Identification of stably expressed Internal Control Genes (ICGs) for normalization of expression data in liver of C57BL/6 mice injected with beta casomorphins.

In recent years, beta-casomorphin peptides (BCM7/BCM9) derived from the digestion of cow milk have drawn a lot of attention world over because of their proposed impact on human health. In order to evaluate the transcriptional modulation of target genes through RT-qPCR in response to these peptides, availability of appropriate reference or internal control genes (ICGs) will be the key. The present study was planned to identify a panel of stable ICGs in the liver tissue of C57BL/6 mice injected with BCM7/BCM9 cow milk peptides for 3 weeks. A total of ten candidate genes were evaluated as potential ICGs by assessing their expression stability using software suites; geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper. The suitability of the identified ICGs was validated by assessing the relative expression levels of target genes, HP and Cu/Zn SOD. Based on geNorm, PPIA and SDHA gene pair was identified to be most stably expressed in liver tissue during the animal trials. Similarly, NormFinder analysis also identified PPIA as the most stable gene. BestKeeper analysis showed crossing point SD value for all the genes in the acceptable range that is closer to 1. Overall, the study identified a panel of stable ICGs for reliable normalization of target genes expression data in mice liver tissues during BCM7/9 peptides trial.

Demographic pattern of A1/A2 beta casein variants indicates conservation of A2 type haplotype across native cattle breeds (Bos indicus) of India.

Genetic variations of the beta casein gene hold importance because of their probable association with human health. Comparative sequence analysis of ß-casein gene across Indian native, crossbred and exotic breeds in India revealed 15 SNPs and 4 INDELs corresponding to 14 haplotypes. The frequency of A2 type haplotype was maximum (0.941) across all Indian native breeds. Among the 15 variants reported for taurine breeds, only three (A1, A2 and B) were observed in analysed populations. Allelic profiling of A1/A2 ß-casein variants in ~ 4000 animals belonging to three cattle types and breeding bulls also revealed the predominance of A2 allele (0.95) in Indian cattle. The high proportion of A2 allele/haplotype indicates that Indian native cattle are the best suited to meet the demands for A2 milk globally. However, a higher percentage of heterozygous genotype (A1A2) in breeding bulls warrants the need to screen sire lines so as to drift the herd towards A2. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03232-0.

Esophageal carcinoma: An epidemiological analysis and study of the time trends over the last 20 years from a single center in India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Esophageal carcinoma is a common gastrointestinal malignancy. There is a paucity of literature about the time trends from India. The aim of the study was to evaluate the time trends over 20 years and observe how they differ from the West. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 552 patients from the gastroenterology database (single department, single-center) over a period of 20 years from 1996 to 2015. The study period was split into two groups, namely, Group A (1996 to 2005) and Group B (2006 to 2015). RESULTS: There were 263 patients in Group A and 289 patients in Group B. The mean age was 54.83 years (range 25-89 years). There were 345 males and 207 females, with the ratio being 1.67. The most common histological type was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with 443 patients (80.25%). The most common location was mid esophagus with 229 patients (41.48%) followed by 208 patients (37.68%) in the lower esophagus. There was no significant increase in the lower esophageal malignancy. However, there was a significant increase in the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and adenocarcinoma (AC). There were no other time trend changes in gender, location, or histology. CONCLUSION: SCC is still far more common than AC in India. The mid esophagus is the most common site. There is no evidence of an increase in the lower esophageal malignancy in our study for over 20 years. However, the rates of GEJ-AC were found to be increasing.

Accuracy of Leukocyte Esterase Reagent Strip (LERS) test for rapid bedside screening of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: An observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a frequent and severe complication in cirrhotic patients with ascites. SBP is generally diagnosed based on an increased number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the ascitic fluid (>250/mm3) and positive culture. Usually fluid analysis and culture take time and precious hours are lost in starting therapy. Leukocyte Esterase Reagent Strips (LERS) have consistently given a high negative predictive value (>95% in the majority of the studies). AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Aim was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of leukocyte esterase reagent strip for rapid diagnosis of SBP in patients who underwent abdominal paracentesis and to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out on 64 patients with ascites. Cell count of AF as determined by colorimetric scale of Multistix 10 SG reagent strip was compared with counting chamber method (PMNL count ≥250 cells/mm3 was considered positive). RESULTS: Of the 64 patients SBP was diagnosed in 17 patients, 47 patients were negative for SBP by manual cell count. At cut off of 2+; sensitivity to diagnose SBP was 100%; specificity of 94%; PPV being 57% and NPV of 94%. at the cut off level of 3+; sensitivity decreased down to 76%; specificity increased to 100%; PPV of 100% and NPV of 93.75%. Overall accuracy at 2 + and 3 + was respectively 94.5% and 93.75%. CONCLUSION: In this study we have found good sensitivity and specificity for the prompt detection of elevated polymorphonuclear neutrophil count. A negative test result excludes SBP with a high degree of certainty. Thus, it represents a convenient, inexpensive, simple bedside screening tool for SBP diagnosis.

