Search

The aim of this work was to study the pyocyanin pigment from Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN9. The work involves optimization of process parameters for enhanced production of pyocyanin pigment under submerged fermentation condition. During optimization process, maximum pyocyanin production (92.12 µg/ml) was obtained with carbon source mannitole, nitrogen source peptone, inorganic salt NaCl and metal ion FeSO4. Plackett Burman design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) showed peptone, NaCl and KH2PO4 are significant variable in the production of pyocyanin pigment. The FTIR and GC–MS study was done to evaluate structural properties of pyocyanin pigment. The purified pigment was further analyzed as colouring agent and for inhibitory action against pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, present study showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa DN9 as promising culture for pigment production with potential biotechnological application.

In insects, odorant receptors facilitate olfactory communication and require the functionality of the highly conserved co-receptor gene orco. Genome editing studies in a few species of ants and moths have revealed that orco can also have a neurodevelopmental function, in addition to its canonical role in adult olfaction, discovered first in Drosophila melanogaster. To extend this analysis, we determined whether orco mutations also affect the development of the adult brain of the honey bee Apis mellifera, an important model system for social behavior and chemical communication. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out orco and examined anatomical and molecular consequences. To increase efficiency, we coupled embryo microinjection with a laboratory egg collection and in vitro rearing system. This new workflow advances genomic engineering technologies in honey bees by overcoming restrictions associated with field studies. We used Sanger sequencing to quickly select individuals with complete orco knockout for neuroanatomical analyses and later validated and described the mutations with amplicon sequencing. Mutant bees had significantly fewer glomeruli, smaller total volume of all the glomeruli, and higher mean individual glomerulus volume in the antennal lobe compared to wild-type controls. RNA-Sequencing revealed that orco knockout also caused differential expression of hundreds of genes in the antenna, including genes related to neural development and genes encoding odorant receptors. The expression of other types of chemoreceptor genes was generally unaffected, reflecting specificity of CRISPR activity in this study. These results suggest that neurodevelopmental effects of orco are related to specific insect life histories.

Introduction: For the prevention of symptoms of deficiency and to maintain satisfactory level of the nutrient in the body, consumption of nutrients as par Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is very important. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the level of micro and macro nutrients consumption among the study participants and their comparison with the current RDA recommendation. Materials and Methods: Five hundred and two patients and their attendants visiting the OPD of Diabetes, Obesity & Thyroid Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh for their routine follow ups were studied. Sociodemographic details including age, sex, height and weight were recorded. Dietary recall of two days was taken on a predesigned proforma. Details of the intake of various macronutrients and micronutrients were estimated by Dietcal software. Results: Mean age of study participants was 44.51±12.53 years with male preponderance (51.8%). Females were found to consume less macronutrients (p Conclusion: Present study population had lower amount of protein, higher amount of fats and carbohydrates intake; micronutrients intake was also very low as compared to RDA. Keywords: Recommended daily allowance, Nutritional deficiency, India, macronutrients, Micronutrients.

Native sodium caseinate-vitamin A (VA) complexes (Sodium caseinate-VA complex, NaCaS-VA) and modified sodium caseinate-VA complexes i.e. Succinylated sodium caseinate-VA complex (SNaCaS-VA), reassembled sodium caseinate-VA complex (RNaCaS-VA) and reassembled succinylated sodium caseinate-VA complex (RSNaCaS-VA) were prepared and evaluated for their in-vitro bioaccessibility and in-vitro bioavailability of VA through Caco-2 cell lines.VA degraded under acidic conditions as the physiological pH during digestion in stomach was highly acidic (1.2-1.8). During in-vitro gastric digestion, sodium caseinate provided protection to VA, hence, higher VA content was retained in digesta as compared to free VA (oily form). Vitamin uptake by Caco-2 cells was significantly different for digested sodium caseinate-VA complexes as compared to free VA. The peptide content of casein and various sodium caseinate-VA complexes was monitored throughout digestion process. Variation in the complex composition had an effect on protein digestibility and peptide distribution. The bioavailability of VA through sodium caseinate-VA complexes was evaluated by exposing Caco-2 cells to the digesta of milk fortified with various complexes. The total uptake of VA by Caco-2 cells was highest for milk fortified with RSNaCaS-VA followed by RNaCaS-VA, control milk, SNaCaS-VA, NaCaS-VA and free VA. During the formation of RNaCaS-VA and RSNaCaS-VA complexes more hydrophobic sites are exposed, leading to the attachment of VA on the interior hydrophobic regions of sodium caseinate molecule. This led to higher stability of VA during gastrointestinal digestion and further resulted in higher bioaccessibility and bioavailability of vitamin A in Caco-2 cells.

