Polyclonal B-lymphocyte activation of sheep by Mycobacterium phlei against sheep pox virus.

A trypsinized preparation of Mycobacterium phlei, non specific stimulator of immunity (NSI), and Sheep Pox Virus (SPV) were inoculated in different groups of sheep to activate B-lymphocytes and induce SPV neutralizing substance(s). NSI sensitized sheep B-lymphocytes in the presence of NSI or lymphokine elaborated SPV neutralizing substance(s). The SPV sensitized B-lymphocytes also mediated such neutralizing substance(s). Healthy control sheep B-lymphocytes failed to show any appreciable amount of viral neutralizing substance. However, a significant virus neutralizing substance(s) was detected when healthy sheep B-lymphocytes were cultured in presence of NSI antigen along with lymphokines.     

An Association Analysis of Reelin Gene (<Emphasis Type="Italic">RELN</Emphasis>) Polymorphisms with Childhood Epilepsy in Eastern Indian Population from West Bengal

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition characterized by unprovoked seizure attacks. Early brain developmental abnormalities involving neuronal migration and lamination are implicated in childhood epilepsy. Reelin, a neuronal-signaling molecule plays a crucial role in these migratory processes. Therefore, reelin gene (RELN), which is located on human chromosome 7q22 is considered as a potential candidate gene for childhood epilepsy. In this study, we recruited 63 patients with childhood-onset epilepsy and 103 healthy controls from West Bengal in India. Genomic DNA isolated from leukocytes of cases and control individuals were used for genotyping analysis of 16 markers of RELN. Case–control analysis revealed significant over-representation of G/C and (G/C+C/C) genotypes, and C allele of exon 22 G/C marker (rs362691) in cases as compared to controls. Pair-wise linkage disequilibrium analysis demonstrated two separate LD blocks with moderately high D′ values in epileptic cases. Based on these data, we have carried out haplotype case–control analysis. Even though we found over-representation of A-C haplotype of intron 12 A/C/exon 22 G/C markers and haplotype combination involving G-allele of exon 22 marker in cases and controls, respectively, the overall test was not significant. LD in this region involving this marker was also more robust in epileptic cases. Taken together, the results provide possible evidences for association of exon 22 G/C marker or any marker in the vicinity, which is in LD with this marker with epilepsy in the West Bengal population. Further investigations involving higher sample sizes are warranted to validate the present finding.     

Updating Phylogeny of Mitochondrial DNA Macrohaplogroup M in India: Dispersal of Modern Human in South Asian Corridor

To construct maternal phylogeny and prehistoric dispersals of modern human being in the Indian sub continent, a diverse subset of 641 complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes belonging to macrohaplogroup M was chosen from a total collection of 2,783 control-region sequences, sampled from 26 selected tribal populations of India. On the basis of complete mtDNA sequencing, we identified 12 new haplogroups - M53 to M64; redefined/ascertained and characterized haplogroups M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M8′C′Z, M9, M10, M11, M12-G, D, M18, M30, M33, M35, M37, M38, M39, M40, M41, M43, M45 and M49, which were previously described by control and/or coding-region polymorphisms. Our results indicate that the mtDNA lineages reported in the present study (except East Asian lineages M8′C′Z, M9, M10, M11, M12-G, D ) are restricted to Indian region.The deep rooted lineages of macrohaplogroup ‘M’ suggest in-situ origin of these haplogroups in India. Most of these deep rooting lineages are represented by multiple ethnic/linguist groups of India. Hierarchical analysis of molecular variation (AMOVA) shows substantial subdivisions among the tribes of India (Fst = 0.16164). The current Indian mtDNA gene pool was shaped by the initial settlers and was galvanized by minor events of gene flow from the east and west to the restricted zones. Northeast Indian mtDNA pool harbors region specific lineages, other Indian lineages and East Asian lineages. We also suggest the establishment of an East Asian gene in North East India through admixture rather than replacement.     

Stretch Activates Human Myometrium via ERK,Caldesmon and Focal Adhesion Signaling

An incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for myometrial activation from the quiescent pregnant state to the active contractile state during labor has hindered the development of effective therapies for preterm labor. Myometrial stretch has been implicated clinically in the initiation of labor and the etiology of preterm labor, but the molecular mechanisms involved in the human have not been determined. We investigated the mechanisms by which gestation-dependent stretch contributes to myometrial activation, by using human uterine samples from gynecologic hysterectomies and Cesarean sections. Here we demonstrate that the Ca requirement for activation of the contractile filaments in human myometrium increases with caldesmon protein content during gestation and that an increase in caldesmon phosphorylation can reverse this inhibitory effect during labor. By using phosphotyrosine screening and mass spectrometry of stretched human myometrial samples, we identify 3 stretch-activated focal adhesion proteins, FAK, p130Cas, and alpha actinin. FAK-Y397, which signals integrin engagement, is constitutively phosphorylated in term human myometrium whereas FAK-Y925, which signals downstream ERK activation, is phosphorylated during stretch. We have recently identified smooth muscle Archvillin (SmAV) as an ERK regulator. A newly produced SmAV-specific antibody demonstrates gestation-specific increases in SmAV protein levels and stretch-specific increases in SmAV association with focal adhesion proteins. Thus, whereas increases in caldesmon levels suppress human myometrium contractility during pregnancy, stretch-dependent focal adhesion signaling, facilitated by the ERK activator SmAV, can contribute to myometrial activation. These results suggest that focal adhesion proteins may present new targets for drug discovery programs aimed at regulation of uterine contractility.     

