ATP1A3 related disease manifesting as rapid onset dystonia-parkinsonism with prominent myoclonus and exaggerated startle.

We report ATP1A3-associated rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism with an atypical presentation including myoclonus and exaggerated startle in four patients. Their prominence over parkinsonism prompted consideration of a syndromic diagnosis of myoclonus dystonia. ATP1α3 dysfunction in GABAergic neurons could explain these examination findings. The spectrum of ATP1A3-associated movement disorders includes myoclonus-dystonia.

A Clinical Study for Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar under Local Anaesthesia, with and without Ketamine - A Split Mouth Comparative Study.

Introduction: Disimpaction is one of the most common operations done by oral and maxillofacial surgeons around the world. Ketamine is a well-known general anaesthetic and short-acting intraoperative analgesic. The aim of this study was to measure the efficacy of anaesthesia using combined treatment with local anaesthetic plus a subanaesthetic dose of ketamine and local anaesthetic alone in bilaterally impacted mandibular third molar surgery. Methods and Materials: A total of 24 patients who consented were taken up for a split-mouth study. In the control group, surgical extraction of the impacted lower third molar was done using local anaesthesia (lignocaine 2% with 1:80,000 adrenaline) only, and in the study group, local anaesthesia with ketamine extraction was done using ketamine (0.2 mg/kg) along with local anaesthesia (LA). The time of onset and the duration of anaesthesia intraoperatively were recorded using a digital stopwatch. The depth of anaesthesia was noted on the 10th, 30th and 60th min. After extraction, the post-operative pain on the first, fourth, eighth and 12th hour was evaluated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score rating of 1-10. The pulse was also noted and compared for any differences in either of the groups. Results: A statistically significant (P < 0.005) difference in result was obtained for the onset, duration, depth and pain score after surgical extraction in both the evaluated groups. The pain index score by the ketamine group was significantly low as compared to the local anaesthesia-only group. Intraoperative onset, duration and depth of anaesthesia obtained had a significant difference. Discussion: Ketamine can be used as a viable option for surgical third molar extractions with reduced discomfort and post-operative pain.

Diagnosis and management of mucormycosis in the dental clinic: A guide for oral health professionals in India.

With the current pandemic raging over the world, science and medicine is faced with hereto with unfought enemies or less fought opponent in the form of viruses and consequently, other biotic entities. While researchers are striving to identify and conquer the variants of COVID-19, other innocuous organisms are raising their ugly heads in the form of opportunistic fungal infections. Mucormycosis/Black Fungus is an invasive opportunistic fungal infection caused by mucorale species. It spreads through blood vessels causing thrombosis, ischemia, and necrosis. Population with pre-existing immunocompromised conditions such as Diabetes Mellitus, Malignancy, Long-term immunosuppressant therapy are more susceptible. Mucormycosis associated with Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) proved to be catastrophic due to its high mortality rates. Rhino orbital Mucormycosis is the most common form. The primary care physician, being the first and often, (more so in developing countries) and being the only point of contact with a healthcare professional, plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of this condition. The keystone to decreasing mortality is early detection and diagnosis followed by preventive measures to control progression to the brain. A multidisciplinary approach by various specialties is a prerequisite for effective diagnosis and management. Antifungal therapy, surgical debridement, and resection of the affected areas are protocols to be followed. Post-operative defects cause impairment of function, phonetics, and esthetics. Prosthetic rehabilitation of these defects has shown favorable results, especially in the aged and immunocompromised individuals.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Azadirachta indica Aqueous Leaf Extract against MDR Pathogens.

