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Objective- The Aim of this study is to investigate Perinatal outcome and the rate of ceserean section following intrapartam amnioinfusion in women with Meconium Stained Amniotic Fluid (MASF). Method- A total of 100 women at term in labour with meconium stained amniotic fluid were randomised to receive either Transcervical Intrapartum Amnioinfusion with normal saline (50) or routine obstetric care (50). Perinatal outcome and obstetric outcome were recorded and analysed in both groups. Result- The ceserean section rate due to fetal distress was 34% in the control group and 10% in the study group. Respiratory distress of the neonate was significantly less common in the study group than in the control group (p=0.0053). The rate of Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS) was 20% in the control group and 4% in the study study group.(p=0.0433). Conclusion- Amniotransfusion in cases of MSAF significantly improved neonatal outcome and decreases the

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA), a respiratory, systemic, and reproductive disease of horses and other equid species. Following natural infection, 10–70% of the infected stallions can become persistently infected and continue to shed EAV in their semen for periods ranging from several months to life. Recently, we reported that some stallions possess a subpopulation(s) of CD3+ T lymphocytes that are susceptible to in vitro EAV infection and that this phenotypic trait is associated with long-term carrier status following exposure to the virus. In contrast, stallions not possessing the CD3+ T lymphocyte susceptible phenotype are at less risk of becoming long-term virus carriers. A genome wide association study (GWAS) using the Illumina Equine SNP50 chip revealed that the ability of EAV to infect CD3+ T lymphocytes and establish long-term carrier status in stallions correlated with a region within equine chromosome 11. Here we identified the gene and mutations responsible for these phenotypes. Specifically, the work implicated three allelic variants of the equine orthologue of CXCL16 (EqCXCL16) that differ by four non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions (XM_00154756; c.715 A → T, c.801 G → C, c.804 T → A/G, c.810 G → A) within exon 1. This resulted in four amino acid changes with EqCXCL16S (XP_001504806.1) having Phe, His, Ile and Lys as compared to EqCXL16R having Tyr, Asp, Phe, and Glu at 40, 49, 50, and 52, respectively. Two alleles (EqCXCL16Sa, EqCXCL16Sb) encoded identical protein products that correlated strongly with long-term EAV persistence in stallions (P, Author Summary A variable proportion of EAV infected stallions (10–70%) may become persistently infected and continuously shed the virus exclusively in their semen after recovery from acute infection. Previous studies in our laboratory have shown that stallions with the CD3+ T lymphocyte susceptibility phenotype to in vitro EAV infection are at higher risk of becoming persistently infected carriers compared to those that lack this phenotype. Here genetic and experimental studies were used to demonstrate that CXCL16 in the horse codes for two proteins, one associated with resistance and the other associated with susceptibility of CD3+ T lymphocytes to EAV infection. The two proteins are the result of four nucleotide substitutions in exon 1 of the equine CXCL16 gene. These alleles determine the outcome of in vitro infection of CD3+ T lymphocytes with EAV and are strongly associated with the establishment and maintenance of long-term carrier state in stallions. In vitro studies demonstrated that one form of CXCL16 protein (CXCL16S) is one of the cellular receptors for EAV and has higher scavenger activity and adhesion ability as compared to the form of the protein associated with resistance (CXCL16R).

