A simple phenotypic classification for celiac disease

( Ajit Sood ),( Vandana Midha ),( Govind Makharia ),( B. K. Thelma ),( Shivalingappa S Halli ),( Varun Mehta ),( Ramit Mahajan ),( Vikram Narang ),( Kriti Sood ),( Kirandeep Kaur ) 대한장연구학회 2018 Intestinal Research Vol.16 No.2

Background/Aims: Celiac disease is a global health problem. The presentation of celiac disease has unfolded over years and it is now known that it can manifest at different ages, has varied presentations, and is prone to develop complications, if not managed properly. Although the Oslo definitions provide consensus on the various terminologies used in literature, there is no phenotypic classification providing a composite diagnosis for the disease. Methods: Various variables identified for phenotypic classification included age at diagnosis, age at onset of symptoms, clinical presentation, family history and complications. These were applied to the existing registry of 1,664 patients at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India. In addition, age was evaluated as below 15 and below 18 years. Cross tabulations were used for the verification of the classification using the existing data. Expert opinion was sought from both international and national experts of varying fields. Results: After empirical verification, age at diagnosis was considered appropriate in between A1 (<18) and A2 (≥18). The disease presentation has been classified into 3 types-P1 (classical), P2 (non-classical) and P3 (asymptomatic). Complications were considered as absent (C0) or present (C1). A single phenotypic classification based on these 3 characteristics, namely age at the diagnosis, clinical presentation, and intestinal complications (APC classification) was derived. Conclusions: APC classification (age at diagnosis, presentation, complications) is a simple disease explanatory classification for patients with celiac disease aimed at providing a composite diagnosis. (Intest Res 2018;16:288-292)

Sex Linked Developmental Rate Differences in Murrah Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos Fertilized and Cultured In Vitro

Sood, S.K.,Chauhan, M.S.,Tomer, O.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.1

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of paternal sex chromosome on early development of buffalo embryos fertilized and cultured in vitro. Embryos were produced in vitro from abattoir derived buffalo oocytes. The cleaved embryos were cocultured with buffalo oviductal epithelial cells and evaluated on day 7 under the phase contrast microscope to classify development. The embryos which reached the morula/blastocyst stage were fast developing, the embryos which were at 16-32 cell stage were medium developing and the embryos below 16 cell stage were slow developing. The embryos which showed some fragmentation in the blastomeres or degenerated blastomeres, were degenerating. Sex of emberyos (n=159) was determined using PCR for amplification of a male specific BRY. 1 (301 bp) and a buffalo specific satellite DNA (216 bp) fragments. The results thus obtained show that 1) X and Y chromosome bearing sperms fertilize oocytes to give almost equal numbers of cleaved XX and XY embryos, 2) male embryos develop faster than female embryos to reach advanced stage and 3) degeneration of buffalo embryos is not linked with the paternal sex chromosome. We suggest that faster development of males is due to differential processing of X and Y chromosome within the zygote for its activation and / or differential expression of genes on paternal sex chromosome sex chromosome during development of buffalo embryos fertilized and cultured in vitro which may be attributed to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Modification of the electrical parameters of CNT-doped deformed-helix ferro-electric liquid crystals

Sood, Nitin,Khosla, Samriti,Singh, Darshan,Bawa, S.S. The Korean Infomation Display Society 2012 Journal of information display Vol.13 No.4

Liquid crystals are useful for a wide range of applications due to their exceptional properties. Doping of liquid crystals with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), even at very low concentrations, produces a detectable effect on the liquid crystal (LC) properties that can be very attractive for various functions. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of CNTs on the electrical properties of a short-pitch and high-spontaneous-polarization ferro-electric LC mixture, FLC-6304, at different temperatures. The inclusion of the CNTs significantly reduced the polarization at temperatures well within the $SmC^*$ phase, but the effect was gradually reversed as the transition temperature was approached. The insertion of the CNTs also reduced the response time and the rotational viscosity of the FLC mixture, which is highly desirable in the LCD industry.