Rice is the most important staple food crop feeding more than 50% of the world's population. Rice blast is the most devastating fungal disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) which is widespread in rice growing fields causing a significant reduction in the yield. The present study was initiated to evaluate the effect of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the biochemical constituents of rice plants infected with blast. AgNPs were synthesized by using Azadirachta indica leaf extract and their characterization was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy, particle size analyser (PSA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) which confirmed the presence of crystalline, spherical shaped silver nanoparticles with an average size of 58.9 nm. After 45 days of sowing, artificial inoculation of rice blast disease was performed. After the onset of disease symptoms, the plants were treated with AgNPs with different concentrations. Application of nanoparticles elevated the activity of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase compared to control plants, and total phenol and reducing sugars were also elevated. The outcome of this study showed that an increase in all biochemical constituents was recorded for A. indica silver nanoparticles-treated plants. The highest values were recorded in 30 ppm and 50 ppm AgNPs-treated plants, which showed the highest resistance towards the pathogen. Green synthesized AgNPs can be used in future for disease control in susceptible varieties of rice. The synthesized AgNPs using A. indica leaf extract have shown promising antibacterial activity when tested against 14 multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria comprising Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (n = 6) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 7) with a good zone of inhibition diameter, tested with the disc diffusion method. Based on these findings, it appears that A. indica AgNPs have promise as an antibacterial agent effective against MDR pathogens.

Comparison of Clinical Efficacy of Classical Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block and Vazirani-Akinosi Technique in Bilateral Mandibular Premolar Teeth Removal: A Split-Mouth Randomized Study.

Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy of classical inferior alveolar nerve block (CIANB) and Vazirani-Akinosi (VA) injection technique in patients indicated for bilateral mandibular premolar teeth extraction for orthodontic treatment. Methods: This split-mouth comparative study was conducted on 20 patients randomly selected for bilateral extraction of mandibular premolar indicated for orthodontic treatment to receive CIANB and VA injection technique alternatively. The clinical parameters evaluated were pain during injection, onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, quality of anesthesia, nerve anesthetized with single nerve block, need for re-injection and frequency of positive aspiration. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed regarding the onset of anesthesia, duration of anesthesia, quality of anesthesia, nerves anesthetized with single nerve block and need for re-injection. However, pain experienced during injection was statistically significant and was lesser in VA technique than CIANB. Positive aspiration was not found in both the injection techniques. Conclusion: VA technique showed a statistically significant difference in terms of less pain experienced during injection than CIANB. However, though not significant, VA technique was more clinically superior over the CIANB in terms of duration of anesthesia, quality of anesthesia and the need for re-injection. Also in this study, there were no complications associated with any of the injection techniques and the prevalence of positive aspiration was not found in both the techniques.

Effect of Telmisartan on Arsenic-Induced (Sub-chronic) Perturbations in Redox Homeostasis, Pro-inflammatory Cascade and Aortic Dysfunction in Wistar Rats.

An experimental study was conducted in male Wistar rats to explore the antioxidant potential of telmisartan (an AT1 receptor blocker) to overcome arsenic ('As')-induced perturbations in redox homeostasis pro-inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin-E2 levels and aortic dysfunction in Wistar rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of six each. Group-I served as untreated control, while group-II received sodium (meta) arsenite (NaAsO2) (10 mg/kg b.wt. p.o) for a period of 60 days. Experimental rats in group-III received treatment similar to group-II, but in addition received telmisartan (with 1% aqueous solution of Tween 80) @ 10 mg/kg b.wt. (p.o) for a similar duration, while rats in group-IV received telmisartan alone. Arsenic exposure resulted in significant (p < 0.05) elevation in the levels of superoxide anion ([Formula: see text]) radicals (control: 768.20 ± 126.77 vs group-II: 1232.75 ± 97.85 pmol of NBT reduced/min/mg protein). Telmisartan administration showed significant (p < 0.05) reduction in [Formula: see text] generation (815.34 ± 43.41 pmol of NBT reduced/min/mg protein). Sub-chronic exposure to 'As' significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GR activity and GSH levels in the aorta, thus induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) measured as measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) called as malondialdehyde (MDA). However, the administration of telmisartan effectively countered the LPO (24.03 ± 1.18 nmol of MDA/g) on account of restoring the levels of aforesaid antioxidant defense system. Telmisartan administration effectively attenuated the 'As'-induced surge in pro-inflammatory cytokines (viz., IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α) levels, as well as countered the activity of cyclooxygenase (COX2) as indicated by a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in PGE2 level in the aorta. In addition to it, there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma angiotensin II (Ang-II) levels in experimental rats receiving telmisartan. Quantitative RT-PCR studies revealed that sub-chronic exposure to 'As' upregulated the Nox2 mRNA expression, but there was a 1.2-fold reduction in expression level upon co-administration of telmisartan. Histopathological examination revealed marked recovery from 'As'-induced disruption of tunica adventitia and loss of connective tissue in experimental rats receiving telmisartan. The study concludes that telmisartan can overcome aortic dysfunction induced by sub-chronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water in experimental rats through restoration of redox balance, attenuation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators and downregulation of Nox2 mRNA expression.

