Long-term impact of legume-inclusive diversification and nutrient management practices on phosphorus dynamics in alkaline Fluvisol

An insight into the dynamics of soil phosphorus (P) pools with long-term cropping/management practices would help in designing efficient and sustainable management module(s). The study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of diversified rice-based rotations and variable nutrient management practices on the dynamic composition of P pools and their influence on systems' base-crop productivity in an alkaline soil of Indo-Gangetic plain (Fluvisol). Treatments consisted of four rotations [rice-wheat (R-W), rice-wheat-mungbean (R-W-Mb), rice-wheat-rice-chickpea (R-W-R-C), rice-chickpea (R-C)] each with three nutrient treatments [control (CT), integrated nutrient management (INM), sole-chemical fertilizers (CF)]. Notably, R-C exhibited higher levels of bioavailable-P (soluble-P, Ca2-P, labile-Po), particularly in subsurface soil depth (0.2-0.4 m) compared to other rotations. Likewise, the inclusion of chickpea every alternate year (R-W-R-C) resulted in higher Ca2-P (40%), labile-Pi (15%), labile-Po (11%), and moderately labile Po (8%) compared to R-W rotation demonstrating an increased significance of chickpea in maintaining a favorable soil P regime in alkaline soil. Both R-C and R-W-R-C reduced the surface-to-subsurface depth ratio (SSBR) of soluble-P and Ca2-P while increasing the ratio for microbial biomass P. Even with a suboptimal fertilizer-P rate, INM significantly increased soluble-P (4-33%), labile-Po (13-17%), microbial biomass P (10-26%), moderately labile-Po (4-17%) compared to CF and exhibited higher SSBR values. Correlation analysis demonstrated the substantial influence of very-labile carbon, microbial and phosphatase activities on P availability. The treatment-induced changes in labile-P pools significantly influenced rice (base-crop) yields. In conclusion, chickpea-inclusive diversification and INM could be a sustainable approach to enhance P bioavailability and crop productivity in tropical rice soils.

Addendum to the consensus opinion from the International Deep Endometriosis Analysis (IDEA) group: sonographic evaluation of the parametrium

Preoperative sonographic staging in patients with suspected parametrial endometriosis is essential to plan the surgical intervention and to anticipate the need for a multidisciplinary approach, and hence optimize surgical outcome. The results of a recent metanalysis suggest that defining more accurately the ultrasonographic criteria of parametrial involvement in endometriosis is needed. The aim of this addendum to the IDEA-consensus is to highlight the sonographic characteristics of the parametrium and identify ultrasound techniques to diagnose deep endometriosis in this area. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Long-term impact of pulses and organic amendments inclusion in cropping system on soil physical and chemical properties

Mono-cropping of maize-wheat, mechanical disintegration of soils, and continuous chemical fertilization have deteriorated soil health in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. We studied the long-term impact of pulse-based cropping systems with integrated nutrient management on soil physical and chemical properties and yield sustainability. We evaluated four different cropping systems: (1) maize-wheat (M-W), (2) maize-wheat-mungbean (M-W-Mb), (3) maize-wheat-maize-chickpea (M-W-M-C), (4) pigeonpea-wheat (P-W) each with three degrees of soil fertilization techniques: (1) unfertilized control (CT), (2) inorganic fertilization (RDF), and (3) integrated nutrient management (INM). The field experiment was undertaken in a split-plot design with three replications each year with a fixed layout. P-W and M-W-Mb systems enhanced soil properties such as volume expansion by 9-25% and porosity by 7-9% (p < 0.05) more than M-W, respectively. P-W and M-W-Mb increased soil organic carbon by 25-42% and 12-50% over M-W (RDF). P-W system enhanced water holding capacity and gravimetric moisture content by 10 and 11% (p < 0.05) than M-W. Pulse-based systems (P-W and M-W-Mb) had higher available nitrogen (8-11%), phosphorus (42-73%), and potassium (8-12%) over M-W (p < 0.05). M-W-Mb increased 26% maize yield and 21% wheat yield over M-W (p < 0.05) at the thirteenth crop cycle. P-W system had a higher sustainable yield index (p < 0.05) of wheat over the M-W. Thus, pulse inclusion in the cropping system in combination with INM can enhance physical and chemical properties vis-à-vis sustainable yield index over the cereal-cereal system.

Strengths and limitations of diagnostic tools for endometriosis and relevance in diagnostic test accuracy research

