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We evaluated whether polymorphisms in interleukin (IL‑1) gene cluster (IL‑1 alpha [IL‑1A], IL‑1 beta [IL‑1B], and IL‑1 receptor antagonist [IL‑1RN]) are associated with end stage renal disease (ESRD). A total of 258 ESRD patients and 569 ethnicity matched controls were examined for IL‑1 gene cluster. These were genotyped for five single‑nucleotide gene polymorphisms in the IL‑1A, IL‑1B and IL‑1RN genes and a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in the IL‑1RN. The IL‑1B − 3953 and IL‑1RN + 8006 polymorphism frequencies were significantly different between the two groups. At IL‑1B, the T allele of − 3953C/T was increased among ESRD (P = 0.0001). A logistic regression model demonstrated that two repeat (240 base pair [bp]) of the IL‑1Ra VNTR polymorphism was associated with ESRD (P = 0.0001). The C/C/C/C/C/1 haplotype was more prevalent in ESRD = 0.007). No linkage disequilibrium (LD) was observed between six loci of IL‑1 gene. We further conducted a meta‑analysis of existing studies and found that there is a strong association of IL‑1 RN VNTR 86 bp repeat polymorphism with susceptibility to ESRD (odds ratio = 2.04, 95% confidence interval = 1.48-2.82; P = 0.000). IL‑1B − 5887, +8006 and the IL‑1RN VNTR polymorphisms have been implicated as potential risk factors for ESRD. The meta‑analysis showed a strong association of IL‑1RN 86 bp VNTR polymorphism with susceptibility to ESRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity conservation and management of natural resources are the best options to restore and increase productivity of degrading pastureland in dry areas. Hence, arthropod abundance, organic matter, respiration, and dehydrogenase activity were measured in canopy zone soil of Prosopis cineraria (PC), Acacia nilotica (AN), Zizyphus nummularia (ZN), Capparis decidua (CD), and Acacia senegal (AS) associated with grasses with a view to establish interrelation for productivity enhancement of pastureland. Pure grass bock outside tree canopy was control plot. Acari, Myriapoda, Coleoptera, Isoptera, Collembola, and other soil arthropods were the major soil faunal groups. Integration of tree in pastureland enhanced population of soil arthropod by 9–65-fold in May 2001 and 8–13-fold in August/September as compared with control. The trends of changes in soil organic matter (SOM), soil respiration (SR), and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) were similar to the changes in soil arthropod population, indicating the role of soil fauna in facilitating biochemical processes and soil fertility. Two, eight, and nine times greater SOM, SR, and DHA, respectively, in silvipastoral system than the values in control suggest the beneficial effects of trees on improvement in biochemical processes and thus biodiversity in pastureland, as supported by negative values of relative tree effects (RTE). Microbial activities were highest in the ZN system, which had highest abundance of soil arthropods. In the other systems, CD and AS systems showed greater soil arthropod abundance and biological activities than with the PC and AN systems. Therefore, Z. nummularia-, C. decidua-, and A. senegal-based silvipastoral systems and related soil fauna may be promoted for enhancement of biological activity and productivity of pastureland in desert. The strategy may be adopted for developing a sustainable pedoecosystem in a region of the world where agriculture is notoriously difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study conducted in India on the role of the biotic and abiotic factors on the population of Ceratovacuna lanigera Zehnter and their predators. During 2005 to 2006, observations on the population dynamics of sugarcane wolly aphids and its natural enemies were documented from the experimental fields planted in autumn and summer seasons.

The article focuses on the cloning of indigenous cows, specifically the Gir breed, in India to address the challenge of low productivity and promote sustainable milk production. Topics discussed include the significance of indigenous cattle breeds, the use of assisted reproductive technologies such as animal cloning, and the recent successful birth of a cloned Gir calf named Ganga, which highlights the feasibility and potential benefits of cattle cloning in the country.

A novel myxozoan parasite is identified and described from mudskipper, Boleophthalmus dussumieri, collected from a brackishwater ecosystem in Maharashtra, India. Ellipsomyxa boleophthalmi sp. nov. was found in the gallbladder of 58 of 60 fish examined (96.7%). The parasite formed disporous plasmodia that varied in size and shape, and the thin-walled, ellipsoidal and elongated myxospores measured 9.0-10.7 × 6.0-7.8 μm. The two, spherical polar capsules measured 2.7 μm in diameter and enclosed 3-4 coils of polar tubules. Histological observations of infected gallbladder revealed the attachment of disporous plasmodial stages of the parasite to the gallbladder wall with fine pseudopodia. Under the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the myxospores showed a distinct central sutural line and two distinct depressions on the opposite sides at the openings of polar capsules. SEM also revealed the engulfment of microvilli of gallbladder wall by pseudopodia of the plasmodial stages. Analysis of the partial fragment of the SSU rDNA region (1386 bp) showed less than 98% sequence similarity with the other reported Ellipsomyxa spp. In the phylogenetic tree, the present species formed as a distinct subclade within the major clade of Ellipsomyxa spp. The unique morphological and morphometric features of the myxospore, together with the molecular analysis, allowed us to conclude that the present myxozoan is a new species and is named Ellipsomyxa boleophthalmi sp. nov., after the generic name of the host. This is the first report on the occurrence of the genus Ellipsomyxa in B. dussumieri.

