Altered expression of GLS2 indicates a poor prognosis and correlates with clinicopathological features of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Glutamine metabolism, governed by enzymes including glutaminase (GLS1 and GLS2), has a pivotal role in cancer progression. The objective of this study was to determine whether GLS2 transcription levels are associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) when compared to matched adjacent normal tissues. Primary tumour and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 51 OSCC patients, and GLS2 mRNA expression analysis was conducted using real-time qPCR. Additionally, The Cancer Genome Atlas-Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-HNSCC) dataset was utilized to examine GLS2 expression in relation to clinicopathological features, the prognosis, and tumour immune cell infiltration. A significantly reduced expression of GLS2 mRNA was found in the OSCC tissues when compared to the matched adjacent normal tissue samples (P < 0.001), which aligned with the results from the TCGA-HNSCC dataset and immunohistochemistry. Moreover, GLS2 mRNA expression was associated with clinicopathological features including tumour stage, grade, and human papillomavirus status (all P < 0.05), predicted a poorer prognosis (P = 0.024), and was correlated with tumour immune cell infiltration (all P < 0.05) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Functional pathway analysis indicated its involvement in cell proliferation and metabolic cycles. GLS2 dysregulation is linked to oral cancer, suggesting its potential as a predictive prognostic marker for OSCC. Furthermore, targeting glutaminases via GLS2 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for OSCC treatment.

Clinical effects of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health: A systematic review.

Background: The burden of oral diseases is increasing, which constitute a major public health problem. The use of probiotics as an adjuvant, along with routine dental care practice by an individual, can produce additional benefits in the maintenance of one's oral health. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health. Material and Methods: Six databases and registers were searched from the start of the database to December 2021 without any restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the clinical effects of Bifidobacterium as a probiotic on oral health were included in the study. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to conduct this systematic review. The included studies were analyzed for the risk of bias using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trial (RoB 2) tool as well as quality of available evidence using GRADE criteria. Results: From the 22 qualified studies, four studies showed non-significant results. There was a high risk of bias in 13 studies and some concerns of bias in nine studies. No adverse effects were reported, and the quality of available evidence was moderate. Conclusion: The effect of Bifidobacterium on oral health is questionable. Further high-quality RCTs are required on the clinical effects of bifidobacteria and also the optimum level of probiotic needed, and ideal mode of administration to provide oral health benefits. Furthermore, synergistic effects of the combined use of various strains of probiotics need to be studied.

The genomic landscape of familial glioma.

Glioma is a rare brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Familial glioma is a subset of glioma with a strong genetic predisposition that accounts for approximately 5% of glioma cases. We performed whole-genome sequencing on an exploratory cohort of 203 individuals from 189 families with a history of familial glioma and an additional validation cohort of 122 individuals from 115 families. We found significant enrichment of rare deleterious variants of seven genes in both cohorts, and the most significantly enriched gene was HERC2 (P = 0.0006). Furthermore, we identified rare noncoding variants in both cohorts that were predicted to affect transcription factor binding sites or cause cryptic splicing. Last, we selected a subset of discovered genes for validation by CRISPR knockdown screening and found that DMBT1, HP1BP3, and ZCH7B3 have profound impacts on proliferation. This study performs comprehensive surveillance of the genomic landscape of familial glioma.

