Spectral phonon scattering from sub-10 nm surface roughness wavelengths in metal-assisted chemically etched Si nanowires

Frequency dependence in phonon surface scattering is a debated topic in fundamental phonon physics. Recent experiments and theory suggest such a phenomenon, but an independent agreement between the two remains elusive. We report low-temperature dependence of thermal conductivity in silicon nanowires fabricated using a two-step, metal-assisted chemical etch. By reducing etch rates down to 0.5 nm/s from the typical >100 nm/s, we report controllable roughening of nanowire surfaces and selectively focus on moderate roughness scales rather than the extreme scales investigated previously. This critically enables direct comparison with perturbation-based spectral scattering theory. Using experimentally characterized surface roughness, we show that a multiple scattering theory provides excellent agreement and explanation of the observed low-temperature dependence of rough surface nanowires. The theory does not employ any fitting parameters. A 5-10 nm roughness correlation length is typical in metal-assisted chemical etching and resonantly scatters dominant phonons in silicon, leading to the observed ~T(1.6-2.4) behavior. Our work provides fundamental and quantitative insight into spectral phonon scattering from rough surfaces. This advances applications of nanowires in thermoelectric energy conversion.

Semiquinone derivative isolated from Bacillus sp. INM-1 protects cellular antioxidant enzymes from γ-radiation-induced renal toxicity

This study was focused to evaluate protection of indigenous antioxidant system of mice against gamma radiation-induced oxidative stress using a semiquinone (SQGD)-rich fraction isolated from Bacillus sp. INM-1. Male C57bl/6 mice were administered SQGD (50 mg/kgb.w.i.p.) 2 h before irradiation (10 Gy) and modulation in antioxidant enzymes activities was estimated at different time intervals and compared with irradiated mice which were not pretreated by SQGD. Compared to untreated controls, SQGD pretreatment significantly (p < 0.05) accelerates superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH, and glutathione-S-transferase activities. Similarly, significant (p < 0.05) increase in the expression of superoxide dismutase, catalase, GSH, and glutathione-S-transferase was observed in irradiated mice pretreated by SQGD, compared to only irradiated groups. Total antioxidant status equivalent to trolox was estimated in renal tissue of the mice after SQGD administration. Significant ABTS(+) radical formation was observed in H2O2-treated kidney homogenate, due to oxidative stress in the tissue. However, significant decrease in the levels of ABTS(+) radical was observed in kidney homogenate of the mice pretreated with SQGD. Therefore, it can be concluded that SQGD neutralizes oxidative stress by induction of antioxidant enzymes activities and thus improved total antioxidant status in cellular system and hence contributes to radioprotection.

Genetic diversity studies in pea (Pisum sativum L.) using simple sequence repeat markers

The genetic diversity among 28 pea (Pisum sativum L.) genotypes was analyzed using 32 simple sequence repeat markers. A total of 44 polymorphic bands, with an average of 2.1 bands per primer, were obtained. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.657 to 0.309 with an average of 0.493. The variation in genetic diversity among these cultivars ranged from 0.11 to 0.73. Cluster analysis based on Jaccard's similarity coefficient using the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) revealed 2 distinct clusters, I and II, comprising 6 and 22 genotypes, respectively. Cluster II was further differentiated into 2 subclusters, IIA and IIB, with 12 and 10 genotypes, respectively. Principal component (PC) analysis revealed results similar to those of UPGMA. The first, second, and third PCs contributed 21.6, 16.1, and 14.0% of the variation, respectively; cumulative variation of the first 3 PCs was 51.7%.

