Role of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 ?3423G>A gene polymorphisms in esophageal cancer risk in Kashmir valley and meta analysis

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a complex multifactorial disorder, where environmental and genetic factors play major role. NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) are phase II cytosolic enzymes that catalyze metabolism of quinones, important in the detoxification of environmental carcinogens. A case-control study was performed to investigated the associations of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms with susceptibility to EC in a high-risk Kashmiri population of India in 135 EC patients and 195 unrelated healthy controls using PCR-RFLP. We also performed a meta analysis of nine published studies (1,224 cases and 1,740 controls) on NQO1 609C>T and evaluated the association between the NQO1 609C>T polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk. A significant difference in NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A genotype distribution between EC cases and corresponding controls groups was observed (OR = 2.65; 95 % CI = 1.29-5.42 and OR = 1.88; 95 % CI = 1.02-3.49 respectively). Further, gene-gene interaction showed significantly increased risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma with variant genotypes of NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A polymorphisms and interaction with environmental risk factors revealed pronounced risk of EC with NQO1 609C>T TT genotype in high salted tea users of Kashmir valley (OR = 3.72, 95 % CI = 0.98-14.19). Meta analysis of NQO 609C>T polymorphism also suggested association of the polymorphism with EC in Asians as well as Europeans. In conclusion, NQO1 609C>T and NQO2 -3423G>A genetic variations modulate risk of EC in high-risk Kashmir population.     

Infant feeding practices at routine PMTCT sites, South Africa: results of a prospective observational study amongst HIV exposed and unexposed infants - birth to 9 months

Background

We sought to investigate infant feeding practices amongst HIV-positive and -negative mothers (0-9 months postpartum) and describe the association between infant feeding practices and HIV-free survival.

Methods

Infant feeding data from a prospective observational cohort study conducted at three (of 18) purposively-selected routine South African PMTCT sites, 2002-2003, were analysed. Infant feeding data (previous 4 days) were gathered during home visits at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36 weeks postpartum. Four feeding groups were of interest, namely exclusive breastfeeding, mixed breastfeeding, exclusive formula feeding and mixed formula feeding. Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to investigate associations between feeding practices (0-12 weeks) and infant HIV-free survival.

Results

Six hundred and sixty five HIV-positive and 218 HIV-negative women were recruited antenatally and followed-up until 36 weeks postpartum. Amongst mothers who breastfed between 3 weeks and 6 months postpartum, significantly more HIV-positive mothers practiced exclusive breastfeeding compared with HIV-negative: at 3 weeks 130 (42%) versus 33 (17%) (p < 0.01); this dropped to 17 (11%) versus 1 (0.7%) by four months postpartum. Amongst mothers practicing mixed breastfeeding between 3 weeks and 6 months postpartum, significantly more HIV-negative mothers used commercially available breast milk substitutes (p < 0.02) and use of these peaked between 9 and 12 weeks. The probability of postnatal HIV or death was lowest amongst infants living in the best resourced site who avoided breastfeeding, and highest amongst infants living in the rural site who stopped breastfeeding early (mean and standard deviations: 10.7% ± 3% versus 46% ± 11%).

Conclusions

Although feeding practices were poor amongst HIV-positive and -negative mothers, HIV-positive mothers undertake safer infant feeding practices, possibly due to counseling provided through the routine PMTCT programme. The data on differences in infant outcome by feeding practice and site validate the WHO 2009 recommendations that site differences should guide feeding practices amongst HIV-positive mothers. Strong interventions are needed to promote exclusive breastfeeding (to 6 months) with continued breastfeeding thereafter amongst HIV-negative motherswho are still the majority of mothers even in high HIV prevalence setting like South Africa.     

Molecular organization of axo-glial junctions

Axo-glial interactions are required for the organization of highly specialized molecular domains in myelinated axons. The molecular composition of these domains includes cell adhesion molecules, ion channels and cytoskeletal proteins. Recent genetic and molecular studies provide new insights into how these macromolecular complexes are assembled and organized into functional domains, and how the loss of individual components affects domain organization and function. More importantly, the key molecular components identified at the vertebrate axo-glial septate junctions are also present at the Drosophila septate junctions. In addition, new roles for axo-glial paranodal septate junctions have emerged, which suggest that the paranodal region may act as an ionic barrier and a molecular fence in myelinated axons.     

LEAD PHYTOEXTRACTION BY WHEAT IN RESPONSE TO THE EDTA APPLICATION METHOD

Lead solubilization in soil and accumulation by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in response to the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) application method. In this study, 4 mmol EDTA kg^?1 was applied using two application methods (a single dose and split doses) either alone or in combination with elemental sulfur. Results indicate that the application of EDTA in four equal splits at 1 mmol kg^?1 during the growth period resulted in significantly higher shoot dry matter than its application at 4 mmol kg^?1 at once 10 d before harvesting the wheat crop at the bolting stage. EDTA applied in split doses resulted in less lead (Pb) solubilization as compared with the single-dose application. The split application also significantly increased the shoot Pb concentration and Pb accumulation by wheat shoots as compared with the single-dose application. Despite its lesser effect on Pb solubilization, the EDTA application in split doses substantially increased Pb accumulation; thus, it is expected to minimize the risk of groundwater contamination.     

