ABSTRACT Introduction: Frailty and its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been established previously. The present study examined this association further by studying the distribution of frailty among groups defined by different stages of the disease. It also identified associated health deficits and explored their association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 90 non-dialysis dependent CKD Stage 1–4 patients, recruited in three stratified groups of 30 participants each based on the stage of disease. Frailty was assessed using Fried’s frailty criteria and associated health deficits were recorded using a pre-determined list. Depression was screened using a 4-point depression scale. Results: 21.1% of the participants were frail and 43.3% were pre-frail. The proportion of frailty in CKD groups A (Stages 1 and 2), B (Stage 3a), and C (Stages 3b and 4) was 10%, 13.3%, and 40%, respectively. The association of health deficits including co-morbidities, physical parameters, mental status, daily activities, etc. with UACR, eGFR, and CKD stages was not statistically significant. Nearly one in two frail participants was depressed compared with 14% among non-frail participants. Conclusion: The skewed distribution of 21% frail subjects identified in our study indicates an association between frailty and advancing kidney disease. Frail individuals had a lower eGFR, higher UACR, were more likely to be depressed, and had higher count of health deficits and poorer performance on Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living and WHOQOL. Early identification of depression would improve care in these patients.

RESUMO Introdução: Fragilidade e sua associação com DRC foram estabelecidas anteriormente. O presente estudo aprofundou esta associação, estudando distribuição da fragilidade entre grupos definidos por diferentes estágios da doença. Também identificou déficits de saúde associados e explorou sua associação com taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe) e relação albumina/creatinina urinária (RAC). Métodos: Realizou-se uma pesquisa transversal em 90 pacientes com DRC Estágios 1–4 não dependentes de diálise, recrutados em três grupos estratificados de 30 participantes cada, conforme estágio da doença. Avaliou-se fragilidade usando os critérios de fragilidade de Fried e registraram-se os déficits de saúde associados usando uma lista pré-determinada. A depressão foi verificada utilizando a escala de depressão de 4 pontos. Resultados: 21,1% dos participantes eram frágeis e 43,3% eram pré-frágeis. A proporção de fragilidade nos grupos de DRC A (Estágios 1 e 2), B (Estágio 3a), e C (Estágios 3b e 4) foi de 10%, 13,3%, 40% respectivamente. A associação de déficits de saúde, incluindo comorbidades, parâmetros físicos, estado mental, atividades diárias etc. com RAC, TFGe e estágios da DRC não foi estatisticamente significativa. Cerca de um em cada dois participantes frágeis estava depressivo comparados com 14% entre não frágeis. Conclusão: A distribuição enviesada de 21% dos indivíduos frágeis identificados em nosso estudo indica associação entre fragilidade e doença renal progressiva. Indivíduos frágeis apresentaram menor TFGe, maior RAC, eram mais propensos a depressão, tinham maior índice de déficits de saúde e desempenho inferior no Índice de Atividades da Vida Diária de Barthel e WHOQOL. A identificação precoce da depressão melhoraria o atendimento desses pacientes.

RESUMO Introdução: Fragilidade e sua associação com DRC foram estabelecidas anteriormente. O presente estudo aprofundou esta associação, estudando distribuição da fragilidade entre grupos definidos por diferentes estágios da doença. Também identificou déficits de saúde associados e explorou sua associação com taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe) e relação albumina/creatinina urinária (RAC). Métodos: Realizou-se uma pesquisa transversal em 90 pacientes com DRC Estágios 1–4 não dependentes de diálise, recrutados em três grupos estratificados de 30 participantes cada, conforme estágio da doença. Avaliou-se fragilidade usando os critérios de fragilidade de Fried e registraram-se os déficits de saúde associados usando uma lista pré-determinada. A depressão foi verificada utilizando a escala de depressão de 4 pontos. Resultados: 21,1% dos participantes eram frágeis e 43,3% eram pré-frágeis. A proporção de fragilidade nos grupos de DRC A (Estágios 1 e 2), B (Estágio 3a), e C (Estágios 3b e 4) foi de 10%, 13,3%, 40% respectivamente. A associação de déficits de saúde, incluindo comorbidades, parâmetros físicos, estado mental, atividades diárias etc. com RAC, TFGe e estágios da DRC não foi estatisticamente significativa. Cerca de um em cada dois participantes frágeis estava depressivo comparados com 14% entre não frágeis. Conclusão: A distribuição enviesada de 21% dos indivíduos frágeis identificados em nosso estudo indica associação entre fragilidade e doença renal progressiva. Indivíduos frágeis apresentaram menor TFGe, maior RAC, eram mais propensos a depressão, tinham maior índice de déficits de saúde e desempenho inferior no Índice de Atividades da Vida Diária de Barthel e WHOQOL. A identificação precoce da depressão melhoraria o atendimento desses pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Frailty and its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been established previously. The present study examined this association further by studying the distribution of frailty among groups defined by different stages of the disease. It also identified associated health deficits and explored their association with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 90 non-dialysis dependent CKD Stage 1–4 patients, recruited in three stratified groups of 30 participants each based on the stage of disease. Frailty was assessed using Fried’s frailty criteria and associated health deficits were recorded using a pre-determined list. Depression was screened using a 4-point depression scale. Results: 21.1% of the participants were frail and 43.3% were pre-frail. The proportion of frailty in CKD groups A (Stages 1 and 2), B (Stage 3a), and C (Stages 3b and 4) was 10%, 13.3%, and 40%, respectively. The association of health deficits including co-morbidities, physical parameters, mental status, daily activities, etc. with UACR, eGFR, and CKD stages was not statistically significant. Nearly one in two frail participants was depressed compared with 14% among non-frail participants. Conclusion: The skewed distribution of 21% frail subjects identified in our study indicates an association between frailty and advancing kidney disease. Frail individuals had a lower eGFR, higher UACR, were more likely to be depressed, and had higher count of health deficits and poorer performance on Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living and WHOQOL. Early identification of depression would improve care in these patients.

