Enfermedad de Rosai-Dorfman cutánea, reporte de un caso / Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease, a case report

RESUMEN La enfermedad de Rosai-Dorfman cutánea (ERDC) es una rara proliferación reactiva de histiocitos, que cursa con lesiones cutáneas sin compromiso generalizado. Las manifestaciones clínicas cutáneas son diversas y la variante clínica "tipo tumoración" es la forma más infrecuente. Se describe el caso de un paciente con ERDC que se presentó con esta forma inusual.

ABSTRACT Cutaneous Rosai-Dorfman disease (CRDD) is a rare reactive histiocytic proliferation, which presents with skin lesions without systemic involvement. The clinical cutaneous manifestations are diverse and the "tumor-like" clinical variant is the most infrequent. We describe the case of a patient with CRDD who presented with this unusual form.

The Association of Asymptomatic Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Pregnant Women

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection of diabetic pregnant women because of excess urine glucose excretion and lowered immunity. UTI during pregnancy is directly proportionate to maternal and neonatal complications. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and urological health problems are closely related during pregnancy. DM patients are prone to UTI, bladder issues and sexual dysfunction. The intent of the study was to find out the association of asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) with diabetes mellitus (DM) in pregnant women. Material & Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Public Health of Varendra University in Bangladesh for the duration of 4 months in the summer session from May 2018 to August 2018. All the pregnant mothers (N=119) with diabetes mellitus in Chapai Nawabganj during the study period constituted the study population. Ethical clearance was taken from the hospital. The data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25.0. Results: Among the study population (N=119), the mean age of the respondents was 25.14 ± 4.82 years, and most of the respondents were in the age group of below 25 years. It was observed that around one-third of the respondents (36,30.3%) monthly income was up to 15,000 taka. Regarding the duration of gestation, it was observed that the mean duration of gestation was 19.06 ± 5.62 weeks. Around one-fourth of the respondents (33,27.7%) had good but unhygienic sanitation and the majority of them (78,65.5%) had good and hygienic sanitation conditions. It was recognized that the majority of the respondents (82,68.9%) had 6-8 times of micturition per day. Sixty-two respondents who had DM did not know about UTI and the relationship between the pattern of DM and urinary tract infection was not found statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: In the case of pregnancy, in women with DM, UTI is the most commonly noticed maternal infection. The findings provided by the analysis might help in the management of asymptomatic urinary tract infections during pregnancy.

Molecular characterization & recombination analysis of complete enterovirus-88 isolated from acute flaccid paralysis cases in India

Background & objectives: Focus on non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) causing acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) due to myelitis has increased with the containment of the poliovirus. Enterovirus-B88 (EV-B88) has been associated with the AFP cases in Bangladesh, Ghana, South Africa, Thailand and India. In India, EV-B88 infection was linked to AFP a decade ago; however, to date, no complete genome has been made available. In this study, the complete genome sequence of EV-B88 was identified and reported from two different States (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) in India using the next-generation sequencing technique. Methods: Virus isolation was performed on the three AFP suspected cases as per the WHO-recommended protocol. Samples showing cytopathic effects in the human Rhabdocarcinoma were labelled as NPEVs. Next-generation sequencing was performed on these NPEVs to identify the aetiological agent. The contiguous sequences (contigs) generated were identified, and reference-based mapping was performed. Results: EV-B88 sequences retrieved in our study were found to be 83 per cent similar to the EV-B88 isolate from Bangladesh in 2001 (strain: BAN01-10398; Accession number: AY843306.1). Recombination analyses of these samples demonstrate recombination events with sequences from echovirus-18 and echovirus-30. Interpretation & conclusions: Recombination events in the EV-B serotypes are known, and this work reconfirms the same for EV-B88 isolates also. This study is a step in increasing the awareness about EV-B88 in India and emphasizes future studies to be conducted in the identification of other types of EV present in India.

