Expression and polymorphism of Follistatin (FST) gene and its association with growth traits in native and exotic chicken.

Follistatin (FST), a member of the transforming growth factor beta super-family regulates body growth by inhibiting the binding of myostatin (an inhibitor of growth) with its receptor in chicken. An experiment was conducted to explore ontogenic expression of the follistatin gene, determine polymorphism at the coding region of the gene and estimate its effect on growth traits in native (Aseel) and exotic broiler (PD-1) and layer (White Leghorn) chicken. The significant differences of FST gene expression were observed among the breeds revealing significantly (p < 0.05) higher expression in PD-1 line followed by White Leghorn and Aseel breeds during both embryonic and post-hatch period. The polymorphism at the functional domain of the FST gene was identified with the presence of 4 haplotypes. The follistatin haplogroups had the significant effect on body weights (p < 0.05) at 42 days of age in the White Leghorn, PD-1 and Aseel breeds (h1h1 in PD-1, h1h4 in White Leghorn and h1h2 haplogroups in Aseel breeds had the highest body weights of 770.04 ± 12.96, 246.28 ± 7.60 and 270.00 ± 10.68 g, respectively). It is concluded that the follistatin gene expressed differently during the embryonic and post-embryonic period across the breeds and the coding region of the gene was polymorphic having significant effects on growth traits in chicken.

Phonon and magnetoelastic coupling in Al0.5Ga0.5FeO3: Raman, magnetization and neutron diffraction studies.

The intriguing coupling phenomena among spin, phonon, and charge degrees of freedom in materials having magnetic, ferroelectric and/or ferroelastic order have been of research interest for the fundamental understanding and technological relevance. We report a detailed study on structure and phonons of Al0.5Ga0.5FeO3 (ALGF), a lead-free magnetoelectric material, carried out using variable temperature dependent powder neutron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Neutron diffraction studies suggest that Al3+ ions are distributed in one tetrahedrally (BO4) and three octahedrally (BO6) coordinated sites of the orthorhombic (Pc21n) structure and there is no structural transition in the temperature range of 7-800 K. Temperature dependent field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetization studies indicate ferrimagnetic ordering below 225 K (TN), and that is reflected in the low temperature powder neutron diffraction data. An antiferromagnetic type arrangement of Fe3+ ions with net magnetic moment of 0.13 µB/Fe3+ was observed from powder neutron diffraction analysis and it corroborates the findings from magnetization studies. At the magnetic transition temperature, no drastic change in lattice strain was observed, while significant changes in phonons were observed in the Raman spectra. The deviation of several mode frequencies from the standard anharmonicity model in the ferrimagnetic phase (below 240 K) is attributed to coupling effect between spin and phonon. Spin-phonon coupling effect is discernable from Raman bands located at 270, 425, 582, 695, 738, and 841 cm-1. Their coupling strengths (λ) have been estimated using our phonon spectra and magnetization results. BOn (n = 4, 6) libration (restricted rotation) mode at 270 cm-1 has the largest coupling constant (λ∼ 2.3), while the stretching vibrations located at 695 and 738 cm-1 have the lowest coupling constant (λ∼ 0.5). In addition to the libration mode, several internal stretching and bending modes of polyhedral units are strongly affected by spin ordering.

Colour Doppler evaluation of uterine and ovarian blood flow in patients of polycystic ovarian disease and post-treatment changes.

AIM: To assess the morphology and colour Doppler parameters in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and also to assess the changes in Doppler parameters in follow-up patients, who underwent treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 women of reproductive age who had clinical and biochemical findings suggestive of PCOS. Clinico-hormonal parameters were recorded. Ultrasound and colour Doppler flow measurements of bilateral ovaries were performed in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. After assessment of the bilateral ovaries, colour Doppler ultrasound was used to evaluate the main uterine artery at the cervico-uterine junction. Follow-up imaging after 3 months was undertaken in patients who underwent treatment (metformin) and changes in the imaging and hormonal parameters were correlated. RESULTS: The mean value of luteinising hormone (LH) and the ratio of LH: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was significantly higher in PCOS patients. Ultrasound parameters were significantly higher in PCOS patients. Ovarian stromal vessels in PCOS patients had a significantly higher peak systolic velocity (PSV), low resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI). The PSV of uterine arteries were significantly decreased and the RI and PI were significantly increased. On follow-up patients revealed changes in hormonal parameters. CONCLUSION: PCOS is a heterogeneous disorder and is a convergence of multisystem endocrine derangements. Ultrasound is good diagnostic tool for PCOS and the use of Doppler aids in the evaluation of haemodynamic changes in small vessels of utero-ovarian circulation and in response assessment.

