An Empirical Study of the Nutritional Status of Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM) Children between Pre and Post Admission in Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC)

The aim and objective of this research study was to compare the nutritional status of Severe Acute Malnourished (SAM) Children between Pre and Post admission in Nutrition Rehabilitation Center (NRC). The exploratory as well as descriptive research design was used. The nutritional status was checked by four test variables as Weight-kg, Height-cm, MUAC (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference). The sample size of this study was 211. The normality test was performed using One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test. Since the data of four test variable was not normal, hence non-parametric test (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test) was used for the comparative study between pre and post condition. The findings concluded that there was a difference of the weight, height, MUAC, of the children in pre and post medical treatment in the NRC for the SAM children.

In silico study to predict promiscuous T cell and B cell-epitopes derived from the vaccine candidate antigens of Plasmodium vivax binding to MHC class-II alleles

Malaria is one of the major causes of health and disability globally, even after tremendous efforts to eradicate it. Till date no highly effective vaccine is available for its control. The primary reason for the low efficacy of vaccines is extensive polymorphism in potential vaccine candidate antigen genes and HLA polymorphisms in the human population. This problem can be resolved by developing a vaccine using promiscuous peptides to combine the number of HLA alleles. This study predicted T and B cell epitopes (promiscuous peptides) by targeting PPPK-DHPS and DHFR-TS proteins of Plasmodium vivax, using different in silico tools. Selected peptides were characterized as promiscuous peptides on the basis of their immunogenicity, antigenicity and hydrophobicity. Furthermore, to confirm their immunogenicity, these peptides were utilized for molecular modelling and docking analysis. For determining the requisite affinity with distinct HLA Class-I, and HLA Class-II alleles, only five peptides for DHFR-TS and 3 peptides for PPPK-DHPS were chosen as promiscuous peptides. The D1 peptide has the maximum binding energy with HLA alleles, according to HLA-peptide complex modelling and binding interaction analyses. These findings could lead to the development of epitope-based vaccinations with improved safety and efficacy. These epitopes could be major vaccine targets in P. vivax as they possess a higher number of promiscuous peptides. Also, the B cell epitopes possess maximum affinity towards different alleles as analyzed by docking scores. However, further investigation is warranted in vitro and in vivo.

Wound-healing and cytokine-modulating potential of medicinal oil formulation comprising leaf extract of Murraya koenigii and olive oil / Potencial de cicatrização de feridas e modulação de citocinas de formulação de óleo medicinal compreendendo extrato de folhas de Murraya koenigii e azeite de oliva

The study investigated the wound healing effect of medicinal oil (MO) formulation prepared from Murraya koenigii leaves extract (methanolic) incorporated in olive oil. The MO was visually transparent, homogenous, smooth in texture, the viscosity grade was observed as 140 cP and easily spreadable. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly reduced to 82.3 ± 3.5, 156 ± 6.2, 137.3. ± 5.5 pg/ml, respectively after treatment with MO when compared to disease control animals that showed IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α levels of 170 ± 6, 265 ± 7, and 288.6 ± 11, pg/ml respectively. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokine in povidone iodine solution (PIS) group was 95.3 ± 3, 162 ± 6, 177.6 ± 8.9 pg/ml of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α respectively. Interestingly, the wound-healing efficacy of MO was found better as compared to povidone iodine treated standard group and concluded that MO has excellent wound healing effect.

O estudo investigou o efeito cicatrizante da formulação de óleo medicinal (MO) preparado a partir do extrato de folhas de Murraya koenigii (metanol) incorporado ao azeite de oliva. O MO era visualmente transparente, homogêneo, de textura lisa, o grau de viscosidade observado foi de 140 cP e facilmente espalhável. As citocinas pró-inflamatórias IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α foram significativamente reduzidas para 82,3 ± 3,5, 156 ± 6,2, 137,3. ± 5,5 pg/ml, respectivamente, após o tratamento com MO quando comparados aos animais controle da doença que apresentaram níveis de IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α de 170 ± 6, 265 ± 7 e 288,6 ± 11, pg/ml, respectivamente . O nível de citocina pró-inflamatória no grupo solução de iodopovidona (PIS) foi de 95,3 ± 3, 162 ± 6, 177,6 ± 8,9 pg/ml de IL-1ß, IL-6 e TNF-α, respectivamente. Curiosamente, a eficácia de cicatrização de feridas de MO foi encontrada melhor em comparação com o grupo padrão tratado com iodopovidona e concluiu que a preparação de MO tem efeito de cicatrização de feridas.

