ABSTRACT
Background: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications pose a challenge to healthcare systems today, with a paucity of research examining the impact of T2DM on gustatory functions, especially in India. Aim and Objective: The objective of this study was to assess gustatory function in T2DM patients with good glycemic control and a disease duration ?5 years and compare it with the findings in normal individuals. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 40, including patients and controls, aged 25–50 years. The Institute’s Ethics Committee clearance was taken, and written informed consent was obtained from the subjects. The evaluation of gustatory function was done using the triple drop test. Different concentrations of tastants were presented to the subjects. Scoring was done on the identification of increasing concentrations from “5” to “1.” Results: Taste scores for sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastants were lesser in diabetic patients. This was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Taste impairment seems to affect diabetic patients relative to healthy controls. This could be an indication of central diabetic neuropathy. Hypogeusia in type 2 diabetic patients may influence the choice of nutrients such as an increased preference for sweet-tasting or salty foods, thus imposing health risks and affecting the quality of life.
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Purpose: To report and analyze the outcomes of therapeutic deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). Methods: Medical records of microbiologically confirmed AK, underwent DALK from 2004 to 2017, were reviewed and the data related to early and late outcome including complications were retrieved. Outcome of cases with largest diameter of infiltrate ?8 mm at the time of surgery (advanced keratitis) were analyzed and compared with those with less severe keratitis (infiltrate size less than 8 mm). Results: Out of 23 patients of AK in whom DALK was performed, ten (43.4%) patients had advanced keratitis. Mean age of these patients was 38.7 ± 8.6 years (range, 25 to 56). Median visual acuity at presentation was 2.78 (IQR, 1.79–3.0) that improved to 1.79 (IQR, 0.70–2.78) postoperatively. Early complications included recurrence of AK in 2 (20%), Descemet's membrane detachment in 5 (50%), and persistent epithelial defect in 3 (30%) cases. Overall, 6 (60%) grafts failed, whereas 4 (40%) patients had clear graft at their last follow-up. Median follow-up of these cases was 5 months (IQR, 1.4–11.4). One graft developed stromal rejection, which resolved with increased dose of corticosteroids. In comparison, DALK performed for less severe keratitis (N = 13) had 1 (7.6%) recurrence and 2 (15.8%) grafts failure (OR, 8.25). The probability of one-year graft survival and eradication of infection was 32% and 74.1%, respectively, in advanced cases compared to 91.6% and 83.9% in less severe cases. Conclusion: Outcome of DALK in advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis is less favorable compared to those carried out for less severe keratitis cases.
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Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe the microbiological and clinical features of nine cases of Exserohilum keratitis. Patients and Methods: Fungal isolates from corneal scrapings were identified based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the colonies and DNA sequencing of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region in the rRNA gene. All patients were treated with topical and if required systemic antifungals. Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (TPK) was done in case of failed medical therapy. Results: Morphologically, all fungal isolates were Exserohilum rostratum except one Exserohilum mcginnisii. Based on the BLAST analysis, 6 isolates showed 100% similarity to Setosphaeria rostrata (CBS 112815) and E. mcginnisii (CBS 20308). The other three isolates were Setosphaeria holmii (CBS 128053), not reported earlier in fungal keratitis. Three patients were lost to follow-up and response to medical therapy was good (Healed scar � 4 patients). Two out of nine patients were advised TPK. Conclusions: Diagnosis and clinical features of Exserohilum keratitis are akin to other dematiaceous keratitis. The two morphological species of E. mcginnisii and E. rostratum are indistinguishable from Setosphaeria rostratum at DNA sequence level, which justifies the retention of the latter nomenclature.
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Objective : Prelabour rupture of membranes (PLROM) is common obstetric problem ,one of most common clinical events where normal pregnancy can turn into high risk situation for mother as well as fetus. Present study was to know incidence of term, preterm PLROM, association with parity ,body mass index, anaemia, cervical / vaginal colonization,cervical score, amniotic fluid index. Material and Methods : Study included 550 women of 18-35 years of age, 28-42 weeks of gestation who had presented with watery vaginal discharge in whom membrane rupture was confirmed. Results : Incidence of PLROM was 6.28% of births, 4.62% term births, 1.65% preterm births. Mean age of women was 24 years, mean BMI was 21.9. Ninety seven percent of women with PLROM were anaemic 18% of women had growth of microbes in cervical vaginal swabs.Forty eight percent women had cervical score less than zero, four percent had severe oligoamnios. Conclusion : Study revealed higher incidence of term,preterm PLROM in patients with anaemia, genital infection.By identifying, modifying risk factors we can help reduce maternal, fetal morbidity ,mortality associated with term, preterm PLROM
ABSTRACT
Angiogenin is a protein belonging to the superfamily of RNase A. The RNase activity of this protein is essential for its angiogenic activity. Although members of the RNase A family carry out RNase activity, they differ markedly in their strength and specificity. In this paper, we address the problem of higher specificity of angiogenin towards cytosine against uracil in the first base binding position. We have carried out extensive nano-second level molecular dynamics(MD) computer simulations on the native bovine angiogenin and on the CMP and UMP complexes of this protein in aqueous medium with explicit molecular solvent. The structures thus generated were subjected to a rigorous free energy component analysis to arrive at a plausible molecular thermodynamic explanation for the substrate specificity of angiogenin.