Ring-opening-induced toughening of a low-permittivity polymer-metal interface

Integrating low dielectric permittivity (low-k) polymers to metals is an exacting fundamental challenge because poor bonding between low-polarizability moieties and metals precludes good interfacial adhesion. Conventional adhesion-enhancing methods such as using intermediary layers are unsuitable for engineering polymer/metal interfaces for many applications because of the collateral increase in dielectric permittivity. Here, we demonstrate a completely new approach without surface treatments or intermediary layers to obtain an excellent interfacial fracture toughness of >13 J/m(2) in a model system comprising copper and a cross-linked polycarbosilane with k approximately 2.7 obtained by curing a cyclolinear polycarbosilane in air. Our results suggest that interfacial oxygen catalyzed molecular ring-opening and anchoring of the opened ring moieties of the polymer to copper is the main toughening mechanism. This novel approach of realizing adherent low-k polymer/metal structures without intermediary layers by activating metal-anchoring polymer moieties at the interface could be adapted for applications such as device wiring and packaging, and laminates and composites.

150 DEVELOPMENT OF ZONA-FREE AND WITH ZONA PARTHENOGENETIC GOAT EMBRYOS IN DIFFERENT MEDIA

The present study was carried out to see the developmental efficiency of zona-free and with zona parthenogenetic goat embryos cultured in Research Vitro Cleave from Cook Australia (RVCL), Embryo Development Media (EDM), modified synthetic oviductal fluid (mSOF), and modified Charles Rosenkrans media (mCR2a). Zona-free embryos were cultured in 4 media, whereas with zona embryos were cultured in 3 media except mCR2a. Ovaries were collected from slaughterhouse and oocytes were isolated by puncturing the follicles in medium containing Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline, 3% BSA, and 50 μg mL-1 gentamicin. Oocytes were matured in maturation medium containing TCM-199 (HEPES modified), 0.05 mg mL-1 Na pyruvate, 0.003 mg mL-1 L-glutamine, 5.5 mg mL-1 glucose, 3 mg mL-1 BSA, 5 μg mL-1 FSH, 10 μg mL-1 LH, 1 μg mL-1 estradiol-17β, 50 μg mL-1 gentamicin, and 10% FBS in 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. The COC (15 to 20 oocytes) were placed in 100-μL droplets of maturation medium and incubated in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2 in air) with maximum humidity at 38.5°C for 27 h. Matured oocytes were made cumulus free by treatment with hyaluronidase (0.5 mg mL-1) and zona-free by pronase (2 mg mL-1) in zona-free parthenogenesis. Then the oocytes were activated by 5 μM Ca ionophore for 5 min in a CO2 incubator and then treated with 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h. Activation was also done by electrical activation with DC 1.78 kV cm-1, 20 μs, and 2 pulses. Then the zona-free oocytes were kept for in vitro culture in 4 types of media such as RVCL, EDM, mSOF, andm CR2a for 7 days in 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C. The cleavage rate andmorulae formation were observed in RVCL 40.95%, 13.95%, in EDM 46.92%, 14.75%, in mCR2a 56.66%, 5.88%, and in mSOF 48.23%, 14.63%, respectively. The cleavage rate and morulae formation were also found 55.9%, 14.63% during chemical activation and 32%, 12.5% in electrical activation. Hence, better result was found in chemical activation than electrical activation. For with zona parthenogenesis, the matured oocytes were chemically activated by 5 μM Ca ionophore for 5 min and 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h. Then the oocytes were cultured in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF in 100-μL micro-drops media for 7 days. The cleavage, morulae, and early blastocyst production rate were as follows: cleavage rate 75.68%, 72.03%, and 57.11%; morulae 44.61%, 30.29%, and 40.22%; and early blastocyst 17.49%, 11.88%, and 25.01% in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF, respectively. Hatched blastocyst formation rate was 6.75%, 5.48%, and 1.15% in RVCL, EDM, and mSOF, respectively. It could be concluded that zona-free parthenogenetic embryos were produced better in EDM medium and with chemical activation. With zona parthenogenetic embryo development was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in RVCL and EDM media.

