Risk factors for the development of triple-negative breast cancer versus non-triple-negative breast cancer: a case-control study

The risk factors for breast cancer have been defined in several studies but there is deficient data for specific subtypes. We report here the pathological characteristics of a breast cancer cohort and risk factors for patients with triple-negative disease. In this case-control study, a prospective breast cancer cohort was evaluated for demographic, reproductive, obesity-related and other risk factors using a validated questionnaire. Tumors were characterized for routine pathological characteristics and immunohistochemical markers of basal-like breast cancer. Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) constituted cases and those with non-TNBC were controls. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated for each risk factor and independent associations were tested in an unconditional logistic regression analysis. Between 2011 and 2014, 1146 patients were recruited, of whom 912 [TNBC 266 (29.1%), non-TNBC 646 (70.9%)] with sufficient pathology material were analysed. Reproductive factors of parity, breastfeeding, age-at-menarche, age at first full-term pregnancy and oral contraceptive use were not significantly associated with TNBC. Higher body mass index (BMI > 24.9 vs ≤ 24.9, OR 0.89, 95%CI 0.63-1.24, p = 0.49) was not significantly associated while lesser waist circumference (> 80 cm vs ≤ 80 cm, OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.45-0.9, p = 0.012) and lower waist-to-hip ratio were significantly associated (> 0.85 vs ≤ 0.85, OR 0.72, 95%CI 0.51-1.0, p = 0.056), with TNBC. History of tobacco use was not significantly associated while lower socio-economic status was borderline associated with TNBC (socio-economic category > 5 versus ≤ 5, OR 0.73, 95%CI 0.50-1.06, p = 0.106). No factor was significant after adjustment for covariates. Central obesity seems to be preferentially associated with non-TNBC, and lower socio-economic status with TNBC in India, while most other conventional risk factors of breast cancer show no significant association with TNBC versus non-TNBC.

Tinospora cordifolia modulates the seminal parameters, leakage of intracellular enzymes and seminal antioxidants in equilibrated and cryopreserved semen of Sahiwal bulls

The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of stem extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy or Guduchi) in the semen extender on seminal parameters, leakage of intracellular enzymes and antioxidants in semen of Sahiwal bull. A total of 48 ejaculates from four bulls were selected for the study. Spermatozoa of 25×10⁶ were incubated in 100, 300 and 500 μg of stem extract of Guduchi as Gr II, III and IV, respectively and pre-freeze and post-thaw semen samples were analysed for seminal parameters (motility, viability, total sperm abnormality; TSA, plasma membrane integrity; PMI, and acrosomal integrity; AcI), intracellular enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase; AST and lactate dehydrogenase; LDH) and seminal antioxidants (superoxide dismutase; SOD and catalase) in comparison with an untreated control group (Gr I). The results revealed that stem extract treated semen had significantly (p<0.05) higher motility, viability, PMI, AcI, SOD and catalase and had significantly (p<0.05) lower TSA, AST and LDH compared to those in untreated control group at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Semen treated with 100 μg stem extract /25×10⁶ spermatozoa had significantly (p<0.05) higher motility, viability, PMI, AcI, SOD and catalase and had significantly (p<0.05) lower TSA, AST and LDH compared to those in control, 300, and 500 μg treated groups at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Further, these seminal parameters and antioxidants were showing decreasing trend and TSA and leakage of intra-cellular enzymes were showing increasing trend from Gr II to Gr IV at pre-freeze and post-thaw stages. Thus, 100 μg/25×10⁶ spermatozoa were optimum or suitable dose for cryopreservation of Sahiwal bull semen. The study concluded that T. cordifolia stem extract 100 μg/25×10⁶ spermatozoa in the semen extender can be effectively utilized to reduce the oxidative stress and improve the pre-freeze and post-thaw seminal parameters in Sahiwal bull. However, further studies on effects of different concentrations of stem extract on in-vitro or in-vivo fertility trials are to be conducted to assess the impact of the stem extract supplementation in the semen extender on field pregnancy outcome in bovine species.