Casamiento infantil y salud perinatal en Ecuador, 2015-2020 / Child marriage and perinatal health in Ecuador, 2015-2020

RESUMEN Este estudio buscó estimar la prevalencia y distribución de nacidos vivos de madres menores de 18 años en Ecuador y la asociación entre indicadores perinatales y estado marital materno. A partir de los registros de nacidos vivos obtenidos del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos de Ecuador para el período 2015-2020, se estimó la asociación conjunta entre grupos de edad (10-15, 16-17, 18-19 y 20-24 años) y la situación conyugal materna (casada, unión estable y soltera), con bajo peso al nacer, parto pretérmino e inadecuada atención prenatal. La prevalencia de partos de madres menores de 18 años fue del 9,3% y declinó en el periodo de estudio, drásticamente entre las mujeres casadas. La asociación entre estado marital y las variables explicativas dependió de la edad materna. Los resultados más favorables de salud observados entre las madres casadas de 20-24 años, en comparación con las madres solteras, se debilitan o desaparecen entre las menores de edad. Las madres en uniones de hecho experimentaron resultados intermedios entre las mujeres casadas y las solteras.

ABSTRACT This study sought to estimate the prevalence and distribution of newborns to mothers under age 18 in Ecuador and the association between perinatal indicators and maternal marital status. Newborn records obtained from Ecuador's Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (INEC) between 2015 and 2020 were used to assess the joint association between maternal age groups (10-15, 16-17, 18-19, and 20-24 years) and marital status (married, common-law, and single) with low birthweight, preterm birth, and inadequate prenatal care. The prevalence of newborns to mothers under age 18 was 9.3% overall, but declined over the study period, drastically among married mothers. The association between marital status and perinatal indicators depended on maternal age. The more favorable outcomes observed among married mothers aged 20-24 years (compared to their single counterparts) weaken or disappear among mothers under age 18. Mothers in stable unions exhibited outcomes in between those of married and single mothers.

Identification of components，fingerprint and content determination of the effective parts of Dracocephalum moldavica / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To provide a reference for comprehensive quality evaluation and control of the effective parts of Dracocephalum moldavica （EPDM）. METHODS A total of 10 batches of EPDM were prepared， and chemical information of EPDM was collected by HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS. EPDM components were identified by literature search， database comparison and manual analysis. HPLC fingerprints of 10 batches of EPDM were established by using the Similarity Evaluation System for Traditional Chinese Medicine Chromatographic Fingerprint （2004 A edition）； the similarity evaluation and common peak identification were carried out， and the contents of 5 index components were determined by HPLC. RESULTS A total of 11 compounds in EPDM were identified. The fingerprint similarities of EPDM samples from 10 batches were all above 0.96. Among 11 chromatographic peaks， 5 peaks were identified， such as luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide（LG）， apigenin-7-O-glucuronide（APG）， rosmarinic acid（RA）， diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide（DG）， tilianin（TL） . The results of the quantitative analysis showed that all above 5 components had good linearity （R2≥0.999）， and the average recoveries were in the range of 95.12%-98.37%. The contents of LG， APG， RA， DG， TL were 21.268 3-29.243 9， 6.365 4-7.771 7， 37.327 4-45.671 2， 17.169 9-21.985 9， 66.940 4-91.206 3 mg/g， respectively. CONCLUSIONS The established method of component identification， fingerprint and content determination is stable， feasible and reliable， which is suitable for the comprehensive quality evaluation and control of EPDM.

Body composition, growth performance and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fed different commercial fish feeds

Abstract We have evaluated the effects of different fish feeds on the body composition, growth, and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita (Rohu). In total, 240 fishes between the average weights of 24.77±2.15g were studied. The treatments were applied in a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments of 60 fishes each. Treatments consisted of four different fish feeds [Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4)]. Body composition, growth performance, and enzyme activities were evaluated. There was a significant variation in performance of fishes fed with different type of feed; as fishes having Oryza feed showed the highest weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and best feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to other groups that were considered to be significant (P 0.05). High net weight gain was obtained in T4 when compared with T2 and T3. FCR value of T4 was less than T1 but higher than T2, T3 and T2, which showed the lowest values. The specific growth rate was recorded as average in T4, but T2 led a high SGR than T3. Similarly, crude protein level and digestive enzymes activity was recorded significantly highest in fed with Oryza (T1) as compared to AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4). Water quality parameters were recorded significant in all treatments except pH and DO of treatment (T1), significantly different from other treatments. It was concluded that Rohu (Labeo rohita) could show a promising growth rate and protease enzyme activity when fed with the Oryza feed of 25% protein.

