The Epidemiological and Mycological Profile of Superficial Mycoses in India from 2015 to 2021: A Systematic Review

Background: The epidemiological and mycological patterns of superficial mycoses across various geographic regions of India across the last few years are changing. Objective: This study was performed to evaluate the epidemiological and mycological profile of superficial mycoses in India between 2015 and 2021. Methods: In this systematic review, the PubMed database was searched for all observational studies published between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, which had evaluated the clinico‑mycological profile of superficial mycoses among outpatients from various parts of India. Descriptive statistics was used to represent the results. Results: Forty studies(21 from the north, three from the northeast, five from the east, seven from the south, one from the west, and three from multiple regions of India) were included. Male patients and those of the age group of 21–40 years were most commonly affected. The proportion of dermatophytes as causative organisms was consistently high across all regions and throughout the study period (23.6%–100%). Among dermatophytes, the proportion of Trichophyton mentagrophyte (14.0%–97.2%) and Trichophyton rubrum (0%–69.1%) was consistently high across all regions. The prevalence of T. mentagrophyte showed a rising trend, while that T. rubrum showed a declining trend from 2015 to 2021. Conclusions: The epidemiological and mycological pattern of superficial mycoses showed a fairly similar trend across various regions of India from 2015 to 2021. Dermatophytes were the main causative agents of superficial mycoses; the most common species were T. mentagrophyte and T. rubrum. A rising trend of T. Mentagrophyte infection was found.

Formulation Optimization And Evaluation Of Flurbiprofen Emulgel

Objective: The objective of the present study was to formulate flurbiprofen (FLB) emulgel, evaluation of the formulations and the selection of an optimized formulation through in vitro drug release and drug content studies. Flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) requiring frequent administration and its chronic intake can lead to systemic side effects like gastric irritation and GI bleeding. The development of a dermal drug delivery system can overcome these side effects. Methods: The emulgel formulations were produced using different combinations of oil and emulsifying agents. Carbopol 940 was used as a gelling agent. The prepared emulgels were evaluated for general appearance, pH, spreadability, extrudability, drug content, in vitro drug release, average globule size and viscosity. Results: Optimized formulation F7 showed a better in vitro drug release compared to the marketed gel preparation. The stability study for the optimized formulation was carried out at 25 °C/60 % RH for 3 mo and the emulgel was found to be stable concerning the physical appearance, pH and drug content. Conclusion: The study revolved around the formulation of emulgel containing Flurbiprofen for dermal delivery of the drug. Emulgel was formulated with the purpose to enhance the permeation of poorly water-soluble drug FLB. The study concluded that the optimized emulgel containing FLB exhibited better in vitro drug release profile compared to the marketed formulation.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome among higher secondary school teachers in Goa

Background: The vulnerability of young people to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major public health issue in India. While many factors contribute to this increased vulnerability, lack of knowledge is one of the leading issues. It is of utmost importance that the teachers involved in educating the students are adequately trained to clear any misconceptions that may be prevalent among them. Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and attitude toward people living with HIV (PLHIV)/AIDS among higher secondary school teachers in Goa. Materials and Methods: A total of 165 teachers teaching various streams of Class XI and Class XII were interviewed using a self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire to obtain details regarding personal characteristics and their knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HIV/AIDS. Results: Of the 165 teachers, 78 (47.3%) were male and 87 (52.7%) were female. As much as 45 (22.3%) of the teachers felt that HIV and AIDS are the same. About 158 (95.8%) said that HIV/AIDS does not spread by casual contact and by living or working together with a person with HIV. However, 24 (14.5%) teachers believed that HIV/AIDS spreads by mosquito/insect bite. On inquiry about the attitude toward PLHIV/AIDS, 127 (77%) of the teachers would not hesitate in sitting next to a person with HIV/AIDS, whereas 54 (32.7%) would not share food with a person with HIV/AIDS. Conclusions: The level of knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention among higher secondary school teachers is satisfactory. However, some misconceptions about HIV/AIDS transmission as well as discriminatory attitudes were observed among these teachers that call for concern and must be addressed promptly.

