Effect of ageing and cataract formation on the Raman spectroscopic profile of human lens: An observational study.

PURPOSE: To observe the spectroscopic profile of human lens in different age groups and varying grades of cataract and to use the data to arrive at differentiating molecular biology. DESIGN: An observational cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study enrolled 30 patients (30 eyes) with a mean age of 59.6 years diagnosed with immature senile cataracts. The patients underwent small incision cataract surgery, and the harvested lens nuclei were examined under a Raman spectroscope for studying their molecular composition. The relative intensities of the peaks in the Raman spectra were evaluated and compared among different age groups and grades of cataract. A correlation of tyrosine doublet ratio with grade of cataract and age of the subject was calculated. RESULT: Several Raman spectral peaks were observed in the range of 600 cm-1 to 1800 cm-1 with correspondence to tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and amides I and III. A strong negative correlation between the grade of cataract and the ratio of tyrosine doublet was seen (r = -0.805). Also, a negative correlation between age and tyrosine ratio was seen (r = -0.62). The wavenumber/spectral peak of tryptophan was observed only in one sample, and amides I and III were identified, but the intensity of the peak for amide II was very small or absent. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the buried conformation of tyrosine was predominant in cases with a higher age or grade of cataract. The buried conformation of tryptophan became less in the higher grades of cataract.

Serum levels of various vitamins in periodontal health and disease- a cross sectional study.

Objectives: Vitamins are micronutrients that are required in small or trace amounts. They play an essential role in the metabolism and maintenance of tissue function. This investigation aimed to assess if a deficiency of certain essential vitamins is a risk factor for developing periodontitis. Methods: The subject population consisted of 100 subjects, 50 with generalized chronic periodontitis and 50 periodontally healthy volunteers. The following clinical parameters were measured: Gingival Index, pocket depth (mm); Clinical Attachment Loss (mm). Serum samples were collected and analyzed for levels of cis-ß-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin, vitamin B 12, folate, vitamin D, and vitamin E. Individual data collected was summarized and analyzed using statistical software. Results: All the clinical parameters for periodontal status in the periodontitis group compared to healthy volunteers were highly significant (p < 0.0001). The mean levels of all the micronutrients, vitamin A precursors cis-ß-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin, folate, vitamin B 12, D & E were lower in the periodontitis group than the healthy volunteers, although the difference was statistically significant only in case of ß-cryptoxanthin, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of our study suggest that serum micronutrient levels especially Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, and Vitamin D may be modifiable risk factors for periodontal disease. Providing an optimized combination of various vitamins in each meal in combination with sufficient measures of standard oral hygiene care may provide an important role in the prevention of periodontitis.

Innovative Spectrum Handoff Process Using a Machine Learning-Based Metaheuristic Algorithm.

A cognitive radio network (CRN) is an intelligent network that can detect unoccupied spectrum space without interfering with the primary user (PU). Spectrum scarcity arises due to the stable channel allocation, which the CRN handles. Spectrum handoff management is a critical problem that must be addressed in the CRN to ensure indefinite connection and profitable use of unallocated spectrum space for secondary users (SUs). Spectrum handoff (SHO) has some disadvantages, i.e., communication delay and power consumption. To overcome these drawbacks, a reduction in handoff should be a priority. This study proposes the use of dynamic spectrum access (DSA) to check for available channels for SU during handoff using a metaheuristic algorithm depending on machine learning. The simulation results show that the proposed "support vector machine-based red deer algorithm" (SVM-RDA) is resilient and has low complexity. The suggested algorithm's experimental setup offers several handoffs, unsuccessful handoffs, handoff delay, throughput, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), SU bandwidth, and total spectrum bandwidth. This study provides an improved system performance during SHO. The inferred technique anticipates handoff delay and minimizes the handoff numbers. The results show that the recommended method is better at making predictions with fewer handoffs compared to the other three.