Endometriosis is a chronic systemic disease that can cause pain, infertility and reduced quality of life. Diagnosing endometriosis remains challenging, which yields diagnostic delays for patients. Research on diagnostic test accuracy in endometriosis can be difficult due to verification bias, as not all patients with endometriosis undergo definitive diagnostic testing. The purpose of this State-of-the-Art Review is to provide a comprehensive update on the strengths and limitations of the diagnostic modalities used in endometriosis and discuss the relevance of diagnostic test accuracy research pertaining to each. We performed a comprehensive literature review of the following methods: clinical assessment including history and physical examination, biomarkers, diagnostic imaging, surgical diagnosis and histopathology. Our review suggests that, although non-invasive diagnostic methods, such as clinical assessment, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, do not yet qualify formally as replacement tests for surgery in diagnosing all subtypes of endometriosis, they are likely to be appropriate for advanced stages of endometriosis. We also demonstrate in our review that all methods have strengths and limitations, leading to our conclusion that there should not be a single gold-standard diagnostic method for endometriosis, but rather, multiple accepted diagnostic methods appropriate for different circumstances. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Diversity of native larvivorous fish fauna during pre- and post-tsunami in Car Nicobar, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Malaria is a serious public health problem in Car Nicobar Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. Using larvivorous fishes has proved to be the cheapest method for vector management approach, with long suppression of mosquito population. This study aims to scale-up the diversity of larvivorous fishes and their potential larvivoracity to evolve an appropriate biological intervention strategy against the immature stages of malaria vectors.

METHODS

During 2003 (pre-tsunami) and 2014-2016 (post-tsunami), an ecological descriptive survey was carried out in the water bodies around Car Nicobar Island. Fishes were captured using fishing nets and cast nets; and placed in plastic jars and preserved in formalin solution. Fishes were identified and classified according to the available keys. Their abundance and data on the current conservation status was recorded and analyzed. Their potential larvivoracity was graded according to their feeding intensity.

RESULTS

Pre-tsunami, a total of 27 larvivorous fish species belonging to 11 orders, 23 families and 23 genera were identified. Order Perciformes and the family Cyprinidae were the most ascendant group constituting 51.9 and 11.1%, respectively. While, 80.8% of species were preferred to inhabit the freshwater region, only 37% of species were surface feeders (SF). According to the conservation, assessment and management plan (CAMP, 1998), 44.4% species were at lower risk least concern (LRlc), while 55.6% species were at least concerned (LC) as per the IUCN, 2017 categorization. However, after the tsunami, 17 fish species had gone extinct and 10 fish species were found to remain alive in the local water bodies.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION

Post-tsunami, the larvivoracity analysis indicated that Ophiocara aporos, Ophiocara procephala, Valamugil seheli, Channa punctata, Kuhlia rupestris, Khulia mugil, and Terapon jarbua possess high-level larvivorous potentiality in nature and are recommended for vector control in the study area. These fish species were facing several anthropogenic threats, such as human interference, loss of habitat, trade, overexploitation, and fishing. Therefore, it is important to protect the water bodies from external impact and implement the conservation strategies. Further, periodic fish fauna surveys, identification of breeding sites, scale-up of the larvivorous potentiality at the field level, creating public awareness through health education on establishment of larvivorous fish ponds and planning for mass rearing of the native fish species should be adopted as part of vector management approach in the endemic malarious region of Car Nicobar Island.

Paraquat poisoning in Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Government must intervene

Paraquat poisoning is a grave public health problem in the Andaman and Nicobar islands of India. To evaluate various aspects of paraquat poisoning that influence the outcome, a retrospective study was planned. In this case series study, the information about all cases of acute paraquat poisoning who were admitted to GB Pant Hospital, Port-Blair, in a 12-year period (January 2007–December 2018) were evaluated. A total of 29 referred patients were evaluated with the majority from the early productive age of 16–30 years (68.97%). The case fatality rate was 100%. Most of the incidents took place in South Andaman district (68.97%) and during the rainy season (55.17%). Initially, they presented with local symptoms like mouth and throat pain with ulceration (48.27%), vomiting (44.82%), breathlessness (34.48%), epigastric and abdominal pain (31.03%), hematemesis (27.58%), and oliguria (20.68%). Later on, major organ dysfunctions like a respiratory failure (65.51%), acute kidney injury (62.08%), acute liver failure (55.17%), cardiac dysfunction (31.03%), and multiorgan failure (58.62%) ensued. Patients who were referred early had a significantly longer hospital stay. Few received advanced care, like, methyl prednisolone (24.12%), cyclophosphamide (10.34%), Mesna/NAC (06.89%), charcoal tablets (10.34%), mechanical ventilation (06.89%), and hemodialysis (10.34%). Apart from hemodialysis in acute kidney injury patients and steroid pulse, no other modalities showed improved hospital survival duration. Primary prevention especially government laws, public awareness, and education of health professionals regarding the seriousness of this problem are the keys to get rid of this incurable poisoning in these islands. The government should prioritize preventive works in the south Andaman district and during the rainy season to avoid catastrophe each year and if possible should ban it. Methyl prednisolone therapy and hemodialysis might be advocated to have a better outcome.

Highlighting the compound risk of COVID-19 and environmental pollutants using geospatial technology

The new COVID-19 coronavirus disease has emerged as a global threat and not just to human health but also the global economy. Due to the pandemic, most countries affected have therefore imposed periods of full or partial lockdowns to restrict community transmission. This has had the welcome but unexpected side effect that existing levels of atmospheric pollutants, particularly in cities, have temporarily declined. As found by several authors, air quality can inherently exacerbate the risks linked to respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. In this study, we explore patterns of air pollution for ten of the most affected countries in the world, in the context of the 2020 development of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that the concentrations of some of the principal atmospheric pollutants were temporarily reduced during the extensive lockdowns in the spring. Secondly, we show that the seasonality of the atmospheric pollutants is not significantly affected by these temporary changes, indicating that observed variations in COVID-19 conditions are likely to be linked to air quality. On this background, we confirm that air pollution may be a good predictor for the local and national severity of COVID-19 infections.

