Adhesion molecules facilitate host-pathogen interaction & mediate Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogenesis

Most of the microorganisms display adhesion molecules on their surface which help them to bind and interact with the host cell during infection. Adhesion molecules help mycobacteria to colonize and invade immune system of the host, and also trigger immune response explicated by the host against the infection. Hence, understanding the signalling pathways illustrated by these molecules to enhance our knowledge on mycobacterial survival and persistence inside the host cell is required. Hence, this review was focussed on the role of adhesion molecules and their receptor molecules. The various mechanisms adopted by adhesion molecules to bind with the specific receptors on the host cell and their role in invasion and persistence of mycobacterium inside the host cell are explained.

Use of Traditional Indian Plants in the Inhibition of Caries-Causing Bacteria - Streptococcus mutans

The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the antibacterial activity of six Indian plant extracts and 0.2% chlorhexidine against clinical strains of Streptococcus mutans, which were isolated from the plaque samples of 45 pediatric patients. Six plant extracts were prepared in three different forms, namely aqueous extracts, organic solvent-based extracts and crude (raw) extracts. The antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by agar well diffusion method. Antimicrobial activity of the extracts was determined by measuring the mean zones of inhibition (mm) produced against the bacterial isolates. Results showed that crude garlic extract exhibited greater antibacterial activity than chlorhexidine. Aqueous extract of amla and organic solvent-based extract of ginger showed the maximum antibacterial activity against S. mutans, whereas aqueous extract of tulsi and organic solvent based extract of amla showed the minimum antibacterial activity. This study suggests that plant extracts like garlic in crude form, amla as aqueous infusion and ginger as alcoholic tincture have potential for the control of S. mutans. These extracts can be used as an alternative remedy for dental caries prevention or in the form of mouthwash, which is safe and economical.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar comparativamente a atividade antibacteriana de seis plantas indianas contra linhagens clínicas de Streptococcus mutans, que foram isoladas das amostras de biofilme dental de 45 pacientes pediátricos, com 0,2% de clorexidina. Seis extratos vegetais foram preparados em três formas diferentes, a saber, extratos aquosos, extratos à base de solventes orgânicos e extratos brutos. Os testes de sensibilidade antimicrobiana foram realizados por método de difusão em agar. A atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos foi determinada através da medição da zona de inibição, em milímetros, produzida contra os isolados bacterianos. Os resultados mostraram que o extrato de alho cru apresentou maior atividade antibacteriana do que a clorexidina. O extrato aquoso de amla e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de gengibre mostraram a máxima atividade antibacteriana contra S. mutans, enquanto o extrato aquoso de tulsi (manjericão) e o extrato à base de solventes orgânicos de amla mostraram mínima atividades antibacteriana. Este estudo sugere que extratos de plantas como o alho em forma bruta, amla como infusão aquosa e gengibre como tintura alcoólica tem um potencial para o controle de S. mutans. Estes extratos podem ser utilizados como uma via alternativa para a prevenção de cáries dentárias ou sob a forma de bochechos, que são seguros e econômicos.

Effect of helium-neon laser on wound healing.

To estimate the biostimulatory effects of low intensity laser radiation on healing of skin wounds, two linear skin wounds were produced on either side of dorsal midline in rats and immediately sutured. Wounds on the left side were irradiated daily with helium neon laser at 4 Joules/sq.cm for 5 min., while those on right side were not exposed and served as controls. The mean time required for complete closure in control group was 7 days while irradiated test wounds took only 5 days to heal (P < 0.01). The mean breaking strength, as measured by the ability of the wound to resist rupture against force, was found to be significantly increased in the test group. Early epithelization, increased fibroblastic reaction, leucocytic infiltration and neovascularization were seen in the laser irradiated wounds. The results establish the biostimulatory effects of low intensity laser radiation on healing of skin wounds.

"EXPATH" an expert system for pathology for the diagnosis of jaundice.

Computers are increasingly playing an important role in the field of medicine. A computer aided expert system has been developed for the differential diagnosis of jaundice. In this article the major features and application of this modular software are discussed.

A, B & H isoantigens in cervical lesions.

Expression of A, B and H isoantigens in cervical mucosa was demonstrated by specific red cell adherence test in 92 cervical lesions (40 chronic cervicitis, 12 dysplasia and 40 carcinoma cervix). Eighty percent cases of chronic cervicitis showed a moderate reaction. On the contrary, in carcinoma cervix, 75% cases were found to be SRCA negative. In dysplasia, the intensity of red blood cell adherence was found to be directly related to the degree of cellular differentiation. Study of A, B and H isoantigens might help in deciding the prognosis of dysplasia and/or early detection of malignancy.

