Search

This paper attempts to conceptualise the idea of human rights and globalisation which are the dominant themes in contemporary political literature. Both these terms are universal and global in nature. Human rights have exceeded national boundaries and globalisation is an all-encompassing phenomenon with wide consequences. This paper also looks at the relationship between human rights and globalisation which is the main aim of this paperwhether globalisation is responsible for the promotion of human rights or undermines the idea of human rights. It also analyses that how globalisation has impacted on nation-states in terms of both abusing and guaranteeing human rights. It further explores the role of global civil society and democracy as outcome of globalisation in the protection and promotion of human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigator attempted to study the level of emotional stability experienced by the alcohol abusers. The present study was conducted on 400 alcohol abusers selected through snow ball sampling technique. Emotional Stability Questionnaire developed and designed by Sanjay Vohra (Revised, 2013) was used for the collection of data in the present study. The investigator applied frequency analysis, t-test and regression for the statistical treatment of the collected data. Findings of the study revealed that majority of the alcohol abusers had low level of emotional stability. Also there is significant difference between alcohol abusers belonging to 15-25 and 26-35 age groups and alcohol abusers belonging to nuclear andjoint family with respect to their emotional stability. Further the findings demonstrated that age and family type had a significant influence on the emotional stability of alcohol abusers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to assess the level of psychological well-being among religious practitioners. Present study was conducted on 250 subjects, selected through random sampling technique. For statistical analysis't'-test, ANOVAand Pearson's Correlation were applied. Ryffs Psychological Well-being Scale (1995) was used to assess the level of psychological well-being among practitioners. Findings indicate that male and daily practitioners have higher psychological well-being than female and occasionally practitioners, also above 45 years age group have higher psychological well-being than 15-25 and 26-45 years age group. Further the findings indicate that Muslim practitioners have high psychological well-being than Christian and Hindu practitioners respectively. Results also revealed that there is significant relationship found between variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health is defined as a state of well being in which people realizes their own potential, can cope with the every day's normal stresses and work productively as well as fruitfully and is able to make contribution to her or his community. The purpose of the present paper is to assess the level of mental health among alcohol abusers. The present study consisted the sample of 60 subjects which were equally divided into three groups on the basis of age (15-25 years & 25-35 years), occupation (employed & unemployed) and duration of intake (1-3 years & 3-5 years). Mental Health Inventory designed and developed by Viel and Ware (1983) was used for data collection. Mean, SD, t-test and correlation were applied for statistical analysis. Results indicate that there is significant difference between the mean scores of 15-25 and 25-35 years old alcohol abusers. Similarly there is a significant difference found between the mean scores of employed and unemployed alcohol abusers. Further there is a significant difference found between the mean scores of alcohol abusers with alcohol intake duration 1-3 and above 3-5 years. And there is a significant relationship between mental health, age, occupation and duration of intake. On the basis of the findings in the present study we may conclude that age, occupation and duration of intake are influential factors in mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most complex and common endocrine disorder of women in reproductive years. In addition to irregular menstrual cycles, chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism, it has many metabolic manifestations such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, increased risk of cardiovascular disease or possibly endometrial cancer. Familial clustering of PCOS in consistence with the genetic susceptibility has been described. Materials and Methods: The present study assessed the clinical, biochemical and hormonal parameters including prevalence of metabolic syndrome by two different criteria in the first- degree relatives of patients with PCOS. Results: The average age of 37 index patients was 23 ± 3.6 years, with the mean age of menarche as 13.3 ± 1.2 years. The mean age and age of menarche in mothers (n = 22) was 48.8 ± 5.1 and 13 ± 1.3 years, respectively, whereas as it was 23.5 ± 4.7 and 13.3 ± 1.2 years in sisters (n = 22), respectively. Metabolic syndrome (MS) defined by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria was present in 10 index patients, 1 brother, 4 sisters, 17 mothers and 15 fathers while as by Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) it was in 8 index patients, 5 sisters, 16 mothers and 11 fathers. Conclusion: The presence of MS or related metabolic derangements is high in the family members of women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to see the efficacy of endorectal coil MRI and MR spectroscopic imaging in patients with elevated serum PSA and negative transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 87 patients presented with:·Elevated prostatic specific antigen levels >5 ng/ml·Symptoms and signs of prostatic carcinoma·Patients with negative TRUS-guided biopsy·Suspicious lesion on TRU. All the patients were subjected to TRUS and followed by TRUS-guided biopsy of the lesion identified on endorectal coil MRI and MR-Spectroscopy. TRUS-guided biopsy of prostate was done with a Siemens Sonoline Adana Scanner. The scanning was performed by mechanical probe 5-7.5 MHz. Results: Out of 87 patients, 43 (49.4%) had hypointense lesion, 11 (12.6%) had hyperintense lesion. Out of 87 patients, MR-spectroscopy showed peak choline-creatine in 74 patients. Normal citrate peak was seen in 13 patients. Patients who had choline-creatine peak, among them 28 (37.8%) had peak in left peripheral zone, 23 (31.1%) had peak in the right peripheral zone, 2 (2.7%) had peak in the central zone, 17 had (23%) peak bilaterally. Four patients (5.4%) had peaks in right and central zones. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Prostatic biopsy directed with endorectal coil MRI and MR-spectroscopic imaging findings in patients with elevated serum PSA and prior negative biopsy, improves the early diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma and accurate localization of prostate cancer within the gland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mithramycin (MTR) and daunomycin are two anticancer drugs that bind reversibly to double stranded DNA with (G.C) base specificity leading to inhibition of transcription. MTR is a groove binder of DNA in the presence of a divalent cation such as Mg2+, while daunomycin intercalates in the double stranded DNA structure. In order to understand the mechanism of action of the two types of transcription inhibitor, namely, groove binder and intercalator, we have studied the effect of N-terminal tail domains in histone proteins of the nucleosome upon the association of both MTR and daunomycin with the nucleosome core particle, because the tails modulate the accessibility to nucleosome during gene expression. Using a combination of spectroscopic, thermodynamic and biochemical studies, we have shown that N-terminal intact and chopped core particles interact differently with the same ligand and the N-terminal tail domains of core histones in the nucleosome stand in the way of free access of these ligands to the nucleosomal DNA. Tryptic removal of N-terminal tail domains of core histones enhances the binding potential and accessibility of both MTR and daunomycin to nucleosomal DNA. They disassemble the nucleosome structure leading to a release of DNA, N-terminal chopped nucleosomes being more susceptible for disruption compared to N-terminal intact nucleosomes. The extent of these effects is more pronounced in case of the intercalator daunomycin. Thus, N-terminal tail domains protect the eukaryotic genome from external agents, such as anticancer drugs, and the degree of protection is dependent upon the mode of binding to DNA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Depletion of histone H1 after covalent modification from chromatin is a key step in eukaryotic transcription initiation. We have studied the effect of depletion of linker histone H1 upon the association of transcription inhibitor, (mithramycin)2:Mg2+ complex, with chromatin. We have compared the binding characteristics of the above complex with native, H1-depleted chromatin and naked DNA. Binding site size (number of bases per ligand molecule) of the above complex to the chromosomal DNA increases upon removal of histone H1. It implies an increase in the accessibility of the ligand for the linker DNA. Spectroscopic data, and associated enthalpy and entropy values of the interaction of the complex with H1-depleted chromatin are similar to naked DNA rather than native chromatin. These results suggest that under in vivo conditions, depletion of histone H1 from transcriptionally inert native chromatin during gene activation would lead to an enhanced accessibility of linker DNA to the small ligands with the potential to inhibit transcription. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies the interaction of Chromomycin A[sub 3], an anticancer antibiotic, with N-terminal intact or chopped nucleosome core particle and DNA stripped of histone proteins from rat liver. Effect of histones on the association of antibiotic-magnesium ion complexes with the nucleusomal DNA; Role of N-terminal tail domain on nucleosome disruption.