Crop variety management for climate adaptation supported by citizen science

Crop adaptation to climate change requires accelerated crop variety introduction accompanied by recommendations to help farmers match the best variety with their field contexts. Existing approaches to generate these recommendations lack scalability and predictivity in marginal production environments. We tested if crowdsourced citizen science can address this challenge, producing empirical data across geographic space that, in aggregate, can characterize varietal climatic responses. We present the results of 12,409 farmer-managed experimental plots of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Nicaragua, durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) in Ethiopia, and bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in India. Farmers collaborated as citizen scientists, each ranking the performance of three varieties randomly assigned from a larger set. We show that the approach can register known specific effects of climate variation on varietal performance. The prediction of variety performance from seasonal climatic variables was generalizable across growing seasons. We show that these analyses can improve variety recommendations in four aspects: reduction of climate bias, incorporation of seasonal climate forecasts, risk analysis, and geographic extrapolation. Variety recommendations derived from the citizen science trials led to important differences with previous recommendations.

SMCHD1 mutations associated with a rare muscular dystrophy can also cause isolated arhinia and Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome

Arhinia, or absence of the nose, is a rare malformation of unknown etiology that is often accompanied by ocular and reproductive defects. Sequencing of 40 people with arhinia revealed that 84% of probands harbor a missense mutation localized to a constrained region of SMCHD1 encompassing the ATPase domain. SMCHD1 mutations cause facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 2 (FSHD2) via a trans-acting loss-of-function epigenetic mechanism. We discovered shared mutations and comparable DNA hypomethylation patterning between these distinct disorders. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated alteration of smchd1 in zebrafish yielded arhinia-relevant phenotypes. Transcriptome and protein analyses in arhinia probands and controls showed no differences in SMCHD1 mRNA or protein abundance but revealed regulatory changes in genes and pathways associated with craniofacial patterning. Mutations in SMCHD1 thus contribute to distinct phenotypic spectra, from craniofacial malformation and reproductive disorders to muscular dystrophy, which we speculate to be consistent with oligogenic mechanisms resulting in pleiotropic outcomes.

Chelonitoxism in Andaman and Nicobar Island: A report on mass poisoning including a death of an adult

Chelonitoxism is a type of seafood poisoning which usually occurs due to consumption of certain marine turtle flesh. As the pharmacology or chemistry of the toxin is still unknown, antidote or treatment to chelonitoxism is unavailable. The symptoms can vary from common gastro-intestinal symptoms to neurological manifestations and even death. This case report of community poisoning following consumption of turtle meat includes the death of an adult male (56 yrs.) being reported for the first time in the Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, India in August 2012. The patient encountered common gastrointestinal symptoms after one day of ingestion of green turtle flesh and later, he developed neurological symptoms and did not respond to symptomatic treatment and expired after four days after the consumption. However, out of 30 villagers who took the same food, six others developed symptoms and recovered within a period of 3-7 days while two pets (a dog and a cat) died within 24 hours as they were fed with the same food. In spite of several existing wildlife protection acts, catching a turtle and making them a source of food-celebration is quite common in coastal areas of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal which includes A&N Islands. A proper monitoring and follow-up of the food-borne diseases along with a wide range of explorative health education protocol should be implemented especially for the people who are not reachable via media to avoid such incidents in future.

Characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes on the basis of morpho-physiological and biochemical traits grown under aerobic situation in rainfed ecosystem

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic situation on yield, physiological and biochemical traits of advanced breeding lines of rice. Experiment was conducted with two set of rice genotypes under two water regimes (aerobic and irrigated), during three consecutive wet seasons 2010-2012. Significant decrease in yield was observed in rice genotypes grown under aerobic situation as compared to the irrigated ones. Promising rice genotypes having the ability to maintain high plant biomass, harvest index, early vegetative vigour, improved physiological and biochemical traits in terms of relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI), total soluble sugar, starch, protien and proline content help to sustain higher grain yield under aerobic situation. The yield gap between aerobic and irrigated rice ranged between 24% to 68%. Grain yield showed positive correlation with harvest index (0.434), test weight (0.647), plant biomass (0.411) and effective tiller numbers (0.473), whereas spikelet sterility was negative associated (-0.380). The current study suggested that promising genotypes viz., IR77298-14-1-2-130-2, IR84899-B-182-3-1-1-2, IR84887-B-157-38-1-1-3 and IR 84899-B-179-1-1-1-2 for aerobic situation, showing yield advantage due to better performance of physiological and biochemical traits, might be adopted in large area of rainfed ecosystem as well as in irrigated areas where water scarcity was a major problem.

p-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol-containing biodegradable nanoparticle improves functional blood flow through angiogenesis in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia

Therapeutic angiogenesis has achieved promising results for ischemic diseases or peripheral artery disease in preclinical and early-phase clinical studies. We examined the therapeutic angiogenic effects of HPOX, which is biodegradable polymer composing the antioxidant p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (HBA), in a mouse model of hindlimb ischemia. HPOX effectively stimulated blood flow recovery, compared with its degraded compounds HBA and 1,4-cyclohexendimethanol, via promotion of capillary vessel density in the ischemic hindlimb. These effects were highly correlated with levels of angiogenic inducers, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and Akt/AMPK/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in ischemic mouse hindlimb muscle. Blood perfusion and neovascularization induced by HPOX were reduced in eNOS(-/-) and HO-1(+/-) mice. HPOX also elevated the endothelial cell markers VEGF receptor-2, CD31, and eNOS mRNAs in the ischemic hindlimb, indicating that HPOX increases endothelial cell population and angiogenesis in the ischemic muscle. However, this nanoparticle suppressed expression levels of several inflammatory genes in ischemic tissues. These results suggest that HPOX significantly promotes angiogenesis and blood flow perfusion in the ischemic mouse hindlimb via increased angiogenic inducers, along with suppression of inflammatory gene expression. Thus, HPOX can be used potentially as a noninvasive drug intervention to facilitate therapeutic angiogenesis.

Abnormal calcium handling and exaggerated cardiac dysfunction in mice with defective vitamin d signaling

Aim

Altered vitamin D signaling is associated with cardiac dysfunction, but the pathogenic mechanism is not clearly understood. We examine the mechanism and the role of vitamin D signaling in the development of cardiac dysfunction.

Methods and Results

We analyzed 1α-hydroxylase (1α-OHase) knockout (1α-OHase^−/−) mice, which lack 1α-OH enzymes that convert the inactive form to hormonally active form of vitamin D. 1α-OHase^−/− mice showed modest cardiac hypertrophy at baseline. Induction of pressure overload by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) demonstrated exaggerated cardiac dysfunction in 1α-OHase^−/− mice compared to their WT littermates with a significant increase in fibrosis and expression of inflammatory cytokines. Analysis of calcium (Ca²⁺) transient demonstrated profound Ca²⁺ handling abnormalities in 1α-OHase^−/− mouse cardiomyocytes (CMs), and treatment with paricalcitol (PC), an activated vitamin D₃ analog, significantly attenuated defective Ca²⁺ handling in 1α-OHase^−/− CMs. We further delineated the effect of vitamin D deficiency condition to TAC by first correcting the vitamin D deficiency in 1α-OHase^−/− mice, followed then by either a daily maintenance dose of vitamin D or vehicle (to achieve vitamin D deficiency) at the time of sham or TAC. In mice treated with vitamin D, there was a significant attenuation of TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, inflammatory markers, Ca²⁺ handling abnormalities and cardiac function compared to the vehicle treated animals.

Conclusions

Our results provide insight into the mechanism of cardiac dysfunction, which is associated with severely defective Ca²⁺ handling and defective vitamin D signaling in 1α-OHase^−/− mice.

Negative regulation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 signalling cascade by lupeol inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Background:

Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription signalling 3 (STAT3) has been linked with survival, proliferation and angiogenesis in a wide variety of malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

We evaluated the effect of lupeol on STAT3 signalling cascade and its regulated functional responses in HCC cells.

Results:

Lupeol suppressed constitutive activation of STAT3 phosphorylation at tyrosine 705 residue effectively in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The phosphorylation of Janus-activated kinases (JAKs) 1 and 2 and Src was also suppressed by lupeol. Pervanadate treatment reversed the downregulation of phospho-STAT3 induced by lupeol, thereby indicating the involvement of a phosphatase. Indeed, we observed that treatment with lupeol increased the protein and mRNA levels of SHP-2, and silencing of SHP-2 abolished the inhibitory effects of lupeol on STAT3 activation. Treatment with lupeol also downregulated the expression of diverse STAT3-regulated genes and decreased the binding of STAT3 to VEGF promoter. Moreover, the proliferation of various HCC cells was significantly suppressed by lupeol, being associated with substantial induction of apoptosis. Depletion of SHP-2 reversed the observed antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of lupeol.

Conclusions:

Lupeol exhibited its potential anticancer effects in HCC through the downregulation of STAT3-induced pro-survival signalling cascade.

Malaria among the Jarawas, a primitive and isolated tribe on the Andaman islands, India

The Jarawas are a primitive Negrito tribe of the Andaman islands, India. The members of this tribe have been geographically and socially isolated from the other inhabitants of the islands. None had attended a hospital or health unit until 1997, when a Jarawa boy with a fractured leg was taken to a hospital in Port Blair, and successfully treated. Since then, increasing numbers of Jarawas have sought treatment at the hospital and/or begun to make other contact with non-Jarawas on the islands. No malaria had ever been reported in the tribe until 2001, when an outbreak of febrile illness triggered a malariological survey. Malarial parasites, all identified microscopically as Plasmodium falciparum, were detected in the bloodsmears of 30 of the 179 Jarawas investigated. Although most malaria among the non-Jarawa inhabitants of the islands is caused by P. vivax, only P. falciparum was detected when blood samples from 26 of the subjects were investigated in PCR-based assays. Genetic-diversity studies, based on the msp(1) and msp(2) polymorphic markers, also revealed a relatively low level of polymorphism in the P. falciparum parasites infecting the Jarawas, compared with that seen in other areas of India. It seems possible that malarial parasites have only recently reached the Jarawas, as the result of the weakening of the tribe's isolation from other humans on the Andaman islands.