Previous studies in our laboratory have identified equine CXCL16 (EqCXCL16) to be a candidate molecule and possible cell entry receptor for equine arteritis virus (EAV). In horses, the CXCL16 gene is located on equine chromosome 11 (ECA11) and encodes a glycosylated, type I transmembrane protein with 247 amino acids. Stable transfection of HEK-293T cells with plasmid DNA carrying EqCXCL16 (HEK-EqCXCL16 cells) increased the proportion of the cell population permissive to EAV infection from in vitro . The binding of biotinylated virulent EAV strain Bucyrus at 4°C was significantly higher in HEK-EqCXCL16 cells than nontransfected HEK-293T cells. Finally, the results demonstrated that EAV preferentially infects subpopulations of horse CD14 + monocytes expressing EqCXCL16 and that infection of these cells is significantly reduced by pretreatment with Gp anti-EqCXCL16 pAb. The collective data from this study provide confirmatory evidence that the transmembrane form of EqCXCL16 likely plays a major role in EAV host cell entry processes, possibly acting as a primary receptor molecule for this virus. IMPORTANCE Outbreaks of EVA can be a source of significant economic loss for the equine industry from high rates of abortion in pregnant mares, death in young foals, establishment of the carrier state in stallions, and trade restrictions imposed by various countries. Similar to other arteriviruses, EAV primarily targets cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, which, when infected, are believed to play a critical role in EVA pathogenesis. To this point, however, the host-specified molecules involved in EAV binding and entry into monocytes/macrophages have not been identified. Identification of the cellular receptors for EAV may provide insights to design antivirals and better prophylactic reagents. In this study, we have demonstrated that EqCXCL16 acts as an EAV entry receptor in EAV-susceptible cells, equine monocytes. These findings represent a significant advance in our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms associated with the entry of EAV into susceptible cells.

Dark energy model with the equation of state $$p_{DE} =-\rho _{DE} -A\rho _{DE}^\alpha $$ , is characterised by four finite life time future singularity of the universe for different values of the parameter $$A$$ and $$\alpha $$ [Nojiri et al. in Phys Rev D 71:063004, 2005]. Since from the matter dominated era to the dark energy dominated era the ratio of the dark energy density to the matter energy density increases as the universe expand for these future singularities, the universe passes through a significant time when the dark energy density and the matter energy density are nearly comparable. Considering $$\frac{1}{r_0 }

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the changes in rate and indication of Caesarean section during 2005 and 2012 after a gap of 7 years. Study Design: Comparative Study. Material and Methods: In this comparative study, 2 years data i.e. of 2005 and 2012 was collected from Hospital record. 2 years data were compared fort Caesarean section rate and trends of indication of Caesarean section. Results: The results showed that in year 2005 the rate of Caesarean section was 13.94% and in year 2012 it increased to 25.68%. In both years the main indication of Caesarean section was previous Caesarean section followed by dystocia and foetal distress. Conclusion: It is suggested to have obstetric audit by inter departmental meetings to assess the intrinsic role of Caesarean section in influencing the standard management guidelines.

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a major respiratory viral pathogen of horses, causing upper respiratory tract disease, abortion, neonatal death, and neurological disease that may lead to paralysis and death. EHV-1 replicates initially in the respiratory epithelium and then spreads systemically to endothelial cells lining the small blood vessels in the uterus and spinal cord leading to abortion and EHM in horses. Like other herpesviruses, EHV-1 employs a variety of mechanisms for immune evasion including suppression of type-I interferon (IFN) production in equine endothelial cells (EECs). Previously we have shown that the neuropathogenic T953 strain of EHV-1 inhibits type-I IFN production in EECs and this is mediated by a viral late gene product. But the mechanism of inhibition was not known. Here we show that T953 strain infection of EECs induced degradation of endogenous IRF-3 protein. This in turn interfered with the activation of IRF-3 signaling pathways. EHV-1 infection caused the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathways, suggesting that inhibition of type-I IFN production is probably due to interference in IRF-3 and not NF-κB signal transduction.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV), the causative agent of equine viral arteritis, has relatively broad cell tropism in vitro. In horses, EAV primarily replicates in macrophages and endothelial cells of small blood vessels. Until now, neither the cellular receptor(s) nor the mechanism(s) of virus attachment and entry have been determined for this virus. In this study, we investigated the effect of heparin on EAV infection in equine endothelial cells (EECs). Heparin, but not other glycosaminoglycans, could reduce EAV infection up to 93 %. Sequence analysis of the EAV E minor envelope protein revealed a conserved amino acid sequence (52 RSLVARCSRGARYR 65) at the carboxy terminus of the E protein, which was predicted to be the heparin-binding domain. The basic arginine (R) amino acid residues were subsequently mutated to glycine by site-directed mutagenesis of ORF2a in an E protein expression vector and an infectious cDNA clone of EAV. Two single mutations in E (R52G and R57G) did not affect the heparin-binding capability, whereas the E double mutation (R52,60G) completely eliminated the interaction between the E protein and heparin. Although the mutant R52,60G EAV did not bind heparin, the mutations did not completely abolish infectivity, indicating that heparin is not the only critical factor for EAV infection. This also suggested that other viral envelope protein(s) might be involved in attachment through heparin or other cell-surface molecules, and this warrants further investigation.