Background: Metformin, a standard therapy in type 2 diabetes, reduces vitamin B12 levels. Studies linking low vitamin B12 levels and cardiovascular disease are equivocal and suggest improving B12 levels may help in primary prevention. The role of vitamin B12 deficiency on cardiovascular risk factors, especially in type 2 diabetes has not been explored. The aim of this study is to investigate whether vitamin B12 deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in two different ethnic groups in UK and India., Methods: Type 2 diabetes patients from two secondary care diabetic centres (Europeans - UK and Indians - India) were studied. Serum vitamin B12, folate and biochemical parameters were measured., Results: The prevalence rates of vitamin B12 deficiency (<191 ng/L) were 27% and 12% in Europeans and Indians, respectively and higher in metformin treated type 2 diabetes patients. In linear regression analysis, after adjusting for all likely confounding factors, vitamin B12 independently associated with triglycerides in both the populations and cholesterol/HDL ratio in Indians. Logistic regression showed type 2 diabetes patients with vitamin B12 deficiency were at significantly higher odds of having coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD) in Europeans with similar but non-significant trend in Indians, after adjusting for all likely confounding factors., Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency is common in type 2 diabetes patients and is associated with adverse lipid parameters. Type 2 diabetes management guidelines should include the recommendation for regular testing for B12 levels, especially for those on metformin.

Allelic variants of the detoxification genes that have impaired biotransformation functions may increase susceptibility to reproductive toxicity leading to endometriosis, recurrent miscarriage (RM) or poor pregnancy outcome. In the present study, we have investigated CYP1A1, CYP2D6, GSTT1, GSTP1 and GSTM1, which are involved in the phase I and phase II detoxification systems, in relation to their role in the etiology of unexplained RMs. In a case-control study, we have investigated 200 females with RM and 300 age and ethnically matched healthy controls with successful reproductive history from North India. The frequencies of phase I wild-type genotypes of CYP1A1 and CYP2D6 in RM cases were 0.56 and 0.60, whereas in controls these were 0.68 and 0.65, respectively (both P < 0.05). The GSTM1 null-genotype frequencies were 0.66 and 0.84 among RM cases and controls, respectively, the GSTT1 null-genotype frequencies were 0.52 and 0.45 (P < 0.005) and the GSTP1 variant allele frequencies were 0.23 and 0.20, respectively. In conclusion, we observed significant protective effects of phase I wild-type genotypes and association of the GSTT1 null genotype with RM. Through combined analyses we have highlighted the importance of the balance of phase I/phase II detoxification systems, in the etiology of RM.

Purpose: Human reproduction is a complex process involving multiple factors for the success of pregnancy. Chemokines are one of the immunomodulators which may determine pregnancy outcome. In the present study, we have tested genetic association between CCR5 Delta32 polymorphism and idiopathic recurrent miscarriages (IRM) among north Indians., Methods: Two hundred patients and 300 age, sex and ethnically matched controls were genotyped for CCR5 Delta32 polymorphism, genotype and allele frequencies were compared in both the groups., Results: IRM patients had a three times higher (5.5 vs. 1.7%) frequency of heterozygote genotype (P = 0.0335, OR = 3.43; 95% CI = 1.17-10.04). Allele frequency in IRM patients was 3.7 and 0.83% among controls and the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.0349, OR = 3.37; 95% CI = 1.16-9.76)., Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that it had a higher frequency of CCR5 Delta32 at allelic level suggesting a possible susceptibility trend (OR = 3.43) and CCR5 Delta32 may be a potential genetic risk factor for IRM.

Background and Objective: Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is the superfamily of genes that provides protection to the cells against reactive oxygen species and plays a vital role in phase II of biotransformation of many substances. Overexpression of GST (EC 2.5.1.18) has been documented in the erythrocytes of patients with chronic renal failure, which may be of clinical relevance. Keeping this background in mind, we have investigated the relationship between human GST gene polymorphism in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients., Design and Methods: We have assessed 184 patients with ESRD and 569 age-and sex-matched controls from North India. The GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). GSTP1-313 A/G mutation was determined by PCR followed by restriction enzyme digestion., Results: The gene frequency of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 polymorphism were evaluated. We observed that GSTM1 null genotype was present in 46.74% of the ESRD patients while GSTT1 null genotype was present in 58.7% of the ESRD subjects. The genotypic distribution of GSTP1 was Ile(105)/Ile(105) in 47.3%, Ile(105)/Val(105) in 30.97% and Val(105)/Val(105) in 21.74% of ESRD patients. There was a significant association of null alleles of the GSTM1 (p = 0.0386; OR = 1.445, 95% CI = 1.033-2.021) and GSTT1 (p < or = 0.0001; OR = 4.568, 95% CI = 3.215-6.492) and in the -313 G alleles (Val) of the GSTP1 gene (p = 0.0032; OR = 1.956, 95% CI = 1.265-3.024) with end stage renal disease. The combined analysis of the three genotypes showed a further increased risk to ESRD (p < or = 0.0001; OR = 9.01, 95% CI = 5.55-14.626)., Interpretations and Conclusions: The null / low polymorphism of the detoxifying enzymes GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 are associated with the risk of developing ESRD in North Indian patients.