Comparative safety profile of chloral hydrate versus other sedatives for procedural sedation in hospitalized infants.

BACKGROUND: Given the limited available evidence on chloral hydrate safety in neonatal populations and the discrepancy in chloral hydrate acceptance between the US and other countries, we sought to clarify the safety profile of chloral hydrate compared to other sedatives in hospitalized infants. METHODS: We included all infants <120 days of life who underwent a minor procedure and were administered chloral hydrate, clonidine, clonazepam, dexmedetomidine, diazepam, ketamine, lorazepam, midazolam, propofol, or pentobarbital on the day of the procedure. We characterized the distribution of infant characteristics and evaluated the relationship between drug administration and any adverse event. We performed propensity score matching, regression adjustment (RA), and inverse probability weighting (IPW) to ensure comparison of similar infants and to account for confounding by indication and residual bias. Results were assessed for robustness to analytical technique by reanalyzing the main outcomes with multivariate logistic regression, a doubly robust IPW with RA model, and a doubly robust augmented IPW model with bias-correction. RESULTS: Of 650 infants, 497 (76%) received chloral hydrate, 79 (12%) received midazolam, 54 (8%) received lorazepam, and 15 (2%) received pentobarbital. Adverse events occurred in 41 (6%) infants. Using propensity score matching, chloral hydrate was associated with a decreased risk of an adverse event compared to other sedatives, risk difference (95% confidence interval) of -12.79 (-18.61, -6.98), p <  0.001. All other statistical methods resulted in similar findings. CONCLUSION: Administration of chloral hydrate to hospitalized infants undergoing minor procedures is associated with a lower risk for adverse events compared to other sedatives.

High Virus Removal by Self-Organized Nanostructured 2D Liquid-Crystalline Smectic Membranes for Water Treatment.

To obtain high quality of drinking water free from biocontaminants is especially important issue. A new strategy employing smectic liquid-crystalline ionic membranes exhibiting 2D structures of layered nanochannels for water treatment is proposed for efficient virus removal and sufficient water flux. The smectic A (SmA) liquid-crystalline membranes obtained by in situ polymerization of an ionic mesogenic monomer are examined for removal of three distinct viruses with small size: Qß bacteriophage, MS2 bacteriophage, and Aichi virus. The semi-bilayer structure of the SmA significantly obstructs the virus penetration with an average log reduction value of 7.3 log10 or the equivalent of reducing 18 million viruses down to 1. Furthermore, the layered nanochannels of the SmA liquid crystal allow efficient water permeation compared to other types of liquid-crystalline membrane consisting of nanopores.

Circum-zygomatic suspension wiring using lumbar puncture needle: A technical note.