We present a case of left proximal femoral artery transection injury in 1½-year-old male child due to a fall over a bike handle after sustaining a road traffic accident. He was presented to the emergency room with a cut proximal end of the left femoral artery and a fracture upper end of the shaft of the femur seen at the wound site. Following initial resuscitation, the patient was planned for wound exploration, fracture stabilization, and femoral artery repair which were executed, and salvage of the lower limb of 1½-year-old child was achieved. We conclude that teamwork, training, and experience in repairing pediatric vessels and timely pediatric vascular repair play a pivotal role in the salvage of a limb and improvement of the quality of life of a child. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the key reasons for the poor performance of natural enemies of honeydew-producing insect pests is mutualism between ants and some aphid species. The findings demonstrated that red wood ant, Formica rufa Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) had a deleterious impact on different biological parameters of the lady beetle, Hippodamia variegata Goeze (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). H. variegata laid far fewer eggs in ant-tended aphid colonies, laying nearly 2.5 times more eggs in ant absence. Ants antennated and bit the lady beetle eggs, resulting in significantly low egg hatching of 66 per cent over 85 per cent in ant absent treatments. The presence of ants significantly reduced the development of all larval instars. The highest reduction was found in the fourth larval instar (31.33% reduction), and the lowest in the first larval instar (20% reduction). Later larval instars were more aggressively attacked by ants than earlier instars. The first and second larval instars stopped their feeding and movement in response to ant aggression. The third and fourth larval instars modified their mobility, resulting in increased ant aggression towards them. Adult lady beetles were shown to be more vulnerable to ant attacks than larvae. However, H. variegata adults demonstrated counterattacks in the form of diverse defensive reaction behaviours in response to F. rufa aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder with diverse metabolic implications. Diagnosis typically relies on oligo‐amenorrhoea (OA), hyperandrogenism (HA), and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). However, the role of polymenorrhoea in PCOS remains understudied. Additionally, limited information exists regarding metabolic disturbances in women with partial PCOS phenotypes that do not meet diagnostic criteria. This extensive database aims to provide substantial evidence on the metabolic implications of polymenorrhoea and partial PCOS phenotypes. Design: Prospective observational study. Patients and Measurements: In this single‐centre study, 6463 women with PCOS‐like characteristics and 3142 age‐matched healthy women were included. The study compared clinical (anthropometry, modified Ferriman Gallwey [mFG] score), hormonal (serum testosterone), and metabolic (plasma glucose, serum lipids, insulin) characteristics between women diagnosed with PCOS, those with partial PCOS phenotypes, and the healthy control group Results: In all, 5174 women met Rotterdam criteria for PCOS diagnosis, while 737 were classified as Pre‐PCOS, including HA (n = 538), OA (n = 121), or PCOM (n = 78). Common clinical features included oligomenorrhoea (75.5%), hirsutism (82.9%), obesity (27.2%), hypertension (1.6%), metabolic syndrome (19.6%), and diabetes mellitus (5.6%). Women diagnosed with PCOS, HA only, and OA only exhibited higher average body mass index, plasma glucose levels (both fasting and 2 h after the oral glucose tolerance test), and lipid fractions in comparison to those with PCOM and the healthy controls. However, indices of insulin resistance were similar among women with PCOS, HA, PCOM, and OA, albeit higher than in the healthy controls. The polymenorrhoea subgroup (5.9%) had lower BMI and serum testosterone, but similar mFG score, plasma glucose, insulin, and lipid levels as the oligomenorrhoea subgroup. Conclusion: The metabolic disturbances observed in Pre‐PCOS women highlight the need to reassess diagnostic criteria. Including the polymenorrhoea subcategory in PCOS criteria is recommended due to similar metabolic dysfunctions as the oligomenorrhoea group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: DEPDC5 is a common causative gene in familial focal epilepsy with or without malformations of cortical development. Its pathogenic variants also confer a significantly higher risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), providing opportunities to investigate the