Resumo Avaliamos os efeitos de diferentes alimentos para peixes em relação à composição corporal, crescimento e atividades enzimáticas de Labeo rohita (Rohu). No total, foram estudados 240 peixes com pesos médios de 24,77 ± 2,15 g. Os tratamentos foram aplicados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos de 60 peixes cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro alimentos diferentes para peixes: Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Foram avaliados a composição corporal, o desempenho de crescimento e as atividades enzimáticas. Houve uma variação significativa no desempenho dos peixes alimentados com diferentes tipos de ração. Peixes com alimentação Oryza apresentaram maior ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico (SGR) e melhor taxa de conversão alimentar (FCR) em comparação com outros grupos que foram considerados significativos (P 0,05). Elevado ganho de peso líquido foi obtido em T4 quando comparado com T2 e T3. O valor da FCR de T4 foi menor que T1, mas maior que T2 e T3, que apresentaram os menores valores. A taxa de crescimento específico foi registrada como média em T4, mas T2 teve uma SGR alta do que T3. Da mesma forma, o nível de proteína bruta e a atividade das enzimas digestivas foram registrados significativamente mais altos nos peixes alimentados com Oryza (T1) em comparação com AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram registrados como significativos em todos os tratamentos, exceto pH e OD do tratamento (T1), significativamente diferente dos demais tratamentos. Concluiu-se que Rohu (Labeo rohita) pode apresentar uma taxa de crescimento promissora e atividade da enzima protease quando alimentado com Oryza de 25% de proteína.

Body composition, growth performance and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita fed different commercial fish feeds / Composição corporal, desempenho de crescimento e atividades enzimáticas de diferentes alimentos para peixes comerciais alimentados por Labeo rohita

Abstract We have evaluated the effects of different fish feeds on the body composition, growth, and enzyme activities of Labeo rohita (Rohu). In total, 240 fishes between the average weights of 24.77±2.15g were studied. The treatments were applied in a completely randomized design, with 4 treatments of 60 fishes each. Treatments consisted of four different fish feeds [Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4)]. Body composition, growth performance, and enzyme activities were evaluated. There was a significant variation in performance of fishes fed with different type of feed; as fishes having Oryza feed showed the highest weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and best feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to other groups that were considered to be significant (P ≤ 0.05). High net weight gain was obtained in T4 when compared with T2 and T3. FCR value of T4 was less than T1 but higher than T2, T3 and T2, which showed the lowest values. The specific growth rate was recorded as average in T4, but T2 led a high SGR than T3. Similarly, crude protein level and digestive enzymes activity was recorded significantly highest in fed with Oryza (T1) as compared to AMG (T2), Aqua (T3), and Supreme (T4). Water quality parameters were recorded significant in all treatments except pH and DO of treatment (T1), significantly different from other treatments. It was concluded that Rohu (Labeo rohita) could show a promising growth rate and protease enzyme activity when fed with the Oryza feed of 25% protein.