This work deals with the study of the dynamics of a spatially homogeneous and anisotropic Bianchi type-I universe filled with two minimally interacting isotropic fluids: cold dark matter and wet dark fluid components. To obtain an exact solution of the Einstein’s field equations, we have used the assumption of linearly varying deceleration parameter. Under suitable conditions, it is observed that the solution describes effectively the current acceleration and indicates occurrence of a type-V future singularity in the late time evolution of the universe. As the solution shows that the universe has a finite lifetime and passes through a significant time when energy densities of both the dark components are nearly comparable, so considering the coincidence parameter r to be a free parameter and $\frac{1}{r_{0}} < r< r_{0}$ , where r 0 is any fixed ratio, we have calculated the important fraction f of total life time of the universe when it passes through the coincidental stage before the singularity. We have also discussed the consistencies of our results with the recent cosmological observational data.

Background and Objective: Preeclampsia is a multi system disorders that can affect every maternal organ predominantly the cardio-vascular system, kidneys, brain and liver. The present study was conducted to compare the liver function tests in preeclampsia with normotensive pregnancy. Methodology: The present case control study was carried out at the department of obstetrics and gynaecology of Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura to find the serum bilirubin and serum levels of liver enzymes ALT, AST and ALP in 100 pregnant women (50 preeclampsia and 50 normotensive pregnant women). Results: The mean BMI of cases was 28.02 ± 3.67kg/m 2 and that of control was 24.48±3.09 kg/m 2 . The mean value of serum bilirubin in cases was

Objective: Normal Thyroid hormone level is essential in maintaining the normal fetal development. The objective of the study was to evaluate the thyroid hormone levels among healthy non-pregnant women with normotensive pregnant women and women with preeclampsia. Materials and methods: In these prospective study 90 women in the age group of 19 - 36 are divided into 3 groups consisting of 30 healthy non-pregnant women, 30 healthy normotensive pregnant women and 30 pregnant women with preeclampsia and evaluated for thyroid profile. Results: Serum TT4 and TT3 levels in normotensive pregnant women and preeclamptic women were significantly higher compared to the levels in non-pregnant women. In comparison to the normotensive pregnant women, women with preeclampsia had a non significantly higher TT4 level and significantly lower TT3. In preeclamptic women serum FT4 was marginally raised than in normotensive pregnant subjects but was significantly raised than in nonpregnant subjects. The FT3 level was significantly lower in preeclamptic women than in normotensive pregnant women compared to nonpregnant subjects. TSH levels were significantly higher in both preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Conclusion: The main finding of our study indicates that there is a state of hypothyroidism in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia and so raised serum TSH occurs. Detection of any changes in thyroid profile in preeclampsia may of health in preventing the development of preeclampsia.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the changes in lipid profile in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia. Study Design: A case control study. Method: In this case control study total 180 study subjects were evaluated, 90 normotensive pregnant woman as control group and 90 pre-eclamptic subjects as study group. Fasting venous blood samples were collected and serum levels of triglycerides (TG), Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C), and Very low density lipoprotein – Cholesterol (VLDL-C), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured. Result: Results showed that in pre-eclamptic group serum triglyceride (212.75 ± 50.29 mg/dl) was increased significantly (p < 0.02) as compared to normotensive pregnant woman (185.60± 40.67 mg/dl). Other parameters TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C and HDL-C were not changed significantly. Conclusion: The findings of the present study are consistent with previous studies, suggesting increased level of serum triglyceride as an important factor in the pathological process of pre-eclampsia.

