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Caspase Activating Recruitment Domain-15 (CARD-15) gene plays an important role in initiation of inflammatory reactions and subsequent immune response. They have been identified as susceptibility loci for inflammatory bowel disease in humans and are, therefore, suitable candidate gene for inflammatory disease resistance in cattle. As 1988 bp long exon 12 was found to be highly polymorphic in Bos taurus, this study was conducted to explore polymorphism in exon 12 of CARD-15 gene in Bos indicus. Genomic DNA were extracted from 162 lactating Sahiwal cattle maintained at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (Haryana) and population was screened using PCR-RFLP with PvuII and SacI restriction enzymes. Five sets of primers were used to amplify five overlapping contigs of exon 12 i.e. 12.1 to 12.5 (578, 619, 641, 509 and 588 bp). PvuII RE exhibited AA (1.9%), AB (91.9%) and BB (6.2%) genotypes in contig 12.5, whereas, SacI RE revealed only two, AA (46.9%) and AB (53.1%) polymorphic patterns in contig 12.2. Seven SNPs [240 (T>C), 820 (C>T), 1487 (A>G), 1641 (A>G), 1682 (G>A), 1685 (T>A) and 1982 (C>T)] were found in the complete sequence of exon 12 of CARD-15 gene of Sahiwal cattle. It is concluded that there are several SNPs in 3’ UTR of Bos indicus as compared to that of Bos taurus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition-metal dopants play a critical role in the high-temperature mechanical strength and corrosion resistance of nickel-based superalloys. In this article, the site occupancy behavior of chromium in γ′-Ni3Al has been investigated by combining three-dimensional (3D) atom probe and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy characterizations with ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The 3D atom probe data show a clear preference of chromium on the aluminum sublattice over the nickel sublattice in Rene88 super alloys. First-principles DFT total-energy calculations were performed to understand the site occupancy of chromium in the L12 structured γ-Ni3Al. The obtained chromium site preference energies have been compared using the anti-site and vacancy-based substitution formation mechanism, as well as using the standard defect formation formalism. It was found that chromium prefers aluminum site, consistent with the 3D atom probe result. In addition, interaction energies between two chromium atoms have also been determined from first-principles calculations. Our results show that chromium atoms prefer to be close by on either nickel or aluminum sublattices or on a nickel–aluminum mixed lattice, suggesting a potential tendency of chromium segregation in the γ′ phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study which examined the molecular characterization of Kenkatha and Gaolao cattle breeds using microsatellite markers. Blood samples from 145 purebreds were randomly selected from various villages in India and genomic DNA was extracted for microsatellite genotyping. Using a POPGENE software package, each microsatellite locus were estimated to observe the effective number of alleles and expected heterozygosity within the cattle breeds' population. It was concluded that there is a substantial shortfall of heterozygotes in Gaolao and Kenkatha cattle populations and minimal genetic differentiation between the two breeds.

The discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) operation of front-end diode bridge rectifier used in three-phase AC-to-DC resonant converter is presented. High-frequency triangular current is injected from the output of the three-phase inverter to the input of front-end diode bridge rectifier. Hence, high power-factor operation of the converter is achieved by modulating the input voltage to the front-end rectifier. A detailed operation of the converter along with operating waveforms and modes of operation is discussed. Analysis of DCM operation of the front-end rectifier is carried out. The different design curves and switching stresses are plotted for the design of the converter. Finally, to validate the analytical and simulation predictions experimental results on laboratory set-up of 3 kW, 1000 V are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis and design of a three-phase AC-to-DC resonant converter is considered. The power factor of the three-phase AC input line diode bridge rectifier is improved by injecting high-frequency current. The three-phase AC-to-DC resonant converter is operated at frequencies above the resonant frequency. The analysis of the converter is carried out using different operating modes in one switching cycle of the resonant inverter. The design of the AC-to-DC resonant converter is discussed step by step. An experimental prototype of a 3 kW, 500 V output power and operating above 300 kHz has been developed in the laboratory. The proposed three-phase AC-to-DC resonant converter has high power factor, low total harmonic distortion and high efficiency. It requires narrow variation in switching frequency to regulate the output voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel DC–DC converter using modified series–parallel resonant converter is proposed. The converter is analysed in detail using a Fourier series approach. The design curves for the converter are plotted using MATLAB. Based on the analysis and the design curves, a systematic design procedure is presented. A prototype DC–DC converter of 2.5 kW rating has been built using the design procedure. To verify its performance, the PSIM simulation and detailed experimental results are shown for different load conditions. Variable frequency control is implemented using a digital signal processor to regulate the output voltage under varying load conditions. The proposed converter maintains zero voltage switching for the entire load range and requires a narrow variation in the switching frequency for its output voltage regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to examine the trends in the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus among children and adolescents with new-onset diabetes seen from 1994 through 1998 at the three university-based diabetes centers in Florida. METHODS: Data were abstracted from medical records and patients were categorized as having Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: There were 569 patients classified with Type 1 diabetes and 92 with Type 2 diabetes. The proportion of patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes increased over the five years from 9.4% in 1994 to 20.0% in 1998 (chi-square test for trend = 8.2; p=0.004). There was not an associated net increase in the total number of new diabetes patients referred over time (chi-square test for trend = 0.6, p=0.4). Those with Type 2 diabetes were more likely to have a body mass index in the 85th-94th percentile [odds ratio (OR) = 8.