Resumo Avaliamos os efeitos de diferentes alimentos para peixes em relação à composição corporal, crescimento e atividades enzimáticas de Labeo rohita (Rohu). No total, foram estudados 240 peixes com pesos médios de 24,77 ± 2,15 g. Os tratamentos foram aplicados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos de 60 peixes cada. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro alimentos diferentes para peixes: Oryza (T1), AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Foram avaliados a composição corporal, o desempenho de crescimento e as atividades enzimáticas. Houve uma variação significativa no desempenho dos peixes alimentados com diferentes tipos de ração. Peixes com alimentação Oryza apresentaram maior ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico (SGR) e melhor taxa de conversão alimentar (FCR) em comparação com outros grupos que foram considerados significativos (P ≤ 0,05). Elevado ganho de peso líquido foi obtido em T4 quando comparado com T2 e T3. O valor da FCR de T4 foi menor que T1, mas maior que T2 e T3, que apresentaram os menores valores. A taxa de crescimento específico foi registrada como média em T4, mas T2 teve uma SGR alta do que T3. Da mesma forma, o nível de proteína bruta e a atividade das enzimas digestivas foram registrados significativamente mais altos nos peixes alimentados com Oryza (T1) em comparação com AMG (T2), Aqua (T3) e Supreme (T4). Os parâmetros de qualidade da água foram registrados como significativos em todos os tratamentos, exceto pH e OD do tratamento (T1), significativamente diferente dos demais tratamentos. Concluiu-se que Rohu (Labeo rohita) pode apresentar uma taxa de crescimento promissora e atividade da enzima protease quando alimentado com Oryza de 25% de proteína.

Disparities in Access to Systemic Treatment for Breast Cancer in Thailand and Major Asian Territories / 한국유방암학회지

Purpose@#Breast cancer (BC) treatment has shifted from chemotherapy to targeted therapy.Several targeted agents have demonstrated an improvement in survival. Given that national healthcare resources were correlated with the cancer mortality-to-incidence ratio, we compared access to BC drugs in Thailand with that in other Asian countries. @*Methods@#BC experts involved in the Breast International Group (BIG)-Asia in six representative groups for countries or special administrative region (SAR) in Asia (Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore) were invited to participate in the survey. The questionnaire addressed national health reimbursement schemes, molecular testing for early BC (EBC), availability and accessibility of BC drugs. Accessibility and reimbursement of the drugs were reported based on their listing as essential medicines in the World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines (WHO-EML) and their nomination as effective drugs in the European Society for Medical Oncology-Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS). The study was approved by all participating BIG-Asia organizations in November 2021. @*Results@#Genomic tests for EBC were non-reimbursable in all surveyed territories.Reimbursement and co-payment of BC drugs vary between and within these regions (particularly Thailand). Most drugs in the WHO-EML and ESMO-MCBS (A/B for EBC and 4/5 for advanced BC) were accessible in all surveyed territories. However, the accessibility of effective but costly WHO-EML and ESMO-MCBS drugs was not uniform in Thailand. There was an evident disparity for individuals covered by the Thai Social Security/Universal Health Coverage schemes. @*Conclusion@#Essential BC drugs are generally accessible in selected BIG-Asia countries or SAR. There is a disparity in accessing high-cost drugs in Thailand compared with other Asian territories.

Iraqi Propolis, Carbimazole, Levothyroxine and their Propolis Combinations Effects on Renal Histopathological Parameters in Female Rats

Abstract Iraqi propolis (PR) have powerful antioxidants, free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory constituents makes it to have a protective effect on renal function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible protective effect of Iraqi propolis (PR) on renal toxicity induced by Carbimazole (CB) and levothyroxine (TR) in rats. Forty-two adult female albino rats randomized into six groups: control, PR, CB, TR, PR + CB and PR +TR. Rats orally treated by gavage for six weeks. Haematological and histopathological analyses performed. A significant increase in hemoglobin percentage, RBC count and Haematocrit percentage after exposure to PR + CB and PR + TR combinations compared to control. CB dose of 0.01mg /g for six weeks causes renal damage in female rats and TR dose of 0.1µg/g for six weeks causes renal degenerative effects. Rats treated with PR+TR show normal appearance in kidney tissue, glomeruli and renal tubules compared to thyroxin group alone. In addition, PR+ CB treatment show more improvement in renal tissue, normal glomeruli and renal tubules compared to CB alone. It is concluded that PR combination with CB or TR might have an effect on the blood, further studies needed to confirm this effect on human to be used for anemia accompanied thyroid disruptions. In addition, further studies needed to confirm renal protective effect on human to be used for this effect.

