Evaluating seismic risk by MCDM and machine learning for the eastern coast of India

Natural disasters such as earthquakes endanger human lives and infrastructure, particularly in urban areas. With the advancements in science and technology in understanding natural hazards, recent studies have attempted to mitigate them by mapping the risks using geospatial technology. In this paper, we attempt to integrate the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models, namely the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC), besides using the artificial neural network (ANN) to assess the seismic risk in the eastern coast of India. The AHP-CRITIC technique is used to evaluate the earthquake coping capacity and vulnerability and has been further used to generate a training base for earthquake probability mapping by ANN. The earthquake probability and spatial intensity information are used to develop the hazard map. Following that, integrating vulnerability, hazard and coping capacity spatial information assessed earthquake risk. Our results indicate that approximately 5% of the study area is at high risk, whilst more than 11% of the population is at high risk due to seismic induced hazards. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic curve is 0.85, which indicates reliable results. The results of this study may help various agencies involved in planning, development and disaster mitigation to develop seismic hazard mitigation methods by better understanding their impacts on the eastern coastal region of India.

Perioperative Management Conundrum for a Case With Multiple Commonly Used Drug Hypersensitivity

Perioperative hypersensitivity reactions vary from mild to potentially fatal anaphylaxis, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Most of the perioperative hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are attributed to antibiotics, antiseptic solutions, latex, and opioids. In the current thrust for opioid-free anesthesia, owing to its multiple advantages, paracetamol and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents play a significant role in multi-modal pain and inflammatory response management. Nearly nine out of ten individuals experience postoperative pain, one-third experience postoperative nausea and vomiting, and one-fourth experience fever, irrespective of surgery and type of anesthesia, often as an inflammatory response. While perioperative hypersensitivity reactions are common, a patient allergic to multiple commonly used drugs for the treatment of pain, fever, acid-peptic disorder, and nausea and vomiting is scarce. Such cases pose a great challenge in perioperative management. A 14-year-old male child with a traumatic foot drop planned for tibialis posterior tendon transfer developed an allergic reaction with mild fever following an injection of Ranitidine and Ondansetron in the preoperative area. Surgery was deferred and was investigated for allergy profile testing for commonly used drugs, which showed high IgE levels and moderate to severe hypersensitivity for diclofenac and paracetamol. The patient was operated on after one month under spinal anesthesia, avoiding ranitidine, ondansetron, diclofenac, and paracetamol. The following morning, he developed a high-grade fever (102.3° F), which did not resolve with conservative measures. Hypersensitivity and allergic reactions to NSAIDs are reported in the literature. While there are multiple drugs available as NSAIDs, cross-sensitivity or allergy to other drugs within the same group, and even chemically related groups, is also another possibility that needs to be considered while managing such patients. Mefenamic acid controlled the fever, and the child was discharged home after 48 hours of observation. However, the case posed a great perioperative management dilemma; the present report intends to highlight and discuss it.

Compositional analysis of copper and iron-based alloys using LIBS coupled with chemometric method

The present manuscript deals with the utility of the calibration-free LIBS and calibration curve methods for the compositional study of different alloys using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In the process of alloying in the smelting industry, metal concentration in different alloys affects the physical and chemical properties of the final products. Therefore, LIBS can be used as an efficient quantitative analysis tool for online monitoring of the quality of the products. This is because LIBS can be performed online, in situ, without any pre-processing, and need no sample preparation for the compositional analysis of any type of materials present in any phase (solid, liquid, gas or even molten alloys in the industries). In the present study, four alloys (three copper and one iron-based alloy) consisting of Cu, Al, Zn, Ni, Fe, Cr and Mn as major and Sn and Si as minor elements were selected for the study using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) and calibration curve method i.e. partial least square regression (PLSR). For the CF-LIBS method, the temporal delay has been optimized in order to satisfy the optically thin and local thermal equilibrium (LTE) condition of the plasma. For the PLSR method, different regions of the strongest emission lines of constituents have been selected for quantitative analysis. The study of time-resolved LIBS spectra and the variation of plasma parameters with respect to the delay time is also discussed. The utility of the combined technique of CF-LIBS with the PLSR method for rapid monitoring and quality assessment of desired material/products without any sample pretreatment, thus reducing the cost of the analysis, is presented in this paper.

Current State and Future Perspective of Diabetic Wound Healing Treatment: Present Evidence from Clinical Trials

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition that is becoming more common and is characterised by sustained hyperglycaemia and long-term health effects. Diabetes-related wounds often heal slowly and are more susceptible to infection because of hyperglycaemia in the wound beds. The diabetic lesion becomes harder to heal after planktonic bacterial cells form biofilms. A potential approach is the creation of hydrogels with many functions. High priority is given to a variety of processes, such as antimicrobial, pro-angiogenesis, and general pro-healing. Diabetes problems include diabetic amputations or chronic wounds (DM). Chronic diabetes wounds that do not heal are often caused by low oxygen levels, increased reactive oxygen species, and impaired vascularization. Several types of hydrogels have been developed to get rid of contamination by pathogens; these hydrogels help to clean up the infection, reduce wound inflammation, and avoid necrosis. This review paper will focus on the most recent improvements and breakthroughs in antibacterial hydrogels for treating chronic wounds in people with diabetes. Prominent and significant side effects of diabetes mellitus include foot ulcers. Antioxidants, along with oxidative stress, are essential to promote the healing of diabetic wounds. Some of the problems that can come from a foot ulcer are neuropathic diabetes, ischemia, infection, inadequate glucose control, poor nutrition, also very high morbidity. Given the worrying rise in diabetes and, by extension, diabetic wounds, future treatments must focus on the rapid healing of diabetic wounds.