Lactation stages modulate the hematological, serum biochemical, and endocrinological profiles and oxidative stress markers in crossbred cows under tropical humid island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The present study was designed to assess the interrelationship between hematological, serum biochemical, and endocrinological profiles and oxidative stress markers and lactational stages in crossbred (CB) dairy cows of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). Healthy (n = 6) CB cows (50-62.50% exotic inheritance; Holstein Friesian × Andaman local) of 4^th parity with age of 7-9 years and body weight of 350-400 kg were selected from Cattle Breeding Farm, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Port Blair, ANI. These experimental cows were synchronized with Ovsynch protocol, and parturition was planned to happen in the month of May-June. Lactation was allowed for 305 days. Hematological profiles, serum biochemical profiles, oxidative stress markers and endocrinological profiles were measured at a 15-day interval from day 07 to 305 of lactation (after 6 days of colostrum). The lactation period was divided into first (day 07 to 90), second (day 91 to 180), and third (day 181 to 305) stage of lactation. Average daily milk yield (L) did not vary among the stages of lactations; however, first (8.56 ± 1.26) and second (9.79 ± 0.87) stages had higher milk yield compared to third (7.93 ± 0.79) stage of lactation. Hematological profiles did not vary among the stages of lactation; however, these values were within the range of bovine species at lactation. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, total protein, globulin, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased (P < 0.05) and albumin and creatinine decreased (P < 0.05) gradually as lactation stages advanced. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and concentration of calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium were nearly similar among the stages of lactation. Similarly, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) increased and prolactin and cortisol decreased (P < 0.05) gradually as stages of lactation advanced. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased (P < 0.05) as lactation stages advanced. The results of the present study indicated that the lactating CB cows suffered nutritional stress (deficiency of protein, carbohydrate, lipids, and minerals), physiological stress (higher cortisol), oxidative stress (higher MDA and deficiency of total antioxidant capacity), and hormonal imbalance (higher prolactin and cortisol and deficiency of thyroid hormones) during the early stages of lactation. Thus, the first and second stages are more stressful events compared to the third stage of lactation in the CB cows in ANI. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood components and accordingly suitable feeding strategies with balanced nutrients and minerals, supplementation of suitable antioxidants, and appropriate management practices need to be implemented to mitigate these stresses and to prevent metabolic disorders with maximum milk production during different stages of lactation in CB cows under humid tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Flaxseed oil modulates testicular biometrics, hormone, libido, antioxidant and semen profiles in endangered Teressa goat of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Teressa goat is a unique goat breed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) of India. Effects of Flaxseed oil (FSO) supplementation in body weight (BW), scrotal circumference (SC), testicular volume (TV) and testicular weight (TW), endocrinological profiles, sex behavioural profiles (SBPs), oxidative stress markers and semen production and its quality profiles in rainy and dry summer season were studied in Teressa goat. Male goats (n = 12) of 3-4 years old were equally divided into control and treated groups. Treated animals received 25 mL FSO per day. Oral drenching of FSO was done in the morning before feeding the concentrate ration. Body weight, scrotal circumference, TV and TW were measured in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Blood follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), cortisol and prolactin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Libido score (LS), mating ability score (MAS) and sex behavioural score (SBS) were estimated at time of semen collection in bucks of FSO treated and untreated during rainy and dry summer seasons. Semen samples (n = 100; 50 semen samples from each season; each 25 semen samples from control and treatment groups per season) were collected and analysed for semen quality profiles. One-way ANOVA (control rainy, control dry, treated rainy and treated dry) revealed that BW, SC, TV and TW, FSH, LH, testosterone, TSH, T3 and T4 were higher (P < 0.05) and cortisol and prolactin were lower (P < 0.05) in FSO treated bucks of rainy season followed by untreated bucks of rainy season, FSO treated bucks of dry summer season and were lower (P < 0.05) in untreated bucks of dry summer season. Similarly, TAC, CAT, SOD and GSH, LS, MAS and SBS, and volume, pH, sperm concentration, mass activity, total motility (TM), viability, acrosomal integrity (AcI), plasma membrane integrity (PMI) and nuclear integrity (NI) were higher (P < 0.05) and MDA and TSA were lower (P < 0.05) in FSO treated bucks of rainy season followed by FSO treated bucks of dry summer season, untreated bucks of rainy season and were lower (P < 0.05) in untreated bucks of dry summer season. The results of the present study indicated that the breeding bucks suffered physiological stress (higher cortisol), oxidative stress (higher MDA and deficiency of antioxidants), hormonal imbalance (higher prolactin and cortisol and deficiency of gonadotropins, gonadal hormone and thyroid hormones) and infertility due to poor libido and poor semen production and its quality profiles during dry summer season. Thus, dry summer was more stressful season compared to rainy season for the goat bucks. FSO supplementation mitigated these stresses and improved the scrotal and testicular biometrics, libido, antioxidants, hormones and semen quality profiles in Teressa goat bucks. The current study concluded that FSO effectively improved the hormones, libido, antioxidant profiles, and scrotal and testicular biometrics with cascading beneficial effects on semen quality profiles in Teressa goat bucks under humid tropical island ecosystem of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in Mithun (Bos frontalis): What progress has been made so far? An overview