Comparison of effective phacoemulsification time and corneal endothelial cell loss using three different ultrasound frequencies: A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Comparison of three ultrasound (US) frequencies for phacoemulsification of hard cataracts to determine a frequency that makes phacoemulsification more efficacious and safer. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was undertaken at a medical college and hospital. In total, 207 patients with grade 5.6-6.9 (LOCS III) senile cataract were randomized into three groups. Group I underwent phacoemulsification with 28-kHz frequency, group II with 42-kHz frequency, and group III with 53-kHz frequency. The effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and estimated fluid usage (EFU) were compared intraoperatively. The endothelial cell parameters were analyzed for 6 months. Results: The groups were matched for age (P = 0.467), gender (P = 0.497), nuclear grade (P = 0.321), and anterior chamber depth (P = 0.635). The EPT and EFU were significantly lower in group III, compared to group II and group I, with P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively. Postoperatively, the endothelial cell density (ECD) was significantly higher in group III at 1 month (P < 0.0001), 3 months (P < 0.0001), and 6 months (P < 0.0001). The percentages of ECD loss were also significantly lower in group III; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.0001) up to 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Higher frequency ultrasound was associated with a lower EPT and EFU as well as better endothelial preservation than lower frequencies in hard cataracts.

Effectiveness of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection during the delta (B.1.617.2) variant surge in India: a test-negative, case-control study and a mechanistic study of post-vaccination immune responses.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have threatened COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, predominantly against the delta (B.1.617.2) variant, in addition to the cellular immune response to vaccination. METHODS: We did a test-negative, case-control study at two medical research centres in Faridabad, India. All individuals who had a positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 infection between April 1, 2021, and May 31, 2021, were included as cases and individuals who had a negative RT-PCR test were included as controls after matching with cases on calendar week of RT-PCR test. The primary outcome was effectiveness of complete vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine against laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The secondary outcomes were effectiveness of a single dose against SARS-CoV-2 infection and effectiveness of a single dose and complete vaccination against moderate-to-severe disease among infected individuals. Additionally, we tested in-vitro live-virus neutralisation and T-cell immune responses to the spike protein of the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and VOCs among healthy (anti-nucleocapsid antibody negative) recipients of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. FINDINGS: Of 2379 cases of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, 85 (3·6%) were fully vaccinated compared with 168 (8·5%) of 1981 controls (adjusted OR [aOR] 0·37 [95% CI 0·28-0·48]), giving a vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection of 63·1% (95% CI 51·5-72·1). 157 (6·4%) of 2451 of cases and 181 (9·1%) of 1994) controls had received a single dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (aOR 0·54 [95% CI 0·42-0·68]), thus vaccine effectiveness of a single dose against SARS-CoV-2 infection was 46·2% (95% CI 31·6-57·7). One of 84 cases with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 was fully vaccinated compared with 84 of 2295 cases with mild COVID-19 (aOR 0·19 [95% CI 0·01-0·90]), giving a vaccine effectiveness of complete vaccination against moderate-to-severe disease of 81·5% (95% CI 9·9-99·0). The effectiveness of a single dose against moderate-to-severe disease was 79·2% (95% CI 46·1-94·0); four of 87 individuals with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 had received a single dose compared with 153 of 2364 participants with mild disease (aOR 0·20 [95% CI 0·06-0·54]). Among 49 healthy, fully vaccinated individuals, neutralising antibody responses were lower against the alpha (B.1.1.7; geometric mean titre 244·7 [95% CI 151·8-394·4]), beta (B.1.351; 97·6 [61·2-155·8]), kappa (B.1.617.1; 112·8 [72·7-175·0]), and delta (88·4 [61·2-127·8]) variants than against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (599·4 [376·9-953·2]). However, the antigen-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses were conserved against both the delta variant and wild-type SARS-CoV-2. INTERPRETATION: The ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine remained effective against moderate-to-severe COVID-19, even during a surge that was dominated by the highly transmissible delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Spike-specific T-cell responses were maintained against the delta variant. Such cellular immune protection might compensate for waning humoral immunity. FUNDING: Department of Biotechnology India, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research India, and Fondation Botnar.

Immunization with Brucella abortus S19Δper Conferred Protection in Water Buffaloes against Virulent Challenge with B. abortus Strain S544.

Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes with Brucella abortus strain 19 has been the mainstay for control of bovine brucellosis. However, vaccination with S19 suffers major drawbacks in terms of its safety and interference with serodiagnosis of clinical infection. Brucella abortus S19∆per, a perosamine synthetase wbkB gene deletion mutant, overcomes the drawbacks of the S19 vaccine strain. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Brucella abortus S19Δper vaccine candidate in the natural host, buffaloes. Safety of S19∆per, for animals use, was assessed in guinea pigs. Protective efficacy of vaccine was assessed in buffaloes by immunizing with normal dose (4 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/animal) and reduced dose (2 × 109 CFU/animal) of S19Δper and challenged with virulent strain of B. abortus S544 on 300 days post immunization. Bacterial persistency of S19∆per was assessed in buffalo calves after 42 days of inoculation. Different serological, biochemical and pathological studies were performed to evaluate the S19∆per vaccine. The S19Δper immunized animals showed significantly low levels of anti-lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies. All the immunized animals were protected against challenge infection with B. abortus S544. Sera from the majority of S19Δper immunized buffalo calves showed moderate to weak agglutination to RBPT antigen and thereby, could apparently be differentiated from S19 vaccinated and clinically-infected animals. The S19Δper was more sensitive to buffalo serum complement mediated lysis than its parent strain, S19. Animals culled at 6-weeks-post vaccination showed no gross lesions in organs and there was comparatively lower burden of infection in the lymph nodes of S19Δper immunized animals. With attributes of higher safety, strong protective efficacy and potential of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), S19Δper would be a prospective alternate to conventional S19 vaccines for control of bovine brucellosis as proven in buffaloes.

Molecular Typing of Burkholderia mallei Isolates from Equids with Glanders, India.

We collected 10 Burkholderia mallei isolates from equids in 9 districts in India during glanders outbreaks in 2013-2016. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis showed 7 outbreak area-related genotypes. The study highlights the utility of this analysis for epidemiologically tracing of specific B. mallei isolates during outbreaks.

Serological surveillance and clinical investigation of glanders among indigenous equines in India from 2015 to 2018.

Equine glanders is an infectious and notifiable bacterial disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. The disease has been reported in South American, African and Asian countries including India. Here, we present the outcome of glanders serosurveillance carried out between January 2015 and December 2018 to know the status of equine glanders among different states in India. A total of 102,071 equid sera from 299 districts of twenty-one states and one union territory were tested for glanders. Samples were screened with Hcp1 indirect ELISA followed by confirmatory diagnosis by CFT. During this four-year surveillance, a total of 932 glanders-positive cases were detected from 120 districts of 12 states. The study also revealed increasing trend of glanders from 2016 onwards with maximum occurrence in northern India. Overall seroprevalence ranged between 0.62% (95% CI, 0.52-0.72) and 1.145% (95% CI, 1.03-1.25). Seasonal shifting from winter to summer (March to June) coincided with highest number glanders incidence with corresponding seroprevalences of 1.2% (95% CI, 1.09-1.30). The present surveillance unveils territorial ingression of glanders to six states like Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Tamil Nadu. In addition, re-emerging cases have been reported in Maharashtra, Haryana and Punjab after a gap of 10 years. Lack of awareness, little veterinary care and unrestricted movement of equids across state borders might have led to the introduction and establishment of the infection to these states. We believe that information from this study will provide a baseline data on glanders for devising surveillance and control strategies in India. Being a zoonotic disease, the persistence of glanders poses a potential threat to occupationally exposed humans especially equine handlers and veterinarians. Therefore, targeted surveillance of human population from each glanders outbreak is also recommended.

Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication.

Central vein catheterization is a commonly used technique in indoor patients. It is mainly used for venous access, allowing administration of drugs, fluids, chemotherapy, blood components. Central vein catheterisation may lead to many complication which includes bleeding, perforation of veins and hematoma formation, thrombosis, infections, bleeding, needle stick injury, air embolism, kinking or looping of the wire tip, breakage of a guidewire, etc. We, hereby, report a case where the guidewire was lost during femoral venous catherisation. A whole guidewire embolization is completely preventable complication. It may not necessarily produce any symptoms and may remain unnoticed for long time. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Rani A, Malik PK. Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(8):382-383.

Comparison of effective phacoemulsification time and corneal endothelial cell loss using 2 ultrasound frequencies.

PURPOSE: To compare 2 ultrasound (US) frequencies for phacoemulsification for moderate to hard cataract to determine a frequency that makes phacoemulsification safer and more efficacious. SETTING: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, New Delhi, India. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Patients with grade 4.0 to 6.9 senile cataract were randomized to 2 groups. Group A had lower frequency (28 kHz) phacoemulsification, and Group B had higher frequency (42 kHz) phacoemulsification. The effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) and estimated fluid usage (EFU) were compared intraoperatively. The endothelial parameters were assessed over 1 year. RESULTS: Both groups comprised 80 patients. The groups were matched for age (P = .533), sex (P = .263), and nuclear grade (nuclear color, P = .496; nuclear opalescence, P = .622). Group B had significant reductions in EPT (P = .008) and EFU (P = .004) compared with Group A. Postoperatively, the endothelial cell density (ECD) was significantly higher in Group B at 1 month (P = .004), 3 months (P = .003), 6 months (P = .004), 9 months (P = .002), and 1 year (P = .003). The percentages of ECD loss were also significantly lower in Group B; the difference was statistically significant up to 1 year postoperatively even after adjustments for age, grade of cataract, EPT, and EFU. CONCLUSION: Higher frequency phacoemulsification was associated with a lower EPT and EFU as well as better endothelial preservation than a lower frequency.

