Ni/Ni(OH)2-rGO nanocomposites sensor for the detection of long forgotten mycotoxin, xanthomegnin.

Xanthomegnin, a known fungal toxin, secondary metabolite, and pigment diffuses from the dermatophytes has gained attention as local virulence factor because of the mutagenicity, toxicity, cytocidal, and immunosuppressive properties. Not only as a dermatophyte in skin related disorders, the production of xanthomegnin is implicated as a powerful diagnostic marker in patients suffering from ocular mycoses. Incidentally also attributed to death in livestock's majorly by exposing themselves to food-borne fungi like Aspergillus and Penicillium. The production of xanthomegnin in dermetophytic species Trichophyton rubrum, found commonly in infected skin and nails. In this study nickel/nickel hydroxide nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide (Ni/Ni(OH)2-rGO) modified glassy carbon electrode has been successfully used for non-enzymatic detection of xanthomegnin. The Ni/Ni(OH)2-rGO composites were synthesized through a simple microwave assisted technique with less harmful reducing agent. The UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and electrochemical investigations demonstrated the robust formation of the sensor. The sensor exhibited improved electrochemical properties with enhanced electrochemical active area and excellent electrochemical behavior towards xanthomegnin detection with a limit of detection of 0.12 µM. The selectivity, stability, and analytical recovery studies proved the potential use of the sensor for the detection of xanthomegnin in real samples. Further, the sensor successfully detected xanthomegnin produced by the Trichophyton rubrum, the most common superficial fungus, accounting for at least 60% of all superficial fungal infections in humans. Validation studies showed satisfiable and quantifiable amount of xanthomegnin in comparison with common bench mark UV-Vis studies meant for fungal mycotoxin detection.

Managing the triad of triple mullerian anomaly, endometriosis and adenomyosis - A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Report of an extremely rare case of triple Mullerian anomaly consisting of cervical agenesis, partial vaginal agenesis and complete bicorporeal uterus with functioning endometrium associated with adenomyosis and pelvic endometriosis in a young girl managed with hysterectomy of both uterine horns and excision of pelvic endometriosis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 20-year-old young woman presented with primary amenorrhoea and severe cyclical pain abdomen. She was diagnosed with a rare triple Mullerian anomaly consisting of cervical agenesis, partial vaginal agenesis and complete bicorporeal uterus with functioning endometrium associated with adenomyosis and pelvic endometriosis. She had undergone laparoscopic hematosalpinx drainage in an outside setting which provided her a temporary relief from symptoms. After an accurate pre-operative diagnosis of her condition, she underwent hysterectomy of both uterine horns as both the horns were grossly adenomyotic with hematometra. DISCUSSION: This case is unique as two different developmental anomalies agenesis and lateral fusion defect were found together leading to a triple Mullerian anomaly with co-existing adenomyosis and endometriosis. Conservative surgery in this particular case had high probability for developing obstruction, sepsis or pelvic abscess later or repeat procedures/surgeries leading to increased morbidity. She was given the option for oocyte freezing along with gestational surrogacy if she desired fertility in future. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and tailored intervention of Mullerian anomalies is essential to improve patients' quality of life. Definitive surgery in the form of hysterectomy should be considered if there are associated pathologies such as adenomyosis and endometriosis and findings such as hematometra.

Recurrent perineal scar endometriosis: A case report.

Introduction: Endometriosis is a chronic disease with the presence of endometrium-like tissue containing endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. The incidence of episiotomy scar endometriosis after vaginal delivery is 0.06-0.7%. Case presentation: A 28-year-old parous woman with two previous vaginal deliveries with episiotomy presented to the outpatient department with severe pain and swelling in the perineal region over the past year, leading to difficulty in sitting, coitus and routine essential activities like defecation. She had undergone local perineal nodule excision surgery twice, which confirmed her perineal scar endometriosis diagnosis one year earlier at another hospital with no improvement in symptoms. Physical examination revealed a firm, tender, deeply embedded palpable nodule measuring approximately 3 - 4 cm in the left posterolateral aspect of the distal vagina. Wide local excision of the nodule with a clear margin of 1 cm was performed. The nodule extended up to the left ischial tuberosity and apex up to the pudendal vessels complex. Discussion: The classic diagnostic triad of perineal endometriosis were present in this patient. Surgical intervention with wide local excision with a clear margin of approximately 1 cm of healthy tissue reduces the chance of recurrence. Conclusion: Awareness of this condition among medical practitioners will lead to early diagnosis and excision. Timely intervention in the form of excision with free margins is the definitive treatment and provides complete pain relief and good quality of life for endometriosis patients.

Rothia santali sp. nov., endophytic bacteria isolated from sandalwood (Santalum album L.) seedling.

