Study of nuclear quadrupole interactions in different environments of decaying atoms of 75Se by sum peak method

The sum peak intensity I400 (279 + 121 keV) relative to its singles peak intensity I279 or I121 has been determined in various environments of 75Se by gamma-gamma summing technique in a single HPGe detector. The change in intensity has been used to determine nuclear quadrupole interaction frequencies and electric field gradient components in different environments, e.g. Se-glycerol, Se-hydrochloric acid (HCl), Se-perchloric acid (HClO4), Se-blood samples with and without anti-coagulant, Se-alanine and Se-cysteine at different pH values. The electric field gradient is found to vary with chemical complex formation.

Protection against rotavirus challenge in mice orally inoculated with trypsin inhibitor

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

the burden of rotavirus disease is significant in developed as well as developing countries and has not diminished with improved hygiene. In the present studies the protective efficacy of soyabean trypsin inhibitor (TI) was investigated on the gut following rotavirus (RV) infection in inbred mice.

METHODS

infant BALB/c mice of 7 days age (n=108) were divided into three equal groups (control, RV and RV+TI). Animals were orally inoculated either with normal saline, EB RV (serotype-3) or RV+TI and were sacrificed under light chloroform anesthesia on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 post inoculation (pi). Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), and leucine amino acid uptake in the jejunum and ileum were assessed.

RESULTS

rotavirus inoculated animals showed significant reduction in body weights on days 3 and 5 pi as a result of diarrhoea which resolved by day 7 pi. In RV+TI inoculated animals diarrhoea jejunum and ileum in mice inoculated with RV as compared to controls. With the administration of TI the amino acid uptake, and GGT and LAP levels were higher in both segments of the small intestine and comparable to the controls.

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

on the administration of TI, leucine amino acid uptake, and levels of GGT and LAP were similar to the controls in the jejunum and ileum of infant mice showing its possible protective efficacy during rotavirus infection.

Fractional fourier domain encrypted holographic memory by use of an anamorphic optical system

We propose and demonstrate a fractional Fourier domain encrypted holographic memory using an anamorphic optical system. The encryption is done by use of two statistically independent random-phase codes in the fractional Fourier domain. If the two random-phase codes are statistically independent white sequences, the encrypted data are stationary white noise. We exploit the capability of an optical system to process information in two dimensions by using two different sets of parameters along the two orthogonal axes to encode the data. The fractional Fourier transform parameters along with the random-phase codes constitute the key to the encrypted data. The knowledge of the key is essential to the successful decryption of data. The decoding of the encoded data is done by use of phase conjugation. We present a few experimental results.

Non-surgical treatment of uterovaginal prolapse using double vaginal rings

A new technique of using double vaginal ring pessaries to treat uterovaginal prolapse in a group of elderly women is described. Eighteen women with a mean age of 82 years and advanced Stage III or IV uterovaginal prolapse had double vaginal rings inserted. All of them previously had used single vaginal ring pessaries or had undergone pelvic floor repair surgery. Double ring pessaries were successful in 13 of the 18 women. They are a useful treatment of advanced prolapse in women unsuitable for surgery.

Effect of rotavirus infection on lipid composition and glucose uptake in infant mouse intestine

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of rotavirus infection on lipid composition and glucose uptake in small intestine of infant mice.

METHODS

Thirty six 7-day old balb/c mice were given 50 mL (100 ID50) rotavirus suspension orally; 36 control animals received only normal saline. Body weight of animals was recorded. Six animals in each group were sacrificed on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 post-inoculation (pi). Intestines were removed, everted and homogenized in ice-cold saline. Cholesterol and phospholipid content, glucose uptake and alkaline phosphatase in the jejunum and ileum were determined.

RESULTS

Rotavirus infection led to a significant decrease in body weight with on days 3 and 5 pi as compared to controls, and to an increase in cholesterol and phospholipid content of the intestine. Uptake of glucose also increased significantly. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly reduced on days 3 and 5 pi as compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

This study provides characterization of the lipid composition and uptake of glucose in infant mice small intestinal segments during rotavirus infection.

