Dose-dependent co-infection of Argulus sp. and Aeromonas hydrophila in goldfish (Carassius auratus) modulates innate immune response and antioxidative stress enzymes.

Co-infection with parasites and bacteria is of frequent occurrence in aquaculture, leads to growth impedance otherwise mortality in fish depending on the varying degree of a load of primary pathogen either parasite or bacteria. The mechanistic regulation of immune response during co-infection in fish has merely documented. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of co-infection with Aeromonas hydrophila at three exposure doses of Argulus sp. on the innate immune responses and antioxidative stress enzymes of goldfish (Carassius auratus). The experimental fish were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups viz. T1 (control group without Argulus and A. hydrophila infection), T2 (fish exposed to a sub-lethal dose of A. hydrophila), T3 (low Argulus-infested fish), T4 (T3 + sub-lethal dose of A. hydrophila), T5 (moderate Argulus-infested fish), T6 (T5 + sub-lethal dose of A. hydrophila), T7 (high Argulus-infested fish) and T8 (T7+ sub-lethal dose of A. hydrophila) in duplicates. After distributing experimental fish into their respective treatment group, A. hydrophila was injected to T2, T4, T6 and T8. After the bacterial challenge, four fish from each experimental group were randomly sampled on 24, 72, and 168 h and subjected to the hematological, innate immune parameters and enzymatic analysis. In the co-infection group T8, a high degree of enhanced pathogenicity of A. hydrophila was noticed with increased mortalities (84.2%) in comparison to other groups. The current study shows a declining pattern in RBC, PCV and Hb values with the degree of parasite infestation without co-infection groups. Moreover, in the T8 group, exposure of a sub-lethal dose of bacteria resulted in a drastic reduction of the recorded parameters. Furthermore, a decreased value for WBC, monocyte and neutrophil was found in higher parasite group co-infected with a sub-lethal dose of bacteria relative to other co-infected groups during the experimental period. Also, a decrease in innate immune parameters and antioxidative stress enzymes were observed in the T8 group compared to T7 and T2 groups throughout the trial period. These findings indicate that a rise in the dose of Argulus infection improves A. hydrophila colonization in goldfish and contributes to suppression of the innate immune system and increased mortality.

Seizures Due to Insulinoma- A Rare but Treatable Cause.

Hypoglycemia can cause multiple neuroglycopenic symptoms; seizures being one of them. Misdiagnosis and delay in treatment are common and prolonged hypoglycemia can lead to permanent neurological deficit or fatal coma. Hypoglycemia caused by an insulinoma is a readily treatable condition that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intractable seizures. The following case report highlights the need for careful reassessment of all seizures that are atypical and refractory to medication.

Dopamine pathways mediating affective state transitions after sleep loss.

The pathophysiology of affective disorders-particularly circuit-level mechanisms underlying bidirectional, periodic affective state transitions-remains poorly understood. In patients, disruptions of sleep and circadian rhythm can trigger transitions to manic episodes, whereas depressive states are reversed. Here, we introduce a hybrid automated sleep deprivation platform to induce transitions of affective states in mice. Acute sleep loss causes mixed behavioral states, featuring hyperactivity, elevated social and sexual behaviors, and diminished depressive-like behaviors, where transitions depend on dopamine (DA). Using DA sensor photometry and projection-targeted chemogenetics, we reveal that elevated DA release in specific brain regions mediates distinct behavioral changes in affective state transitions. Acute sleep loss induces DA-dependent enhancement in dendritic spine density and uncaging-evoked dendritic spinogenesis in the medial prefrontal cortex, whereas optically mediated disassembly of enhanced plasticity reverses the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation on learned helplessness. These findings demonstrate that brain-wide dopaminergic pathways control sleep-loss-induced polymodal affective state transitions.

Atypical Orthognathic Surgical Protocol for Facial Feminisation as an Adjunct to Gender Affirmation Therapy: a Case Report.

Gender Affirmation Surgery/Therapy (GAS/GAT) constitutes an array of surgical and hormonal therapy performed on patients presenting with a diagnosis of 'Gender Dysphoria'. Facial Feminisation Surgery is a part of the overall gender reassignment process. It is a broad term used to describe the surgical alteration, generally performed on a male-to-female transsexual individual, in which, a masculine facial appearance is changed to a more feminine form. An 18-year-old transgender male undergoing GAT reported to our centre in Mumbai, India with a complaint of masculine face with forwardly placed teeth in the upper arch and thick-set backwardly placed lower jaw and lip. Patient was taken up for ortho-surgical management to establish a feminine facial form and a stable functional occlusion. Mandibular advancement using the bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, which is an uncommon protocol in GAT cases was found to be a viable option in the successful management of such a clinical scenario.