Background: Creativity is the means to create new ideas and product with existing but unrelated materials or situation. Creativity is the combination of thinking and producing. Creativity will bloom where intelligence is there as it is ever expanding and not bound by rules. Objective: To find out the relationship between creativity and intelligence among individuals with intellectual disability. Sample: Individuals with intellectual disability (N=50) IQ ranging from 50-69 with age group 10-20 years studying at GRIID, Chandigarh, India were selected as sample. A sampling frame was prepared and 50 subjects were selected randomly from the sampling frame. Design: Descriptive correlation research method was used. Tool: A New Test of Creativity (NTC) developed by Pal (1991) published by National Psychological Corporation-Agra, India was used to assess creativity of individual with intellectual disability. Results: The results of the study reveal significant correlation between intelligence and creativity (r=252, p.05, NS), and originality (r=.075, p>.05, NS) domain of creativity except flexibility (r=.282 p.05, NS) and creativity (t=.620, p>.05, NS) among individuals with intellectual disability with respect to gender. Also, no significant difference in IQ (F=.551, p>.05, NS) and creativity (F=.952, p>.05, NS) among individuals with intellectual disability with respect to age except for originality (F=2.883, p

In insects, odorant receptors facilitate olfactory communication and require the functionality of the highly conserved co-receptor gene

Background: Treatment interruption in chronic conditions, especially diabetes mellitus, can significantly affect glycemic control, affecting the onset of a diabetes-related complication. Objectives: To evaluate the factors associated with the treatment interruption and compare them with the days off from the treatment. Materials and Methods: 491 diabetes patients were included in the survey at Diabetes, Obesity & Thyroid center, Gwalior between September 2018 to December 2018. Responses were recorded using a detailed questionnaire comprising of 25 questions. Responses were recorded in “Yes” or “No” format. Responses were compared with the days off from the treatment talking five months as a cut-off. Results: Treatment interruption was more common within five months of starting the treatment. Reasons such as financial problem (p=0.722), no one to accompany them for a visit (p=0.640), non-availability of medicines (p=0.020), busy in family obligation (p=0.381), not aware of the consequences of missing the doses (p=0.139), and lack of awareness to take medication (p=0.450) were insignificant responses when compared between the cut off of five months of day's off. Most of the patients were shifted to alternate medicine within five months of starting the treatment (120/62; p

The role of women is vital in the development of family, community, and society. Hindu women in Pakistan are facing multiple obstacles in their daily life. This study analyses the attitudes towards poor Hindu women living in Karachi the capital of Sindh province, many of whom do manual labour as members of the lower class es. This study not only analyses the reli gious discrimination experienced by these women, through their own words, but also looks at how this intersects with gender discrimination and economic exclusion.

Being climacteric fruit the organoleptic quality of Guava deteriorates due to continuously occurring biochemical changes during the storage leading to heavy post harvest losses. The present research work was planned to depreciate the losses by assessing the effect of different individual packagings on the shelf life of the fruit. The individual wrapping of fruits were carried out in LDPE films by cling, shrink, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and stored at room temperature (37 °C). Individual wrapping delayed the ripening process by slowing down the metabolic activities and reducing the magnitude of changes in physicochemical parameters. In control fruits significant compositional changes along with the total phenol content and ascorbic acid were observed with higher decay loss. However, wrapping of fruits maintained the natural freshness and helped in retaining the marketability of the fruits. Vacuum packing and MAP showed minimum PLW (3.5%), decay loss and ripening during storage. Cling wrapping and shrink wrapping were the best treatments that enhanced the shelf life of fruits by 4 days at room temperature.

