A genomic exploration of 15 autosomal STR loci for establishment of a DNA profile database of the population of Himachal Pradesh.

In order to create an autosomal STR loci population database for Himachal Pradesh, 259 blood samples were taken from people residing in various regions of the state and AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® Plus PCR amplification kit was used for evaluation of 15 autosomal STR markers. A total of 149 alleles were investigated in this study with a mean allele number of 9.933 per locus. The locus D2S1338 was most informative in our data, as it had the highest discrimination power (PD-0.967) and the highest polymorphic information content (PIC-0.86). The matching probability and typical paternity index for all the studied loci were observed as 2.9x10-18 and 4.7x105, respectively. Discrimination power (CPD) and exclusion power (CPE) for all the studied loci were observed as 1 and 0.999998.

Haplotype data for 17 Y-STR loci in the population of Himachal Pradesh, India.

We report here the data of Y chromosome haplotypes of 259 unrelated males from the population of Himachal Pradesh, India, using the Yfiler® multiplex kit. A total of 188 haplotypes were detected, out of which 148 were unique. Three samples showed bi-allelic pattern on locus DYS448. The observed genetic diversity and discrimination capacity were 0.996 and 0.73, respectively. In order to compare the genetic distance of the studied population with the published populations, multidimensional scaling (MDS) plot was constructed. The reported data is expected to be valuable for both forensic and population genetics.

Stem cell/cellular interventions in human spinal cord injury: Is it time to move from guidelines to regulations and legislations? Literature review and Spinal Cord Society position statement.

PURPOSE: In preclinical studies, many stem cell/cellular interventions demonstrated robust regeneration and/or repair in case of SCI and were considered a promising therapeutic candidate. However, data from clinical studies are not robust. Despite lack of substantial evidence for the efficacy of these interventions in spinal cord injury (SCI), many clinics around the world offer them as "therapy." These "clinics" claim efficacy through patient testimonials and self-advertisement without any scientific evidence to validate their claims. Thus, SCS established a panel of experts to review published preclinical studies, clinical studies and current global guidelines/regulations on usage of cellular transplants and make recommendations for their clinical use. METHODS: The literature review and draft position statement was compiled and circulated among the panel and relevant suggestions incorporated to reach consensus. This was discussed and finalized in an open forum during the SCS Annual Meeting, ISSICON. RESULTS: Preclinical evidence suggests safety and clinical potency of cellular interventions after SCI. However, evidence from clinical studies consisted of mostly case reports or uncontrolled case series/studies. Data from animal studies cannot be generalized to human SCI with regard to toxicity prediction after auto/allograft transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, cellular/stem cell transplantation for human SCI is experimental and needs to be tested through a valid clinical trial program. It is not ethical to provide unproven transplantation as therapy with commercial implications. To stop the malpractice of marketing such "unproven therapies" to a vulnerable population, it is crucial that all countries unite to form common, well-defined regulations/legislation on their use in SCI. These slides can be retrieved from Electronic Supplementary Material.

Hexavalent chromium removal mechanism using conducting polymers.

We report detoxification of Cr(VI) into Cr(III) using electrochemically synthesized polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPY), PANI nanowires (PANI-NW) and palladium-decorated PANI (PANI-Pd) thin films. Percent Cr(VI) reduction was found to be decreased with an increase in pH from 1.8 to 6.8 and with initial Cr(VI) concentration ranging from 2.5 to 10mg/L. Efficacy of PANI increased at higher temp of 37 °C as compared to 30 °C. PANI-Pd was found to be most effective for all three initial Cr(VI) concentrations at pH 1.8. However, efficacy of PANI-Pd was significantly reduced at higher pHs of 5 and 6.8. Efficacy of PANI and PANI-NW was found to nearly the same. However, there was a significant reduction in effectiveness of PANI-NW at 10mg/L of Cr(VI) at all the three pHs studied, which could be attributed to degradation of PANI-NW by higher initial Cr(VI) concentration. PPY and PANI-NW were found to be highly sensitive with respect to pH and Cr(VI) initial concentration. Chromium speciation on PANI film was carried out by total chromium analysis and XPS, which revealed Cr(III) formation and its subsequent adsorption on the polymer. PANI-Pd and PANI are recommended for future sensor applications for chromium detection at low pH.