Estimating suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation, in Odisha (India) by statistical and WQI methods

Twelve major hydro-geochemical parameters derived from about 1134 water samples were studied to understand spatial variation of groundwater quality in the coastal state of Odisha. Multivariate statistical analysis techniques, i.e., cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), and varimax rotation were used to classify various types of groundwater, and plausible sources that control the quality of water in the region. The concentration of major ions varies in the order of Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ and HCO₃^- > Cl^- > SO₄^2- > F^-. Out of the three clusters identified, the 2nd cluster is having more mineralization and relatively poor quality of groundwater as compared to the first and the third cluster. Furthermore, estimates of the Water Quality Index (WQI) indicate that the groundwater in the area can be classified from excellent to medium quality. Furthermore, the sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and Kelly's ratio (KR) suggest that about 70% of groundwater samples are of low to medium salinity, whereas about 30% show higher salinity. The Wilcox diagram reveals that almost 90% of the groundwater is suitable for irrigation. The mining activity appears less likely to be affecting the quality of subsurface water. Water-rock interactions and evaporation-crystallization may be the two dominant factors that appear to control the groundwater away from the coastal areas. Results of this study may be useful to identify the suitable sites for groundwater extraction for drinking and irrigation purposes, besides being useful to the policy-makers in formulating effective plans for preventing further contamination of groundwater aquifers.

A case of cervical OPLL and DISH mimicking stroke

Background:

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a progressive disorder that mostly involves the cervical spine. It is more prevalent in East Asian countries. Patients typically present with the gradual onset of myelopathy, while about 5% show rapid progression.

Case Description:

A 51-year-old diabetic and hypertensive male presented with a left-sided hemiparesis following trivial trauma. The first diagnosis was a stroke, but the subsequent workup proved negative. Subsequently, the MRI and CT studies demonstrated significant cord compression due to OPLL extending from C2 to C7. There was also a heterogeneous hyperintense intramedullary cord signal indicative of edema/myelomalacia in the retro- odontoid region. The CT also diagnosed C2–C7 diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

Conclusion:

Patients with cervical myelopathy due to OPLL rarely present about 5% of the time with the acute onset of neurological deficit following minor trauma. Certainly, one must consider high cervical OPLL as responsible for hemiparesis in a patient whose brain MR has ruled out a stroke.

Chronic Unreduced Anterior Shoulder Dislocation Managed by Latarjet Procedure: A Prospective Study

The shoulder joint is the most common joint to undergo dislocation, with the anterior subtype being the most common. The most accepted definition of chronic dislocation is a shoulder joint that has remained dislocated for a minimum of three weeks. Due to rare presentation, there is a lack of consensus among surgeons regarding the optimal management option of chronic shoulder dislocation. The goal of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of open reduction with Latarjet procedure in the management of chronic unreduced shoulder dislocation. A total of seven patients were included in this study. Five patients were males and two were females. The study was conducted in a single tertiary care centre between July 2015 and May 2018. All patients were managed by open reduction with the Latarjet procedure. The capsulolabral structures were repaired in all the cases. The post-operative functional outcome was assessed by shoulder range, Rowe score, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score at regular intervals for a period of one year. There was a significant improvement in terms of pain relief and functional status of the patients. The patients were satisfied as they could do their daily routine activities without pain at a one-year follow-up. Early post-operative rehabilitation and physiotherapy are key to improving the functional range.

A novel bicistronic DNA vaccine with enhanced protective immune response against Bacillus anthracis through DNA prime-protein boost vaccination approach

Anthrax, by Bacillus anthracis, remains a dreadful fatal hazard worldwide. The currently used anthrax vaccines are plagued by numerous issues that limit their widespread use. As an immunization approach targeting both extracellular antigens and toxins of B. anthracis may achieve better sterile immunity, the present investigation designed a bicistronic secretory anti-anthrax DNA vaccine targeting immune response against toxin and cells. The efficacy of the vaccine was compared with monocistronic DNA vaccines and the currently used anthrax vaccine. For this, mice were immunized with the developed vaccine containing pag (encoding protective antigen to block toxin) and eag genes (encoding EA1 to target cells) of B. anthracis through DNA-prime/Protein-boost (D/P) and DNA prime/DNA-boost (D/D) approaches. There was a >2 and > 5 fold increase in specific antibody level by D/D and D/P approaches respectively, on 42nd days post-immunization (dpi). Serum cytokine profiling showed that both Th1 and Th2 immune responses were elicited, with more Th2 responses in D/P strategy. More importantly, challenge with 100 times LD₅₀ of B. anthracis at 42nd dpi exhibited maximum cumulative survival (83.33 %) by bicistronic D/P approach. Remarkably, immunization with EA1 delayed mortality onset in infection. The study forms the first report on complement-dependent bactericidal activity of antiEA1 antibodies. In short, co-immunization of PA and EA1 through the developed bicistronic DNA vaccine would be an effective immunization approach in anthrax vaccination. Further, D/P strategy could enhance vaccine-induced immunity against B. anthracis. Altogether, the study generates certain critical insights having direct applications in next-generation vaccine development against anthrax.