Abstract Exponential increase in population has led to the release of large amounts of unregulated and untreated wastewater into water bodies such as rivers, lakes, streams, and estuaries causing various environmental and health issues. Traditionally various procedures are applied for the treatment of wastewater at the local and municipality level. Due to the increased need and development of newer technologies, it is necessary to understand all the available procedures and evaluate their efficiency. In the present review, all the important methods involved in the treatment of wastewater and its monitoring have been comprehensively discussed and compared along with their advantages and disadvantages. Information will not only help in understanding the treatment of wastewater but it will also help in developing procedures for the reuse of treated water for various alternative purposes.

Rosai Dorfman disease is a rare but benign and self-limiting disorder. A case of Rosai Dorfman disease in a 16-year-old female with classic radiological and pathological findings is presented. T2W hypointense signal of the soft tissue masses was a distinguishing MRI feature. CONTRIBUTION: Rosai Dorfman disease is often overlooked in the differentials of lymphadenopathy and soft tissue masses on account of its rarity. This case report comprehensively discusses the imaging approach to this rare disorder

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome respiratorio agudo grave dado por el COVID-19 ha afectado de manera abrumadora a los sistemas de salud a nivel mundial. La prestación de servicios de atención cardiovascular se ha tornado inusualmente difícil tanto para los cuidadores como para los médicos en estos tiempos inéditos. Métodos: Realizamos una revisión breve de cómo se puede brindar atención cardíaca a los pacientes a la vez que se limita la exposición tanto de pacientes como del personal de la salud a través de los servicios de telemedicina. Comparamos los servicios ambulatorios habituales con las visitas de telemedicina en nuestro instituto. Resultados: Encontramos que la tele medicina puede ser una alternativa igualmente efectiva de atención cardíaca durante tiempos de pandemia, sin ninguna diferencia significativa en el perfil de los pacientes ingresados a través de los servicios de telemedicina. Conclusiones: Concluimos que la telemedicina puede convertirse en una herramienta efectiva para proporcionar atención en salud cardíaca al limitar la exposición tanto de pacientes como de médicos con un mejor triage de pacientes cardíacos en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19, y puede llegar a ser un complemento de la atención cardíaca habitual en tiempos normales.

Abstract Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has overwhelmingly affected the health-care systems globally. Delivering cardiovascular care has become unusually difficult both for caregivers and physicians in these unprecedented times. Methods: We briefly reviewed how cardiac care can be delivered to patients while limiting the exposure of both patients and healthcare workers through telemedicine services. We made a comparison at our institute of outpatient services through routine and telemedicine visits. Results: We found that telemedicine can be an equally effective alternative cardiac care during the times of pandemic with no significant difference in patients profile admitted through telemedicine services. Conclusions: We concluded that telemedicine can prove to be an effective tool in delivering cardiac care by limiting exposure of both patients and physicians with better triage of cardiac patients in the situation of COVID-19 pandemic and may complement to regular cardiac care in routine times.