Antibacterial and Pharmacological Evaluation of Fluoroquinolones: A Chemoinformatics Approach

Sood, Damini,Kumar, Neeraj,Singh, Aarushi,Sakharkar, Meena Kishore,Tomar, Vartika,Chandra, Ramesh Korea Genome Organization 2018 Genomics & informatics Vol.16 No.3

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics are an important class of synthetic antibacterial agents. These are the most extensively used drugs for treating bacterial infections in the field of both human and veterinary medicine. Herein, the antibacterial and pharmacological properties of four fluoroquinolones: lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin have been studied. The objective of this study was to analyze the antibacterial characteristics of the different fluoroquinolones. Also, the pharmacological properties of the compounds including the Lipinski rule of five, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, LD50, drug likeliness, and toxicity were evaluated. We found that among all four FQ molecules, ofloxacin showed the highest antibacterial activity through in silico assays with a strong interaction (-38.52 kJ/mol) with the antibacterial target protein (topoisomerase-II DNA gyrase enzyme). The pharmacological and pharmacokinetic analysis also showed that the compounds ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, lomefloxacin and norfloxacin have good pharmacological properties. Notably, ofloxacin was found to possess an IGC50 (concentration needed to inhibit 50% growth) value of $0.286{\mu}g/L$ against the Tetrahymena pyriformis protozoa. It also tested negative for the Ames toxicity test, showing its non-carcinogenic character.

Cell thickness dependence of liquid crystal parameters

Sood, Nitin,Khosla, Samriti,Singh, Darshan,Bawa, S.S. The Korean Infomation Display Society 2012 Journal of information display Vol.13 No.1

Ferroelectric liquid crystal parameters, spontaneous polarization, and transition temperature were studied as a function of cell thickness. These parameters were found to increase with increasing cell thickness, but an exception was observed for the transition temperature in the case of a thin cell. A simple Landau model is presented to interpret the theoretical and experimental observations. The anomalous behavior is attributed to the electroclinic effect and is explained using the Landau model.

Measuring electrical parameters of ferroelectric liquid crystals using universal current reversal method

Sood, N.,Khosla, S.,Singh, D.,Bawa, S.S. The Korean Infomation Display Society 2011 Journal of information display Vol.12 No.3

The universal current reversal method is used for the simultaneous measurement of response time (${\tau}$), azimuthal angle (${\varphi}_o$), spontaneous polarization ($P_S$), and rotational viscosity (${\gamma}_{\varphi}$) of two ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs). The application of AC field in FLCs results in reorientational current, which is further analyzed to obtain various parameters. The variation in the parameters with temperature follows the typical trend predicted by the theory. The theoretical curve fits well into the experimental data. Its comparison with traditional current reversal method is confirmed to address certain limitations of that method.

Efficacy of fecal microbiota therapy in steroid dependent ulcerative colitis: a real world intention-to-treat analysis

( Ajit Sood ),( Ramit Mahajan ),( Garima Juyal ),( Vandana Midha ),( Charanpreet Singh Grewal ),( Varun Mehta ),( Arshdeep Singh ),( Mohan C Joshi ),( Vikram Narang ),( Kirandeep Kaur ),( Hasrat Sidhu 대한장연구학회 2019 Intestinal Research Vol.17 No.1

Background/Aims: Four high-quality randomized controlled trials have proven the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in active ulcerative colitis (UC). We assessed the efficacy of FMT in a real-world setting involving steroid-dependent patients with UC. Methods: This was a single-center prospective analysis of data from steroid-dependent patients with UC treated with FMT from September 2015 to September 2017 at the Dayanand Medical College, a tertiary care center in India. Fecal samples from random unrelated donors were administered through colonoscopy at weeks 0, 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, and 22. The primary outcome was achievement of steroid-free clinical remission, and the secondary outcomes were clinical response and endoscopic remission at 24 weeks. Modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed, which included subjects who underwent at least 1 FMT. Results: Of 345 patients with UC treated during the study period, 49 (14.2%) had steroid-dependent UC. Of these 49 patients, 41 underwent FMT: 33 completed 7 sessions over 22 weeks according to the protocol, and 8 discontinued treatment (non-response, 5; lost to follow-up, 2; and fear of adverse effects, 1). At week 24, steroid-free clinical remission was achieved in 19 out of 41 (46.3%) patients, whereas clinical response and endoscopic remission were achieved in 31 out of 41 (75.6%) and 26 out of 41 (63.4%) patients, respectively. All patients with clinical response were able to withdraw steroids. There were no serious adverse events necessitating discontinuation. Conclusions: A multisession FMT via the colonoscopic route is a promising therapeutic option for patients with steroid-dependent UC, as it can induce clinical remission and aid in steroid withdrawal. (Intest Res 2019;17:78-86)

Distant Dreams of Peace After the US Exit, What’s Next for Afghanistan?