Leucocyte alkaline phosphatase activity in patients with squamous cell carcinoma.

Alkaline phosphatase have been demonstrated histochemically in the cytoplasm of neutrophils. Altered LAP activity has been observed in a number of conditions. Increased values are found in various inflammatory lesions where as in different malignancies LAP falls. Our study was aimed to see the alteration in LAP activity in case of squamous cell carcinoma. The study was carried out in peripheral blood smears of 185 cases (110 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 75 of normal persons). After histochemical staining, LAP scoring was done. LAP score in Squamous cell carcinoma (mean +/- SD = 57.41 +/- 16.9). No significant difference in LAP score was found according to the site and grade of carcinoma, and in relation to metastasis. 43 cases were followed up after variable periods of treatment. LAP score was found to be significantly raised following treatment, (mean +/- SD = 21.14 +/- 5.94, p < 0.001). It is concluded that LAP scoring might be used as a cheap and simple technique to diagnose occult malignancies and to assess the response to therapy.

Effect of low intensity laser radiation on healing of open skin wounds in rats.

Two full thickness skin wounds were produced on either side of dorsal midline in rats to study the effect of low intensity laser radiation on wound healing. Wounds on left side were irradiated daily with Helium Neon laser at 4 Joules/sq cm for 5 min. Wounds on right side were not exposed and served as controls. The mean +/- SD of time required for complete closure in control group was 14.1 +/- 0.86 days (range 12-15 day) while irradiated test wounds took only 10.3 +/- 0.68 days (range 9-12 days) to heal (P < 0.001). Granulation tissue was significantly (P < 0.001) more in test than in control wounds. Early epithelisation with increased fibroblastic reaction, leukocytic infiltration and neo vascularisation was seen in the laser irradiated wounds. The collagen hydroxyproline concentration of scar tissue was also significantly higher (P < 0.001) in test group on 17th post-operative day. The study establishes the biostimulatory effects of low intensity laser radiation on healing of skin wounds.

A study of humoral factors in carcinoma cervix.

Serum immunoglobulins, circulating immune-complexes and blocking effect of patients' sera on normal T lymphocytes were studied in 10 patients with chronic cervicitis, 25 with carcinoma cervix and 20 age matched healthy women. No significant difference was observed between the healthy controls and chronic cervicitis. In carcinoma, there was a significant increase in IgG and IgA in stage I, IgG and IgM in stage II and in all the three immunoglobulins in stage III as compared to chronic cervicitis. Circulating immune-complexes and T cell depression were also found to be increased and stage related. After radiotherapy, both these parameters and IgG were found to be significantly reduced. The study of these immune parameters seems to be a promising aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with carcinoma cervix.

Fibrinolysis in idiopathic menorrhagia.

Serum fibrin/fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) was studied in 64 patients of menorrhagia without any organic cause in addition to 24 healthy women by Thrombo - Wellcotest HA - 13 Kit (Wellcome, England). Serum FDP levels were found to be less than 10 micrograms/ml in healthy subjects, whereas in idiopathic menorrhagia it was more than 10 micrograms/ml in 59.34% patients. Semi-quantitative estimation of FDP in 14 patients of idiopathic menorrhagia indicated a positive correlation between duration of bleeding and FDP levels. Bleeding appears to be due to increased fibrinolytic activity in uterus secondary to plasminogen activator. Such patients are likely to be benefitted with anti-fibrinolytic agents.

Coagulation studies in patients with cirrhosis of liver: bleeders vs non-bleeders.

Haemostatic functions in 30 cases of cirrhosis liver (18 bleeders and 12 non-bleeders) irrespective of the type of cirrhosis were studied. All the cirrhotics were found to have normal bleeding and clotting time. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 10 cases (33.3 percent), reduced availability of PF3 in 8 cases (26.6 percent), multiple coagulation factor defects in 18 cases (60 percent), increased euglobulin lysis activity in 8 cases (26.6 percent) and low plasma fibrinogen in 12 cases (40 percent). The combination of these tests indicated consumption coagulopathy with secondary fibrinolysis as the major contributory factor in haemorrhagic diathesis in patients with cirrhosis of liver. These coagulation defects were found to be more severe in bleeders than non-bleeders.