Effects of immunization against inhibin α-subunit on ovarian structures, pregnancy rate, embryonic and fetal losses, and prolificacy rate in goats where estrus was induced during the non-breeding season.

The objectives of the study were to determine the dose-dependent effects of active immunization against inhibin α-subunit (AIINHA) on ovarian dynamics, concentrations of progesterone (P4), pregnancy rate (PR), embryonic and fetal losses (EFL), and prolificacy during the non-breeding season when there was imposing of a progestin-based treatment regimen to induce estrus in Beetal goats. Goats (n = 30) were randomly assigned into following groups: 1) saline (G-CON-0 mg; n = 10), 2) small dose (G-AIINHA-0.5 mg; n = 10), and 3) large dose (G-AIINHA-1 mg; n = 10). The primary administration of inhibin immunogen was administered at Day -48, followed by another administration at Day -20, and subsequently there was induction of estrus using a progestin based treatment regimen that included a single administration of progestin-containing sponge and PGF2α at Day -8. The sponge was removed, and GnRH was administered at Day -3 followed by breeding (Day 0) at standing estrus. Results indicated mean diameter of the follicles, size of pre-ovulatory follicles and corpora lutea, and post-breeding P4 concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the goat does of the G-AIINHA-0.5 than G-CON-0 group. The PR, and EFL, however, did not differ (P> 0.05) among groups, whereas prolificacy rate was greater (P = 0.04) in goat does of the G-AIINHA-0.5 than G-CON-0 groups. The data from this study indicate G-AIINHA-0.5 is the recommended dose of inhibin immunogen to enhance the reproductive performance during non-breeding season in Beetal goats when estrus is induced using a progestin-based treatment regimen.

Correlates of myopia in students of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan.

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of myopia in young students of Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan. A total sample of 620 students of both gender (male=295; female=325) was collected during 2014. The data was divided in two breeding pattern groups, five groups on account of age at myopia onset and different family size. Out of 620 subjects, 150 had myopia (male=85; female=65). The overall prevalence of myopia was 24.19%. The myopia prevalence was apparently higher in males 28.8% as compared to females 20%. It was observed that myopia was more in age group 21 (37.33%) and less in age group 18 (2.67%). Myopia was found to be higher in inbreeding group (cousin marriage) 56.67% when compared with out-breeding group 43.33% and was found significantly (P< 0.05) more 69.33% in family size of 6-9 as compared 5 (5.33%) respectively.

Characterization of a thermostable and alkaline xylanase from Bacillus sp. and its bleaching impact on wheat straw pulp.

Delignification efficacy of xylanases to facilitate the consequent chemical bleaching of Kraft pulps has been studied widely. In this work, an alkaline and thermally stable cellulase-less xylanase, derived from a xylanolytic Bacillus subtilis, has been purified by a combination of gel filtration and Q-Sepharose chromatography to its homogeneity. Molecular weight of the purified xylanase was 61 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified enzyme revealed an optimum assay temperature and pH of 60°C and 8.0, respectively. Xylanase was active in the pH range of 6.0-9.0 and stable up to 70°C. Divalent ions like Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Zn(2+) enhanced xylanase activity, whereas Hg(2+), Fe(2+), and Cu(2+) were inhibitory to xylanase at 2 mM concentration. It showed K ( m ) and V ( max ) values of 9.5 mg/ml and 53.6 µmol/ml/min, respectively, using birchwood xylan as a substrate. Xylanase exhibited higher values of turn over number (K (cat)) and catalytic efficiency (K (cat)/K (m)) with birchwood xylan than oat spelt xylan. Bleach-boosting enzyme activity at 30 U/g dry pulp displayed the optimum bio-delignification of Kraft pulp resulting in 26.5% reduction in kappa number and 18.5% ISO induction in brightness at 55°C after 3 h treatment. The same treatment improved the pulp properties including tensile strength and burst index, demonstrating its potential application in pre-bleaching of Kraft pulp.