Quality of resuscitation orders in general medical patients.

BACKGROUND: Documentation of resuscitation status in hospitalized patients has relevance in the management of cardiopulmonary arrest. Its association with mortality, Length Of hospital Stay (LOS) and the patients' primary diagnosis has not been established in general medical inpatients in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. AIM: To investigate the association of resuscitation orders with in-hospital mortality and LOS in a range of diagnoses, adjusting for severity of illness and other covariates. DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: The admission notes of 1681 medical admissions to four tertiary care teaching hospitals across Australia and New Zealand were reviewed retrospectively for frequency and nature of resuscitation documentation and its association with mortality, LOS and primary diagnosis. RESULTS: Resuscitation orders were documented in 741 patients (44.7%). For the 232 patients with a Not For Resuscitation (NFR) order, the in-hospital mortality rate was higher than in control patients (14% vs. 1.2%, P<0.005). The mortality rate remained significantly higher in the NFR group after propensity matching of the controls for age and co-morbidity (14% vs. 5%, P<0.005). The death-adjusted LOS for the NFR group was also significantly higher compared to the control patients (9.7 days vs. 4.7 days, P<0.005) and this difference remained after propensity matching (9.7 days vs. 7.7 days, P<0.05). Those patients with a primary diagnosis of respiratory tract infection or cardiac failure were more likely to be documented NFR compared to those with cellulitis or urinary tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: The documentation of NFR in a patient's admission notes is associated with increased in-hospital mortality and LOS. This is only partly explicable in terms of these patients' greater age and co-morbidity.

Sorption behavior of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on iron ore slime and characterization of metal ion loaded sorbent.

The present investigation evaluates the sorption effectiveness of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions on iron ore slime (IOS) obtained from Jindal Steel Ltd., Vijayanagaram, India. The sorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics for both the cations. Pb(II) and Cd(II) sorption increased with the increase in pH from 2 to 4.5. The sorption data fitted well to Freundlich model as compared to Langmuir model. Synergistic effect of Pb(II) and Cd(II) on their sorption on IOS sample showed that Pb(II) sorption increases in presence of Cd(II) whereas Cd(II) sorption decreases. Presence of chloride or sulphate resulted in increased Pb(II) sorption but adversely affected Cd(II) sorption. The XRD patterns of Pb(II) adsorbed on IOS sample showed disappearance of some silica peaks and shifting of hematite peaks corresponding to 104 and 110 plane. For Cd(II) sorbed IOS sample, only peak shift for hematite of 104 and 110 plane was observed. Shifting of IR bands indicated that the Pb(II) sorption occurred through an inner sphere mechanism where as Cd(II) sorption occurred through outer sphere mechanism. EPMA studies showed that Pb(II) form a uniform thin layer and Cd(II) concentrate only on iron oxide phase. Regeneration and stability data on metal ion loaded IOS sample has been included.

The CCTTT pentanucleotide microsatellite in iNOS promoter influences the clinical outcome in P. falciparum infection.

To assess the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) is critical in the pathogenesis of cerebral malaria, we analyzed those single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellite (MS) of the promoter region of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene which are known to enhance the NO production in vivo. A total of 428 (204 severe, 224 mild) adult patients living in the eastern part of India were analyzed. The single nucleotide substitutions -954G-->C was found to be very rare, and -1173C-->T was absent in this population. But interestingly, longer forms of MS were found to be significantly associated with severe malaria (OR = 2.89, 95% CI = 1.955-4.295, P < 0.0001), and the linear regression analysis revealed that the risk of severe malaria significantly increases as the summed repeat number in an individual increase (OR = 1.16, P = 0.0013). Further, the median plasma level of nitrate/nitrite (NOx) was observed to be high in mild patients compared to severe patients, and the level of parasitemia was significantly low among mild patients than severe ones. These findings suggest that the CCTTT repeats in iNOS may play a key role in the pathogenesis of severe malaria.

Comparative efficacy of five different rep-PCR methods to discriminate Escherichia coli populations in aquatic environments.