Abstract Bacteriocin has been identified as an excellent alternative to chemical preservatives due to its astonishing antimicrobial activity against food spoiling and food-borne pathogens. So there is a need to identify the newer and potent sources of bacteriocin producers. This study aims the isolation of potent bacteriocin producing microorganism from fresh fruits and vegetables, its production, purification, and characterization. Firstly, 43 isolates were analysed for its antimicrobial potential, out of which7 were found to inhibit the growth of various pathogens. Considering the results of antimicrobial activity; the microorganism isolated from mango was regarded as the most potent one; which was identified as Bacillus subtilis VS.70% ammonium sulphate precipitated and dialysed bacteriocin was purified using DEAE cellulose and sephadex G75 chromatography. Bacteriocin was purified by 24.64 fold with 8.65% recovery and its molecular weight was found to be 31.2kDa. The Purified bacteriocin was found to be stable at broad pH and temperature. It was found to be degraded by various proteases studied confirming its proteinaceous nature. Considering all these attributes; the purified bacteriocin isolated from Bacillus subtilis VS can be exploited by various food industries.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in carcinoma prostate (CaP) has deleterious effect on bone mineral density (BMD) leading to increase incidence of osteoporosis and skeletal-related events. We evaluated bone health status and impact of bone-directed therapy (BDT) and ADT on BMD in these patients from Jan 2015-Dec 2018. Materials and Method: Baseline bone health was assessed using Tc-99 MDP Bone scan/ DEXA scan for patients on ADT. Monthly zoledronic acid (ZA) was given to high-risk candidates (T-score ≤2.5 or previous hip/vertebral fracture) or Skel et al. metastatic patients who were receiving ADT. Baseline and follow-up (at 12-months) BMD using DEXA scan at various sites (spine, femur total, femur neck and radius) and subjective improvement in bony pain using Numeric Pain Rating Score after administration of ZA were compared. Results: A total of 96-patients of locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer receiving ADT with or without BDT were included in the study cohort. Mean age of presentation was 68.4±15.61 years. Median serum PSA was 32.2±13.1ng/mL. There was significant improvement in mean BMD (T-score) in 64-patients post ZA therapy at 12-months (at femoral total, femoral neck and spine; 0.95, 0.79 and 0.68, respectively) (p <0.05) while there was significant deterioration in mean BMD at 12-months (at spine, femoral neck and femoral total; −0.77, −0.55 and −0.66, respectively) in 32 patients who did not receive ZA and were on ADT (p <0.05). Pain scores significantly decreased in patients after 12-months of ZA use (−2.92±2.16, p <0.01). Conclusion: Bone-directed therapy (Zoledronic acid) leads to both subjective and objective improvement in bone health of prostate cancer patients on ADT.

ABSTRACT Novel strategies to combat the ever increasing burden of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) causing tuberculosis (TB) remains a global concern. The ability of MTB to sense and adapt to restricted iron conditions in the hostile environment is essential for their survival and confers the basis of their success as dreadful pathogen. The striking and clinically relevant virulence trait of MTB is its ability to form biofilms and adhere to the host cells. The present study elucidated the effect of iron deprivation on biofilm formation and cell adherence of Mycobacterium smegmatis, a non-pathogenic surrogate of MTB. Firstly, we showed that iron deprivation leads to enhanced cell sedimentation rate and altered colony morphology depicting alterations in cell surface envelope properties. We explored that biofilm formation and cell adherence to polystyrene surface as well as human oral epithelial cells were considerably reduced under iron deprivation both in presence of 2,2 BP (iron chelator) and siderophore mutant Δ011-14 strain. We further investigated that the potency of three first line anti-TB drugs (Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Rifampicin) to inhibit both biofilm formation and cell adhesion were enhanced under iron deprivation in contrast to the drugs when tested alone. Taken together, by virtue of the indispensability of iron for functional virulence traits in mycobacteria, iron deprivation strategies could be further exploited against this notorious human pathogen to explore novel drug targets.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the subjective and objective outcomes of mini-incision dismembered Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty in the treatment of primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 to January 2013, Anderson-Hynes pyeloplasty was performed in 71 patients diagnosed with primary UPJO. Small subcostal muscle splitting incision was used in all cases. Sixteen patients with renal calculi underwent concomitant pyelolithotomy. Subjective outcome was assessed using visual pain analogue score (VAS). For objective assessment, the improvement in differential renal function (DRF) and radio-tracer wash out time (T1/2) on Tc-99m DTPA scan and decrease in hydronephrosis (HDN) on renal ultrasound (USG) and urography (IVU) were assessed. Results: Mean incision length was 5.2 cm. The average operating time and postoperative hospital stay was 63 (52-124) minutes and 2.5 (2–6) days respectively. Concomitant renal calculi were successfully removed in all the patients. Overall complication rates were 8.4% and overall success rate was 98.6% at median follow-up of 16 months. There was significant improvement in pain score (p=0.0001) and significant decrease in HDN after the procedure. While preoperative mean T1/2 was 26.7±6.4 minutes, postoperative half-time decreased to 7.8±4.2 minutes at 6 months and to 6.7±3.3 minutes at 1 year. Mean pre-operative DRF was 26.45% and it was 31.38% and 33.19% at 6 months and 1 year respectively. Conclusions: Mini-incision pyeloplasty is a safe and effective technique with combined advantage of high success rates of standard open pyeloplasty with decreased morbidity of laparoscopic approach. Excellent functional and objective outcomes can be achieved without extra technical difficulty.

A variety of host immunogenetic factors appear to influence both an individual's susceptibility to infection with Mycobacterium leprae and the pathologic course of the disease. Animal models can contribute to a better understanding of the role of immunogenetics in leprosy through comparative studies helping to confirm the significance of various identified traits and in deciphering the underlying mechanisms that may be involved in expression of different disease related phenotypes. Genetically engineered mice, with specific immune or biochemical pathway defects, are particularly useful for investigating granuloma formation and resistance to infection and are shedding new light on borderline areas of the leprosy spectrum which are clinically unstable and have a tendency toward immunological complications. Though armadillos are less developed in this regard, these animals are the only other natural hosts of M. leprae and they present a unique opportunity for comparative study of genetic markers and mechanisms associable with disease susceptibility or resistance, especially the neurological aspects of leprosy. In this paper, we review the recent contributions of genetically engineered mice and armadillos toward our understanding of the immunogenetics of leprosy.