Influence of sugars on the activity of cellulase system from two basidiomycetes cultures

Influence of some sugars was studied on activity of purified cellulase enzymes produced by two white-rot basidiomycetes cultures in submerged fermentation. Exo- and endo-glucanases were found to be stimulated by glucose, sucrose and xylose, but β-glucosidase was inhibited by all sugars tested except sucrose being neutral. Cellobiose severely inhibited all three cellulase activities at all three concentrations taken in reaction mixture.     

Alterations in free radical scavenger system profile of type I diabetic rat brain

The activities of the enzymes related to glutathione synthesis, degradation, and functions as well as reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes were analyzed in different brain regions, such as cerebral hemisphere, cerebellum, brainstem, thalamus, and hypothalamus after 1 and 3 mo of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Parallel studies were also made in age-matched control rats and insulin-treated diabetic rats. The content of glutathione (GSH) and its synthesizing enzyme γ-glutamylcystein synthetase and also superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities (reactive oxygen scavenging enzymes) were significantly decreased from almost all the brain regions studied. However, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), and glutamine synthetase (GS) activities were increased in the diabetic rat brain. Insulin treatment to the diabetic rats resulted in partial to full recovery in these enzymes activities. The present results emphasize the potentially serious alterations of brain free radical scavenger system in uncontrolled Type I diabetes.     

Synthesis and Neuromuscular Blocking Activity of 16β-Piperidino Epiandrosterone Derivatives

This study reports the synthesis of steroidal quaternary ammonium compounds 11 and 12, with quaternary nitrogen at position 3 and 16 of the steroid nucleus in 5α-epiandrosterone series; along with their neuromuscular blocking activity using chick biventer cervicis muscle preparation. The compound 12 was found to be five times more potent than 11 in reducing twitch response to nerve stimulations, indicating the importance of extended interonium distances and 17-acetoxy function for potent antagonist activity.     

A Prospective Study to Determine the Predictive Ability of HDP-Gestosis Score for the Development of Pre-eclampsia

BackgroundHDP-gestosis score is a risk scoring system (score 1–3) for the development of pre-eclampsia. When a pregnant woman’s total score is equal to or greater than 3, she is labelled as “at risk for pre-eclampsia” and is managed accordingly.ObjectivesTo determine the sensitivity, specificity, Positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and diagnostic accuracy of HDP-gestosis score for predicting pre-eclampsia.MethodsThis prospective study included 473 pregnant women who presented at the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, from June 2020 to December 2021. After 20 weeks of pregnancy, the patients were assessed for the development of pre-eclampsia. Details of age, gravida, obstetric history, menstrual cycle regularity, polycystic ovarian disease history, duration of marriage, parity, past medical and surgical intervention, previous/present medication, and family history were taken. Gestosis score was calculated and classified into mild (score of 1), moderate (score of 2) and high risk (score of ≥ 3) for the development of Pre-eclampsia (PE). Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of HDP-gestosis score for predicting the development of PE were determined.ResultsThe mean age, gestational age, and BMI of the women were 28.4 ± 6.8 years, 11.5 ± 2.04 weeks, and 24.5 ± 3.7 kg/m^2, respectively. The gestosis score was 2 in 43.13% of the participants, 1 in 42.28%, and ≥ 3 in 14.59% of the women. PE developed in 15.01% (n = 71) participants. The Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV, NPV, and Diagnostic accuracy of HDP-gestosis score for predicting PE were 83.1%, 97.51%, 85.51%, 97.03% and 95.35%, respectively.ConclusionGestosis score is a novel early marker for prediction of the development of PE allowing for a prompt management for the patients, thereby curbing the adverse consequences.     

Sustainable smart anti-corrosion coating materials derived from vegetable oil derivatives: a review

Sustainable development is a critical concern in this fast-paced technological world. Therefore, it is essential to employ renewable resources to move towards sustainable development goals (SDGs). The polyols attained from renewable resources, including lignin, chitosan, vegetable oils, cellulose, etc. and the polymers derived from them have attracted the attention of the majority of researchers, both in academia and industry. The development of bio-based polymers from vegetable oils start emerging with different properties to generate a value-added system. This review will give an impression to readers about how coatings generated from vegetable oils can find a way towards better protective properties against corrosion either by using fillers or by using molecular structure modifications in the system, thus covering a range of vegetable oil-based self-healing polymers and their application in anti-corrosion coatings.

The article covers coating materials using bio-chemical derived molecules (vegetable oils) and their properties including mechanical, self-healing and anti-corrosion properties.     

The undesirable wink

Background:Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare acquired oculofacial synkinesis first reported in 1918. It manifests as involuntary eyelid closure on jaw opening or on lateral movement of the jaw following a peripheral facial nerve palsy. The increased orbicularis tone due to aberrant connections between the cranial nerve (CN) V and CN VII results in an undesirable wink with major psychosocial impact.Purpose:Most cases in literature were either observed or administered botulinum toxin injection to the orbicularis muscle. There are few sporadic reports of surgical interventions with successful outcomes.Hence there was a need to generate awareness regarding various modes of management of this rare entity.Synopsis:We present a video on the clinical presentation and management of six such patients, of whom one was bilateral. Five patients were females. Traumatic facial nerve paralysis and Bell’s palsy was previously diagnosed in one and five patients respectively. The mean age was 52 ± 9.48 years. The mean MRD (margin reflex distance) 1 and MRD 2 was 3.17 ± 0.60 and 5.33± 0.65 mm respectively. On smiling or on movement of the jaw the MRD 1 and 2 was reduced by 2. 50±0.40 and 1.50+/-0.40 mm respectively. Of the six patients four patients opted for nil intervention.Highlights:Botulinum toxin injection and preseptal orbicularis resection in the upper and lower eyelid along with blepharoplasty was performed in 1 patient each. Satisfactory reduction in the synkinetic movement was achieved in both. Marin-Amat syndrome is a rare often underdiagnosed synkinetic disorder following peripheral facial nerve palsy. Botulinum toxin injection and preseptal orbicularis resection are viable management options.Video link: https://youtu.be/YQbRecp449w     

Bilateral congenital coronary ostial obstruction: Exertional syncope in an otherwise healthy 8‐year‐old

Congenital stenosis/atresia of a coronary artery is an exquisitely rare anomaly (Congenit Heart Dis, 2, 2007, 347) with increased risk of sudden death. Bilateral coronary obstruction is even more unusual but has been reported in conjunction with aortic valve disease, syphilis, and Takayasu's arteritis. To the best of our knowledge, obstruction of both coronaries in a pediatric patient has only been reported once (Ann Thorac Surg, 55, 1993, 1564). We present a patient with an intramural, anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery from the contralateral sinus (AAORCA) with near atresia of the left main coronary ostium. The diagnosis was made by echocardiogram and confirmed by catheterization and magnetic resonance imaging.