Mithun, a unique bovine species, endemic to parts of North East India and plays an important role in the socioeconomic, cultural and religious fabrics of the local tribal population. To date, Mithuns are reared in a traditional free-range system by communities and increased deforestation, agricultural commercialization, disease outbreaks and indiscriminate slaughtering of elite Mithun for table purposes have significantly decreased its habitat and the elite Mithun population. Greater genetic gain is achieved with the implementation and effective use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs); however, presently it is limited to organized Mithun farms. At a slow pace, Mithun farmers are adopting semi-intensive rearing systems and interest in the use of ARTs is gradually escalating in Mithun husbandry. This article reviews the current status of ARTs such as semen collection and cryopreservation, estrus synchronization and timed artificial insemination (TAI), multiple ovulation and embryo transfer and in vitro embryo production and future perspectives in Mithun. Mithun semen collection and cryopreservation have been standardized, and estrus synchronization and TAI are suitable technologies that can be easily implemented under field conditions in near future. The establishment of an open nucleus-breeding system under community participatory mode along with the introduction of the ARTs is an alternative to the traditional breeding system for rapid genetic improvement of Mithun. Finally, the review considers the potential benefits of ARTs in Mithun and future research should include the use of these ARTs which will provide additional opportunities for improved breeding regimens in Mithun.

Platyphylloside, a potential inhibitor from epicarp of B.aegyptiaca against CYP450 protein in T.rubrum – In vitro and in silico approaches

Trichophyton rubrum is one of the major disease causing pathogens in human; mainly it causes tinea pedis, tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Cytochrome P450 which considered to be an important protein that can impact ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. B. aegyptiaca is rich source of secondary metabolites with tremendous medicinal values and it has sweet pulp, leaves with spine, strong seed and oily kernel. The epicarp of the fruit was taken for this study to inhibit T. rubrum using in vitro and in silico techniques. The epicarp portion was extracted using various solvents and water. The anti-dermatophytic activity on T. rubrum of these extracts was assessed utilizing poison plate technique with 5 individual concentrations. The fractioned chloroform extract of epicarp had fully inhibited the growth of T. rubrum at 3 mg/ml. Further, the chloroform extract was subjected to LC-MS analysis, in total, 40 compounds were elucidated. Then, the derived compounds were included for predicting ADMETox properties using Qikprop module. From the analysis 40 compounds were identified to be eligible for docking process. Then the desirable compounds, drug Ketoconazole were subjected to docking analysis using Glide module of Schrödinger. It shows that Platyphylloside has better docking result than other compounds and drug Ketoconazole. Further, MD simulation was carried out for Ketoconazole-Cyp450 and Platyphylloside-CYP450 complexes using Desmond, Schrödinger. MD simulation study also confirmed that the Platyphylloside-CYP450 complex more stable. This study suggests that Platyphylloside may act as potential inhibitor and it could be further subjected to experimental analysis to inhibit the T. rubrum growth.

Impact of polystyrene microplastics on major marine primary (phytoplankton) and secondary producers (copepod)

The effect of microplastic adsorption on marine microalgae Tetraselmis suecica, Amphora subtropica, and copepod Pseudodiaptomus annandalei was investigated in the present study. Fluorescence microscopic images were used to evaluate MP interactions with algae and copepods. T. suecica growth rate decreased with effects of 0.1 µm polystyrene exposure to 75 µl/100 ml (0.899 to 0.601 abs), 50 µl/100 ml (0.996 to 0.632 abs) and 25 µl/100 ml (0.996 to 0.632 abs), respectively. On the other hand, at 10th day of experiment, the control T. suecica showed the highest growth rate (0.965 abs), chlorophyll concentration (Chl-'a' = 21.36 µg/L; Chl-'b' = 13.65 µg/L), and cell density (3.3 × 10⁶ cells/ml). A marine diatom A. subtropica absorbed 2.0 μm microplastics, and the maximal inhibition rate increased at higher MP concentration until 10th day. The highest MPs (75 μl/100 ml) treatment resulted in decreased growth rate of A. subtropica from 0.163 to 0.096 abs. A. subtropica (without MPs) had the highest lipid concentration of 27.15%, whereas T. suecica had the lowest lipid concentration of 11.2% (without MP). The maximum survival (80%) of P. annandalei was found in control on 15th day whereas on 12th day, the microplastics ingested copepod had the lowest survival rate (0%). On 15th day, the maximum Nauplii Production Rate (NPR) (19.33) female^-1 was observed in control, whereas the minimum (17.33) female^-1 NPR was observed in copepod ingested with MPs. The maximum lipid production (17.33% without MPs) was reported in control, whereas MPs fed copepods had the lowest lipid production (16%). Long-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics significantly reduced algae growth and chlorophyll concentration and also NPR and lipid concentration rate of copepod. We inferred that microplastic exposure of algae and copepods might results in persistent decreases in ingested carbon biomass over time.

Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene and polypropylene by microbes isolated from Vaigai River, Madurai, India

The present study aimed to evaluate the microplastic degradation efficiency of bacterial isolates collected from Vaigai River, Madurai, India. The isolates were processed with proper methods and incorporated in to the UV-treated polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) degradation. Based on preliminary screening, four bacterial isolates such as Bacillus sp. (BS-1), Bacillus cereus (BC), Bacillus sp. (BS-2), and Bacillus paramycoides (BP) were proceed to further degradation experiment for 21 days. The microplastics were filled with bacterial isolates which is use microplastic (PE, PP) as carbon source for their growth and proceed for shake flask experiment were carried out by two approaches with control. The microplastic degradation was confirmed through their weight loss, increasing fragmentations and changes of surface area against control experiments (microplastic without isolates) also confirms degrading efficiency of isolated bacterial strains through non-changes in their weight and surface area. The highest degradation of PP and PE were observed in BP (78.99 ± 0.005%), and BC (63.08 ± 0.009%) in single approach, while in combined approach BC & BP recorded the highest degradation in both PP (78.62 ± 2.16%), and PE (72.50 ± 20.53%). The formation of new functional groups is confirming the biofilm formation in the surface area of microplastics by isolates and proving their efficiency in degrade the microplastics. The degradation of microplastic experiments should be cost effective and zero waste which is helpful to save the environment and the present findings could reveal the way to degrade the microplastics and prevent the microplastic pollution in aquatic environment.

Daily and seasonal rhythmic secretary pattern of endocrinological profiles in mithun bull

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a unique domestic free-range bovine species available in North Eastern hilly (NEH) regions of India and is reared for its protein rich meat. Mithun suffers severe non-cyclical population fluctuations; however, it is not yet declared as endangered species. Mithun follows some sort of seasonality based on the calving trend and semen production, although it is a perennial breeder. However, there is need to study the rhythmic changes of endocrine profiles to understand the hormone flow pattern in mithun to select the suitable time for blood collection to assess the exact endocrine profiles and to select the suitable time for natural breeding or semen collection by artificial methods for further research, conservation and propagation of its germplasm. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the reproductive as well as metabolic endocrinological profiles in 24:00 h in intact adult mithun bulls during different seasons (winter, spring, summer and autumn) to know the rhythmic changes and flow pattern of the endocrinological profiles to improve its reproductive efficiency. Experimental mithun bulls (n = 6; age: 5-6 years; body condition score: 5-6 out of 10, classified as good) were selected for the study. Endocrinological profiles, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone/interstitial cell stimulating hormone (LH/ICSH), testosterone, cortisol, thyroxine (T4), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), prolactin and melatonin (MT) were estimated at 04:00 h interval for one whole day in four seasons. The analysis was completed in two different ways as different times of collection (08:00, 12:00, 16:00, 20:00, 24:00 and 04:00 h) and day (08:00 to 16:00 h) & night time (20:00 to 04:00 h) collections. Repeated measures ANOVA analysis revealed that the bulls in winter and spring had significantly (p < 0.05) higher FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT than those in summer whereas the bulls in summer had significantly higher cortisol and prolactin than those in winter and spring seasons. Similarly FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in night than in day time collections whereas cortisol and prolactin were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in day than in night time collections in different seasons. Correlation analysis revealed that FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT had significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation with each other whereas these had significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation with cortisol and prolactin. The study concludes that season and time of blood collection had significant effect on the endocrinological profiles in mithun bulls. Estimation of FSH, LH, testosterone, T4, IGF-1 and MT during night time and cortisol and prolactin during day time was more appropriate to get correct value of the endocrinological profiles. Spring and winter have significantly greater beneficial effects than summer on reproduction and artificial breeding programs in mithun species in the semi-intensive management in the present location.

Survival outcomes with 12 weeks of adjuvant or neoadjuvant trastuzumab in breast cancer

Background

There is limited access to 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab in resource-constrained settings. Most randomized studies have failed to prove non-inferiority of shorter durations of adjuvant trastuzumab compared to 1 year However, shorter durations are often used when 1 year is not financially viable. We report the outcomes with 12 weeks of trastuzumab administered as part of curative-intent treatment.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, a tertiary care cancer center in India. Patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)-positive early or locally advanced breast cancer who received 12 weeks of adjuvant or neoadjuvant trastuzumab with paclitaxel and four cycles of an anthracycline-based regimen in either sequence, through a patient assistance program between January 2011 and December 2012, were analyzed for disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.