Anosmia: A Clinical Indicator of COVID-19 Reinfection

COVID-19, an ongoing world pandemic, is caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Many organizations have recognized that COVID-19 patients may have sudden loss of smell or taste and have included these symptoms in their diagnostic guidelines. However, the occurrence of anosmia and dysgeusia in COVID-19 reinfection is yet to be ascertained.

Thickness uniformity measurements and damage threshold tests of large-area GaAs/AlGaAs crystalline coatings for precision interferometry

Precision interferometry is the leading method for extremely sensitive measurements in gravitational wave astronomy. Thermal noise of dielectric coatings poses a limitation to the sensitivity of these interferometers. To decrease coating thermal noise, new crystalline GaAs/AlGaAs multilayer mirrors have been developed. To date, the surface figure and thickness uniformity of these alternative low-loss coatings has not been investigated. Surface figure errors, for example, cause small angle scattering and thereby limit the sensitivity of an interferometer. Here we measure the surface figure of highly reflective, substrate-transferred, crystalline GaAs/AlGaAs coatings with a custom scanning reflectance system. We exploit the fact that the reflectivity varies with the thickness of the coating. To increase penetration into the coating, we used a 1550 nm laser on a highly reflective coating designed for a center wavelength of 1064 nm. The RMS thickness variation of a two inch optic was measured to be 0.41 ± 0.05 nm. This result is within 10% of the thickness uniformity, of 0.37 nm RMS, achieved with ion-beam sputtered coatings for the aLIGO detector. We additionally measured a lower limit of the laser induced damage threshold of 64 MW/cm ² for GaAs/AlGaAs coatings at a wavelength of 1064 nm.

Rapid analysis of pharmaceutical drugs using LIBS coupled with multivariate analysis

Type 2 diabetes drug tablets containing voglibose having dose strengths of 0.2 and 0.3 mg of various brands have been examined, using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. The statistical methods such as the principal component analysis (PCA) and the partial least square regression analysis (PLSR) have been employed on LIBS spectral data for classifying and developing the calibration models of drug samples. We have developed the ratio-based calibration model applying PLSR in which relative spectral intensity ratios H/C, H/N and O/N are used. Further, the developed model has been employed to predict the relative concentration of element in unknown drug samples. The experiment has been performed in air and argon atmosphere, respectively, and the obtained results have been compared. The present model provides rapid spectroscopic method for drug analysis with high statistical significance for online control and measurement process in a wide variety of pharmaceutical industrial applications.

Exonal switch down-regulates the expression of CD5 on blasts of acute T cell leukaemia

To date, CD5 expression and its role in acute T cell lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) have not been studied closely. We observed a significant reduction in surface expression of CD5 (sCD5) on leukaemic T cells compared to autologous non-leukaemic T cells. In this study, we have shown the molecular mechanism regulating the expression and function of CD5 on leukaemic T cells. A total of 250 patients suffering from leukaemia and lymphoma were immunophenotyped. Final diagnosis was based on their clinical presentation, morphological data and flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping. Thirty-nine patients were found to be of ALL-T origin. Amplification of early region of E1A and E1B transcripts of CD5 was correlated with the levels of surface and intracellular expression of CD5 protein. Functional studies were performed to show the effect of CD5 blocking on interleukin IL-2 production and survival of leukaemic and non-leukaemic cells. Lack of expression of sCD5 on T-ALL blasts was correlated closely with predominant transcription of exon E1B and significant loss of exon E1A of the CD5 gene, which is associated with surface expression of CD5 on lymphocytes. High expression of E1B also correlates with increased expression of cytoplasmic CD5 (cCD5) among leukaemic T cells. Interestingly, we observed a significant increase in the production of IL-2 by non-leukaemic T cells upon CD5 blocking, leading possibly to their increased survival at 48 h. Our study provides understanding of the regulation of CD5 expression on leukaemic T cells, and may help in understanding the molecular mechanism of CD5 down-regulation.

Choline metabolic pathway gene polymorphisms and risk for Down syndrome: An association study in a population with folate-homocysteine metabolic impairment

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Choline is an essential nutrient involved in one-carbon metabolism, but its role in mechanisms underlying meiotic non-disjunction is poorly known. The relationship between folate-homocysteine metabolic pathway gene polymorphism and Down syndrome (DS) risk has been widely analyzed, but there are limited reports on its correlation with choline metabolism. In the present case-control association study, we investigated the relationship of three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) rs12325817, choline dehydrogenase (CHDH) rs12676 and homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) rs3733890) of choline metabolism with risk for DS.

