In silico and in vitro analysis of quorum quenching active phytochemicals from the ethanolic extract of medicinal plants against quorum sensing mediated virulence factors of Acinetobacter baumannii

Inhibition of quorum sensing called quorum quenching (QQ) is now extensively utilized in the prevention of bacterial infections. In the present study, in silico and in vitro analysis of quorum quenching (QQ) or anti-Quorum sensing (QS) activity of ethanolic extract of medicinal plants against QS mediated virulence factors of human pathogenic bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii has been investigated. The effect of plant extracts on QS by acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) has been carried out by quantification of secreted AHL by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Measurement of QQ activity was determined by maximum inhibition of virulence factors and AHL production which was recorded in E. globules and A. indica extracts. In silico analysis was studied with possible bioactive compounds in the ethanolic extract of respective plant material that were characterized by gas chromatography equipped with mass spectroscopy (GCMS) against the enzyme responsible for the production of signaling molecule which mediates QS AHL synthase. Distinct reduction of all the QS-mediated virulence factors was recorded in the E. globules and A. indica. Among the different bioactive compounds, the ethanolic leaf extract of E. globules of GCMS analyzed compound, Hexadeconoic acid, 1-(hydroxymethyl), 1, 2-ethannediyl ester interacted with 1KZF protein (AHL synthase) and showed binding energy of −11.2 kcal/mol to MET 42 and TYR 54. Phytochemicals mediated inhibition of AHL synthase activity which was responsible for AHL production would suggest the possible utilization of plant extracts as an antibacterial agent to fight against disease-causing pathogenic bacteria.

Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings In A Case Of Top Of Basilar Syndrome

Stroke is a condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death. In India, almost 2,00,000 strokes are reported a year. Basilar artery occlusion syndromeaccounts for 1–4% of all strokes.Top of the basilar syndrome is a type of basilar artery occlusion syndrome where the distal end of the basilar artery is occluded. Imaging findings include ischemic changes in the areas supplied by the distal branches of the basilar artery. A posterior circulation - acute stroke prognosis early computed tomography score system can be used to evaluate the prognosis of the patient.We are reporting a case of top of the basilar syndrome in an 85-years-old female patient who presented to us with complaints of one episode of seizure.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about Hepatitis B among medical students in an urban area of Kanchipuram: A cross sectional study

Background: Hepatitis B is a global public health problem that causes chronic liver disease and death due to Cirrhosis of liver and Hepatocellular carcinoma. Prevalence of Hepatitis B is increasing in developing countries and there is a paucity of information among medical students regarding its transmission and vaccination. Scientific knowledge regarding the same is necessary for medical students for taking protective measures as Hepatitis B is highly communicable. Aim and objectives: To evaluate Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) among medical students towards HBV and correlate the level of awareness with the attitude they behold towards the disease, its transmission and prevention and to determine the vaccination status for Hepatitis B among medical students. Materials and methods: Cross sectional study where a total of 200 subjects including House surgeons were interviewed using a validated structured questionnaire Results: A total of 145 (72.5%) students were completely vaccinated with HBV vaccine. Among these, preclinical students were 76 (38 %) and clinical 69 (34.5%) in number. Around 96(48%) students felt they would not get Hepatitis B infection while 26(13%) thought Hepatitis B is selfcurable by the body. Students having good knowledge regarding HBV were 86 (43%), good attitude towards HBV were 125 (62.5%) and 145 (72.5%) followed good practice for HBV prevention. Abhinav Agarwal, J.E. Jeffin Shanu, Shankar K. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice about Hepatitis B among medical students in an urban area of Kanchipuram: A cross sectional study. IAIM, 2018; 5(4): 17-22. Page 18 Conclusion: This study showed fairly moderate outcomes with important gaps. Lack of vaccination of all the students makes them vulnerable to liver disease. It is mandatory that they be fully vaccinated prior to their entry into professional practice. In spite of having good knowledge, their practice for prevention was not satisfactory

Evaluation of marginal gap of Ni-Cr copings made with conventional and accelerated casting techniques.

Context: Conventional casting techniques following the manufacturers' recommendations are time consuming. Accelerated casting techniques have been reported, but their accuracy with base metal alloys has not been adequately studied. Aim: We measured the vertical marginal gap of nickel-chromium copings made by conventional and accelerated casting techniques and determined the clinical acceptability of the cast copings in this study. Settings and Design: Experimental design, in vitro study, lab settings. Materials and Methods: Ten copings each were cast by conventional and accelerated casting techniques. All copings were identical, only their mold preparation schedules differed. Microscopic measurements were recorded at ×80 magnification on the perpendicular to the axial wall at four predetermined sites. The marginal gap values were evaluated by paired t test. Results: The mean marginal gap by conventional technique (34.02 μm) is approximately 10 μm lesser than that of accelerated casting technique (44.62 μm). As the P value is less than 0.0001, there is highly significant difference between the two techniques with regard to vertical marginal gap. Conclusion: The accelerated casting technique is time saving and the marginal gap measured was within the clinically acceptable limits and could be an alternative to time-consuming conventional techniques.

Immunogenicity of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine in preterm infants.

