A clinical study of primary caesarean section at a tertiary care hospital in coastal city: an observational study

Background: Caesarean section represents the most significant operative intervention in obstetrics and its development and application has saved the lives of countless mothers and infants. However there has been a steady increase in the rate of caesarean sections worldwide. In this study, we aim to find the primary caesarean section rates and strategies to cut it down.Methods: This was a prospective observational study done from January 2018 to June 2019 at Justice K. S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Deralakatte, Mangaluru which included 379 cases of primary cesarean sections. All patients undergoing primary caesarean section with gestational age >28 weeks confirmed by dates, clinical examination and ultrasound were included in this study. Patients who had undergone previous caesarean section or were less than 18 years of age or were less than 28 weeks of gestation were excluded from the study.Results: In this study the rate of primary caesarean section was found to be 14.5% and the majority of the study subjects belonged to the age group of 18-27 years (62.3%). With respect to parity, primigravida were high in number (71.2%), followed by multigravida. The number of emergency caesarean sections were (79%) more than elective (21%). The most common intra-operative complication was post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) in 2.8% and the most common postoperative complication was wound gape in 2.1%.Conclusions: Maximum efforts should be made to allow progression of vaginal delivery in primigravida which helps us to bring down the primary caesarean rate.

Radiological And Genetic Expression Of Neural Tube Defects

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common birth defects which mainly affect developingfoetuses, with a high incidence rate in India and main causes of it been nutritional deficiencies and geneticpredisposition. Folic acid supplementation brought decline in the incidence of NTDs.Materials: This study was conducted on 1000 dead foetuses in Anatomy department, over a period of two yearsfrom 2017- 2019 .The dead foetuses were brought from the gynaecology and obstetrics department. A properfamily history and obstetrics history was collected. The foetuses were embalmed and later studied for NTDs indetail.Conclusion: Comparing the results with the previous studies it is clearly evident that the incidence of NTDs havesignificantly reduced from 11.42/1000 births to 0.2 to 10/1000 births. In most of the previous studies NTDs hada female preponderance whereas in present study there is equal preponderance. In older studies, Spina bifidawas the most common NTDs followed by anencephaly. But in the present study it is the same. Incidence of NTDshas reduced due to various reasons like prenatal screening tests forfoetal anomalies and folic acidsupplementation.

Isolation, Molecular Characterisation of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Producing Novel Bacillus sp., skm7T from a Polluted Pond Water.

Bio-plastics are natural biopolymers that are synthesized and catabolised by various organisms and these materials do not cause toxic effects in the host and have certain advantages over petroleumderived plastics. The current emphasis on sustainability, eco-efficiency and green chemistry has led to intensive search for renewable and environmentally friendly resources. Thus, sustainable development is recognized to be essential for the growth of the economy and industrial productivity. A polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) producing Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile bacterium was isolated from the polluted pond water. Strain SKM7T grew at 15–40ºC and pH 5.0–8.5 and in the presence of 0–1.5% (w/v) NaCl. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Antimicrobial activities were studied. The DNA G+C content was 53 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain is a member of the genus Bacillus and is most closely related to B. aryabhattai B8W22(T) (99.01%), B. megaterium IAM 13418(T) (98.86%), B. flexus IFO 15715(T) (97.80%). The sequence of the 16S rDNA gene of strain SKM-7 was determined as 1554 bp and deposited in the EMBL under accession no. LM655314. The major isoprenoid quinine was MK-7 and an unidentified glycolipid was identified. The major fatty acid are dominated by saturated iso and anteiso (anteisoC14:0, iso-C15:0, anteisoC15:0, anteisoC16::0). The phenotypic and genotypic properties clearly indicate that strain represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus. The strain produced PHA in mineral medium consisting of glucose and nitrogenous substances. The type strain is SKM7T (=KCTC 33686T).

Structural Analysis and Docking of Stilbene Synthase Protein from Chinese Grape Vine Vitis pseudoreticulata.