Granzyme M: characterization with sites of post-translational modification and specific sites of interaction with substrates and inhibitors.

Granzymes kill cells in a variety of ways. They induce mitochondrial dysfunction through caspase dependent and caspase-independent pathways and destroy DNA and the integrity of the nucleus. For gaining a better understanding of the molecular function of granzyme M and its NK cell specificity, structural characterization of this enzyme by molecular modeling as well as its detailed comparison with other granzymes is presented in this study. The study includes mode of action of granzyme M using cationic binding sites, substrate specificity, post-translational structural modification and its functional relationship and interaction of the enzyme with inhibitor in an attempt to explore how the activity of human granzyme M is controlled under physiological conditions. It is concluded from the present study that the post-translational modification, including Oglycosylation of serine, phosphorylation of serine and threonine and myristoylation of glycine, play an important role in the interaction of enzyme with the cell surface membrane and regulate protein trafficking and stability. Phosphorylated serine and threonine also plays a role in tumor elimination, viral clearance and tissue repair. In Gzm M there are cationic sites, cs1 and cs2 that may participate in binding of Gzm M to the cell surface, thereby promoting its uptake and eventual release into the cytoplasm. Gzm M shows apoptotic activity both by caspase dependent and independent pathways. Modeling of inhibitors bound to the granzyme active site shows that the dimer also contributes to substrate specificity in a unique manner by extending the active-site cleft.

2-(3-Oxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzothia-zin-4-yl)acetamide.

In the title compound, C(10)H(10)N(2)O(2)S, the thia-zine ring approximates to an envelope form with the S atom in the flap position. The amide group attached to the acetate group is almost perpendicular to the mean plane of the thia-zine ring [dihedral angle = 88.83 (8)°]. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur. Further N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the dimers into a three-dimensional network.

Production, purification and characterization of beta-1,4-endoglucanase from a novel bacterial strain CTP-09 of a Bacillus sp.

Bacillus strain CTP-09 yielded maximum productivity (1120 IU/L.h) of extracellular endoglucanase (CMCase) on 0.5% cellobiose after 10 h fermentation at 55 degrees C. The purified enzyme is mono-meric in nature and exhibits stability up to 80 degrees C and over a pH range (6.0-9.0). Activation energy, enthalpy and entropy of catalysis, and inactivation indicated that this CMCase is highly thermos-table. Purified enzyme possessed high power of defibrillation of textile and was minutely inhibited by anionic detergent and oxidizing agent comparable with inhibition by commercial enzyme. This polypeptide could be exploited for mass production and application in local industries.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety in post-myocardial infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of symptoms of depression and/or anxiety following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to analyse their association with demographic variables. DESIGN: A cross-sectional analytical, non-interventional hospital based study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was carried out at Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Lahore, from January 2000 to January 2001. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total number of 100 inpatients suffering from AMI were studied. After a careful selection of the subjects the Urdu version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered to each patient during the period of 5-7 days following AMI to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. A semi-structured clinical interview was also conducted which included demographic information, psychiatric history and other variables. Results were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 8.0). RESULTS: Out of 100 subjects, 80 (80%) were males and 20 (20%) were females. Their ages ranged from 30-60 years (mean age, 50.92+/-8.53). Overall, symptoms of anxiety and/or depression were found in 50 (50%) patients. More specifically, symptoms of depression were found in 14%, anxiety symptoms in 18% and mixed symptoms (anxiety and depression) in 18% of the patients. Results revealed that patients above 45 years of age (i.e. 46-60 years) were more likely to experience symptoms of depression and/ or anxiety following AMI. A significant association was also found between female sex (p <0.02), lower socioeconomic status (p <0.05) and symptoms of depression and/ or anxiety in these patients. However, no significant association was found in relation to educational status, marital status and origin (urban/rural). CONCLUSION: The high proportion of patients with AMI found to be suffering from symptoms of depression and/ or anxiety one week after AMI highlights the essential need to assess these symptoms in all such patients during the post-MI period as they merit appropriate treatment along with the other complications of AMI.