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The basic structural differences between three thermotropic liquid crystals TB4A, TB7A and TB10A have been interpreted by analysing their Raman spectra. Three spectral regions, 925-1025, 1275-1475 and 1525-1650 cm-1, have been chosen in this context to incorporate their structural dissimilarity. The induced planarity of the backbone, as an effect of increasing chain length, has been studied by observing the changes in the respective Raman spectra of the three compounds. A tentative assignment of all the modes observed in the region 400-1700cm-1 is made in this context. The molecular conformations of the three compounds have been predicted in their solution states, and are compared with the molecular environment that exists in their liquid crystalline states. Structural disorder at the solid-SmG transition is discussed and the changes are incorporated systematically.

The frequency shifts and linewidth changes of the two vibrational bands of 3Cl-pyridine (3Cl-p) at ≈ 729 and ≈1031 cm −1 have been studied in a binary mixture of (3Cl-p + CH 3 OH) with varying concentrations of 3Cl-p in mole fractions C = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9. A plot of linewidth vs. C depicts a minimum around C = 0.7 which has been explained in terms of two competing phenomena, namely diffusion and motional narrowing. The frequency shifts, which exhibit almost negligibly small changes with varying C , are most probably caused due to opposing effects of the CI substituent at position 3 and an N atom sitting in the ring.

OBJECTIVE Migraine is often a chronic and disabling disorder. The objective of our study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam (LEV) in adult migraine prophylaxis. METHODS We conducted a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. A total of 65 patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive LEV (n = 32) or placebo (n = 33). Twenty-five patients completed the study in the LEV group and 27 patients in the placebo group. Thirteen subjects discontinued early during the trial. After a 1-month run in period, LEV was started at a dose of 250 mg/d (or the matching placebo) and was increased by 250 mg/wk until the final dosage of 1000 mg/d was reached. The titration phase was followed by maintained phase of 3 months. RESULTS In LEV group, we found a significant reduction in the frequency (attacks per month) of migraine (from 5.17 [SD, 1.19] at baseline to 2.21 [1.47] in the last 4 weeks) and also in severity of migraine from (2.75 [0.44] to1.29 [0.75]) as compared to the placebo group. Patients treated with LEV also reported a statistically significant reduction in the quantity of symptomatic drugs needed for symptom control as compared to the placebo group (P < 0.0001). The percentage of patients on LEV who experienced greater than or equal to 50% reduction in headache frequency was 64% compared with 22% for placebo. CONCLUSIONS Compared with the placebo group, LEV offers improvement in headache frequency and severity as well as it lowers the requirement for other symptomatic drugs in adult migraine patients.

Firearm (FA) injuries pose great health burden and presents enormous challenge for health and national economies. This study was undertaken to analyze the characteristics of fatal gunshot injuries, their pattern, associated factors, and postmortem findings in central India, to provide data for such fatalities in this region, which has not been reported earlier. This is a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on the victims of FA injuries referred to the mortuary. Of the autopsies conducted during study, 2.09% were firearm-related deaths. Of the cases, males (92.42%) notably outnumbered females in a ratio of 12.2:1. Homicidal attacks were maximum, and unlicensed, illegal country-made weapons were the preferred choice. Suicides were least. Result signifies that illegal country-made weapons should be strictly limited to save the precious lives. A holistic approach encompassing public awareness, behavioral modification, and stringent management of law and order is the need of the hour.

Earlier, we reported an association of A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) expression in cervical cancer patient specimens, indicating its implications as an immunotherapeutic target. In this study, we investigated the possible role of AKAP4 in cervical carcinogenesis. AKAP4 messenger RNA and protein expression was assessed in four cervical cancer cell line models, C-33A, CaSki, HeLa and SiHa. Gene silencing approach was employed to investigate the potential role of AKAP4 in cellular growth, proliferation, colony-forming ability, migration and invasion in aggressive squamous cell carcinoma cells (SiHa). Further, the effect of downregulation of AKAP4 on tumor growth was examined in the cervical cancer xenograft model in nude mice. Our data clearly indicated that AKAP4 was expressed in all cervical cancer cells at the gene and protein level. We also observed distinct cytoplasmic and surface localization by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry, respectively. Ablation of AKAP4 protein caused significant inhibition in cellular proliferation, colony-forming ability, migration and invasion ability of SiHa cells. Further, gene silencing of AKAP4 also resulted in reduced tumor growth in nude mice in vivo. Collectively, AKAP4 surface localization and its significant association with malignant properties of cervical cancer cells imply its clinical utility as an immunotherapeutic target.

