) had acute-subacute DIMD and 41 (74.55%) had tardive DIMD. Tardive-DIMD occurred more commonly in the elderly (age 50.73±16.92 years, p<0.001). Drug-induced-Parkinsonism (DIP) was the most common MD, followed by tardivedyskinesia. Risperidone and levosulpiride were the commonest culprit drugs. Patients in both the groups showed a statistically significant response to drug-dose reduction /withdrawal based on follow-up assessment on clinical-rating-scales and quality of life scores (EQ-5D-5L). DIMD was reversible in 71.42% of acute-subacute DIMD and 24.40% of patients with chronic DIMD (p=0.001). Binary-logistic-regression analysis showed acute-subacute DIMDs and DIP as independent predictors of reversibility. CONCLUSION: DIP is the commonest and often reversible drug-induced movement disorder. Levosulpiride is notorious for causing DIMD in the elderly, requiring strict pharmacovigilance.

Clinical study on antifungal drug resistance among cases of dermatophytosis in patients reporting to multiple tertiary care hospitals.

Background: In a tropical country like India, the warm and humid climate plays an important role in the increased incidence of superficial fungal infections. This is a study to identify the causative fungi of dermatophytosis and their in vitro antifungal susceptibility pattern among patients reporting to multiple tertiary care hospitals. Methods: Skin scrapping, nail clipping, and hair follicles were processed for microscopy, culture, and antifungal susceptibility testing as per standard guidelines. Antifungal susceptibility was performed as per published by Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute for yeasts (M27-A3) and filamentous fungi (M38-A2). Result: The study sample had a predominantly male population with the commonest age group being 21-30 years (39.57%) followed by 31-40 years (31.46%). Tinea corporis (57.30%) was the most common clinical presentation followed by tinea cruris (20.85%) and onychomycosis (14.73%). Microscopy positivity was 43.19%, while culture positivity was 23.97%. Dermatophytes accounted for the majority of isolates. All fungal isolates had high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) to fluconazole, suggesting that dermatophytes are possibly resistant to this drug. Conclusion: Trichophyton mentagrophytes is confirmed as the dominant pathogen of dermatophytosis in all three tertiary care hospitals.

Tuberculous myelitis: a prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies regarding tuberculous myelitis are lacking. We aimed to prospectively evaluate patients with tuberculous myelitis to identify the features that distinguish tuberculous myelitis from other myelitis. METHODS: This was a prospective study. Patients presenting with paraparesis/quadriparesis, and MRI showing myelitis were included. All patients were subjected to clinical, neuroimaging, and laboratory evaluation. Diagnosis of definite tuberculous myelitis was made if GeneXpert test in CSF was positive. Probable tuberculous myelitis was diagnosed if there was evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body. Patients were treated with methylprednisolone and antituberculosis treatment. Patients were followed for 6 months. We compared the clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging parameters and response to treatment of tuberculous myelitis with other myelitis. P values were adjusted using the Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) procedure to control false discovery rate. RESULTS: We enrolled 52 patients. Eighteen (34.6%) patients had tuberculous myelitis. Headache (P = 0.018) was significantly more common in tuberculous myelitis. The CSF protein (P < 0.001), and CSF cell count (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in tuberculous myelitis. On neuroimaging, a LETM was common in tuberculous myelitis. Spinal meningeal enhancement (14; 77.8%), extra-axial collection, and CSF loculation (6; 33.4%), arachnoiditis (3;16.7%), and concomitant spinal tuberculoma (2;11.1%) were other common imaging features of tuberculous myelitis. Tuberculous myelitis patients showed a better response (P = 0.025) to treatment. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous myelitis was seen in approximately 35% of all myelitis cases, in a high tuberculosis endemic zone. Headache, markedly elevated CSF protein and spinal meningeal enhancement were distinguishing features. Tuberculous myelitis patients responded well to corticosteroids.