A novel, mustard yellow-pigmented aerobic bacterial strain designated AR01T was isolated from hypocotyl tissue of a sandalwood seedling from Bangalore, India. The 16S rRNA gene of strain AR01T had the highest 98.97% sequence similarity with Rothia halotolerans YIM 90716T (KCTC 19172) followed by Rothia kristinae PM 129T (NBRC 15354T) (97.31%) and Rothia koreensis P31T (JCM 15915) (97.11%), respectively. The strain AR01T was coccoid-shaped, non-motile, non-spore forming, oxidase negative and catalase positive. The strain AR01T has a genome size of 3.31 Mb containing 2993 protein-coding genes including 48 tRNA and 10 rRNAs spread across 84 contigs. The genomic DNA G + C content was 71.77 mol%. The calculated dDDH was 31.10% and the OrthoANI value was 85.27% when compared with its closest related type strain Rothia halotolerans YIM 90716T. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:0 iso, C15:0 anteiso and C17:0 anteiso. The strain AR01T contains major polar lipids including diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The distinct physiological, biochemical characteristics and genotypic relatedness indicated that AR01T represents a novel species of the genus Rothia, for which the name Rothia santali sp. nov. (Type strain AR01T = MCC 4800T = JCM 35593T) is proposed.

A case of didelphys uterus: tackling the double trouble adenomyosis and infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of didelphys uterus with severe pelvic pain and primary infertility with focal adenomyosis of outer myometrium (FOAM) of the left hemiuterus and tips and tricks for hemihysterectomy as a fertility preserving surgery. DESIGN: Descriptive step-by-step video demonstration of a case of didelphys uterus with adenomyosis of the hemiuterus. Local institutional review board approval for publication was obtained. SETTING: Endometriosis Centre, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, India. PATIENT(S): Women with uterus didelphys with FOAM of the left hemiuterus with severe pelvic pain and infertility. INTERVENTION(S): A 30-year-old woman presented with chronic pelvic pain and severe progressive dysmenorrhea with primary infertility for 3 years. She was diagnosed with uterus didelphys and longitudinal vaginal septum 3 years back and underwent hysteroscopy for septal resection and diagnostic laparoscopy for pain in an outside setting; however, no laparoscopic intervention was performed. The patient was diagnosed with FOAM of the left hemiuterus involving 75% of the hemiuterus. After detailed discussion and counseling regarding different options, laparoscopic hemihysterectomy was performed as pelvic pain relief was a major expected outcome along with fertility preservation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pain relief with improved quality of life and fertility preservation. RESULT(S): The postoperative period was uneventful. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day with no complaints. Her chronic pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea resolved. She was not prescribed any medication after the surgery. During the routine follow-up, she had a regular menstrual cycle with a visual analogue score of 0/10. CONCLUSION(S): The safe removal of a hemiuterus in case of a didelphys uterus with pathology of hemiuterus through a minimally invasive technique is possible, which cures the pain caused by adenomyosis and enables quick recovery while preserving future fertility.

Primary Umbilical endometriosis - case series and review of clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.

INTRODUCTION: Umbilical endometriosis is the most common cutaneous form and is seen mostly secondary to surgical scar and rarely occurs as primary umbilical endometriosis. The objective of this retrospective case series evaluation is to report the presentation, diagnosis, and management of patients with primary umbilical endometriosis. PRESENTATION OF CASES: We present a retrospective, observational and descriptive review of cases presenting with primary umbilical endometriosis among Indian women managed in two private tertiary care centres between 2018 and 2020. Patients were assessed at the gynaecological outpatient department. We analysed age, parity, presenting symptoms and duration, associated symptoms, imaging, size of the lesion, associated pelvic endometriosis or any pelvic pathology, management, and histopathological diagnosis for confirmation in all four patients. DISCUSSION: The patients were aged between 25 and 31 years with an average of 28 years with no previous history of any abdominal surgeries. The mean duration of the symptoms presented in these cases was 25.5 months, with a range from 18 to 48 months. The diagnosis was made by clinical examination supported by imaging followed by complete surgical excision and confirmation on histopathology. CONCLUSION: Primary umbilical endometriosis is a rare disease with a limited number of cases reported in the literature and should be included in the differential diagnosis if women present with umbilical lesions with cyclical pain. Diagnosis is clinical but can be aided by high resolution imaging such as Ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of survivin in oral lichen planus and oral squamous cell carcinoma - a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Oral cancer is a multistep process involving enhanced activation of proto-oncogenes. Survivin (anti-apoptotic protein) is one of such proto-oncogenes that contribute to the carcinogenesis by deregulating cell proliferation. Expression of these proteins in cancerous and pre-cancerous lesions helps a better understanding of the etiology, treatment and prognosis. AIM: To evaluate qualitative and quantitative expression of survivin in healthy mucosa, oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). METHODS: A total of 70 cases of formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks, of which 20 healthy mucosa, 20 OSCC and 30 OLP were included in the study and stained immunohistochemically using antibodies against survivin monoclonal antibody. 4 µm sections were stained immunohistochemically, both nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was considered as positive for surviving. Positive and negative stained cells were counted with the help of Olympus BX51 rarefaction microscope and were analyzed quantitatively using image analysis pro plus software. Representative fields were randomly selected at 40× high power magnification. Values obtained were evaluated and tabulated for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relation between the expressions of survivin among healthy mucosa, OLP, OSCC with a p value of 0.001. CONCLUSION: Presence of survivin expression in healthy mucosa, OLP and OSCC, which is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, can be identified as a useful diagnostic tool for the identification of precancerous lesions and conditions which are at higher risk for progression into invasive carcinoma.