In the treatment of mid-facial fractures circum-zygomatic suspension wiring is one of the treatment modality. Earlier zygomatic awls were used to pass wire, which used to cause conspicuous trauma. In the present case we have used 16 gauge lumbar puncture needle for the suspension wiring for Lefort 1 fracture, which is inconspicuous as compared to an awl. The needle was passed in close proximity to bone to prevent soft tissue impaction between the wire and bone as it might lead to the necrosis of soft tissue, and the wire was twisted around the maxillary arch bar. The fragments were stable and occlusion was maintained. Six weeks post-operatively the bone healing was satisfactory, and the wires and arch bar were removed.

Anticancer efficacy of 6-thioguanine loaded chitosan nanoparticles with or without curcumin.

6-Thioguanine encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (6-TG-CNPs) has formulated by the ionic-gelation method. Morphologically, the 6-TG-CNPs were spherical and showed mean size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency of 261.63 ± 6.01 nm, 0.34 ± 0.10, +15.97 ± 0.46 mV and 44.27%, respectively. The IR spectra confirmed the 6-TG complex with chitosan. The in vitro drug release profile of 6-TG-CNPs revealed an increase in sustained-release (91.40 ± 1.08% at 48 h) at pH 4.8 compared to less sustained-release (73.96 ± 1.12% at 48 h) at pH 7.4. The MTT assay was conducted on MCF-7 and PA-1 cell lines at 48 h incubation to determine % cell viability. The IC50 values of 6-TG, 6-TG-CNPs, and curcumin for MCF-7 were 23.09, 17.82, and 15.73 µM, respectively. Likewise, IC50 values of 6-TG, 6-TG-CNPs, and curcumin for PA-1 were 5.81, 3.92, and 12.89 µM, respectively. A combination of 6-TG-CNPs (IC25) with curcumin (IC25) on PA-1 and MCF-7 showed % cell viability of 43.67 ± 0.02 and 49.77 ± 0.05, respectively. The in vitro cytotoxicity potential in terms of % cell viability, early apoptosis, G2/M phase arrest, and DNA demethylating activity of 6-TG-CNPs alone and combination with curcumin proved to be more effective than that of 6-TG on PA-1 cells.

Generation studies on benthic amphipod-Quadrivisio bengalensis, Stebbing (Gammaridae) from the Kochin Estuary, Southwest coast of India.

Quadrivisio bengalensis (Stebbing Records of Indian Museum, 1, 159-161, 1907), a eurythermal (26.5-32.2 °C) and euryhaline (0.10-26.2 psu) tropical species, makes a profound contribution as a fodder organism to the benthic biomass of tropical backwaters. Studies on life span, variations in broods, fecundity, sex ratio, brooding behaviour, brood stock assessment, growth rate, antennal segments as an index of growth, moulting frequency, mortality and starvation resistance of Q. bengalensis were made for the first time under controlled laboratory conditions of 12-h photo period for 252 days on 8 pairs of specimens (male and female) collected from the field and their successive broods. The life span of females was found to be higher (maximum 220 days) than males (maximum 175 days). Number of broods varied between 5 and 15, depending on the "status of the brood" (early or late). The maximum number of juveniles in a single brood was 24 and that by a single female over the entire life span was 211. The incubation time varied between 6 and 9 days and the duration of moults (8-18 days) was found to increase with the age of the animals. Maximum growth is usually attained by the offspring arising from the 5th to 7th broods. The 4th to 7th broods were the optimal broods for the maximum number of females attaining maturity. For broods 3 to 7 of the parental set, probability of extinction (ξ) calculated on applying stochastic branching process to generation studies for the first time showed an increasing trend with number of broods while a decreasing trend for ξ for 8th and 9th broods, with least ξ for broods 5 to 7 of the 5th, 6th and 7th generations, suggesting life span and fecundity rates as functions of the "brood status" (early or late). Whether it is true with higher crustaceans remains to be explored.