The objective was to determine whether plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine is immunogenic in preterm appropriate for gestation babies when administered at birth and to compare the immunogenicity between 5 micrograms and 10 micrograms doses of the vaccine in these babies. Fifty preterm neonates (31-36 weeks gestation) were randomized to receive 5 micrograms or 10 micrograms doses of plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine at birth, with subsequent doses 1 and 6 months later. Serum specimens were obtained a month after each dose of the vaccine and were tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). Thirty six babies (gestation 31-36 weeks), 18 from each group competed the study. While 89.2% of the babies seroconverted, 82.1% achieved seroprotective titres of anti-HBS (> 10 mIU/ml). There was no difference between weight, gestational age, age of administration of vaccine and age of estimation of anti-HBs between 5 micrograms and 10 micrograms groups. The difference in the seroprotective rates were not statistically different between the groups (5 micrograms 78.5%; 10 micrograms--85.7%). Although immune response to plasma derived hepatitis B vaccine in preterm babies is suboptimal when the first dose is administered at birth, the full course achieves adequate seroprotective levels.

The enigma of the endothelium.

The endothelium was earlier regarded as a relatively inert layer performing rather simple physiological functions. However extensive research has recently revealed that the endothelial layer performs a vast array of functions such as maintenance of vascular tone, control over coagulation and fibrinolysis besides a lot of chemical interactions. More recently, endothelial dysfunction has been implicated as important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, myocardial ischemia and post-intervention restenosis. The demonstration that endothelial dysfunction may be reversible by employing various strategies raises the possibility of retarding the progress or even preventing the process of atherosclerosis thereby reducing the risk of acute cardiovascular events.

Lipoprotein lipase deficiency.

A rare case of a 3 month old child with lipoprotein lipase deficiency who presented with bronchopneumonia is reported. After noticing lipaemic serum and lipaemia retinalis, a diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinaemia was considered. Lipoprotein lipase deficiency was confirmed with post heparin lipoprotein lipase enzyme activity estimation.

Juvenile dermatomyositis in north India.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical profile and therapeutic response of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). DESIGN: Hospital based descriptive follow-up study. SAMPLE: 12 patients attending the Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology Clinic over last five years. RESULTS: The patients were aged between 3 1/2 years to 12 years with a male to female ratio of 2:1. All patients had proximal muscle weakness at presentation. Distal muscle weakness and masseter atrophy was seen in 2 patients and neck flexor weakness and pharyngeal weakness was seen in 1 case. Muscle pain, tenderness or swallowing difficulties were not observed. Classical skin manifestations of JDM were present in all except one patient. Vasculitic lesions were not noted. One patient had diffuse lipoatrophy. Two patients developed calcinosis cutis while on treatment. All patients were put on oral corticosteroids (prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day) initially which were gradually tapered while monitoring clinical response. Early initiation of steroid therapy resulted in an excellent response. Two patients who did not show significant improvement even with prolonged steroid therapy were given oral weekly methotrexate (10 mg/m2/week). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the children with JDM showed good response to steroid therapy which needs to be continued for a prolonged period. Children who do not respond to this therapy may be given oral weekly methotrexate.

Differentiation of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus isolates by polymerase chain reaction.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) from lake trout of Cornwall lake (LT-IPNV), from trout of Jasper (Ja-IPNV) and Arctic char of Northwest Territories (AC-IPNV) are the three isolates recorded from western Canada. Two segments (nt 453-674 and nt 1197-1503) from VP2 coding region of RNA of the isolates were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for differentiation. Primers for cDNA synthesis and amplification by PCR were chosen from VP2 coding region of RNA of Ja-IPNV. The segment of 453-674 could be amplified in all the three isolates at annealing temperature from 50 to 60 degrees C. However the segment nt 1197-1503 could be amplified only from Jasper and not from AC or LT-INV at primer annealing temperature ranging from 50 degrees-60 degrees C. PCR product could be obtained from the latter two isolates only at Primer annealing temperature of 45 degrees C. This difference in annealing temperature in PCR amplification between the isolates could be used for differentiating the isolates at genome level.

Platelet serotonin uptake in duodenal ulcer patients.

Platelet serotonin uptake was measured in 10 duodenal ulcer patients and 10 controls by determining the concentration of radioactivity in platelets after incubation with tritium-labelled serotonin binoxalate. Platelet 5-HT uptake in ulcer patients (312.0 +/- 125.0 CPM/10(7) platelets) was significantly higher than that in the control group (186.0 +/- 53.0 CPM/10(7) platelets; p < 0.01). Since the kinetics of 5-HT uptake by platelets may be a reflector of enhanced serotonergic activity, this finding may have implications in future therapeutic strategies for this disease.

Platelet serotonin kinetics in acute myocardial infarction before and after thrombolysis.

Platelet count, platelet serotonin uptake and platelet serotonin content were analysed in 21 subjects consisting of 11 patients of evolving acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 10 matched healthy controls before and after administration of streptokinase. Platelet counts were significantly reduced in AMI with a subsequent rise following thrombolysis. Platelet 5-HT uptake was also significantly increased in AMI and following thrombolysis, it showed a trend towards normalization. Platelet 5-HT content was significantly increased in AMI with no further significant change following thrombolysis. The results suggest that platelet activation as revealed by reduced platelet count and altered platelet serotonin kinetics, occurs in AMI and this activation is inhibited following thrombolysis. Further, it is also apparent that it is not the reperfusion but the thrombolytic agent that is responsible for inhibition of platelet activation.

Propogol: a new intravenous anaesthetic

Propofol, a new intravenous anaesthetic induction agent, was evaluated on female patients undergoing short surgical procedures. The incidence of pain on injection, apnonea following injection, and the fall of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels, was similar to yhat previously reported. There was no significant fall in pulse rate. The quality of anaeshesia during induction was good in all patients who reported they would be happy to receive the drug agaim