Impact of nanogold morphology on interactions with human serum.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of differing shapes are of great interest to researchers due to their unique optical properties, making them potentially powerful theranostic tools. The synthesis of AuNPs is performed frequently, however the assessment of biological activity for each nanoparticle is not always commonplace. While it is thought that physicochemical parameters such as shape may play an important role in dictating the outcomes of interactions which take place at the nano-bio interface, a systematic approach to the assessment of nanomaterials has not been widely adopted. In this study, the interaction between human serum albumin (HSA) and four similar sized but different shaped AuNPs (spherical, rod shaped, prismatic and cubic) synthesised using a common chemical surfactant (CTAB), is presented. Using fluorescence spectroscopy it is shown that all AuNPs exhibit static binding with HSA, however the shape affects both the affinity and strength of the binding. Rod shaped nanoparticles were found to have the highest binding strength and affinity. Conversely, shapes with large flat planar surfaces such as prisms and cubes were shown to have reduced accessibility to the site of the fluorophore within the structure of HSA. The differences observed help to provide a better understanding of the effect of shape on AuNP-protein interactions - knowledge which may be applied to the development of AuNPs for future biological applications.

Inequalities in rural communities: adapting national deprivation indices for rural settings.

Background: Deprivation indices have been widely used in healthcare research and planning in the United Kingdom. Existing indices, however, are dominated by characteristics of urban populations that may be less relevant in capturing the nature of rural deprivation. We explore if deprivation indices can be modified to make them more sensitive to displaying rural disadvantage in England. Methods: The analysis focussed on the 2011 Carstairs Index (Carstairs2011) and the 2010 English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD2010). We removed all urban areas as identified by the Office for National Statistics Rural-Urban Area Classifications and mapped the Carstairs2011 and IMD2010 across the remaining rural areas using rural-specific quintiles. Results: Our method was effective in displaying much greater heterogeneity in rural areas than was apparent in the original indices. We received positive feedback from Directors of Public Health who confirmed that the observed patterns mirror their experiences and first-hand knowledge on the ground. Conclusions: Our maps of Carstairs2011 and IMD2010 for rural areas might strengthen the evidence base for rural planning and service provision. The modified deprivation indices, however, were not specifically formulated for rural populations and further work is needed to explore alternative input variables to produce a more rural-specific measure of deprivation.

Cartilaginous Eustachian tube length and carotid canal dehiscence in children: a radiological study.

PURPOSE: The use of Balloon Eustachian tuboplasty (BET) for Eustachian tube dysfunction is increasing in adults but to a lesser extent in children. Despite growing experience, concerns remain that BET could theoretically cause carotid artery rupture, which may be more likely if there is carotid canal dehiscence adjacent to the bony Eustachian tube. This radiological study aims to assess the prevalence of carotid canal dehiscence and length of cartilaginous Eustachian tube in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 75 consecutive computed tomography scans of the petrous temporal bones performed in children were identified (150 carotid canals/Eustachian tubes). Two independent raters measured the length of the cartilaginous Eustachian tube and thickness of carotid canal wall. RESULTS: 8% of carotid canals had radiological dehiscence. Prevalence of carotid canal dehiscence on either side per child was 12%. Mean cartilaginous Eustachian tube length was 24.5 mm (SD 3.1 mm) and the minimum measured was 14.1 mm. The minimum length measured in a child over 3 years old (n = 65) was 18.1 mm. The mean thickness of bone of the carotid canal was 0.7 mm (SD 0.27 mm). There was a positive relationship between age and Eustachian tube length (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.622, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carotid canal dehiscence in children has a low prevalence. Variation in the length of the cartilaginous Eustachian tube is low but is correlated with age. More research is required to define the indications, safety, efficacy and technical aspects of BET in children.

Inter-observer variability of the histological classification of lupus glomerulonephritis in children.