Characterization of Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola causing bacterial leaf spot of grapes in Maharashtra, India

Aim: The aim of the present study was to isolate, characterize and identify pathogenic bacteria from bacterial leaf spot infected grape vineyards of Maharashtra. Methodology: Collected diseased samples were subjected to isolation. All isolates were further subjected to different morphological and biochemical characterization. These isolates were also used to standardize inoculation methods to study host range and test pathogenicity to confirm infectivity. Genomic DNA was isolated from bacteria for phylogeneitc analysis using 16 rDNA. Results: The disease is characterized by water soaked, angular leaf spot which later turns to irregular, dark brown to black necrotic region on the leaf surface. Microbial studies confirmed that it is a Gram negative, rod shaped bacterium with white, mucoid, glistening and convex circular colonies on artificial medium. Pathogenicity test was performed to confirm virulence. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA gene exhibited more than 99% similarity with other Xanthomonas campestris pv. viticola. The bacterium was found resistant to vancomycin, peniciliin and oxacillin antibiotics. The bacterium is also capable of infecting Mangifera indica and Citrus limon along with eight weed species.

Effect Of Gamma Irradiation On Antioxidant Potential And Bioactives Of A Cosmeceutically Significant Chlorella Emersonii Kj725233

Objective : Gamma radiation induces free radicals with a corresponding alteration in the cell’s antioxidant defense system. The present study thus aimed at determining the role of gamma irradiation in improving the cosmeceutical potential of CEK in terms of antioxidants.  Methods : C.emersonii KJ725233 was subjected to low (100 Gy) and high (1000 Gy) gamma irradiation doses and its effect on the chlorophyll content was evaluated. The quantitative alterations in the antioxidant content of CEK were evaluated by phosphomolybdenum assay (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2, 2 - Dipheny-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay (DPPH), total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Also, the corresponding qualitative alterations in the bioactives of CEK were determined by GC-HRMS analysis.   Results : A 179.57±2.55% increase in the total chlorophyll content alongwith a 71.76±2.96%, 32.08±2.16%, 11.67±0.89%, 42.85±8.0% and 31.37±3.18% increase was observed in the TAC, FRAP, DPPH radical scavenging, TPC and TFC was observed in CEK irradiated at 1000 Gy. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the induction of Vitamin E on irradiation at both the doses with a corresponding decrease in the phytol content whereas 100 Gy stimulated the induction of phytosterols. Conclusion : The potent intrinsic antioxidant activity of cosmeceutically significant CEK can be elevated with the induction of the most sought after antioxidant in cosmetology – Vitamin E on irradiation.

2d And 3d-Qsar Analysis Of Amino (3-((3, 5-Difluoro-4-Methyl-6-Phenoxypyridine-2-Yl) Oxy) Phenyl) Methaniminium Derivatives As Factor Xa Inhibitor

Objective: The main objective of the present study was to evolve a novel pharmacophore of methaniminium derivatives as factor Xa inhibitors by developing best 2D and 3D QSAR models. The models were developed for amino (3-((3, 5-difluoro-4-methyl-6-phenoxypyridine-2-yl) oxy) phenyl) methaniminium derivatives as factor Xa inhibitors. Methods: With the help of Marvin application, 2D structures of thirty compounds of methaniminium derivatives were drawn and consequently converted to 3D structures. 2D QSAR using multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis and PLS regression method was performed with the help of molecular design suite VLife MDS 4.3.3. 3D QSAR analysis was carried out using k-Nearest Neighbour Molecular Field Analysis (k-NN-MFA). Results: The most significant 2D models of methaniminium derivatives calculated squared correlation coefficient value 0.8002 using multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression method was also employed. The results of both the methods were compared. In 2D QSAR model, T_C_O_5, T_2_O_2, s log p, T_2_O_1 and T_2_O_6 descriptors were found significant. The best 3D QSAR model with k-Nearest Neighbour Molecular Field Analysis have predicted q2 value 0.8790, q2_se value 0.0794, pred r2 value 0.9340 and pred_r2 se value 0.0540. The stepwise regression method was employed for anticipating the inhibitory activity of this class of compound. The 3D model demonstrated that hydrophobic, electrostatic and steric descriptors exhibit a crucial role in determining the inhibitory activity of this class of compounds. Conclusion: The developed 2D and 3D QSAR models have shown good r2 and q2 values of 0.8002 and 0.8790 respectively. There is high agreement in inhibitory properties of experimental and predicted values, which suggests that derived QSAR models have good predicting properties. The contour plots of 3D QSAR (k-NN-MFA) method furnish additional information on the relationship between the structure of the compound and their inhibitory activities which can be employed to construct newer potent factor Xa inhibitors.

