Effect of surfactant-perturbed nanocaging on the ground and excited state proton transfer reaction

The effect of mixed cyclodextrin-surfactant systems on the ground and excited state proton transfer reactions of 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol (MFOH) in aqueous solution has been investigated by steady state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. It has been found that micellar media perturbs the solvation of MFOH and facilitates nanocaging. In the presence of micelle, MFOH preferentially resides in the interfacial region. Depending on the local pH due to compartmentalization of reaction media, normal or anionic form of MFOH dominates. Encapsulation of the probe within the cyclodextrin nanocavity enhances the shorter lifetime component of MFOH unexpectedly, which has been explained on the basis of reduced solvation and reduced dipolar effect due to confinement.

Cloning of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA) from Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus

We have previously reported on calcium transport mechanisms in American lobster, Homarus americanus, using (45)Ca(2+) coupled with vesicle preparations of hepatopancreatic endoplasmic reticulum. The active transport of calcium across membranes bordering calcium-sequestering stores such as sarcoplasmic or endoplasmic reticulum is catalyzed by membrane-spanning proteins, the sarco-endoplasmic Ca(2+)-ATPases (SERCAs). In the study described here we used advanced bioinformatics and molecular techniques to clone SERCA from the economically important Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. We report the complete cloning of a full-length SERCA from P. argus antenna cDNA (GenBank accession number AY702617). This cDNA has a 1020-amino acid residue open reading frame which is 90% identical to published sequences of other crustacean SERCA proteins. Our data support the hypothesis that one crustacean and three vertebrate genes controlling calcium transport were derived from a common ancestral gene.

A study on delivery and newborn care practices in a rural block of West Bengal

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural block of the State of West Bengal to generate area specific data on the proportion of home deliveries and certain newborn care practices prevalent in that area. The study was done through house-to-house survey among 165 mothers who delivered in last six months. 83.6% deliveries were conducted at home and untrained persons attended 36.3% deliveries. Bath within 24 hours of delivery was given to 17.58% newborns. Birthweight was not recorded in 38.18%. High proportion of newborns, 78.5%, was given prelacteal feeding. The health system should urgently address the deficiencies in the delivery and newborn care practices in the study area.

Knowledge and practice regarding menstrual hygiene in rural adolescent girls of Nepal

OBJECTIVE

This study was done in the adolescent girls to evaluate the knowledge and practice on different aspects of menstrual hygiene.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty adolescent girls of age 13-15 years from 3 schools of Shivanagar and Patihani village development committees of Chitwan district were involved in this study. Altogether 27 questions were asked to each of them.

RESULTS

During our study, we found that they were not properly maintaining the menstrual hygiene. Only 6.0% of girls knew that menstruation is a physiologic process, 36.7% knew that it is caused by hormones. Ninety-four percentages of them use the pads during the period but only 11.3% dispose it. Overall knowledge and practice were 40.6% and 12.9% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although knowledge was better than practice, both were not satisfactory. So, the girls should be educated about the process and significance of menstruation, use of proper pads or absorbents and its proper disposal. This can be achieved by giving them proper training and health education (by teachers, family members, health educators, and media) so that there won't be any misconception to the adolescent girls regarding menstrual hygiene.

Genetic parameters for direct and maternal effects on body weights of Muzaffarnagari sheep

Estimates of co(variance) components were obtained for weights at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Muzaffarnagari sheep maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India, over a period of 28 years (1976 to 2003). Records of 5530 lambs out of 169 rams and 1631 ewes were used for the study. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood (REML), fitting six animal models, including various combinations of maternal effects. Heritability estimates for weight at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 0·09, 0·21, 0·06, 0·10 and 0·14, respectively. Maternal heritability of body weight declined from 0·07 at birth to 0·02 at weaning. The maternal permanent environmental component contributed 10 to 11% to the total variance for all traits except weight at 12 months. A significant large negative genetic correlation was observed between direct and maternal genetic effects on weaning weight, suggesting the presence of antagonistic environmental, as well as perhaps genetic, effects in daughter and dam. Results suggest that maternal additive effects were only important in early stages of growth, whereas a permanent environmental maternal effect existed at all ages up to 9 months, probably as a carry-over effect of maternal influences present at weaning. Modest rates of genetic progress appear possible for all weights, but the presence of an antagonism between direct and maternal effects on weaning weight would complicate attempts to improve both by selection.

Effect of mercury and organomercurials on cellular glucose utilization: a study using resting mercury-resistant yeast cells

AIMS

Mercury compounds are highly toxic to all types of living cells. Isolated yeast strains of Rhodotorula rubra showed high and low resistance pattern towards mercury and organomercurial compounds. To investigate the basis of differential sensitivity of these two types of strains, glucose utilization was measured in the presence of mercury compounds.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Glucose utilization process remained unaffected in resting cells of highly Hg(2+)-resistant strain in the presence of HgCl(2) but not in the presence of phenylmercuric acetate and thimerosal. However, HgCl(2) significantly affected glucose utilization in the case of low-resistant cells. The Hg-retaining ability of the cell wall of highly Hg(2+)-resistant yeast strain was greater than that of the weakly Hg(2+)-resistant strain. The spheroplast-bound Hg(2+) was also significantly less in the highly Hg(2+)-resistant strain than in the weakly Hg(2+)-resistant strain.