SUBJECT/METHODS

Genotyping of 228 mothers of a down syndrome child (DSM) and 200 control mothers (CMs) for all SNPs was performed by PCR coupled with restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

A significantly increased risk for BHMT +742AA genotype with an odds ratio of 4.96 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.66-14.88, P=0.0036) was observed. For PEMT rs12325817 and CHDH rs12676, no significant difference in allelic and genotypic frequencies was observed. In genotypic combination analysis considering PEMT -744GG/CHDH +432GG/BHMT +742GG as the reference combination, PEMT -744GC/CHDH +432GG/BHMT +742GG genotypic combination was significantly higher in DSM compared with that in CMs with an odds ratio of 2.061 (95% CI: 1.10-3.86, P=0.0342). We also observed an epistatic interaction between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 and choline metabolic pathway gene variants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate impaired choline metabolism showing a greater risk for DS, especially in a population associated with homocysteine-folate impairment. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.

Tracking sesamin synthase gene expression through seed maturity in wild and cultivated sesame species--a domestication footprint

Sesamin and sesamolin are the major oil-soluble lignans present in sesame seed, having a wide range of biological functions beneficial to human health. Understanding sesame domestication history using sesamin synthase gene expression could enable delineation of the sesame putative progenitor. This report examined the functional expression of sesamin synthase (CYP81Q1) during capsule maturation (0-40 days after flowering) in three wild Sesamum species and four sesame cultivars. Among the cultivated accessions, only S. indicum (CO-1) exhibited transcript abundance of sesamin synthase along with high sesamin content similar to S. malabaricum, while the other cultivated sesame showed low expression. The sesamin synthase expression analysis, coupled with quantification of sesamin level, indicates that sesamin synthase was not positively favoured during domestication. The sesamin synthase expression pattern and lignan content, along with phylogenetic analysis suggested a close relationship of cultivated sesame and the wild species S. malabaricum. The high genetic identity between the two species S. indicum and S. malabaricum points towards the role of the putative progenitor S. malabaricum in sesame breeding programmes to broaden the genetic base of sesame cultivars. This study emphasises the need to investigate intraspecific and interspecific variation in the primary, secondary and tertiary gene pools to develop superior sesame genotypes.

Role of folate-homocysteine pathway gene polymorphisms and nutritional cofactors in Down syndrome: A triad study

STUDY QUESTION

Do gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in folate-homocysteine (Hcy) pathway have a predisposing role for Down syndrome (DS)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

The study provides evidence that in addition to advanced age, maternal genotype, micronutrient deficiency and elevated Hcy levels, individually and in combination, are risk factors for Down syndrome.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Polymorphisms in certain folate-Hcy-pathway genes (especially the T allele of MTHFR C677T), elevated Hcy and poor folate levels in mothers during pregnancy have been shown to be risk factors for Down syndrome in certain Asian populations (including the eastern region of India), while the same SNPs are not a risk factor in European populations. This conflicting situation alludes to differential gene-environment (nutrition) interactions in different populations which needs to be explored.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Between 2008 and 2012, 151 Down syndrome triads and 200 age-matched controls (Control mothers n = 186) were included in the study. Seven polymorphisms in six genes of folate-Hcy metabolic pathway, along with Hcy, cysteine (Cys), vitamin B12 (vit-B12) and folate levels, were analysed and compared among the case and control groups.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Genotyping was performed by the PCR-RFLP technique. Levels of homocysteine and cysteine were measured by HPLC while vitamin B12 and folate were estimated by chemiluminescence.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

We demonstrate that polymorphisms in the folate-Hcy pathway genes in mothers collectively constitute a genotypic risk for DS which is effectively modified by interactions among genes and by the environment affecting folate, Hcy and vitamin B12 levels. The study also supports the idea that these maternal risk factors provide an adaptive advantage during pregnancy supporting live birth of the DS child.

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

Our inability to obtain genotype and nutritional assessments of unaffected siblings of the DS children was an important limitation of the study. Also, its confinement to a specific geographic region (the eastern part) of India, and relatively small sample size is a limitation. A parallel investigation on another population could add greater authenticity to the data.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

For mothers genetically susceptible to deliver a DS child (particularly in South Asia), peri-conceptional nutritional supplementation and antenatal care could potentially reduce the risk of a DS child. Additionally, nutritional strategies could possibly be used for better management of the symptoms of DS children.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

The work is funded through Programme support for Genetic disorders by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India to R.R. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Fructose-induced ROS generation impairs glucose utilization in L6 skeletal muscle cells

High fructose consumption has implicated in insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Fructose is a highly lipogenic sugar that has intense metabolic effects in liver. Recent evidences suggest that fructose exposure to other tissues has substantial and profound metabolic consequences predisposing toward chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Since skeletal muscle is the major site for glucose utilization, in the present study we define the effects of fructose exposure on glucose utilization in skeletal muscle cells. Upon fructose exposure, the L6 skeletal muscle cells displayed diminished glucose uptake, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) translocation, and impaired insulin signaling. The exposure to fructose elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in L6 myotubes, accompanied by activation of the stress/inflammation markers c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα). We found that fructose caused impairment of glucose utilization and insulin signaling through ROS-mediated activation of JNK and ERK1/2 pathways, which was prevented in the presence of antioxidants. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that exposure to fructose induces cell-autonomous oxidative response through ROS production leading to impaired insulin signaling and attenuated glucose utilization in skeletal muscle cells.