Chemical instability of vitamin A (VA) against acidic pH is the major cause for its low bioavailability. Hence, to improve VA bioavailability, native and modified sodium caseinate were used as delivery system and evaluated for VA bioavailability through in-vivo trials. Effect of VA supplementation through native and modified sodium caseinate-VA complex fortified milks over 4 weeks was monitored in rats. The important VA bioavailability indicators i.e., body weight gain, serum and liver retinol levels, haematological parameters, apparent digestibility coefficient and % retention were investigated. Body weight gain, apparent digestibility coefficient and % retention improved significantly on VA supplementation through milk protein-VAcomplexes. Serum and liver retinol levels were highest in RNaCas followed by NaCas, SNaCas, RSNaCas and free VA fed groups. During the formation of RNaCas and RSNaCas, hydrophobic sites, buried in deep were exposed leading to binding of VA on interior hydrophobic regions of sodium caseinate molecule. Binding of VA with hydrophobic amino acid groups provided protection and stability to VA which may decrease exposure of VA to acidic pH due to its binding on the antioxidative bioactive peptides generated during gastric digestion. Thus, higher stability improved the in-vivo bioavailability of VA.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus C6 was used for milk fermentation with the aim of synthesizing antimicrobial and antioxidant peptides rich preparations. The proteolysis was checked for an incubation period of 72 h to check the extent of both bioactivities in fermentate. The 36 h incubated fermentate showed higher inhibition zone diameter against E. coli ATCC 25922 as well as antioxidant activity. Ultrafiltrate was further purified by solid phase extraction and then subjected to reverse phase chromatography. Among 12 fractions collected, higher activity containing fractions were sequenced through LC–MS and characterized. Total 49 peptide sequences identified including 13 novel sequences rich in proline with helix forming ability. Higher antimicrobial activity containing fractions have potent previously reported Casicidin-17 peptides along with a series of proline rich peptides. Antioxidant rich peptides profile contains 21 peptide of smaller sequence of mainly 9–12 amino acids with lower molecular weight. This study demonstrates the capacity of L. rhamnosus C6 to release antioxidative and antimicrobial peptide by proteolysis of milk proteins through peptide profiling and characterization.

Lepidopteran crop pests like Spodoptera litura (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), and Maruca vitrata (F.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) are the major constraints for crop production and productivity. They are polyphagous and feed on tobacco, millets, cruciferous crops, and leguminous crops, respectively. Sensory structures and sensory genes are the key players responsible for their preference for particular crop species. Sensory genes code for the chemoreceptors present in the dendritic membrane of the neuron, which interpret the signal perceived by the insect nervous system that is responsible for insect behavior. In this study, we examined the distribution and morphology of sensory structures present on larval antennae and mouthparts of 4 lepidopteran crop pest species using scanning electron microscopy. We found that the mouthparts of lepidopteran larvae all possess sensory structures and organs such as sensilla chaetica, sensilla basiconica, and sensilla styloconica involved in gustatory and olfactory functions. The only difference between species lies in the external appearance, position, distribution, and number of sensory organs. Sensilla chaetica alone were observed on the labrum and mandibles, whereas sensilla styloconica and sensilla chaetica were present on the labium. All 3 types of sensilla were observed on the maxilla of S. litura, C. partellus, P. xylostella, and M. vitrata with varied numbers and morphology. Mainly, sensilla basiconica were present on antennae and apical maxillary palps, which are involved in olfactory and gustatory functions, respectively. In addition, we compared the sensory gene odorant receptor co-receptor (Or83b), which is pivotal in olfactory reception, among the 4 lepidopteran species and found that Or83b is conserved, showing the ancestral relationship among the 4 species.

RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific down-regulation in the expression of a particular gene, induced by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Feeding of dsRNA either directly or through transgenic plants expressing dsRNA of insect genes has been proven successful against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests, establishing an additional alternative to control insect pests. Lepidopteran crop pests including Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae), Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (Plutellidae), and Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Pyralidae) are the devastating pests of a variety of crops. To tap the potential of RNAi against insect pests, a gene coding for the key enzyme in chitin biosynthesis in arthropods, the chitin synthaseA (CHSA), has been targeted through an exogenous delivery of dsRNA and plant-mediated RNAi. The introduction of dsCHSA caused “Half ecdysis” and “Black body” type lethal phenotypes and a significant reduction in larval body weight. Subsequent RT-qPCR analysis demonstrated the down-regulation of CHSA gene transcripts from 1.38- to 8.33-fold in the four target species. Meanwhile, when S. litura larvae fed with leaves of transgenic tobacco plants expressing dsSlCHSA, the mRNA abundance of CHSA gene was significantly decreased resulting in lethal phenotypes like “Double head formation,” “Half ecdysis,” and “Black body.” In addition, abnormalities in pupal–adult and adult stage were also documented, strongly suggesting the RNAi effect of CHSA gene at late developmental stages. Overall, the results demonstrated that CHSA gene expression in Lepidopteran crop pests could be suppressed by application of dsRNA either as feeding or through transgenic crop plants.