Development of efficient techniques to discriminate the sources of E. coli in aquatic environments is essential to improve the surveillance of fecal pollution indicators, to develop strategies to identify the sources of fecal contamination, and to implement appropriate management practices to minimize gastrointestinal disease transmission. In this study the robustness of five different rep-PCR methods, such as REP-PCR, ERIC-PCR, ERIC2-PCR, BOX-PCR and (GTG)(5)-PCR were evaluated to discriminate 271 E. coli strains isolated from two watersheds (Lakelse Lake and Okanagan Lake) located in British Columbia, Canada. Cluster analysis of (GTG)(5)-PCR, BOX-PCR, REP-PCR, ERIC-PCR and ERIC2-PCR profiles of 271 E. coli revealed 43 clusters, 35 clusters, 28 clusters, 23 clusters and 14 clusters, respectively. The discriminant analysis of rep-PCR genomic fingerprints of 271 E. coli isolates yielded an average rate of correct classification (watershed-specific) of 86.8%, 82.3%, 78.4%, 72.6% and 55.8% for (GTG)(5)-PCR, BOX-PCR, REP-PCR, ERIC-PCR and ERIC2-PCR, respectively. Based on the results of cluster analysis and discriminant function analysis, (GTG)(5)-PCR was found to be the most robust molecular tool for differentiation of E. coli populations in aquatic environments.

Effect of Mangifera indica kernel as a feed additive on immunity and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Labeo rohita fingerlings.

The study evaluated the efficacy of dietary doses of Mangifera indica (mango) kernel on the immune response and disease resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings against the bacterial pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila infections in. L. rohita fingerlings fed diet containing 0 (Control), 1g, 5 g, 10 g mango kernel kg(-1) dry diet for 60 days. Biochemical (serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, blood glucose), haematological (WBC, RBC, haemoglobin content) and immunological (superoxide anion production, lysozyme, serum bactericidal activity) parameters of fish were examined at 20, 40 and 60 days of feeding. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila 60 days post feeding and mortalities were recorded over 10 days post-infection. The results demonstrate that fish fed with mango kernel showed enhanced superoxide anion production, lysozyme, serum bactericidal, serum protein, albumin (P<0.05) compared with the control group. The mortality (%) was recorded up to 10 th day post-challenge. Less survivability was observed in control group (50%) up to day 10 after infection. The survivability was higher in experimental diets. The group fed 5 g kernel kg(-1) dry diet showed highest percentage survival (98%). These results indicate that mango kernel stimulates the immunity and makes L. rohita more resistant to A. hydrophila infection.

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of phosphomolybdic acid supported on hydrous zirconia.

A series of ecofriendly solid acid catalyst was synthesized by phosphomolybdic acid impregnated on hydrous zirconia (ZPMA) by an incipient wetness impregnation technique. The support and the resulting catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, EPMA, BET surface area, acid sites, etc. These studies indicate that the phosphomolybdic acid keeps its Keggin-type structure unaltered up to 500 degrees C. Catalytic activities of the material were evaluated for the esterification of acetic acid reaction. The 12 wt% of phosphomolybdic acid supported on hydrous zirconia shows highest surface area, acid sites and gives about 86% conversion with 100% selectivity of n-butyl acetate.

Purification and characterization of a novel caffeine oxidase from Alcaligenes species.

Alcaligenes species CF8 isolated from surface water of a lake produced a novel serine type metallo-caffeine oxidase. The optimal medium for caffeine oxidase production by this strain was (w/v) NaNO(3), 0.4%; KH(2)PO(4), 0.15%; Na(2)HPO(4), 0.05%; FeCl(3).6H(2)O, 0.0005%; CaCl(2).2H(2)O, 0.001%; MgSO(4).7H(2)O, 0.02%; glucose, 0.2%; caffeine, 0.05%, pH 7.5. The enzyme was purified to 63-fold by using ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, ion exchange (diethylaminoethyl-cellulose) and gel filtration (Sephadex G-100) chromatographic techniques. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the purified caffeine oxidase was monomeric with a molecular mass of 65 kDa. The purified caffeine oxidase with a half-life of 20 min at 50 degrees C had maximal activity at pH 7.5 and 35 degrees C. The purified caffeine oxidase had strict substrate specificity towards caffeine (K(m) 8.94 microM and V(max) 47.62 U mg protein(-1)) and was not able to oxidize xanthine and hypoxanthine. The enzyme activity was not inhibited by para-chloromercuribenzoic acid, iodoacetamide, n-methylmaleimide, salicylic acid and sodium arsenite indicating the enzyme did not belong to xanthine oxidase family. The enzyme was not affected by Ca(+2), Mg(+2) and Na(+), but was completely inhibited by Co(+2), Cu(+2) and Mn(+2) at 1mM level. The novel caffeine oxidase isolated here from Alcaligenes species CF8 may be useful in biotechnological processes including waste treatment and biosensor development.

