Role of Iron Uptake Systems in Coordinating Iron Homeostasis in NaCl-resistant Mutant of the Cyanobacterium Nostoc muscorum

Aims: To investigate the effect of NaCl stress on parent Nostoc muscorum and its spontaneously occurring mutant clone showing resistance to growth inhibitory action of NaCl in terms of various physiological parameters. We have further analyzed the role of iron uptake systems in providing a resistant phenotype. Place and Duration of Study: Division of Microbiology, Department of Botany, Government Motilal Science College, Bhopal 462008 (M.P.) India. This work was carried out between August 2021 to May 2022. Methodology: We have examined the various physiological parameters viz. growth, specific growth rate, photosynthetic O2 evolution, and nitrogenase activity as per the prescribed protocol. Further, DNA microarray analysis was carried out using the Agilent platform. Results: NaCl stress adversely affected growth, photosynthetic O2 evolution, and nitrogenase activity of the wild-type Nostoc muscorum, while NaCl-resistant mutant remains unaffected under a given stress. Microarray data analysis identified 24 ORF related to the uptake of iron with fold regulation ?2 in the mutant strain. These ORFs belonging to the ABC-type ferric iron transporter that plays a significant role in the iron acquisition were identified in the mutant strain. Conclusion: The mechanism of iron homeostasis in the NaCl-resistant mutant has been explained. The results presented are essential to explain the regulatory role of the iron uptake system in stressed conditions.

Molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus from children hospitalized at a tertiary care centre in northwest India

Background & objectives: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is a major cause of childhood hepatitis, prevalent worldwide. HAV is classified into seven genotypes I-VII; genotypes III and I are the most common among humans. The present work was carried out to identify the genotypes prevalent in children suspected to have acute viral hepatitis (AVH), hospitalized at a tertiary care centre in northwest India. Methods: A total of 1269 blood samples from children (0-15 yr of age) clinically suspected of viral hepatitis were screened for anti-HAV IgM. Acute phase serum was processed for RNA extraction and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing of representative samples. Results: Among the 1269 samples tested, 642 (50.59%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM; among the positive samples, 171 patients having a history of less than seven days were tested by PCR, of whom 141 (82.45%) were found to be PCR positive. Nucleotide sequencing of a representative 44 samples showed high homology; all the samples were found to be of genotype IIIA. Interpretation & conclusions: Hepatitis A was prevalent during July to September and in predominantly children less than five years age. Only genotype IIIA was detected in all the samples.

The spectrum of perforation peritonitis - central India experience.

Introduction: Peritonitis secondary to gut perforation is one of the most common surgical emergencies in India and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to recognize the spectrum of perforation peritonitis as managed at Govt. Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences hospital Bilaspur Chhattisgarh, in central India. Method: A retrospective analysis of 618 patients was done,in terms of clinical presentation, duration, seasonal variation, operative findings and post operative morbidity and mortality, admitted at Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences hospital Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh, over a period of 03 years. All the patients had undergone emergency laprotomy and the site of perforation was identified. Results: The most common site of perforation was prepyloric (393 cases. 63.6%).In 22.16% of the cases the perforation was associated with typhoid fever and in 2.7% cases with abdominal Koch’s. Trauma however showed perforation in only 5.6% cases, mainly jejunal. The overall mortality was 12.13%. Conclusion: Non traumatic upper gastrointestinal perforation peritonitis is common in our place. In contrast to the west, where lower gastrointestinal tract perforations predominate, in India upper gastrointestinal tract perforations constitute the majority of cases.

Correlation of physiological and radiological characteristics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background. Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is confirmed on spirometry but the diagnosis of emphysema remains problematic. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of chest radiograph (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of emphysema and to correlate these findings with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Methods. Thirty-five patients with COPD were studied. In all of them, CXR, CT and PFTs were done; three patients had bronchiectasis on CT and were excluded from the study. Chest radiographs (CXRs) were scored for signs of hyperinflation. Lung densities were measured on CT. Results. Functional indices of hyperinflation, i.e. functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV) and RV/total lung capacity (TLC) had significant correlation with CXR scores. The mean retrosternal space (RSP) measurement was 2.63±0.6 cm (range 1.2 to 3.6cm). Mean lung density (MLD) was -867.91 Hounsfield units (HU) which significantly correlated with functional indices of hyperinflation (FRC, RV, TLC, RV/TLC). Conclusions. In Indian population hyperinflation was found to occur even with lesser values of RSP than the western criteria. CT lung density gives good radiological evidence of emphysema and correlates with lung function abnormalities.