Summary Chemical catalysts are being replaced by biocatalysts in almost all industrial applications due to environmental concerns, thereby increasing their demand. Enzymes used in current industries are produced in microbial systems or plant seeds. We report here five newly launched leaf‐enzyme products and their validation with 15 commercial microbial‐enzyme products, for detergent or textile industries. Enzymes expressed in chloroplasts are functional at broad pH/temperature ranges as crude‐leaf extracts, while most purified commercial enzymes showed significant loss at alkaline pH or higher temperature, required for broad range commercial applications. In contrast to commercial liquid enzymes requiring cold storage/transportation, chloroplast enzymes as a leaf powder can be stored up to 16 months at ambient temperature without loss of enzyme activity. Chloroplast‐derived enzymes are stable in crude‐leaf extracts without addition of protease inhibitors. Leaf lipase/mannanase crude extracts removed chocolate or mustard oil stains effectively at both low and high temperatures. Moreover, leaf lipase or mannanase crude‐extracts removed stain more efficiently at 70 °C than commercial microbial enzymes (

Spine gourd (Momordica dioica) is an underutilized cucurbitaceous vegetable crop. Forty eight landraces of spine gourd from Odisha were analyzed for genetic diversity using RAPD and ISSR markers which showed an average variation of 86.20 % polymorphism in banding patterns of the total score of 144 RAPD and 46 ISSR amplicons. Cluster analysis of combined RAPD and ISSR markers revealed that landraces of spine gourd studied from Odisha belongs to three distinct groups i.e. cluster I, II and III. All the landraces showed narrow genetic diversity except cluster-III (OR-2 of Larasara, Sambalpur and OR-9 of Pratappur, Mayurbunj) and cluster II with 7 landraces (OR-4 of Chandanpur, OR-6 of Kakatpur, OR-13 of Chilka, OR-24 of Raghunathpur, OR-32 of Kanpur, OR-33 of Dharmagarh and OR-46 of Tangi) which could be used as a potential source of genetically diverse germplasm of spine gourd for improved crop breeding. The genetic diversity among the landraces might contribute to intraspecific crosses among landraces of this spine gourd collection having high potential for genetic improvement of this vegetable crop.

Background: In Indian Medicine System, Arhar honey is believed as one of the valuable medicinal foods. Honey is being used since ancient times owing to its functional properties and nutritive value. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the effect of honey supplementation on fasting blood glucose (FBG) level and lipid profile of the subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and healthy subjects. Methods: The selection of subjects was done through oral glucose tolerance test (World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization, 1998). On the basis of blood glucose level, 28 subjects were selected by purposive random sampling and were divided into two groups. Group I included normal healthy subjects having FBG in the range of 70–100 mg/dl (n = 14), and Group II was comprised of subjects having FBG level between 100 and 125 mg/dl falling in the category of IGT (n = 14). 70 g honey was administered to subjects in both the groups on an empty stomach for 60 days and its effect on body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, FBG, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile was observed. Results: Honey administration lowered blood glucose levels and lipid levels in subjects with IGT and normal healthy subjects. Other benefits of honey administration include an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a reduction in BMI. Conclusion: Consumption of honey has shown a reduction in body weight, BMI, FBG, HbA1c, and improvement in lipid profile in IGT subjects.

The batch growth conditions for the generation of antimicrobial peptides from skim milk were optimized by using Lactobacillus spp. Proteolysis being important factor for peptide production, 4 Lactobacillus strains were screened for proteolytic activity, two strains each from Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii. L. acidophilus NCDC 14 and L. delbrueckii NCDC 09 with higher activity were selected to produce antimicrobial peptides. Incubation period (12-72 h), inoculum level (1-3%) and incubation temperature (37 and42°C) had an individual effect on antimicrobial activity of 10KDa Ultrafiltered skim milk hydrolysates checked against pathogenic E. coli ATCC 25922. Optimal conditions for generation of antimicrobial peptides include incubation period of 48 and 12-24 h, inoculums level of 2 and 1% and incubation temperature of 37°C for L. acidophilus NCDC 14 and L. delbrueckii NCDC 09 with proteolysis in range of 7.34-8.51 and 20-27.2 mMLeucine, respectively. Antimicrobial activity increased with proteolysis (>8.51 and >11 mMLeucine) but upto a certain extent after which it decreased for both strains. Maximum antimicrobial zone diameter obtained was 20 and 16.5 mm for L. acidophilus NCDC 14 and L. delbrueckii NCDC 09, respectively. The variables studied were very relevant due to their significance in improving the peptide production from both microorganisms and likely economic optimum conditions. Key words: Antimicrobial peptides, fermentation, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, optimization, proteolytic activity.

