Short Communication: Predicting receptor for mannose-binding lectin on neutrophil surface

Neutrophils play as major phagocytes that participate in the various effector phase of immunity. Mannosebinding lectin (MBL) assisted priming of neutrophils could trigger various processes including modulationof endocytosis rate, reactive oxygen production, chemotaxis, etc., through interactions with cell surfacereceptors. The physiological receptor for MBL on neutrophil's surface is still unreported. Macromoleculardocking could be attempted to determine the protein-protein interactions which are important forunderstanding cellular function and organization. The study was performed to identify the interacting partnerof MBL present on neutrophils surface which leads to the activation of various cell processes. Protein networkanalysis, homology modeling, and Rigid docking were performed to explore structural features and bindingmechanism of MBL with its cellular receptors. The results indicates that CR1 interact with the MBL and mayact as MBL receptor.

Study of prescription pattern in a tertiary care hospital in Chhattisgarh, India: an observational study

Background: Prescription audit is one of the methods to assess the drug utilization pattern and rational use of drugs. In our country the value of drugs prescribed is in crores but a significant proportion of drugs is prescribed irrationally. This is probably due to defect in prescription pattern, lack of knowledge in health care personnel, pressure from drug manufacturing companies and many more. To promote rational use of drugs, standard policies must be set and this can be achieved only after auditing current prescription practices.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in Medical college hospital, Raigarh in the month of January 2018. Around 1000 prescriptions were collected randomly from pharmacy and the prescriptions were analysed on various parameters like patient抯 demography, parts of a prescription, information related to doctor and drugs.Results: In this study, we found that percentage of generic drugs were 58.02% and 70.43% drugs were from essential drug list. Only 13.19% FDCs were used. 34 prescriptions were illegible and capital letters were used only in 26 prescriptions. We also found deficiency in parts of a prescription like inscription part (13.3%), subscription part (26.9%) and in doctor抯 identity (33.2%). The majority of drugs were antimicrobials (23.81%) followed by anti-inflammatory and analgesics (21.1%).Conclusions: This study shows that the use of generic drugs and essential drugs is on the lower side as compared to standard guidelines. The prescription pattern was defective in many prescriptions. This study shows incompleteness of prescriptions and proper steps are needed to guide the physicians to promote rational use of drugs.

Assessing consequences of untreated carious lesions using pufa index among 5-6 years old school children in an urban Indian population.

Background: Dental caries is a major chronic noncommunicable disease affecting whole of mankind. Nontreatment of caries can have severe consequences such as pain, abscess formation, space infection, etc., which leads to loss of function, working hours or absence from school in children. These consequences are equally important, while planning dental care program for a community. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence and severity of consequences of untreated carious lesions using pufa index that is, pulpal involvement, and ulcer due to root fragments, fistula, and abscess index among 5-6 year old school children in an urban Indian population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 603 school going children of 5-6 year age group in mainly an urban Indian population. Children from 12 randomly selected schools were examined for pufa and decayed extracted filled indices. Results and Conclusions: Overall mean pufa value was 0.9 ± 1.93 and prevalence was 38.6% with major contribution from P component of index. Untreated caries ratio was 35%, suggesting that more than one-third of the developed carious lesions cause adverse events in a population. This study emphasis the need for treating dental caries at its earliest possible stage to avoid severe consequences. The pufa index can be used as tool to highlight these adverse consequences to dental professionals and health authorities.

Maternal Heart Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes.

This study was conducted to assess the presence of various types of cardiac lesions in pregnant females admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Punjab. 97 women having pregnancy and heart disease were assessed for the various etiologies, cardiac lesions, maternal and perinatal outcomes. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) with isolated mitral stenosis was the commonest acquired lesion while mitral valve prolapse was the predominant lesion among the congenital heart disease. In the miscellaneous group, cardiomyopathy was the leading cause. Multiple cardiac lesions were diagnosed in 36 women. Majority delivered by caesarean section and some had spontaneous vaginal delivery while few required induction of labour. 19 women had cardiac complications. There were three maternal deaths.This study concluded that rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy is still predominant though acquired cardiac lesions are rising. A careful observation and management during pregnancy can improve the maternal & fetal outcomes.

Studies on phyto-genotoxic assessment of tannery effluent and chromium on Allium cepa.