Vitamin D signaling pathway plays an important role in the development of heart failure after myocardial infarction

Accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency plays a crucial role in heart failure. However, whether vitamin D signaling itself plays an important role in cardioprotection is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the mechanism of modulating vitamin D signaling on progression to heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. Vitamin D signaling was activated by administration of paricalcitol (PC), an activated vitamin D analog. Wild-type (WT) mice underwent sham or MI surgery and then were treated with either vehicle or PC. Compared with vehicle group, PC attenuated development of heart failure after MI associated with decreases in biomarkers, apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. There was also improvement of cardiac function with PC treatment after MI. Furthermore, vitamin D receptor (VDR) mRNA and protein levels were restored by PC treatment. Next, to explore whether defective vitamin D signaling exhibited deleterious responses after MI, WT and VDR knockout (KO) mice underwent sham or MI surgery and were analyzed 4 wk after MI. VDR KO mice displayed a significant decline in survival rate and cardiac function compared with WT mice after MI. VDR KO mice also demonstrated a significant increase in heart failure biomarkers, apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Vitamin D signaling promotes cardioprotection after MI through anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and antiapoptotic mechanisms.

Corium tissue expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and keratin formation in relation to lameness in dairy cows

Objectives were to (1) determine the feasibility of performing hoof biopsies without impairing locomotion; (2) evaluate the feasibility of using biopsied tissue for quantitative PCR; and (3) compare relative gene expression among claws for several target genes. Biopsies were performed on 6 Holstein cows, yielding 4 tissue specimens per cow from front leg, right limb, and medial claw (claw position 3); rear leg, left limb, and lateral claw (claw position 5); and rear leg, right limb, medial claw (claw position 7). Cows were monitored for lameness daily for 7 d post-biopsy and then weekly for 8 wk. Histopathological analysis confirmed that tissue collected was from between the stratum corneum and dermis. Biopsied tissue was used for RNA extraction, including evaluation of yield and purity. The profile by claw position of 19 genes with key functions in cell differentiation, proliferation, inflammation, and keratin formation was assessed via quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Other than transient disturbances in locomotion score in some cows during 2 to 4 d post-biopsy, no signs of pain, locomotion impairment, or clinical lameness were observed post-biopsy. Total RNA yields averaged 259.7±100, 447.8±288, and 496.4±118 μg/mg of tissue for claw positions 3, 5, and 7, respectively. The biopsy procedure was successful for obtaining corium for gene expression. Among 5 keratin proteins analyzed, only keratin 5 was expressed. Transcripts related to inflammation and oxidative stress (STAT3, MYD88, SOD2, and TLR4) were among the more abundant in corium tissue, but expression did not differ between claws. Biotinidase (BTD) expression was greater in claw 3 versus claw 5, whereas the ligand-activated nuclear receptor retinoic acid receptor-α (RXRA) was greater in claws 3 + 5 compared with claw 7. Overall, results from this pilot study revealed modest differences at the transcriptome level, suggesting that biotin availability and lipid metabolism differ between claw positions, whereas inflammation and oxidative stress seem to play an important role across claws. More comprehensive studies of the hoof transcriptome are required to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that link environmental and dietary factors to development of lameness.

Mechanisms and inhibitors of apoptosis in cardiovascular diseases

Apoptosis or progress of programmed cell death is a tightly regulated process which plays an important role in various cardiovascular diseases particularly in myocardial infarction, reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Over the past two decades, investigations of several pathways have broadened our understanding of programmed cell death. Many anti-apoptotic interventions have targeted ischemia-reperfusion, however only a limited number have been considered at the chronic stage of heart failure. Endogenous inhibitors, caspase inhibitors, PARP-1 inhibitors, as well as various other agents have been implicated as anti-apoptotic interventions. This review summarizes the apoptotic pathways associated with heart failure, discusses the current anti-apoptotic interventions available and reviews the clinical implications.

Variation in melatonin receptors (Mel(1a) and Mel(1b)) and androgen receptor (AR) expression in the spleen of a seasonally breeding bird, Perdicula asiatica

Daily variation in the peripheral level of melatonin plays a major role in integrating reproduction and environmental information for seasonally breeding birds. However, the variation in immunity and reproduction has never been assessed in any avian species on a 24 h time scale. Therefore, to understand the relationship between immune function and reproductive phases in a seasonally breeding bird, Perdicula asiatica, the Indian jungle bush quail, we studied the daily variation of melatonin and testosterone levels along with expression of their receptors Mel(1a), Mel(1b), and androgen receptor in the spleen during the reproductively active phase. Immunocytochemistry for the melatonin receptors Mel(1a) and Mel(1b) presented a differential distribution pattern. Western blot of splenic protein suggested a daily rhythm of melatonin receptors, while acrophases for the two melatonin receptors Mel(1a) and Mel(1b) differed by 4 h, suggesting that the expression of the receptors may peak at different times, causing more of either Mel(1a) or Mel(1b) to be available at a particular time to mediate function. The circulatory melatonin level correlated with percentage stimulation ratio of splenocytes and plasma interleukin-2 level, but did not correlate with testosterone or androgen receptor, suggesting that melatonin could be a major hormone imparting a time-of-day effect on the modulation of immune function in a seasonally breeding bird during the reproductively active phase.

