Biot Theory-Based Finite Element Modeling of Continuous Ultrasound Propagation Through Microscale Articular Cartilage.

Low-intensity ultrasound has shown promise in promoting the healing and regeneration of articular cartilage degraded by osteoarthritis. In this study, a two-dimensional finite element method (FEM) model was developed for solving the Biot theory equations governing the propagation of continuous ultrasound through the cartilage. Specifically, we computed the ultrasound-induced dilatations and displacements in the microscale cartilage that is represented as consisting of four zones, namely, the chondrocyte cell and its nucleus, the pericellular matrix (PCM) that forms a layer around the chondrocyte, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The chondrocyte-PCM complex, referred to as the chondron, is embedded in the ECM. We model multiple cartilage configurations where in the ECM layer contains chondrons along the depth, as well as laterally. The top surface of the ECM layer is subjected to specified amplitude and frequency of continuous ultrasound. The resulting wave propagation is modeled by numerically solving the two-dimensional Biot equations for seven frequencies in the 0.5 MHz-5 MHz range. It is seen that ultrasound is attenuated in the ECM and the attenuation increases monotonically with frequency. In contrast, manyfold augmentation of the ultrasound amplitude is observed inside the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the chondrocyte. Chondrocytes act as a major sink of ultrasound energy, thereby reducing the depthwise propagation of ultrasound fluctuations. Regions of high dilatations and displacements were found at the ECM-PCM interface, PCM-chondrocyte interface, as well as in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the chondrocyte. We observe that the ultrasound field around a chondron interacts with that around a neighboring chondron located at the same depth in the ECM layer. The qualitative and quantitative insights gained from our study may be relevant to designing ultrasound-based therapies for osteoarthritis.

Non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning growth and morphometric traits in Assam Hill goat.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the genetic and non-genetic factors affecting pre-weaning body weight (BW) and morphometry in Assam Hill goat along with the genetic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The detailed information in respect of BW and body measurements of 960 animals at birth and 3 months of age belonging to three different populations of Assam Hill goat maintained at field units, namely, Batabari, Nahira, and Tetelia under "All India Coordinated Research Project on Goat Improvement" were utilized in the present study. The data were analyzed using least squares technique. RESULTS: The least squares means for BW, height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), and body length (BL) were 1.166±0.008 kg, 26.198±0.070 cm, 26.695±0.096 cm, and 29.482±0.119 cm at birth and 4.590±0.083 kg, 36.850±0.105 cm, 40.741±0.115 cm, and 39.703±0.108 cm at 3 months of age, respectively. Location had a significant effect on BW, HW, and BL at both birth and 3 months and on HG at 3 months of age. Season of birth exerted significant effect only on BL at birth, whereas the significant effect of sex was observed on HG and BL at 3 months of age. The heritability estimates for BW and body measurements were moderate indicating the scope of selection. The phenotypic and genetic correlations among BWs and body measurements at birth and 3 months of age were positive in direction and high in magnitude. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the present findings, it could be concluded that the weaning weight of kids can be considered for the selection of parent stock to increase productivity and eventually the economic efficiency. Further, animals with higher body measurements at initial phases of growth will perform better with respect to even BW at later stages of growth.

Development of an extractive spectrophotometric method for the determination of copper(II) in leafy vegetable and pharmaceutical samples using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (PPT).

A highly sensitive extractive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of copper(II) using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone(PPT) as an analytical reagent. The PPT forms reddish brown species of copper(II) at a pH range of 3.0-5.5, and the complex was extracted into n-butanol. The Cu(II)-PPT complex shows maximum absorbance at 440 nm, with molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity being 2.16 x 10(4) L mol(-1) cm(-1) and 2.94 x 10(-3) microg cm(-2), respectively. The system obeys Beer's law in the range of 0.2-5.0 mg/L. The regression coefficient of the Beer's law straight line is 0.338, and the correlation coefficient is 0.96. The detection limit of the method is 0.0065 microg mL(-1). Most of the common metal ions generally found associated with copper do not interfere. The repeatability of the method was checked by finding the relative standard deviation. The developed method has been successfully employed for the determination of copper(II) in leafy vegetable and pharmaceutical samples. The method is evaluated by analyzing samples from the Bureau of Analyzed Samples (BCS 233, 266, 216/1, 207, and 179) and by intercomparison of experimental values using AAS.