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5, 28.8], have a body mass index >or=95th percentile (OR = 6.8; 95% CI 2.6, 17.7), Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 6.2; 95% CI 2.2, 17.9), black race (OR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.3, 6.2), female gender (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.2, 4.3), and older age (OR = 1.4 for each one-year increment in age; 95% CI 1.3, 1.6), compared with those having Type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: From 1994 through 1998, there was a significant overall increase in the percentage of children referred with new-onset diabetes who were considered to have Type 2 diabetes. Factors associated with the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes relative to Type 1 diabetes include body mass index >/=85th percentile, Hispanic ethnicity, black race, female gender, and older age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study covers 78 children with typhoid fever who were hospitalized in April & May 1990. Serious complications were present in 32% (toxemia 22%, ileus 25% and myocarditis 8%). Blood cultures were positive in 30 of 49 tested. Others were diagnosed by positive Widal test. In vitro cultures of S. typhi were resistant to chloramphenicol (90%), ampicillin (93%) and co-trimoxazole (97%). However all were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and moderately sensitive to cephalexin and gentamycin. Ciprofloxacin alone or in combination was given in 73 of the 78 children and found to be remarkably effective in controlling the disease and preventing relapse. No serious side effects were noted. The cohort is being followed up for possible long term adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cluster of diffferention-14 (CD14) gene is involved in innate immunity and has been identified as one of the candidate gene for disease resistance. CD14 molecule works as cell surface receptor present on surface of inflammatory cells. Bovine CD14 gene spans over 2630 bp having 2 exons. Present study is based on identification of DNA polymorphism and to analyze the association between CD14 gene variants with incidence of mastitis in Sahiwal cattle. A total of 100 lactating Sahiwal cattle maintained at NDRI, Karnal (Haryana) were included in the present study. PCR-RFLP analysis of contig 4 using HinfΛ restriction enzyme showed three different genotypic patterns (CC, CD and DD). Remaining contig-enzyme combinations showed monomorphic pattern. Genotypic frequency of CC genotype was found highest (54%). Chi-square (χ2) analysis revealed that there is significant difference between these genotypes regarding mastitis incidence. CC genotyped animals were found to be less susceptible for mastitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aliya Shakeel1, Hoong Keong Hui2, Chetan S Patil3, Manojkumar V Chaudhari4, Yogesh D Kadam5, Shrikant V Pensalwar6, Suhas G Erande7, Rajesh M Kewalramani81Vedic Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India; 2Nutriworks Limited, Kowloon, Hong Kong; 3Muktai Hospital, Nasik, 4Bhagirathi Medical Foundation, 5Poona Diabetes Center, 6Balaji Clinic, Mumbai, 7Akshay Hospital, Pune, 8Shanti Niketan, Kandar Pada, Dahisar, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaBackground: Existing therapeutic measures for swelling, aching and discomfort in the lower limbs, which include compression stockings and leg elevation, are difficult to use and inconvenient. Patch It®, a proprietary herbomineral patch is an easy-to-use alternative therapy. This trial was conducted to compare it's efficacy against that of a placebo in swollen and aching lower legs and feet.Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, crossover, sequential trial was conducted in the private clinics of physicians. A total of 100 patients (24 men and 76 women), aged 25 to 60 years, with recurring swelling in the feet and (optionally) up to two more related complaints, having an average visual analog score (VAS) of at least 60 (scale 0–100) for each complaint were recruited into the study. Patches (active or placebo) were applied to both soles overnight for 8 weeks: 4 consecutive weeks each with active or placebo in randomized sequence. Outcome measures included the average VAS score (baseline to week 4, and week 5 to week 8), preference for either patch (difference of >5 mm in average VAS score reduction), ankle figure-of-eight measures, investigator's global assessment (good, fair, poor), patient's willingness to continue using the patch after the trial (yes, no), and adverse events.Results: Out of 100 patients, 86 completed the trial, while ten were excluded for noncompliance, three withdrew, and one was lost to follow-up. The active placebo boundary of the sequential chart was crossed when 82 patients completed the trial. Active patch was also superior to placebo patch by mean reductions in average VAS scores (13.14 versus 9.6, P = 0.02), mean reduction in figure-of-eight ankle measurements (1.21 cm versus 0.79 cm, P = 0.003), investigator's global assessment (P < 0.01), and by proportion of patients willing to continue using the patch after the trial (P < 0.01). Ten percent of patients experienced localized itching with each patch, but this did not require interruption of treatment.Conclusion: Patch It had greater efficacy than the placebo in alleviating recurring swelling and aching in the legs and feet, and is well tolerated.Keywords: ankle swelling, leg ache, dermal patch, reflexology, sequential analysis, figure-of-eight