Genome sequencing reveals underdiagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia in bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis can result from infectious, genetic, immunological and allergic causes. 60-80% of cases are idiopathic, but a well-recognised genetic cause is the motile ciliopathy, primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Diagnosis of PCD has management implications including addressing comorbidities, implementing genetic and fertility counselling and future access to PCD-specific treatments. Diagnostic testing can be complex; however, PCD genetic testing is moving rapidly from research into clinical diagnostics and would confirm the cause of bronchiectasis. METHODS: This observational study used genetic data from severe bronchiectasis patients recruited to the UK 100,000 Genomes Project and patients referred for gene panel testing within a tertiary respiratory hospital. Patients referred for genetic testing due to clinical suspicion of PCD were excluded from both analyses. Data were accessed from the British Thoracic Society audit, to investigate whether motile ciliopathies are underdiagnosed in people with bronchiectasis in the UK. RESULTS: Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in motile ciliopathy genes in 17 (12%) out of 142 individuals by whole-genome sequencing. Similarly, in a single centre with access to pathological diagnostic facilities, 5-10% of patients received a PCD diagnosis by gene panel, often linked to normal/inconclusive nasal nitric oxide and cilia functional test results. In 4898 audited patients with bronchiectasis, <2% were tested for PCD and <1% received genetic testing. CONCLUSIONS: PCD is underdiagnosed as a cause of bronchiectasis. Increased uptake of genetic testing may help to identify bronchiectasis due to motile ciliopathies and ensure appropriate management.

Referral of Thyone neofusus Deichmann, 1941, Thyone adinopoda (Pawson & Miller, 1981 and Havelockia obunca (Lampert, 1885) to the genus Sclerothyone Thandar, 1990, and a replacement name for the preoccupied genus Neothyone Deichmann, 1941 (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea: Dendrochirotida).

Thyone neofusus Deichmann, 1941, Thyone adinopoda Pawson & Miller, 1981and Havelockia obunca (Lampert, 1885) are referred to the genus Sclerothyone Thandar, 1989, and a taxonomic key is provided to all species currently contained in the family Sclerothyonidae Thandar (sensu Smirnov 2012). Since the nomen Neothyone in the family Thyonidae (sensu Smirnov 2012), is preoccupied [(having been used by Hampson (1914) for a group of moths belonging to the family Arctiidae)], the name Lisacucumis nomen nov. is here proposed, with Stolus gibber Selenka as type species, as designated for Neothyone by Deichmann (1941).

Changing Trends In Electrical Burns From A Tertiary Care Centre - Epidemiology And Outcome Analysis.

Electrical burn injuries result in significant mortality and morbidity. Most of these injuries are preventable. We conducted a retrospective analysis of various aspects of electrical injuries presenting to our center over a period of 1 year from September 2018 to August 2019. Demographic characteristics of patients along with burn characteristics and associated injuries were analysed. Outcomes including length of hospital stay, need for fasciotomy, amputation, renal failure and mortality were also analysed. A total of 6380 patients presented to our center during the study period, of which 471 (7.38%) had electrical burns. Total burn admissions were 1530, of which 283 (18.49%) patients were admitted with electrical burns. The mean age in our cohort was 25.31±12.76 years and mean TBSA was 29.22±23.81%. The most common cause of electrical burns was occupational (33.3%), followed by those that occurred on the rooftop of houses (31%). A historical comparison with data published from our center in 2011 showed a significant increase in occupational burns (18.72% vs. 33.3%) and rooftop electrical burns (8.21% vs. 31%), and a decrease in agriculture-related (42.46% vs. 9.1%) and domestic electrical burns (26.02% vs. 6.7%). There was also a significant rise in proportion of high voltage injuries (71.23% vs. 86.90%). Logistic regression analysis showed electric contact burn to be a risk factor for fasciotomy and limb gangrene. Risk factors for renal failure were age, percentage burn, electric contact burn and rural residence, and those for mortality were percentage burn and renal failure. Emphasis on preventive strategies, especially against occupational injuries and injuries occurring on rooftops, is necessary to prevent such devastating injuries.

