Changes in the levels of pituitary and steroid hormones in ovine and human ovarian follicular fluid

Changes in the protein and steroid hormones of follicular fluid, aspirated from different follicles of sheep and human ovaries, have been measured and correlated with the size of the follicles. As the fluid contains a number of proteins, steroids have been measured directly and after ether extraction. The follicular fluid concentrations of progesterone and 17 beta-oestradiol measured directly in the fluid increased with the size of the follicles. The levels of free testosterone remained constant in all sizes of follicles, while those of bound hormone showed a 10- to 15-fold increase over the free testosterone concentrations in both the sheep and human follicular fluid. A decrease in the levels of bound testosterone in the fluid of large follicles (LFFL) coincided with the increase in bound 17 beta-oestradiol, suggesting the possible conversion of bound testosterone to oestrogen as the follicle attained maturity. The ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to luteinizing hormone (LH) varied in the fluid obtained from different size follicles, being 1:7 in small (SFFL), 1.3.5 in medium (MFFL) and 1:2.3 in large (LFFL) follicles of sheep ovaries. The LH content of follicular fluid of different size follicles appeared to be the same, with LFFL showing a minor increase over SFFL. In the human, the fluid from medium follicles contained very little LH compared to LFFL. These differences in the pattern of LH levels present in the fluid from different size follicles between human and sheep ovaries presumably reflect species variations in the entry of LH into the follicles.     

Solid Phase and Solution Phase Synthesis of Gamma Amino Acid Homo-Oligomers and Mixed Oligomers

Abstract  

An efficient stepwise synthesis of homo-oligomers and mixed oligomers of gabapentin and pregabalin on solid support using Fmoc-protected derivatives and HBTU/HOBt/DIEA as coupling agent is described. The synthesis was also carried out using solution phase methodology. The Gpn/Pgn homo oligomers and mixed oligomers forms C₉ helix in solution as determined by NMR study. Chiral as well as achiral gamma amino acids were used for the synthesis of oligomers in order to investigate the secondary structural preferences.     

Perception of Human Papillomavirus Infection,Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination in North Indian Population

Background

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) -associated cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer in women worldwide but it is the most frequent gynaecological cancer and cancer associated death in India women. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge about cervical cancer, HPV, HPV vaccine, HPV vaccine acceptance among school and undergraduates students and their parent’s perception about acceptance of HPV vaccine in Northern part of India (Delhi and NCR regions).

Materials and Methods

A qualitative questionnaire based survey among 2500 urban/rural students aged 12–22 years was conducted.

Results

Overall, a low frequency (15%) of HPV and cervical cancer awareness was observed in students and their parents. However, the awareness was much higher in females belonging to urban setup compared to boys with a perception that HPV causes cervical cancer in women only. Additionally, only (13%) participants who were aware of cervical cancer and HPV) were willing to accept HPV vaccination. Apparently, parents of female students were two times more willing to accept HPV vaccination for their ward than male students (p<0.001; OR 95%CI = 2.09 (1.58–2.76).

Conclusion

Cervical cancer and HPV awareness among school, undergraduate students and also to their parents was found to be very low in this part of India. The level of awareness and education appears to be insignificant determinants in rural compared to urban setup. Better health education will be needed to maximize public awareness for cervical cancer prevention.     

Isolation and physico-chemical characterisation of extracellular polymeric substances produced by the marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus

A marine bacterial strain identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus by 16S rRNA gene (HM355955) sequencing and gas chromatography (GC) coupled with MIDI was selected from a natural biofilm by its capability to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS had an average molecule size of 15.278 μm and exhibited characteristic diffraction peaks at 5.985°, 9.150° and 22.823°, with d-spacings of 14.76661, 9.29989 and 3.89650 Å, respectively. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum revealed aliphatic methyl, primary amine, halide groups, uronic acid and saccharides. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) confirmed the presence of arabinose, galactose, glucose and mannose. ¹HNMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) revealed functional groups characteristic of polysaccharides. The EPS were amorphous in nature (CI_xrd 0.092), with a 67.37% emulsifying activity, thermostable up to 250°C and displayed pseudoplastic rheology. MALDI-TOF–TOF analysis revealed a series of masses, exhibiting low-mass peaks (m/z) corresponding to oligosaccharides and higher-mass peaks for polysaccharides consisting of different ratios of pentose and hexose moieties. This is the first report of a detailed characterisation of the EPS produced by V. parahaemolyticus, which could be further explored for biotechnological and industrial use.     

Structural polymorphism of the major capsid protein of rotavirus

Rotaviruses are important human pathogens with a triple-layered icosahedral capsid. The major capsid protein VP6 is shown here to self-assemble into spherical or helical particles mainly depending upon pH. Assembly is inhibited either by low pH (<3.0) or by a high concentration (>100 mM) of divalent cations (Ca(2+) and Zn(2+)). The structures of two types of helical tubes were determined by electron cryomicroscopy and image analysis to a resolution of 2.0 and 2.5 nm. In both reconstructions, the molecular envelope of VP6 fits the atomic model determined by X-ray crystallography remarkably well. The 3-fold symmetry of the VP6 trimer, being incompatible with the helical symmetry, is broken at the level of the trimer contacts. One type of contact is maintained within all VP6 particles (tubes and virus), strongly suggesting that VP6 assemblies arise from different packings of a unique dimer of trimers. Our data show that the protonation state and thus the charge distribution are important switches governing the assembly of macromolecular assemblies.