59 PRODUCTION OF HANDMADE CLONED GOAT EMBRYOS WITH TWO TYPES OF DONOR CELLS AND CULTURED IN THREE MEDIA

The study was carried out to see the developmental efficiency of handmade cloned goat embryos with 3 different media: RVCL (Research Vitro Cleave, Cook, Brisbane, Australia), EDM (Embryo Development Media) and modified SOF (mSOF) and 2 types of donor cells: fetal fibroblast and adult fibroblast. Oocytes were isolated from abattoir goat ovaries, matured in maturation medium, and incubated in 5% CO2 in air at 38.5°C for 24 h. Then, the oocytes were made cumulus free by treatment with hyaluronidase (0.5 mg mL-1) and zona free by pronase (2 mg mL-1). Protrusion cone formation in oocytes was found 95 to 100% in T20 (TCM-199 + 20% FBS). The zona-free oocytes were bisected with an ultra-sharp micro blade on the basis of visible protrusion cones on the surface of oocytes using T20 medium containing 2.5 μg mL-1 cytochalasin-B. Fetal and adult fibroblast cells were used from confluent monolayer at passage 5 after trypsinizing in 0.25% trypsin-EDTA. One somatic cell was attached with one enucleated demioocyte by phytohemagglutinin and further fused with another enucleated demioocyte through electric pulse with a combination of alternating current (4 V) and direct current (2.10 kV cm-1 for 5 μs with a single pulse) in fusion medium (0.3 M mannitol, 0.1 mM MgCl2, 0.05 mM CaCl2, and 3 mg mL-1 BSA). Then, triplets were chemically activated with 5 μM Ca ionophore for 5 min and 2 mM 6-DMAP for 4 h and cultured in the 3 media. Cleavage and morulae formation were observed at Day 7 from 183 triplets with fetal fibroblasts as donor cells in media RVCL (78.60 ± 2.23, 38.97 ± 2.1), mSOF (72.62 ± 1.89, 33.81 ± 1.9), and EDM (73.96 ± 1.66, 26.20 ± 2.04), respectively. Simultaneously, cleavage and morulae formation were observed at Day 7 from 203 triplets with adult fibroblasts as donor cells in media RVCL (73.97 ± 3.57, 33.14 ± 2.68), mSOF (76.22 ± 4.36, 26.15 ± 0.99), and EDM (65.97 ± 3.11, 20.78 ± 2.77), respectively. Among the 3 media, morulae formation was significantly higher in RVCL. Hence, in the subsequent experiment, RVCL medium was used exclusively in culture for 172 triplets. Cleavage and morulae formation at Day 7 was not significantly different (P < 0.05) in 2 types of donor cells; fetal fibroblasts (77.46 ± 3.65, 38.70 ± 2.66) and adult fibroblasts (75.74 ± 3.04, 33.77 ± 1.43), respectively. The data were analyzed using SYSTAT 7.0 (Systat, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) after arcsine transformation, one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher’s LSD test. PCR analysis was performed with highly polymorphic 286-bp fragment of MHC-II DRB gene of cloned embryo and its donor cell. Similar bands were observed in both the cloned embryos and fibroblast cells in agar gel electrophoresis. In conclusion, development of handmade cloned embryos was higher in RVCL medium compared with the other two media tested, and efficiency of morulae formation was similar in both types of donor cells. Further study is required to optimize blastocyst production.

Biodegradable stents and non-biodegradable stents

The introduction of the coronary stent in 1986 was one of the most far-reaching changes in the practice of interventional cardiology since its inception in 1977. Despite all the benefits of the using a metallic drug eluting stent (DES), their limitations have generated interest towards biodegradable technology. These biodegradable stents, which are made of polymers or metal alloys with or without a drug coating, have the potential to scaffold the artery to allow natural healing to take place, and then biodegrade. The development of this technology has been slow, however several biodegradable stents have entered into clinical trials, with many more at the preclinical stage of development. Concurrently conventional metallic DES have tried to address their limitations; in particular they have sought to repair their damaged reputation following concerns over stent thrombosis. Accordingly, stents with a more biocompatible polymer and DES which are polymer-free have been developed, and are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. This article will review the status of biodegradable stents, and these newer DES, during this exciting period in interventional cardiology as technology strives to develop the ideal coronary stent.

Effectiveness of HIV counseling services on knowledge, attitude, behavior and practice (KABP) among pregnant women attending PPTCT program

Counseling services is an important component of National AIDS Control Program which aims at creating awareness and promoting changes in reducing high risk behavior against HIV/AIDS. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics are being counseled about HIV/AIDS under prevention of parent to child transmission (PPTCT) program. The objective of this study was to assess (KABP) regarding HIV/AIDS among pregnant women attending PPTCT program before and after counseling at Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. A Quasi-experimental study was conducted. Data was collected by interviewing 600 pregnant women attending ANC clinic during May 2006 to May 2007 using a pre-test and post-test interview schedule. About 69.2% of the pregnant women had heard about AIDS before the counseling. Knowledge regarding mother to child transmission of HIV was 53.5%. 38.2% knew that mother to child transmission can be reduced by drugs. The knowledge of pregnant women about AIDS was significantly different in pre-test (mean score = 15.3) and post test (mean score = 35.6) (P < 0.0001). Attitude of study participants towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) indicated that individuals with HIV should be allowed to work (79.9%) and all commercial sex workers should compulsorily be tested for HIV (55.1%). There was significant difference between in pre-test and post-test attitude about PLWHA and HIV testing (p < 0.0001). The condom use among the study participants significantly improved after counseling (1.2% in pre-test and 58.6% after counseling) (p < 0.0001). Counseling services were effective in increasing knowledge and changes in attitude and behavior among pregnant women and the efforts needs to be sustained.