Remodeling of Neocondyle.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in children is one of the most complex and challenging problems managed by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. TMJ ankylosis in growing children often leads to facial deformity, difficulty in chewing and swallowing, severe malocclusion, poor oral hygiene, multiple decayed teeth, and impairment of speech. A good functional and esthetic outcome can be achieved after reconstruction with the autogenous grafts. Here, we present a case of a 9-year-old patient treated with condylectomy and ipsilateral coronoidectomy, followed by reconstruction with costochondral graft with 5 years of follow-up. During this period, the reconstructed graft remodeled into a neocondyle and also regrowth of the coronoid process. The mouth opening and facial symmetry were acceptable.

Development and application of genomic resources for comparative and translational genomics in legumes through leveraging genomic sequence of Medicago truncatula.

The expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of common bean were BLAST aligned with barred medic genome sequence and developed 1196 conserved intron spanning primers (CISPs) to facilitate genetic studies in legumes. Randomly selected 288 CISPs, representing loci on barrel medic genome, were tested on 10 selected members of legume family. On the source taxa, the highest single copy amplification success rates of 61.8% (barrel medic) and 56.2% (common bean) was obtained. The success rate of markers was 54.5% in cowpea followed by 53.5% in pigeonpea and chickpea, signifying cross taxon amplification and their potential use in comparative genomics. However, relatively low percentages of primer set amplified (40-43%) in soybean, urdbean and peanut. Further, these primers were tested on different varieties of chickpea, pigeonpea and cowpea. The PCR products were sequenced and aligned which resulted in detection of 26 SNPs and eight INDeLs in cowpea, seven SNPs and two INDeLs in chickpea and 27 SNPs and 14 INDeLs in pigeonpea. These SNPs were successfully converted in to size variation for gel-based genotyping. The CISP markers developed in this study are expected to aid in map saturation of legumes and in marker-assisted selection for accelerated crop improvement.

Targeted Activation of Molecular Transportation by Visible Light.

Regulated transportation of nanoscale objects with a high degree of spatiotemporal precision is a prerequisite for the development of targeted molecular delivery. In vitro integration of the kinesin-microtubule motor system with synthetic molecules offers opportunities to develop controllable molecular shuttles for lab-on-a-chip applications. We attempted a combination of the kinesin-microtubule motor system with push-pull type azobenzene tethered inhibitory peptides (azo-peptides) through which reversible, spatiotemporal control over the kinesin motor activity was achieved locally by a single, visible wavelength. The fast thermal relaxation of the cis-isomers of azo-peptides offered us quick and complete resetting of the trans-state in the dark, circumventing the requirement of two distinct wavelengths for two-way switching of kinesin-driven microtubule motility. Herein, we report the manipulation of selected, single microtubule movement while keeping other microtubules at complete rest. The photoresponsive inhibitors discussed herein would help in realizing complex bionanodevices.

Hemostasis and Post-operative Care of Oral Surgical Wounds by Hemcon Dental Dressing in Patients on Oral Anticoagulant Therapy: A Split Mouth Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hemostasis is a fundamental management issue post-operatively in minor oral surgical procedures. To ensure safety and therapeutic efficacy in patients, under oral anti coagulant therapy, is complicated by necessity for frequent determination of prothrombin time or international normalised ratio. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine whether early hemostasis achieved by using Hemcon Dental Dressing (HDD) will affect post-operative care and surgical healing outcome in minor oral surgical procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients, aged 18 years to 90 years, except those allergic to seafood, who consented to participate, were enrolled into this study. Patients were required to have two or more surgical sites so that they would have both surgical and control sites. All patients taking Oral Anticoagulation Therapy (OAT) were included for treatment in the study without altering the anticoagulant regimens. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for the same. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis using unpaired t-test. RESULTS: All HDD surgically treated sites achieved hemostasis in 1.49 minutes and control wounds in 4.06 minutes (p < 0.001). Post-operative pain at HDD treated sites (1.87,1.27 on 1st and 3rd day respectively) was significantly lower than the control sites (4.0,1.87 on 1st and 3rd day respectively) p-value (0.001, 0.001 respectively). HDD treated oral surgery wounds achieved statistically significant improved healing both at 1st and 3rd post-operative days (p <0.0001). CONCLUSION: The HDD has been proven to be a clinically effective hemostatic dressing material that significantly shortens bleeding time following minor oral surgical procedures under local anaesthesia, including those patients taking OAT. Patients receiving the HDD had improved surgical wound healing as compared to controls.