Background Cervical cancer is one of the major gynecologic cancers. In developing countries, because of a lack of medical support and infrastructure, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel biomarkers for cervical cancers. In this context, cancer-testis (CT) antigens represent a unique class of tumor antigens that have been shown to be associated with various solid tumors. These antigens have restricted expression in testis and no expression in somatic tissues. Because of their restricted expression, CT antigens are novel candidate molecules for early detection and diagnosis and immunotherapy. In the present study, novel CT antigen A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4) expression and humoral response were investigated in patients with cervical cancer. Methods In this study, 74 cervical cancer tissue specimens, which included different tumor stages (stage I [n = 35], stage II [n = 39]) and histologic grades (grade 1 [n = 17], grade 2 [n = 46], and grade 3[n = 11]) and 62 adjacent noncancerous tissue specimens were investigated for AKAP4 gene expression by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and in situ RNA hybridization. Furthermore, AKAP4 protein expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, humoral response against purified recombinant AKAP4 protein was determined in available sera of 70 patients with cervical cancer by enzyme-linked immuno assay (ELISA). Findings Our study revealed that AKAP4 gene and protein expression was detected in 86% of total patients with cervical cancer. Based on the AKAP4 immunoreactivity score, most of stage I (n = 22/29) and stage II (n = 30/35) specimens revealed high AKAP4 expression (≥50% AKAP4-positive cells). A-kinase anchor protein 4 expression was significantly associated with early grades tumor specimens (P = 0.023). In addition, humoral response was detected in 53% of patients irrespective of stages, lymph node positivity, and grades. Conclusions Collectively, our data indicate the putative role of AKAP4 in early tumorigenesis and may be implicated as a biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for cervical cancer.

Neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia solium, is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. Its clinical manifestations are varied, non specific and pleomorphic, depending on multiple factors. Seizures are the commonest presentation of neurocysticercosis. In this communication we describe an interesting case of multiple neurocysticercosis in a young presenting with psychiatric manifestations. He responded well to steroid and antipsychotic treatment. This case highlights an uncommon presentation of neurocysticercosis and significance of early recognizing this reversible cause will avoid delay in treatment.

To identify the correlates of sex initiation among school going adolescents in Pune, India.A study among 910 school going adolescents was conducted in five schools and one junior college in and around Pune, Maharashtra (India) between 2003-2006. Case control analysis (n = 205) was performed among 41 cases who reported ever having sex and 164 controls matched for gender, location and type of school. Correlates of sex initiation were identified using conditional logistic regression.Adolescents studying in vernacular schools, accessing pornography and having unfriendly relationship with parents had higher likelihood of sex initiation. Adolescents who reported sexual abuse, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) symptoms, smoking habit and those who had not read scientific literature on reproductive and sexual health were more likely to have initiated sex early. In the multivariate model, unfriendly relationship with parents and reported symptoms of STDs were found to be independently associated with 'early initiation of sex' among school going adolescents in this study.Premarital sexual activity, both consensual and non-consensual, was reported indicating a need for school based adolescent reproductive and sexual health education (ARSHE) programs in Maharashtra, India. The program in India should focus on specialized interventions for young adolescents. Routine health check-ups and probing on symptoms of STDs, non-consensual sex and other risky practices should be implemented in schools.

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) has an important pattern recognition receptor that recognizes endotoxins associated with gram negative bacterial infections. The present investigation was carried out to study nucleotide sequencing and SNP detection by PCR-RFLP analysis of the TLR-4 gene in Murrah buffalo. Genomic DNA was isolated from 102 lactating Murrah buffalo from NDRI herd. The amplified PCR fragments of TLR-4 comprised of exon 1, exon 2, exon 3.1, and exon 3.2 were examined to RFLP. PCR products were obtained with sizes of 165, 300, 478, and 409 bp. TLR-4 gene of investigated Murrah buffaloes was highly polymorphic with AA, AB, and BB genotypes as revealed by PCR-RFLP analysis using Dra I, Hae III, and Hinf I REs. Nucleotide sequencing of the amplified fragment of TLR-4 gene of Murrah buffalo was done. Twelve SNPs were identified. Six SNPs were nonsynonymous resulting in change in amino acids. Murrah is an indigenous Buffalo breed and the presence of the nonsynonymous SNP is indicative of its unique genomic architecture. Sequence alignment and homology across species using BLAST analysis revealed 97%, 97%, 99%, 98%, and 80% sequence homology with Bos taurus, Bos indicus, Ovis aries, Capra hircus, and Homo sapiens, respectively.

