In this study, an attempt has been made to predict the major functions of gramnegative bacterial proteins from their amino acid sequences. The dataset used for training and testing consists of 670 non-redundant gram-negative bacterial proteins (255 ofcellular process, 60 of information molecules, 285 of metabolism, and 70 of virulence factors). First we developed an SVM-based method using amino acid and dipeptide composition and achieved the overall accuracy of 52.39% and 47.01%, respectively. We introduced a new concept for the classification of proteins based on tetrapeptides, in which we identified the unique tetrapeptides significantly found in a class of proteins. These tetrapeptides were used as the input feature for predicting the function of a protein and achieved the overall accuracy of 68.66%. We also developed a hybrid method in which the tetrapeptide information was used with amino acid composition and achieved the overall accuracy of 70.75%. A five-fold cross validation was used to evaluate the performance of these methods. The web server VICMpred has been developed for predicting the function of gram-negative bacterial proteins (http://www.imtech.res.in/raghava/vicmpred/).

A cross-sectional study was conducted with the aim to explore the present status of birth preparedness and complication readiness in rural area of West Bengal and determine the possible factor(s) influencing their knowledge and practice regarding this concern. Thirty villages with homogenous characteristics were identified by cluster sampling methods from a rural block (Bhatar, Burdwan district, West Bengal) of India on April 2013 to November 2013. From every cluster 7 mothers who had delivered baby within the last year and were available first, interviewed consecutively using a guided questionnaire adapted from JHPIEGO Maternal and Neonatal Health Programme survey tools. Multivariate logistic regression was applied in analysis to predict how much the independent variables influenced the birth preparedness of mothers. 62.4% mothers were found to be well prepared. Trained birth attendants and health facilities were identified before delivery in 81.9% and 78.1% cases respectively. Mode of transportation for complication management or delivery was pre-decided by about 60% of family. Only 35.7% family saved money for the same purpose. Logistic regression revealed that well preparedness increased 11 times with every new pregnancy, but it did not depend on caste and education status of the mothers. The overall birth preparedness status of the rural mothers is poor and they acquire more knowledge regarding birth preparedness from their self experience rather than from existing health system. ​
Parturition ; Rural Population ; India

INTRODUCTIONThe sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a major muscle of the neck. Classically, this muscle is attached below the sternum and clavicle, although the mode of attachment might vary. As the SCM is related to numerous important neurovascular structures, its variable anatomy is clinically relevant, particularly for neck surgeries. A cadaveric study was performed to establish the variations present in the mode of attachment of the SCM muscle in an Indian population.

METHODSWe studied the variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle during the dissection of 18 cadavers for undergraduate teaching in two medical colleges in West Bengal, India.

RESULTSVariations in the attachment of the SCM muscle were found in 5 (27.8%) specimens. Of these five specimens, three had unilateral variations and two had bilateral variations. In each specimen, the modes of presentation of the SCM and its fusion with the major bulk were also different.

CONCLUSIONIn this study, we found variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle in more than a quarter of the specimens dissected. Surgeons should bear in mind such variations when performing neck surgeries.

Cadaver ; Clavicle ; anatomy & histology ; Dissection ; Female ; Humans ; India ; Male ; Neck ; anatomy & histology ; Neck Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; Sternum ; anatomy & histology

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is a disease of old age, in which there is bony proliferation of spine in ventral and lateral aspects of vertebral body. A 80-years-old male presented to us with features of low back pain radiating along the right lower limb in the posterolateral aspect. After examination and investigations, he was found to have metabolic syndrome, degenerative lumbar disc disease, and his X-Ray and MRI showed diffuse thickening of lumbar vertebrae from L2-S1. This suggested that the patient had diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis with extraspinal manifestations which coexisted with lumbar degenerative disc disease. This case shows that both diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and lumbar degenerative disc disease can coexist. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis should also be kept as a differential diagnosis in chronic low back pain in old age.

Amebic liver abscess is the most common extraintestinal manifestation of infection with Entamoeba histolytica. It is a common disease, especially in endemic areas, but it is a rare cause of inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction, with only a few cases appearing in the literature. The authors describe a case of amebic liver abscess in a patient who developed a rare vascular complication of inferior vena cava thrombosis. The case responded to conservative treatment and radiological intervention.

To explore if some ultra-highly diluted homeopathic remedies claimed to have antiviral effects can demonstrate any discernible action in the bacteria Escherichia coli through modulating infectivity potentials of the bacteriophage φX174 DNA.

To study potential antioxidant, analgesic, antidiarrheal, and antibacterial activities of the ethanol extract of Musa seminifera Lour. fruit in different established in vivo and in vitro experimental models.

Objective: Nyctanthes arbortristis is a common plant in Bangladesh. The objective of our research was to biochemical and biological analysis of the methanolic extract of the dried leaves of Nyctanthesarbortristis found in Bangladesh. Methods: We investigated the presence of polyphenols, flavanoids and other types of compounds by thin layer chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and UV spectroscopy analysis. We performed antioxidant assay by colorimetric methods. We investigated antibacterial assay by disk diffusion method. Cell surface receptor binding assay was performed by hemagglutination inhibition assay and hemolysis assay. Results: Methanolic extract of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis contains flavanoids and other biologically active compounds. The extract showed antioxidant, peroxide scavenging and total reducing activity. The extract also showed antibacterial activities against several strains of bacteria. It also showed hemaglutination inhibition activities and hydrogen peroxide induced hemolysis inhibition activity in human blood cells. Conclusions: Therefore, Nyctanthes arbortristis may be considered as a plant of various health benefits.

Objective: To identify the possible functional molecules for therapeutic uses by screening the crude aqueous and methanolic extracts derived from sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) in vitro. Methods: High performance liquid chromatography was used to scan the functional molecules present in the extracts.Results:or its derivatives like molecules. On the other hand, the crude methanolic extract may contain Loratadine or its derivatives like molecules. Both type of extracts showed hemagglutination inhibition activities in all types of human blood samples tested. However, they showed stronger binding with AB+ blood group than those of A+ and B+ blood. The crude aqueous extracts showed the possibilities to present caffeine and cetirizine Conclusions: Sesame seeds may be considered as a functional food.

Objective: This case report highlights Wilson's disease, a rare genetic disorder involving the liver and brain presenting clinically with psychiatric symptoms as the first manifestation. Method: We present two cases of Wilson’s disease who had the typical symptoms of Schizophrenia and Bipolar mood disorder (mania) respectively. Results: Wilson disease first presentation of psychiatric diagnosis may obscure the diagnosis who later on turned out to be suffering from Wilson’s disease. Conclusion: Although such patients are more commonly seen in neurological and hepatological settings, mental health professionals must keep in mind a high level of suspicion, once first presentations may be of psychiatric nature.