Phenotypic expression of blast resistance gene Pi54 is not affected by its chromosomal position

This is a novel report in which chromosomal position of the rice blast resistance gene Pi54 was not found to affect significantly the resistance phenotype or morphological traits. Blast disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae is a serious constraint in rice production at global level. Pi54 gene imparts resistance against M. oryzae. Three different transgenic lines containing Pi54 and its orthologue Pi54rh were shown to be resistant to different races of M. oryzae. To determine the chromosomal location of Pi54 gene in transgenic lines, inverse PCR was performed. Our analysis showed that in two transgenic lines, Pi54 gene was integrated on chromosomes 6 and 10 at 12.94 and 22.30 Mb, respectively. Similarly, Pi54rh allele was integrated on chromosome 1 at 16.25 Mb. The Pi54 gene present on chromosome 6 was located in a non-coding region whereas in the other TP-Pi54 line, the gene was introgressed on chromosome 10 in between the coding region of SAP domain gene. The Pi54rh was also located in the non coding region flanked by the retrotransposon genes. These rice lines were evaluated for eight different traits related to seed and plant morphology and agronomic features for two consecutive years. The transgenic lines containing Pi54 gene have higher tiller number, grain weight, epicotyl length, and yield compared to the non-transgenic control. Multivariate correlation analysis shows that blast resistance was positively correlated with the number of tillers; thousand grain weight and epicotyl length. These results will facilitate precise utilization of Pi54 gene and its orthologue in breeding programs for the development of rice cultivars with broad spectrum and durable resistance to M. oryzae.

Development of a simple method for the rapid identification of organisms causing anthrax by coagglutination test

A protective antigen (PA) based coagglutination test was optimized in the present study for the specific and sensitive identification of bacteria causing anthrax in a cost effective and less risky manner. The test showed 100% specificity and sensitivity up to 9 × 10(3) formalinized vegetative cells or 11 ng of PA. The optimized test also detected anthrax toxin directly from the serum as well as blood of anthrax infected animals indicating the potential application for direct diagnosis of anthrax under field conditions.

Value addition in sesame: A perspective on bioactive components for enhancing utility and profitability

Sesame seed is a reservoir of nutritional components with numerous beneficial effects along with health promotion in humans. The bioactive components present in the seed include vital minerals, vitamins, phytosterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols and unique class of lignans such as sesamin and sesamolin. The presence of phenylpropanoid compounds namely lignans along with tocopherols and phytosterols provide defense mechanism against reactive oxygen species and increases keeping quality of oil by preventing oxidative rancidity. In this article, we have reviewed the nutraceutical, pharmacological, traditional and industrial value of sesame seeds with respect to bioactive components that hold high antioxidant value. Valuable information on superior functional components of sesame will strongly promote the use of sesame seeds in the daily diet world-wide. In spite of huge repertoire of sesame germplasm collection, limited research efforts on the use of conventional and biotechnological methodologies have resulted in minimal success in developing nutritionally superior cultivars. In consequence, value addition efforts in sesame would enable development of genotypes with high antioxidant activity and subsequently prevention of free radical related diseases. Modification of bioactive components in sesame would enable production of stabilized sesame oil with enhanced shelf life and better market value.

Confinement and interaction of single indirect excitons in a voltage-controlled trap formed inside double InGaAs quantum Wells

Voltage-tunable quantum traps confining individual spatially indirect and long-living excitons are realized by providing a coupled double quantum well with nanoscale gates. This enables us to study the transition from confined multiexcitons down to a single, electrostatically trapped indirect exciton. In the few exciton regime, we observe discrete emission lines identified as resulting from a single dipolar exciton, a biexciton, and a triexciton, respectively. Their energetic splitting is well described by Wigner-like molecular structures reflecting the interplay of dipolar interexcitonic repulsion and spatial quantization.

FTIR Spectroscopy: A Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Ciprofloxacin in Tablets

A simple, accurate and sensitive spectroscopic method has been proposed for the assay of ciprofloxacin in tablet by least square treatment of fourier transform infrared spectrometric data obtained at the wavenumber corresponding to the carbonyl group centered at 1707 cm^-1. The method involves the extraction of the active ingredient with methanol followed by phosphate buffer pH 6.0. The excipients in the commercial tablet preparation did not interfere with the assay. The specifity, linearity, detection limits, precision and accuracy of the calibration curve, drug extraction, infrared analysis and data manipulation were determined in order to validate the method. Moreover, the statistical results were compared with other methods for quantification of ciprofloxacin.

Proniosomal formulation of curcumin having anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in different experimental animal models

Curcumin, the active ingredient of the spice turmeric, has a long history as an herbal remedy for a variety of diseases. Transdermal drug delivery has been recognized as an alternative route to oral delivery. Proniosomes offer a versatile vesicle delivery concept with the potential for drug delivery via the transdermal route. In this study, different proniosomal gel bases were prepared by the ether injection method, using Span 60 and Span 80, Tween 20, cholesterol, and formulation PA2. They were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, revealing vesicular structures, and assessed for stability and effect on in vitro skin permeation using rat skin. Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects of formulation PA2 and PB1 were compared with a standard market product containing indomethacin. The effect of formulation PA2 and PB1 was evaluated for acute inflammation in carrageenan induced rat paw edema and for chronic inflammation in complete Freud's adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats. Further histopathological and radiographic evaluation was performed. The investigated curcumin loaded proniosomal formula proved to be non-irritant, non-toxic, but had lower anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects than the marketed indomethacin products.