We report a 42 year-old woman with 6 month history of isolated lingual dystonia induced during speaking and was treated with anticholinergic drug. She experienced a marked improvement in her abnormal tongue movements. Primary lingual dystonia is a rare presentation.

Trypanosomes were observed in the peripheral blood smear of a 37-day-old Indian infant admitted off feeds, with fever and convulsions. Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi was identified in the blood. The species identification was confirmed by morphometry, polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing. Human infection with this organism is rare. Only seven cases of this infection have been reported previously in humans. The cases reported are reviewed to develop a composite picture of this disease.

Psychiatric disorders including anxiety, psychosis, and aggressive behaviors are frequently diagnosed in patients with epilepsy. In this communication, we report a patients with mesial temporal lobe sclerosis with interictal affective-somatoform (dysphoric) disorders who was never treated for psychiatric manifestations, and who deliberately took a massive dose of phenytoin and phenobarbitone with a motive of suicide, resulting in severe combined toxicity. Such unfortunate incidences may be prevented, and quality of life can be improved with early diagnosis, through the selection of the right antiepileptic drugs, reasonable psychiatric consultation, and appropriate biological and psychological treatments.

Perturbed apoptosis due to missense alterations in candidate tumor suppressor gene Death receptor 4 (DR4) and in caspases (Casp) lead to deregulated cell proliferation and cancer predisposition. Some data indicate that normal variations within the sequence of apoptotic genes may lead to suboptimal apoptotic capacity and therefore increased cancer risk. To test our proposal we examined whether six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DR4 and Casp3, 5 genes contrive the risk of bladder cancer (BC) in a North Indian population.Genotyping was performed in 200 BC patients and 225 controls by Allele-specific PCR and by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism.In DR4 Arg141His, BC patients having AA genotype (p = 0.036; OR = 2.51. In Casp5Leu13Phe GC, significant association was observed with GC (p = 0.025; OR = 1.78) and also in GC + CC (p = 0.026; OR = 1.68). C allele carriers in Casp5Ala90Thr TC showed low risk of BC (p = 0.036; OR = 0.83). While in Casp3 GA, AG (p = 0.003; OR = 2.11), GG (p = 0.050; OR = 2.18), G allele (p0.001; OR = 1.85) and its carrier AG + GG (p = 0.001; OR = 2.12) have shown significant BC risk. Significant association between DR4 Ala228Glu polymorphism and smoking was observed in BC risk. Haplotype analysis demonstrated that DR4 (Thr209Arg-Arg141His-Ala228Glu) C-G-C is associated with 1.8 folds (OR = 1.85; p = 0.033) risk. GG genotype of Casp3 GA polymorphism showed increased risk of recurrence (p = 0.009; HR = 5.20).This study provided new support for the association of DR4 and Casp3, 5 in BC development, the tumorigenic effect of which was observed to be more enhanced in case of smoking exposure.

The genome of an organism contains all hereditary information encoded in DNA. So it is extremely important to sequence the genome which determines how the organisms survive, develop and multiply. Since three decades, due to massive efforts on DNA sequencing, complete genome sequence of a large number of organisms including humans are now known and the genomic databases are growing exponentially with time. Also for the huge size of the genomes, an efficient algorithm is required to represent them. Effective representation of long DNA sequences has led to several innovative techniques to provide useful ways of viewing, sorting, analyzing, and comparing various sequences.

This article introduces a new improved Biological sequence compression algorithm which is based on Variable length LUT and LZ77 algorithm and also it combines a LUT-based pre-coding routine and LZ77 compression routine. This algorithm can gains compression ratio lower than the previous Biological Sequence compression algorithm because due to the dynamic creation of look up table with in the encoding and decoding process. The overheads are reduces to maintain look up table and also the execution time decreases, other advantage are leaser memory occupation and easier implementation.