An Empirical Exploration Of Social Media Burnout, Loneliness And Body Dissatisfaction Among University Students In Pakistan

@#To explore the effect of social media burnout on loneliness and body image among university students in Pakistan. Current study was conducted in Riphah International University Islamabad, Pakistan and comprised of 306 university students including 152 male and 154 females with age range from 19-29 years. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 students including 10 male and 10 females to explore the effect of social media usage on body image. Cross sectional research design was used in which quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. UCLA loneliness scale by Russell was used to assess loneliness. Multi-dimensional body self-relations scale by Cash was used to measure body image and social media burnout scale developed by Han was used to measure social media burnout. Findings indicate that there is a positive relationship between social media burnout and dissatisfaction with body image (r=0.175, p<0.01) and positive relationship exists between social media burnout and loneliness (r=0.187, p<0.01). There is also a positive relationship between loneliness and dissatisfaction with body image (r=0.314, p<0.01). Female students feel more exhausted by social media than male students (t=4.28, p<0.01). Loneliness and body dissatisfaction are found to be high in social media exhausted university students. Loneliness also leads to dissatisfaction with body image. Female university students got social media burnout more quickly than male students.

A comprehensive analysis on cigarettes smoking and its determinants in Bangladesh using logistic regression model

Background: In Bangladesh, smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of death. Despite possessing knowledge about the consequences of smoking and the resultant non-communicable diseases, individuals have become considerably habituated to it. The study aims to identify the factors associated with smoking cigarettes and as well as to examine the existing situation of this issue among adult males in Bangladesh.Methods: Total 480 adult males were surveyed from Bangladesh through personal interview and online questionnaire, (from June 2018 to June 2019). To measure the effect of the explanatory variables on cigarettes smoking, authors perform χ2 test of independence as bivariate analysis. After performing bivariate analysis, a logistic regression analysis has been performed to assess the effect of the explanatory variables.Results: Findings of the study revealed that educational level, household economic status, media exposure, division have significant contribution for smoking cigarettes among the adult male in Bangladesh. A comparison of religious affiliation showed smoking cigarettes to be higher among non-muslim counterparts. Respondents living in rural area are found to have smoking cigarettes comparing with urban area.Conclusions: From the study it can be concluded that education and socio-economic status of male make a significant contribution in cigarettes smoking.

Morphological diversity of Morus spp. (Mulberry accessions) grown in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan / La diversidad morfológica de Morus spp. (accesiones de mora) cultivados en Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu y Cachemira, Pakistán

Genetic diversity of thirty mulberry accessions was determined by using the eleven different phenotypic characters. The study was conducted in field areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The main objective of this study was to find out the diversity in morphological characters of Mulberry accessions found in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. The results showed that there is a significant difference in quantitative parameters among the thirty accessions (p≤0.001). The cluster analysis showed that the data is divided into two main groups at near 80 dissimilarity level. This study suggests that the Morus germplasm is quite diverse.

Se determinó la diversidad genética de treinta accesiones de mora utilizando once caracteres fenotípicos diferentes. El estudio se realizó en áreas de campo de Azad Jammu y Cachemira. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue conocer la diversidad en los caracteres morfológicos de lss accesiones de mora encontrados en Azad Jammu, Cachemira y Pakistán. Los resultados mostraron que hay una diferencia significativa en los parámetros cuantitativos entre las treinta accesiones de mora (p≤0.001). El análisis de conglomerados mostró que los datos se dividen en dos grupos principales a un nivel de disimilitud cercano a 80. Este estudio sugiere que el germoplasma de Morus es muy diverso.

Immunomodulatory activity and chemical characterization of fixed oils obtained from different parts of Oxytropis glabra DC

Oxytropis glabra DC. is a plant with enormous therapeutic vitality. In the present study a comparison of lipophilic profiling of different parts of O. glabra has been carried out by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 32 compounds have been identified from this plant, amongst which 31 have been identified for the first time. These compounds have been further confirmed from their Van den Dool and Kratz [I] Indices. Out of these 32 compounds, 18 have been identified from flower [80.94%], 15 from fruit [85.36%], 11 from leaves [66.35%] and 11 from root [45.96%]. The major class of metabolite identified from different parts is fatty acid. Hydrocarbons have also been detected in flower and fruit but not in root and leaves. The extracts were screened for their immunomodulatory activity on whole blood cells. The root oil was found to be moderately active [IC50 32.3 micro g/ml]. At present only limited data is available on the phytochemical composition of O. glabra