Assessment of urban air pollution and it’s probable health impact.

The present study deals with the quantitative effect of vehicular emission on ambient air quality during May, 2006 in urban area of Lucknow city. In this study, SPM, RSPM, SO2, NOx and 7 trace metals associated with RSPM were estimated at 10 representative locations in urban area and one village area for control. Beside this, air quality index (AQI), health effects of different metals and mortality were assessed. The 24 hr average concentration of SPM, RSPM, SO2 and NOx was found to be 382.3, 171.5, 24.3 and 33.8 μg m-3 respectively in urban area and these concentrations were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher by 94.8, 134.8, 107.4 and 129.6% than control site respectively. The 24 hr mean of SPM and RSPM at each location of urban area were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) except SPM for industrial area. The 24 hr mean concentration of metals associated with RSPM was found to be higher than the control site by 52.3, 271.8, 408.9, 75.81, 62.7, 487.54 and 189.5 % for Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn and Cr respectively. The inter correlation of metals Pb with Mn, Fe and Cr; Zn with Ni and Cr; Ni with Cr; Mn with Fe and Cu with Cr showed significant positive relation either at p<0.05 or p<0.01 level. Metals Pb, Mn and Cr (p<0.01) and Cu (p<0.05) showed significant positive correlation with RSPM. These results indicate that ambient air quality in the urban area is affected adversely due to emission and accumulation of SPM, RSPM, SO 2 , NO x and trace metals. These pollutants may pose detrimental effect on human health, as exposure of these are associated with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, neurological impairments, increased risk of preterm birth and even mortality and morbidity.

Accumulation and translocation of heavy metals in soil and plants from fly ash contaminated area.

The present investigation deals with the accumulation of heavy metals in fields contaminated with fly ash from a thermal power plant and subsequent uptake in different parts of naturally grown plants. Results revealed that in the contaminated site, the mean level of all the metals (Cd, Zn, Cr, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn and Fe) in soil and different parts (root and shoots) of plant species were found to be significantly (p<0.01) higher than the uncontaminated site. The enrichment factor (EF) of these metals in contaminated soil was found to be in the sequence of Cd (2.33) > Fe (1.88) > Ni (1.58) > Pb (1.42) > Zn (1.31) > Mn (1.27) > Cr (1.11) > Cu (1.10). Whereas, enrichment factor of metals in root and shoot parts, were found to be in the order of Cd (7.56) > Fe (4.75) > Zn (2.79) > Ni (2.22) > Cu (1.69) > Mn (1.53) > Pb (1.31) > Cr (1.02) and Cd (6.06) ~ Fe (6.06) > Zn (2.65) > Ni (2.57) > Mn (2.19) > Cu (1.58) > Pb (1.37) > Cr (1.01) respectively. In contaminated site, translocation factor (TF) of metals from root to shoot was found to be in the order of Mn (1.38) > Fe (1.27) > Pb (1.03) > Ni (0.94) > Zn (0.85) > Cd (0.82) > Cr (0.73) and that of the metals Cd with Cr, Cu, Mn, Fe; Cr with Pb, Mn, Fe and Pb with Fe were found to be significantly correlated. The present findings provide us a clue for the selection of plant species, which show natural resistance against toxic metals and are efficient metal accumulators.

Fine particles (PM2.5) in ambient air of Lucknow city due to fireworks on Diwali festival.

People burn crackers world over on different occasions in different countries to express their happiness. Fireworks in large amounts aggravate the level of air pollutants and cause significant short-term air quality degradation with possible impact on human health. Fine particles (PM2.5 <2.5 μm), which may pose detrimental effects on human health and ecosystems were monitored in a residential area of Lucknow city to assess the elevated level due to bursting of firecrackers during Diwali festival. The 24 hr mean PM2.5 of normal day, pre Diwali day, Diwali day and post Diwali day was found to be 124, 154, 352 and 174 μg m-3 respectively and much above the US-EPA limit (65 μg m-3). The 12 hr mean concentration of PM2.5 on Diwali night (591 μg m-3) increased 3.9 fold than the respective night of normal day (159 μg m-3) and was significantly higher (p<0.01) than normal day and pre and post Diwali night. Mean comparison showed that Diwali day was significantly (p<0.01) different from others (except post Diwali day) and for this high accumulation during night time, after fireworks (suspension) was found to be more responsible than the period of lighting of crackers (formation). This study indicated that there is high accumulation of PM2.5 generated due to fireworks on Diwali festival which remains suspended in the air for upto 20 hr. During this period, extra mass burden of 289 μg m-3 equivalent to 1.9 normal day (of this study) was imposed in the environment. The short-term high accumulation of PM2.5 is a matter of serious concern for city dwellers as it can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause many respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Mammographic density as a risk factor for breast cancer in a low risk population.