Nitrite has been determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography by its pre-column reaction with 2-aminobiphenyl to give a diazonium salt and with iodide to form 2-iodobiphenyl. Chromatographic analysis was done using a C18-column, a mobile phase of aceto-nitrile - 0.05M sulfuric acid, 60:40 (v/v), detection at 254 nm and using biphenyl as an internal standard. The pre-column derivatization required about 8 min and the chromatographic separation was complete in about 10 min. As low as 8 μg 1−1 of nitrite could be determined with a limit of detection of 2 μg 1−1 Application of the proposed method to river water and pharmaceutical tablets has been demonstrated.

Derivatization od iodide into 4-iodo-2,6-dimethylphenol and HPLC of iodophenol with UV detection has been found to be a suitable method for the sensitive detection of iodide. The precolumn derivatization involved oxidation of iodide with 2-iodosobenzoate at pH 6.4 in the presence of 2,6-dimethylphenol. The reaction mixture was chromatographed on an octadecylsilane column using a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water, 60:40 (v/v), and detection at 220 nm

Objectives We sought to review the clinical sequelae and imaging manifestations of thoracic aortic endograft collapses and infoldings and to evaluate minimally invasive methods of repairing such collapses. Methods Two hundred twenty-one Gore endografts (Excluder, TAG; W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) were deployed in 145 patients for treatment of pathologies including aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, transections, fistulae, mycotic aneurysms, and neoplastic invasions in 6 different prospective trials at a single institution from 1997 to 2007. Device collapses and infoldings were analyzed retrospectively, including review of anatomic parameters, pathologies treated, device sizing and selection, clinical sequelae, methods of repair, and outcome. Results Six device collapses and infoldings were identified. Oversized devices placed into small-diameter aortas and imperfect proximal apposition to the lesser curvature were seen in all proximal collapses, affecting patients with transections and pseudoaneurysms. Infoldings in patients undergoing dissection represented incomplete initial expansion rather than delayed collapse. Delayed collapse occurred as many as 6 years after initial successful deployment, apparently as a result of changes in the aortic configuration from aneurysmal shrinkage. Clinical manifestations ranged from life-threatening ischemia to complete lack of symptoms. Collapses requiring therapy were remedied percutaneously by bare stenting or in one case by branch vessel embolization. Conclusions Use of oversized devices in small aortas carries a risk of device failure by collapse, which can occur immediately or after years of delay. When clinically indicated, percutaneous repair can be effectively performed.

The N-terminal 'unstructured' region of the human prion protein [PrP((90-231))] is believed to play a role in its aggregation because mutations in this region are associated with seeding-independent deposition disorders like Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease (GSS). One way of examining the effects of such mutations is to search combinatorially derived libraries for sequence variants showing a propensity to aggregate and/or the ability to interact with prion molecules folded into a beta-sheet-based conformation (i.e., beta-PrP or PrP(Sc)). We created a library of 1.8x10(7) variants randomized between positions 101 and 112, displayed it on filamentous bacteriophage, and 'spiked' it with a approximately 25% population of phages-bearing wild-type prion (wt-PrP). Screening was performed through four rounds of biopanning and amplification against immobilized beta-PrP, and yielded three beta-PrP-binding populations: wt-PrP (26% representation) and two non-wt-PrP variants ( approximately 10% and approximately 64% representation, respectively). The remarkable enrichment of one non-wt-PrP variant (MutPrP) incorporating residues KPSKPKTNMKHM in place of KGVLTWFSPLWQ, despite its initial representation at a 5 million-fold lower level than wt-PrP, caused us to produce it and discover: (i) that it readily aggregates into thioflavin-T-binding amyloids between pH 6.0 and 9.0, (ii) that it adopts a soluble beta-sheet based monomeric structure at pH 10.0, (iii) that it is less thermally stable and more compact than wt-PrP, and (iv) that it displays significantly greater resistance to proteolysis than wt-PrP. Our results suggest that sequence variations in the 101-112 region can indeed predispose the prion for aggregation.