Impact of paper mill wastewater on soil properties and crop yield through lysimeter studies

Paper and pulp industries produce large quantities of wastewater which can have adverse effects on the receiving water systems. In the present study lysimeters were used and filled with different soils replicating natural soil horizons and provided with a leachate collection system. The physico-chemical characteristics of the soil in each lysimeter and the quality of wastewater before leaching were assessed. Treated wastewater was evaluated for crop irrigation, and was categorized according to the irrigation water class 'Increasing Problem to Severe Problem' with respect to salinity and specific ion toxicity. Sandy loam soils showed 96% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal while clay loam soils removed 99% of COD, and the colour removal in both the cases was found to be 100%. Application of wastewater resulted in an increase of pH value, ranging from 6.2-7.6; the electrical conductivity (ECe) of saturated extracts was found to be 0.6-1.7 dS m(-1), and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) ranged from 7.8-11.1% in soils. Similarly, an increase in the organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potash content of soils was observed when irrigated with wastewater. Wastewater irrigation showed increased grain and straw yield of jowar, wheat and moong. These results permit successful utilization of pulp and paper mill wastewater for crop production without damaging the soils.

IPS multicentric study: Functional somatic symptoms in depression

BACKGROUND

As a pilot project, Indian Psychiatric Society conducted the first multicentric study involving diverse settings from teaching institutions in public and private sectors and even privately run psychiatric clinics.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the typology of functional somatic complaints (FSC) in patients with first episode depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 741 patients from 16 centers across the country participated in the study. They were assessed on Bradford Somatic Symptom inventory for FSC, Beck Depression Inventory for severity of depression, and Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale- anxiety index (CPRS-AI) for anxiety symptoms.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study sample was 38.23 years (SD-11.52). There was equal gender distribution (male - 49.8% vs. females 50.2%). Majority of the patients were married (74.5%), Hindus (57%), and from nuclear family (68.2%). A little over half of the patients were from urban background (52.9%). The mean duration of illness at the time of assessment was 25.55 months. Most of the patients (77%) had more than 10 FSCs, with 39.7% having more than 20 FSCs as assessed on Bradford Somatic Inventory. The more common FSC as assessed on Bradford Somatic Inventory were lack of energy (weakness) much of the time (76.2%), severe headache (74%) and feeling tired when not working (71%), pain in legs (64%), aware of palpitations (59.5%), head feeling heavy (59.4%), aches and pains all over the body (55.5%), mouth or throat getting dry (55.2%), pain or tension in neck and shoulder (54%), head feeling hot or burning (54%), and darkness or mist in front of the eyes (49.1%). The prevalence and typology of FSCs is to a certain extent influenced by the sociodemographic variables and severity of depression.

CONCLUSION

Functional somatic symptoms are highly prevalent in Indian depressed patients and hence deserve more attention while diagnosing depression in Indian setting.

Salt stress tolerance of methylotrophic bacteria Methylophilus sp. and Methylobacterium sp. isolated from coal mine spoils

Two methylotrophic strains of Bina coalmine spoil BNV7b and BRV25 were identified based on physiological traits and 16S rDNA sequence as Methylophilus and Methylobacterium species.' The strains exhibited similar carbon utilization but differed in N utilization and their response to the metabolic inhibitors. Methylophilus sp. was less tolerant to salt stress and it viability declined to one tenth within 4 h of incubation in 2M NaCI due to membrane damage and leakage of the intracellular electrolytes as evident from malondiaaldehyde (MDA) assay. In 200 mM NaCI, they exhibited increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity while in 500 mM NaCI, enzyme activities declined in Methylophilus sp. and increased in Methylobacterium sp. Among exogenously applied osmoprotectants proline was most efficient; however, polyols (mannitol, sorbitol and glycerol) also supported growth under lethal NaCI concentration.

IPS multicentric study: Antidepressant prescription patterns

BACKGROUND

There are very few studies from India which have evaluated the prescription pattern for antidepressants by psychiatrists for treatment of depression.

AIM

To study the psychotropic prescription patterns of patients with first episode depression from diverse settings including teaching institutions in public and private sectors and even privately run psychiatric clinics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prescription data of 706 patients with first episode depression, who participated in the IPS multicentric study, were evaluated.