Results

A total of 102 patients were analyzed with a data cutoff in September 2019. The median follow-up was 72 months (range 6-90 months), the median age was 46 (24-65) years, 51 (50%) were postmenopausal, 37 (36%) were hormone receptor-positive, and 61 (60%) had stage-III disease. There were 37 DFS events and 26 had OS events. The 5-year DFS was 66% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 56-75%) and the OS was 76% (95% CI 67-85%), respectively. Cardiac dysfunction developed in 11 (10.7%) patients.

Conclusion

The use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant 12-week trastuzumab-paclitaxel in sequence with four anthracycline-based regimens resulted in acceptable long-term outcomes in a group of patients, most of whom had advanced-stage nonmetastatic breast cancer.

Role of seminal MDA, ROS, and antioxidants in cryopreservation and their kinetics under the influence of ejaculatory abstinence in bovine semen

Despite many cryopreservation techniques in bovine semen, various stressors' detrimental effects remain a significant issue. The present study targeted to assess the role of semen quality parameters, sperm function tests, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and different antioxidants in the cryopreservation of bovine semen. Further, the kinetics of lipid peroxidation, ROS, and antioxidants on repeated semen collection under short ejaculatory abstinence were studied. We designed a comparative study where bulls were grouped into good and low freezable semen groups (Freeze-groups) based on their post-thaw motility. All the bulls included had similar initial motility and qualified minimum standards for initial semen parameters viz. semen volume and sperm concentration. The present study detected a higher lipid peroxidation and ROS viz. superoxide anions (•O2-) and a lower total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the low freeze-group compared to the good freeze-group. The ROS and antioxidants showed unique kinetics on repeated semen collection at short intervals, and no significant change was detected in semen volume, sperm motility, and sperm concentration. This study detected higher head abnormalities and poor acrosome integrity in the low freeze-groups. The present study results indicated that the sperm head might be the most vulnerable part of the sperm to cryopreservation stress. The present study finds significantly higher lipid peroxidation and ROS levels and reduced antioxidant capacity as the primary reasons for low cryopreservability. Further, repeated semen collection with a shorter or lack of abstinence does not impose any significant change in the semen volume and sperm concentration; moreover, it could be beneficial for higher antioxidant levels and lower lipid peroxidation levels. As seminal plasma has both inhibitory and stimulatory roles in sperm function and cryopreservation, identifying the critical role players of seminal plasma and identifying sperm related changes in cryopreservation could predict the cryopreservability potential of semen.

Baseline assessment of water quality and ecological indicators in Penaeus vannamei farm wastewater along the Southeast coast of India

The present study aimed to investigate the water quality characteristics and the ecological indicators of wastewater of white legged shrimp Penaeus vannamei ponds along the Southeast coast of India. The wastewater samples were collected from 15 shrimp farms covering 11 districts located along the coastal line of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, India. By adopting standard methods, the collected samples were subjected to analyses of physico-chemical and biological characteristics, especially the microbial load and metal and plankton composition. The nitrate-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, THB, TCB, and Cu concentrations of the samples were found to exceed the permissible limit as recommended by WHO, USEPA, CPCB, and CAA. Principal component analysis and canonical correspondence analysis have suggested that the phosphate, nitrate, silicate, ammonia, and total phosphorus are the important chemical factors. The generated data would be of interest to farmers for their shrimp crop management vis-à-vis culture pond wastewater treatment.

Tracing the genetic root of Trinket cattle: an endangered cattle population of a small isolated island of Nicobar group of islands

Trinket cattle are the inhabitant of a small island called Trinket, which is one of the picturesque islands of Andaman. This herd is thought to be of Danish leftover during their dynasty in Nicobar archipelago. When the island was abandoned by foreign invaders, indigenes utilized the animals for the purpose of meat. As a result, the cattle became semi-feral in nature. After the Great Sumatra earthquake and tsunami of Indian Ocean in 2004, Trinket island was left abandoned by indigenes and the cattle became totally feral in nature. To trace the genetic root of the cattle, this study has been undertaken based on the sequence information of the mitochondrial D-loop and cytochrome b gene. The genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of the Trinket cattle and was used for amplification of mitochondrial markers, and the sequence information was generated by Sanger sequencing. The analysis of sequence information revealed that the Trinket cattle belongs to Bos indicus (I) haplotype, sub-haplotype I2. The presence of I2 sub-haplotype in Trinket cattle may be due to the expansion of this I2 haplotype towards Southeast Asian countries. This is a novel input for the formulation of breeding strategy towards conservation of eco-friendly sustainable livestock in the isolated island ecosystem.