Anticholinergic drug atropine diminishes newly formed fear memory in male rats

Post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] is a condition which is triggered shortly after experiencing traumatic events. PTSD is complicated by the fact that people with PTSD often develop additional disorders such as phobias, addiction, depression, panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Beta-adrenergic and cholinergic system both are involved in memory formation as well as in emotional response associated with memory. It is reported that the administration of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic antagonist results in the impairment in memory formation. Here, we examined the potential of beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol and muscarinic cholinergic antagonist atropine for impairing the recently formed fear memory associated with PTSD. Reconsolidation is the memory process during which labile memory converts into permanent memory. In this study it is hypothesized that if recently formed fear memory is disturbed during reconsolidation phase by pharmacological intervention then it could be possible to impair wellconsolidated fear memory. Atropine and propranolol were injected in separate set of rats [n=6] just after the reactivation of fear memory. Short term memory and long term memory were monitored after 2 h and 24 h of reactivation respectively. Results of current study demonstrated that only atropine showed significant impairment of reconsolidation of newly formed fear memory whereas propranolol did not show fear memory disrupting effects. The results emphasize the significance of pharmacological intervention to impair reconsolidation of newly formed fear memory

Synthesis, spectral analysis and antibacterial activity of some novel 5- substituted-2-[[6-bromo-3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl]thio]-1,3,4- oxadiazole derivatives

A number of novel 5-substituted-2-[[6-bromo-3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl]thio]-1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives [6a-l] have been synthesized to evaluate their antibacterial activity. Using aryl/aralkyl carboxylic acids [1a-l] as precursors, 5-substituted-1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-thiols [4a-l] were yielded in good amounts.The derivatives, 4a-l, were subjected to electrophilic substitution reaction on stirring with 6-bromo-3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl chloride [5] in DMFto synthesize the required compounds. All the synthesized molecules were well characterized by IR, [1]H-NMR, [13]C-NMR and EIMS spectral data and evaluated for antibacterial activity against some bacterial strains of Gram-bacteria. The molecule, 6d, demonstrated the best activity among all the synthesized molecules exhibiting weak to moderate inhibition potential

Administration of 5-HT-1B agonist ameliorates pseudodementia induced by depression in rats

Major depressive disorder [MDD] is the leading cause of memory impairment in general population. The serotonin hypothesis provides a target model for the treatment of depression and depression-associated memory loss. 5- HT-1B receptor is suggested as a potential candidate in the pathophysiology of depressive illness. Dysfunction of 5-HT- 1B receptors has been observed previously in depressive patients. Zolmitriptan, 5-HT-1B agonist is clinically recommended for the treatment of migraine. However, in present study this drug was tested as a potential treatment for depression and associated memory loss by altering the serotonergic function at receptor level. Rats [n=24] were equally divided into unstressed and stressed groups. Depression was induced by 19 days of restraint stress for 4 h which was followed by forced swim test and pattern separation test to assess depressive symptoms and memory impairment, respectively. The initial sign of depression-associated memory loss involves impaired pattern separation which is regarded as pseudodementia. In this study stressed rats showed depression- and pseudodementia-like symptoms. After the induction of depression, rats were treated with zolmitriptan at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg which resulted in a significant attenuation of depression and depression-associated memory impairment. Results are discussed with reference to the modulation of function of 5-HT-1B receptor following the administration of exogenous agonist

Alteration of rRNA gene copy number and expression in patients with intellectual disability and heteromorphic acrocentric chromosomes

Background: Intellectual disability [ID] is an important medical and social problem that can be caused by different genetic and environmental factors. One such factor could be rDNA amplification and changes in rRNA expression and maturation

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate rRNA levels in patients with heteromorphism of the p-arms of acrocentric chromosomes bearing nucleolus organizer regions compared to a healthy control group