pathophysiology intersecting neurodevelopment, epilepsy, and cardiorespiratory function. There is an urgent need to gain a mechanistic understanding of DEPDC5‐related epilepsy and SUDEP, identify biomarkers for patients at high risk, and develop preventive interventions. Methods: Depdc5 was specifically deleted in excitatory or inhibitory neurons in the mouse brain to determine neuronal subtypes that drive epileptogenesis and SUDEP. Electroencephalogram (EEG), cardiac, and respiratory recordings were performed to determine cardiorespiratory phenotypes associated with SUDEP. Baseline respiratory function and the response to hypoxia challenge were also studied in these mice. Results: Depdc5 deletion in excitatory neurons in cortical layer 5 and dentate gyrus caused frequent generalized tonic–clonic seizures and SUDEP in young adult mice, but Depdc5 deletion in cortical interneurons did not. EEG suppression immediately following ictal offset was observed in fatal and non‐fatal seizures, but low amplitude rhythmic theta frequency activity was lost only in fatal seizures. In addition, these mice developed baseline respiratory dysfunction prior to SUDEP, during which ictal apnea occurred long before terminal cardiac asystole. Interpretation: Depdc5 deletion in excitatory neurons is sufficient to cause DEPDC5‐related epilepsy and SUDEP. Ictal apnea and respiratory dysregulation play critical roles in SUDEP. Our study also provides a novel mouse model to investigate the underlying mechanisms of DEPDC5‐related epilepsy and SUDEP. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:812–824 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the effect of two aphid species; Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the life table and reproductive parameters of ladybird beetle, Coccinella undecimpunctata (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). The results revealed that the total developmental period from egg to adult emergence was significantly shorter on Myzus persicae (18.6 ± 0.42 days) and longer on Brevicoryne brassicae (27.4±0.50 days). The adult longevity of males and females was noted significantly higher on M. persicae than B. brassicae. The reproductive parameters such as oviposition period (37±1.00 days), post-oviposition period (4.4±0.41 days), and fecundity (315.09±0.34 eggs) were found higher on M. persicae than B. brassicae (31.2±1.09 days, 3.3±0.35 days, 189.54±0.43 eggs, respectively). Among the life table parameters, net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase were significantly higher on M. persicae (132.18 females/female and 0.19/day, respectively) and lower on B. brassicae (80.77 females/female and 0.12/day, respectively). Our results showed that C. undecimpunctata can be easily reared on M. persicae and is a more efficient biological control agent for M. persicae than B. brassicae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive nitrogenous fertilization in years resulted in larger nitrogen and profit losses. This problem can be reduced by using need-based and time-specific nitrogen management. Therefore, a field experiment was carried out during the Kharif season of 2019 and 2020 in order to evaluate the impact of precision nitrogen management on the phenology, yield and agrometeorological indices of hybrid maize genotypes at the Agronomy Research Farm, FoA Wadura, Sopore, SKUAST-Kashmir. The experiment was carried out in split-plot design consisting of maize hybrids (Shalimar Maize Hybrid-2 Vivek-45 and Kanchan-517) as main plot treatments and precision nitrogen management (T1: Control, T2: Recommended N, T3: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 3@20 kg N ha−1, T4: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 3@30 kg N ha−1, T5: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 4@20 kg N ha−1, T6: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 4@30 kg N ha−1, T7: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 5@20 kg N ha−1 and T8: 25% N as basal ≤ LCC 5@30 kg N ha−1) as sub-plot treatments. Results demonstrated that maize hybrids showed a non-significant difference in attaining different phenophases during both years. However, Shalimar Maize Hybrid-2 demonstrated higher grain (62.35 and 60.65 q ha−1) and biological yield (170.26 and 165.86 q ha−1), a higher number of days to attain different phenological stages in comparison to Vivek-45 and Kanchan-517 thereby achieved higher heat units, PTUs, HTUs, PTI. The application of nitrogen through LCC ≤ 5@30 kg N ha−1 noted higher grain yield (61.27 and 59.13 q ha−1) and biological yield (171.30 and 166.13 q ha−1) during 2019 and 2020 respectively. Higher values of Growing degree days (GDD), Heliothermal units (HTU), Photothermal units (PTU), Phenothermal