Twenty one full-sib families derived from intra- and interspecific controlled crosses were analysed to study different genetic parameters. Estimates of the general combining ability (GCA) variance were found to be less than the specific combining ability (SCA) variance for all the parameters. The dominance variance was more than the additive variance for all the parameters studied. The degree of dominance ranged between 1.73 (per cent successful crosses) and 5.35 (% germination). Moderately high (0.42 for % successful crosses) to low (0.15 for seed per capsule) narrow sense heritibilities and high heritability in broad sense (0.74 to 0.99) for per cent successful crosses and seeds per catkin was recorded. GCA effects were positive and significant for S. tetrasperma (TFB), S. tetrasperma (TWE) and S. tetrasperma (LNM) male parents for all the parameters while S. alba (SE- 63–007) exhibited significantly positive effects for number of seeds/catkin. Among females, S. tetrasperma (LP), S. tetrasperma (LNF) and S. tetrasperma (LN) depicted positive and significant GCA effects for number of seeds/catkin and per cent germination, respectively whereas crosses, S. matsudana (PN-227) x S. alba (Kashmiri) and S. tetrasperma (LNF) x S. tetrasperma (LNM) exhibited positive and significant SCA effects for per cent successful crosses. Cross S. matsudana (PN-227) x S. alba (Kashmiri) showed positive significant SCA effects for number of seeds/capsule.

A 55-years-old male, who presented with insidious onset gradually progressive sensorimotor polyneuropathy, POEMS-syndrome was diagnosed based on polyneuropathy, splenomegaly, hypothyroidism, the presence of IgG-monoclonal serum protein with osteosclerotic lesions and hyperpigmention of skin. Biopsy of the osteosclerotic lesion from the right superior pubic rami was consistent with plasmocytoma. Electrophysiological studies revealed demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy and biopsy from sural nerve showed demyelinating neuropathy with secondary axonopathy. The patient showed improvement with radiotherapy. This is a rare systemic disease from the clinical spectrum of plasma cell dyscrasias with polyneuropathy. The importance of POEMS syndrome in the differential diagnosis of polyneuropathies has been emphasized.

A 40-year-old female after a closed head injury presented with bilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia. Attempted convergence was abnormal and MRI revealed the focal hemorrhage in the medial longitudinal fasciculus region by showing bright signal in the a pontomesencephalic region in the midline on both T1 and T2 weighted images. The patient regained normal ocular mobility after six months of the injury. The medial longitudinal fasciculus, which is believed to be lesioned in cases of internuclear ophthalmoplegia, is an unusual and rare finding, particularly in patients victims of head injury without further neurological signs. Isolated internuclear ophthalmoplegia should be considered in the differential diagnosis when one encounters an adduction deficit in a patient suffering head injury.

We describe a 12 years old male who presented with one year history of cognitive decline with extrapyramidal features. Wilson disease was diagnosed on basis of biochemical studies and MRI. MRI showed increased signal intensity on T2 weighted images in basal ganglia and supratentorial with infratentorial gray and white matter. Our patient developed white matter changes early in course of disease.

To the Editor:The WHO recogniszes pesticide poisoning to be the single most important means of suicide globally. Pesticide self-poisoning is a major public health and clinical problem in rural Asia...

We describe a 65-year-old male who presented with acute onset inability to read, without any difficulty in writing. A clinical diagnosis of alexia without agraphia was made and the patient was subjected to routine investigations including contrast MRI. MRI showed a ring-enhancing lesion in left occipital area, suggestive of neurocysticercosis supported by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay from purified cell fraction of taenia solium cysticerci (PCF-ELISA). Patient was treated with albendazole and prednisolone for one week. The clinical manifestation as well as the radiological finding resolved after treatment.

Agrochemical poisoning is mostly due to exposure to organophosphates (most common in India). Besides their well known acute cholinergic toxicity, these compounds may also lead to late-onset distal polyneuropathy, two to three weeks after the acute exposure. Here we report a case of a young farmer who developed acute Chlorphyriphos poisoning due to its deliberate consumption and later on presented with delayed motor axonal polyneuroapthy. This case is being reported on account of its rarity.

Background End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is influenced by genetic and epigenetic factors. Few studies have been reported earlier depicting the role of Matrix Metalloproteinase in different populations for ESRD risk, but we have reported few novel and functional genes in North Indian population. The prime objective of the present study was to find out the association of four variants viz. MMP1-519(A/G) and MMP1-1607(1G/2G) and MMP3+5356(A/G) and MMP3 -1161(A/G) with ESRD risk.