Exploration and determination of algal role as Bioindicator to evaluate water quality – Probing fresh water algae

ObjectivesTo explore the algal floral diversity and its role to determine water quality.MethodsThe regular monthly collection of algal and water samples was made during 2018. Unicellular algae were preserved in 2 to 3% formalin while macroalgae in 4% formalin. Microphotographs of algae were taken at the biotechnological Lab of PCSIR Lahore, Pakistan. Palmer pollution index was used to determine water quality.ResultsThe study identified 201 algal species distributed among 57 genera, 42 families, 25 orders, 10 classes and 7 divisions. The total score of Algal Genus Pollution Index of Banjosa Lake, Ali Sojal Dam, Dothan Dam, Drake Dam and Rawalakot Nullah (city) were 14, 9, 10, 18 and 25 respectively. It was revealed that Banjosa Lake has probable organic pollution, Ali Sojal Dam and Dothan Dam showed lack of organic pollution, Drake Dam indicated moderate pollution while Rawalakot Nullah (City) indicated confirm high organic pollution.ConclusionWe strongly recommend the conservation and managed status of algal species for sustainable resource of algal- derived products in future. It was revealed that the water quality of Banjosa Lake, Drak Dam and Rawalakot Nullah was affected from anthropogenic activities and needs to be managed.     

Status of Selected Heavy Metal Distribution in Scalp Hair of Traffic Control Personnel Exposed to Vehicular Emissions

Scalp hair samples of traffic control personnel (n = 71, ages between 25 to 45 years) were analyzed for 11 selected metals by using an Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission (ICP-AE) technique using nitric acid–perchloric acid based wet digestion method. The observed order of mean concentrations (μ g/g, dry weight) of the metals, in washed hair samples, was: Ca > Mg > Zn > Fe > Pb > Cu > Ni > Mn > Cr > Cd > Co, with corresponding metal levels at 1042.2, 182.4, 169.7, 13.6, 12.4, 11.1, 2.7, 1.9, 1.9, 0.8, and 0.7 μ g/g, respectively. Most of the unwashed samples exhibited 10–15% higher metal levels compared with those in washed samples. A positive metal-to-metal correlation (p < 0.01) was observed for the metal pairs: Ca-Mg (r = 0.737), Pb-Cr (r = 0.441), and Cu-Zn (0.385). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted 6 factors as metals origin using varimax normalized rotation commutatively representing more than 76% of the total variance. Cluster Analysis (CA) showed five strong clusters of selected metals in the hair of the subjects: Age-Exposure, Ca-Mg, Cd-Fe-Mn, Pb-Cr, and Cu-Zn. The results of the current study were compared with those for two other occupationally exposed groups, metal arc welders and autodrivers, using published literature values. The traffic controllers in our study generally, with the exception of Cu, exhibited lower levels of metals in hair samples than did autodrivers and arc welders.     

New antibacterial pentacyclic triterpenes from Myricaria elegans Royle. (tamariscineae)

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes eleganene-A (1) and eleganene-B (2), along with four known pentacyclic triterpenes betulin (3), ursolic acid (4), erythrodiol (5) and corosolic acid (6) were isolated from the aerial parts of Myricaria elegans. These compounds exhibited significant antibacterial activity. The structure of compounds 1 and 2 were deduced on the basis of their spectral analysis.     

Mycorrhizosphere mediated Mayweed Chamomile invasion in the Kashmir Himalaya, India

Recent studies have established the controlling influence of rhizospheric biota, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), on colonization and spread of some alien plants in their introduced range. But how AMF from different geographical sources influence traits that contribute to invasiveness, particularly in presence of neighbouring plants of other species, has been rarely investigated. Thus, we compared the influence of some local (Kashmir Himalayan isolates) and non-local (isolates from Rajasthan, India) AMF isolates of Glomus moseae, G. fasciculatum and Gigaspora margarita on vegetative and reproductive attributes of Mayweed Chamomile (Anthemis cotula L.), a highly invasive species in the Kashmir Himalaya, India. We also examined whether or not the neighbouring plant species, namely Daucus carota L. (Apiaceae) alters the mutualistic interaction between the AMF and A. cotula. Pot experiments revealed greater positive impact of the local than the non-local AMF on vegetative as well as reproductive attributes of A. cotula. Experimental field studies showed that the incidence of highly prevalent Arum-type mycorrhizal colonization in natural populations of A. cotula was reduced in presence of D. carota. Besides, the local AMF significantly promoted growth of A. cotula more than D. carota under mixed-culture conditions. These results suggest that the facilitation of some alien plant invasions by AMF needs to be considered together with plant–plant interactions and invasion-induced changes in the soil microbial community.     

Distribution of the partitioning protein KorB on the genome of IncP-1 plasmid RK2

The ParB family partitioning protein, KorB, of plasmid RK2 is central to a regulatory network coordinating replication, maintenance and transfer genes. Previous immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the majority of KorB is localized in plasmid foci. The 12 identified KorB binding sites on RK2 are differentiated by: position relative to promoters; binding strength; and cooperativity with other repressors and so the distribution of KorB may be sequestered around a sub-set of sites. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that while RK2 DNA molecules appear to sequester KorB to create a higher local concentration, cooperativity between DNA binding proteins does not result in major differences in binding site occupancy. Thus under steady state conditions all operators are close to fully occupied and this correlates with gene expression on the plasmid being highly repressed.     

Genetic variants associated with primary open angle glaucoma in Indian population

Glaucoma is a very common disorder of the eye wherein the disturbance of the structural or functional integrity of the optic nerve causes characteristic atrophic changes in the optic nerve, which may lead to specific visual field defects over time. Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is most frequent among the three principle glaucoma subtypes. With well-established role of genes like Myocilin (MYOC), Optineurin (OPTN) and WD repeat Domain 36, (WDR36), at least 29 genetic loci have been found till date to be linked to POAG. Moreover, association studies have found 66 loci with 76 genes associated to POAG till date with conflicting results. This particular study is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the change in glaucoma prevalence worldwide and in India from 1993 onwards and compiles all the studied genes that are involved in POAG pathogenesis in Indian population.