Lethal and sublethal effects of flubendiamide and spirotetramat against the leaf worm, Spodoptera litura(Fabricius) under laboratory conditions.

The leaf worm, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a notorious insect pest of many economically important cultivated crops like cotton, maize, tobocco and vegetables causing severe economic losses from 50-100%. In most crops, damage arises due to voracious feeding by the larvae and leads to the skeletonizing of leaves. Toxicological studies were performed to estimate lethal and sublethal levels of flubendiamide and spirotetramat against S. litura. Effects of these estimated values were assessed on different biological traits of S. litura including life duration, survival and next generation potential. Both flubendiamide and spirotetramat showed toxic responses against second instar larvae of S. litura under laboratory conditions. Larval duration and survival rate of S. litura to were significantly different. Exposure to test insecticides resulted in negative effect on the demography of S. litura as longer life cycle and decreased fecundity. Changes in net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase also helped to decide the fate of these insecticides. Low reproductive potential and low hatching percentage due to exposure to test insecticides can help to manage next generation of target pest. These two new chemistry insecticides can be recommended for their effective and long-term utilization against this important leaf feeder which may help its management and decrease economic losses faced by the growers. Their impact on larval duration and low survival rate at lethal levels guides about their potential in pest control.

Diversity of axin in signaling pathways and its relation to colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is one of the commonest cancers in western world, while majority of cases of CRC are sporadic, a significant minority occurs as a result of inherited genetic mutations. Various studies have demonstrated that tumorigenesis of colon arises as a result of accumulation of multiple genetic alterations targeting the single signal transduction pathway. Genetic alteration of axin has been implicated in different cancers including colorectal cancers. Axin being a multidomain protein interacts with multiple proteins and acts as major scaffold protein in signaling pathways like c-jun/SAPK, TGF-ß, and Wnt. In different signaling pathways, axin utilizes different domains and hence exerts distinct roles.

Lack of p16 gene mutations in gastric cancers in Kashmir.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The focus of the study was to investigate the frequencies of homozygous deletions and mutations of p16 gene in gastric carcinomas in the Kashmiri population. METHODS: A total of 84 gastric carcinoma patients were screened by the single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique and later by DNA sequencing to detect mutations of the p16 gene. Also PCR was applied further to further detect any homozygous deletions. RESULTS: SSCP and DNA sequencing performed encompassing all the three exons of p16 gene could not detect any mutations in any ofl 84 cases. Though we could observe mobility shifts in SSCP of two samples, subsequent DNA sequencing did not show any mutation. Further PCR could not detect any homozygous deletion in P16 in any case. CONCLUSION: Though Kashmir is a high incidence area of gastric carcinomas, p16gene mutations /or deletions do not appear to be involved.

Activated H-ras gene mutations in transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder in a Kashmiri population.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of H-ras specific point mutations among a group of Kashmiri patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. We also explored the correlation of clinic-pathological status of the illness with these mutations. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: The DNA samples of both tumor and normal tissue were evaluated for the occurrence of H-ras activating mutations in exon 1 and 2 by PCR-SCCP and DNA sequencing. In addition, blood was also collected from all the cases to rule out any germ-line mutation. RESULTS: Point mutations of activated H-ras identified in bladder cancer patients were 14.5% (7 of 48), including four transversions (two G-->T and two A-->T) and three transitions (A-->G). Of the mutations, 71.4% were detected in codon 61 and 28.6% in codon 12. The pattern of mutation in the study showed a significant association with smoking in bladder tumors (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between tumor grade and/or stage and the presence of H-ras mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of H-ras by mutation plays a less frequent role than other genetic events in the development of the most transitional cell tumors of the bladder in Kashmiri population.