Acute cysticercal meningitis coexisting with intraocular cysticercosis is an extremely infrequent clinical presentation of neurocysticercosis. We report a 26 year old male, who presented with signs and symptoms of acute eosinophilic cysticercal meningitis with intraocular cysticercosis in the anterior chamber of left eye. Diagnosis was confirmed with demonstration of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) eosinophilia, cysticercus specific IgG antibodies by CSF ELISA, sterile bacterial, mycobacterial and fungal CSF cultures, cystic lesions containing characteristic scolices consistent with neurocysticercosis on neuroimaging and histopathological demonstration of cysticercus cellulosae larva viscoexpressed from the eye. The importance of having high index of clinical suspicion highlighted along with need of examining cerebrospinal fluid with Wright-Giemsa stain so as not to miss cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia and diagnosis of this extremely under-reported clinical entity, when there is concurrent presence of brain and other extracerebral lesions consistent with cysticercosis.

Prevalence of several diseases especially mastitis in dairy animals causes reduction in milk production leading to heavy economic loss to the dairy farmers. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a minor whey non-heme iron binding protein produced by the mammary gland may serve a dual role, protecting both the mammary gland and the neonatal intestine from infection. The characterization of lactoferrin gene promoter region has been described in Bos taurus cattle, but there are no reports available in Bos indicus cattle which are widely distributed in Indian sub-continent. About 1kb sequence of lactoferrin gene was generated and the BLAST analysis revealed 99% sequence homology with the exotic cattle sequence. The phylogenetic analysis showed clustering of indicus and taurine cattle together in a single node indicating 5’ regulatory region of lactoferrin gene is highly conserved in these two sub-species. A total of 13 putative transcription factor binding sites were indentified. Although it seems unlikely that all the putative transcription factors identified in the promoter region exert their individual effects, some may actually influence the regulation of bovine lactoferrin gene expression in various tissues especially in mammary gland which need to be further assessed for their functional significance.

Cluster of Differentiation (CD14) protein was identified as a differentiation marker on the surface of monocytes and macrophages and was characterized as a receptor for bacterial endotoxin (LPS). It is regarded as the first described pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) and one of the excellent candidates for mastitis resistance in cattle. Present study was carried out with the objective to characterize and identify genetic polymorphism of promoter region of CD14 gene and its association with clinical mastitis in lactating Karan Fries cattle maintained at NDRI Karnal. Twelve SNPs were found in the complete sequence of 553 base pairs of promoter region of CD14 gene of Karan Fries cows. Cows were also screened using PCR-RFLP with Hpy188I restriction enzyme which revealed three genotypes AA, AB and BB. All three genotypes differed significantly regarding mastitis incidence.

The data on body weights of 780 Sahiwal animals from birth to first calving for a period of 47 years (1961- 2007) were adjusted for significant non-genetic factors (season and period) using least squares analysis and the adjusted records were used for subsequent analysis. The season of birth had no significant effect on birth weight, body weights at 24 months age, 30 months age and weight at first calving. Body weight at 12 months of age was significantly influenced (P £ 0.05) by season of birth and the effect of season was highly significant (P £ 0.01) on 6 and 18 months body weights. The period of birth had highly significant (P £ 0.01) influence on all body weights from birth to first calving. The least squares analysis of variance showed the highly significant (P £ 0.01) regression of body weights at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of age and weight at first calving on birth weight in Sahiwal cattle. The heritability estimates were: 0.13 ± 0.06, 0.15 ± 0.09, 0.13 ± 0.08, 0.11 ± 0.08, 0.27 ± 0.11, 0.31 ± 0.12 and 0.19 ± 0.10 for body weights at birth, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and at first calving. The heritability estimate of birth weight was moderate and significant for Sahiwal calves. The estimates of heritability of body weights at six, twelve and eighteen months were not significantly different from zero as standard errors were higher. However, the heritability estimates of twenty four and thirty months body weights were higher and significant in Sahiwal heifers. The estimates of genetic correlations of 6 months body weight with 12 months body weight, 24 months body weight with 30 months body weight and body weight at first calving and 30 months body weight with body weight at first calving were higher in magnitude. Most of the body weight traits showed highly significant (P £ 0.01) phenotypic correlation amongst themselves. However, non-significant phenotypic correlations were observed in case of birth weight with six months body weight and weight at first calving.