Variability of the EG95 antigen-coding gene of Echinococcus granulosus in animal and human origin: implications for vaccine development

In the present study, the genetic variability of the EG95 protein-coding gene in several animal and human isolates of Echinococcus granulosus was investigated. A total of 24 isolates collected from cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, dog and man were amplified by Eg95-coding gene-specific primers. From the generated sequence information, a conceptual amino acid sequence was deduced. Phylogenetically, the Eg95 coding gene belongs to the Eg95-1/Eg95-2/Eg95-3/Eg95-4 cluster. Further confirmation on the maximum composite likelihood analysis revealed that the overall transition/transversion bias was 2.913. This finding indicated thatthere is bias towards transitional and transversional substitution. Using artificial neural networks, a B-cell epitope was predicted on primary sequence information. Stretches of amino acid residues varied between animal and human isolates when hydrophobicity was considered. Flexibility also varied between larval and adult stages of the organism. This observation is important to develop vaccines. However, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes on primary sequence data remained constant in all isolates. In this study, agretope identification started with hydrophobic amino acids. Amino acids with the same physico-chemical properties were present in the middle. The conformational propensity of the Eg95-coding gene of 156 amino acid residues had α-turns and β-turns, and α-amphipathic regions up to 129, 138-156 and 151-155 residues, respectively. The results indicated potential T-cell antigenic sites. The overall Tajima's D value was negative (-2.404165), indicative of negative selection pressure.

Administration of slow release exogenous melatonin modulates oxidative stress profiles and in vitro fertilizing ability of the cryopreserved mithun (Bos frontalis) spermatozoa

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is a unique domestic free range bovine species of North Eastern hilly regions of India. The present study was designed to assess the seasonal effect of slow release exogenous melatonin (MT) implant on semen quality parameters (SQP) and in vitro zona binding ability (IVZ) of spermatozoa. The experimental animals were divided into Gr I: Control (n = 5) and Gr II: Treatment (n = 5; melatonin implant @ 18mg/50 kg bwt). A total of 20 semen samples/group in winter, spring, autumn and summer seasons (n = 160), twice per week were collected. Following cryopreservation, samples were evaluated for motility parameters (forward progressive, mobility & velocity by computer assisted sperm analyser (CASA), viability, acrosome integrity, plasma membrane and nuclear abnormality, functional status of mitochondria, enzymatic, antioxidant and oxidative profiles, and IVZ. The study revealed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in total motility, viability, acrosome-, plasma membrane-, and nuclear-integrity, and antioxidant profiles; with highest values in spring and lowest in summer season in the fresh semen in Gr II than the Control. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in motility parameters, membrane potential of mitochondria, antioxidant profiles and reduction in sperm and nuclear abnormalities, leakage of intracellular enzymes and oxidative stress and IVZ index & binding percentage in post-thaw semen samples in melatonin supplemented than in un-supplemented control group was observed. It can be concluded from the study that slow-release melatonin supplementation can be effectively utilized to improve the antioxidant profiles and reduction of oxidative stress, with cascading beneficial effects on semen quality parameters and fertility status of the mithun bull.

Effect of entomopathogenic nematode of Heterorhabditis indica infection on immune and antioxidant system in lepidopteran pest Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Entomopathogenic nematodes form excellent tools to study insect immunity in response to during infection. Insects activate as several defense mechanisms, namely Phenoloxidase, haemocytes, detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. However little mechanistic information is available about the sublethal effects of entomopathogenic nematodes infection on detoxification and immune mechanisms in lepidopteran insects. In the present study, the effects of infection on antioxidant, detoxification and immune systems of Spodoptera litura larvae were studied. Results show a significant reduction in Total Haemocyte Count observed after 3 h of infection. A significant increase Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Glutathione S-transferase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Acid phosphatase were observed 6 h after infection and, progressive decrease in Peroxidase, Alkaline phosphatase and Lipid peroxidation was also observed. This study shows that increased detoxification enzyme levels in response to nematode infection are a protective mechanism in insects. Nematode infection suppresses insect immune response, which is evident from low haemocyte count and Phenoloxidase levels to ultimately cause larval mortality.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mithun (Bos frontalis) from north eastern hilly region of India

Mithun (Bos frontalis) is mostly utilized for meat purpose by the local tribal people of north eastern hilly region of India. Meat born diseases are very important issues for the people of these areas from the public health point of view. In order to realize the issues, the serological prevalence of Toxoplasmosis was carried out as per ELISA kit (CHEKIT* TOXOTEST, IDEXX Laboratory, USA) to find out Toxoplasma gondii antibody. As a whole, out of 195 animals examined, only 8 (4.10 %) animals were found to be suspected and one (0.51 %) animal was  found to be positive in this precious animal of the north eastern region.