Tannery effluent contributes significantly to pollution of the environment. In this study, phytotoxic and genotoxic effects of tannery effluent and chromium (Cr) were investigated in Allium cepa. For this purpose, tannery effluent was collected from “Up flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket” (U.A.S.B) Jajmau, Kanpur. A. cepa were exposed to various concentrations of tannery effluent (0.0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.50, 25.0%) and Cr (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mg l-1) for 48 and 168 hr. The perusal of data revealed that the physico-chemical characteristics of tannery effluent viz. pH (8.5), EC (11.94 dSm-1), BOD (499 mg l-1), COD (1382 mgl-1) and Cr content (2.32 mg l-1) were much higher than the prescribed permissible limit for industrial effluent discharged into inland waters. These substances provoked phytotoxic and genotoxic effects in A. cepa. Total chlorophyll and protein content in leaves of tannery effluent and Cr treated plants decreased significantly in dose-duration dependent manner. A maximum decrease of 86.29 and 84.26% in total chlorophyll and 81.27 and 76.16% in protein content was observed after 168 hr of exposure while carotenoid content increased up to 6.25% effluent and 2.0 mgl-1Cr treatment and decreased further. In all treated plants, a significant (p>0.05) reduction in root length, mitotic index (MI) and induction in chromosomal (CA)/mitotic (MA) aberration and micronuclei (MNC) were observed as compared to unstressed plants. A maximum reduction of 81.15 and 79.71% in MI, and induction of 6.8 and 4.8% in CA, 29.24 and 26.66% in MA and 0.52 and 0.43% in MNC were found at 12.50% effluent and 4 mgl-1 Cr treated plants as compared to unstressed plants, however at highest effluent and Cr concentration both the plants showed pyknosis condition after 168 hr.

Nitrogen management to improve the nutrient uptake, yield and quality parameters of scented rice under aerobic culture.

In the present study, the research results concluded that yield attributes of scented rice under aerobic culture responded up to 150 kg/ha nitrogen with four equal splits of nitrogen at ¼ basal + ¼ at active tillering + ¼ at panicle initiation and ¼ at heading. Grain and straw yields obtained higher values with highest level of nitrogen i.e. 175 kg/ha comparable with 150 kg/ha. Grain quality parameters milling percent, head rice recovery, kernel length, breadth, amylose content and protein content of rice registered significantly highest values with 150 kg N ha-1. Spilt application of nitrogen at ¼ basal + ¼ at active tillering + ¼ at panicle initiation and ¼ at heading was the most suitable stages for split application of nitrogen, which record significantly higher values of all quality parameters except amylose and protein content of grain. Nutrient uptake of N, P2O5 and K2O was influenced only by quantity of nitrogen applied and recorded higher with 175 kg/ha but not influenced by time of application of nitrogen except N uptake.

Chromium accumulation in submerged aquatic plants treated with tannery effluent at Kanpur, India.

Aquatic macrophytes have been widely studied because of their capability of absorbing contaminants from water and their subsequent use in biomonitoring. This study presents a comparison of Cr accumulating potential of submerged aquatic plants viz Vallisneria spiralis and Hydrilla verticillata. These plants were treated with various concentrations of treated tannery effluent collected from UASB, Jajmau, Kanpur under repeated exposure in controlled laboratory conditions in order to assess their maximum bioaccumulation potential. The maximum accumulation of 385.6 and 201.6 μg g-1 dry weight was found in roots of V. spiralis and the whole plants of H. verticillata, respectively at 100% concentration after 9th day of effluent exposure. The chlorophyll and protein content of both species decreased with increase in effluent concentration and duration. At highest concentration and duration a maximum reduction of 67.4 and 62.66% in total chlorophyll content, 9.97 and 4.66% in carotenoid content and 62.66 and 59.36% in protein content was found in V. spiralis and H. verticillata respectively. Anatomical studies in both V. spiralis and H. verticillata was carried out to assess the effects of metal accumulation within the plants. Changes in the anatomical structures of both plants exhibits the capacity of these species to act as indicator of effluent toxicity. The high accumulation potential of Cr by both plants revealed their capability to remove pollutants from effluent.

Bacterial vaginosis with special reference to anaerobes.

AIMS: This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and to estimate the prevalence of anaerobic organisms in vaginal discharge of women suffering from bacterial vaginosis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Patients attending the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of a Medical College Hospital. A one year cross-sectional study. METHODS AND MATERIALS: High vaginal swabs taken from 174 female patients complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge. BV was diagnosed by clinical composite criteria and by gram stain. Anaerobes were isolated and identified from the discharge. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi square test, with level of significance set at a value of P< 0.05. Results: BV was diagnosed in 68.39% of the cases by using clinical composite criteria and in 58.4% of the cases by gram stain. Anaerobic culture isolation of vaginal swabs revealed that out of 174 cases 143 (82.65%) were culture positive for anaerobes. Bacteroides were significantly raised in BV as compared with non bacterial vaginosis (NBV; < 0.05%). CONCLUSIONS: Anaerobic bacteria are important pathogens in the causation of bacterial vaginosis along with other aerobic organisms. Bacteroides and peptostreptococci are significantly raised in BV.

Cutaneous actinomycosis: a rare case.

Cutaneous actinomycosis is a rare presentation. Here we present a case of cutaneous actinomycosis with no history of trauma or systemic dissemination. The isolate was identified as Actinomyces viscosus by standard methods. The isolate was found to be penicillin resistant by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Therefore, the patient was treated with cotrimoxazole and improved. Thus, this case highlights the importance of isolation and susceptibility testing in actinomycotic infection. The sinuses have healed, and the patient has recovered.