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 HinfI 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.

Ovarian cancer is one of the neoplasms affecting the reproductive tract associated with high mortality rate because of limited therapeutic options and an elevated incidence of chemoresistance and recurrence. In this context, immunotherapy may constitute a promising approach to improve survival rates and clinical outcome, raising the need for specific target antigens. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are considered promising candidates in this sense because they are aberrant expressed by various malignancies but not by non-transformed tissue, with the exception of testes. Here, we examined the expression and potential to promote humoral immune responses of a novel CTA, A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4), among 38 ovarian carcinoma patients. Our results reveal that AKAP4 was expressed at both the mRNA and protein levels in 89% (34/38) of ovarian carcinoma tissue specimens but not in 21 matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues. In addition, a humoral response against AKAP4 was detected in 58% (22/38) of ovarian carcinoma patients by ELISA. In particular, 65% (22/34) patients bearing an AKAP4-expressing tumor exhibited circulating anti-AKAP4 antibodies. Interestingly, the majority of specimens were categorized as ovarian serous adenocarcinoma and serous papillary carcinoma, of which 93% (28/30) and 100% (6/6), respectively, expressed AKAP4. A humoral response against AKAP4 was detected in 79% (19/24) and 67% (4/6) of ovarian serous adenocarcinoma and serous papillary carcinoma patients, respectively. The presence of circulating anti-AKAP4 antibodies suggests the AKAP4 is highly immunogenic in ovarian serous carcinoma patients. Our study lays the foundations for exploring AKAP4 as a potential target for the immunotherapy of ovarian cancer.

No abstract available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljfmsl.v3i2.5434 Sri Lanka Journal of Forensic Medicine, Science & Law-December 2012-Vol.3 No.2 p. 1-5

Results on crossability among diffent species revealed higher compatibility rate for intra-specific crosses of Salix tetrasperma and S. matsudana as compared to inter-specific crosses. Crossing of different species within sub-genus Salix and among section were possible, whereas crossing of species between sub-genus Salix and Vetrix did not yield viable seed. S. tetrasperma from section Humboldtianae successfully crossed with members belonging to section Salix, Subalbae and Nigrae. S. babylonica of section Subalbae successfully crossed with member of section Humboldtianae and Salix. Maximum percentage (78.24%) of successful crosses was recorded for intra-specific crosses involving S. matsudana (PN-227) and S. matsudana (PN-722). Among inter-specific crosses, percentage successful crosses varied between 42.86 per cent for S. matsudana (PN-227) x S. alba (SI-63-007) and 7.50 per cent for S. tetrasperma (LNF) x S. alba (SI-63-007). Maximum germination percentage (78.00 per cent) among interspecific hybrids was recorded for S. matsudana (PN-227) x S. alba (SI-63-007), whereas minimum (26.00 per cent) was registered for S. babylonica (FB) x S. tetrasperma (TFB). The RAPD fragments obtained after PCR amplification of ybrid [(S. tetrasperma (LG) x S. tetrasperma (TWE)] recorded 100 per cent and 70 per cent similarity with male and female parent respectively. Maximum similarity (96%) with female parent was recorded in S. matsudana (PN-227) x S. matsudana (PN-722) suggesting dominating control of female parent.

Germ cells are endowed with unique properties like the ability to undergo meiosis and differentiate into gametes in order to perpetuate the genetic material. Spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) are considered as the best suited undifferentiated germ cells and are being consistently studied to reveal the basic physiology, genomics and transcriptomics of those cells. SSC provide an excellent model system to understand the differentiation, development and functioning of gonads and further use of these cells in transplantation-cell based therapies. In the present article, basic aspects of spermatogonial multiplication, regulation of stem cell renewal and differentiation would be discussed.

Purpose: Pancreatic fibrosis results from repeated episodes of inflammation and chronic oxidative stress within the pancreas. PPAR is a ligand-activated transcription factor that modulates inflammation in different tissues, and has been shown to block activation of pancreatic stellate cells in vitro.The aim of this study was to investigate the antifibrotic/anti-inflammatory effect of the antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E, in chronic pancreatitis.

New approach in the management of proximally migrated stent with an obstructing anti-reflux valve