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Background: Nephrotic syndrome is usually accompanied by retention of water and sodium. Nephrotic syndrome is a collection of clinical findings due to kidney damage. This includes protein in the urine, low blood albumin levels, high blood lipids, and significant edema. Objectives: This study aimed to observe the pattern of lipid profile in the children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and the effect of treatment on the same. Methods: The present observational, cross sectional of 40 cases of nephrotic syndrome children aged between 2-8 years was carried out from June 2022 to July 2023 in Department of Pediatrics of Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Statistical data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.20 software. Results: Number of nephrotic children presented during first episode (FE) was 10 (25%). Majority (65%) were under the category of infrequent relapser (I:R) and only 4 children (10%) were frequent relapse. It was observed that during relapse, 4 cases (10%) having their serum albumin level < 1.5 gm/dl showed a very high mean serum cholesterol value of 596 mg/dl. Among 40 nephrotic children during their relapse before treatment, majority of cases (60%) showed their serum LDL cholesterol value in between 200 - 300 mg /dl. Only few cases (8%) showed very high LDL cholesterol level above 401 mg /dl. The mean + SD value (mg / dl of LDL-cholesterol among control children was 94.8 +30.39 Conclusions: This study suggests that serum lipid profile evaluation be done at regular intervals in children with nephrotic syndrome with follow up even during remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic liver diseases (MLDs) in children can present with a wide range of clinical features. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to increase the high index of suspicion among physicians and awareness among caregivers regarding early diagnosis of MLD. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based prospective observational study has been conducted in the Paediatric Outpatient Department and Inpatient Department of RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, over 2 years from 2021 to 2023. A total of 47 children aged up to 12 years were diagnosed as various MLDs who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Template was generated and analysis was done on SPSS software. Results: The study sample was 47 children with MLDs. Mean age was 4.21±3.81 years. Males: female ratio was approximately 2.35:1. History of consanguinity among parents was present in 23.40% cases which affirmed the autosomal recessive mode of inheritance in most of the MLD. History of sibling deaths was there in 10 cases. The most common symptom was yellowish discoloration 21 (44.68%) followed by abdominal distension 12 (25.53%). There were diverse modes of presentations. The most common presentations were hepatomegaly 47 (100%) and splenomegaly 30 (63.83%). Of 47 MLDs, Wilson disease cases were maximum (27.66%) followed by glycogen storage disease (23.40%). Conclusion: High index of suspicion should be prevalent among physicians for early diagnosis of cases to reduce disease mortality and morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the tropics, scrub typhus is a growing health risk. Acute meningoencephalitis, enteric fever, Kawasaki disease, and dengue can all have similar clinical characteristics. Early intervention and a high index of suspicion help to avoid mortality and morbidity. The preferred medications are Doxycycline or Azithromycin, both intravenous and oral. Aims and objectives: The aim of thepresent study was to present clinical manifestation, laboratoryfindings and treatment outcomes of pediatric scrub typhus ina tertiary care setting. Methods: The present study was prospective observational study. A total of 45 cases detected with positive for Scrub Typhuswere includedin the study. Study was conducted from May to October 2023 in the Department of Paediatric Medicine, RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Statistical data were analysed by using Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.20 software. Results: A total of 45 cases were detected to be positive for Scrub Typhus. Their age ranged from 1½years to 12 years, mean being 7 ½ years. There was no sex predilection, 21 (47%) were male and 24 (53%) were female. Fever was the chief complaint in all of them. During hospital stay, the average temperature recorded was 101ºF. Eighteen cases presented with exanthematous fever. The rash was erythematous maculopapular, mostly appearing in the limbs and sometimes over the trunk. Eschar was found only in ‘5’ cases case even after thorough searching. Other findings include organomegaly, generalized lymphadenopathy and constitutional symptoms. Conclusion :Scrub typhus do exist around Kolkata in the suburban and rural areas. Hence awareness is very important. They need to be detected early by high index of clinical suspicion and screening test followed by rapid onset of treatment by Azithromycin and Doxycycline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic DNA adopts B‐form canonically. Besides, the oligonucleotides can adopt various non‐canonical secondary structures. These are hairpins, cruciforms, triplexes, quadruplexes (G4), i‐motifs etc. G4s are usually formed by the guanine rich oligonucleotides and are found in both DNA and RNA. G4s are more frequently distributed in telomeres, promoter oncogenes, immunoglobulin switch regions, ribosomal DNA etc. Recently, it has been established that G4s are intriguingly connected with different human diseases including cancer. Stabilization of G4s by designed molecules or drugs impedes the transcription of several oncogenes and also creates encumbrance to the telomere biogenesis which is very important in impediment of cancer. G4 is treated as an important molecular target in the discovery of anti‐cancer drugs. Among the G4 targeting molecules, peptides draw sincere attention due to its small size, simple synthetic methodology, low cytotoxicity and cellular permeability. In this review, our main discussion revolves around the formation of G4, distribution of G4 in genome, structurally diverse peptides (linear, cyclic, branch, conjugated) having potential to target G4 structures and its future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effluent contains many harmful microbes which should be eliminated before it is discharged into a water body. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) being high-quality significance and have a great impact on this research field as it inhibits microbial proliferation and infection. Therefore, it may use for Bioremediation purposes, our laboratory is fascinated by the production of polymer matrix entrapment silver nanoparticles for in situ bio-remediation purposes. The AgNPs was prepared from sawdust by decoction method. The yellowish solution turns into dark brown colour indicating the formation of AgNPs. A sharp SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) band formation in UV-vis spectroscopy scan establishes the formation and stability of silver nanoparticles in an aqueous solution. SEM microphotograph indicated roughly spheroidal structure with (63±3) nm average diameters of newly synthesized AgNp. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is eco-friendly and non-toxic to the environment was chosen for the preparation of polymeric matrix. The non-toxic concentration (1 μg/mL) of AgNp was dispersed into PVA solution followed by cross-linked with maleic acid. PVA- maleic acid is cross-linked by the formation of an ester bond, whereas silver nanoparticles physically entrap into the cross-linked matrix. The silver nanoparticles were released from the matrix nearly after 10 min of swelling of the composite film. In a microbial assay using E. coli agar medium, PVA-AgNp composite film shows the significant killing of microorganisms. Microbial elimination is measured indirectly by pH measurement and dissolved oxygen concentration measurement of the effluent in situ against RO- water, taken as control. The dissolved oxygen concentration from RO water and effluent water was measured on Day "0" followed by treatment and incubation at the BOD chamber. The treatment with PVA-AgNp composite film reduced the BOD Level and increase dissolved oxygen level simultaneously increasing the quality of water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of a synthetic, aromatic tripeptide, H-Phe-Phe-Phe-OH (FFF) to recognize the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) has been tested with various biophysical and thermodynamic techniques. From the study, it is established that the peptide can recognize the groove of the ct-DNA and the binding constant value calculated from the isothermal titration calorimetric (ITC) study at 25C is 9.96 × 10³ M-1. From ITC data it is also noticed that the peptide-DNA complexation is favored by positive standard molar entropy contribution (TΔS°) of 13.65 kJ mol-1 and negative standard molar enthalpy contribution (ΔH°) of -9.170 kJ mol-1. The temperature-dependent ITC study also shows that the equilibrium constant value decreases gradually with increasing temperature. However, the standard molar Gibbs energy change exhibits only minor alterations suggesting the occurrence of enthalpy-entropy compensation. The studies reveal the insight into the spectroscopic and thermodynamic prospect of the FFFct-DNA interaction in vitro and hold the promise of future applications as DNA targeting drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]