Guava is a climacteric fruit so physico-chemical changes continuously occur after harvest till fruit become unfit for consumption and suffers from post harvest losses. The main objective of this work was to assess the effectiveness of individual film in form of Shrink and Cling wrap on shelf life of guava. Fruits were individually packed in polythene bags (LDPE) of 200 gauge thickness by Shrink and Cling wrapping and stored at 7 ± 3 °C. Individual wrapping reduced the magnitude of changes during storage i.e., ripening process drastically as evident from lower total soluble solids, higher ascorbic acid, polyphenol content with lower polyphenol oxidase activity and physiological loss of weight (PLW) was less than 3.5 %. Film wrapping preserved freshness of wrapped fruits as they remained acceptable for whole storage time in contrast to control fruits which turned unacceptable by 15(th) day of storage. Control fruits showed significant compositional changes as well as in polyphenol content, ascorbic acid and reduced number of marketable fruits while Cling and Shrink wrapping enhanced the shelf life by 10 days.

Rasa Shastra is a branch of Indian iatrochemistry which deals with the processing of metals and minerals having therapeutic i mportance. Various pharmaceut ical procedures i.e. S h odhana (P urification) , M arana (I ncineration) , S atvapatana (E xtraction of metal from mineral) , A mritikarana (N ectorization) etc. converts deadly toxic substances in t o safe and potent therapeutic agent . Ayurvedic classics claimed that S atva B hasma of any mineral is ten times more potent therapeutically in comparison to its parent mineral B hasma . C onceivably due to complicated pharma ceutical procedure of S atva patana an d their conversion in to B hasma, practice of S atva B hasma in therapeu tics is very limited . Rasa Scholars have developed number of methods for S atva extraction and Satva M arana . It is necessary to find out the standard manufacturi ng procedure (SMP) for S atva extraction and Satva M arana which ensure s the quality, safety, effi cacy and reproducibility of the products for their global acceptability. This paper aims to make available SMP of M akshika Satvapatana and S atva B hasma. Shodhana was done by roasting raw Swarna M akshika with lemon juice for three days. Tankana wa s found ad vantageous as flu x in S atvapatana process of Makshika. Kajjali as a M arana media and four P uta with six kg cow dung cakes we re required to get genuine Makshika S atva B hasma .

Introductions for research purposes include germplasm, elite strains, improved varieties, genetic stocks in different crops from various parts of the world. NBPGR is authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture to undertake introduction and quarantine processing of germplasm including transgenics under exchange for both public and private sector organizations conforming to the national regulations. To meet the food demand quality seed is the basic unit for any agricultural production system. Production of high quality seed of improved varieties having high analytical quality, coupled with high germination capacity, vigour and uniformly large size, is required for improving faba bean production in this country. There is urgent need to strengthen the network on faba bean improvement programme in India. Keeping in view the geopolitical situation of India, utmost care has to be taken to make India in a respectable position in world market to evolve as global player for this fabulous crop. To fulfill these desires breeding varieties for yield, quality and resistance against biotic and abiotic stress is required. Maintaining the genetic purity of the seeds of improved cultivars is of utmost importance and will enable to exploit the full benefits of introducing seeds of improved varieties in faba bean.

