Percutaneous Management of Aneurysmal bone Cyst of Axis Vertebrae in a 12-year-old Child: A Case Report.

Introduction: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) of cervical spine is rare in the pediatric age groups. It brings along a gamut of problems in management such as growth disturbances, instability, deformities, and neurological deficiencies. We report a case that was successfully managed by intralesional injection, making it safe and reproducible. Case Report: A 12-year-old girl presented with pain and swelling around the nape of neck that increased in size over 1 year. Imaging and biopsy were suggestive of ABC. She was managed with selective embolization and percutaneous injection of methylprednisolone and calcitonin. Injections were given twice over 2 months period. At 1½ year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and swelling had shrunk in size and lesions ossified. Conclusion: ABC'S are rare lesions that can create therapeutic dilemma in the pediatric population. Intralesional injection of calcitonin and methylprednisolone can prove to be a safer and efficacious treatment modality.

COVID-19 and Serum Amylase and Lipase Levels.

Blood levels of amylase and lipase are the result of a balance between production and clearance of these enzymes. Normal blood level of amylase and lipase is 0-90 U/L and 0-70 U/L, respectively. Rise in blood levels of lipase and amylase was observed in pancreatic injury. This is an observational, cross-sectional study involving 279 patients [176 COVID-positive and 103 COVID-negative] admitted at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai during COVID pandemic. The mean age was 45 years with SD of 15 years with men:women ratio of 2.7:1. Serum lipase and amylase were raised in 101 cases (57.4%) and 57 patients (32.4%), respectively. Out of the 101 patients with raised lipase levels, 44 (25%) patients showed a severe rise (> 3 times the normal), and out of 57 patients with raised amylase levels, 12 patients (6.8%) showed a severe rise (> 3 times the normal). From this study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of hyperamylasemia was 32.4% and that of hyperlipasemia was 57.4% in the involved study population with COVID-positive status.

An Evaluation of Aluminum Tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa A7 for In Vivo Suppression of Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea Caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris and Growth Promotion of Chickpea.

Chickpea wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, is a disease that decreases chickpea productivity and quality and can reduce its yield by as much as 15%. A newly isolated, moss rhizoid-associated Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain A7, demonstrated strong inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris growth. An in vitro antimicrobial assay revealed A7 to suppress the growth of several fungal and bacterial plant pathogens by secreting secondary metabolites and by producing volatile compounds. In an in vivo pot experiment with Fusarium wilt infection in chickpea, the antagonist A7 exhibited a disease reduction by 77 ± 1.5%, and significantly reduced the disease incidence and severity indexes. Furthermore, A7 promoted chickpea growth in terms of root and shoot length and dry biomass during pot assay. The strain exhibited several traits associated with plant growth promotion, extracellular enzymatic production, and stress tolerance. Under aluminum stress conditions, in vitro growth of chickpea plants by A7 resulted in a significant increase in root length and plant biomass production. Additionally, hallmark genes for antibiotics production were identified in A7. The methanol extract of strain A7 demonstrated antimicrobial activity, leading to the identification of various antimicrobial compounds based on retention time and molecular weight. These findings strongly suggest that the strain's significant biocontrol potential and plant growth enhancement could be a potential environmentally friendly process in agricultural crop production.

Structure based functional annotation of a MYND-less lysine methyl transferase inCandida albicans.

Candida albicans is opportunistic pathogenic yeast that is widely distributed throughout the world and is classified as the most critical fungal pathogen group. Candida albicans is a common microbiota of healthy individuals but can cause superficial and invasive infections in immune compromised individuals. Protein Post-translational modifications involving methylation of lysine amino acids stand for a major regulator of eukaryotic transcription, and pathways controlling several cellular processes. SMYD makes up a SET (Su (Var) 3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste and Trithorax) and MYND (Myeloid, Nervy, and DEAF-1) domain containing lysine methyl transferase subfamily that transfers methyl groups from methyl donors onto lysine residues in histones (H3 and H4) and non-histone proteins. The SET domain is the methyltransferase catalytic domain, while MYND participates in both protein and DNA interactions. Well-studied examples of SMYD proteins are five human and two Saccharomyces cerevisiae, constituting examples of histone and non-histone protein lysine methyl transferase members. However, there is limited understanding of SET lysine methyltransferases, including the SMYD subfamily, in the pathogenic fungi Candida albicans. Using bioinformatics tools, we characterized the SMYD domain containing proteins in the important pathogen. We report the presence of an atypical SMYD member (CaO19.3863) as a new lysine methyltransferase that can be a target for antifungal therapy.