Rakesh Sood 동아시아재단 2021 Global Asia Vol.16 No.3

Exclusive enteral nutrition for induction of remission in anti-tumor necrosis factor refractory adult Crohn’s disease: the Indian experience

( Ajit Sood ),( Arshdeep Singh ),( Ritu Sudhakar ),( Vandana Midha ),( Ramit Mahajan ),( Varun Mehta ),( Yogesh Kumar Gupta ),( Kirandeep Kaur ) 대한장연구학회 2020 Intestinal Research Vol.18 No.2

Background/Aims: Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) is recommended for induction of remission in pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD). However, it is not currently recommended for inducing remission in adults. This report describes the use of 12-week EEN for induction of remission in anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) refractory adult CD. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of adults with moderate to severe active (Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [CDAI] >220) anti-TNF refractory CD, who received EEN for 12 weeks between April 2018 and March 2019 at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, India. Primary outcomes included achievement of clinical remission and fistula healing at 12 weeks. Improvement in inflammatory markers and nutritional status were the secondary end points. Results: Out of 23 patients who received anti-TNF agents, 7 (30.4%) were refractory and were offered EEN as a salvage therapy. Six patients (66.7% females, mean age 25.6±6.5 years) consented. Four patients (66.6%) achieved clinical remission (CDAI <150). Mean CDAI of patients decreased significantly after 12 weeks of EEN (388.8±74.8 vs. 160.0±25.2, P< 0.001). Perianal fistulas showed clinical response (drainage decreased by >50%), though none achieved remission. Entero-enteric fistulae showed complete healing. Mean body mass index improved from 15.6±3.1 to 18.9±1.9 kg/m2 at week 12 (P=0.003). Hemoglobin and serum albumin also improved from 8.2±1.1 g/dL and 2.8±0.3 g/dL at baseline to 12.6±0.6 g/dL and 3.6±0.5 g/dL post-EEN respectively (P<0.001 and P=0.006 respectively). Conclusions: EEN appears to be an effective and well tolerated therapy for induction of remission in anti-TNF refractory adult CD. More data from prospective trials with larger number of patients is required. (Intest Res 2020;18:184-191)

Colitis and Crohn’s Foundation (India): a first nationwide inflammatory bowel disease registry

( Ajit Sood ),( Kirandeep Kaur ),( Ramit Mahajan ),( Vandana Midha ),( Arshdeep Singh ),( Sarit Sharma ),( Amarender Singh Puri ),( Bhabhadev Goswami ),( Devendra Desai ),( C. Ganesh Pai ),( Kiran Ped 대한장연구학회 2021 Intestinal Research Vol.19 No.2

Background/Aims: The national registry for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was designed to study epidemiology and prescribing pattern of treatment of IBD in India. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective registry was established across four geographical zones of India. Adult patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) were enrolled between January 2014 and December 2015. Information related to demographics; disease features; complications; and treatment history were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 3,863 patients (mean age, 36.7±13.6 years; 3,232 UC [83.7%] and 631 CD [16.3%]) were enrolled. The majority of patients with UC (n=1,870, 57.9%) were from north, CD was more common in south (n=348, 55.5%). The UC:CD ratio was 5.1:1. There was a male predominance (male:female=1.6:1). The commonest presentation of UC was moderately severe (n=1,939, 60%) and E2 disease (n=1,895, 58.6%). Patients with CD most commonly presented with ileocolonic (n=229, 36.3%) inflammatory (n=504, 79.9%) disease. Extraintestinal manifestations were recorded among 13% and 20% of patients in UC and CD respectively. Less than 1% patients from both cohorts developed colon cancer (n=26, 0.7%). The commonly used drugs were 5-aminosalicylates (99%) in both UC and CD followed by azathioprine (34.4%). Biologics were used in only 1.5% of patients; more commonly for UC in north and CD in south. Conclusions: The national IBD registry brings out diversities in the 4 geographical zones of India. This will help in aiding research on IBD and improving quality of patient care. (Intest Res 2021;19:206-216)