Utility of Panfungal PCR in the diagnosis of invasive fungal infections in febrile neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is increasing due to the increasing population of immunocompromised patients. Fungal culture is the gold standard for diagnosis but not sensitive and the turnaround time is long. Samples for histopathology are difficult to obtain because of profound cytopenias. We conducted this study with the aim to evaluate panfungal PCR for the diagnosis of IFIs in patients of febrile neutropenia. METHODS: This was a single-centre, cross-sectional observational study. Patients of febrile neutropenia suspected of having IFI were included in the study. Panfungal PCR was performed on the blood of included patients along with other investigations for diagnosis of IFI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of panfungal PCR were calculated using EORTC/MSG 2008 criteria as the gold standard. RESULTS: Fifty patients of febrile neutropenia were included in the study, of which 52% were diagnosed positive by panfungal PCR assay. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of panfungal PCR assay was found to be 82.76%, 90.48%, 92.31% and 79.17% respectively. CONCLUSION: Panfungal PCR is a promising and highly sensitive diagnostic test for screening at-risk patients suspected to have IFIs. The use of panfungal PCR assay in combination with other diagnostic modalities and clinical judgment can be very helpful in the early diagnosis of IFI.

Antiparasitic potentiality of ethanol and methanol extracts of Azadirachta indica leaf for eggs and copepodid stage of Argulus japonicus: in vitro study.

In the present study, eggs and copepodid stages of Argulus japonicus were treated with ethanol and methanol extract of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf and its antiparasitic efficacy (AE %) was determined. The experiments were performed in triplicate along with the positive (2% DMSO) and negative (without DMSO and extract) control groups. The reduced cumulative hatching percentage of eggs by 13% (in ethanolic) and 17% (in methanolic) extract of neem leaf at 1.5 g L-1 was obtained during 15-day exposure compared to the control group showing 70-85% eggs hatching. The AE of 100% for ethanolic and 91.66% for methanolic extract against the copepodid stage was found at 1.25 and 1.5 g L-1 respectively in 6 h. The histological analysis of the eggs showed the undifferentiated decaying mass of cells with extensively damaged eggs when treated with ethanolic extract of neem leaf. Further, severe degeneration in the branchial region, digestive tract and eye cells was observed in the copepodids treated with ethanol extract than the methanol extract. The terpenoids a potential antiparasitic compound of ethanolic extract produced more AE than the methanolic extract. Thus, the ethanolic extract of neem leaf can be potentially utilized as a natural parasiticide to disrupt the egg and other life phases of A. japonicus.

Ternary biosorption studies of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II) on shelled Moringa oleifera seeds.

Competitive biosorption of Cd(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II) on unmodified shelled Moringa oleifera seeds (SMOS) present in ternary mixture were compared with the single metal solution. The extent of adsorption capacity of the ternary metal ions tested on unmodified SMOS was low (10-20%) as compared to single metal ions. SMOS removed the target metal ions in the selectivity order of Cd(II) > Cr(III) > Ni(II). Sorption equilibria, calculated from adsorption data, explained favorable performance of biosorption system. Regeneration of exhausted biomass was also attempted for several cycles with a view to restore the sorbent to its original state.

Vibrational and spectroscopic analysis of white light emitting Bi2SiO5 nanophosphor.

A series of Dy3+ ion activated Bi2SiO5 nanophosphors were synthesized by the hydrothermal and coprecipitation methods. Various structural and optical characterizations were made using X-ray diffraction, Scanning and Transmission electron microscopy, UV-Visible-Infrared absorption, Raman Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence, Time resolved luminescence techniques etc. Dy3+ ion doped samples yields characteristic bright yellow and blue emissions, on resonant excitation with 349nm and 386nm. The intensity ratio of the yellow/blue peaks was found to be function of Dy ion concentration and synthesis method. We have achieved white colour emission at 1.5mol% Dy concentration, CIE coordinate (0.36, 0.4) of which fall well within gamut of white light. The time-resolved fluorescence reveals decrease in radiative lifetime values with increasing Dy3+ ions concentration. A comparison between the samples synthesized by different methods, and Dy ion concentrations has been made and detail photo-physics involved is presented in the article.