Pulmonary embolism in cancer patients.

Aims and Objectives: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is rare in the Indian population and is under-reported in patients with malignancy. We studied the clinical profile and outcome of patients with PE and cancer in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: Data of cancer patients with PE, admitted in a tertiary cancer centre, was analyzed. The prevalence of PE was calculated as the number of patients with PE per 10,000 hospital admissions. The demographic data, details of cancer, co-morbidities, details of PE, and treatment given for PE and their outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results: There were 56,425 hospital admissions in the study period. The prevalence of PE was 6.4 per 10,000 hospital admissions .Thirty-six cancer patients were diagnosed to have PE. In females, gynecological malignancies (36.84%) and in males gastrointestinal, head and neck cancers, and hematological malignancies were the most common sites (17.7% each). PE was associated with DVT in 41.7%. Dyspnea was the most common presenting symptom. Five patients (13.88%) were asymptomatic and were incidentally detected to have PE . The most common echocardiographic finding was right ventricular dysfunction (55.55%). Mortality among the treated patients was 22% (7 / 31) and in untreated patients it was 80% (4 / 5). The factors that had an impact on a three-month survival were, the presence of massive PE (P = 0.019) and the presence of RV dysfunction at presentation (P = 0.005). Conclusion: The prevalence of PE and mortality due to PE is high in cancer patients. Risk stratification for venous thromboembolism (VTE) should be done in all cancer patients and thromboprophylaxis should be optimally used.

Comparison of cognition abilities between groups of children with specific learning disability having average, bright normal and superior nonverbal intelligence.

BACKGROUND: Specific learning disabilities (SpLD) viz. dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia are an important cause of academic underachievement. Aims: To assess whether cognition abilities vary in children with SpLD having different grades of nonverbal intelligence. SETTING: Government recognized clinic in a medical college. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-five children with SpLD (aged 9-14 years) were assessed. An academic achievement of two years below the actual grade placement on educational assessment with a Curriculum-Based test was considered diagnostic of SpLD. On basis of their nonverbal Intelligence Quotient (IQ) scores obtained on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children test, the study children were divided into three groups: (i) average-nonverbal intelligence group (IQ 90-109), (ii) bright normal-nonverbal intelligence group (IQ 110-119), and (iii) superior-nonverbal intelligence group (IQ 120-129). A battery of 13 Cognition Function tests (CFTs) devised by Jnana Prabodhini's Institute of Psychology, Pune based on Guilford's Structure of Intellect Model was administered individually on each child in the four areas of information viz. figural, symbolic, semantic and behavioral. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The mean CFTs scores obtained in the four areas of information were calculated for each of the three groups and compared using one-way analysis of variance test. A P value < 0.05 was to be considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between their mean CFTs scores in any of the four areas of information. CONCLUSIONS: Cognition abilities are similar in children with SpLD having average, bright-normal and superior nonverbal intelligence.

Cytokeratin expression in human fetal tongue and buccal mucosa.

