Role of Saliva in Point of Care Technology

Introduction: Saliva has been used as sample for point of care monitoring. In addition to its feasibility of use, the advantages of saliva when compared to other body fluids, the new technically advanced methods to detect the biomarkers of interest in saliva rendered the point of care testing (POCT) for wider applications. Significance of POCT: An accurate, quick and portable POCT is ideally required for hospital, laboratory and personal ap- plications. Together with point of care diagnostics, the scientifically validated numerous upcoming biomarkers will extend their applicability for real time health tracking and personalized precision medicine in different areas of health care systems. The utilization of salivary POC analytical procedures is perhaps in its emerging stage. Conclusion: This paper summarizes the overall perception regarding the salivary point of care testing and its applications.

An observational study of the evaluation of fatty liver in non-alcoholics with metabolic syndrome using fatty liver index and its correlation with USG elastography

Background: NAFLD (Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease) is being considered the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome. It is now the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and needs to be addressed urgently as it is asymptomatic and widely prevalent and can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is a need for simpler methods to diagnose the condition in modern day practice which will help in identifying vulnerable subjects and in bringing about awareness and lifestyle modifications focused on reversal of the condition. Aim of this study was to check the applicability of the fatty liver index in modern day out patient practice using formula based FLI calculator.Methods: It was a cross sectional study on patients with metabolic syndrome in a tertiary care hospital. 60 patients with metabolic syndrome, both male and female above the age of 30 years and who were non-alcoholics were enrolled in the study. BMI, waist circumference, lipid profile and GGT were obtained and FLI calculated. It was compared with the ultrasound and Elastography reports. Chi square test, Independent t test and ANOVA test were used for comparing parameters. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Among 60 patients all had fatty liver which emphasizes that fatty liver is the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome. There is a significant correlation between BMI (Body Mass Index) and waist circumference in predicting fatty liver and to some extent its grade. Patients with higher BMI had a greater grade of fatty liver.Conclusions: The fatty liver index is a reliable predictor of fatty liver in people with metabolic syndrome. The grade of fatty liver increases with increase in waist circumference and increased BMI. Ultrasound and Elastography are reliable non invasive methods of detecting fatty liver. BMI and Waist circumference are strong predictive factors for fatty liver.

Study of serum HDL-cholesterol levels in sepsis patients and its prognostic significance

Background: Sepsis is the second leading cause of mortality in the ICU. Despite advances in aggressive management, sepsis continues to have a high mortality rate, hence a prognostic marker is essential. Recently HDL-cholesterol was found to be have significant association between mortality and its levels. Hence, this study is being conducted to assess the association between sepsis and HDL-C levels.Methods: It is a prospective study conducted in MGMCRI involving 100 sepsis patients. Among them 66 people survived, and 34 people expired. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels and variables required for SOFA score are measured at two intervals, one during admission and on day 5 of admission. The correlation between SOFA scores and HDL-C levels were assessed.Results: Among non-survivors SOFA score was found to be high and low in the survived patients. Similarly, HDL-C values, were high in survived patients and low in dead patients. The correlation between SOFA scores and HDL in both survivors and non survivors, both at the time of admission and at day 5 were found to be statistically significantly correlated.Conclusions: This study proves the significant relationship between the HDL values and the SOFA scores. Hence, HDL-cholesterol levels can be used to measure the prognosis and therapeutic efficacy in cases of sepsis. Rising values of HDL cholesterol favour improvement in clinical condition and falling values imply worsening and there by providing a prognostic indicator.

Home Remedies For Oral Diseases

Self-help through self-treatment makes a countless contribution. Home remedy use is a component of health self-management, particularly among people who have experienced limited access to medical care or discrimination by the health care system. Self-care using home remedies survived for long time and it surely give effect in the easiest, safest, fastest and cheapest way. Oral diseases are a significant public health burden in India as well as across the globe. The consequence of poor oral health deteriorates the individual health and wellbeing, decrease economic productivity, and act as significant risk factors for other systemic health ailments. Developing countries have more diverse health systems than developed countries and expenditure in oral health care is low, access to Dental healthcare is limited and restricted to emergency Dental care or pain relief. Moreover, allopathic medicine is expensive and these chemicals can have adverse effects. Hence, there is a need for alternative products and natural extracts obtained from plants which are safe and biocompatible can be considered as good alternatives. In such circumstances use of home remedies would meet the need for treating minor ailments safely. Home remedies are good and comparable methods of equal value which have met the scientific and regulatory criteria for safety and effectiveness. The purpose of this review was to evaluate some of the commonly available foods being utilized in the treatment of oral diseases at home.

Analysis of gene mutations among South Indian patients with maple syrup urine disease: Identification of four novel mutations.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is predominantly caused by mutations in the BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT genes, which encode for the E1α, E1β and E2 subunits of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex, respectively. Because disease causing mutations play a major role in the development of the disease, prenatal diagnosis at gestational level may have significance in making decisions by parents. Thus, this study was aimed to screen South Indian MSUD patients for mutations and assess the genotype-phenotype correlation. Thirteen patients diagnosed with MSUD by conventional biochemical screening such as urine analysis by DNPH test, thin layer chromatography for amino acids and blood amino acid quantification by HPLC were selected for mutation analysis. The entire coding regions of the BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT genes were analyzed for mutations by PCR-based direct DNA sequencing. BCKDHA and BCKDHB mutations were seen in 43% of the total ten patients, while disease-causing DBT gene mutation was observed only in 14%. Three patients displayed no mutations. Novel mutations were c.130C>T in BCKDHA gene, c. 599C>T and c.121_122delAC in BCKDHB gene and c.190G>A in DBT gene. Notably, patients harbouring these mutations were non-responsive to thiamine supplementation and other treatment regimens and might have a worse prognosis as compared to the patients not having such mutations. Thus, identification of these mutations may have a crucial role in the treatment as well as understanding the molecular mechanisms in MSUD.

Antifungal activity (invitro) of certain polyene macrolide antibiotics against various plant pathogens.

Certain polyene macrolides were developed from different actinomycetes at Research and Development of Hindustan Antibiotics Limited. These antibiotics were screened for the antifungal activity against various plant pathogens. IC50 and MIC of each of the antibiotic against the plant pathogens was found out and is being reported.

Preliminary studies on a Streptomyces sp. CS-14 showing broad spectrum antibiotic activity.

A Streptomyces sp. CS-14 producing antifungal and antibacterial antibiotics has been isolated and characterized. The characterization of mycelial bound antibiotic revealed the presence of a hexaene polyene macrolide whereas filtrate bound antibiotic belonged to aminoglycoside group. Both the antibiotics showed very good antimicrobial activities in vitro.

Production, partial purification and characterisation of amyloglucosidase from a new variety of Aspergillus candidus Link var. aureus.

The production of amyloglucosidase by a new variety of Aspergillus candidus was studied on various natural carbon and nitrogen nutrient sources. Jowar starch and peanut meal were found to be the best nutrient sources of carbon and nitrogen respectively. The maximum enzyme productivity was observed at pH 6.5 and temperature 32 degrees C. Sodium fluoride was found to inhibit enzyme amyloglucosidase to an extent of 85%. Addition of trace metals viz. Zinc, copper and potassium in the medium impaired the production of the enzyme. A four fold purification of the enzyme was achieved with ammonium sulphate precipitation. The partially purified enzyme gave 84% conversion efficiency of starch to glucose in 10% starch solution without the addition of liquefying enzyme.