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D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) is an astroglial enzyme abundantly present in the pain sensing regions including brain and spinal cord. There have been studies indicating an upregulation and increased activity of DAAO in different pain models. Furthermore, the upregulation of DAAO also results in the development of morphine tolerance as well as morphine-induced hyperalgesia. Accordingly, the knockdown of DAAO gene or pharmacological inhibition of DAAO reduces pain, reverses tolerance to morphine and hyperalgesia. The pain inducing actions of DAAO are related to augmented production of (hydrogen peroxide) H2O2, pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of (Transient receptor protein Ankyrin-1) TRPA1 channels. On the other hand, exogenously administrated DAAO has also been shown to attenuate the pain in different pain models. The pain attenuating actions of DAAO enzyme has been linked to extensive metabolism of D-serine, which may not be able to activate NMDA receptor and trigger pain. The current review highlights the pain attenuating and pain inducing role of DAAO in experimental studies.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) belong to a super family of phase II detoxification enzymes, which play an important role in protecting cells from damage caused by endogenous and exogenous compounds by conjugating reactive intermediates with glutathione to produce less reactive water-soluble compounds. In the present study, we determined the frequencies of two polymorphisms in exon 5 and exon 6 of GSTP1 gene in 500 normal individuals from Delhi. GSTP1 polymorphism was analysed by PCR-RFLP using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) assay. Two polymorphic sites in GSTP1 (Ile105 → Val105; Ala114 → Val114) have been analysed simultaneously, which results in four alleles: GSTP1*A (wild-type Ile105; Ala114), GSTP1*B (Val105; Ala114), GSTP1*C (Val105; Val114) and GSTP1*D (Ile105; Val114). The GSTP1 allele frequency in Delhi population was 0.663, 0.248, 0.069, and 0.020 for GSTP1*A, GSTP1*B, GSTP1*C, and GSTP1*D respectively. The frequency of Ile105 and Val105 allele was 0.683 and 0.317 respectively and it was calculated for the purpose of comparison with published data where all the four alleles were not analysed. GSTP1 alleles from Delhi population were compared with reported frequencies from all over India, and from other ethnic groups worldwide. This study would provide a basic database for future genetic studies.

Different photon interaction parameters viz. linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, penetration depth, equivalent atomic number, exposure buildup factor have been computed for seven different concretes (ordinary, hematite–serpentine, ilmenite–limonite, basalt–magnetite, ilmenite, steel-scrap and steel magnetite) in the energy region of 0.015–15.0 MeV. The computed parameters were studied as a function of incident photon energy, chemical composition and penetration depth of the selected concretes. It has been observed that among the selected concretes, steel magnetite offers maximum value for linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, equivalent atomic number and least values in terms of penetration depth equivalent to mean free path and exposure buildup factors. Hence, it is concluded that it offers better shielding among the selected concretes. It is expected that in case of any nuclear accident, the presented buildup factor data may be helpful in estimating the effective dose given to people living in buildings constructed from one of the selected concretes.

The work is carried out to minimize the organic chemical load (unexhausted dye contents) in direct dyes effluent using low cost adsorbents. The studies are made with different direct dyes, i.e. Direct Red 28, Direct Yellow 12, Direct Orange 26 and Direct Blue 1 with various adsorbents. Three different bio/natural materials have been selected as adsorbents. These includes, Sugarcane bagasse pith (SB), Saw dust (SD)—the plant origin products, and Brick powder (BP)—a silica based material obtained from earth's crust on thermal heating. These substances are almost discarded waste products with the possibility of use as adsorbents. Experimental work for the dye removal from the effluent by activated charcoal (AC) has also been carried out and the results are compared with other adsorbents. The amount of unexhausted organic dye present in the effluent is measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD) before and after the treatment. Adsorbent Sugarcane bagasse pith shows good performance as compared to Saw dust and Brick powder. For understanding the behaviour of adsorbents Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has also been carried out.

A prevalence study was contemplated to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy farms in Punjab, India. The cryptosporidium oocysts were detected from 50 and 25.68% from 80 diarrheic and 74 non-diarrheic animals, respectively. Both shedding and intensity of shedding were significant in calves with diarrhea. The Cryptosporidium spp. appears to be common in dairy calves and an important contributor of calf diarrhea in the Punjab province. The prevalence of the infection peaked in young calves between 0 and 30 days in both the diarrheic and non-diarrheic groups (86.4 and 66.6%, respectively). The percentage distribution of positive samples, with reference to age groups of diarrheic and non-diarrheic animals was negatively correlated with increase in age. High mortality rate and case fatality rate of 35.2 and 44.4% were observed in young calves between 0 and 30 days of age.

There are very few reported cases of a foreign body in the tonsillar substan-ce. Pharyngeal foreign bodies get lodged in the mucosa and may not be visible on routine ENT examination. It is always mandatory to give due respect and care to the complaints of the patient and do a proper ear, nose and thro-at examination, get the investigations done as needed so as not to under diagnose the case or leave a foreign body and give cons-tant irritation and misery to the patient

A retropharyngeal abscess is an infection in one of the deep spaces of the neck. An abscess in this location is an immediate life-threatening emergency with potential for airway compromise and other catastrophic complications .In adults, retropharyngeal abscess can occur as a result of local trauma such as foreign body ingestion like fishbones