Correlation of serotype-specific strain in patients with dengue virus infection with neurological manifestations and its outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological manifestation of dengue virus infection is a rare entity. Serotypes commonly associated with neurological manifestation are DENV-2 and DENV-3. We plan to detect the serotypes related to the neurological presentation in dengue infection and its correlation with different neurological complications and outcome. METHODS: In this case-control study, consecutive dengue cases with different neurological manifestations were enrolled along with age and sex-matched controls (dengue patients without neurological complication). Serotyping using RT-PCR of samples of cases and controls were done. Level of correlation was analyzed with various parameters and outcomes. RESULTS: In cases out of 33 samples, 6 sample serotypes were detected, which were composed of DENV-1 (n = 2) and DENV-2 (n = 4). In controls, DENV-1 (n = 5), DENV-2 (n = 6), and DENV-3 (n = 3) were detected. When statistically correlated, no significant association was found in cases and controls with dengue virus serotype. The frequency of serotype 2 was higher in hypokalemic paralysis cases than non-hypokalemic paralysis cases and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). The outcome was good (mRS < 3) in all the cases where serotypes were detected, but on statistical correlation, it was not found significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: DENV-1 and DENV-2 are associated with neurological manifestation of dengue infection, which is different from the existing literature, where DENV-2 and DENV-3 are reported. The detection of DENV serotype will help in predicting and best management of neurological complication. The serotype 2 of dengue virus is more commonly associated with dengue-associated hypokalemic paralysis than other neurological complication (p < 0.05). There is no significant association of serotypes with outcome or mortality.

Decellularization of caprine esophagus using fruit pericarp extract of Sapindus mukorossi.

Biological detergents like sodium deoxycholate, sodium dodecyl sulphate and Triton X-100 impairs the collagenous and non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans and growth factors. Further, certain chemical and enzymes are responsible for residual cytotoxicity in the decellularized extracellular matrix. The main focus of this study was to explore the decellularization property of soap nut pericarp extract (SPE) for development of decellularized tubular esophageal scaffold. For this 2.5, 5.0 and 10% concentrations of SPE were used for decellularization of caprine esophageal tissues. Histological analysis of hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stained tissue samples confirmed decellularization with preservation of extracellular matrix microarchitecture. Scanning electron microscopic images of luminal surface of decellularized esophageal matrix showed randomly oriented collagen fibres with large interconnected pores and cells were absent. However, the external surface was more textured with fibrous structures and collagen fibres were well preserved. DAPI stained decellularized tissues revealed complete removal of nuclear components, verified by DNA content measurement and SDS-PAGE. The FTIR spectra of decellularized esophagus shows absorption peaks of amide A, B, I, II and III. Elastic modulus of the decellularized esophagus scaffolds increased (P > 0.05) as compared to native tissues. Histological and scanning electron microscopic evaluation of in vitro seeded scaffolds showed attachment and growth of primary chicken embryo fibroblasts over and within the decellularized scaffolds. It was concluded that 5% SPE is ideal for preparation of cytocompatible decellularized caprine esophageal scaffold with well-preserved extracellular matrix architecture and, may be used as an alternative to biological detergents and other chemicals.

Study of Prevalence of Undiagnosed Diabetes Mellitus in Patients Presenting with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) has become a prominent source of illness and mortality around the world, particularly in emerging nations such as India. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the important and independent predictors of mortality in CAD. Diabetes affects outcomes after an ACS in addition to being a risk factor for development of coronary disease. MATERIAL: We included 200 patients of Acute Coronary Syndrome who were not previously diagnosed with Diabetes mellitus. Detailed history, clinical examination and relevant blood investigations were sent. OGTT was done once the patient was stabilised and free from clinical symptoms of CAD and started on full oral meals. OBSERVATION: We found that the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in ACS patients was 22%, prevalence of prediabetics was 14%, stress induced hyperglycemia was 12% of ACS patients and the remaining 52% had normal glycemic status. CONCLUSION: Diabetes was shown to be common among ACS patients in our area, according to our findings. These findings emphasise the necessity of early diabetes detection and control in ACS patients, as well as the use of certain medicines that had been shown to enhance outcomes.