A Peripheral Smear Finding Beyond Cells: Cryoglobulins in a Case of Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma

A well prepared peripheral smear is an indispensable requisite for the diagnosis of hematological disorders and in some situations, non-hematological diseases. Here, we present the typical hemogram and peripheral smear findings of circulating cryoglobulins that led to the unraveling of the underlying lymphoproliferative disorder. A 51-year lady presented with symptoms of anemia since four months. Her hemogram showed anemia and leucopenia with flagging of platelet count. Peripheral smear at room temperature revealed marked artefactual changes in red blood cells including fragmentation. The morphology was better appreciated after incubating the sample at 37°C and showed normocytic normochromic RBCs, thrombocytopenia with a few lymphoplasmacytic cells and amorphous pinkish material in the background. Bone marrow examination showed near total replacement of marrow spaces by lymphoid cells positive for CD20 and CD138 and was diagnosed as lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Cryoglobulins can thus cause a range of laboratory artefacts which need to be recognized, warranting further search for possible underlying etiologies.

Bernard Soulier Syndrome; A Rare Bleeding Disorder

Bleeding syndromes in the newborn are rare, but they may be life-threatening and demand immediate attention. Congenital bleeding disorders especially pose a diagnostic challenge to the clinician because of their rarity and the need to be differentiated from the other common causes of bleeding in children. We present a case of an infant presenting with bleeding symptoms early in his life (since 5 months of age) which was initially thought to be immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with low platelet count. No response to steroids and further evaluation by platelet aggregometry and flowcytometry led to the correct diagnosis – Bernard soulier syndrome(BSS). Though, there is no specific treatment available for this rare bleeding disorder, however it is imperative to have arrived at correct diagnosis in order to save unnecessary therapy and to take due precautions for prevention of bleeding.

Amyloidosis Presenting as Severe Bleeding Diathesis

Bleeding is one of the rare presentations of Amyloidosis. The mechanism behind spontaneous or peri- interventional bleeding in patients of amyloidosis is complex and involves multiple co-existing factors like coagulation factor deficiency, abnormal synthesis of coagulation factors due to advanced liver dysfunction, acquired Von Willebrand disease, platelet dysfunction, amyloid angiopathy and other unknown mechanisms. We present a case of middle aged female, presenting with spontaneous retroperitoneal haemorrhage, on further investigations was found to have systemic amyloidosis and secondary severe factor X deficiency (2.7 % of normal by one stage factor assay method). Factor X deficiency (both inherited and acquired) is known to present with the most severe bleeding phenotype. The management option for such acute spontaneous haemorrhage is limited and mostly supportive in nature. Definitive treatment is directed towards the primary pathology and requires chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Tuberculosis presenting as osteolytic soft tissue swellings of skull in HIV positive patient: a case report.

We present a clinical case report of a 40-year old HIV positive male patient presenting with fever, cough with expectoration and osteolytic, cystic, multiple soft tissue swellings of skull (aspirate showing AFB). The various clinical possibilities are discussed along with interpretation of subsequent investigations.

Immunobiology of human imunodeficiency virus infection.

