Protein interaction studies of curli fimbriae in Escherichia coli biofilms.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) caused by biofilms on indwelling medical devices are the most common type of nosocomial infections, a major health concern due to complications and frequent recurrence. The infections are most often caused by Escherichia coli. Curli are proteinaceous components of a complex extracellular matrix produced by various strains of Enterobacteriaceae. Curli fibers are involved with adhesion to surfaces, cell aggregation and biofilm formation. Therefore, it is of interest to study the protein interactions in curli biogenesis, identifying proteins involved in curli biogenesis, the interactions and development of a combinatorial library of novel lead molecules against biofilm formation by Escherichia coli. Targeting the CsgG protein of Escherichia coli could provide new treatment modalities to fight CAUTIs, better. This study may also help study infections caused by various strains of Enterobacteriaceae, in general.

Phytochemical derivatives targeting fliJ flagellar protein from Escherichia coli.

Approximately 50 per cent of nosocomial infections are caused by the use of indwelling medical devices. The surfaces of devices are ideal sites of attachment for bacterial cells and an increase in biofilm formation. Biofilms have been a constant concern due to their complex extracellular matrix (ECM) resulting in multiple drug resistance. E. coli is known to associate with biofilms. Therefore it is of interest to identify the proteins associated to biofilm formation in Escherichia coli through literature survey, investigate their protein-protein interactions and identify indispensible proteins of biofilm formation. These proteins were further analyzed and fliJ was identified as the target, based on betweenness, centrality and radiality. 87 phytochemicals were found to be associated with the microbe in question and were docked with the target using Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) 5.0. The results showed that geranyl pyrophosphate, ferulic acid 4-o-b-d-glucuronide, 5-8'-dehydrodiferulic acid and geranyl diphosphate showed maximum activity. A combinatorial library of 96 models was generated using the four phytochemicals binding with fliJ.

Sequelae of neglected senile cataract.

Cataract is the most common cause of blindness in the world. An attack of phacolytic and phacomorphic glaucoma as a result of neglected cataract constitutes a medical emergency that must be addressed immediately. Ocular emergencies such as these is challenging for the surgeon with guarded or poor prognosis. We describe the presentation, management and prognosis of three cases of phacomorphic and phacolytic glaucoma. All three patients underwent aggressive management of intraocular pressure. Despite successful cataract operation with implantation of intraocular lens, there was only mild improvement of the vision. Optic nerve and pupil functions were permanently affected following the insult. Phacomorphic and phacolytic glaucoma present a very challenging problem to the surgeon with poor visual outcome. Public health education and awareness are important and health workers should encourage patients with cataract to seek early treatment for better prognosis.

A comparative study on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients with and without diabetes.

The study was conducted to find out the extent of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in ischemic stroke patients (ISPs) with and without diabetes. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was studied as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Glutathione (GSH), uric acid and ceruloplasmin were estimated to study the antioxidant potential of ISPs. Significantly higher levels of MDA were found in both the groups of ISPs and the increase in MDA was more in ISPs without diabetes. GSH levels were decreased significantly in both the groups of ISPs and maximum decline was found in ISPs with diabetes. Uric acid levels were significantly increased in both the groups of ISPs. Ceruloplasmin levels were increased significantly in ISPs without diabetes, whereas its levels were slightly decreased in ISPs with diabetes. A negative correlation was found between MDA and the antioxidants GSH, uric acid and ceruloplasmin in ISPs with diabetes. This study suggests that there is an association between ischemic stroke and increased oxidative stress and the antioxidant potential is impaired in both the groups of ISPs with and without diabetes.

Cisplatin-induced hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia.

Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum), a chemotherapeutic agent active against solid tumors, is a known cause of acute renal failure and renal tubular dysfunction. We saw a case of renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia in a 58-year-old woman with genital pelvic malignancy. Her initial manifestation was that of chronic symptomatic hypocalcemia of four months' duration. The relatively reduced parathyroid hormone level in this patient and the possible sites of cisplatin-induced renal tubular dysfunction resulting in hypermagnesuria were evaluated. This case emphasizes the importance of serially observing cisplatin-treated patients for the possible development of hypomagnesemic hypocalcemia.

Embolization from a fusiform middle cerebral artery aneurysm.

A 34-year-old man had a transient ischemic attack and subsequently a completed stroke. Arteriography revealed a large fusiform aneurysm of the left middle cerebral artery with intraluminal thrombus. At surgery, the thrombus was seen within the lumen of the aneurysm. Absolute evidence for embolization is lacking as no examination for this could be done. Embolization from intracranial aneurysms seems to occur exclusively in large or giant aneurysms. Turbulent flow and a "stagnant zone" probably promotes thrombus formation. The reasons for the relative rarity of subsequent embolization are discussed. Because embolization from intracranial aneurysm is so uncommon and because aneurysms usually produce focal deficit by other mechanisms, 4 criteria are presented to determine whether embolization is likely.