RESULTS

Escitalopram was the most commonly prescribed antidepressant, comprising 40% of the total prescriptions. This was followed by sertraline (17.6%) and fluoxetine (16.3%). In total, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) formed 79.2% of all the prescriptions. Tricyclic antidepressants formed a small part (15.15%) of total prescriptions, with imipramine being the most commonly used tricyclic antidepressant. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine and duloxetine) were prescribed to 11.3% of patients with equal share of venlafaxine and duloxetine. About one-sixth (N=104; 14.7%) of the patients were prescribed more than one antidepressant. Nearly three-fourth of the patients (N=523; 74.1%) were prescribed a benzodiazepine, with clonazepam being the most preferred agent, prescribed to nearly half of the participants (49%) and formed nearly two-third of the total benzodiazepine prescriptions (346 out of 523).

CONCLUSION

Escitalopram is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant and SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. Poly pharmacy in the form of concomitant use of two antidepressants is practiced infrequently. However, benzodiazepines are used quite frequently as the co-prescription.

The diacylglycerol lipases: structure, regulation and roles in and beyond endocannabinoid signalling

The diacylglycerol lipases (DAGLs) hydrolyse diacylglycerol to generate 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), the most abundant ligand for the CB(1) and CB(2) cannabinoid receptors in the body. DAGL-dependent endocannabinoid signalling regulates axonal growth and guidance during development, and is required for the generation and migration of new neurons in the adult brain. At developed synapses, 2-AG released from postsynaptic terminals acts back on presynaptic CB(1) receptors to inhibit the secretion of both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, with this DAGL-dependent synaptic plasticity operating throughout the nervous system. Importantly, the DAGLs have functions that do not involve cannabinoid receptors. For example, 2-AG is the precursor of arachidonic acid in a pathway that maintains the level of this essential lipid in the brain and other organs. This pathway also drives the cyclooxygenase-dependent generation of inflammatory prostaglandins in the brain, which has recently been implicated in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. Remarkably, we still know very little about the mechanisms that regulate DAGL activity-however, key insights can be gleaned by homology modelling against other α/β hydrolases and from a detailed examination of published proteomic studies and other databases. These identify a regulatory loop with a highly conserved signature motif, as well as phosphorylation and palmitoylation as post-translational mechanisms likely to regulate function.

Tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, and cessation training among the third-year medical and dental students in selected Member States of South-East Asia region: a trend analysis on data from the Global Health Professions Student Survey, 2005-2011

BACKGROUND

The Medical and Dental Global Health Professions Student Surveys (GHPSS) are surveys based in schools that collect self-administered data from students on the prevalence of tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, and tobacco cessation training, among the third-year medical and dental students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two rounds of medical and dental GHPSS have been conducted in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, among the third-year medical and dental students, between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011.

RESULTS

The prevalence of any tobacco use among third-year male and female medical students did not change in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011; however, it reduced significantly among females in Myanmar (3.3% in 2006 to 1.8% in 2009) and in Sri Lanka (2.5% in 2006 to 0.6% in 2011). The prevalence of any tobacco use among third-year male dental students did not change in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Thailand between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011; however, in Myanmar, the prevalence increased significantly (35.6% in 2006 to 49.5% in 2009). Among the third-year female students, a significant increase in prevalence was noticed in Bangladesh (4.0% in 2005 to 22.2% in 2009) and Thailand (0.7% in 2006 to 2.1% in 2011). It remained unchanged in the other three countries. Prevalence of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) both at home and in public places, among medical students, decreased significantly in Myanmar and Sri Lanka between 2006 and 2009 and in 2011. Among dental students, the prevalence of SHS exposure at home reduced significantly in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, and in public places in India. However, there was an increase of SHS exposure among dental students in Nepal, both at home and in public places, between 2005 and 2011. Medical students in Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka reported a declining trend in schools, with a smoking ban policy in place, between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011, while proportions of dental students reported that schools with a smoking ban policy have increased significantly in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Ever receiving cessation training increased significantly among medical students in Sri Lanka only, whereas, among dental students, it increased in India, Nepal, and Thailand.