Assessment of quality of life among HIV positive people attending tertiary hospital of Delhi, India

As per global HIV/AIDS estimates, a total of 33 million [30.3 - 36.1 million] People were living with HIV in 2007. The world's second-most populous country, India, is experiencing a highly varied HIV epidemic, which appears to be stable or diminishing in some parts while growing at a modest rate in others. Quality of life (QOL) of HIV/AIDS patients is becoming an important component of overall assessment of health care and management in health care settings. It is one of the indicators effectiveness of management of PLHAS. The objective of this study was to determine the QOL of patients with HIV/AIDS in New Delhi. Purposive sampling was used to identify subjects from the antiretroviral therapy clinic (ART) in Lok Nayak hospital. 180 patients were interviewed with the WHOQOL-HIV instrument. This questionnaire included demographic data, multi-item scales and six domains namely physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationships, environment and spirituality religion. Study subjects were aged between 20-56 years. Mean age of all study subjects was 33.85 +/- 7.01 years, comprising of 34.4 females. More than 50% of the total subjects had received less than secondary school education. All domains have higher scores for women than men except the psychological domain. Correlation of scores of six domains with overall QOL score and among individual domains was statistically significant. Younger people showed poorer QOL and level of education correlated positively with all domains of QOL Overall results indicate that quality of life of AIDS attending Lok Nayak hospital is satisfactory.

Actin-induced perturbation of PS lipid-cholesterol interaction: A possible mechanism of cytoskeleton-based regulation of membrane organization

To obtain insight into the potential role of the cytoskeleton on lipid mixing behavior in plasma membranes, the current study explores the influence of physisorbed actin filaments (F-actin) on lipid-lipid phase separations in planar model membrane systems containing raft-mimicking lipid mixtures of well-defined compositions using a complementary experimental approach of epifluorescence microscopy, fluorescence anisotropy, wide-field single molecule fluorescence microscopy, and interfacial rheometry. In particular, we have explored the impact of F-actin on cholesterol (CHOL)-phospholipid interactions, which are considered important for the formation of CHOL-enriched lipid raft domains. By using epifluorescence microscopy, we show that physisorbed filamentous actin (F-actin) alters the domain size of lipid-lipid phase separations in the presence of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylserine (POPS) and cholesterol (CHOL). In contrast, no actin-induced modification in lipid-lipid phase separations is observed in the absence of POPS or when POPS is replaced by another anionic lipid, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylglycerol (POPG). Wide-field single molecule fluorescence microscopy on binary lipid mixtures indicate that PS and PG lipids show similar electrostatic interactions with physisorbed actin filaments. Complementary fluorescence anisotropy experiments on binary PS lipid-containing lipid mixtures are provided to illustrate the actin-induced segregation of anionic lipids. The similarity of electrostatic interactions between actin and both anionic lipids suggests that the observed differences in actin-mediated perturbations of lipid phase separations are caused by distinct PS lipid-CHOL versus PG lipid-CHOL interactions. We hypothesize that the actin cytoskeleton and some peripheral membrane proteins may alter lipid-lipid phase separations in plasma membranes in a similar way by interacting with PS lipids.

Endobronchial non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as mass lesion

A 40-year-old male presented with clinical and radiological manifestations of right lung atelectasis and post-obstructive pneumonia. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed gross narrowing of the right upper lobe bronchus and a smooth, white endobronchial mass completely occluding the right lower lobe bronchus. Endobronchial biopsy from the mass lesion yielded low grade B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This is one of the rarest presentation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Behavioral and neurobiological characteristics influencing social hierarchy formation in female cynomolgus monkeys

Socially housed monkeys have been used as a model to study human diseases. The present study examined behavioral, physiological and neurochemical measures as predictors of social rank in 16 experimentally naïve, individually housed female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The two behavioral measures examined were novel object reactivity (NOR), as determined by latency to touch an opaque acrylic box placed in the home cage, and locomotor activity assessed in a novel open-field apparatus. Serum cortisol concentrations were evaluated three times per week for four consecutive weeks, and stress reactivity was assessed on one occasion by evaluating the cortisol response to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) following dexamethasone suppression. Measures of serotonin (5-HT) function included whole blood 5-HT (WBS) concentrations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the 5-HT metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and brain 5-HT transporter (SERT) availability obtained using positron emission tomography (PET). After baseline measures were obtained, monkeys were assigned to four social groups of four monkeys per group. The two measures that correlated with eventual social rank were CSF 5-HIAA concentrations, which were significantly higher in the animals who eventually became subordinate, and latency to touch the novel object, which was significantly lower in eventual subordinate monkeys. Measures of 5-HT function did not change as a consequence of social rank. These data suggest that levels of central 5-HIAA and measures of novel object reactivity may be trait markers that influence eventual social rank in female macaques.

Profile of behavioural risk factors of non-communicable diseases in an urban setting in New Delhi

The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of behavioural risk factors of non communicable diseases among urban adult population. The study participants included 531 adults residing in Mata Sundari road, which is an urban colony in New Delhi. They were interviewed using the WHO STEPS 1 questionnaire on lifestyle factors. Smoking prevalence was found to be 18.4% out of which over three fourth smoked more than one packet of cigarettes per day. Almost one third of known hypertensive patients were not on any treatment regimen. 80.6% did not undertake any kind of physical activity. 43% consumed only one serving of green vegetable in a day while 58% included fruits as a part of diet only once or twice in a week. There is a need to develop strong community based lifestyle behavioural intervention programs.