Middle aged female presented with generalised lymphadenopathy and fever for last one month. Peripheral blood findings were within normal limits. There was no extra nodal involvement. FNAC performed initially from a cervical node suggested possibility of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and a whole node biopsy was performed. Histopathogical examination revealed effaced nodal architecture and a polymorphous population of lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils and scattered large mononuclear cells with prominent nucleolus. An initial panel of CD3, CD20, LCA, CD15, CD30 and PAX5 was performed. The large atypical cells were positive for LCA, CD3 and CD30 with variable positivity for CD15. CD 30 showed Golgi and membranous staining. These large atypical cells were negative for PAX5 and CD20. In view of above findings, Hodgkin’s lymphoma was ruled out and a possibility of Non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma was considered. Further IHC markers were performed which included CD2, CD5, CD7, EMA, Alk, CD10 and KI67. CD5 showed variable positivity. The cells of interest were negative for CD2, CD7, ALK and EMA. Ki 67 index was 70-80%. Overall histological and IHC findings favoured Alk negative Anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Differential diagnosis considered was peripheral T cell lymphoma (NOS). Hodgkin’s lymphoma, peripheral T cell lymphoma (NOS) and anaplastic large cell lymphoma share common histomorphological findings. With careful analysis of Immunohistochemistry, it is easier to categorise Hodgkin’s lymphoma. ALK negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma and peripheral T cell lymphoma (NOS) are difficult to categorise and show overlapping features. We in this case have discussed clinical, histomorphological and IHC pattern of Alk negative Anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Honey is the sweet and viscous product, produced by the honeybee from the nectar of plants. Honey is composed mainly of carbohydrates, lesser amounts of water and a great number of minor components. Sugars are the main constituents of honey, most important sugars are the monosaccharides hexoses, fructose and glucose, which are products of the hydrolysis of the disaccharide sucrose. Honey is considered a valuable medicinal food in Indian system of medicine and is found to be useful in management of diabetes. Honey is a powerful antioxidant and used in the day to day life as natural sweetener. The study was conducted to determine the glycemic index (GI) of products made with different natural sweeteners. Normal healthy subjects (n=9) and impaired glucose tolerant (IGT) subjects (n=9) were included in the study. Blood glucose curves at 0, 30, 60, 90 & 120 minutes indicated significant difference in incremental area under the curve (IAUC) of glucose and nutribar made with different sweeteners in subjects with IGT as well as in normal healthy subjects. The mean IAUC of nutribar was significantly lower (p=

Cardiac malignancies presenting in infancy are rare. Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare occurrence in this age group. No case of intrapericardial DSRCT has been reported in the literature in infants.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Diabetic dyslipidemia is characterized by increases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, and elevated triglyceride (TG) levels. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to correlate the lipid profile with age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 T2DM patients were studied at Diabetes, Obesity, and Thyroid Center, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, between May 2016 and May 2017. After detailed demographic details including age, sex, weight, height, and BMI, total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, very LDL-C (VLDL-C), and HDL-C were estimated for all the patients. Results: The mean age of diabetes patients was 54.80 ± 11.07 years. The mean duration of diabetes was 5.38 ± 4.90 years. Lipid profile of T2DM patients was similar across the different age and BMI groups (P > 0.05). Except HDL-C (P 0.05). TC, TG, LDL‑C, and VLDL-C were showed positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose, whereas HDL-C showed negative correlation (P > 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and VLDL-C level between different age and BMI groups. We found a significantly lower HDL-C level among the male population.

Some new first-order all-pass filters using a second-generation current conveyor are reported. Two circuits have higher input impedance than reported very recently and use a grounded capacitor. Additionally two more circuits have been reported, one of which has minimum passive and active components and has the facility of single resistance tuning. The other circuit has high input impedance and uses two current conveyors but has one passive component less than the similar circuits reported earlier.

We have employed a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) based rat androgen receptor expression system to examine the cross-talk between different signalling pathways. We report here the synergistic modulation of androgen regulated transcriptional activation of beta-galactosidase reporter activity by the activators of protein kinase-A, like forskolin and 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. A similar ligand-dependent enhancement of reporter activity compared to a DHT treated control has been noticed with okadaic acid, which is a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase. The activation could be blocked by protein kinase-A/C inhibitor, H7. Forskolin treatment neither altered levels of receptor mRNA nor [3H]R1881 binding to the receptor. Although it promotes binding of receptor to an androgen response element, forskolin was unable to activate subsequent interaction with the transcription machinery in the absence of androgen. Additionally, the synergistic actions of these activators were independent of the degree of androgen response element occupancy. Anti-androgens, cyproterone acetate and flutamide, which failed to exhibit antagonistic behaviour with yeast expressed receptor, were able to antagonize only the forskolin mediated augmentation of reporter activity. Finally, analyses of mutants established the role of DNA and steroid binding domains of receptor for this synergism.