Stimuli sensitive hydrogels for ophthalmic drug delivery: A review

Amongst the various routes of drug delivery, the field of ocular drug delivery is one of the most interesting and challenging endeavors facing the pharmaceutical scientist for past 10-20 years. As an isolated organ, eye is very difficult to study from a drug delivery point of view. Despite this limitation, improvements have been made with the objective of maintaining the drug in the biophase for an extended period. A major problem in ocular therapeutics is the attainment of an optimal drug concentration at the site of action. To achieve effective ophthalmic therapy, an adequate amount of active ingredient must be delivered and maintained within the eye. The most frequently used dosage forms, i.e., eye solution, eye ointments, eye gels, and eye suspensions are compromised in their effectiveness by several limitations leading to poor ocular bioavailability. Ophthalmic use of viscosity-enhancing agents, penetration enhancers, cyclodextrins, prodrug approaches, and ocular inserts, and the ready existing drug carrier systems along with their application to ophthalmic drug delivery are common to improve ocular bioavailability. Amongst these hydrogel (stimuli sensitive) systems are important, which undergo reversible volume and/or sol-gel phase transitions in response to physiological (temperature, pH and present of ions in organism fluids, enzyme substrate) or other external (electric current, light) stimuli. They help to increase in precorneal residence time of drug to a sufficient extent that an ocularly delivered drug can exhibit its maximum biological action. The concept of this innovative ophthalmic delivery approach is to decrease the systemic side effects and to create a more pronounced effect with lower doses of the drug. The present article describes the advantages and use stimuli sensitive of hydrogel systems in ophthalmic drug delivery.

Enrichment of invariant natural killer T cells in the bone marrow of visceral leishmaniasis patients

Lipid antigens of Leishmania donovani like lipophosphoglycans are shown as a potent ligand for the activation of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells. It is reported that activation of iNKT cells augments the disease pathology in experimental visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In this study, we demonstrate the enrichment of iNKT cells in the bone marrow, one of the disease sites among patients with VL.

High concentration of adenosine in human visceral leishmaniasis despite increased ADA and decreased CD73

Absence of an effective Th-1 response has been demonstrated as a major cause for the disease pathology among patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Defining strategies to prevent the development of Th-2 response and/or initiate/activate effective Th-1 response may be of help to reduce the growing incidence of drug unresponsiveness. Adenosine, which is considered as an endogenous anti-inflammatory agent is generated in injured/inflamed tissues by the enzymatic catabolism of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and it suppresses inflammatory responses of essentially all immune cells. The extracellular adenosine-producing pathway comprises two major enzymes CD39 (ATP → ADP → AMP) and CD73 (AMP → Adenosine). In contrast, the adenosine-degrading pathway contains only one major enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA). Our study shows high concentration of adenosine in diseased condition, varying expression of enzyme involved in adenosine-producing (CD73↓) and adenosine-degrading (ADA↑) pathways. These are less studied in infections like VL but are very important in terms of endogenous regulation of immune response among patients.

LIBS-based detection of antioxidant elements: a new strategy

The present study deals with the scientific evaluation of antioxidant potential of aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruits on diabetes-induced oxidative stress of diabetic rats. The most effective dose of mg/kg bw of fruit aqueous extract was given orally to diabetic rats for 30 days. Different oxidative stress parameters were analyzed in various tissues of control and treated diabetic rats. The observed elevated level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) comes down significantly (p < 0.05) and decreased activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) got increased (p < 0.05) significantly of diabetic rats on extract treatment. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used as an analytical tool to detect major and minor elements like Mg, Fe, Na, K, Zn, Ca, H, O, C, and N present in the extract. The higher concentration of Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and Fe(2+), as reflected by their intensities are responsible for antioxidant potential of T. dioica.

Investigation of common Indian edible salts suitable for kidney disease by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Salt is an essential and important dietary mineral for maintaining life. Currently, the issue of the potential benefit or damage from salt intake in chronic kidney disease patients is controversial. The attempt of this article is to bring into focus the potential role of elements particularly sodium, Na, and potassium, K, which are the main constituents of dietary salts, in kidney patients by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS spectra of different salt samples have been recorded in the spectral region 200-500 nm with spectral resolution 0.1 nm and in the spectral region 200-900 nm with spectral resolution 0.75 nm. Quantitative elemental study was carried out to determine the constituents of different types of common Indian edible salts by using the calibration-free LIBS method. Our experimental results demonstrate that Saindha salt (commonly known as rock salt) is more beneficial than other edible salts for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. The results of the quantitative elemental analysis of the salts obtained from LIBS measurements are also compared to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).