Understanding the Effect of Irrigation with Chromium Loaded Tannery Effluent on Ocimum basilicum L. vis-a-vis Metal Uptake.

In this study, we investigated the effect of irrigation with heavy metal loaded tannery effluent on Ocimum basilicum L., an important aromatic crop for utilization of tannery wastewater and remediation of chromium rich tannery affected soils. The soil was irrigated with three different dilutions of tannery wastewater viz. 50%, 75% and 100% of tannery effluents (T, UD and U) including control. The maximum herbal biomass (105.17 g plant-1) was found in UD100. Although oil quality was not affected by application of tannery effluents, the oil yield was decreased significantly, as compared to control, in all treatments except in UD75. The chromium concentration in different plant parts was in order of root > shoot > leaf. This indicates O. basilicum is an effective aromatic crop for remediation of tannery affected sites without any effect on crop growth, oil yield per unit area and oil quality and increase in soil fertility.

Quantitative assessment of lesion load and efficacy of 3 cycles of albendazole in disseminated cysticercosis: a prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The management of disseminated cysticercosis is unclear and largely considered hazardous. The role of albendazole remains controversial in such patients. METHODS: A tertiary care, University hospital-based prospective intervention study was conducted from December 2015 to December 2017. Patients with disseminated cysticercosis, defined as the presence of multiple viable neurocysticerci (≥ 3) in the brain along with involvement of an additional extra site, were included in the study. Patients with cysticercal encephalitis were excluded. A detailed evaluation, including ophthalmoscopy, ocular B scans, ultrasound abdomen, and X-rays were done. Albendazole was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg/day in 3 cycles of 28 days each. All patients were also given adjuvant corticosteroids and anti-epileptic drugs. Clinical and radiological follow up was carried out at a difference of 3 months between each treatment cycle. For radiological quantification, lesions were counted at 10 pre-specified levels. Statistical analysis was done to estimate the difference in seizure frequency and lesion load. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (21 with > 20 lesions; 8 with ≤ 20 lesions) were given albendazole as per the protocol. There was a significant reduction in the occurrence of seizures (P < 0.001) and headache (P < 0.001). A significant reduction in lesion load from baseline to third follow-up was seen in the estimations done at different levels (P < 0.001). No patient developed serious side-effect warranting cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Cyclical use of albendazole appears efficacious in treating disseminated cysticercosis. The method of quantification described may be used in future studies for objective assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN11630542; 28th September 2019; Retrospectively registered.

Pathological, ultrasonographic, and electrophysiological characterization of clinically diagnosed cases of pure neuritic leprosy.

A subset of neuritic form of leprosy, called pure neuritic leprosy (PNL), seen in a minority of leprosy patients, is characterized by peripheral neuropathy without skin lesions and an absence of acid-fast bacilli on skin smears. Patients with PNL are often started on drug therapy without confirmation of diagnosis. We, therefore, did a prospective study of clinically diagnosed PNL patients with correlation of ultrasonographic and biopsy findings. A total of 100 consecutive patients with PNL, diagnosed according to the consensus case definition, were included in the study. All patients underwent nerve conduction study, peripheral nerve ultrasonography, and sural nerve biopsy. Multiple mononeuropathies were present in 75% of cases, mononeuropathy in 18%, and polyneuropathy in the remaining 7%. Compared to clinical examination, ultrasonographic assessment of the peripheral nerves was not only better at the detection of thickening but also helped in characterization of their fascicular architecture, echogenicity, and vascularity. A total of 32 cases were confirmed on nerve biopsy, out of which 75% had demonstrable lepra bacilli. Cranial nerve involvement, presence of trophic ulcers, and bilateral thickening of the great auricular nerve were significantly associated with the positivity of lepra bacilli. A significant improvement in the disability score happened after multidrug therapy. A comprehensive electrophysiologic, ultrasonographic, and histological evaluation may be helpful in establishing a diagnosis of PNL with greater confidence, while ruling out other non-leprosy diagnoses.