A Needle in the Fetal Brain: The Rare Role of Transabdominal Cephalocentesis in Fetal Hydrocephalus.

Fetal hydrocephalus is a fairly common occurrence in pregnant women, surfacing early or late in the pregnancy. The perinatal and pediatric outcomes are largely determined by the cause of hydrocephalus and the extent of the irreversible destruction of the brain tissue. In pregnancies where the fetal prognosis is unfavorable, aspirating the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to facilitate vaginal delivery is an option. In this report, we present the case of a primigravida with term fetal hydrocephalus who underwent ultrasound-guided transabdominal cephalocentesis and subsequently delivered vaginally without any adverse perinatal outcomes.

Dual impedance cardiography: An inexpensive and reliable method to assess arterial stiffness.

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a common measure of arterial stiffness. Non-invasive methods to measure PWV are widely used in biomedical studies of aging and cardiovascular disease, but they are rarely used in psychophysiology. Barriers to wider use include the prohibitive costs of specialized equipment and need for trained technicians (e.g., ultrasonographers). Here, we describe an impedance cardiography method to measure PWV. By this method, impedance signals are dually collected from the thorax and calf. Combined with ensemble averaging of vascular signals, this dual impedance cardiography (d-ICG) method allows for the measurement of aortic flow onset and the arrival time of peripheral pulse waveforms to compute PWV. In a community sample of adults (aged 19-78 years), PWV measured with d-ICG exhibited a strong positive correlation with age. Moreover, age-specific mean PWV values were within the normative reference intervals established by large scale studies using other techniques. PWV derived from d-ICG exhibited high test-retest reliability across several days, as well as excellent inter-rater reliability. Last, PWV exhibited expected associations with known cardiovascular disease risk factors and indicators of autonomic cardiovascular control. d-ICG is an inexpensive and reliable method to assess arterial stiffness.

Estimation of superoxide dismutase levels in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid among smokers and non-smokers in periodontitis patients - An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking, which is an important risk factor for periodontitis, induces oxidative stress in the body and causes an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). The present study was done to quantify and compare the level of SOD enzyme levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva among smokers and nonsmokers. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and thirty-five individuals in the age range of 20-55 years, including 45 light smokers, 45 heavy smokers, and 45 nonsmokers (controls), were selected and the clinical parameters recorded were plaque index, probing depth, and attachment loss. Smokers were divided into light smokers (<10 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes/day) and into three subgroups: healthy, mild periodontitis, and moderate periodontitis. GCF and saliva samples were collected then SOD levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: The mean levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of smokers were decreased compared to controls. Intra- and inter-group analyses showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of heavy smokers compared to light smokers and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There was a progressive reduction in SOD levels from healthy nonsmokers to light smokers to heavy smokers.

Estimation of superoxide dismutase levels in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid among smokers and non-smokers in periodontitis patients - an observational study

Background: Smoking, which is an important risk factor for periodontitis, induces oxidative stress in the body and causes an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). The present study was done to quantify and compare the level of SOD enzyme levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva among smokers and nonsmokers. Methodology: One hundred and thirty-five individuals in the age range of 20­55 years, including 45 light smokers, 45 heavy smokers, and 45 nonsmokers (controls), were selected and the clinical parameters recorded were plaque index, probing depth, and attachment loss. Smokers were divided into light smokers (<10 cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (>10 cigarettes/day) and into three subgroups: healthy, mild periodontitis, and moderate periodontitis. GCF and saliva samples were collected then SOD levels were analyzed using spectrophotometric assay. Results: The mean levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of smokers were decreased compared to controls. Intra- and inter-group analyses showed a significant reduction in the levels of SOD in the GCF and saliva of heavy smokers compared to light smokers and the control group. Conclusions: There was a progressive reduction in SOD levels from healthy nonsmokers to light smokers to heavy smokers

FRAS1-related extracellular matrix 3 (FREM3) single-nucleotide polymorphism effects on gene expression, amygdala reactivity and perceptual processing speed: An accelerated aging pathway of depression risk.