Post Parotidectomy Quality of Life in Patients with Benign Parotid Neoplasm: A Prospective Study.

Parotid tumours are not uncommon. The management is surgical for benign and malignant parotid neoplasm. Due to the location of parotid gland and its intricate relationship with facial nerve, cosmetic and functional outcomes after parotid surgery are extremely important. Objectives of the study were to analyse facial nerve functions with emphasis on the quality of life of patients undergoing surgery for parotid neoplasm. A prospective study was conducted on patients presented with parotid neoplasm and undergone parotid surgery. Patient with malignant neoplasm were excluded. 30 patients with benign parotid neoplasm in final histopathology were included in the study. Post operative assessment of facial nerve was done using postparotidectomy facial nerve grading system. Symptom-specific QOL was assessed with the parotidectomy outcome inventory-8. Aesthetic outcome was evaluated with an ordinal scale. Posterior belly of digastric muscle and tragal pointer were the commonest landmark used for facial nerve identification. Temporary facial nerve dysfunction was present in six (20%) patients with marginal mandibular branch most commonly involved. 96% of the female patients and 91% of the male patients rated the cosmetic result as good or very good. A statistically significant difference is noted between superficial parotidectomy and total Parotidectomy for cosmetic outcome and sensory impairment. We noted that changed appearance due to resection of the parotid gland and scar and sensory impairment in the area affect the quality of life of patients and such affect are more after total conservative parotidectomy.

Post-operative Sensorineural Hearing Loss After Middle Ear Surgery.

Chronic suppurative otitis media is managed by tympanomastoid surgery often requires mastoid drilling. Sometimes patients develop sensorineural hearing loss after middle ear surgery. Objective of the study was to compare pre and post operative bone conduction thresholds after middle ear surgeries. The study was conducted on 90 patients who had undergone middle ear surgeries, 30 patients of tympanoplasty (group I), modified intact canal wall mastoidectomy and tympanoplasty type-I (group II) and modified radical mastoidectomy (group III) each ware included. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed. Duration of surgery, ossicular and middle ear status and drilling time noted. Pre operative and post operative (after 3-4 months) bone conduction thresholds were compared statistically. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistical significant. The average pre-operative hearing loss of study group was 43.78 ± 14.22 dB. Though postoperatively mean air conduction threshold improved to 36.07 ± 13.05 dB, six patients presented with deterioration of hearing. Mastoidectomy has been performed in all six. Post-operative worsening of bone conduction was seen in three patients (13.75-21.5 dB), one patient of group II and two patients of group III developed postoperative worsening of bone conduction thresholds. Significant hearing losses may occur after tympanomastoid surgery in few patients. While we are evaluating the results besides reporting average results such individual patient should be identified.

Evaluation of intensive pulse polio immunisation in south Gujarat region of India.

Randomly selected team members of 50% booths in urban areas of Surat, Valsad and Bharuch districts and 25% in tribal areas of Narmada and Dangs districts of South Gujarat region were Interviewed to evaluate the pulse polio immunisation coverage in urban and tribal areas of South Gujarat region. Evaluation of two consecutive rounds of pulse polio immunisation had shown that the booth coverage is about 90% and 80% in urban and tribal areas respectively. Television was the main source of information for pulse polio round in urban areas, while anganwadi workers were in tribal areas. During house to house activity, few unimmunised children were found. X to P conversion was found almost nil at the end of day in both the rounds. The present study shows the deficits in programme implementation even after many years of campaigning and provides extents to which strengthening Is needed especially in urban area.