Clonal propagation of Zephyranthes grandiflora using bulbs as explants

Zephyr lily (Zephyranthes grandiflora), an important ornamental plant has been micropropagated in vitro after controlling microbial contamination by a pretreatment with 0.2 % Bavistin and 0.1 % Pantomycin for 4 h before final sterilization with 0.1 % mercuric chloride. In 67 % of the sterile cultures, 11 shoots on average were regenerated directly from basal half of bulb scales in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3 % sucrose and 2 mg dm⁻³ benzylaminopurine (BAP). Shoots emerged in bunches on a basal achlorophyllous bulbous part. Combination of 2 mg dm⁻³ BAP with 1 mg dm⁻³ gibberellic acid (GA₃) enhanced shoot growth. Stout roots (maximum of 5–6 per shoot) were developed in presence of 1 mg dm⁻³ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Micro-bulbs showed potential of regeneration and could be used as secondary explants. The morphologically identical plants derived by in vitro propagation were genetically identical as shown by PCR based ISSR marker analysis of genomic DNA.     

Cadmium bioaccumulation in Lamellidens marginalis and human health risk assessment: A case study in India

Abstract

Lamellidens marginalis is an easily available food with high nutritive value. The present study is based on the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), India that produces mussels, consumed by human. Thus, the study of heavy metal pollution in the wastewater and mussel, and its transport to human is considered to be need of the hour to assess the health risk to human. The present study focuses on the cadmium accumulation in the outer exposed organs and the internal organs of L. marginalis. The mussel, sediment, and water were collected from the field and analyzed in the laboratory. The environmental factors were analyzed in situ. The survey work was conducted among the consumers of mussel around the EKW to predict the effect of cadmium on human. The result showed that the cadmium concentration of water was relatively important for the bioaccumulation process in L. marginalis. People having low level of income and age above forty, living adjoining the EKW were at high risk of cadmium pollution. The hazard quotient value of the above group was highest among all the groups across age and income. A ‘biofilter’ technique was suggested to mitigate the biomagnification of cadmium at the EKW.     

Normalization of deranged signal transduction in lymphocytes of COPD patients by the novel calcium channel blocker H-DHPM

Investigations on the role of intracellular Ca²⁺ ion concentration in the mechanism of development of COPD in smokers and non-smokers were carried out. The intracellular Ca²⁺ levels were found to be increased in human lymphocytes in patients with COPD as compared to non-smokers and smokers without COPD. The investigations reveal an association in altered intracellular Ca²⁺ regulation in lymphocytes and severity of COPD, by means of significant activation of Protein kinase C and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The effect of a novel calcium channel blocker ethyl 4-(4′-heptanoyloxyphenyl)-6-methyl-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-one-5-carboxylate (H-DHPM) as a potential candidate for the treatment of COPD was also investigated. H-DHPM treated cells showed a decrease in intracellular Ca²⁺ level as compared to the control cells. Molecular studies were carried out to evaluate the expression profile of NOS isoforms in human lymphocytes and it was shown that H-DHPM decreases the increased iNOS in COPD along with reestablishing the normal levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The results of H-DHPM were comparable with those of Amlodipine, a known calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blocker H-DHPM proves to be a potential candidate for the treatment of COPD and further clinical studies are required to prove its role in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH).     

Early expression of WUSCHEL is a marker for in vitro shoot morphogenesis in tobacco and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Beta palonga</Emphasis>

We have studied the role of growth regulators behind in vitro shoot organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis in two plant systems, viz. tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Jayasri) and Beta palonga R.K. Basu & K.K. Mukh. We have also correlated the phenomena of de differentiation with the relative expression of WUS (WUSCHEL) gene in a time-dependent manner. The results indicated that early WUS gene expression is a definite marker for in vitro shoot organogenesis in tobacco and Beta both in direct and indirect modes of regeneration. Additionally, we have performed a comparative homology modeling and in silico structural analysis of WUSCHEL proteins of B. palonga, B. vulgaris, and Arabidopsis to find out the commonality of the ligand binding site. The amino acids of the binding sites were identical (Arginine, Tryptophan, Proline, Asparagine, and Tyrosine) in the three materials under study; except two additional amino acids (Isoleucine and Alanine) in B. vulgaris.     

Predictors of chemoradiation related febrile neutropenia prophylaxis in older adults – Experience from a limited resource setting

Aim

To identify risk factors that lower efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia among older patients on chemoradiation.

Derivation of scenario-specific water quality guidelines for acid mine drainage in South Africa,using a risk-based approach

Acid mine drainage (AMD) continues to threaten water quality in many mining regions globally. Data paucity renders it challenging to inform appropriate water quality management strategies for a succinct scientific understanding of the effects of AMD on freshwater ecosystems. The current study investigated the effects of AMD collected from a defunct coalmine in Mpumalanga, South Africa, on freshwater ecosystems using a risk-based approach on five indigenous species, Adenophlebia auriculata, Burnupia stenochorias, Caridina nilotica, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Oreochromis mossambicus in 2016. Species responded differently to AMD after 96 hours and 240 hours of exposure in static experimental test designs. Burnupia stenochorias was more sensitive to AMD after 96 and 240 hours of exposure, whereas O. mossambicus was tolerant during short-term exposure, but became more sensitive after 240 hours of exposure than the other species tested. The availability of metals in AMD was directly associated with dilution rate. Scenario-specific water quality guidelines for AMD have been derived as 0.122% for short-term and 0.014% for long-term exposure. These may form important indicative dilutions for other AMDs that do not match the scenarios of this study. The toxicity of AMD to a wide range of aquatic species, including field validations, requires further investigation.