CONCLUSION

Trends of tobacco use and exposure to SHS among medical and dental students in most countries of the South-East Asia Region had changed only relatively between the two rounds of GHPSS (2005-2006 and 2009-2011). No significant improvement was observed in the trend in schools with a policy banning smoking in school buildings and clinics. Almost all countries in the SEA Region that participated in GHPSS showed no significant change in ever having received formal training on tobacco cessation among medical and dental students.

Inhibition of Bacillus subtilis natural competence by a native, conjugative plasmid-encoded comK repressor protein

Under certain growth conditions, Bacillus subtilis can develop natural competence, the state in which it is able to bind, adsorb and incorporate exogenous DNA. Development of competence is a bistable process and is subject to complex regulation. Rok is a repressor of the key transcriptional activator of competence genes, comK, and limits the size of the subpopulation that develops competence. Here we report the finding that the large conjugative B. subtilis plasmid pLS20 harbours a rok homologue rok(LS20). Although the deduced product of rok(LS20) is considerably shorter than the chromosomally encoded Rok protein, we show that ectopic expression of the plasmid-encoded Rok(LS20) leads to inhibition of competence by repressing comK, and that the effects of the plasmid and chromosomally encoded Rok proteins are additive. We also show that pLS20 inhibits competence in a rok(LS20) -dependent manner and that purified Rok(LS20) preferentially binds to the comK promoter. By analysing the available databases we identified several additional rok-like genes. These putative rok genes can be divided into two groups and we propose that rok(LS20) is the prototype of a newly identified subgroup of nine rok genes. Finally, we discuss the possible role of the plasmid-located rok and its relatedness with other rok genes.

A novel blast resistance gene, Pi54rh cloned from wild species of rice, Oryza rhizomatis confers broad spectrum resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae

The dominant rice blast resistance gene, Pi54 confers resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in different parts of India. In our effort to identify more effective forms of this gene, we isolated an orthologue of Pi54 named as Pi54rh from the blast-resistant wild species of rice, Oryza rhizomatis, using allele mining approach and validated by complementation. The Pi54rh belongs to CC-NBS-LRR family of disease resistance genes with a unique Zinc finger (C(3)H type) domain. The 1,447 bp Pi54rh transcript comprises of 101 bp 5'-UTR, 1,083 bp coding region and 263 bp 3'-UTR, driven by pathogen inducible promoter. We showed the extracellular localization of Pi54rh protein and the presence of glycosylation, myristoylation and phosphorylation sites which implicates its role in signal transduction process. This is in contrast to other blast resistance genes that are predicted to be intracellular NBS-LRR-type resistance proteins. The Pi54rh was found to express constitutively at basal level in the leaves, but upregulates 3.8-fold at 96 h post-inoculation with the pathogen. Functional validation of cloned Pi54rh gene using complementation test showed high degree of resistance to seven isolates of M. oryzae collected from different geographical locations of India. In this study, for the first time, we demonstrated that a rice blast resistance gene Pi54rh cloned from wild species of rice provides broad spectrum resistance to M. oryzae hence can be used in rice improvement breeding programme.

Genotype profiles of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis recovered from suspected and Crohn's disease patients in India

Present study aimed to genotype Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) recovered from suspected and Crohn' s disease patients. A total of 32 MAP and DNA (directly from clinical samples) recovered from human origin were genotyped using IS 1311 PCR-REA. Isolates were cultured from stool, biopsies and blood clots of Crohn's disease patients, and stool samples of suspected (animal attendants, lab workers etc). Of the 32 MAP isolates belonging to 28 human beings, majority (84.3%) were genotyped as 'Bison type', while 21.7% were of 'cattle' and none was 'sheep' genotype. Study first time reports distribution of 'Cattle' and 'Bison type' 'genotypes in suspected and Crohn's patients on pilot scale in India. 'Bison type' genotype was predominant in the surveyed human population.