The prevalence of abnormal ECG in trained sportsmen

BACKGROUND

Competitive sports training causes structural and conductive system changes manifesting by various electrocardiographic alterations. We undertook this study to assess the prevalence of abnormal ECG in trained Indian athletes and correlate it with the nature of sports training, that is endurance or strength training.

METHODS

We evaluated a standard resting, lying 12 lead Electrocardiogram (ECG) in 66 actively training Indian athletes. Standard diagnostic criteria were used to define various morphological ECG abnormalities.

RESULTS

33/66 (50%) of the athletes were undertaking endurance training while the other 33 (50%) were involved in a strength-training regimen. Overall 54/66 (81%) sportsmen had significant ECG changes. 68% of these changes were considered as normal training related features, while the remaining 32% were considered abnormal. There were seven common training related ECG changes-Sinus Bradycardia (21%), Sinus Arrhythmia (16%), 1st degree Atrioventricular Heart Block (6%), Type 1 2nd-degree Atrioventicular Heart Block (3%), Incomplete Right bundle branch block (RBBB) (24%), Early Repolarization (42%), Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) (14%); while three abnormal ECG changes--T-wave inversion (13%), RBBB(4%), Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) with strain (29%) were noted. Early repolarization (commonest change), sinus bradycardia, and incomplete RBBB were the commoner features noticed, with a significantly higher presence in the endurance trained athletes.

CONCLUSION

A high proportion of athletes undergoing competitive level sports training are likely to have abnormal ECG recordings. Majority of these are benign, and related to the physiological adaptation to the extreme levels of exertion. These changes are commoner during endurance training (running) than strength training (weightlifting).

Antioxidant activities of Indigofera cassioides Rottl. Ex. DC. using various in vitro assay models

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antioxidant potential of methanolic leaf extract of Indigofera cassioides (MEIC) using various in vitro antioxidant assay systems.

METHODS

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of MEIC was assayed by using different in vitro models like ABTS, DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical. Reductive ability of the extract was tested by the complex formation with potassium ferricyanide. Further total phenol and flavonoid contents of the crude extract were also determined. Rutin and ascorbic acid were used as standards.

RESULTS

MEIC exhibited potent and concentration dependent free radical scavenging activity in all the tested models. Reductive ability was also found to increase with increase in MEIC concentration. Total phenol and flavonoid content determination showed that the extract is rich in phenols and flavonoids.

CONCLUSIONS

All the results of the in vitro antioxidant assays reveal potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the leaves of Indigofera cassioides, equivalent to that of standard ascorbic acid and rutin. This potent antioxidant activity may be attributed to its high phenolic and flavonoid contents.

Enhancement of in vitro high-density polyethylene (HDPE) degradation by physical, chemical, and biological treatments

Partially degraded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was collected from plastic waste dump yard for biodegradation using fungi. Of various fungi screened, strain MF12 was found efficient in degrading HDPE by weight loss and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometric analysis. Strain MF12 was selected as efficient HDPE degraders for further studies, and their growth medium composition was optimized. Among those different media used, basal minimal medium (BMM) was suitable for the HDPE degradation by strain MF12. Strain MF12 was subjected to 28S rRNA sequence analysis and identified as Aspergillus terreus MF12. HDPE degradation was carried out using combinatorial physical and chemical treatments in conjunction to biological treatment. The high level of HDPE degradation was observed in ultraviolet (UV) and KMnO4/HCl with A. terreus MF12 treatment, i.e., FT10. The abiotic physical and chemical factors enhance the biodegradation of HDPE using A. terreus MF12.

Oral epidermoid cyst. A case report

BACKGROUND

Paediatric epidermoid cysts are the rare lesions in the oral cavity, especially under the age of 10 years. They appear in the midline of the mouth usually as a result of residual ectodermal tissue of the first and second branchial arches, which fuse during the third and fourth weeks of intra-uterine life.

CASE REPORT

We present a case of a male patient aged 8 years with swelling of the floor of the mouth, complaining of difficulty in swallowing. The ultrasonographic finding was infected ranula with a differential diagnosis of foregut duplication cyst and dermoid cyst. The cyst was surgically enucleated and was diagnosed as epidermoid cyst after histopathology. At the 18-month follow-up the cyst had not recurred.

The Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using an aqueous root extract of Morinda citrifolia L

In the present work, we describe the synthesis of gold nanoparticles using an aqueous root extract of Morinda citrifolia. UV-vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX and TEM were performed to characterize the formation of gold nanoparticles. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized by a peak at 540 nm in the UV-vis spectrum. The XRD peaks at 38°, 44°, 64° and 77° can be indexed to the (111), (200), (220) and (311) Bragg's reflections of cubic structure of metallic gold, respectively. The FTIR result showed that extract containing protein might be responsible for the formation of the nanoparticles and may play an important role in the stabilization of the formed nanoparticles. FESEM images revealed that the particles were triangle and mostly spherical in shape. TEM images clearly revealed the size of the nanoparticles were 12.17-38.26 nm in size.