CONCLUSIONS

Glucose uptake machinery was not affected in the presence of toxic metal ions in the case of high-resistant strains. But in the case of low Hg(2+)-resistant strain, glucose transport system may be affected either by inactivation of sensor proteins containing -SH group associated with glucose uptake.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Cell wall of mercury-resistant yeast cells may play an important role in heavy metal bioremediation process.

Role of topical negative pressure in pressure ulcer management

The literature suggests that topical negative pressure can be an effective treatment for severe pressure ulcers. However, research is needed on its effects on variables such as dressing change frequency, quality of life, pain relief and cost-effectiveness.

Comparison of cartilage scoring and cartilage sparing otoplasty – A study of 203 cases

The Edinburgh experience of different methods of otoplasty techniques in 203 patients (406 ears) over a five-year period is reviewed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patients were divided into three groups - Group A (anterior cartilage scoring), Group B (cartilage sparing in the fashion of posterior suturing) and Group C (posterior suturing refined with posterior fascial flap). Demographic details, operation technique, operation time, grade of the surgeon, suture materials, early and late complications, recurrence and revision rates, patients' and physicians' comments at the follow-up clinic were retrieved from the case notes. The pre- and the post-operative photographs were assessed by a blinded lay observer and a physician and scored on a visual analogue scale. Median follow-up was 11 months.

RESULTS

The recurrence rate was 11.0%, 8.0% and 4.8% in Groups A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.0214). Complications were more common in Group A (8.8%) and Group B (7.9%) compared to Group C (1.2%) (p = 0.0208). The cosmetic result was judged best in Group C. In our experience, cartilage-sparing otoplasty refined with the post-auricular fascial flap results in significantly reduced complication rate and improved aesthetic outcome.

Treatment of small congenital nevocellular naevi using a combination of ultrapulse carbon dioxide laser and Q-switched frequency-doubled Nd-YAG laser

This report describes treatment combining Ultrapulse CO(2) laser and Q-switched frequency-doubled neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG) laser for a number of congenital nevocellular naevi (CNN). The Ultrapulse CO(2) laser removes the superficial component, which contains most of the color, preserving the integrity of the reticular dermis. At a later stage, any residual color is targeted using the Nd-YAG laser. To date, a total of 10 histologically proven CNNs have been treated at the Laser Suite. The median age of the patients was 18 years (range, 13-24 years). All the patients were white females. The patients accepted for treatment had relatively small lesions (mean surface area, 352 mm(2); range, 50-1,092 mm(2)), but the lesions were either cosmetically sensitive or located in an anatomically critical area in which excision could result in a scar that would be unpredictable. The median follow-up period was 24 months. The overall results have been satisfactory, with reduction of color and no significant scarring. The minor textural and pigmentary changes were acceptable to the patients.

Molecular characterization of the first aromatic nutrient transporter from the sodium neurotransmitter symporter family

Nutrient amino acid transporters (NATs, subfamily of sodium neurotransmitter symporter family SNF, a.k.a. SLC6) represent a set of phylogenetically and functionally related transport proteins, which perform intracellular absorption of neutral, predominantly essential amino acids. Functions of NATs appear to be critical for the development and survival in organisms. However, mechanisms of specific and synergetic action of various NAT members in the amino acid transport network are virtually unexplored. A new transporter, agNAT8, was cloned from the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae (SS). Upon heterologous expression in Xenopus oocytes it performs high-capacity, sodium-coupled (2:1)uptake of nutrients with a strong preference for aromatic catechol-branched substrates, especially phenylalanine and its derivatives tyrosine and L-DOPA,but not catecholamines. It represents a previously unknown SNF phenotype, and also appears to be the first sodium-dependent B0 type transporter with a narrow selectivity for essential precursors of catecholamine synthesis pathways. It is strongly and specifically transcribed in absorptive and secretory parts of the larval alimentary canal and specific populations of central and peripheral neurons of visual-, chemo- and mechano-sensory afferents. We have identified a new SNF transporter with previously unknown phenotype and showed its important role in the accumulation and redistribution of aromatic substrates. Our results strongly suggest that agNAT8 is an important, if not the major, provider of an essential catechol group in the synthesis of catecholamines for neurochemical signaling as well as ecdysozoan melanization and sclerotization pathways, which may include cuticle hardening/coloring, wound curing, oogenesis, immune responses and melanization of pathogens.

Do malnutrition and nutritional supplementation have an effect on the wound healing process?

Although nutrition is an extrinsic factor regulating wound healing, nutritional supplementation for the modulation of wound healing remains experimental. Evidence on the efficacy of supplementation in animals and humans is reviewed.