Platelet dysfunction and coagulation assessment in patients of tuberculous meningitis.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis. As reported in various studies, stroke is common among patients with TBM, with a prevalence of 17-54%. The present study assessed platelet dysfunction and coagulation abnormality in patients with TBM. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that included 123 consecutive patients with TBM. In addition to clinical and radiological parameters, the complete platelet function and coagulation function were studied. The patients were followed up to 6 months. RESULTS: A significant correlation between platelet abnormality and stroke in patients with TBM was reported in this study. Results of the univariate analysis revealed that haematological parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV) (p < 0.001), platelet distribution width (PDW)(p < 0.001), platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR) (p < 0.001), and platelet aggregometry (PAg) (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with infarct. However, other haematological parameters such as bleeding time (p = 0.712), clotting time (p = 0.362), activated partial thromboplastin time (p = 0.094), INR (p = 0.420), protein C (p = 0.988), and protein S (p = 0.579) were not significantly associated with infarct. During follow-up at 3 and 6 months, parameters such as MPV (p < 0.001), PDW (p < 0.001), and P-LCR (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with infarct. CONCLUSION: The present study concluded that platelet abnormalities in patients with TBM contribute to infarct and are associated with poor clinical outcomes. This study suggested the role of antiplatelet agents in preventing stroke in patients with TBM.

Phytoremediation of sewage sludge by Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats. var. motia Burk. grown under soil amended with varying levels of sewage sludge.

Sewage sludge used as agriculture fertilizers contains a conspicuous amount of potentially toxic metals. In order to prevent the contamination in the food chain, there is an urgent need for the development of sewage sludge clean up technology. The use of non-food, multi-harvest aromatic crops for phytoremediation of sewage sludge has many benefits. Besides the eco-friendly approach, plant biomass generated can be used to extract economically important essential oil free of heavy metals. Cymbopogon martinii was grown in soil (s) amended with different ratios of sewage sludge (ss), that is, 100s:0ss (control), 80s:20ss, 60s:40ss, 40s:60ss, 20s:80ss, and 0s:100ss. The experiment was conducted in a plastic sack under an open environment for 1 year and harvesting was done thrice. Plant growth and essential oil yield were significantly increased with the increasing dose of sewage sludge. Accumulation of toxic metal (Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni) and micronutrient (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) increased significantly in the shoot tissues confirmed by estimation of bioaccumulation and bioconcentration, and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalyses. Soil enzyme activities were significantly improved with the plant growth period and increased doses of sludge. Results showed C. martinii acts as hyper-accumulator and thus could be used for phytoremediation of sewage sludge.

Suitability of aromatic plants for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated areas: a review.

This review briefly elucidates the research undertaken and benefits of using aromatic plants for remediation of heavy metal polluted sites. A sustainable approach to mitigate heavy metal contamination of environment is need of the hour. Phytoremediation has emerged to be one of the most preferable choices for combating the metal pollution problem. Aromatic plants can be used for remediation of contaminated sites as they are non-food crops thus minimizing the risk of food chain contamination. Most promising aromatic plants for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated sites have been identified from families - Poaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Geraniaceae. They act as potential phytostabilisers, hyper accumulators, bio-monitors, and facultative metallophytes. Being high value economic crops, monetary benefits can be obtained by growing them in tainted areas instead of food crops. It has been observed that heavy metal stress enhances the essential oil percentage of certain aromatic crops. Research conducted on some major aromatic plants in this context has been highlighted in the present review which suggests that aromatic plants hold a great potential for phytoremediation. It has been reported that essential oil from aromatic crops is not contaminated by heavy metals significantly. Thus, aromatic plants are emerging as an ideal candidate for phytoremediation. Highlights • Aromatic plants hold a great potential for phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated sites. • Being high value economic crops, monetary benefits can be obtained by growing them in contaminated areas instead of food crops. • Research done on some major aromatic plants in this context has been highlighted in the present review.

Screening of most potential candidate among different lemongrass varieties for phytoremediation of tannery sludge contaminated sites.

