Amita Kashyap

Exploring the role of BCHE in the onset of Diabetes, Obesity and Neurological Disorders

Diabetes, Obesity and Neurological disturbances, most often show co-occurrence. There has been an extensive research in this domain, but the exact mechanism underlying the co-occurrence of the three conditions is still an enigma. The current paper is an approach to establish the role of Butyryl cholinesterase (BCHE) in Diabetes, Obesity and Neurological disorders by performing a comparative analysis with Neuroligin (NLGN2) a protein belonging to the same family. BCHE has its role in glucose regulation, Lipid metabolism and nerve signaling. Emphasis is laid on BCHE’s diverse functions whose impediment affects the above mentioned metabolic pathways. Insilco techniques were employed to analyze the sequence, structural and functional similarities of the two proteins. A point mutation is focused which is common to both BCHE and Neuroligin. The mutation occurs at the homologous position in both the proteins making them deficient. This affects the three metabolic pathways leading to the respective disorders. The work describes the pathway that describes the role of BCHE in the onset of obesity mediated diabetes. The pathway further explains the association between Diabetes, Obesity and neurological disturbances.

Investigating contributors of the mixed DNA samples by forensic bioinformatics; uncertainty to certainty for crime laboratories

Evidences from the crime scene inculcating mixed DNA profiling data has always been a challenge to the forensic science laboratories and the crime investigation agencies. Not only it confuses the analysis but it may lead to serious fatal errors in analysis of final results which may result in convicting an innocent and quittance of a criminal free. 16 STR markers have become one of the most widely used genomic markers for identity testing and gene mapping due to their high degree of heterozygosity. We introduce forensic bioinformatics approach which proved to be very quick, precise and conclusive in assessment and analysis of the raw DNA profiling data provided from the laboratory. In the present study, we have discussed the utility of forensic bioinformatics application to Short tandem repeat (STR) data in a theft and looting case which was used to evaluate specific regions (loci) within nuclear DNA. The analysis was made through an “MS-Excel database management tool” where the DNA Profiling data provided by the Forensic Laboratory was managed and analyzed on the grounds of the various loci present and their variability in different individuals. We have incorporated the same universal concept “Variability in STR regions can be used to distinguish one DNA profile from another”.

Journey of dengue in Rajasthan in the last 15 years (2001-2015) with special reference to 2015

Introduction: Dengue is an underestimated and under-reported disease. We have analyzed the last 15 years data of dengue reported in Rajasthan with special reference to the year 2015 to assess the trends. Materials and Methods: This observational, descriptive study was conducted during January 2016-August 2016. Secondary data were collected from Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) Cell, Directorate, Medical and Health, Jaipur, the website of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Census 2011. Reports of P form and L form and line listing of dengue cases of 2015 were collected. Results: Rajasthan had 1452 laboratory-confirmed cases in 2001 and 1850 in 2006 after a gap of 6 years. The next surge came only after 3 years gap. Recently, there was a fourfold increase (>4000 cases/year) during 2013 and 2015. There were substantial dengue deaths till 2009, but thereafter, it never crossed the figure of 10. Surprisingly five districts, i.e., Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, Pali, and Sirohi, did not report a single case of dengue during 2015. There was fourfold increase in dengue cases but paradoxically fourfold decrease in malaria cases in the last 5 years. Conclusion: Dengue was the new emerging disease with 1452 confirmed cases in Rajasthan in 2001. Thereafter, there was a constant high load of dengue; however, case-fatality rate is below one after 2010. Recently, there was a fourfold increase (>4000 cases/year) during 2013 and 2015. Zero reporting of dengue in a few districts indicates the need for improvement in IDSP reporting in these districts.

Nominations for B. K. Bachhawat Memorial Life Time Achievement Award & KT Shetty Memorial Oration of Indian Academy of Neurosciences

Singh, Dean, Indian Academy of Neurosciences and Director, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi – 110 054, E-Mail director@dipas.drdo.in and a copy of the same to Dr. Vinay K. Khanna, Secretary HQ and Principal Scientist, CSIR – Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, MG Marg, Lucknow – 226 001, E-Mail vkkhanna1@gmail. com positively by July 31, 2016. Nominations received after the last date will be considered next year. Nominations for B. K. Bachhawat Memorial Life Time Achievement Award and KT Shetty Memorial Oration for 2016 and 2017 are invited. The nominee must be a Fellow/Life Member of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences. He/She should have at least 10 years standing in the area of Neurosciences. The contributions in Neuroscience in India will be judged by i. Research publications ii. Awards iii. Contributions to growth of Neuroscience in India. Nominations alongwith complete Bio-data and supporting documents should be sent to Dr. Shashi Bala Published online: July 7, 2016

Antigenic epitope prediction of small envelope protein and designing a vaccine by using reverse vaccinology approach against SARS coronavirus Tor2 strain

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious form of pneumonia which results in acute respiratory distress and sometimes death. In this study, we applied the reverse vaccinology approach to determine the antigenic determinant sites present on the protein. The method incorporates the prediction of antigenic sites, solvent accessible region and secondary structure, B-cell epitope prediction, and the designing of antigenic determinant. The results of the study suggested that small envelope protein and orf8 protein could be potential candidates for vaccine designing. The high scoring antigenic peptides were designed and optimized. It is inferred that peptide of small envelope protein will make a very stable and effective vaccine targeting the E protein of the virus which is responsible for the spread of the virion. This study provides a strong and a potential optimized vaccine against SARS, which has high chances of success of immunization and higher probabilities of combating the dreadful disease.