A Lignocellulolytic Colletotrichum sp. OH with Broad-Spectrum Tolerance to Lignocellulosic Pretreatment Compounds and Derivatives and the Efficiency to Produce Hydrogen Peroxide and 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Tolerant Cellulases.

Fungal endophytes are an emerging source of novel traits and biomolecules suitable for lignocellulosic biomass treatment. This work documents the toxicity tolerance of Colletotrichum sp. OH toward various lignocellulosic pretreatment-derived inhibitors. The effects of aldehydes (vanillin, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural; HMF), acids (gallic, formic, levulinic, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid), phenolics (hydroquinone, p-coumaric acid), and two pretreatment chemicals (hydrogen peroxide and ionic liquid), on the mycelium growth, biomass accumulation, and lignocellulolytic enzyme activities, were tested. The reported Colletotrichum sp. OH was naturally tolerant to high concentrations of single inhibitors like HMF (IC50; 17.5 mM), levulinic acid (IC50; 29.7 mM), hydroquinone (IC50; 10.76 mM), and H2O2 (IC50; 50 mM). The lignocellulolytic enzymes displayed a wide range of single and mixed inhibitor tolerance profiles. The enzymes ß-glucosidase and endoglucanase showed H2O2- and HMF-dependent activity enhancements. The enzyme ß-glucosidase activity was 34% higher in 75 mM and retained 20% activity in 125 mM H2O2. Further, ß-glucosidase activity increased to 24 and 32% in the presence of 17.76 and 8.8 mM HMF. This research suggests that the Colletotrichum sp. OH, or its enzymes, can be used to pretreat plant biomass, hydrolyze it, and remove inhibitory by-products.

Annotation of a hypothetical protein coding gene PAS_chr2-2_0152 containing Lysine Methyl transferase SMYD domain from Komagataella phaffii GS115.

The methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phaffii is an industrial workhorse yeast species that has been widely used in biotechnology industries for recombinant protein production. Genome sequencing of this yeast in 2009 have enabled scientists to assign and characterize functions to most of its proteins while few hypothetical proteins remain uncharacterized. Therefore, it is of interest to characterize the hypothetical protein coding gene PAS_chr2-2_0152 as SET containing the ZNF-MYND (SMYD) domain. They share a homology with other methylotrophic and non-methylotrophic yeast species together with known SMYD proteins of Homo sapiens, with conserved distinctive SMYD domain patterns. A homology model is developed using the crystal structure of human histone-lysine methyl transferase smyd3 as template. These data points to that the hypothetical protein is a potential histones and non-histone lysine methyl transferase regulating cell cycle, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage response, homologous recombination and transcription in Komagataella phaffii. Data also suggests the evolutionary syntenic conservation of DNA damage regulator (RFX) and lysine methyl transferase (SMYD) genes in some yeast lineages, pointing to a conserved role requiring further confirmation.

Contrasting diversity of vaginal lactobacilli among the females of Northeast India.

BACKGROUND: Lactobacilli are gatekeepers of vaginal ecosystem impeding growth of pathogenic microbes and their diversity varies across populations worldwide. The present study investigated diversity of human vaginal microbiota among females of Northeast India, who are distinct in dietary habits, lifestyle, and genomic composition from rest of India. RESULTS: Altogether, 154 bacterial isolates were obtained from vaginal swab samples of 40 pregnant and 29 non-pregnant females. The samples were sequenced for 16 s rRNA gene and analysed for identification using a dual approach of homology search and maximum likelihood based clustering. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequence confirmed the isolates belonging to 31 species. Lactobacilli constituted 37.7% of the bacterial isolates with 10 species and other Lactic Acid Bacteria (39.61%) represented another 10 species, some of which are opportunistic pathogens. The remaining of the communities are mostly dominated by species of Staphylococcus (14.28%) and rarely by Propionibacterium avidum (3.90%), Bacillus subtilis, Escherchia coli, Janthinobacterium lividum, and Kocuria kristinae (each 0.64%). Interestingly Lactobacillus mucosae and Enterococcus faecalis, which are globally uncommon vaginal microbes is found dominant among women of Northeast India. This tentatively reflects adaptability of particular Lactobacillus species, in distinct population, to better compete for receptors and nutrients in vaginal epithelium than other species. Further, intrageneric 16S rRNA gene exchange was observed among Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and two species of Lactobacillus, and deep intraspecies divergence among L. mucosae, which pinpointed possibility of emergence of new strains with evolved functionality. Lactobacilli percentage decreased from young pregnant to aged non-pregnant women with maximum colonization in trimester II. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted importance of assessment of vaginal microbiota, Lactobacillus in particular, across different population to gain more insight on female health.

