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Byline: Sangeetha. Yoganathan, Madhan. Kumar, Deepa. John, Sumita. Danda, Samuel. Oommen, Sayli. Umakant, Maya. Thomas Sir, A one-and-half-year-old boy, second born to a third-degree consanguineous couple, was brought for the [...]

Bacillus velezensis is a member of the genus Bacillus, which harbours useful, novel, and efficient secondary metabolites that can be utilized in the disruption of xenobiotics. Although a few strains of B. velezensis and related species are reported every year as having xenobiotic metabolism potential, several novel gene clusters are still unexplored, which could be more potent than those already discovered. The current B. velezensis strain was isolated from gills of healthy Oreochromis niloticus and the novelty of the strain was assessed through whole genome sequence analysis. Prokka, DFAST, BAKTA, and RASTtk were computational tools utilized for genome elucidation following the genome assembly. Protein and protein pathway prediction was achieved through the PATRIC database. Additionally, the resistance genes against microorganisms were examined through CARD (via Proksee), bacteriocin, and RiPPs using BAGEL4, and forecast of virulence factors using VFDB in PATRIC. The analysis led to identification of indicator genes for xenobiotic breakdown. The results were compared to pre-existing strains of B. velezensis and it was compelling to conclude the high biotechnological potential and the candidacy of the strain in xenobiotic degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is one of the hair loss disorders in women characterized by a gradual reduction in hair from the frontal, central, and parietal areas of the scalp. FPHL is more common than previously thought, and data regarding the same are lacking in the Indian literature. Unlike male pattern hair loss, there are not much studies regarding FPHL in South India. Hence, we intend to study the clinical features, associations, and dermoscopic findings of FPHL in our population. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to estimate the clinical and dermoscopic features of FPHL. The secondary objective of the study was to estimate the severity of FPHL based on clinical and dermoscopic features. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 300 patients who were clinically diagnosed with FPHL attending the Department of Dermatology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, during a period of 18 months from February 2021 to August 2022. Results: The mean age of patients with FPHL was 46.99±13.8 years. The majority of the patients were asymptomatic. Hair diameter diversity of >20% and miniaturized hair were the most common dermoscopic findings seen in all patients. Honeycombing and yew dots in dermoscopy were seen in 17 and 8.4% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Dermoscopes are a useful tool to differentiate FPHL from other causes of diffuse hair loss that could mimic FPHL. The presence of yellow dots and honeycombs indicated advanced FPHL. Thus, dermoscopy helps in detecting early FPHL and initiating early treatment of this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menopause is considered a phase in a woman's life attributed to several changes in the body due to the deficiency in circulating estrogen. Decrease in estrogen levels are also associated with vitamin D deficiency, as estrogen is required for the activation of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential in maintaining alveolar bone health. A deficiency of vitamin D could be associated with an increased risk of developing periodontal disease. With this background, the study was conducted to evaluate the salivary vitamin D level and periodontal health in postmenopausal women. A number of 70 systemically healthy postmenopausal women were included in the study. Periodontal parameters such as bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed. In addition, saliva samples were collected and evaluated for vitamin D levels using an ELISA kit. The data were then subjected to statistical analysis. The salivary vitamin D levels were found insufficient in the majority of the subjects (75.71%). Mean CAL was 2.89±0.79, the mean PD was 2.86±0.79, the PI score was 1.6±0.82 and BOP was 56.79±5.13. Only 37% of participants had good plaque scores. There was a strong negative correlation between the salivary vitamin D level and the periodontal clinical parameters, which was highly statistically significant (p<0.01). Postmenopausal women had insufficient levels of vitamin D and this, in turn, could have a negative impact and increase the risk for periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose was to study the dimensions of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) using Heidelberg Retinal Angiogram-2 (HRA-2; Heidelberg Engineering GmBH, Dossenheim, Germany). Materials and Methods: An observational study of the FAZ area and circumference was done with fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) using HRA-2 in 31 normal individuals. The FAZ was studied using both contrast-adjusted and nonadjusted methods. Contrast adjustment was done to obtain better visualization of the finer capillaries around the fovea enabling more precise measurements of the FAZ in normal eyes. Results: The mean area of the FAZ calculated by the contrast-adjusted method was 0.2753 mm 2 (±0.074) and the mean circumference was 2.22 mm (±0.048). By the conventional method, the area and circumference of the FAZ were 0.6241 mm 2 (±0.177) and 3.23 mm (±0.454), respectively. Conclusion: The measurements of area and circumference of FAZ using contrast-adjusted methods were significantly smaller than the conventional method.

Intraorbital foreign bodies often present a confusing clinical picture. Wooden foreign bodies are notorious for remaining quiescent for a long time, before presenting with a variety of complications. The wound of entry may often be small and self-sealing. Wooden foreign bodies also show a propensity to break during attempted removal. Intraorbital wood is often not detected by standard diagnostic tests like the computed tomography scan, adding to the diagnostic dilemma. The presence of an intraorbital mass with a discharging sinus should evoke suspicion of a retained organic foreign body, regardless of the time interval between the trauma and current presentation. It is imperative to maintain a high index of suspicion in such cases to avoid misdiagnosis. We report an unusual case of a missed wooden intraorbital foreign body, which spontaneously extruded after five years.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compeleceng.2008.06.005 Byline: P.P. Deepthi, Deepa Sara John, P.S. Sathidevi Keywords: LFSR; Boolean function; Correlation attack; Edit distance Abstract: Linear feedback shift register (LFSR) based stream ciphers are popular because of their low hardware implementation costs. The nonlinear combination generators and clock-controlled generators are two very commonly used schemes in LFSR based stream ciphers. FPGA implementation of these two schemes has been done to obtain an idea about the hardware complexity of the two schemes. The fast correlation attack and edit distance attack, which are the fastest of the reported attacks on the nonlinear combination generators and clock-controlled generators respectively, have been implemented. A new model for LFSR based keystream generation has been proposed by combining the two existing schemes. The proposed model is based on the detailed comparative study and cryptanalysis of the two existing schemes mentioned. Author Affiliation: Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673 601, Kerala, India