Material and methods: Frequencies of p-arms enlargements in patients with ID and in healthy people were analyzed by G-banding screening. rRNA gene copy numbers on affected acrocentric chromosomes in peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated in ID patients and healthy bearers using FISH, and in immortalized lymphocytes of one patient - using FISH and real time PCR. Simultaneously, levels of 18S, 28S and 5,8S rRNA in both groups by means of qRT-PCR were investigated

Results: No difference in acrocentric chromosome heteromorphism frequency in patients versus the healthy group were found. However, we found an amplification of rDNA, a significant elevation in 28S and 5.8S rRNA expression and changes in the 28S/18S rRNA ratio in ID patients compared to healthy controls. At the same time, FISH appeared to be not reliable enough for copy number evaluation, but RT-PCR showed rDNA copy changes in heteromorphic cells compared to normal

Conclusion: Our findings indicate a loss of the correct regulation of rDNA activity and processing after amplification. This could disturb the ribosomal apparatus and thus lead to intellectual disability via at least two mechanisms

Robertsonian translocation 13/14 associated with rRNA genes overexpression and intellectual disability

Background: The Robertsonian translocations inherited from parents with a normal phenotype are often discovered through children with pathogenesis. The exact causes of pathologies in children with clinical manifestations are often unknown and vary greatly in the reported cases: uniparental disomy, de novo rearrangements, changes in methylation patterns and gene expression, including ribosomal genes

Aim of the study: Molecular-cytogenetic investigation of a clinical case of intellectual disability

Material and methods: GTG-banding, Ag-NOR staining, fluorescent in situ hybridization, PCR, real-time PCR

Results: We describe a family case of a translocation rob [13; 14] and elevated rRNA expression in the proband with developmental delay and in his phenotypically normal mother. We show the loss of the p-arms of original chromosomes and the absence of NORs on the derived chromosome. The wholechromosome uniparental disomy is excluded

Conclusion: The translocated chromosome in the proband was most likely inherited from the mother and did not come about de novo with normal chromosomes 13 and 14 being obtained from the father. The cause of the pathogenesis in the proband still remains unknown. We hypothesize that it could be caused by impaired imprinting manifesting in altered methylation levels of loci on the derivative chromosome

Structural and functional annotation of citrate synthase from Aspergillus niger ANJ-120

Citrate synthase [CS] is involved in citric acid biosynthesis which is a well-established metabolic pathway. The condensation of acetyl-CoA with oxaloacetate is catalyzed by CS. Citric acid [CA] has a number of applications in pharmaceutical industry. CA in combination with bicarbonates is used as an effervescent in the preparations of tablets and powders. It has also been used as an anticoagulant and acidulant to form mild astringent. In current study, detailed structural and functional analyses of CS protein were carried out using various bioinformatics tools. Structural modeling was also done by building 3D model of CS from Aspergillus niger ANJ-120 using Modeller 9.16 software. The 3D Model was then evaluated using different online approaches. Furthermore, superimposition of query and template structures, Root Mean Squared Deviation and visualization of generated model were done through UCSF Chimera 1.5.3. Even though various roles of CS protein were already known and verified experimentally, here we presented a structural analysis of CS protein. The structural investigation of CS protein will be helpful for protein engineering strategies and understanding the interactions among proteins. Due to large number of applications, the production of citric acid by A. niger and its bioinformatics studies will offer substantial improvement in commercial scale intensification of this useful product

Breast self examination awareness and practice among female nurses in Bahawal Victoria hospital Bahawalpur

Background: Knowledge about the early diagnosis of breast cancer world help in early diagnosis and treatment

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and practice of nurses about breast self examination BSE in BVH, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur from 20[th] April to 20[th] May 2017. Study comprised of total 100 female nurses selected randomly. The tool for data collection was pre designed, pretested, structured and self administered questionnaire to collect the information from constituted study population. The data analyzed by using SPSS version 20

Results: Out of 100 respondents 98% has knowledge about BSE. Breast self examination was performed by 47%

Conclusion: Knowledge and practice of BSE in the female nurses of BVH, Bahawalpur was satisfactory