(p)ppGpp Buffers Cell Division When Membrane Fluidity Decreases in Escherichia coli.

Fluidity is an inherent property of biological membranes and its maintenance (homeoviscous adaptation) is important for optimal functioning of membrane-associated processes. The fluidity of bacterial cytoplasmic membrane increases with temperature or an increase in the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and vice versa. We found that strains deficient in the synthesis of guanine nucleotide analogs (p)ppGpp and lacking FadR, a transcription factor involved in fatty acid metabolism exhibited a growth defect that was rescued by an increase in growth temperature or unsaturated fatty acid content.

Evaluation of the Impact of Chlorhexidine Mouth Rinse on the Bond Strength of Polycarbonate Orthodontic Brackets: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Shear bond analysis is the procedure used most frequently to gauge the tensile strength of adhesives incorporated in orthodontic treatments. In shear tensile strength analysis, pressure is placed as close as feasible to the interface between the orthodontic bracket and the surface of the tooth, parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Although numerous research on extracted teeth of human and bovine teeth have been conducted, there may still be variables such as pH, humidity, temperature, and others that could affect how these materials behave in the mouth cavity.

A Novel Gene Contributing to the Initiation of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli.

Type II fatty acid biosynthesis in bacteria can be broadly classified into the initiation and elongation phases. The biochemical functions defining each step in the two phases have been studied Among the β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthases, FabH catalyzes the initiation reaction, while FabB and FabF, which primarily catalyze the elongation reaction, can also drive initiation as side reactions. A role for FabB and FabF in the initiation of fatty acid biosynthesis would be supported by the viability of the mutant.

Junctional Rhythm: A Rare Sign in Leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is an important re-emerging infectious disease. Leptospirosis has been estimated to affect tens of millions of humans annually with a case fatality rate ranging from 5% to 25%; however, it is underreported due to the lack of clinical suspicion and barriers to diagnostic capacity. A 33-year-old healthy male presented with a history of fever of 2-day duration.

Artesunate-Induced Severe Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia in Complicated Malaria.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a very rare cause of anemia in a case of malaria and drug-induced AIHA is even rarer. A 50-year old patient with a history of fever for 8 days was diagnosed with a case of complicated malaria with mixed infection having initial parasite index of 45%. He showed good response on initial therapy with artesunate (parasite count reduced to <1%) but his haemoglobin (Hb) continued to drop from 12 g% to 4.

Oral Health Related Quality of Life in Patients of Head and Neck Cancer Attending Cancer Hospital of Bhopal City, India.

Background: To assess the oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) of head and neck cancer patients and to find association between QoL, demographic and disease variables.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 153 patients diagnosed and being treated for head and neck cancer in Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, India. Data collected from the survey included demographic details and OHRQoL, which was measured by European Organization of Research for Treatment of Cancer QoL questionnaire head & neck-35.