One of the most sustainable approaches for reclamation of heavy metal contaminated sites is by phytoremediation. Cultivation of aromatic plants in such areas has been proposed by a number of researchers as it fulfills the purpose of phytoremediation alongside monetary benefits. A pot experiment was conducted to screen out most potential candidate among different lemongrass varieties which can be recommended to be grown in tannery effluent contaminated sites. Four consecutive harvests of nine varieties of lemongrass were tested. Translocation factor (TF) < 1 for chromium and cadmium whereas >1 for nickel and lead was observed in all varieties. Bioconcentration factor (BF) > 1 was observed for chromium in Suwarna variety. Photosynthetic pigments, growth parameters, antioxidants, oil content, and yield were highly correlated. Neighbor joining (NJ) cluster analysis was performed to predict the relationship between varieties according to their chromium uptake potential. Endurance of varieties towards metal stress was assessed using chlorophyll a fluorescence kinetics. Maximum reduction potential of chromium (70.07%), lead (85.29%), and cadmium (77.36%) was observed in Suwarna variety. Our study indicated that lemongrass acts as potential phytoextractor for nickel and lead. Suwarna variety appeared to be the best candidate among all the varieties tested owing to its higher biomass and metal uptake potential.

Microbial Inoculants Assisted Growth of Chrysopogon zizanioides Promotes Phytoremediation of Salt Affected Soil.

Restoration of salt-affected soil through cultivation Chrysopogon zizanioides is a promising approach. The two way benefit of such an approach is that reclamation of salt-affected soil concomitant to improve plant growth and increased yield of essential oil produced in the plants roots. Earlier studies showed physiological changes and reduced growth of C. zizanioides under salinity. In the present study, plant growth promoting microorganisms viz. Pseudomonas monteilii, Bacillus megaterium, Azotobacter chroococcum and Rhizophagus intraradices were used as bio-inoculants for cultivation of C. zizanioides under salt-affected soil. Bio-inoculants in combination with vermicompost significantly increased the growth and productivity of C. zizanioides under salt-affected soil, and simultaneously improved soil health. When compared to control, the soil physico-chemical and biological properties of bio-inoculants treated plants was significantly improved. The reclamation of salt-affected soil was evident by the significant decrease in the level of soil pH (11.0%), electrical conductivity (23.5%), sodium adsorption ratio (15.3%), and exchangeable sodium percent (12.4%) of bio-inoculants treated plants. The improvement of soil cation exchange capacity indicated the decrease in soil salinity. Whereas increase in the microbial count (four-fold), AMF spores (447 spores), dehydrogenase (six-fold), acid (two-fold) and alkaline phosphatase (five-fold) activities in rhizosphere soil of bio-inoculant treated plants indicated the improved biological properties. A positive correlation of plant biomass production to soil organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, available phosphorus and cation exchange capacity depicted improved nutrients content in rhizosphere soil of bio-inoculant treated plants. The findings of this study suggest that P. monteilii and R. intraradices with vermicompost can be effectively used as bio-inoculants for encouragement of phytoremediation in salt-affected soil.

Molecular modeling, synthesis, antibacterial and cytotoxicity evaluation of sulfonamide derivatives of benzimidazole, indazole, benzothiazole and thiazole.

A new series of heterocyclic molecules bearing sulfonamide linkage has been synthesized and screened for antibacterial activity. During antibacterial screening using broath dilution method, molecules were found to be highly active (MIC value 50-3.1 µg/mL) against different human pathogens, namely B. cerus, S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, and most effective against E. coli. A great synergistic effect was observed during determination of FIC where molecules were used in combination with reference drugs chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole. The MIC value of the combination - varying concentration of test compounds and ½ MIC of reference drugs or varying concentration of reference drugs and ½ MIC of test compounds, was reduced up to 1/4 or 1/32 of the original value, indicating thereby the combination was 4-32 times more potent than the test molecule. The molecules also showed low degree of cytotoxicity against PBM, CEM and VERO cell lines. The results positively indicated towards the development of lead antibacterials using the combination approach.

Histology with immunohistochemistry of the fistula region in female anorectal malformation: Can it be used for neo-anus reconstruction?