Acute invasive fungal sinusitis (AIFS) is a rapidly progressive disease, whose delayed identification results in poor outcomes, especially in immunocompromised individuals. A surge in of AIFS in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has lent additional morbidity and mortality to an already precarious clinical scenario. Early detection of AIFS in individuals who are symptomatic/ at risk can allow early therapy, enabling better patient outcomes. Our study aims to determine optimal soft-tissue markers on CT for the early detection of AIFS. In this case–control study, 142 patients with equal distribution of subjects were chosen based on histopathological diagnosis of AIFS; and their non-contrast CT scans were retrospectively assessed to determine the diagnostic utility of specific soft-tissue markers that would enable diagnosis of AIFS. A total of nine markers with adequate sensitivity and specificity were identified, including pterygopalatine and sphenopalatine fossae, inferior orbital fissure and nasolacrimal duct involvement, premaxillary thickening, retro-antral and orbital stranding, and infratemporal muscle oedema. It was determined that the combined occurrence of any three out of nine markers was 91.5% sensitive and 95.9% specific for diagnosis of AIFS (p < 0.005). Early, accurate detection of AIFS in predisposed individuals is possible with identification of soft-tissue markers on NECT, enabling early intervention. Being the aggressive disease that it is, AIFS may be managed early if the index of suspicion is held high via CT imaging; which our diagnostic checklist aims at enabling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Retinal venous occlusive diseases have been recognized as a major cause of ocular morbidity. Hyperhomocysteinemia could be a potentially modifiable risk factor. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of hyperhomocysteinemia with central and hemi-central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO and HCRVO), the correlation of serum levels of homocysteine with Vitamin B12 and folate levels and the association of Vitamin B12 deficiency with hyperhomocysteinemia. METHODS: In this case–control study, patients with CRVO and HCRVO, and age- and gender-matched controls without CRVO and HCRVO, who met the eligibility criteria, were enrolled after obtaining informed consent. Data obtained from participants using a questionnaire, complete ophthalmological examination and relevant investigations, including estimation of serum homocysteine, Vitamin B12 and folate levels, were collated and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases with CRVO and HCRVO and 39 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. We found a significant association of hypertension (P < 0.01), hyperlipidemia (P = 0.01), and abnormal blood profile (P < 0.01) with retinal vein occlusion. There was no statistically significant association of hyperhomocysteinemia with CRVO and HCRVO (P = 0.81). However, we found a high prevalence of both hyperhomocysteinemia (43.58% of cases and 53.84% of controls; P = 0.81) and Vitamin B12 deficiency (23.08% of cases and 38.46% of controls; P = 0.14) in cases and controls, without a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to both parameters. Our study also found a negative correlation of serum levels of homocysteine with Vitamin B12 (Pearson correlation co-efficient − 0.3874, P = 0.0005), and folate (Pearson correlation coefficient − 0.3886, P = 0.0004) of the study participants. Among the study participants (n = 78), the odds of patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency having hyperhomocysteinemia were 7.0 (2.26–21.72) times those of patients without Vitamin B12 deficiency (P = 0.001). Similarly, among the cases (CRVO, n = 39), the odds of patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency having hyperhomocysteinemia were 7.0 (1.22–40.09) times those of patients without Vitamin B12 deficiency (P = 0.029). In the control group also (non-CRVO, n = 39), the odds of patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency having hyperhomocysteinemia were 6.67 (1.47–30.21) times those of patients without Vitamin B12 deficiency (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia was not found to be an independent risk factor for retinal vein occlusion in our study. However, we found a high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia and Vitamin B12 deficiency in both cases and controls, without a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to both parameters. We also found a negative correlation of serum homocysteine levels with Vitamin B12 and folate levels. The odds of patients with Vitamin B12 deficiency having hyperhomocysteinemia were seven times those of patients without Vitamin B12 deficiency. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and abnormal blood profile had a significant association with CRVO and HCRVO. Many of the systemic risk factors for retinal vein occlusions are found to be associated with elevation of serum homocysteine levels, which may be part of a final common pathway in bringing about a state of accelerated atherosclerosis, leading to CRVO or HCRVO. Therefore, lowering serum levels of homocysteine by Vitamin B12 and folate supplementation could have a role in the prevention of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Vitamin D is hypothesized to prevent periodontal disease progression through immune modulation and regulation of systemic calcium. A multifunctional cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6, mediates tissue injury, infection, and bone resorption in periodontitis. The goal of Phase I therapy is to halt the disease progression. Hence, this study aims at correlating the serum level of vitamin D and IL-6 in patients with chronic periodontitis before and following periodontal non-surgical therapy. Material and method: A total of 60 patients were divided into two groups of 30 each, comprising healthy and chronic periodontitis patients, respectively. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and post-treatment. Serum samples were analyzed to estimate vitamin D levels and IL-6 levels. Results: At baseline, the mean serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in group B (49.13±5.65) and, the serum vitamin D level indicated an insufficiency (20.62±5.76). However, following non-surgical periodontal therapy, the vitamin D level improved (31.76±8.12) and IL-6 level decreased markedly (40.16±7.88). In addition, there was an improvement in the clinical parameters. Conclusions: It can be concluded that there is an association between chronic periodontitis, vitamin D and IL-6 indicating their potential role as risk indicators for periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]