The A allele of the FRAS1-related extracellular matrix protein 3 (FREM3) rs7676614 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was linked to major depressive disorder (MDD) in an early genome-wide association study (GWAS), and to symptoms of psychomotor retardation in a follow-up investigation. In line with significant overlap between age- and depression-related molecular pathways, parallel work has shown that FREM3 expression in postmortem human brain decreases with age. Here, we probe the effect of rs7676614 on amygdala reactivity and perceptual processing speed, both of which are altered in depression and aging. Amygdala reactivity was assessed using a face-matching BOLD fMRI paradigm in 365 Caucasian participants in the Duke Neurogenetics Study (DNS) (192 women, mean age 19.7 ± 1.2). Perceptual processing speed was indexed by reaction times in the same task and the Trail Making Test (TMT). The effect of rs7676614 on FREM3 mRNA brain expression levels was probed in a postmortem cohort of 169 Caucasian individuals (44 women, mean age 50.8 ± 14.9). The A allele of rs7676614 was associated with blunted amygdala reactivity to faces, slower reaction times in the face-matching condition (p < 0.04), as well as marginally slower performance on TMT Part B (p = 0.056). In the postmortem cohort, the T allele of rs6537170 (proxy for the rs7676614 A allele), was associated with trend-level reductions in gene expression in Brodmann areas 11 and 47 (p = 0.066), reminiscent of patterns characteristic of older age. The low-expressing allele of another FREM3 SNP (rs1391187) was similarly associated with reduced amygdala reactivity and slower TMT Part B speed, in addition to reduced BA47 activity and extraversion (p < 0.05). Together, these results suggest common genetic variation associated with reduced FREM3 expression may confer risk for a subtype of depression characterized by reduced reactivity to environmental stimuli and slower perceptual processing speed, possibly suggestive of accelerated aging.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the epithelial linings of odontogenic keratocyst, dentigerous cyst and radicular cyst: a pathological insight.

BACKGROUND: The present study is aimed at analyzing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the epithelial lining of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), dentigerous cyst (DC), radicular cyst (RC) in order to understand the possible role of iNOS with special reference to its neoplastic nature and local aggressive of cysts. AIM: The primary aim of the following study is to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of iNOS and secondary aim is to compare the iNOS expression, pattern and intensity of staining among the epithelial linings of OKC, DC and RC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: iNOS in the epithelial lining cells were analyzing in 10 OKC's, 10 DC's and 10 RC's using immunohistochemistry. The percentage of positive cells was assessed and presented as mean ± standard deviation. The correlation with respect to the intensity and percentage of staining within the epithelial linings of OKCs, DCs and RCs was carried out using (analysis of variance and Student's t-test) Chi-square test. RESULTS: Staining intensity of iNOS portion was seen in the entire thickness of the epithelial linings of OKC, whereas in DC's only one case had entire thickness of the epithelial lining staining and in RC's none of the cases showed entire thickness of staining. On comparing the staining intensity of iNOS between OKC, DC and RC groups, using Chi-square test, there was a statistically significant difference between these groups (P < 0.01). On analyzing the immuno-reactivity of iNOS in OKC, DC and RC there was a positive variable expression iNOS between the cysts. CONCLUSION: iNOS was over expressed in OKCs when compared with DC and RC suggesting that iNOS may contribute to the aggressive behavior of OKC. This is yet another evidence to support that OKC is the neoplasm.

Report of a rare case of an odontogenic myxoma of the maxilla and review of literature.

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is a mesenchymal tissue benign neoplasia, being relatively rare which is almost exclusively seen in tooth-bearing areas. OM commonly occurs in the 2(nd) and 3(rd) decade and the mandible is involved more commonly than the maxilla. The lesion often grows without symptoms and presents as a painless swelling. Radiographically, the myxoma appears as a unilocular or multilocular radiolucency. This article presents a rare case of OM occurring in the maxilla of a 28-year-old female patient with a brief review of the literature.

Characterization of different verrucous mucosal lesions.

Oral lesions indicative of biopsy represent unique presentation either in the form of proliferations/ulcerations of the squamous lining epithelium. These lesions have similar appearance clinically and histopathologically hence are excised for microscopic evaluation to rule out early or hidden malignancy. Verrucous mucosal lesions clinically present a diagnostic dilemma, which makes histopathological examination a significant one in the differentiation of the lesion to ascertain the nature. This short communication aims to discuss the different histological characterization of oral verrucous mucosal lesions.