A rapid and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric determination of copper(II) in pharmaceutical and environmental samples using benzildithiosemicarbazone.

Benzildithiosemicarbazone (BDTSC) is proposed as a sensitive and selective analytical reagent for the extractive spectrophotometric determination of copper(II). BDTSC reacts with copper(II) in the pH range 1.0-7.0 to form a yellowish complex. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.5-0.4 microg cm(-3). The yellowish Cu(II)-BDTSC complex in chloroform shows a maximum absorbance at 380 nm, with molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity values of 1.63 x 10(4) dm3 mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.00389 microg cm(-2), respectively. A repetition of the method is checked by finding the relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 10), which is 0.6%. The composition of the Cu(II)-BDTSC complex is established as 1:1 by slope analysis, molar ratio and Asmus' methods. An excellent linearity with a correlation coefficient value of 0.98 is obtained for the Cu(II)-BDTSC complex. The instability constant of the complex calculated from Edmond and Birnbaum's method is 7.70 x 10(-4) and that of Asmus' method is 7.66 x 10(-4), at room temperature. The method is successfully employed for the determination copper(II) in pharmaceutical and environmental samples. The reliability of the method is assured by analyzing the standard alloys (BCS 5g, 10g, 19e, 78, 32a, 207 and 179) and by inter-comparison of experimental values, using an atomic absorption spectrometer.

A rapid and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone.

A rapid and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (PPT) as an analytical reagent. The reagent forms a red-color complex with the metal at pH 3.0, which is extracted into benzene. The absorbance is measured at 460 nm. The method adheres to Beer's law up to a concentration range of 0.4-6.4 microg cm(-3). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity are 2.20 x 10(4) dm3 mol(-1) cm(-1) and 4.85 x 10(-3) microg cm(-2), respectively. The correlation coefficient of the Pd(II)-PPT complex is 0.99, which indicates an excellent linearity between two variables. The detection limit of this method is 0.05 microg cm(-3). The instability constant of the Pd(II)-PPT complex calculated from Edmond and Birnbaum's method is 2.90 x 10(-5) and that of Asmus' method is 2.80 x 10(-5) at room temperature. The concurrent repetition of the method is checked and the relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 5) was derived as 1.84 percent. The present method was applied to the determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts. The results were compared by employing an atomic-absorption spectrometer.

Rapid cultivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in liquid medium.

A total of 894 specimens have been examined by the rapid method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The medium used for the rapid isolation was Veeraraghavan's modified medium V (T2). It is a rich synthetic medium consisting of amino acids, salts and vitamins. It enables the growth of mycobacteria within 48 hrs. The study was carried out to compare the results of Veeraraghavan's liquid medium with LJ medium in routine clinical laboratory. The results of this study indicate that the rapid method gives consistently better results than those obtained by the standard method. The results compare well with the findings of Daginawala and Banker.

Mechanisms of protection by buthionine sulphoximine against gamma-ray-induced micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes of mouse bone marrow.