Role of Lactobacillus acidophilus loaded floating beads in chronic fatigue syndrome: behavioral and biochemical evidences

BACKGROUND

  In recent years the interface between neuropsychiatry and gastroenterology has converged in to a new discipline referred to as enteric neuroscience. Implications of brain-gut communication in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders indicate a possible role of suitably packaged/delivered probiotics as newer therapeutic options. In the present study probable role of per-oral administration of free Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAB) and LAB loaded alginate beads in attenuation of the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were evaluated.

METHODS

  Chronic fatigue syndrome following physical fatigue was induced in rats by forcing them to swim (forced swim test; FST) in water till exhaustion, after weighing them down with 10% their body weight, daily for 28 days. Immobility (I) and postswim fatigue time (PSF) were taken as suitable markers. Free LAB and LAB loaded floating beads (FBs) were administered, from 21 to 28 days.

KEY RESULTS

  Immobility and PSF were found to increase considerably in FST rats (665 ± 22 s and 196 ± 6 s) as compared with the naïve (32 ± 7 s and 22 ± 2 s) at 20 days, establishing severe fatigue like behavior. FST control group exhibited significant (P < 0.05) hypertrophy of spleen, hypotrophy of thymus, and increased oxido-nitrosative stress in brain and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in serum. Treatment with LAB and LAB FBs significantly decreased I and PSF and attenuated (P < 0.05) oxido-nitrosative stress and TNF-α levels. Spleen and thymus were also restored to their original size in this group.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

  The findings suggest a valuable therapeutic role of LAB especially when incorporated into alginate beads for the treatment of CFS.

Melatonin supplementation therapy as a potent alternative to ERT in ovariectomized rats

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of melatonin supplementation therapy as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy in an ovariectomized rat model and to assess diabetogenic metabolic dysregulation caused by estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal individuals.

METHODS

Ovariectomized adult Wistar rats were treated with either estrogen/progesterone, melatonin or a combination of estrogen and melatonin. Body weight gain, feed efficiency, serum glucose, insulin, glucose tolerance and insulin response, serum and tissue lipids, tissue glycogen contents and activities of glycogen phosphorylase and glucose-6-phosphatase were analyzed in all the experimental groups.

RESULTS

Ovariectomized animals showed increased body weight gain, feed efficiency, fasting insulin resistance, greater area under curve for the glucose tolerance test, higher serum and tissue lipids and reduced glycogen content and insulin sensitivity. A low dose of melatonin was more efficient than estrogen in reversing all the ovariectomy-induced changes. The combination of estrogen + melatonin was found to be best in correcting glycemic dysregulation while high doses of melatonin could effectively regulate dyslipidemia.

CONCLUSION

The present study provides strong evidence for melatonin supplementation therapy to be more potent and effective in comparison to estrogen replacement therapy due to its single-handed ability to revert all the ovariectomy-induced changes. No reported side-effect or long-term effect of melatonin, against the known effects of estrogen replacement therapy, make it more attractive as a candidate to treat postmenopausal symptoms.

Purification and characterization of a lectin with high hemagglutination property isolated from Allium altaicum

A lectin was purified from the leaves of Allium altaicum and corresponding gene was cloned. The lectin namely Allium altaicum agglutinin (AAA) was ~24 kDa homodimeric protein and similar to a typical garlic leaf lectin. It was synthesized as 177 amino acid residues pre-proprotein, which consisted of 28 and 43 amino acid long N and C-terminal signal peptides, respectively. The plant expressed this protein more in scapes and flowers in comparison to the bulbs and leaves. Hemagglutination activity (with rabbit erythrocytes) was 1,428 fold higher as compared to Allium sativum leaf agglutinin (ASAL) although, the insecticidal activity against cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) was relatively low. Glycan array revealed that AAA had higher affinity towards GlcAb1-3Galb as compared to ASAL. Homology analysis showed 57-94% similarity with other Allium lectins. The mature protein was expressed in E. coli as a fusion with SUMO peptide in soluble and biologically active form. Recombinant protein retained high hemagglutination activity.