Les brûlures électriques sont responsables d'une morbidité et d'une mortalité significatives, quand la plupart d'entre elles peuvent être prévenues. Nous avons étudié rétrospectivement les brûlures électriques vues dans notre service entre septembre 2018 et août 2019 inclus (données démographiques, caractéristiques de la brûlure, lésions associées, durée d'hospitalisation, aponévrotomies, amputations, défaillances rénales, mortalité). Quatre cent soixante et onze des 6 380 (7,38%) patients s'étant présentés souffraient de brûlures électriques. Deux cent quatre- vingt- trois des 1 530 (18,49%) hospitalisés l'étaient en raison de brûlures électriques. L'âge moyen était de 25,31 +/- 12,76 ans, la surface brûlée de 29,22 +/- 23,81%. La brûlure survenait au travail dans 1/3 des cas, au domicile (sur le toit) dans 31% des cas. Comparativement aux données historiques de notre CTB (datant de 2011), on constate une recrudescence des accidents de travail (qui passent de 18,72 à 33,3%) et de ceux survenant sur le toit du domicile (de 8,21 à 31%) alors que ceux chez les agriculteurs (de 42,46% à 9,1%) et les accidents domestiques (de 26,02 à 6,7%) baissent. La proportion des accidents à haut voltage a augmenté de 71,23 à 86,9%. En régression logistique, la brûlure électrothermique est un facteur de risque d'aponévrotomie et de gangrène de membre. Les facteurs de risque d'insuffisance rénale étaient l'âge, la surface brûlée, la brûlure électrothermique et la ruralité. Les facteurs de risque de mortalité étaient la surface brûlée et la défaillance rénale. Les mesures préventives doivent se focaliser sur les accidents de travail et le risque encouru sur les toits des habitations.

In vitro biological properties of Streptomyces cangkringensis isolated from the floral rhizosphere regions.

This context was investigated to determine in vitro antimicrobial, antioxidative, and anticancer traits of crude ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces cangkringensis strain TSAS 04 isolated from soil sample of rhizosphere regions. The antimicrobial activity of ethyl acetate extract of strain TSAS 04 was determined against indicator pathogens using disc diffusion assay which exhibited maximum zones of inhibition of 20.6 ± 0.3 and 16.3 ± 0.6 mm against Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma viride, respectively. In vitro antioxidant properties of the crude ethyl acetate extract were performed using standard methodologies. The extract revealed maximum DPPH and ABTS•+ radical scavenging activities of 51.1 ± 0.39 and 81.25 ± 0.33%, respectively. Likewise, maximum phosphomolybdenum reduction and Fe3+ reduction of the crude ethyl acetate extract of strain TSAS 04 were estimated 76.18 ± 0.10 and 89.01 ± 0.44%, respectively. In vitro anticancer trait of the extract was determined against HeLa cell line using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay which showed anticancer activities in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 410.5 µg/mL. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses indicated the presence of distinct functional groups and bioactive components in the extract, respectively. In conclusion, S. cangkringensis strain TSAS 04 showed its effectiveness as ideal bioactive agent by exhibiting substantial antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.

Blood Lactate And Lactate Clearance: Refined Biomarker And Prognostic Marker In Burn Resuscitation.

Adequate resuscitation of acute burn patients is important to ensure end organ perfusion and oxygenation. The ideal marker to the endpoint of burn resuscitation is still not established. We aimed to evaluate the role of blood lactate and lactate clearance in burn resuscitation and their association with mortality and sepsis in burn patients. The retrospective study included patients (18-50 years) with thermal and scald burns with total body surface area of 30% to 60% over a period of 9 months who had achieved target urine output of at least 0.5ml/kg/hr within 24 hours of resuscitation. Patients were divided based on their admission blood lactate levels (Group A < 2 mmol/L and Group B > 2 mmol/L). Group B was further subdivided into Group B1 in whom blood lactate levels reached less than 2 mmol/L within 24 hours of burn resuscitation and Group B2 in whom it did not. Total patients included were 203. Mortality (M) and sepsis (S) rates in subgroup B2 were higher (M=57.9%; S=43.5%) and rates in subgroup B1 (M=25.8%; S=27.4%) were comparable to Group A (M=27.8%; S=26.4%). Persistent lactic acidosis at 24 hours was independently associated with significantly increased mortality and sepsis. Our data suggests a correlation of blood lactate levels and lactate clearance within 24 hours of admission with mortality and sepsis related to burn injury.