The E. coli lacZ has been utilized as a reporter to evaluate ligand-mediated activation of the rat androgen receptor (AR) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain YCR1. beta-galactosidase activity was androgen-specific and was found to be inducible approximately 260-fold by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone and R1881. None of the antiandrogens tested was able to antagonize the DHT-dependent induction of beta-galactosidase activity. In the gel retardation assay, exposure of the receptor to DHT in vitro led to the formation of a protein-DNA complex that was not detected in yeast extracts unexposed to hormone. However, activation of AR by a steroidal (cyproterone acetate) and a non-steroidal antiandrogen (flutamide) either alone or in combination with DHT also results in a similar migration pattern. Additionally, LEM1, the ABC transporter that selectively modulates the biological potency of steroids in yeast, although operative in YCR1, was not responsible for antiandrogen resistance. These results thus indicate the involvement of other non-receptor factor(s) in mediating the effect of antiandrogens in yeast.

Acute kidney injury is a common manifestation of malignancies, either directly by the tumor or indirectly from anticancer therapy. The pathologic correlates of acute kidney injury in malignancies are many and can be diagnosed conclusively using kidney biopsy. We report a rare case of a patient with light chain proximal tubulopathy without crystals who presented with acute kidney injury. Kidney biopsy showed proximal tubulopathy without crystals with λ light chain restriction. Detailed investigations lead to a diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma with surface λ light chain restriction.

Heavy-chain deposition disease (HCDD) is the least common of the monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases with only 24 reported cases in English literature, including the present case. The rarity of this disease merits its documentation. We present a case of HCDD from our archival material, who presented with rapidly progressive renal failure and nephrotic syndrome and was found to have nodular glomerulosclerosis on renal biopsy which on immunofluorescence and electron microscopy confirmed HCDD of immunoglobulin G1 type without any light-chain deposition. We also present an in-depth literature review on HCDD.

Honey is the sweetening agent known to the early man, and naturally found its way into traditions, rituals, cus- toms and food of Indian households. It is the most complete natural food and ensures to get the daily dose of essential nutrients. Sugar (primarily sucrose) has been a part of the daily diet for literally hundreds of years, but research is now suggesting excessive consumption of simple sugars with high glycemic index (GI) values have been shown to cause overeating and weight gain. The study was undertaken to determine acceptability, glycemic response (GR) and GI of honey incorporated traditional sweet preparation ladoo. It was observed that there was a significant reduction (p

Background: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) can present as pancreatic mass mimicking malignancy. However, it has specific histomorphology and immunohistology which in clinical context can be diagnostic. Aim: To retrospectively analyze pancreatic resections done for pancreatic head masses to identify cases of autoimmune pancreatitis. Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin stained slides of pancreatic resections (n-142) done for pancreatic masses (2004-2012) were reviewed. Immunohistochemistry for IgG4 was done in cases suggestive of AIP. As controls, 30 pancreatic carcinomas (n-30) and plasma cells rich chronic pancreatitis (n25) were stained with IgG4. Clinical records were retrieved. Results: There were 5/142 cases (3.5%) of autoimmune pancreatitis among pancreatic resections done for presumed pancreatic tumors. There were 3 females and 2 males and age range was 35-65 (mean 51). Presenting symptoms were painless jaundice (n-4), with adult onset diabetes (n-1) and feature of gastric outlet obstruction (n-1). Histomorphology of all the five masses was of Type I autoimmune pancreatitis showing lobulocentric plasma cell rich inflammation and storiform fibrosis. IgG4 positive plasma cells (>10 per high power field) in all the cases diagnosed as autoimmune pancreatitis; though few IgG4 positive plasma cells were positive in controls. Venulitis and veno-oblitrative changes, neural hyperplasia, neuritis were present in all. Serum IgG4 levels done immediately after surgeries in three patients were elevated. Conclusion: Incidence of autoimmune pancreatitis in pancreatic resections done for pancreatic masses is 3.5%. All the five cases were of Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis with significant number of IgG4 positive plasma cells using >10 positive cells per high power field as cut off.

A wild type strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc 2 155 was serially adapted to 64 fold of minimal inhibitory concentration of an antimycobacterial agent, ciprofloxacin. This clone (CIP r ) exhibited cross resistance to ofloxacin and ethidium bromide. The rate of drug efflux was accelerated in CIP r compared to the wild type strain. Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, enhanced the drug accumulation in CIP r by diminishing the efflux and thus reversed the resistant phenotype. Additionally, a missense mutation was detected in the quinolone resistance determining region of the DNA-gyrase A subunit of CIP r . Taken together, these results suggest that drug efflux plays a major role in conferring such a high level of resistance in CIP r , in addition to the mutation in the DNA-gyrase locus.