Telomerase activation and incidence of HPV in human gastrointestinal tumors in North Indian population

The present study was initiated with the objective of finding out the role of possible factors in the etiology of gastrointestinal tract cancers. HPV-DNA was detected in 62.5% (25/40) of the patients by PCR. Telomerase activity as shown by TRAP-ELISA assay was detected in 82.5% (33/40) of the tumor samples and absent in 85.7% (30/35) of the normal samples taken from the same patients. As many as 53.6% (15/28) of the invasive cases were positive both for telomerase activity and for HPV, while 39.3% (11/28) of them, although indicating telomerase expression, showed no signal for HPV. This suggests that activation of telomerase could be by a pathway independent of HPV activation, although both parameters could act as diagnostic and prognostic markers for gastrointestinal tract cancers.

Reactive oxygen species mediate alpha-adrenergic receptor-stimulated hypertrophy in adult rat ventricular myocytes

Norepinephrine (NE) causes hypertrophic growth of cardiac myocytes via stimulation of alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-AR). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as signaling molecules for cell growth. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that ROS mediate alpha1-AR-stimulated hypertrophic growth in adult rat ventricular myocytes (ARVM). NE increased the level of intracellular ROS as assessed by lucigenin chemiluminescence or cytochrome c reduction, and this effect was prevented by the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic MnTMPyP. NE also caused the induction of MnSOD mRNA. alpha1-AR stimulation with NE (1 microM) in the presence of propranolol (2 microM) for 48-96 h caused a hypertrophic growth phenotype characterized by a 36+/-3% increase in 3H-leucine incorporation, a 49+/-14% increase in protein accumulation, a six-fold induction of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA, actin filament reorganization, and the induction of MnSOD mRNA. These responses were all prevented by pretreatment with the alpha1-AR-selective antagonist prazosin (100 n M) or the SOD-mimetics MnTMPyP (50 microM) and Euk-8 (100 microM). MnTMPyP had no effect on alpha1-AR-stimulated 3H-inositol phosphate turnover or the hypertrophic phenotype caused by the protein kinase C activator phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Thus, ROS play a critical role in mediating the hypertrophic growth response to alpha1-AR-stimulation in ARVM.

Combination of autologous Transfusion and Retrograde Autologous Priming Decreases Blood Requirements

In a prospective study, 60 patients posted for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were assigned to 2 groups of 30 each. (group A =combination of acute normovolaemic haemodilution (ANH) and retrograde autologous priming (RAP), group B=control). The aim was to investigate whether retrograde autologous priming reduces haemoditution as compared to control cases. Patients who had a history of previous cardiac surgery and patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, were excluded. Group A patients were subjected to pre-CPB intraoperative autologous blood collection prior to heparin administration. Heparin was given (300IU/Kg) and the aorta was cannulated. In addition, prior to bypass, if the patients had a systolic BP>100 mm Hg, 300cc of their blood was withdrawn in a retrograde manner via aortic cannula into the CPB circuit up to the arterial filter, while the 'displaced' asanguinous prime was diverted into a transfer bag. The total bank blood (whole blood) used intra-op was 26 units in the study group [mean 0.86 unit per patient] versus 52 units in the control group (mean 1.73 units per patient) (P<0.001). Blood components and products were not used in this study. The average fall in haematocrit (Hct) on CPB was 27.03% in the study group versus 39.5% in the control group (P < 0.001). Thus retrograde autologous griming in combination with autologus transfusion significantly reduces the need for bank blood.

Crystal structure of an antibody bound to an immunodominant peptide epitope: novel features in peptide-antibody recognition

The crystal structure of Fab of an Ab PC283 complexed with its corresponding peptide Ag, PS1 (HQLDPAFGANSTNPD), derived from the hepatitis B virus surface Ag was determined. The PS1 stretch Gln2P to Phe7P is present in the Ag binding site of the Ab, while the next three residues of the peptide are raised above the binding groove. The residues Ser11P, Thr12P, and Asn13P then loop back onto the Ag-binding site of the Ab. The last two residues, Pro14P and Asp15P, extend outside the binding site without forming any contacts with the Ab. The PC283-PS1 complex is among the few examples where the light chain complementarity-determining regions show more interactions than the heavy chain complementarity-determining regions, and a distal framework residue is involved in Ag binding. As seen from the crystal structure, most of the contacts between peptide and Ab are through the five residues, Leu3-Asp4-Pro5-Ala6-Phe7, of PS1. The paratope is predominantly hydrophobic with aromatic residues lining the binding pocket, although a salt bridge also contributes to stabilizing the Ag-Ab interaction. The molecular surface area buried upon PS1 binding is 756 A(2) for the peptide and 625 A(2) for the Fab, which is higher than what has been seen to date for Ab-peptide complexes. A comparison between PC283 structure and a homology model of its germline ancestor suggests that paratope optimization for PS1 occurs by improving both charge and shape complementarity.