Feet Deformity and Gait Disturbance in a Patient with Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP). Case Study.

Pachydermoperiostosis is a rare condition representing a primary form of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. It presents in different stages. Patients often overlook early symptoms, because they are benign. The most common manifestations are clubbing of the fingers and toes, skin thickening with characteristic folds on the face and head and widening of joints accompanied by radiological changes. Surgical treatment is not often needed, and, consequently, there are no strict guidelines on surgical management, which is mainly based on case report ana-lysis. This paper presents a case of surgical management of pachydermoperiostosis.

Evaluation of the comparative accuracy of the complement fixation test, Western blot and five enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for serodiagnosis of glanders.

Glanders is a zoonotic contagious disease of equids caused by Burkholderia (B.) mallei. Serodiagnosis of the disease is challenging because of false-positive and false-negative test results. The accuracy of the complement fixation test (CFT) which is prescribed for international trade by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), five ELISAs and a Western blot (WB) were compared for serodiagnosis of glanders using sera from 3,000 glanders-free and 254 glanderous equids. Four ELISA tests are based on recombinant antigens (TssA, TssB, BimA and Hcp1), the IDVet ELISA is based on a semi-purified fraction of B. mallei and WB makes use of a purified LPS-containing B. mallei-antigen. Sensitivity and specificity of tests were estimated using cut-off values recommended by the test developers. The WB and all ELISAs, except BimA, were significantly more specific than the CFT. ELISAs based on TssA, TssB, and BimA antigens had significantly lower sensitivity compared to CFT while the sensitivities of the Hcp1-ELISA, the IDVet-ELISA and the WB did not differ significantly from that of the CFT. Given their comparable sensitivities and specificities, the CFT (98.0%, 96.4%), the WB (96.8%, 99.4%), the Hcp1-ELISA (95.3%, 99.6%) and the IDVet-ELISA (92.5%, 99.5%) should be further developed to meet OIE requirements.

Effect of IOP based infusion system with and without balanced phaco tip on cumulative dissipated energy and estimated fluid usage in comparison to gravity fed infusion in torsional phacoemulsification.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of three different combinations of tip designs and infusion systems in torsional phacoemulsification (INFINITI and CENTURION) in patients with cataract. According to the manufacturer, two unique improvements in the Centurion are: active fluid dynamic management system and use of an intrepid balanced tip. The study specifically aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects, if any, of change in tip design and infusion system individually and in combination on both per-operative parameters as well as endothelial health over 6 months. METHODS: One hundred and twenty six consenting patients of grade 4.0-6.9 senile cataract were randomized into three groups for phacoemulsification: Group A (n = 42): Gravity fed infusion system and 450 Kelman miniflared ABS phaco tip; Group B (n = 42): intraocular pressure (IOP) based infusion system and 450 Kelman miniflared ABS phaco tip; Group C (n = 42): IOP based infusion system and 450 Intrepid balanced phaco tip. The cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), estimated fluid usage (EFU) and total aspiration time (TAT) were compared peroperatively. The endothelial parameters were followed up postoperatively for six months. RESULTS: The three arms were matched for age (p = 0.525), gender (p = 0.96) and grade of cataract (p = 0.177). Group C was associated with significant reductions in CDE (p = 0.001), EFU (p < 0.0005) as well as TAT (p = 0.001) in comparison to the other groups. All three groups had comparable baseline endothelial cell density (p = 0.876) and central corneal thickness (p = 0.561). On post-operative evaluation, although all groups were comparable till 3 months, by 6 months, the percentage losses in endothelial cell density were significantly lower in group C as compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of an IOP based phacoemulsification system in association with use of the Intrepid balanced tip reduces the CDE, EFU and TAT in comparison to a gravity fed system with a mini flared tip or IOP based system with a mini flared tip while also providing better endothelial preservation thus favouring the use of an IOP fed system with a balanced tip. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration No.: CTRI/2016/06/007022.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Clinical Isolates of Burkholderia mallei Obtained from Nasal Swabs of Glanderous Equines in India.