Cerebroprotective effects of hydrogen sulfide in homocysteine-induced neurovascular permeability: Involvement of oxidative stress, arginase, and matrix metalloproteinase-9.

An elevated level of homocysteine (Hcy) leads to hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), which results in vascular dysfunction and pathological conditions identical to stroke symptoms. Hcy increases oxidative stress and leads to increase in blood-brain barrier permeability and leakage. Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) production during the metabolism of Hcy has a cerebroprotective effect, although its effectiveness in Hcy-induced neurodegeneration and neurovascular permeability is less explored. Therefore, the current study was designed to perceive the neuroprotective effect of exogenous H 2 S against HHcy, a cause of neurodegeneration. To test this hypothesis, we used four groups of mice: control, Hcy, control + sodium hydrosulfide hydrate (NaHS), and Hcy + NaHS, and an HHcy mice model in Swiss albino mice by giving a dose of 1.8 g of dl-Hcy/L in drinking for 8-10 weeks. Mice that have 30 µmol/L Hcy were taken for the study, and a H 2 S supplementation of 20 µmol/L was given for 8 weeks to all groups of mice. HHcy results in the rise of the levels of superoxide and nitrite, although a concomitant decrease in the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and arginase in oxidative stress and a concomitant decrease in the endogenous level of H 2 S. Although H 2 S supplementation ameliorated, the effect of HHcy and the levels of H 2 S returned to the average level in HHcy animals supplemented with H 2 S. Interestingly, H 2 S supplementation ameliorated neurovascular remodeling and neurodegeneration. Thus, our study suggested that H 2 S could be a beneficial therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Hcy-associated neurodegeneration, such as stroke and neurovascular disorders.

Production, purification and characterization of an acid/alkali and thermo tolerant cellulase from Schizophyllum commune NAIMCC-F-03379 and its application in hydrolysis of lignocellulosic wastes.

A cellulase producing fungus Schizophyllum commune NAIMCC-F-03379 was isolated from decomposed leaf sample of Lantana camera. The nutritional components (wheat bran, magnesium sulphate and calcium chloride concentrations) and physical parameters (temperature and pH) were optimised by response surface methodology for enhanced cellulase production by S. commune NAIMCC-F-03379. The optimized medium contained: 1% (w/v) wheat bran, 0.3 g/L MgSO4, 0.8-1.0 g/L CaCl2, optimum temperature and pH were 25 °C and 5 respectively. Under optimum condition, 5.35-fold increase in CMCase and 6.62-fold increase in FPase activity was obtained as compared to un-optimized condition. Crude cellulase enzyme was subjected to different purification techniques and comparative evaluation of their efficiency was performed. The aqueous two-phase system using polyethylene glycol 8000/MnSO4 system showed maximum purification with 10.4-fold increase in activity, 79.5% yield and 0.5 partition coefficient. The cellulase enzyme obtained from S. commune NAIMCC-F-03379 has shown high stability i.e. more than 55% relative activity after 12 h of incubation over wide range of temperature (25-65 °C) and pH (3-10). The molecular weight of the cellulase enzyme was estimated as ~ 60 kDa by using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and zymography. Km and Vmax value of cellulase on carboxy-methyl cellulose were obtained as 0.0909 mg/mL and 45.45 µmol/min mg respectively. Rice straw and wheat bran were subjected to hydrolysis using cellulase and cellulase-xylanase cocktail and analysed by thin layer chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC analysis showed glucose concentration of 1.162 mg/mL after enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw.

Understanding perception and factors influencing private voluntary health insurance policy subscription in the Lucknow region.

