Genomic comparisons of Rhizobium species using in silico AFLP-PCR, endonuclease restriction, and AMPylating enzymes

Background: The whole-genome sequences of nine Rhizobium species were evaluated using different in silico molecular techniques such as AFLP-PCR, restriction digest, and AMPylating enzymes. The entire genome sequences were aligned with progressiveMauve and visualized by reconstructing phylogenetic tree using NTSYS pc 2.11X. The "insilico.ehu.es" was used to carry out in silico AFLP-PCR and in silico restriction digest of the selected genomes. Post-translational modification (PTM) and AMPylating enzyme diversity between the proteome of Rhizobium species were determined by novPTMenzy. Results: Slight variations were observed in the phylogeny based on AFLP-PCR and PFGE and the tree based on whole genome. Results clearly demonstrated the presence of PTMs, i.e., AMPylation with the GS-ATasE (GlnE), Hydroxylation, Sulfation with their domain, and Deamidation with their specific domains (AMPylating enzymes) GS-ATasE (GlnE), Fic, and Doc (Phosphorylation); Asparagine_hydroxylase and Collagen_prolyl_lysyl_hydroxylase; Sulfotransferase; and CNF (Cytotoxic Necrotizing Factors), respectively. The results pertaining to PTMs are discussed with regard to functional diversities reported in these species. Conclusions: The phylogenetic tree based on AFLP-PCR was slightly different from restriction endonuclease- and PFGE-based trees. Different PTMs were observed in the Rhizobium species, and the most prevailing type of PTM was AMPylation with the domain GS-ATasE (GlnE). Another type of PTM was also observed, i.e., Hydroxylation and Sulfation, with the domains Asparagine_hydroxylase and Collagen_prolyl_lysyl_hydroxylase and Sulfotransferase, respectively. The deamidation type of PTM was present only in Rhizobium sp. NGR234. How to cite: Qureshi MA, Pervez MT, Babar ME, et al. Genomic comparisons of Rhizobium species using in silico AFLP-PCR, endonuclease restrictions and ampylating enzymes.

Prevalence of hypertension in diabetic patients

Objective: To find out the prevalence of hypertension in diabetic patients

Study Design: Observational / descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore from December 2013 to May 2014

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients were included in the study

Patient's demographic features and all the data were recorded on predesigned proforma and were analysed through SPSS version 16.0

Results: Out of 100 patients, 55 [55%] were male and 45 [45%] were female. Age range was 30-65 years with mean age of 48.4+9.3 years. Weight varied from 50-100 kg with mean weight of 68.2+8.5 kg. Prevalence of hypertension was 30%. Hypertension was more prevalence in elderly diabetics [53.3+7.8 years], in patients of longer duration of diabetic [7.66+2.84 years]

Retinopathy, ischemic heart disease [IHD] and neuropathy occurred frequently in diabetic hypertensive patients

Conclusion: Diabetic and hypertension are highly associated with each other

Hepatic cirrhosis association of platelet count, splenomegaly and esophageal varices in patients

To see the association of platelet count, splenomegaly and development of oesophageal varices. Observational study. One year from January 2010 to December 2010. Gastroenterology Department, Medical Unit III, Nishtar Hospital Multan. One hundred ten cirrhotic patients were included. The record of these patients was scrutinized and data collected was entered and analyzed through SPSS 11. The patients were divided into three groups according to platelet count. Group I with platelet count less than 50000/mm3, group II with platelet count of 50000 to 100000/mm3 and group III with platelet count of 100000 to 150000/mm3. Similarly patients were also divided into three groups according to splenic size. Group I with splenic size 11 - 13 cm, group II with splenic size 13-16 cm and group III splenic size more than 16 cm. In each group presence of esophageal varices along with grading was noted. The age of the patients varied from 15 to 80 years and mean age was 48.55 +/- 13.88 years. Sixty five [59.1%] were male and 45 [40.9%] were female. The hemoglobin level of these patients varied from 6.0 to 14.3 gm/100 ml with mean level of 9.23 +/- 2.11gm/100ml. The platelet count varied from 22000 to 385000/mm3. The splenic size varied from 9 to 18 cm with mean of 12.53 +/- 2.14 cm. Esophageal varices were detected in 102 cases. Seventeen cases were of grade I varices, 25 cases were of grade II varices, 40 cases were in grade III varices and 4 cases were in grade IV varices. Maximum number of grade-III [22 patients] and grade IV [3patients] esophageal varices occurred in patients having platelet count less than 50000/mm3. As the splenic size increases the grade of esophageal varices also increases. Maximum number of esophageal varices occur in grade II [25] followed by grade-III [37] in patients with splenic size in the range of 13 to 16 cm. A low platelet count and large splenic size are good non-invasive predictors of esophageal varices. These parameters can also accurately assess the presence of large varices. So a patient of cirrhosis with low platelet count and large spleen has an increased diagnostic yield of esophageal varices on upper GI endoscopy

Comparison of exercise tolerance tests and thallium 201/MIBI scan in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease

Coronary artery disease is one of the commonest causes of death throughout the world. Despite impressive study in diagnosis and management over the last three decades acute myocardial infarction [AMI] continues to be a major public health problem in the industrialized world. To compare the sensitivity and specificity of ETT alone and stress MIBI scan for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The study was started in year 2000. Fifty patients were randomly selected. They were referred from the outpatient departments of general medicine and cardiology of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Fifty patients were included in my study. Out of these 37 [74%] were males and 13[26%] were females. Out of 50, 37[74%] patients showed positive ETT. Among these patients, 30[81%] were male and 7 [19%] were females. Among 21 hypertensives, 17 [81%] patients showed positive ETT. Out of these 17 patients, 14 [82%] patients were male and 3[18%] were females. It is concluded the same observation that radiopharmaceutical scans is better tool for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease

Prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigenaemia amongst nursing staff of tertiary care hospital

The main object of study was to find out the number of positive cases of hepatitis B virus amongst nursing staff working in Nishtar Hospital Multan. This descriptive study was conducted in Nishtar Hospital, Multan. A total 136 staff nurses were included in the study. The prevalence of Hepatitis B among staff nurses of Nishter Hospital Multan According top the study was [2.20%]. The prevalence of Hepatitis B antigenemia in staff Nurses of Nishtar Hospital Multan According to the above study was 2.20%. 18 of the total 154 staff nurses were vaccinated against Hepatitis B infection. The prevalence rate was lower in comparison with the other studies

Cancer ovary, present and future of management

Ovarian cancer is very important malignancy of woman as far as its incidence and mortality is concerned. Although majority presents at late stage but still there is a reasonable response to currently available chemotherapy drugs and their use in multimodality setting. Besides good response to chemotherapy drugs, majority have recurrence. So there is a need for new drugs, new trends and their combinations. All these issues will be discussed in this review article