Burkholderia mallei is a Gram-negative coccobacillus which causes glanders-a fatal disease of equines that may occasionally be transmitted to humans. Several cases of outbreaks have been reported from India since 2006. This paper presents draft genome sequences of two B. mallei strains isolated from equines affected by glanders in India.

Optic neuritis with secondary retinal venous stasis in a case of abdominal tuberculosis.

The authors report a case of unilateral optic neuritis along with secondary retinal venous stasis in a patient diagnosed with abdominal tuberculosis. Patient presented with diminished visual acuity, colour perception and Marcus Gunn pupillary response, pointing towards optic nerve involvement. Associated findings of disc edema, dilated and tortuous veins, along with hemorrhages on disc and superotemporal quadrant made diagnosis of retinal venous stasis secondary to optic neuritis imperative. The visual outcome of the patient paralleled that expected with optic neuritis. The authors believe that impairment of retinal venous outflow secondary to optic neuritis is a distinct but a rare presentation.

Isolation and genetic characterization of swinepox virus from pigs in India.

Swinepox virus (SWPV), a member of the genus Suipoxvirus causes generalized pock-like lesions on the body of domestic and wild pigs. Although outbreak has been reported in India since 1987, virus isolation and genetic characterization remained elusive. In September 2013, an outbreak of acute skin infection occurred in piglets in a commercial piggery unit at Rohtak district in Haryana, India. The presence of SWPV in scab samples collected from piglets succumbed to infection was confirmed by virus isolation, PCR amplification of SWPV-specific gene segments and nucleotide sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis of host-range genes of the SWPV revealed that the Indian isolate is genetically closely related to reference isolate SWPV/pig/U.S.A/1999/Nebraska. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on isolation and genetic characterization of SWPV from pigs in India.

Incidence of Burkholderia mallei infection among indigenous equines in India.

Burkholderia mallei is the causative agent of glanders which is a highly contagious and fatal disease of equines. Considering the nature and severity of the disease in equines, and potential of transmission to human beings, glanders is recognised as a 'notifiable' disease in many countries. An increasing number of glanders outbreaks throughout the Asian continents, including India, have been noticed recently. In view of the recent re-emergence of the disease, the present study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of glanders among indigenous equines from different parts of India. Serum samples were analysed by complement fixation test (CFT) and ELISA for the detection of B mallei specific antibodies. A total of 7794 equines, which included 4720 horses, 1881 donkeys and 1193 mules were sampled from April 2011 to December 2014 from 10 states of India. Serologically, 36 equines (pony=7, mules=10, horses=19) were found to be positive for glanders by CFT and indirect-ELISA. The highest number of cases were detected in Uttar Pradesh (n=31) followed by Himachal Pradesh (n=4) and Chhattisgarh (n=1). Isolation of B mallei was attempted from nasal and abscess swabs collected from seropositive equines. Four isolates of B mallei were cultured from nasal swabs of two mules and two ponies. Identity of the isolates was confirmed by PCR and sequencing of fliP gene fragment. The study revealed circulation of B mallei in northern India and the need for continued surveillance to support the eradication.

Isolation and characterization of a bacteriophage with broad host range, displaying potential in preventing bovine diarrhoea.

Phage therapy has been previously tried for treatment of diarrhoea in calves, pigs and lambs but those trials were conducted without any detailed information of used phages. Here, we report isolation of a broad-spectrum phage which showed bactericidal activity against 47.3 % of calf diarrhoeal isolates of Escherichia coli, in vitro. The isolated phage resembled the characteristics of Myoviridae family and showed ~97 % similarity with earlier reported bacteriophages of sub family-Tevenvirinae, genus-T4-like virus, based on nucleotide sequence of major head protein-gp23 gene. The phage exhibits the potential to be used as drug substitute tool against E. coli causing diarrhoea in cattle in farm environments.

Propranolol therapy in a case of capillary hemangioma.

Capillary hemangioma is one the most common tumors of eyelid and orbit reported in pediatric age group. Oral propranolol therapy is latest addition to the armamentarium of treatment options available to ophthalmologists in treating capillary hemangiomas. We report the successful response to propranolol therapy to a 5-year-old child with capillary hemangioma involving lids, orbit, and the paranasal sinuses. A long-term follow-up is necessary for the prognostic efficacy of the therapy.