Spatiotemporal control of kinesin motor protein by photoswitches enabling selective single microtubule regulations.

Artificial control of bio-nanomachines should have a major impact on the development of controllable transport systems for specific cargo transport on chips. Precise spatiotemporal control and local regulation of the bio-motor activity will, however, be necessary if we are to accomplish such a goal. In this study, we exploited the photoswitching properties of azobenzene-based high-energy molecules and inhibitors to control a single kinesin-driven microtubule that has potential to work as a nanocarrier for molecular cargos. In particular, we could influence the local concentration and dispersion of the microtubules at any desired position and time by irradiating a local area of the motility system at one wavelength, while irradiating the entire area at another wavelength, to enrich either cis or trans isomers of photoswitches in the selected region. Furthermore, various regulations (e.g., transporting, bending, breaking) of single microtubules were possible while almost arresting ambient microtubules-all without the need for any surface patterning.

Structure-property relationships of photoresponsive inhibitors of the kinesin motor.

Recently we demonstrated the photoregulation of the activity of kinesin-1 using an azobenzene-tethered peptide (azo-peptide: Azo-Ile-Pro-Lys-Ala-Ile-Gln-Ala-Ser-His-Gly-Arg-OH). To understand the mechanism behind this photoswitchable inhibition, here we studied the structure-property relationships of a range of azo-peptides through systematic variations in the structures of the peptide and azobenzene units. The vital peptide sequence for kinesin inhibition-mediated through electrostatic, hydrophobic and C-Hπ interactions-was the same as that for the self-inhibition of kinesin. We also identified substituents on the azobenzene capable of enhancing the photoswitchability of inhibition. As a result, we developed a new inhibitor featuring a relatively short peptide unit (-Arg-Ile-Pro-Lys-Ala-Ile-Arg-OH) and an azobenzene unit bearing a para-OMe group. In the trans form of its azobenzene unit, this finely tuned inhibitor stopped the kinesin-driven gliding motility of microtubules completely at a relatively low concentration, yet allowed gliding motility with a relatively high velocity in the cis form obtained after UV irradiation.

MSH1 Is a Plant Organellar DNA Binding and Thylakoid Protein under Precise Spatial Regulation to Alter Development.

As metabolic centers, plant organelles participate in maintenance, defense, and signaling. MSH1 is a plant-specific protein involved in organellar genome stability in mitochondria and plastids. Plastid depletion of MSH1 causes heritable, non-genetic changes in development and DNA methylation. We investigated the msh1 phenotype using hemi-complementation mutants and transgene-null segregants from RNAi suppression lines to sub-compartmentalize MSH1 effects. We show that MSH1 expression is spatially regulated, specifically localizing to plastids within the epidermis and vascular parenchyma. The protein binds DNA and localizes to plastid and mitochondrial nucleoids, but fractionation and protein-protein interactions data indicate that MSH1 also associates with the thylakoid membrane. Plastid MSH1 depletion results in variegation, abiotic stress tolerance, variable growth rate, and delayed maturity. Depletion from mitochondria results in 7%-10% of plants altered in leaf morphology, heat tolerance, and mitochondrial genome stability. MSH1 does not localize within the nucleus directly, but plastid depletion produces non-genetic changes in flowering time, maturation, and growth rate that are heritable independent of MSH1. MSH1 depletion alters non-photoactive redox behavior in plastids and a sub-set of mitochondrially altered lines. Ectopic expression produces deleterious effects, underlining its strict expression control. Unraveling the complexity of the MSH1 effect offers insight into triggers of plant-specific, transgenerational adaptation behaviors.