Role of insulin in Cr(VI)-mediated genotoxicity in Neurospora crassa

AIMS

Chromium (III) is an insulinomimetic agent whose biological and/or environmental availability is frequently in the form of Cr(VI), which is known to be toxic. Wall-less mutant of Neurospora crassa (FGSC stock no. 4761) is known to possess insulin receptor in its cell membrane and hence is a good model for Cr toxicity studies. This study explores the toxicity of Cr(VI) and the possible consequences on simultaneous exposure to insulin in N. crassa.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Comet assay of N. crassa cells treated with 100 μmol l⁻¹ Cr(VI) showed up to 50% reduction in comet tail lengths when incubated simultaneously with 0.4 U insulin. Fluorescence measurement in Cr(VI)-treated cells using DCFH-DA showed six- to eightfold increase in free radical generation, which was reduced to fourfold by 0.4 U insulin. Annexin-V/PI Flow cytometry analysis indicated necrotic cell death up to 28.7 ± 3.6% and 68.6 ± 2.5% on Cr(VI) exposure at concentrations 100 and 500 μmol l⁻¹ which was reduced by 68.3 ± 3.2% and 48.9 ± 3.6%, respectively, upon addition of insulin.

CONCLUSION

Insulin-mediated protection from DNA damage by Cr(VI) is because of scavenging of free radicals liberated during exposure to Cr(VI).

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Overall, Cr(VI) toxicity depends upon available insulin, indicating that Cr(VI) toxicity may be a serious issue in insulin-deficient individuals with diabetes.

Long-term melatonin administration attenuates low-LET gamma-radiation-induced lymphatic tissue injury during the reproductively active and inactive phases of Indian palm squirrels (Funambulus pennanti)

A comparative analysis of low linear energy transfer (LET) gamma-radiation-induced damage in the lymphatic tissue of a tropical seasonal breeder, Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus pennanti), during its reproductively active phase (RAP) and inactive phase (RIP) was performed with simultaneous investigation of the effects of long-term melatonin pre-treatment (100 microg/100 g body weight). A total of 120 squirrels (60 during RAP and 60 during RIP) were divided into 12 groups and sacrificed at 4, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h following 5 Gy gamma-radiation exposure; control groups were excluded from exposure. Total leukocyte count and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and melatonin only of peripheral blood, stimulation index, thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the apoptotic index of spleen as analysed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick-end labelling (TUNEL) noted at observed time-points were significantly reduced in melatonin pre-treated groups during RAP and RIP. Long-term melatonin pre-treatment mitigated radiation-induced alterations more prominently during RIP, as assessed by ALC, TBARS, SOD, TUNEL and caspase-3 activity, at some time-points. Our results demonstrate an inhibitory role of melatonin on caspase-3 activity in splenocytes during RAP and RIP following gamma-radiation-induced caspase-mediated apoptosis. Hence, we propose that melatonin might preserve the viability of immune cells of a seasonal breeder against background radiation, which is constantly present in the environment.

Optimization of the parameters for decolourization by Aspergillus niger of anaerobically digested distillery spentwash pretreated with polyaluminium chloride

Molasses spentwash from distilleries is characterized by high COD and colour. The fungal decolourization of anaerobically digested molasses spentwash requires significant dilution. In this study, decolourization by Aspergillus niger isolate IITB-V8 was performed on polyaluminium chloride (PAC) treated anaerobically digested spentwash without dilution of wastewater. Optimization of parameters was studied using statistical experimental designs. In the first step, Plackett-Burman design was used for screening the important parameters. Glucose was taken as the carbon source for the growth of A. niger. KH(2)PO(4) and pH were found to be the important factors affecting decolourization. In the second step, Box-Behnken design was used to determine the optimum level of each of the significant parameters. A second-order polynomial was determined by the multiple regression analysis of the experimental data. The optimum values for the important factors to achieve maximum decolourization of 68.4% were 5.5 g/L Glucose, 1.2 g/L KH(2)PO(4) and 5 pH. The determination coefficient (R(2)) was 0.9973, which ensures adequate credibility of the model. The total decolourization obtained after fungal treatment was 86.8% which indicates fungal decolourization after pretreatment with PAC is a viable option for the treatment of digested molasses spentwash.

Laparotomy for post chemotherapy residue in ovarian germ cell tumors

BACKGROUND

Primary conservative surgery and cisplatin-based chemotherapy have resulted in high cure rates in malignant ovarian germ cell tumors. A significant proportion of advanced tumors may have post-chemotherapy residue and it is important to distinguish necrosis or fibrosis without viable tumor from persistent viable tumor and teratoma.