Role of glycemic elements of Cynodon dactylon and Musa paradisiaca in diabetes management

The study defined the scientific evaluation of glycemic elements of extracts of Cynodon dactylon and Musa paradisiaca. A dose of 500 mg/kg body weight (bw) of C. dactylon produced maximum falls of 23.2% and 22.8% in blood glucose levels of normoglycemic rats during studies of fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance, respectively, whereas the same dose of M. paradisiaca produced a rise of 34.9% and 18.4%. In diabetic rats during glucose tolerance tests, a fall of 27.8% and a rise of 17.5% were observed with the same dose of C. dactylon and M. paradisiaca, respectively. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy used for detection of glycemic elements present in both the extracts indicated that C. dactylon was rich in magnesium (Mg), whereas M. paradisiaca was rich in potassium (K) and sodium (Na), comparatively, suggesting thereby the defined roles of these elements in diabetes management.

Screening of brick-kiln area soil for determination of heavy metal Pb using LIBS

Rapid measurement of heavy metals in soil is an important factor in modeling the effect of industrial pollution on agricultural soil. Conventional methods of heavy metal analysis are relatively slow in terms of measurement/analysis time and sample preparation time with the requirement of skilled manpower. Our results highlight the quantitative analysis of toxic metal lead (Pb), for the first time, in an Indian agricultural soil, in the vicinity of brick-kiln area, Phaphamau, near Allahabad, India, by using a novel technique named as Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). LIBS spectra of soil has been recorded in the wavelength range from ultraviolet (UV) to infrared region (200-1,100 nm). The suitability of Pb lines for drawing the calibration curve is checked and realized, for the first time, that 220.3 nm, which is observed in the UV region of LIBS spectra, is completely interference free and best suited for the quantification of trace amount of Pb in soil instead of any other Pb lines, because it has best linear regression coefficient and smallest standard deviation of the background signal. In the present work the detection limit for Pb in soil is found to be 45 ppm. Based on the present work the concentration of Pb in agricultural soil of brick-kiln area in Phaphamau is found to be congruent with 570 ppm, which is more than the regulatory standards imposed by US Environmental Protection Agency (400 ppm) for the presence of lead in soil, therefore, it is of great concern to us.

LIBS-an efficient approach for the determination of Cr in industrial wastewater

In the present paper, LIB spectra of different water samples having varying concentration of Cr (certified reference material, CRM) have been recorded by using liquid jet (fabricated in our laboratory) configuration. Calibration curves for different atomic lines of Cr are compared and it is found that calibration curve for Cr II (283.5 nm) atomic line is the best in terms of the Limit of detection (LOD) which is found to be 30 ppm. This calibration curve has been used for quantification of Cr in wastewater collected from Cr-electroplating industry where the concentration of Cr is found to be 1500 ppm. Its removal can be planned by biological system, which is in progress.

Superovulatory response and embryo recovery after treatment with different gonadotrophins during induced luteal phase in Camelus dromedarius

Superovulation, embryo recovery and transfer were attempted in 19 dromedary camels of about 6-10 years of age, and having calved at least once. Superovulation was done using two commercially available porcine FSH preparations, FSH-I (II donors) and FSH-2 (8 donors) during a luteal phase created by inducing ovulation with hCG. The superovulatory response was assessed by ultrasonography. The embryo recovery was attempted non-surgically in sitting position on day 8 and day 7 after first mating in one FSH-1 and one FSH-2 group, respectively. Considerable individual variation in response to the superovulatory stimulus was observed. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of superovulatory response and embryo recovery (p > 0.05). In total 30 embryos were recovered from 17 donors (1.51 embryos/donor). Recipients were synchronized with donors using hCG. Eight embryos were transferred, resulting in two pregnancies and live births.

Use of real-time ultrasonography for control of follicular activity and pregnancy diagnosis in the one humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) during the non-breeding season

Ovaries of 16 adult pleuriparous, non-pregnant and non-lactating one humped female camels (Camelus dromedarius) belonging to National Research Centre on Camel, at Bikaner, India, were examined for the presence of follicular activity (< or = 0.5 cm diameter) using real-time ultrasonography during June-August, which is considered to be non-breeding season in India. Follicles > or = 1.0 cm diameter were found in eight females. These animals were mated with virile studs. In four out of eight camels pregnancy was confirmed by progesterone assay and ultrasonography. The study shows that pre-ovulatory follicle may develop in some female camels during June-August (non-breeding season in India) and successful pregnancies may be achieved after mating of individual animals during this period.

Role of autografts in the reconstruction of ossicular chain in intact canal wall procedures

Improvement of hearing in ossiculoplasty depends on the efficiency of the methods to reestablish the ossicular continuity and the connection with the tympanic membrane. While various prostheses have been used to bridge the ossieular defect, we have used autogenous bone (incus remnant & cortical bone ) and autogenous cartilage (frugal & conchal) for reconstruction of ossicular continuity.Hearing results at I8 months follow up have been fairly good i.e., 84% patients had closure of air bone gap within 20 dB and 37% had closure of air bone gap within 10 dB.