Aims: The present work aims to perform the molecular modeling of stilbene synthase protein from Chinese grape vine Vitis pseudoreticulata. Place and Duration of Study: The study has been performed in the Department of Biotechnology, GITAM Institute of Technology, GITAM University, Visakhapatnam, India for a period of 8 months. Methodology: The sequence of Vitis STS protein was obtained by BLAST search from DFCI web server using Arabidopsis Stilbene synthase sequence. To read the amino acid pattern among these sequences, Multiple Sequence alignment have been performed using clustal W. The secondary and 3D structures were predicted for the protein and the stability of the structures was determined through Ramachandran plot and PROSA analysis. 3D structure obtained using Swiss model workspace was utilized for docking studies. Results: In the multiple sequence alignment except Gossypium and Ipomea remaining sequences were aligning well. The secondary structure of the protein is possessing helices, coils and sheets respectively and most of the protein structure is coiled. The predicted model was subjected to evaluation by PROSA with a Z score of -10.1. Ramachandran plot revealed that the predicted that 96.6% residues were in favoured region, 2.6% were in allowed region and 0.8% were in outlier region proving that the predicted model is acceptable. Docking STS protein with secondary metabolite ligands elucidated that anethole, ascorbic acid and arbutin have good binding affinity. Conclusion: The structural model of Vitis pseudoreticulata stilbene synthase has been determined, and in silico docking studies have elucidated that this protein has docked with some of the essential secondary metabolites like anethole, ascorbic acid and arbutin which might enhance the performance when they enter into a biological system.

Radix formation between median and musculocutaneous nerves: embryological, morphological and clinical correlation.

In ours study we report radix formation between median nerve and musculocutaneous nerves. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Narketpally, Nalgonda Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India. During routine cadaveric dissections in the upper limbs, we observed an anastomosis (radix) between median and musculocutaneous nerves in the arm. Variations in the origin, course, branching pattern, communications was observed. These variations have clinical significance in brachial plexus block and surgical procedures.

Angiosomes of medial cord of brachial plexus.

This anatomical study analyzed the neurovascular relationship of the brachial plexus. Ten formalized specimens of brachial plexuses were examined after injection of lead oxide in to the subclavian artery. The vascular, anatomical features of the brachial plexus were documented .The specimens were analyzed by dissection method, subjected for microscopic study. The vascular supply was markedly rich, often with true anastomotic channels found within the nerves. There was much variation in supply, depending on the branching pattern of subclavian artery.

Clinical relevance of alternative splicing.

The unique phenomenon of alternative splicing is gathering concern due to its promising therapeutic potential. The human genome sequencing project suggests approximately 20,000-25,000 genes. Among these, about 35-60% of genes generate multiple mRNAs by alternative splicing mechanism and contribute to the diversity of the proteomic world. This 'gene shortfall' has ignited considerable interest in alternative RNA splicing. This process leads to expression of a single gene responsible for the transcription of different mRNA isoforms that might have multiple biological functions. The disruption of splicing pattern can produce aberrant splice variants, which are implicated in more than 50% of genetic disorders including cancer. Altered splice sites in neoplastic cell contribute to the development, progression and/or maintenance of tumorous growth. The repertoire of tumor-specific variant represents a potential marker in pharmacogenomic diagnostic relevance. Alternative splice isoforms have been analyzed serendipitously by qualitative gene profiling with in silico gene prediction software. Computational approach in identifying exonic splicing enhancers in genomic DNA and focus on microarray technology will elucidate differential expression of alternative splice variants. The antisense oligonucleotides modulate alternative splicing and engender the production of therapeutic gene products. Oligonucleotides have the potential to silence the mutations caused by aberrant splicing. The efficacy of the antisense oligonucleotides lies in the chemical configuration, affinity and delivery strategies. Hence the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides as modulators of aberrant alternative splicing would be a major challenge to the upcoming proteomic era.

Ascorbic acid metabolism in ageing recalcitrant sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) seeds.

Changes in ascorbate content and its enzymatic utilization pattern were studied in embryonic axes and cotyledons of sal seeds undergoing rapid loss of viability, at ambient conditions. Ascorbate levels were significantly higher initially in the embryonic axes (0.32 mg/g fresh weight) and cotyledons (0.21 mg/g fresh weight) of freshly mature, relatively hydrated (42.2% moisture content) and 100% viable sal seeds. It declined sharply as the tissues; embryonic axes and cotyledons, desiccated with absolutely no detectable amount in non-viable seeds (21% moisture content). Significantly strong correlation was obtained between desiccation of embryonic axes (r = 0.96) and cotyledon (r = 0.97) with loss of ascorbate levels and loss of germinability. Higher rates of ascorbic acid utilization (AAU) recorded in the embryonic axes of 100% viable seed declined sharply as the seed viability reduced due to desiccation below 36.8% moisture content. AAU was not detected in the cotyledons.