Raw and dewaxed jute felt composites were prepared with resol and lignin modified phenol formaldehyde resin. Four different types of lignin modified resins were used by replacing phenol with lignin. The lignin modified resins were prepared from purified lignin obtained from paper industry waste black liquor. To investigate bonding between jute and resin, IR spectroscopy of jute felts and composites was carried out. The thermal stability of the composites was assessed by DSC and TGA. It was found that the lignin resin jute composite is thermally more stable than resol composite. XRD of jute felt and composite shows that the crystallinity of the jute fiber increases after composite preparation. The lignin resin composites were tested for water absorption and thickness swelling, and it was found that the results are comparable with those of resol jute composite. Composites prepared from lignin phenol formaldehyde resin with 50% phenol replacement has shown 75% tensile strength retention to that of pure resol jute composite.

Lignin–HTPB copolyurethanes have been synthesized from hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and varied quantities of lignin and toluene diisocyanate. IR spectroscopy and estimation of isocyanate groups have established the formation of HTPB polyurethane and lignin–HTPB copolyurethane. The crosslink density, sol fraction, diffusion coefficient, mechanical properties and X-ray crystallinity of lignin–HTPB copolyurethane have been measured and compared with those of HTPB polyurethane. Tensile strength improvement of lignin–HTPB copolyurethane was observed up to 3-wt.% lignin incorporation. High hydroxyl value of lignin has been found responsible for the decrease in tensile strength with the increase in lignin content of lignin–HTPB copolyurethane.

The thermal stability of lignin-hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) copolyurethane and HTPB polyurethane has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and isothermal aging in air at various temperatures. All the results show better thermal stability of lignin–HTPB copolyurethane than that of HTPB polyurethane. The structural changes in the polyurethanes during isothermal heating have also been studied by IR spectroscopy.

Lignin-modified phenolic resin has been prepared by replacing phenol with lignin at different weight percentages. The resin synthesis was optimized by varying the molar ratio of phenol to formaldehyde, the concentration of sodium hydroxide, and the reaction time by measuring parameters such as the gelation time, flow time, solids content, pH, and specific gravity. The thermal stability of lignin-modified phenolic resin was studied by DSC, TGA, and isothermal analysis, and it was found that lignin-modified phenolic resin is thermally more stable than pure phenolic resin. The adhesive strength of lignin-modified phenolic resin was determined by the lap-shear method, which showed that the lignin-modified resin retains 78% of the adhesive strength for wood-wood systems and 86% of the adhesive strength for Al-Al systems.

Three new species of eriophyoid mites namely Aculops spondiasis n. sp. infesting Spondias pinnata Kurz. (Anacardiaceae), Phyllocoptruta citricola n. sp. infesting Citrus maxima (J. Burm.) (Rutaceae) and Tegonotus fisus n. sp. infesting Mangifera indica (L.) (Anacardiaceae) are described from India. Relationships of new species with other eriophyoid species are also provided.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV), the causative agent of equine viral arteritis (EVA) in horses, is distributed worldwide with clinical signs including an influenza-like illness in adult horses, abortion in pregnant mares, interstitial pneumonia in neonatal foals and persistent infection in genetically predisposed stallions. EAV is a small,enveloped virus with a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome and primarily infects epithelial and endothelial cells, plus unidentified subpopulations of monocytes and macrophages. The primary objective of this study was to identify the susceptible CD14+ monocyte subpopulation using a synthetic recombinant virus expressing mCherry derived from the prototypical virulent Bucyrus stain (VBS) of EAV. The recombinant virus had identical tropism to parental VBS supporting its use as a surrogate for EAV infection. Multi-color flow cytometric analysis showed that a minor population of CD14hi cells were preferentially infected by EAV at 12 h post infection (hpi), whereas by 36 hpi (three virus replication cycles) almost all infected monocytes were CD14lo. However, this CD14lo population was also characterized by expression of CXCL16, a molecule implicated in the establishment of persistent EAV infections in stallions. CXCL16 expression was not detected in CD14hi infected monocytes at 12 hpi. Work is in progress to determine the eventual differentiation status of CD14hi/CXCL16- and CD14lo/ CXCL16+monocyte populations in terms of M1/M2 polarization.