Optimization of culture conditions and properties of immobilized sulfide oxidase from Arthrobacter species.

Arthrobacter species strain FR-3, isolated from sediments of a swamp, produced a novel serine-type sulfide oxidase. The production of sulfide oxidase was maximal at pH 7.5 and 30 degrees C. Among various carbon and nitrogen sources tested, glucose and yeast extract were found to be the most effective substrates for the secretion of sulfide oxidase. The sulfide oxidase was purified to homogeneity and the molecular weight of the purified enzyme was 43 kDa when estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified sulfide oxidase can be effectively immobilized in DEAE (diethylaminoethyl)-cellulose matrix with a yield of 66%. The purified free and immobilized enzyme had optimum activity at pH 7.5 and 6.0, respectively. Immobilization increases the stability of the enzyme with respect to temperature. The half-life of the immobilized enzyme was 30 min at 45 degrees C, longer than that of the free enzyme (10 min). The purified free sulfide oxidase activity was completely inhibited by 1 mM Co2+ and Zn2+ and sulfhydryl group reagents (para-chloromercuribenzoic acid and iodoacetic acid). Catalytic activity was not affected by 1 mM Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and metal-chelating agent (EDTA).

Studies on manganese nodule leached residue 4. Physicochemical characterization and catalytic activity of acetic acid treated manganese nodule leached residue.

The catalytic activity of water-washed manganese nodule leached residue (WMNLR) samples improved by treating with acetic acid. The effects of acetic acid treatment on the physicochemical properties and catalytic activity of manganese nodule leached residue have been studied. The surface area, surface oxygen, surface hydroxyl groups, surface acidity, electron donating properties, etc., increase gradually with acid treatment up to 0.5 M and thereafter show a decreasing trend. The rate constant of H2O2 decomposition, catalytic activity of CO oxidation, and esterification of acetic acid also show a similar trend to that of surface properties.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the macaque sperm associated antigen 9 (SPAG9): an orthologue of human SPAG9 gene.

The present study was conducted to isolate macaque proteomic homologue of human SPAG9 (EMBL nomenclature human sperm associated antigen 9: hSPAG9; Shankar et al., 1998: Biochem Biophys Res Commun 243:561-565) in order to find out whether the macaque can provide a suitable model for examining its immunocontraception effects. Macaque SPAG9 was cloned and sequenced from the macaque testis cDNA library. The macaque cDNA contained open reading frame encoding 712 amino acids. A 84.9% and 94% homology between macaque and human SPAG9 was found at protein and DNA levels. Northern analysis and RNA in situ hybridization experiments revealed testis- and stage-specific expressions of macaque SPAG9 mRNA, mainly confined to round spermatid suggesting haploid germ cell expression. Anti-human SPAG9 antibodies recognized native SPAG9 in macaque sperm extract in Western blotting and the acrosomal compartment region of macaque sperm in indirect immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry analysis further revealed surface localization of macaque SPAG9 in live macaque sperm. The amino acid sequence data for nonhuman primate SPAG9 suggest that antibodies generated by vaccinating macaque with hSPAG9 will recognize nonhuman primate SPAG9, supporting the testing of SPAG9 contraceptive vaccine based on hSPAG9 in the nonhuman primate model.

Isolation and characterization of a haploid germ cell specific sperm associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) from the baboon.