Un remplissage vasculaire adapté est nécessaire afin de préserver la perfusion et l'oxygénation tissulaires des brûlés. Le marqueur idéal de sa qualité reste à trouver. Nous avons évalué la lactatémie et l'élimination des lactates dans ce but, ainsi que leur corrélation avec la mortalité et le sepsis. Nous avons étudié rétrospectivement, sur 9 mois, 203 patients de 18 à 50 ans, brûlés sur 30 à 60% de SCT, ayant eu une diurèse horaire de plus de 0,5 mL/kg/h dans les 24 premières heures suivant leur brûlure. Le groupe A avait moins de 2 mmol/L de lactate à l'admission, le groupe B plus. Ce dernier groupe a été subdivisé en B1 (lactate redescendant à moins de 2 mmol/L dans les 24 premières heures) et B2 ne le faisant pas. La mortalité de B2 était plus élevée (57,8%) que A (27,8%) et B1 (25,8%), ces 2 derniers groupes étant comparables. De même, un sepsis survenait chez 43,5% des patients de B2 contre 27,4% pour B1 et 26,4% pour A. Plus que leur valeur initiale, c'est l'absence de décroissance dans les 24 premières heures des lactates qui est un marqueur de mauvais pronostic chez le brûlé.

Maternal lipids are associated with newborn adiposity, independent of GDM status, obesity and insulin resistance: a prospective observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between maternal lipaemia and neonatal anthropometrics in Malaysian mother-offspring pairs. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary multidisciplinary antenatal clinic in Malaysia. POPULATION: A total of 507 mothers: 145 with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); 94 who were obese with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (pre-gravid body mass index, BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m2 ), and 268 who were not obese with NGT. METHODS: Maternal demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data were collected during an interview/examination using a structured questionnaire. Blood was drawn for insulin, C-peptide, triglyceride (Tg), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) during the 75-g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) screening, and again at 36 weeks of gestation. At birth, neonatal anthropometrics were assessed and data such as gestational weight gain (GWG) were extracted from the records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Macrosomia, large-for-gestational-age (LGA) status, cohort-specific birthweight (BW), neonatal fat mass (NFM), and sum of skinfold thickness (SSFT) > 90th centile. RESULTS: Fasting Tg > 95th centile (3.6 mmol/L) at screening for OGTT was independently associated with LGA (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 10.82, 95% CI 1.26-93.37) after adjustment for maternal glucose, pre-gravid BMI, and insulin sensitivity. Fasting glucose was independently associated with a birthweight ratio (BWR) of >90th centile (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.17-3.64), but not with LGA status, in this well-treated GDM cohort with pre-delivery HbA1c of 5.27%. In all, 45% of mothers had a pre-gravid BMI of <23 kg/m2 and 61% had a pre-gravid BMI of ≤ 25 kg/m2 , yet a GWG of >10 kg was associated with a 4.25-fold risk (95% CI 1.71-10.53) of BWR > 90th centile. CONCLUSION: Maternal lipaemia and GWG at a low threshold (>10 kg) adversely impact neonatal adiposity in Asian offspring, independent of glucose, insulin resistance and pre-gravid BMI. These may therefore be important modifiable metabolic targets in pregnancy. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Maternal lipids are associated with adiposity in Asian babies independently of pre-gravid BMI, GDM status, and insulin resistance.

Peritoneal encapsulation - an unexpected cause of acute intestinal obstruction.

Peritoneal encapsulation (PE) is a rare congenital anomaly that is formed due to an accessory peritoneal layer encapsulating the small bowel. Kinking of bowel within the accessory peritoneal layer or adhesions between the bowel loops and the peritoneal layer causes symptoms ranging from colicky abdominal pain to rarely intestinal obstruction. Cleland was the first person to have reported this condition as early as 1868 and since then only around 30 cases have been reported. Here, we present a case of acute intestinal obstruction in a 22-year-old woman. Imaging showed dilated bowel loops confined to the centre of the peritoneal cavity. Intraoperatively it was seen to be a case of peritoneal encapsulation. The small intestine was freed and accessory layer excised. This report is to demonstrate this rare congenital anomaly.

Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance demonstrate normal cardiac sympathetic innervation using I-123 mIBG scintigraphy.

BACKGROUND: Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Some but not all studies have reported cardiac autonomic dysfunction in subjects with IGT and there is only one direct study of cardiac innervation in subjects with IGT. The purpose of this study was to assess global and regional cardiac sympathetic innervation and cardiac autonomic function in individuals with IGT. METHODS AND RESULTS: We undertook (123)I-mIBG scintigraphy and cardiac autonomic function in 15 subjects with IGT and 15 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Early heart to mediastinum ratio (HMR) (1.71 ± 0.17 vs 1.67 ± 0.13, P = .49), late HMR (1.73 ± 0.18 vs 1.73 ± 0.16, P = .97) and washout rate (WR) (18.6 ± 4.2 vs 19.1 ± 7.6%, P = .84), did not differ between subjects with IGT and control subjects. More detailed regional analysis revealed reduced tracer uptake at the apex, base and inferior wall in all subjects and the anterior wall in a minority of subjects. There were no differences in total score (56.6 ± 4.0 vs 53.3 ± 8.4, P = .193), modified score (48.5 ± 3.3 vs 46.2 ± 6.0, P = .215), anterior wall score (10.2 ± 1.3 vs 10.1 ± 1.6, P = .898), inferior wall score (8.9 ± 1.9 vs 7.7 ± 2.6, P = .163), basal score (18.7 ± 1.9 vs 18.2 ± 3.3, P = .636) and tests of cardiac autonomic function between the groups. CONCLUSION: Global and regional measures of MIBG uptake and washout as well as cardiac autonomic function did not differ between subjects with IGT and healthy controls.

Looking outside the "cardiac" box: incidental detection of a metastatic lung tumor on cardiac position emission tomography/computed tomography.

Incidental extracardiac findings are not uncommon in patients undergoing cardiac positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and some of these findings can have significant clinical impact. We report a case of a 74-year-old man who presented with dyspnea and left sided chest pain. 82-rubidium PET/CT imaging showed normal myocardial perfusion. Review of the low dose CT scan performed for attenuation correction purposes (CTAC) incidentally revealed a 4 cm mass in the left lung, which was histologically shown to be a squamous cell carcinoma. A subsequent staging CT showed chest wall metastases and rib destruction in the upper left thorax, which were outside the image reconstruction field of view of the CTAC. This report illustrates the importance of vigilant review of all acquired images by the PET/CT reader to look for extracardiac abnormalities that may explain symptoms in the absence of coronary artery disease. It also raises the question as to whether a larger field of CT image acquisition should be routinely performed to scan the entire chest during cardiac PET/CT imaging. However, the latter needs to be weighed against the increase in patient dose, which we estimated to be an additional 15%.

MELAS syndrome presenting as an acute surgical abdomen.

MELAS (mitochondrial cytopathy, encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes) is a syndrome in which signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal disease are uncommon if not rare. We describe the case of a young woman who presented as an acute surgical emergency, diagnosed as toxic megacolon necessitating an emergency total colectomy. MELAS syndrome was suspected postoperatively owing to persistent lactic acidosis and neurological symptoms. The diagnosis was later confirmed with histological and genetic studies. This case highlights the difficulties in diagnosing MELAS because of its unpredictable presentation and clinical course. We therefore recommend a high index of suspicion in cases of an acute surgical abdomen with additional neurological features or raised lactate.

Antimutagenic and Antiapoptotic Effects of Aqueous Root Extract of Inula racemosa Hook. f. on 4-NQO-Induced Genetic Damage in Mice.