AIMS

To evaluate the role of laparotomy in assessing the nature of post-chemotherapy residue in ovarian germ cell tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-three patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors seen at Cancer Institute, Chennai between 1992 and 2002 were studied. Sixty-eight patients completed combination chemotherapy with cisplatin regimes, of whom 35 had radiological residual masses. Twenty-nine out of these 35 patients underwent laparotomy to assess the nature of the residue.

RESULTS

On laparotomy, three patients had viable tumor, seven immature teratoma, three mature teratoma and 16 only necrosis or fibrosis. None of our patients with dysgerminoma, embryonal carcinoma, absence of teratoma element in the primary tumor and radiological residue of < 5 cm had viable tumor whereas all patients with tumors containing teratoma component initially had residual tumor. Absence of viable disease was higher in patients who had normalization of serum markers by two cycles of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that patients with absence of teratoma element initially, radiological residue of< 5 cm and normalization of serum markers after two cycles of chemotherapy do not require surgery to assess the nature of post-chemotherapy residue. However, laparotomy should be performed in patients with tumors that initially contain teratoma element and in those with sluggish tumor marker response after two cycles of chemotherapy since they have a high chance of having viable post chemotherapy residue.

The Duffy blood groups of Jarawas - the primitive and vanishing tribe of Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, union territory of India were inhabited by 14 aboriginal tribes. Some of these tribal populations have already become extinct, and the numbers of the existing ones are also dwindling. This group of islands being highly endemic for malaria, it was considered worthwhile to study the hunter-gatherer primitive tribe, Jarawas, for their Duffy blood group phenotype. Jarawas, the primitive tribe of Andaman Islands, inhabit the three jungle areas of South and one jungle area of Middle Andaman. Blood samples of 116 Jarawas were collected and tested for Duffy blood group and malarial parasite infectivity. The Duffy blood grouping was performed as per standard serological techniques, and peripheral smears were screened for malarial parasite and if present parasite density count was performed and the species identified. The results showed a total absence of both Fy(a) and Fy(b) antigens in two areas (Kadamtala and R.K. Nallah) and low prevalence of Fy(a) antigen in another two areas (Jirkatang and Tirur). There was absence of malarial parasite Plasmodium vivax infection though Plasmodium falciparum infection was present in 27.59% of cases. A very high frequency of Fy (a-b-) in the Jarawa tribe from all the four jungle areas of Andaman Islands along with total absence of P. vivax infections suggests the selective advantage offered to Fy (a-b-) individuals against P vivax infection.

Evaluation of inheritance to leaf rust in wheat using area under disease progress curve

Six varieties, Kundan (K), Galvez-87 (G), Trap (T), Chris (C), Mango (M) and PBW-348 (P) along with fast ruster, Agra Local (AL), were screened for seedling reaction and adult pant response to leaf rust. Seedlings of all six varieties were susceptible while adult plants showed lower susceptability response than Agra Local. The F1s among the varieties, and also with Agra Local, showed the values lesser than the respective mid parental values for AUDPC suggesting a polygenic mode of inheritance. ANOVA for combining ability effects indicated variation due to the GCA and SCA effects, which indicated that both additive as well as non-additive type of genetic variances, govern AUDPC. The higher values for the GCA variance over the SCA variance indicated the predominance of an additive component over the dominance component for AUDPC. Significant values for GCA effects indicated that Kundan, Galvez-87 and Trap can be used as good general combiners for AUDPC. The crosses, KxAL, GxAL and TxAL showed significant sca effects for AUDPC, which indicated the predominance of non-additive gene effects in these crosses. Additive x additive and dominance x dominance components of the 5- parameter model were highly significant and contributed maximum extent compared to the additive and dominance components in the cross KxG, while dominance and dominance x dominance components contributed maximum in the remaining crosses. Under such a situation, improvement in the character may be expected through standard selection procedure, which may first exploit the additive gene effects and simultaneously care should be taken to see that the dominance effects are not dissipated, but rather they should be concentrated.

Detection of pulsatile blood flow cycle in frog microvessels by image velocimetry

The detection of pulsatile blood flow velocity through one section of a curved branching frog mesenteric microvessel during a flow cycle, by analysis of a sequence of videomicroscopic images recorded at a frame rate 25 frames s-1, is presented. From these data, 64 sequential digitized frames of 128 x 128 pixels and 256 grey level were selected. By processing sequential pairs of frames by image velocimetry, the corresponding displacement vector was calculated. Dividing this by the frame rate gave the vector velocity. The same procedure was repeated for all frames, and the corresponding maximum (0.36-0.38 mm s-1), minimum (0.0-0.025 mm s-1) and other velocity values were obtained and plotted. The preliminary data analysis showed that the separation between two velocity maxima was about 20 video frames, which corresponded to one cardiac cycle of time interval 0.8 s.