An unusual case of primary nasal tuberculosis with epistaxis and epilepsy

Primary nasal tuberculosis is rare. We report a case that was all the more extraordinary because of the age and sex of the patient (an 11-year-old boy), the unusual associated symptoms (epistaxis and grand and seizures), and the presence of intracranial extension. Clinical and radiologic findings on our initial evaluation suggested that the patient had a large sinonasal malignancy. The patient manifested no evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The diagnosis of primary nasal tuberculosis was established only after we obtained the results of histopathology of the excised mass and a subsequent tuberculin skin test; the diagnosis was confirmed by the patient's rapid response to antituberculosis drug therapy. We also review the relevant literature on this rare condition.

Embracing C(60) with multiarmed geodesic partners

1,3,5,7,9-Pentakis(4-methoxyphenylthio)corannulene (3), 1,3,5,7,9-pentakis(2-naphthylthio)corannulene (4), and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-methoxyphenylthio)corannulene (5b) have been synthesized by chlorination of corannulene with ICl in CH(2)Cl(2) at 25 degrees C and subsequent nucleophilic aromatic substitution with the appropriate sodium thiophenolate in DMEU at 25 degrees C. (1)H NMR titration studies demonstrate that these novel bowl-shaped hosts form 1:1 complexes with C(60) in toluene-d(8) solution with association constants of 454, 368, and 280 M(-1), respectively.

Isolation and characterization of transposon-induced chlorate resistant mutants of the cyanobacterium Anabaena species PCC 7120

Mutants of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 resistant to chlorate were isolated using transposon mutagenesis. The Anabaena population of 5 x 10(7) cells ml(-1) and log phase Escherichia coli cultures in undisturbed conditions produced maximum exconjugants. Nitrate-promoted growth and cellular constituents observed in the parent were absent in the mutants. Nitrate repressed heterocyst formation and N2-fixation in the parent, but had little or no effect on the mutants.

The information revolution reaches pharmaceuticals: balancing innovation incentives, cost, and access in the post-genomics era

Recent developments in genomics--the science that lies at the intersection of information technology and biotechnology--have ushered in a new era of pharmaceutical innovation. Professor Rai advances a theory of pharmaceutical development and allocation that takes account of these recent developments from the perspective of both patent law and health law--that is, from both the production side and the consumption side. She argues that genomics has the potential to make reforms that increase access to prescription drugs not only more necessary as a matter of equity but also more feasible as a matter of innovation policy. On the production end, so long as patent rights in upstream genomics research do not create transaction cost bottlenecks, genomics should, in the not-too-distant future, yield some reduction in drug research and development costs. If these costs reductions are realized, it may be possible to scale back certain features of the pharmaceutical patent regime that cause patent protection for pharmaceuticals to be significantly stronger than patent protection for other innovation. On the consumption side, genomics should make drug therapy even more important in treating illness. This reality, coupled with empirical data revealing that cost and access problems are particularly severe for those individuals who are not able to secure favorable price discrimination through insurance, militates in favor of government subsidies for such insurance. As contrasted with patent buyouts, the approach favored by many patent scholars, subsidies would take account of, and indeed capitalize on, the institutional realities of health care consumption. These subsidies should, however, be linked to insurance regulation that works to channel innovation in a cost-effective direction by requiring coverage of drugs that provide significant benefit relative to their cost.

Response to NaCl of nitrate assimilation and nitrogenase activity of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and its mutants

The presence of NaCl in the nutrient solution promoted nitrate uptake in parent Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, mutants SP7 (defective in nitrate reductase activity) and SP17 (partially defective in nitrate reductase activity), but not in the mutant SP9 (defective in nitrate transport and reduction). Nitrate reductase activity of the parent and mutant SP17 increased with increasing concentration of nitrate in saline medium, while mutants SP7 and SP9 did not respond to the altered salinity. Although Na+ was not required for nitrate reductase activity, its presence in the nutrient solution enhanced nitrate reduction. Complete removal of Na+ from the nutrient solution markedly reduced nitrogenase activity in all the strains, while raising the concentration of NaCl to 50 mmol l-1 or above, was equally toxic to nitrogenase activity. External NaCl at 200 mmol l-1 brought down the nitrogenase activity to the same residual level as observed without Na+.

Mutants of the cyanobacterium anabaena sp. PCC 7120 altered in nitrate transport and reduction

Nitrate assimilation-defective mutants SP7, SP9, and SP17 of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 were isolated by use of transposon mutagenesis and screened on medium containing chlorate. SP7 and SP17 represented nitrate reductase-defective nature, while mutant SP9 appeared to be a regulatory mutant exhibiting pleiotropic behavior. Kinetics of nitrate uptake system exhibited K(s) values of 31-38 &mgr;M for parent, SP7, and SP17 strains; however, mutant SP9 exhibited a high K(s) value of 109.5 &mgr;M. Defective nitrate reductase was apparent in mutant SP7 and SP9, while mutant SP17 exhibited partial defective nature. Methyl viologen-dependent NR activity in parent strain presented a biphasic nature with K(m) values of 0.13 and 2.47 mM, whereas a single K(m) value (2.96 mM) was observed for mutant SP17. Mutant SP9 was also defective in nitrite uptake and reduction. Mutant strains exhibited derepressed nitrogenase activity in the presence of nitrate, while glutamine synthetase activity remained unaltered.http://link.springer-ny. com/link/service/journals/00284/bibs/39n5p237.html</HEA