The present study was performed as part of an attempt to authenticate the use of Inula racemosa root extract as traditional medicine in India by experimentally investigating their protective effects on 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) induced DNA damage and apoptosis in mice bone marrow cells. Aqueous root extract (ARE) of Inula racemosa (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bw) with and without 4-NQO along with vehicle control (H2O) were administered orally for five consecutive days. 4-NQO (7.5 mg/kg bw) was injected intraperitoneally to the mice on the sixth day. After 24 h, the animals were sacrificed and extracted bone marrow cells were used for micronuclei and apoptotic analysis. Antiapoptotic effect of ARE (400 mg/kg bw) was measured by the use of Annexin V-FITC assay kit. 4-NQO generated the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) by about 4.7 times the control value, 14.29 MnPCEs/2500 PCEs. Pretreatment with ARE significantly reduced the MnPCEs frequency (39-72%) with respect to their doses, and increased PCEs/NCEs ratio was observed over the 4-NQO alone. 4-NQO-induced total apoptotic cells were about 12% over the control which was significantly (P < 0.05) brought down to 3.5% by pretreatment with 400 mg/kg bw of ARE. This was the first report that recorded the protective effects of I. racemosa on 4-NQO-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in mice bone marrow cells.

Prevalence of biofilm-producing Staphylococcus epidermidis in the healthy skin of individuals in Tamil Nadu, India.

PURPOSE: Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major commensal bacteria. Various strains of S. epidermidis are capable of forming biofilms by attaching to several surfaces. Biofilm-forming ability of this organism is found to be associated with many hospital-acquired infections and can even impair wound healing. S. epidermidis strains producing polysaccharide-biofilms possess the intercellular adhesion (ica) operon while strains forming the protein adhesion-mediated biofilms possess the accumulation associated protein (aap) gene. We screened for biofilm-forming S. epidermidis in the skin of healthy individuals in Tamil Nadu in order to determine the risk of acquiring S. epidermidis infections in hospital settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin swabs were taken from seventy two subjects residing in Chennai with healthy skin who showed no visible signs of skin lesions or allergies. S. epidermidis was isolated from 58 samples out of the 72 collected. The presence of ica operon in S. epidermidis isolates was determined by PCR and biofilm production was examined using quantitative tissue culture plate assay. RESULTS: Majority of the samples (47/72; 65.3%) showed pure S. epidermidis growth, (14/72; 19.4%) showed pure Staphylococcus aureus growth and the remainder (11/72; 15.3%) showed mixed growth. Biofilm-forming S. epidermidis were found in the majority of samples (53/58; 91.4%) and ica operon was detected in 19 samples out of 58 (32.8%) which is a significantly higher percentage when compared to other studies conducted at different parts of the globe ( P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: We inferred that ica operon and biofilm-forming S. epidermidis are common in the healthy skin of individuals in Tamil Nadu. Measures have to be taken to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired S. epidermidis infections.

In silico and in vitro physicochemical screening of Rigidoporus sp. crude laccase-assisted decolorization of synthetic dyes--approaches for a cost-effective enzyme-based remediation methodology.

The objective of this paper is to compare in silico data with wet lab physicochemical properties of crude laccase enzyme isolated from Rigidoporus sp. using wheat bran as solid substrate support towards dye decolorization. Molecular docking analysis of selected nine textile and non-textile dyes were performed using laccase from Rigidoporus lignosus as reference protein. Enzyme-based remediation methodology using crude enzyme enriched from solid state fermentation was applied to screen the effect of four influencing variables such as pH, temperature, dye concentration, and incubation time toward dye decolorization. The extracellular crude enzyme decolorized 69.8 % Acid Blue 113, 45.07 % Reactive Blue 19, 36.61 % Reactive Orange 122, 30.55 % Acid Red 88, 24.59 % Direct Blue 14, 18.48 % Reactive Black B, 16.49 % Reactive Blue RGB, and 11.66 % Acid Blue 9 at 100 mg/l dye concentration at their optimal pH at room temperature under static and dark conditions after 1 h of incubation without addition of any externally added mediators. Our wet lab studies approach, barring other factors, validate in silico for screening and ranking textile dyes based on their proximity to the T1 site. We are reporting for the first time a combinatorial approach involving in silico methods and wet lab-based crude laccase-mediated dye decolorization without any external mediators.

