Conjugative plasmids are typically locked in intergenomic and sexual conflicts with coresident rivals, whose translocation they block using fertility inhibition factors (FINs). We describe here the first crystal structure of an enigmatic FIN Osa deployed by the proteobacterial plasmid pSa. Osa contains a catalytically active version of the ParB/Sulfiredoxin fold with both ATPase and DNase activity, the latter being regulated by an ATP-dependent switch. Using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens VirB/D4 type-IV secretion system (T4SS), a relative of the conjugative T4SS, we demonstrate that catalytically active Osa blocks T-DNA transfer into plants. With a partially reconstituted T4SS in vitro, we show that Osa degrades T-DNA in the T-DNA-VirD2 complex prior to its translocation. Further, we present evidence for conservation and interplay between ATPase and DNase activities throughout the ParB/Sulfiredoxin fold, using other members of the family, namely P1 ParB and RK2 KorB, which have general functional implications across diverse biological contexts.

In this paper, we propose four continuous authentication designs by using the characteristics of arm movements while individuals walk. The first design uses acceleration of arms captured by a smartwatch's accelerometer sensor, the second design uses the rotation of arms captured by a smartwatch's gyroscope sensor, third uses the fusion of both acceleration and rotation at the featurelevel and fourth uses the fusion at score-level. Each of these designs is implemented by using four classifiers, namely, k nearest neighbors (k-NN) with Euclidean distance, Logistic Regression, Multilayer Perceptrons, and Random Forest resulting in a total of sixteen authentication mechanisms. These authentication mechanisms are tested under three different environments, namely an intra-session, inter-session on a dataset of 40 users and an inter-phase on a dataset of 12 users. The sessions of data collection were separated by at least ten minutes, whereas the phases of data collection were separated by at least three months. Under the intra-session environment, all of the twelve authentication mechanisms achieve a mean dynamic false accept rate (DFAR) of 0% and dynamic false reject rate (DFRR) of 0%. For the inter-session environment, feature level fusion-based design with classifier k-NN achieves the best error rates that are a mean DFAR of 2.2% and DFRR of 4.2%. The DFAR and DFRR increased from 5.68% and 4.23% to 15.03% and 14.62% respectively when feature level fusion-based design with classifier k-NN was tested under the inter-phase environment on a dataset of 12 users.

IntroductionOmentum can secrete out biological agents like different growth factors, cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides. The aim of our study was to determine the expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines in human omentum tissue and its response to intra-abdominal infection. MethodologyOmentum tissue was obtained from 60 patients: control (n=20) and cases (n=40). mRNA expression of antimicrobial peptides (LL-37, HBD-1, HBD-2, HNP1-3) and cytokines (TNFα, IL-8, IL-10, IL1β) was evaluated using Real-Time PCR. Protein quantification was done by Immunoblotting and ELISA. ResultsSignificantly higher expression of antimicrobial peptides (LL-37, HBD-1, HBD-2, HNP1-3) and cytokines (TNFα, IL-8, IL-10, IL1β) was observed in cases as compared to control at both the transcriptional and translational level (p<0.0001). ConclusionOmentum governs a population of antimicrobial peptides with potent immunologic functions. The expression of antimicrobial peptides and cytokines is inducible and increases with the severity of infection. Omentum is thus an immunologically active and adaptable organ but its complete regulatory mechanism is still elusive.

Introduction: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN), an uncommon tumor of the pancreas dominantly affecting young females, is sparsely reported. Herein, we share our experience with presentation, management and outcomes of SPN. Method: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database on pancreatic tumors over 16 years (January 2003 to December 2018. Result: The inpatients, 30913 in number, included 359 patients with pancreatic tumors (1.16%) -52 cystic (14.5%) and 25 (48%) of the cystic tumors were SPN. All SPNs (23 females, mean age 32 years) underwent surgery at this center and were analysed.The SPN were located in the head (n=7, 28%), body (n=5, 20%) and tail (n=13, 52%) of the pancreas. Abdominal pain was the most frequent (72%) complain. Mean tumor size was 7.6cm. Panreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 7 patients, central pancreatectomy in 4, and distal pancreaticosplenectomy in 9 (including one with segmental colectomy), spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy in 4 and local wide excision in one patient. The patients with DPS and segmental colectomy presented with recurrence at 29 months. R0 resection was accomplished in 88%. Major morbidity was recorded in 16% cases. There was no mortality. Recurrence free survival was excellent with a median follow up of 34 months. Conclusion: SPN is an indolent tumor with excellent longterm prognosis. Complete surgical excision guided by the location of the tumor remains the treatment of choice.

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Direct inguinal hernias are less likely to present as incarceration or strangulation as compared to indirect inguinal hernia, because they have wide neck. We present a case of an 80-year-old male presented with irreducible and painful swelling over the right inguinal region and features of intestinal obstruction. On exploration the obstructed hernia was found to be a direct type with gangrenous sac wall containing congested extra peritoneal pad of fat, cord structures, even the right testes was gangrenous. After gaining viability the content was reduced, posterior wall defect was closed and modified Bassini's repair was done with a right orchidectomy. A long standing direct inguinal hernia may present as acute or sub acute intestinal obstruction especially in elderly patients. Therefore, we should repair direct inguinal hernias on an elective basis in any age group.

Background: Varicose veins are also common in short saphenous vein territory which has most variable anatomy in lower extremity. Variations in the veins of the lower limb are very common. This may be due to the anomalous involvement of the main trunks of the veins or their tributaries alone. Detailed knowledge regarding the anatomical variations such as reduplication of vein and unusual course and termination of the vein is a prerequisite in the diagnosis and management of vascular diseases. Methods: Included in the study were 626 Limbs. They were referred to radiology department by physicians, surgeons, and orthopedicians for investigation of clinically detected superficial varicosities and suspected chronic venous disease. The examination includes history, clinical examination, and detailed duplex scanning of lower limb veins. Study data were based on the detailed examination and reporting of anatomic variation of termination of the short saphenous vein (SSV). Duplex scanning of lower limb veins was performed with the patient standing on low stool. Body weight was on placed on a contralateral limb which enabled examined side to be relaxed, slightly flexed, and externally rotated position. The popliteal fossa and calf venous system were evaluated with particular attention to termination of SSV. A real time B-mode zoom facility enabled optimal anatomic delineation of the SSV and Giacomini vein. The termination of SSV is variable and three patterns have been defined. Results: Following important observations was made: 410 out of 620 (65%) lower extremities shows the prevalence of Giacomini vein. In 45 out of 620 (7.2%) lower extremities, the SSV terminated into popliteal vein with further extension into thigh. In 171 out of 620 (27%) lower extremities, the SSV terminated into popliteal vein. Conclusion: A proper knowledge about the anatomy of the short saphenous vein and its communications with other veins and mode of termination of short saphenous vein is mandatory for a safe and successful intervention. The variant termination of the small saphenous vein may contribute to recurrent varicose veins in this territory; this aspect generally makes the subject of interest in the view of varicose vein operations.