Previously, we cloned and sequenced a sperm specific antigen, designated as HSS (EMBL nomenclature human sperm associated antigen 9: hSPAG9) from human testis (Shankar et al.: Biochem Biophys Res Commun 243:561-565, 1998). The present study was conducted to isolate baboon proteomic homologue in order to find out whether the baboon can provide a suitable model for examining its immunocontraception effects. Baboon SPAG9 (bSPAG9) was cloned and sequenced from the baboon testis cDNA library. The baboon cDNA contained open reading frame encoding 760 amino acids. A 90.6 and 96.8% homology between baboon and human SPAG9 was found at protein and DNA levels. Analysis for tissue specificity by Northern blot procedure using various baboon tissues indicated that bSPAG9 was specifically expressed only in the baboon testis. Further, cell type expression analysis by in situ hybridization in baboon testis demonstrated the expression of bSPAG9 mRNA transcript only in the round spermatid suggesting haploid germ cell expression. Anti-human SPAG9 antibodies recognized the acrosomal compartment region of baboon sperm in indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). Flow cytometry analysis showed surface localization of bSPAG9 in live baboon sperm. The amino acid sequence data for nonhuman primate SPAG9 suggest that antibodies generated by vaccinating baboon with hSPAG9 will recognize nonhuman primate SPAG9, supporting the testing of SPAG9 contraceptive vaccine based on hSPAG9 in the nonhuman primate model.

Studies on manganese-nodule leached residues; 1. Physicochemical characterization and its adsorption behavior toward Ni(2+) in aqueous system.

Physicochemical characterization of manganese-nodule leached residues was carried out by chemical analyses, XRD, TG-DTA, surface area measurement, and FTIR techniques. The material is very fine-grained (<75 microm), is cryptocrystalline to amorphous in nature, and contains mainly of delta-MnO(2), quartz (alpha-SiO(2)), and zeolite/feldspar minerals. Physically adsorbed sulfates in the leached residue are removed by repeated water washing and the washed sample shows an appreciable increase in surface area. This is indicated by the absence of 1387 and 1099 cm(-1) peaks in the IR spectrum of the washed sample. The adsorption behavior of the washed sample toward Ni(2+) was recorded as a function of time, pH, temperature, and concentrations of adsorbent and adsorbate.

Genetic diversity at 15 fluorescent-labeled short tandem repeat loci in the Patel and other communities of Gujarat, India.

Thirteen tetranucleotide and 2 pentanucleotide repeat units were analyzed in 120 unrelated individuals of Patel and other communities of Gujarat, India. Allele frequency data obtained from the analysis of 15 short tandem repeat markers of the population were found to be satisfying Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with marginal deviations. Departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were observed in Patel communities at locus vWA and for that of the other communities at locus D7S820 and at locus TPOX. The power of discrimination values on an average fall within the range of 0.718 and 0.870, with deviations at locus D3S1358 showing a value of 0.400 for Patels. The value ranged between 0.709 and 0.869, with slight variations among the studied alleles in the other group. Thus, the 15 markers selected for this study were found to be highly suitable in human identification and for providing information on genetic polymorphism of the population of Gujarat.

Familial clustering of non-medullary thyroid cancer.

Although genetical inheritance is an well established fact with medullary cancer of thyroid no such clear cut proof exist with papillary or follicular neoplasm of thyroid It's a fact that family clusters of non-medullary thyroid tumor exist, it requires more precise identification of genetical inheritance These clusters behave in a separate way and requires a more aggressive treatment for low recurrence rate and better prognosis.

Bath immunisation of spawn, fry and fingerlings of Indian major carps using a particulate bacterial antigen.

Larval mortality in Indian major carps is one of the major problems encountered in the pond culture system. The present investigation was carried out to investigate the proper age, duration of exposure, and optimum bacterin concentration for vaccinating rohu (Labeo rohita) and catla (Catla catla) at their early stages with a formalin killed Edwardsiella tarda bacterin suspension. The development of immunological competence was recorded with spawn of rohu and catla of 3 weeks of age exposed to a bacterin at a concentration 10(9) cfu ml(-1) for 15 min, where it persisted up to 4 weeks post vaccination. They showed significant resistance against challenge with virulent E. tarda bacteria. Significant antibody titre could be recorded in advanced fries and fingerlings exposed to 10(9) cfu/ml(-1) bacterin concentration for 45 and 60 min, respectively.