Protein kinase C isozyme-specific phosphorylation of profilin

Profilin, a cytoskeletal protein, is emerging as an important link between signal transduction pathways and cytoskeletal dynamics. Profilin is phosphorylated on its C-terminal serine by protein kinase C (PKC). The protein kinase used for the in vitro phosphorylation studies reported earlier was a mixture of isozymes, and therefore, attempts were made to address the isozyme specificity on profilin phosphorylation under in vitro conditions. Profilin was subjected to phosphorylation by PKCalpha, PKCepsilon, and PKCzeta isozymes individually, and it was observed that profilin phosphorylation is cofactor-independent. PKCzeta phosphorylates profilin to a higher extent, but exhibits cofactor dependency with respect to phosphoinositides. The stoichiometry of phosphorylation was measured in the presence of these different isozymes, and a maximum stoichiometry of 0.8 (mole phosphate incorporated/mole profilin) was obtained in the presence of PKCzeta. Phosphorylation of profilin by PKCzeta was maximal in the presence of phosphatidylinositol4,5-bisphosphate (PI4,5-P2) when compared to the other phosphoinositides studied.

Mapping of hiv-1 Gag epitopes recognized by polyclonal antibodies using gene-fragment phage display system

Phage display has emerged as a powerful technique for mapping epitopes recognised by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. We have recently developed a simple gene-fragment phage display system and have shown its utility in mapping epitope recognised by a monoclonal antibody. In the present study, we have employed this system in mapping epitopes recognised by polyclonal antibodies raised against HIV-1 capsid protein, p24 which is derived from proteolytic cleavage of Gag polyprotein. HIV-1 gag DNA was fragmented by DNase I and the fragments (50-250 bp) were cloned into gene-fragment phage display vector to construct a library of phages displaying peptides. This phage library was used for affinity selection of phages displaying epitopes recognised by rabbit anti-p24 polyclonal antibodies. Selected phages contained sequences from two discrete regions of p24, demonstrating the presence of two antigenic regions. The DNA sequences encoding these regions were also cloned and expressed as GST fusion proteins. The immunoreactivity of these epitopes as GST fusion proteins, or as phage-displayed peptides, was comparable in ELISA system using same anti-p24 polyclonal antibodies. The results indicate that the gene-fragment based phage display system can be used efficiently to identify epitopes recognised by polyclonal antibodies, and phage displayed epitopes can be directly employed in ELISA to detect antibodies.

Antifungal activity of anthraquinone derivatives from Rheum emodi

Rhein, physcion, aloe-emodin and chrysophanol isolated from Rheum emodi rhizomes exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Aspergillus fumigatus (MIC 25-250 microg/ml).

Antifeedant and antifungal activity of chromene compounds isolated from Blepharispermum subsessile

Desmethyl isoencecalin and 5-hydroxy-6-acetyl-2-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl chromene isolated from Blepharispermum subsessile rhizomes were shown to have antifeedant activity against larvae of Spilarctia obliqua and also antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC 25-250 microg/ml).

Simplified gene-fragment phage display system for epitope mapping

We describe a simple and efficient system for epitope mapping by cloning random gene fragments into a specially designed gIIIp-based phage display vector. DNA encoding the antigen of interest is PCR-amplified and partially digested with DNaseI to generate 50-150-bp-long fragments, which are polished with T4 DNA polymerase and dephosphorylated. These fragments are cloned at the 5' end of the gIII after linearizing the vector with SmaI/SrfI, and the ligation is carried out in the presence of restriction enzyme SrfI. The restriction enzyme in the ligation reaction recuts the self-ligated vector but not the recombinants, since ligation with foreign fragments destroys the enzyme recognition site. Dephosphorylation of inserts prevents their chimerization and ensures ligation of single insert per vector molecule. Thus, using the above strategy, which prevents self-ligation of both the insert and the vector, the overall cloning efficiency and, thereby the library size, is improved more than 10-fold compared to the standard blunt-end, ligation-based methods for making similar libraries. The library is further enriched by a single-step infection of E. coli by phages obtained from primary transformants. This step eliminates all the phages that carry insert that are not in-frame with gIIIp and therefore do not display gIIIp. We have shown the utility of the above system in constructing a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) gene-fragment library in phages and identifying the epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody against GST.

Leptospiral infection among primitive tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Andaman islands were known to be endemic for leptospirosis during the early part of the century. Later, for about six decades no information about the status of the disease in these islands was available. In the late 1980s leptospirosis reappeared among the settler population and several outbreaks have been reported with high case fatality rates. Besides settlers, these islands are the home of six primitive tribes of which two are still hostile. These tribes have ample exposure to environment conducive for transmission of leptospirosis. Since no information about the level of endemicity of the disease among the tribes is available, a seroprevalence study was carried out among all the accessible tribes of the islands. A total of 1557 serum samples from four of the tribes were collected and examined for presence of antileptospiral antibodies using Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) employing 10 serogroups as antigens. An overall seropositivity rate of 191% was observed with the highest rate of 53.5% among the Shompens. The seropositivity rates in the other tribes were 16.4% among Nicobarese, 222% among the Onges and 14.8% among the Great Andamanese. All of the tribes except the Onges showed a similar pattern of change in the seroprevalence rates with age. The prevalence rates were rising from low values among children to reach a peak in those aged 2140 years and then declined. Among Onges the seroprevalence rates continued to rise beyond 40 years. In all the tribes, seroprevalence rates were found to be significantly higher among the males. The commonest serogroups encountered were Australis followed by Grippotyphosa, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona and Canicola.