Modulation of hippocampal synapse maturation by activity-regulated E3 ligase via non-canonical pathway.

Development of functional synapses is crucial for the transmission and storage of information in the brain. Post establishment of the initial synaptic contact, synapses are stabilized through neuronal activity-induced signals. Emerging studies have implicated ubiquitination; a reversible posttranslational modification, as a key regulatory switch that modulates synapse development through proteasomal degradation. Ubiquitination of proteins is precisely regulated by E3 ligases, a set of enzymes that bind to specific substrates to facilitate the conjugation of monomeric or polymeric ubiquitin. However, the identity of specific E3 ubiquitin ligases that influence activity-dependent maturation of synapses and the mechanism by which ubiquitination of proteins regulate functional synapse development remain elusive. Here, we have identified a RING domain containing E3 ligase, Rnf2, asan activity-regulated factor that modulates glutamatergic synapse development in the hippocampus. Rnf2 is a synapse associated E3 ligase that is stabilized by neuronal activity through self-polyubiquitination. We have shown that neuronal activity shifts the balance toward stabilization of Rnf2 through self-polyubiquitination rather than triggering its degradation through polyubiquitination by Ube3A, an E3 ligase implicated in Angelman Syndrome. Our synapse density measurements and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings have revealed that the loss of Rnf2 function in cultured hippocampal neurons result in the development of 'silent' synapses that lack GluA1 containing functional AMPA receptors. These results provide a plausible mechanistic approach toward understanding how synapse maturation is regulated via the activity-dependent stabilization of Rnf2 through a non-canonical function of polyubiquitination.

Removal of cadmium from aqueous system by shelled Moringa oleifera Lam. seed powder.

The present study explores the unexploited sorption properties of the plant Moringa oleifera Lam. for decontamination of Cd at laboratory scale. Sorption studies using standard practices were carried out in batch experiments as functions of biomass dosage, contact time, metal concentrations, particle size and pH. Percentage sorption in each case was computed on the basis of Cd estimation using a planar NaI (TI) detector coupled to a 4K MCA (Canberra Accuspec Card with PC-AT 386). The adsorption data accurately in a Freundlich isotherm. Sorption studies resulted in the standardization of optimum conditions for removal of Cd (85.10%) as follows: biomass dosage (4.0 g), metal concentration (25 microg/ml), contact time (40 min) and volume of the test solution (200 ml) at pH 6.5. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry highlighted amino acid-Cd interactions responsible for sorption phenomenon. The findings open up new avenues in the removal of toxic metals by shelled Moringa oleifera seeds (SMOS) from water bodies as low cost, domestic and environmentally friendly safe technology.

Changes in posterior airway space and mandibular plane hyoid distance following mandibular advancement DO.

AIM: To study the changes in posterior airway space (PAS) and mandibular plane hyoid (MPH) distance following mandibular advancement using distraction osteogenesis (DO). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care dental center from May 2009 to May 2014. Twenty-five consecutively operated patients of mandibular hypoplasia who underwent mandibular advancement using distraction with at least 12 months follow-up were included in the study. The study group comprised 15 males and 10 females with an age range of 15-30 years (mean 22 years). Presurgical and postsurgical cephalometric changes were compared to determine the changes in PAS and MPH distance. RESULTS: The mean distraction achieved was 14.50 mm. The mean preoperative MPH was 18.88 mm and mean postoperative MPH was 13.16 mm with a resultant reduction by 32%. Mean preoperative PAS was 6.48 mm and mean postoperative PAS was 11.08 mm. Mean increase in PAS was 75%. Mean preoperative and postoperative SNB values were 75.4° and 79.52°, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed using paired "Student's t-test." CONCLUSION: From this study, it is concluded that statistically significant changes were achieved in MPH and SNB. Although change in PAS was statistically insignificant, it may have clinical applications, especially in the field of Phase II surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea.

Acquired urethral meatal stenosis: a rare sequel of an aggressive form of Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is characterised by the triad of recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulceration, skin lesions and ocular inflammation. This disease frequently affects other systems including neurological, locomotor, cardiac or vascular systems. Recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcerations are the hallmarks of BD. We hereby report a case of rapidly evolving and aggressive form of BD in a young man presenting with extensive ulcerative lesions in orogenital region leading to obstructive uropathy resulting in acquired urethral meatal stenosis due to inflammatory activity.