Abstract 4710 Background The BCR-ABL fusion gene results from the translocation t(9;22). It is the hallmark of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and is present in a poor risk subgroup of precursor B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(ALL),which represents 25 to 30% of adult ALL and 3 to 5 % of childhood ALL. So far, the BCR-ABL aberration has been detected by cytogenetics, FISH or PCR, all techniques that are time consuming and require special facilities. We developed a simple flow cytometric bead assay for detection of the BCR-ABL fusion protein in cell lysates,using a bead bound catching antibody against one side of the fusion protein and a fluorochrome-conjugated detection antibody against the other side of the fusion protein. Flow cytometry allows for the discrimination of particles on the basis of attributes such as, size and fluroscence. BDTM Cytometric Bead. The aim of our study was to see the effectiveness of Flowcytometric detection of BCR-ABL and cost effectiveness of the method. Materials and Methods Test Specimens: 50 patients, CML 37 and Adult ALL 10, Paediatric ALL. Reagents: BD BCR-ABL Protein Kit (BD Cat No: 643939) BD BCR-ABL buffer Kit (BD Cat No: 560272), Detection Reagent. BD BCR-ABL Protein Kit Protocol: Lysate preparation from samples (PBMCs) : Blood samples were processed through Ficoll-Paque TM medium to collect the mono nuclear cell layer as PBMCs. Cell collected were washed with PBS with 5% FBS and resuspended with PBS with 5% FBS before cell counting. PBMC s were resuspended in pretreatment buffer (PBS with 5% FBS plus IX pretreatment A and IX pretreatment B) at 10 million cells/ml and incubated for 10 mins. on ice. The pretreated cells were washed ones, then resuspended in lysing solution (BD Pharmingen TM cell lysis buffer plus IX BD lysate treatment reagent )at 25 million cells/ ml and incubated for 15 mins. on ice. The resulting supernatant (cell lysate) was Colleted after centrifugation. CBA Assay: to a BD Falcon TM 12 × 75mm polystyrene tube 50μl each of lysate, BCRABL Capture Beads and BCRABL detection reagent were added and mixed carefully. The tube was incubated for 2hrs at room temperature in the dark with constant mixing, and then contents were washed with 1 ml of BD CBA wash Buffer. Tube contents were resuspended with 300μl of BD CBA washed buffer. Samples were acquired with the BD FACS Canto II Flow Cytometer. The Cytometer flow rate was set to medium and data were acquired from 20 negative samples. The PE MFI for each sample was determining, and the mean of at least 20 values was calculated. The limit of detection was set at the mean plus two standard deviation. Karyotyping: The Kaiser Home-brew reagent was used and related protocol was followed. FISH: Abbott Visys LSI BCR/ABL, Dual Fusion Translocation Probe. QRT PCR Detection: The Kaiser Home-brew reagent was used and related protocol was followed. Result Detection of all variants of the BCR ABL fusion protein. The anti BCR antibody was developed against a nonhomologus region of appox. 80 amino acids encoded by exon 1, which allowed us to detect all known BCR aBL variants, including p190, p 210, p230 as demonstrated by analysis of a series of well defined cell lines. The assay appeared to be specific and sufficiently sensitive to detect BCR ABl proteins in Lysates of Leukocyte samples of Leukemia patients at diagnosis. Protease inhibition needed in cell samples with many mature myeloid cells. Protein stability problems were encounter when cells samples contain high frequencies of mature myeloid cells with high levels of protease activity, such as CML cells and granulocyte fractions. This problem could be significantly encountered by adding protease inhibitors to several steps of the immunobead assay. Conclusion We conclude that the flow cytometry immunobead assay is a fast and easy technique for specific detection of BCR ABL proteins in Leukemic cells. The main advantaged of the immunobead assay are : § Not dependent on the breakpoint position in the BCR gene; does not need special laboratory facilities other than a Dual laser(4 colour) flow Cytometer and Provides results within few hours. The result is semiquantitative depending on the Mean Fluroscence Intensity. (MFI) § Can be run in parallel to routine immunophenotyping § Easy diagnosis and classification of leukemias with fusion genes. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.