Early human safety study of turmeric oil (Curcuma longa oil) administered orally in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVE: Turmeric extract and turmeric oil have shown chemoprotective effect against chemically-induced malignancies in experimental animals. They can reverse precancerous changes in oral submucous fibrosis in humans. The use of turmeric or Curcuma longa Linn as a spice and household remedy has been known to be safe for centuries. In view of the long term administration required for cancer prevention a Phase I clinical trial of turmeric oil (TO) was designed to study the safety and tolerance of TO in volunteers for a period of 3 months. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine healthy volunteers between 20 and 33 years of age were tested for haemoglobin, blood counts, liver and kidney functions, bleeding and clotting time and serum electrolytes initially and at 1 and 3 months of treatment. They were administered 0.6 ml of TO three times a day for 1 month and 1 ml in 3 divided doses for 2 months. The acute tolerability study on Day 1 was conducted in a Clinical Pharmacology daycare Unit. Blood pressure and pulse were recorded frequently on Day 1 and at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours and fortnightly till 12 weeks. Volunteers were daily supervised for TO intake as well as for any side effects throughout the study period. RESULTS: Nine volunteers were enrolled for the study. One discontinued on 3rd day for allergic skin rashes which, on discontinuation of TO, gradually disappeared by two weeks. Another discontinued on 7th day for intercurrent fever requiring antibiotic treatment. Seven volunteers completed the study. There was no effect of TO, in two doses, on pulse and blood pressure and no side effects in acute tolerability study on Day 1. There was no effect of TO intake on weight, blood pressure, symptoms and signs upto 12 weeks. There was no clinical, haematological, renal or hepatic-toxicity of TO at 1 month and 3 months. Serum lipids did not show significant change except in one volunteer (reversible). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the potential for reversing oral submucous fibrosis, a precancerous condition for oral cancer, TO, can be recommended directly for a Phase II trial in patients.

Changes in membrane fluidity induced by binding of immunoglobulins to sperm Fc receptors.

Receptors for Fc region of immunoglobulins (FcR) are reported to be present on spermatozoa, and also detected in seminal plasma, however their function is still not known. Since various changes in sperm membrane architecture during maturation and passage through female genital tract are reported, experiments were conducted to study the membrane fluidity changes in sperm subsequent to ligation of surface FcR with immunoglobulin and its derivatives. This paper reports that interaction with IgG restricts rotational mobility of cell surface proteins and membrane lipids as studied by EPR spectroscopy using spin probes. Decrease in fluidity was much more pronounced in the presence of aggregated IgG due to crosslinking of sperm FcR by aggregated IgG.

Characterization of a lectin from goat peripheral blood lymphocytes.

A D-glucose specific lectin was isolated from goat peripheral blood lymphocytes by affinity chromatography on N-acetyl D-glucosamine agarose gel. The fluorescence intensity of 4 methyl umbelliferyl D-glucose was quenched to about 62% on addition of the lectin. This lectin gave a single band corresponding to 112 kDa in SDS-PAGE irrespective of treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. The molecular weight and the Stoke's radius of the lectin in the native conditions were found to be 114 kDa and 4.54 nm, respectively, as determined by gel filtration on Sephacryl S 500 column. The lectin was found to be a glycoprotein with 5.6% of neutral hexose content and 5.5% of sialic acid. The lectin agglutinated trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes and human type A erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating activity was dependent on the presence of divalent cations like Mn2+ and Ca2+. Optimum pH, ionic strength and temperature for rebinding of lectin to acid treated Sephadex G200 were found to be 7.5, 0.16 and 30-37 degrees C, respectively.

Carbohydrate induced modulation of cell membrane. IV: Interaction with mucin and fucoidan totally immobilizes the human platelet membrane.

P selectins and E selectins are cell adhesion molecules that mediate the interaction of platelets and endothelial cells with neutrophils and monocytes. The proposed ligands for these receptors contain the Le(x) core, sialic acid and sulfated fucose. In this paper we report that binding of sialic acid markedly restricts the mobility of membrane proteins and lipids as studied by EPR spectroscopy using spin probes. Binding of mucin and fucoidan totally restricts the mobility probably due to cross-linking of the surface lectins. Binding of these ligands also resulted in an increase in the cytoplasmic viscosity.

Carbohydrate induced modulation of cell membrane. V : ESR characterization of molecular mobility in lipid bilayer of human neutrophil plasma membrane.

Physiological changes in neutrophils after binding of sialic acid, mucin and fucoidan have been investigated using spin probes. Binding of sialic acid markedly reduces the mobility of neutrophil membrane proteins and lipids. Binding of mucin and fucoidan totally restricts the mobility probably due to cross linking of the surface lectins. Binding of these ligands also resulted in an increase in the cytoplasmic viscosity.