Ultrasonography for detection of early pregnancy following embryo transfer in unknown breed of Bos indicus cows

Real time, B mode ultrasound was used from Days 18 to 64 to detect and monitor the conceptus in 30 unknown breeds of Bos indicus recipients following embryo transfer. The embryonic vesicle was first visible within the uterus between Days 18 and 20 (mean +/- SD 18.5 +/- 0.7d) d). The embryo proper was detected at Day 19.5 +/- 0.7. The heartbeats were detected at Day 22.6 +/- 0.9. The average day of first detection of the allantois, the C - shaped embryo and the amnion was 23.1 +/- 0.8, 23.8 +/- 1.4 and 25.1 +/- 1.4 d, respectively. The fore limb, the limb buds, the spinal cord and the optic area were observed on Days 32.7 +/- 1.3, 32.9 +/- 1.3, 33.0 +/- 1.5 and 33.6 +/- 1.4, respectively. Fetal movements could be detected at Day 50.7 +/- 1.0. Ribs and vertebrae were detected on Day 60.9 +/- 1.7. The mean length of the embryo proper was 4.5 +/- 0.8 mm. on Day 19. At Day 60 it was 52.5 +/- 7.0 mm. The growth of the embryo proper increased steadily until Day 39, growing rapidly thereafter. Embryonic death was detected in one recipient on Day 32. The echongenic area started increasing and recipient appeared in estrus on Day 40. Sixteen recipients exhibited estrus on Days 22 to 24. An increase in intrauterine fluid was observed on Days 18 to 24.     

Dehydrocostuslactone and plant growth activity of derived guaianolides

The stereostructures of two new guaianolides, isodehydrocostuslactone and isozaluzanin C, isolated previously from Saussurea lappa, have been confirmed by their correlation with dehydrocostuslactone. Twenty new derivatives have been synthesized from these guaianolides and these have been tested as plant growth regulators. The conjugated lactones which have an exocyclic methylene group at C-4 conjugated with a C-3 ketone, show distinct enhancement in their root-forming potential, as compared with their 3-deoxy derivatives. Of further significance is the fact that these ketones display maximum activity only at lower concentrations. Other compounds show the expected structure-biological activity relationships displayed in general by guaianolides. However, the presence of an epoxide at the C-3, C-4 position does not affect the biological activity, which is indeed the case when the epoxide group occupies the C-4, C-14 position in guaianolides. The major biological parameter studied was rooting in-stem cuttings of Phaseolus aureus.     

Fungal infections of ear with special reference to chronic suppurative otitis media

Fungus were found to take important role in ear infections of the 344 patients (CSOM 286, Otomycosis 44, Otitis externa 14), significant fungal infections (with positive smear and culture) were detected on 49%, 79.5%, 66.6% patients respectively. 84.8% patients were detected both by smear and culture, 14.1% patients by culture and 0.1% patients in smear preparation only. In CSOM patients, age predominated in 20–27 yrs group, sex in male below 30 yrs, and Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium, A. fumigatus in mycelial fungus, Candida albicans, C. parapsillosis in yeast. But in 18 post antibiotic fungus infected patients Penicillium and A. niger were the important isolates. In otomycosis and otitis externa patients A. niger took the main role.     

Expression of biologically active human chorionic gonadotropin and its subunits by recombinant vaccinia virus

Vaccinia virus (VV) expression vector was used to clone the genes for coding alpha and beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Recombinant viruses VSL3 and VSS1 containing these genes were selected as blue coloured plaques on the basis of co-expression of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase in the infected cells. CV-1 cells when infected with VSL3 or VSS1 secreted 2.4 and 1.8 micrograms of alpha and beta hCG subunits, respectively, per 3 x 10(6) cells after 24 h of infection. The subunit proteins expressed individually had immunoreactivity with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to hCG. The subunit hormonal peptides associated with each other during co-infection to form the complete hCG dimer, which was biologically active as evident from the induction of steroidogenesis in a mouse Leydig cell system.     

Estimation of Population Regression Coefficient in Successive Sampling

An attempt has been made to derive the theory of successive sampling for estimation of regression coefficient. The situations considered are estimation of regression coefficient for current occasion, estimation of change of regression coefficients over two occasions and estimation of average of regression coefficients over two occasions. The expressions of optimum estimators along with their variances have been worked out. On comparing their efficiencies empirically, it has been observed that similar to the estimation of mean, successive sampling can also be used with advantage for estimation of regression coefficient.     

Yeasts at different mucosal sites in patients with carcinoma cervix before and following radiotherapy.

The yeasts isolated from four superficial sites and blood were studied before and during radiotherapy in patients with carcinoma of the cervix. Significant yeast growth increased markedly in all four superficial sites during the 1st and 2nd week following radiotherapy. By the 4th week the count had decreased in all samples except in stool of 4 patients. Candida albicans was the most frequent isolate (54.3%) followed by C. tropicalis (28.3%).     

Extracellular NAD and ATP: Partners in immune cell modulation

Extracellular NAD and ATP exert multiple, partially overlapping effects on immune cells. Catabolism of both nucleotides by extracellular enzymes keeps extracellular concentrations low under steady-state conditions and generates metabolites that are themselves signal transducers. ATP and its metabolites signal through purinergic P2 and P1 receptors, whereas extracellular NAD exerts its effects by serving as a substrate for ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) and NAD glycohydrolases/ADPR cyclases like CD38 and CD157. Both nucleotides activate the P2X7 purinoceptor, although by different mechanisms and with different characteristics. While ATP activates P2X7 directly as a soluble ligand, activation via NAD occurs by ART-dependent ADP-ribosylation of cell surface proteins, providing an immobilised ligand. P2X7 activation by either route leads to phosphatidylserine exposure, shedding of CD62L, and ultimately to cell death. Activation by ATP requires high micromolar concentrations of nucleotide and is readily reversible, whereas NAD-dependent stimulation begins at low micromolar concentrations and is more stable. Under conditions of cell stress or inflammation, ATP and NAD are released into the extracellular space from intracellular stores by lytic and non-lytic mechanisms, and may serve as ‘danger signals–to alert the immune response to tissue damage. Since ART expression is limited to naïve/resting T cells, P2X7-mediated NAD-induced cell death (NICD) specifically targets this cell population. In inflamed tissue, NICD may inhibit bystander activation of unprimed T cells, reducing the risk of autoimmunity. In draining lymph nodes, NICD may eliminate regulatory T cells or provide space for the preferential expansion of primed cells, and thus help to augment an immune response.