Background: Mammographic density is a function of abundance of epithelial and connective tissue in breast. It has been identified as an independent risk factor for breast cancer in studies in western populations. We conducted a case control study to evaluate the role of mammographic density as risk factor for the development of breast cancer in Indian patients. Methods: One hundred and one cases of breast cancer and 123 healthy controls were included in the study. Mammographic density of the breast tissue of all controls and the contralateral breast of breast cancer patients was measured using a six category scale by a qualified radiologist. Results: A low prevalence of dense mammographic patterns (16.3% in controls and 26.7% in cases) was seen in the study population. Premenopausal women with breast density of 50% or more had 3.8 times risk of developing breast cancer than women with breast density of Conclusion: High mammographic density patterns are associated with an increased risk for the development of breast cancer in younger women in a low risk population, whereas no such increase in risk is seen in postmenopausal women.

Metals concentration associated with respirable particulate matter (PM10) in industrial area of Eastern U.P. India.

The present study deals with the assessment of ambient air quality with respect to respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM or PM10 < or = 10 microm) and trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr Ni, Cd, Mn and Pb) concentrations in RSPM at five locations of Renukoot, an industrial area of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The 24 hr mean concentrations of PM10 ranged between 69.3 to 118.9 microg m(-3), which is well within the permissible limit (150 microg m(-3)) of national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) but found higher than the prescribed annual daily limit of US EPA (50 microg m(-3)). The ambient air was mostly dominated by the Fe and least by the Cd among the metal analysed. Murdhawa, a commercial place influenced by vehicular population, is found to be the most polluted area of Renukoot and Dongia nalla (forest area) the least. The ambient air of Murdhawa is rich in Cu and Ni, indicating contribution of mobile sources. The Rammandir a residential place near the industry, is rich in Cd and Cr suggesting contribution of point sources. The Ni concentration is found to be alarmingly high in the air at all the locations except Dongia nallah, when compared with the EC (European Commission) limit (20 ng m(-3)). The Cd concentration is found to be higher only at Rammandir as compared with the EC limit (5 ng m(-3)). Mean concentrations of Zn, Pb and Mn are found to be almost equal in the ambient air of all the locations, suggesting the significance of sources contributing to presence of these metals. Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni having a significant correlation with PM10 indicate the same source contributing these metals as well as PM10. The present study has focused on the quantitative variation in different metals in the PM10, which is extremely harmful due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature.

Chest radiographs and their reliability in the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Radiology plays an important role in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Many medical practitioners believe in and rely primarily on the chest x-ray for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. This study attempts to evaluate the reliability and validity of chest radiographs. This study was carried out in the tuberculosis clinic of BPKIHS. 75 radiographs were chosen for the study and viewed by 25 physicians of varying qualifications. Their findings were compared with the gold standard. The overall sensitivity and specificity was 78% and 51% respectively. There was poor agreement between the best physician and the best radiologist. This study has demonstrated an unsatisfactory sensitivity and specificity of chest x-rays in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The over-diagnosis and over-treatment due to chest x-rays could lead to an unmanageable burden on the resources of a poor country like Nepal. Private practitioners should be made aware about the importance of bacteriological diagnosis of tuberculosis before initiating drug therapy.

Profile of noise pollution in Lucknow city and its impact on environment.

Automobiles, construction, festivals, factories, stations, diesel shades, garages and workshops are sources of noise. Vehicles are increasing enormously beyond the carrying capacity of the road. Study was carried out at 12 locations with sound level meter to assess day time and night time noise levels of Lucknow city. In residential areas, noise ranged between 67.7 to 78.9 and 52.9 to 56.4; in commercial cum traffic areas 74.8 to 84.2 and 68.2 to 74.9 and in industrial areas 76.9-77.2 and 72.2-73.1 dB(A) during day and night time respectively. Values were higher than their prescribed standards which may pose a significant impact on quality of life.