The gold standard for the classification of lupus nephritis is renal histology but reporting variation exists. The aim of this study was to assess the inter-observer variability of the 2003 International Society of Nephrology/Royal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) lupus nephritis histological classification criteria in children. Histopathologists from a reference centre and three tertiary paediatric centres independently reviewed digitalized renal histology slides from 55 children with lupus nephritis. Histological ISN/RPS Class was assigned and features scored; lupus nephritis-activity [scored 0-24], lupus nephritis-chronicity [0-12] and tubulointerstitial activity [0-21]. In the cohort (73% females), the age at the time of biopsy was 15.5 ± 0.39 (mean ± standard error) years. Based on the reference centre, 42% (23/55) had ISN/RPS Class IV with lupus nephritis-activity score 4.23 ± 0.50, lupus nephritis-chronicity 1.81 ± 0.18 and tubulointerstitial activity 4.45 ± 0.35. There were 4-54 (mean 16.7) glomeruli per biopsy. Pathologists had fair agreement for ISN/RPS assignment (kappa; 0.26 ± 0.12), lupus nephritis-chronicity (intra-class correlation 0.36 ± 0.09) and tubulointerstitial activity (0.22 ± 0.09) scores. There was good agreement for lupus nephritis-activity scores (intra-class correlation 0.69 ± 0.06). When categorized into proliferative and non-proliferative disease, poor agreement among sites remained (kappa 0.24 ± 0.11). Despite unified criteria for the interpretation of histological features of lupus nephritis, marked reporting variation remains in clinical practice. As proliferative lupus nephritis is managed more intensively, this may influence renal outcomes.

Conditions of the external and middle ear: an overview of presentation, management and associated complications.

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) presentations to primary care are common and frequently affect military patients. Many patients can be managed in primary care with appropriate treatment, but some presentations require appropriate, timely, and occasionally emergency onward referral for hospital management. This paper discusses the management of common otological presentations including otitis externa (OE), acute otitis media, chronic suppurative otitis media (including cholesteatoma), tympanic membrane (TM) perforations and pinna haematoma.

Preoperative carboplatin and paclitaxel-based chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma: results of a modified CROSS regimen utilizing radiation doses greater than 41.4 Gy.

Trimodality therapy for resectable esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers utilizing preoperative radiotherapy with concurrent carboplatin and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is being increasingly utilized secondary to the results of the phase III CROSS trial. However, there is a paucity of reports of this regimen as a component of chemoradiotherapy in North America. We aim to report on our clinical experience using a modified CROSS regimen with higher radiotherapy doses. Patients with advanced (cT2-cT4 or node positive) esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma who received preoperative carboplatin/paclitaxel-based chemoradiotherapy with radiation doses of greater than 41.4 Gray (Gy) followed by esophagectomy were identified from an institutional database. Patient, imaging, treatment, and tumor response characteristics were analyzed. Twenty-four patients were analyzed. All but one tumor had adenocarcinoma histology. The median radiation dose was 50.4 Gy. Pathologic complete response was achieved in 29% of patients, with all receiving 50.4 Gy. Three early postoperative deaths were seen, due in part to acute respiratory distress syndrome and all three patients received 50-50.4 Gy. With a median follow-up of 9.4 months (23 days-2 years), median survival was 24 months. Trimodality therapy utilizing concurrent carboplatin/paclitaxel with North American radiotherapy doses appeared to have similar pathologic complete response rates compared with the CROSS trial, but may be associated with higher toxicity. Although the sample size is small and further follow-up is necessary, radiation doses greater than 41.4 Gy may not be warranted secondary to a potentially increased risk of severe radiation-induced acute lung injury.

Gene Expression and Polymorphism of Myostatin Gene and its Association with Growth Traits in Chicken.

Myostatin is a member of TGF-ß super family and is directly involved in regulation of body growth through limiting muscular growth. A study was carried out in three chicken lines to identify the polymorphism in the coding region of the myostatin gene through SSCP and DNA sequencing. A total of 12 haplotypes were observed in myostatin coding region of chicken. Significant associations between haplogroups with body weight at day 1, 14, 28, and 42 days, and carcass traits at 42 days were observed across the lines. It is concluded that the coding region of myostatin gene was polymorphic, with varied levels of expression among lines and had significant effects on growth traits. The expression of MSTN gene varied during embryonic and post hatch development stage.

Gene expression and silencing of activin receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) in myoblast cells of chicken.