Expression of cytokeratins (CK), a subset of intermediate filament (IF) proteins in epithelia, is developmentally regulated. CK expression may also change after malignant transformation. Our earlier studies on CK expression in human oral tumours and pre-cancerous lesions have shown specific changes in CK expression. We analysed CK expression in human tongue and buccal mucosa (BM) in fetuses in the embryonic age group of 16 to 27 weeks using biochemical and immunohistochemical techniques to find out whether there is any similarity in CK expression in human oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and fetal oral tissues. CK 1, 8 and 18 were detected in a majority of samples using both techniques. Our earlier studies had shown aberrant expression of CK 1 and 18 in many of the oral SCC and leukoplakias. Studies by immunohistochemistry showed that these different CK antigens were expressed in different cell layers. CK 1(2) were present in the stratified epithelial layers whereas CK 8 and 18 were restricted to glandular epithelium. Till 27 weeks of gestation, both tongue and BM expressed CK 1, 8 and 18 along with CK 6 and 16. Thus, fetal tissues showed some similarities in CK pattern with their respective SCC.

Effect of light intensity on in vitro multiple shoot induction and regeneration of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv Khandawa-2).

Cotyledonary nodes taken alongwith shoot apex from seedlings of cotton (G. hirsutum) proliferated into shoots on nutrient agar medium supplemented with cytokinins. In the presence of optimal plant growth regulators, low light intensity enhanced the number of shoots initiated per explant in cotton. An average of 33.5 +/- 2.9 shoots were obtained from a single explant cultured for 8 weeks which is about four fold higher than the values reported in earlier protocols. The isolated shoots were rooted on nutrient agar medium supplemented with alpha-naphthalene acetic acid and transferred to soil after acclimatization. Regenerated plants were morphologically identical to the seed-germinated plants and were fertile.

Clinical significance and evaluation of proteinuria in NIDDM patients.

The proteinuria may reach massive proportions resulting in the nephrotic syndrome. Early and simple diagnostic may prevent further complications. Attempts are made to correlate a simple parameters like pH, specific gravity, excretion of reducing sugar and protein profile on SDS-PAGE, an advanced technique. The pH ranged between 5.7 to 9. However, specific gravity of the urine showed significant increase from 1.000 to 1.088 and has linear relation with percentage of sugar (0.2 to 2 gm) and protein banding 1 to 5 on SDS-PAGE.

Subchronic oral hepatotoxicity of turmeric in mice--histopathological and ultrastructural studies.

Dietary administration of the whole spice turmeric (0.2%, 1.0%, 5.0%) or ethanolic turmeric extract (ETE, 0.05%, 0.25%) for 14 days, at doses reported to be cancer preventive in model systems, were found to be hepatotoxic in mice. Histopathological evaluation showed coagulative necrosis accompanied by a zone of regenerating parenchymal cells of liver. The ultrastructural changes in liver parenchymal cells were non-specific reaction to injury. Results suggest mouse to be a susceptible species for turmeric induced toxicity.

Consumption of 'country liquor' and its relation to alcoholic liver disease in Mumbai.

The amount of alcohol intake required for the development of liver disease has been determined in Western populations; corresponding figures in Indians, many of whom consume locally brewed liquors, are not known. We studied 328 patients from a public hospital in Mumbai who admitted to regular alcohol consumption, to determine the pattern of alcohol consumption and its relation to liver disease. Liver disease was more common in those who consumed illicitly-brewed as compared to licit liquor. Daily drinking, volume of consumption > 200 ml per day, and duration of drinking > 14 years were each significantly more common in those with liver disease. A cumulative intake of > 2000 ml. years, calculated as the product of volume (ml per day) and duration (years), was a reliable cut-off level for association with liver disease (sensitivity 65%, specificity 77%) and cirrhosis (sensitivity 70%, specificity 59%). The content of alcohol in these liquors, estimated in 23 samples, ranged from 23-36.1 g/100 ml, being lower in the illicit liquors. Thus, in Mumbai, alcoholic liver disease occurs more commonly with consumption of illicit liquor (despite its lower alcohol content); liver involvement appears earlier and with lower consumption levels than in the West.

Carotid sinus syndrome associated with carcinoma of the pyriform fossa.

A patient who developed syncope due to carotid sinus syndrome is described. The patient was suffering from carcinoma of the pyriform fossa for the past one year and received radiotherapy in the region of the neck for the same. Demand pacing was ineffective in alleviating syncopal episodes. The patient responded to oral administration of an anticholinergic (belladonna) and a sympathomimectic agent (orciprenaline).