AIM: Female anorectal malformation is characterised by communication to the exterior by a fistula. There are conflicting reports of the presence of normal anus in the fistula region. This study was undertaken to assess the histopathology and immunohistochemical correlation of the terminal portion of the fistula in female patients and suitability of fistula incorporation in the reconstruction of the neo-anus. METHODS: This prospective study included 13 patients of female anorectal malformation. Of these, seven had a vestibular fistula (VF), and the rest had an anterior ectopic anus (AEA). Histopathology of the fistula region was undertaken, along with immunohistochemistry. Various findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Of seven VF patients, four showed atrophic or disrupted internal sphincter smooth muscle, whereas the remaining three showed hypertropic internal sphincteric smooth muscle. Six patients showed hypertrophic nerve bundle. Five VF patients showed subepithelial fibrosis, and none of them showed ganglion cells. Of six patients of AEA, internal sphincteric smooth muscle was normal in five. It was hypertrophic in one patient. Transitional epithelium was present in four patients. All patients showed hypertrophic nerve bundle and aganglionosis. Subepithelial fibrosis was observed in six patients. CONCLUSION: The fistula region in VF and AEA patients appears to be an abnormal structure. Rather than preservation of the terminal fistulous region, resection followed by anoplasty may be a viable option.

Role of platelet-rich plasma in healing diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in healing diabetic fool ulcers (DFUs), and to compare the rate of healing and final outcome with conventional therapy. METHOD: A prospective study conducted between October 2013 and July 2015. Participants were divided in to two groups: a study group in which PRP was used and a control group receiving standard therapy. Wound assessment was carried out according to the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients were recruited to the study. There were 29 patients in the study group and 26 patients in the control group. After application of PRP, there was significant improvement in mean wound score and significant percent improvement in wound score in the study group (p<0.0001). Complete healing occurred in all patients in the study group in (mean score and standard deviation) 36.7±3 days compared with 60.6±3.7 days in the control group (p<0.0001). There were no unwanted side effects in patients using the PRP in this study. CONCLUSION: PRP appears to be a promising agent in the management of DFUs. In this study, DFUs healed more quickly in the study group than in the control group. There was also significant percent improvement in wound score as compared with debridement and dressing only. If proper selection criteria are applied, PRP could be a useful aid to wound healing in people with DFUs.

Chemical composition and antibacterial, antifungal, allelopathic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of cassumunar-ginger.

BACKGROUND: Zingiber montanum (J.Koenig) Link ex A.Dietr. (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as cassumunar-ginger, is a folk remedy for the treatment of inflammations, sprains, rheumatism and asthma. The aim of the present study was to assess the chemical composition, and antibacterial, antifungal, allelopathic and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the essential oil of Z. montanum originating from India. RESULTS: The hydrodistilled essential oil of Z. montanum rhizome was analyzed using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 49 constituents, forming 98.7-99.9% of the total oil compositions, was identified. The essential oil was characterized by higher amount of monoterpene hydrocarbons (32.6-43.5%), phenylbutanoids (27.5-41.2%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (11.4-34.1%). Major constituents of the oil were sabinene (13.5-38.0%), (E)-1-(3',4'-dimethoxyphenyl)buta-1,3-diene (DMPBD) (20.6-35.3%), terpinen-4-ol (9.0-31.3%), γ-terpinene (1.1-4.8%) and ß-phellandrene (1.0-4.4%). The oil was evaluated against eight pathogenic bacteria and two fungal strains. It exhibited low to good antibacterial activity (minimum inhibitory concentration: 125-500 µg mL-1 ) and moderate antifungal activity (250 µg mL-1 ) against the tested strains. The oil reduced germination (69.8%) and inhibited the root and shoot growth of lettuce significantly (LD50 : 3.58 µL plate-1 ). However, it did not demonstrate acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity up to a concentration of 10 mg mL-1 . CONCLUSIONS: The essential oil of Z. montanum can be used as a potential source of DMPBD, terpinen-4-ol and sabinene for pharmaceutical products. The results of the present study add significant information to the pharmacological activity of Z. montanum native to India. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.