Masked rhinolith: The significance of unilateral symptom.

This is a case report of an 11-year old child who was suffering from rhinorrhoea for five years. As there was no history of foreign body insertion into the nose, the diagnosis of a nasal problem was not suspected. Furthermore, the initial presentation of unilateral rhinorrhoea (nasal discharge) masked the suspicion of other pathologies. The child was treated for allergic rhinitis until she presented herself to our attention whereby a rhinoscopy was performed, showing a rhinolith.

Anti-inflammatory activity of four solvent fractions of ethanol extract of Mentha spicata L. investigated on acute and chronic inflammation induced rats.

Anti-inflammatory effects of four solvent fractions of ethanol extract of Mentha spicata were evaluated in acute and chronic inflammation induced in Wistar albino rats. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) and some antioxidants produced during chronic inflammation were quantitated. Hexane (320mg/kg of body weight in 25% DMSO), chloroform (320mg/kg body weight in 25% DMSO), ethyl acetate (160mg/kg body weight in 25% DMSO), aqueous (320mg/kg of body weight in ddH(2)O) fractions, two negative control groups (25% DMSO and ddH(2)O) and two anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac: 25mg/kg of body weight; Indomethacin: 10mg/kg of body weight both in ddH(2)O) were administered by oral intubations to the eight groups of rats consisting six animals, each. In acute study, 1% carrageenan was injected subcutaneously in the sub-plantar region of the right hind paw after 1h of administration of test doses. The increased paw edema was measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24h intervals. In the chronic study, the oral administration was carried out for seven consecutive days. On eighth day, four sterile cotton pellets (50mg each) were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal region of the rats. On the sixteenth day, the rats were sacrificed and the cotton pellets with granulomatous tissue were dissected out and weighed (fresh and dry). Both in chronic and acute inflammation, ethyl acetate (EAF) and aqueous fraction (AF) were effective. EAF is comparable with the positive standards in chronic inflammation. The results indicate that EAF's anti-inflammatory activity is largely due to its ability to modulate in vivo antioxidants.

Isolation and characterization of bioactive and antibacterial compound from Helianthus annuus linn.

A bioactive compound with antibacterial activity was isolated and purified from the extract of leaves of sunflower, Helianthus annuus. The bioactive compound was characterized using 1H and 13C NMR. The compound induced auxin, gibberellins and cytokinin in Oryza sativa and Phaseolus mungo. It also showed activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Homology model of a novel thermostable xylanase from Bacillus subtilis-AK1.

Xylanases are glycosyl hydrolases that catalyze the hydrolysis of internal beta-1,4 glycosidic bonds of xylan, the major hemi-cellulose component of the plant cell wall. Enzymes such as xylanases are used considerably in industries. Their industrial usage is especially attractive since they can replace some of the environmental pollutants. We have earlier isolated a family 11-xylanase gene from Bacillus subtilis-AK1, which is active at high temperature as well as at alkaline pH. In order to understand the factors liable for the adaptation of this enzyme, three dimensional model of B. subtilis-AK1 xylanase has now been obtained by homology modeling. Modeling was carried out using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software developed by Chemical Computing Group Inc., running on Pentium IV workstation. The model showed that B. subtilis-AK1 xylanase having molecular weight around 20 kDa contains in its fold an alpha-helix and two beta-sheets packed against each other forming a beta-sandwich. The conserved active site amino acids E78R, Y80L were mutated in this novel B. subtilis-AK1 strain, but the protein folding and the function was maintained with high thermal stability. Several minor modifications appeared to be responsible for the increased thermo stability of AK1. Docking studies of the substrate xylan with -AK1 shows the possibility of the Arg 78 acting as the nucleophile instead of Glu 78.