BACKGROUND: Health insurance has been acknowledged by researchers as a valuable tool in health financing. In spite of its significance, a subscription paralysis has been observed in India for this product. People who can afford health insurance are also found to be either ignorant or aversive towards it. This study is designed to investigate into the socio-economic factors, individuals' health insurance product perception and individuals' personality traits for unbundling the paradox which inhibits people from subscribing to health insurance plans. METHODS: This survey was conducted in the region of Lucknow. An online questionnaire was sent to sampled respondents. Response evinced by 263 respondents was formed as a part of study for the further data analysis. For assessing the relationships between variables T-test and F-test were applied as a part of quantitative measuring tool. Finally, logistic regression technique was used to estimate the factors that influence respondents' decision to purchase health insurance. RESULTS: Age, dependent family members, medical expenditure, health status and individual's product perception were found to be significantly associated with health insurance subscription in the region. Personality traits have also showed a positive relationship with respondent's insurance status. CONCLUSION: We found in our study that socio-economic factors, individuals' product perception and personality traits induces health insurance policy subscription in the region.

Desmoid Tumor of Ilio-Acetabular Region with Articular Cartilage Breach: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Desmoid tumor of bone is a rare benign tumor. It is reported commonly in mandibular and meta-diaphyseal region of long bones. We report involvement of unusual site in ilio-acetabular region with breach in articular cartilage. CASE REPORT: A 40 year old female presented with pain in the left hip. Radiologically, a lytic lesion at ilio-acetabular region was seen. Intra-operatively breach in acetabular roof was seen which was missed in the scan. Curettage and defect reconstruction was done. Histopathology reported as desmoid tumor. 20 months post-operatively patient was symptom free. CONCLUSION: Desmoid tumor is a rare bone tumor. This case report emphasizes about the rarity of the lesion in this location and the rare chances of breach in articular cartilage of the joint. The chances of recurrences are high with intralesional curettage.

MicroRNAs: a new ray of hope for diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus has become one of the most common chronic diseases, thereby posing a major challenge to global health. Characterized by high levels of blood glucose (hyperglycemia), diabetes usually results from a loss of insulin-producing ß-cells in the pancreas, leading to a deficiency of insulin (type 1 diabetes), or loss of insulin sensitivity (type 2 diabetes). Both types of diabetes have serious secondary complications, such as microvascular abnormalities, cardiovascular dysfunction, and kidney failure. Various complex factors, such as genetic and environmental factors, are associated with the pathophysiology of diabetes. Over the past two decades, the role of small, single-stranded noncoding microRNAs in various metabolic disorders, especially diabetes mellitus and its complications, has gained widespread attention in the scientific community. Discovered first as an endogenous regulator of development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, these small RNAs post-transcriptionally suppress mRNA target expression. In this review, we discuss the potential roles of different microRNAs in diabetes and diabetes-related complications.

Cap2-HAP complex is a critical transcriptional regulator that has dual but contrasting roles in regulation of iron homeostasis in Candida albicans.

Iron homeostasis is highly regulated in organisms across evolutionary time scale as iron is essential for various cellular processes. In a computational screen, we identified the Yap/bZIP domain family in Candida clade genomes. Cap2/Hap43 is essential for C. albicans growth under iron-deprivation conditions and for virulence in mouse. Cap2 has an amino-terminal bipartite domain comprising a fungal-specific Hap4-like domain and a bZIP domain. Our mutational analyses showed that both the bZIP and Hap4-like domains perform critical and independent functions for growth under iron-deprivation conditions. Transcriptome analysis conducted under iron-deprivation conditions identified about 16% of the C. albicans ORFs that were differentially regulated in a Cap2-dependent manner. Microarray data also suggested that Cap2 is required to mobilize iron through multiple mechanisms; chiefly by activation of genes in three iron uptake pathways and repression of iron utilizing and iron storage genes. The expression of HAP2, HAP32, and HAP5, core components of the HAP regulatory complex was induced in a Cap2-dependent manner indicating a feed-forward loop. In a feed-back loop, Cap2 repressed the expression of Sfu1, a negative regulator of iron uptake genes. Cap2 was coimmunoprecipitated with Hap5 from cell extracts prepared from iron-deprivation conditions indicating an in vivo association. ChIP assays demonstrated Hap32-dependent recruitment of Hap5 to the promoters of FRP1 (Cap2-induced) and ACO1 (Cap2-repressed). Together our data indicates that the Cap2-HAP complex functions both as a positive and a negative regulator to maintain iron homeostasis in C. albicans.