Background: The Renin-Angiotensin system (RAS) is a key regulator of both blood pressure and kidney functions and their interaction. In such a situation, genetic variability in the genes of different components of RAS is likely to contribute for its heterogeneous association in the renal disease patients. Angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (ACE-1) is an important component of RAS which determines the vasoactive peptide Angiotensin-II., Methods: In the present study, we have investigated 127 ESRD patients and 150 normal healthy controls from north India to deduce the association between ACE gene polymorphism and ESRD. The inclusion criteria for patients included a constantly elevated serum creatinine level above normal range (ranging from 3.4 to 15.8) and further the patients were recommended for renal transplantation. A total of 150 normal healthy controls were also genotyped for ACE I/D polymorphism. The criterion of defining control sample as normal was totally based on the absence of any kidney disease determined from the serum creatinin level. Genotyping of ACE I/D were assayed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based DNA amplification using specific flanking primers Based on the method described elsewhere., Results: The difference of DD and II genotypes was found highly significant among the two groups (p = 0.025; OR = 3.524; 95% CI = 1.54-8.07). The combined genotype DD v/s ID+II comparison validated that DD genotype is a high risk genotype for ESRD (p = 0.001; OR = 5.74; 95% CI limit = 3.4-8.5). However, no correlation was obtained for different biochemical parameters of lipid profile and renal function among DD and non DD genotype. Interestingly, approximately 87% of the DD ESRD patients were found hypertensive in comparison to the 65% patients of non DD genotype, Conclusion: Based on these observations we conclude that ACE DD genotype implicate a strong possible role in the hypertensive state and in renal damage among north Indians. The study will help in predetermining the timing, type and doses of anti-hypertensive therapy for ESRD patients.

Increased dependence of resource-poor rural communities on soils of low inherent fertility are the major problem of desert agroecosystem. Agrisilviculture practices may help to conserve the soil biota for maintaining essential soil properties and processes in harsh climate. Therefore, the impacts of different land use systems on faunal density, nutrient dynamics and biochemical properties of soil were studied in agrisilviculture system of Indian desert. The selected fields had trees (Zizyphus mauritiana, Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica) and crops (Cuminum cyminum, Brassica nigra, Triticum aestivum) in different combinations. Populations of Acari, Myriapoda, Coleoptera, Collembola, other soil arthropods and total soil fauna showed significant changes with respect to different land use practices and tree species, indicating a strong relation between above and below ground biodiversity. The Coleoptera exhibited greatest association with all agrisilviculture fields. The Z. mauritiana system indicated highest facilitative effects (RTE value) on all groups of soil fauna. Soil temperature, moisture, organic carbon, nitrate- and ammonical-nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were greater under tree than that of tree plus cropping system. It showed accumulation of nitrate-nitrogen in tree field and more utilization by crops in cultivated lands. Positive and significant correlation among organic carbon, nitrate- and ammonical-nitrogen, phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity clearly reflects increase in soil nutrients with the increase in microbial and other biotic activity. P. cineraria field was the best pedoecosystem, while C. cyminum was the best winter crop for cultivation in desert agroforestry system for soil biological health and soil sustainability. The increase in organic carbon, soil nutrients and microbial activity is associated with the increase in soil faunal population which reflect role of soil fauna in fertility building. This suggests that strategies may be developed for nurturing fertility-building soil fauna and managing degraded pedoecosystem in desert just by adopting suitable agricultural practices.

Scaling effects on citrate synthase (CS), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6-PDH), RNA. RNA/DNA ratio and protein contents of brain, liver and skeletal muscle were studied in a teleost, Clarias batrachus. The activity of white skeletal muscle CS decreased significantly as a function of increasing body mass of the fish. It shows that the fulfilment of energy demand in white skeletal muscle is not dependent on aerobic metabolism. The activity of liver G6-PDH decreased with the increasing body mass showing reduction in NADPH generation for lipogenic activity. However, increase in G6-PDH activity showed enhancement in reductive synthesis in skeletal muscle of the larger-sized individuals. A positive scaling of RNA, RNA/DNA ratio and protein contents reflects changes in macromolecular turnover for ATP-supplying enzymes and proteins.