Cholangiopathy in extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. Radiological appearances

PURPOSE

To evaluate cholangiographic abnormalities resulting from extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) by sonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-three patients with an established diagnosis of EHPVO were subjected to duplex Doppler sonography and ERCP. Of these, 8 patients had obstructive jaundice.

RESULTS

Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices showing a continuous type of flow pattern was seen in 5 EHPVO patients with obstructive jaundice. ERCP revealed cholangiographic abnormalities in 40 patients (93%). Extrahepatic bile ducts were involved in 100% of cases compared to intrahepatic bile ducts (57%). Abnormalities noted were contour irregularity with indentations, displacement and angulation, strictures and filling defects in the extrahepatic ductal system. Intrahepatic bile ducts showed dilatation with areas of narrowing and filling defects.

CONCLUSION

Cholangiographic abnormalities are very common in patients with EHPVO, even without clinical manifestations of biliary disease. Extrahepatic bile ducts are far more often involved compared to intrahepatic bile ducts. Extrinsic compression with contour irregularity is the most common cholangiographic finding. Sonographic findings are not diagnostic. Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices was seen in only 5 patients.

Clostridium difficile toxin and faecal lactoferrin assays in adult patients

Clostridium difficile is the primary aetiological agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. The faecal lactoferrin (FL) assay is a simple in vitro test which is highly sensitive to the presence of a marker of polymorphonuclear cells. We evaluated the use of the FL assay in conjunction with the C. difficile toxin assay in faecal samples obtained from 231 adult patients. The relationship between C. difficile toxin and FL in both negative and positive status was highly significant statistically (P < 0.001). Therefore, the FL assay performed simultaneously with the C. difficile toxin assay can help rule out asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile.

Trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin C versus 5-fluorouracil. Prospective randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relative efficacy and safety of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C (MMC) when used as adjuncts with primary trabeculectomy in eyes not at high risk for failure.

DESIGN

Prospective multicenter, randomized clinical trial.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred thirteen patients with primary open-angle, pseudoexfoliative, pigmentary, or angle-closure glaucoma undergoing primary trabeculectomy were recruited.

METHODS

One eye of each patient was randomized to receive either 5-FU (50 mg/ml for 5 minutes) or MMC (0.4 mg/ml for 2 minutes).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, complications, and interventions were documented at fixed intervals after surgery. The study also examined progression of visual field loss, long-term complications, and bleb appearance 3 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 108 patients with complete perioperative information, 54 eyes received 5-FU and 54 received MMC. The proportion of patients reaching different predefined target IOPs after surgery was slightly higher in the MMC group than in the 5-FU group. This difference was less than 25%, which would have been necessary to achieve statistical significance with a power of 0.8 and the sample size used. Likewise, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to mean preoperative IOP, complications, or interventions. Mean postoperative follow-up was 309 and 330 days in the 5-FU and MMC groups, respectively (P = 0.593).

CONCLUSIONS

5-Fluorouracil and MMC were found to be equally safe and effective adjuncts to primary trabeculectomy in the short- and medium-term postoperative periods.

Cholangiopathy in extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. Radiological appearances

PURPOSE

To evaluate cholangiographic abnormalities resulting from extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) by sonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty-three patients with an established diagnosis of EHPVO were subjected to duplex Doppler sonography and ERCP. Of these, 8 patients had obstructive jaundice.

RESULTS

Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices showing a continuous type of flow pattern was seen in 5 EHPVO patients with obstructive jaundice. ERCP revealed cholangiographic abnormalities in 40 patients (93%). Extrahepatic bile ducts were involved in 100% of cases compared to intrahepatic bile ducts (57%). Abnormalities noted were contour irregularity with indentations, displacement and angulation, strictures and filling defects in the extrahepatic ductal system. Intrahepatic bile ducts showed dilatation with areas of narrowing and filling defects.

CONCLUSION

Cholangiographic abnormalities are very common in patients with EHPVO, even without clinical manifestations of biliary disease. Extrahepatic bile ducts are far more often involved compared to intrahepatic bile ducts. Extrinsic compression with contour irregularity is the most common cholangiographic finding. Sonographic findings are not diagnostic. Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices was seen in only 5 patients.