index (PTI), heat use efficiency (HUE) and radiation use efficiency (RUE) were observed in the application of nitrogen through LCC ≤ 5@30 kg N ha−1 and required the highest number of days to reach different phenophases than other treatments during crop growing seasons of 2019 and 2020. The results demonstrated that Nitrogen application based on LCC ≤ 5@30 proved effective and should be adopted in maize hybrids especially in Shalimar Maize Hybrid-2 to attain higher yield under the temperate climate of Kashmir Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Organic nanoparticles (ONPs) possess great research interests for their promising effects in the enhancement of bioactivity including anticancer activity with less toxicity. The present study describes the preparation, characterization and biological evaluation of aqueous phase ONPs of potent 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivative (BZ6) for anticancer activity. BZ6-ONPs were characterized through UV-absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic analysis for their photo-physical properties. DLS, TEM and SEM studies were carried out for morphological and structural analysis. Cytotoxicity determination on a panel of four different cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MiaPaca-2, HT-29 and HCT-116) revealed that the BZ6-ONPs show highest activity in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Surprisingly, the BZ6-ONPs were found to be non-toxic towards normal breast epithelial fR2 cells. Additionally, the FITC-ONPs showed enhanced uptake in 3D tumor spheroids of MCF-7 cells compared to the free FITC. BZ6-ONPs strongly halted cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, possibly through oxidative stress-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in MCF-7 cells. Moreover, molecular mechanism-based studies revealed that BZ6-ONPs downregulated AKT/NF-κB/vimentin/survivin-mediated oncogenic signaling pathway promoting cell proliferation and malignancy. In a nutshell, BZ6-ONPs are therapeutically efficacious, which needs further development as a treatment option in human mammary gland carcinomas. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • 1,2-Disubstituted benzimidazole analogue (BZ6) is a potential anticancer agent. • Organic nanoparticles of BZ6 (BZ6-ONPs) were synthesized and characterized for their photo-physical properties. • BZ6-ONPs showed increased uptake in 3D tumor spheroids and enhanced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. • BZ6-ONPs produced oxidative stress-mediated ROS generation and loss of mitochondrial integrity. • BZ6-ONPs modulate AKT/Par-4/NF-kB signaling axis to induce apoptosis in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: CSE-1034 is a novel antibiotic adjuvant entity (AAE) with proven activity against broad range of multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens causing various bacterial infections. This phase 3 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CSE-1034 therapy for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients of Pneumonia Outcomes Research Team (PORT) risk III-IV., Methods: In this multi-centric, controlled, open-labeled phase 3 trial, adult patients with PORT risk III-IV CAP were randomized to receive either intravenous CSE-1034 (3g every 12h) or Ceftriaxone (2g every 12h) for 3-10 days. The primary endpoint was clinical response in clinically-evaluable (CE) population and microbiological eradication in microbiologically-evaluable (ME) population at test of cure (TOC) visits. Secondary endpoints included verification of the primary endpoints across all other visits, treatment duration and safety of patients., Results: 156 patients were screened at 5 study centers of which 93 subjects were enrolled in the study and randomized in CSE-1034 and Ceftriaxone treatment arms. In CE population (n=90), the clinical cure rates at TOC visit were 96% and 64% in CSE-1034 (n=46) and Ceftriaxone (n=44) treatment arms respectively (treatment difference: 32.0%; 95% CI, 15.8%-47.1%). The bacterial eradication in ME population of two treatment arms were 94% (n=36) and 56% (n=27) at TOC visit (treatment difference: 38.9%; 95% CI, 17.8%-57.6%). Overall, the total number of adverse events (AEs) reported in both groups were 21 (22.5%). The AEs rates reported in two treatment arms were 15.2% in CSE-1034 and 29.8% in Ceftriaxone group., Conclusion: Overall assessment of clinical cure rate, microbiological eradication rate and safety assessment in this study has shown that CSE-1034 is an effective and safe option for the treatment of CAP patients of PORT risk III-IV. Moreover, the superiority of CSE-1034 over Ceftriaxone is also proven., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)