A very common case become rare: Anesthetic considerations of lepromatous leprosy

Leprosy or Hansen's disease is very uncommon in developed countries. More than 80% of the world's cases occurs and still reported from developing countries. But nowadays due to increase in international affairs, medical tourism, globalization and immigration, there is increasing possibility to find patients anywhere, which require anesthesia for surgical interventions. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and involves mainly skin, peripheral nervous system, upper respiratory tract, eyes and testes. Anesthetic consideration is focused mainly on complications related to leprosy like cardiac or respiratory dysautonomia, autonomic dysfunctions and side effects which are related to drug therapy and are challenging. There can be drug-related hepatitis and renal insufficiency in these patients. We report the anesthetic management of a patient with lepromatous leprosy who had undergone laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma under general anesthesia.

High prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis ('Indian bison type') in animal attendants suffering from gastrointestinal complaints who work with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease in India

OBJECTIVES

In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in animal attendants who were chronic colitis patients or who had inflammatory bowel disease and were suspected for Crohn's disease; these animal attendants worked with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease. Microscopic examination and culture tests were used. For comparison purposes a group of healthy human subjects (not suffering with colitis) was also screened.

METHODS

Stool samples obtained from 98 human subjects (58 animal attendants suspected for Crohn's disease and 40 healthy humans) were screened for the presence of MAP by microscopic examination and culture. Of the 58 animal attendants screened, 38 had abdominal pain, 29 had suffered episodes of diarrhea, 39 had experienced weight loss, 27 had fever, and 32 had a history of raw milk consumption. Animal attendants had had contact of variable duration with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease (1-5, 6-10, 11-15, and >15 years). Forty stool samples from healthy humans with no symptoms/history of contact with animals were also screened. IS900 PCR and IS1311 PCR restriction endonuclease analysis were used to characterize and genotype the MAP colonies.

RESULTS

MAP was recovered from 34 of the 98 human subject stool samples (34.7%). Of the 98 samples, 16.3% (n=16) were acid-fast. None of the 40 healthy human subjects were positive for MAP by microscopy, but five (12.5%) were positive for MAP by culture. Of the 58 animal attendants, 16 (27.6%) were positive by microscopy and 29 (50%) were positive by culture. MAP were recovered from 68.4% of animal attendants with abdominal pain, 72.4% of those with diarrhea, 71.8% of those with weight loss, 44.4% of those with fever, and 46.9% of those who had a history of raw milk consumption. Of the 29 culture-positive animal attendants, 48.3% had worked for >15 years, 27.6% for 11-15 years, 20.7% for 6-10 years, and 3.4% for 1-5 years with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease. Of the 34 culture isolates, 28 (82.4%) showed good quality DNA on agarose gel and were positive by IS900 PCR. Of the 28 IS900-positive DNA samples, 23 (82.1%) were genotyped as 'Indian bison type' and five (17.9%) as 'cattle type'.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of MAP was higher in attendants suffering from gastrointestinal problems who worked with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease, than in humans with no history of contact with animals. The risk of developing gastrointestinal problems with clinical symptoms indistinguishable from inflammatory bowel disease was higher in humans who were in contact with goat herds endemic for Johne's disease as compared to healthy humans, and the risk was correlated with the duration of association with the endemic goat herds.

Identification of virulence factors and diagnostic markers using immunosecretome of Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a prime causative agent for various allergic and invasive aspergillosis. There has been a dramatic increase of such cases in last three decades yet the early diagnosis and virulence factor identification remains the challenge. In the present study secretome analysis of proteins isolated from the culture filtrate was done by 2D gel electrophoresis coupled with MS/MS and the immunosecretome analysis was carried out using immunoblotting of 2D transfer blots and probed with the sera of patients, immunized rabbit and mice. The identified proteins were analyzed further for homology with human proteins by BLAST search and for secretory signal by SignalP. A total of 65 protein spots from 2D gel resulted in identification of 24 different proteins along with their isoforms and out of which 15 proteins were identified as immunogenic in human. These findings may be helpful in the identification of virulence factors involved in aspergillosis and also useful as diagnostic markers.