Novel p19 protein engages IL-12p40 to form a cytokine, IL-23, with biological activities similar as well as distinct from IL-12

A novel sequence discovered in a computational screen appears distantly related to the p35 subunit of IL-12. This factor, which we term p19, shows no biological activity by itself; instead, it combines with the p40 subunit of IL-12 to form a novel, biologically active, composite cytokine, which we term IL-23. Activated dendritic cells secrete detectable levels of this complex. IL-23 binds to IL-12R beta 1 but fails to engage IL-12R beta 2; nonetheless, IL-23 activates Stat4 in PHA blast T cells. IL-23 induces strong proliferation of mouse memory (CD4(+)CD45Rb(low)) T cells, a unique activity of IL-23 as IL-12 has no effect on this cell population. Similar to IL-12, human IL-23 stimulates IFN-gamma production and proliferation in PHA blast T cells, as well as in CD45RO (memory) T cells.

Seasonal adiposity and androstenedione production as a possible mechanism for asynchronous reproductive activity between males and females of vespertilionid bat, Scotophilus heathi

Relationship between changes in the body weight and circulating androstenedione concentration was examined in order to find out their involvement in asynchronous gametic cycle of male and female S. heathi. Body weight of both male and female bats increased from September due to accumulation of white adipose tissue and reached to a peak in November. The body weight declined gradually due to consumption of adipose tissue during December and January reaching basal level in February. A significant correlation between body weight and serum androstenedione concentration was observed. Correlated with maximum body weight, peak androstenedione level was found during November in both male and female bats. Peak androstenedione level during November may be responsible for stimulating spermatogenesis in the male, but may suppress follicular growth and ovulation in the female, thus resulting in asynchronous gametic cycle of male and female S. heathi.

Self-complementary motifs (SCM) in alpha-crystallin small heat shock proteins

Small heat shock proteins (sHsp) have been implicated in many cell processes involving the dynamics of protein-protein interactions. Two unusual sequences containing self-complementary motifs (SCM) have been identified within the conserved alpha-crystallin domain of sHsps. When two SCMs are aligned in an anti-parallel direction (N to C and C to N), the charged or polar residues form either salt bridges or hydrogen bonds while the non-polar residues participate in hydrophobic interactions. When aligned in reverse order, the residues of these motifs in alpha-crystallin subunits form either hydrophobic and/or polar interactions. Homology based molecular modeling of the C-terminal domain of alpha-crystallin subunits using the crystal structure of MjHSP16.5 suggests that SCM1 and 2 participate in stabilizing secondary structure and subunit interactions. Also there is overwhelming evidence that these motifs are important in the chaperone-like activity of alpha-crystallin subunits. These sequences are conserved and appear to be characteristic of the entire sHsp superfamily. Similar motifs are also present in the Hsp70 family and the immunoglobulin superfamily.

Emerging perspectives on glaucoma: highlights of a roundtable discussion

PURPOSE

To present emerging perspectives on open-angle glaucoma related to patient compliance, current drug therapy, and treatment options.

METHODS

Roundtable discussion.

RESULTS

The panel discussion identified the following issues about patient compliance:1. It is a common problem in clinical practice and is often underappreciated by physicians.2. It is difficult for clinicians to detect.3. There are several risk factors that increase the probability of noncompliance. 4. Compliance can be improved through education, communication, improvement of the doctor-patient relationship, compliance aids, and simplifying the treatment regimen.

CONCLUSION

Patients' compliance with the therapeutic regimen for open-angle glaucoma is very important to the eventual outcome of their disease treatment. Physicians can improve their patients' compliance by a few simple, cost-effective interventions in the clinical setting. When considering different agents as first-line therapies, once-a-day dosing would be optimal for enhancing compliance.

Effect of alcohol dependence on the levels of duodenal disaccharidases in human subjects

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to detect the duodenal enzyme activity in patients of alcohol dependence and to compare with non-alcoholic patients of non-ulcer dyspepsia.

METHODS

Disaccharidases (lactase, sucrase, maltase) were estimated in 20 non alcoholic patients of non-ulcer dyspepsia and 20 alcoholics admitted to the drug de-addiction and treatment centre of PGIMER, Chandigarh, India.

RESULTS

No significant influence of alcohol on enzyme levels in patients of alcohol dependence when compared to patients of non-ulcer dyspepsia was observed. However, a significant decrease in lactase level was noted in patients consuming more than 125 gm/day of alcohol.

CONCLUSION

Amount of consumption of alcohol showed decrease in lactase enzyme, but not in maltase and sucrase. There was no effect of duration of alcohol consumption on dissacharidases in the two groups.