The effect of pretreatment with buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) on the radiosensitivity of mouse bone marrow cells was studied using the in vivo micronucleus test. Varying concentrations of BSO were injected into mice by intraperitoneal injection 2 h before irradiation, and the frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) of bone marrow were scored. Treatment with BSO resulted in a significant reduction (41% at 20 mg/kg body weight) in the frequency of micronuclei induced by 1 Gy gamma-rays. Reduction was observed in cells sampled at 24, 30 and 48 h postirradiation with no apparent effect on the ratio of poly- to normo-chromatic erythrocytes in BSO-treated versus control groups. Glutathione levels in the bone marrow of BSO-treated animals 2 h after a single injection were found to be unaltered. The protective effect of BSO was not observed if it was given either immediately or 2 h after irradiation. Based on these and earlier findings it seemed as if BSO molecules may be involved in physicochemical reactions with reactive species generated in the system by irradiation. BSO showed relatively high reaction rate constants with hydroxyl radical (.OH, 2.5 x 10(9) dm3 mol-1s1, calculated on the basis of competition kinetics) and with singlet oxygen (1O2, 4.3 x 10(7) dm3 mol-1s-1 but a lower rate constant with hydrated electrons (< or = 5.0 x 10(6) dm3 mol-1s1). Based on half-life estimates, transients formed and potential for damage to biomolecules, .OH and 1O2 seemed to be the possible species responsible. In vitro studies reveal that BSO has significant abilities to protect DNA against single-strand breaks and lipid peroxidation induced by 1O2 in microsomal membranes. This supports our hypothesis that BSO may be involved in scavenging the reactive species generated and that besides .OH, 1O2 may also be a major player in radiation damage.

Role of chlorophyllin as an in vivo anticlastogen: protection against gamma-radiation and chemical clastogens.

Chlorophyllin was evaluated in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test for its possible protective effects against chromosomal damage induced by gamma-radiation, cyclophosphamide, N-nitroso-N-ethylurea and urethane. Three doses of chlorophyllin (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, b.w.) were orally administered to mice 2 h before exposure to the clastogens under investigation. The results obtained demonstrated that chlorophyllin can significantly reduce the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes induced by gamma-radiation (1.15 Gy) and all the three chemical clastogens. However with the exception of cyclophosphamide there was no indication of a dose response for the in vivo anticlastogenic effects of chlorophyllin.

Evaluation of radioprotective action of a mutant (E-25) form of Chlorella vulgaris in mice.

The possible role of orally fed Chlorella vulgaris (E-25) in modulating the gamma-ray induced chromosomal damage in whole-body irradiated mice was evaluated using a micronucleus test. Different doses of E-25 were administered either chronically (once, twice or thrice a day for 28 days) or as single acute doses before/after irradiation. A significant radioprotective effect was observed in both acute and chronic pretreatments, but only at doses above 400 mg/kg body weight. However, in mice that received E-25 (500 mg/kg) three times a day for 28 days, there was no protective effect, and a significant loss in their body weight was observed. Interestingly, E-25 afforded significant radioprotection even when it was administered within 0.4 hr after irradiation.

Protective effects of chlorogenic acid, curcumin and beta-carotene against gamma-radiation-induced in vivo chromosomal damage.

The mouse bone marrow micronucleus test was carried out to evaluate the possible role of the dietary constituents chlorogenic acid (CGA), curcumin (CR) and beta-carotene (BC) in modulating the in vivo chromosomal damage induced by gamma-radiation. The results obtained suggest that oral administration of CGA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.), CR (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w.) and BC (0.5 and 2.5 mg/kg b.w.) to mice can significantly reduce the frequencies of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (Mn PCEs) induced by whole body exposure to gamma-radiation (1.15 Gy; 0.05 Gy/s). With CGA and CR, this effect was observed after a single administration either 2 h before or immediately after irradiation. However, with BC a 7-day feeding before irradiation was necessary to obtain a significant reduction in the incidence of Mn PCEs. The protective effects of CGA, CR and BC were observed in bone marrow cells sampled 24, 30 and 48 h after exposure to radiation.

Protective effects of vitamins C and E against gamma-ray-induced chromosomal damage in mouse.

The effects of vitamins C and E on bone marrow chromosomes of the mouse exposed to 1 Gy of whole-body gamma-irradiation were studied. These vitamins, dissolved in water/peanut oil, were administered orally as acute doses, either 2 h before, immediately after, or 2 h after irradiation. Both vitamins significantly reduced the frequencies of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells; radioprotection by vitamin E was, however, appreciably greater than that afforded by vitamin C. Administration of the vitamins to mice immediately after irradiation was as effective as that 2 h before irradiation. A sequential treatment consisting of both these vitamins did not result in additional radioprotection over that afforded by vitamin E alone. The probable mechanisms of radioprotection are discussed.