Stability of Cleft maxilla in Le Fort I Maxillary advancement.

CONTEXT: Le Fort 1 maxillary osteotomy in operated patients of cleft lip and cleft palate (CLCP). AIMS: To study stability of Le Fort 1 maxillary osteotomy in operated patients of CLCP by two-dimensional evaluation using cephalometric analysis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study conducted at Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral) from May 2009-May 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects included nine consecutively operated patients of CLCP with maxillary hypoplasia. Maxillary advancement by Le Fort 1 maxillary step osteotomy was performed. There were four males and five females with an age range of 16-18 years and follow-up range was 12-36 months. Presurgical and postsurgical changes were compared using cephalometrics for orthognathic surgery (COGS) system to determine stability of maxillary movement and quantify amount of relapse at 15 days and 12 months. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's t-test. RESULTS: Mean linear horizontal advancement achieved along nasion (N) to anterior nasal spine (ANS) with reference to true vertical plane at 15 days and 12 months was 5.17 and 3.91 mm, respectively. The mean relapse in anteroposterior dimension was 21.63%. The mean vertical displacement observed along nasion and ANS with reference to true horizontal plane at 15 days and 12 months was 5.21 mm and 3.2, respectively with a resultant relapse of 41.54%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on clinical and COGS analysis, it is evident that Le Fort 1 advancement in operated cases of CLCP has inherent potential for relapse.

Grappling the high altitude for safe edible bamboo shoots with rich nutritional attributes and escaping cyanogenic toxicity.

Consumption of bamboo species with high level of total cyanogenic content (TCC) in Asia by many ethnic groups is significantly associated with food poisoning and occasionally Konzo (a neurological disorder). Adequate characterization of edible bamboo species with low level of TCC and high nutritious attributes is required for consumer's safety as well as for the conservation of the gene pool. Here, we employed morphological descriptors, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, RAPD, and trnL-F intergenic spacer to characterize 15 indigenous edible bamboo species of north-east India. The study indicates that morphologically and genetically evolved edible bamboo species having large and robust bamboo-shoot texture and growing at low altitude contain high level of TCC, low antioxidant properties, and low levels of beneficial macronutrients and micronutrients. Importantly, Dendrocalamus species are shown to be rich in TCC irrespective of the growing altitude while Bambusa species are found to have moderate level of TCC. The findings clearly demonstrated that Chimonobambusa callosa growing at high altitude represents safe edible bamboo species with nutritious attributes.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: a cause for rare but fatal outcome in tuberculosis.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), also called haemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is characterised by a dysregulated activation and proliferation of macrophages, leading to uncontrolled phagocytosis of platelets, erythrocytes, lymphocytes and their haematopoietic precursors throughout the reticuloendothelial system. Mycobacterium tuberculosis-associated HPS is a rare and underdiagnosed association. We report a 34-year-old male patient diagnosed with tubercular pleural effusion responding poorly to antitubercular treatment. Patient later developed generalised lymphadenopathy, pancytopaenia and liver dysfunction and was eventually diagnosed as HLH. Despite being treated as per HLH protocol 2004 he could not be saved.

Arsenic removal from the aqueous system using plant biomass: a bioremedial approach.

Metal species released into the environment by technological activities tend to persist indefinitely, circulating and eventually accumulating throughout the food chain, thus becoming a serious threat to the environment. Environment pollution by toxic metals occurs globally through military, industrial, and agricultural processes and waste disposal. Bioremediation processes are the target of recent research and are considered low-cost, ecofriendly methods to alleviate the current problems of water decontamination, particularly for remote and rural areas. The present piece of work reports the unexploited sorption properties of the powdered seed of the plant Moringa oleifera (SMOS) for the removal of Arsenic [As(III) and As(V)] from aqueous solutions. Sorption studies, using standard practices, result in the standardization of optimum conditions such as biomass dosages (2.0 g), metal concentrations (25 ppm), contact time (60 min) and volume of the test solutions (200 ml) at pH 7.5, for As(III) and pH 2.5 for As(V). Maximum sorption for As(III) and As(V) species is 60.21 and 85.6%, respectively. Protein/Amino acid-Arsenic interactions are found to play an important role in the biosorption process using plant biomass SMOS.