After the discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its role in the causation of most devastating epidemic acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), there has been an increasing trend to decipher the mechanism of infection and to understand why it cannot be controlled by our immune system. By evolution, our immune system has been empowered and enough trained to recognize, elicit immune response and remove antigens and pathogens from the body. Simultaneously, HIV has also gained enough mechanism to escape the natural immune response. On one hand, it downregulates HLA class I antigens, which may present viral antigens to specific CD8 + T cells; on the other hand, the viral genome get mutated very readily under the selection pressure of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The high mutation rate and convertibility of its genotype makes it a moving target and poses a prime hurdle in vaccine development. This review explains how HIV enters into the cell, how it resists the host immune response and how HIV manages to escape from it and establish in the human body.

Decompressive craniectomy for stroke : indications and results.

The role of decompressive hemicraniectomy in stroke victims is gaining popularity among neuroscientists as it is found to be beneficial in malignant infarction of middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory which results in massive edema and brain swelling. Recent articles have showed that this procedure not only reduces mortality but also improves the functional outcome. We report our experience of 32 patients, who underwent this procedure. We found a good outcome in patients in whom the procedure was done early and whose pre operative Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score was 8 and above. It offered no benefit in patients whose pre operative GCS was below 5.

Immune response in rabbits against Rhipicephalus sanguineus.

Rabbits immunised with homogenates of unfed larvae and nymphs of the tick R. sanguineus developed significant level of protective immunity to infestation with all the stages of the species. The acquisition of resistance was based on feeding and developmental performance parameters (rejection, moulting percentages and feeding period) of larvae and nymphs. The acquisition of resistance against adults was also measured by feeding and reproductive performance of female ticks viz., rejection percent, engorged female and egg mass weights, engorgement, preoviposition and oviposition periods and efficiency of female ticks in converting their food reserve to eggs and larvae. Sera from larval extract (RLAg) immunised rabbits were strongly positive for anti-RLAg antibodies after 3 weeks of immunisation while nymphal extract (RNAg) immunised rabbits were positive for anti-RNAg antibodies after 2 weeks of immunisation in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The immunised rabbits were also positive for immediate type hypersensitivity (ITH) reaction on Intradermal inoculation of RLAg and RNAg.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property of Sandhika: a compound herbal drug.

The present study was envisaged to assess the rationality for the use of "Sandhika", a popular Ayurvedic drug in rheumatoid arthritis. This drug, when tested against carrageenan induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity at the dose of 0.25 g/kg body weight. The antioxidant property was assessed by determining cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) induced lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione content in rat liver homogenate (in vitro). Experiments show the significant protection against lipid peroxidation at the dose of 80 micrograms/ml, measured as reduction in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by 1.5 mM cumene hydroperoxide (CHP). This effect was accompanied by the maintained reduced glutathione (GSH) content in drug treated rats. Oral treatment of drug up to 2 g/kg body weight for 15 days did not show any rise in serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT). The results suggest that "Sandhika" which is an indigenous drug for inflammation with no detectable adverse effect, might be acting through scavenging the free radicals.

Hepatoprotective and toxicological evaluation of hepatomed, an ayurvedic drug.

Hepatoprotective effect of Hepatomed (an ayurvedic drug containing water extract of 6 medicinal plants) has been studied on cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) induced lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione content in rat liver homogenate. In vitro experiments show significant reduction in the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) induced by 1.5 mM cumene hydroperoxide(CHP). Glutathione content was almost maintained to normal in drug treated rats. Oral treatment of drug up to 3 ml/100 g body weight for 15 days did not show any rise in serum GOT and GPT. On similar doses, significant choleratic effect was observed without any adverse histological changes after 4 days treatment. The results suggest that 'Hepatomed' is a strong hepatoprotective ayurvedic medicine with no detectable adverse effects.

Isolation and characterization of nonhistone proteins associated with DNase-II hypersensitive sites of Sarcoma-180 chromatin.

Limited digestion (2 min) of Sarcoma-180 nuclei by DNase-II released two nonhistone proteins from the hypersensitive sites of chromatin. The apparent molecular weights of these two proteins were 34 and 21 kDa. These proteins showed a moderate but specific inhibition in in vitro cell free transcription assay with native chromatin as template as opposed to no effect on native DNA transcription.