Copepod population in Vellar estuary, Parangipettai coast in relation to environmental conditions

Distribution and abundance of copepods were studied in relation to environmental conditions at two different ecosystems viz: Neritic (Bay of Bengal) and estuarine (Vellar estuary) of Parangipettai coast from September, 1998 toAugust, 2000. Over the study period, total 85 species of copepods were reported. Among these, the calanoid copepods constituted the major component with 63.52% followed by cyclopoids (29.41%) and harpacticoids (7.05%). The copepods population density was found to be high (2, 53,000 org l(-1)) in estuarine water, while the species diversity was higher (5.47) in neritic water. The observed spatio-temporal variations in the population density and species diversity of copepods were more related to the environmental state of respective study area.

Phytoplankton diversity in the Parangipettai coastal waters, southeast coast of India

An investigation was carried out during June 2005 to May 2007 on hydrography, composition and community structure of phytoplankton including chlorophyll a in Parangipettai coastal waters (southeast coast of India). Air and surface water temperatures varied from 25.5 to 31.2 degrees C and from 25 to 29.3 degrees C, respectively. Salinity values varied from 5 to 33.1 per thousand and the pH ranged between 7.2 and 8.3. Dissolved oxygen content varied from 3.1 to 7.9 mg l(-1) while the light extinction coefficient values (LEC) ranged between 1.8 and 11.0 cm. The range of inorganic nutrients viz., nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate were: 6.5 - 27.0 microM; 1.0 - 8.9 microM; 0.1 - 3.0 microM and 15.0 - 140 microM, respectively. The range of chlorophyll a was: 2.0 - 7.5 microg l(-1). Presently, 117 phytoplankton species representing different classes viz: Bacillariophyceae (66); Dinophyceae (22); Cyanophyceae (19); Chlorophyceae (7) and Chrysophyceae (3) were recorded. The phytoplankton cell abundance varied from 0.14 to 132 cells ml(-1), with peak diversity (3.52 bits ind.(-1)) during summer season. The maximum abundance was found during summer season coinciding with the stable hydrographical conditions. Canonical Correspondence Analysis was applied in this study for discriminating environmental factors effecting on phytoplankton community at species level.

Studies on phytoplankton characteristics in Ayyampattinam coast, India

Physico-chemical variables in the marine environment are subjected to wide spatio-temporal variations. The various physico-chemical parameters viz: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen and nutrients of the environment are the factors which mainly influence the production and successful propagation of planktonic life in the coastal biotopes. The ranges of values of surface water temperature (0 degrees C), salinity (per thousand), pH and dissolved oxygen (ml l(-1)) were: 25.5 - 33.4; 23 - 35; 7.8 - 8.2; 3.6 - 5.2, respectively. The values (microg l(-1)) of nutrients were: nitrate 3.21 - 6.34, nitrite 0.74 - 0.896, phosphate 0.22 and 1.16, silicate 24.85 - 61.92 and ammonia 0.05 - 0.32. The recorded values of primary productivity (mgcm(-3)hr(1)) ranged between 16 - 116 and the chlorophyll "a" varied from 3.74 - 8.52. A total number of 51 species of phytoplankton representing different classes viz: Bacillariophyceae (40); Dinophyceae (8); Chlorophyceae (1) and Cyanophyceae (2) was recorded. Among the four classes, Bacillariophyceae appeared to be the dominant group in respect of total species and cell numbers. The population density of phytoplankton was high during summer season and quite low during monsoon season.

Evaluation of Analgesic, Antipyretic Activity and Toxicity Study ofBryonia laciniosain Mice and Rats

Analgesic, antipyretic activity and toxicity study of the leaves of Bryonia laciniosa Linn. (Family: Cucurbitaceae) was evaluated in the standard animal models. The methanol extract of Bryonia laciniosa (MEBL) was evaluated by hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing methods to assess analgesic activity. The antipyretic activity of the extract was also evaluated by normal body temperature and yeast-induced hyperpyrexia. The extract showed significant analgesic and antipyretic activity. The MEBL was further evaluated for toxicity at the doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg administered orally for 14 days in rats. At the end of experiments, the blood, liver function and kidney metabolism were observed. The hematological profile and different biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT and ALP were estimated. The present study revealed that MEBL exhibited significant analgesic and antipyretic activity in the tested experimental animal models. The toxicity study indicates that the extract is not toxic at the tested doses.