Activin receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) acts as receptor for myostatin (MSTN) protein involved in inhibiting satellite cell proliferation and differentiation. The importance of the ACVR2A gene during embryonic and post-hatch periods in broiler and layer chicken was studied in an in vitro cell culture system. The expression pattern of the ACVR2A gene during embryonic stages was similar in broiler and layer lines. Post-hatch expression of the ACVR2A gene varied significantly between broiler and layer lines. Five shRNA molecules were designed to knockdown expression of the ACVR2A gene in chicken myoblast cells. The silencing of the ACVR2A gene in a cell culture system varied from 60% to 82%. It is concluded that between broiler and layer lines, there were no significant changes in expression of the ACVR2A gene during embryonic stages but it varied significantly during the post-hatch period. The shRNA showed silencing of the ACVR2A gene under an in vitro cell culture system.

An overview of common diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

Diseases of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are a common complaint amongst the general population and service personnel. Chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyps, and nasal deformity leading to airway obstruction are some of the commonest ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions encountered. However, hidden within this generally benign group of conditions are some potentially lethal problems that clinicians need to be able to recognise. This article aims to provide an overview of common conditions affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses, including fractured nasal bones, acute rhinosinusitis and its complications, and chronic rhinosinusitis. Epistaxis and sinonasal malignancies are largely outside the scope of this paper. Background information on pathogenesis will be described, along with guidance on diagnosis and management with particular stress on emergency pre-hospital treatment and indications for referral to an ENT specialist.

Cloning, characterization and expression of myostatin (growth differentiating factor-8) gene in broiler and layer chicken (Gallus gallus).

A study was conducted to characterize myostatin gene in broiler and layer chicken and to explore mRNA expression profile in these two varieties of chicken. The myostatin cDNAs of broiler and layer varieties were cloned and sequenced. The total length of the cDNA was 1128 bp. The differences of nucleotides between PB-1 broiler and IWI layer were C > 65 > T, C > 306 > T and C > 1094 > T while those between CB broiler and IWI layer were C > 65 > T, C > 195 > G, G > 234 > A, C > 306 > T, T > 939 > C, C > 961 > T, G > 966T and C > 1094 > T. The amino acid differences of myostatin protein between PB-1 and IWI strains were alanine > 22 > valine and proline > 365 > leucine while those between CB and IWI strains were alanine > 22 > valine, histidine > 321 > tyrosine and proline > 365 > leucine. The phylogenetic study revealed closeness of PB-1 and control broiler forming a cluster, which was also closely related to IWI layer chicken formed a separate cluster. The gene was cloned and expressed in E. coli. The gene expression profile in muscle was different between broiler and layer strains. Between two broiler strains, the pattern of expression was similar. Between IWI layer and either PB-1 or CB broilers, differences in expression was found at different time points, particularly at second, fourth and seventh weeks of age. The myostatin expression was significantly associated with body weights in chicken. It is concluded that myostatin gene sequences varied at nucleotide as well as amino acid level between broiler and layer chicken varieties and the gene also expressed differentially in these two varieties.

Polymorphism and expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene and its association with growth traits in chicken.

1. The objectives of the study were to detect polymorphism in the coding region of the IGF1 gene, explore the expression profile and estimate association with growth traits in indigenous and exotic chickens. 2. A total of 12 haplotypes were found in Cornish, control layer and Aseel breeds of chicken in which the h1 haplotype was most frequent. 3. Nucleotide substitutions among haplotypes were found at 21 positions in the IGF1 gene in which 4 substitutions resulted in non-synonymous mutations in the receptor binding domain of the IGF1 protein. 4. The haplogroup showed a significant effect on body weight at 24 and 42 d of age in the control layer line, body weight at 42 d and daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in the control broiler line, daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Cornish, and body weights at 42 d as well as daily weight gain between 29 and 42 d in Aseel birds. 5. IGF1 expression varied among the breeds during embryonic and post-hatch periods. The expression among the haplogroups varied in different chicken tissues. The effect of haplogroup on myofibre number in pectoral muscle was non-significant, although there was significant variation in numbers between d 1 and d 42, and between broiler and layer lines. 6. It was concluded that the coding region of the IGF1 gene was polymorphic, expressed differentially during the pre-hatch and post-hatch periods, and haplogroups showed significant association with growth traits in chicken.

Effect of grain size and microstructure on radiation stability of CeO2: an extensive study.

To investigate the variation in the radiation stability of ceria with microstructure under the electronic excitation regime, ceria samples sintered under different conditions were irradiated with high energy 100 MeV Ag ions. The ceria nanopowders were synthesized and sintered at 800 °C (S800), 1000 °C (S1000) and 1300 °C (S1300), respectively. The samples with widely varying grain size, densities and microstructure were obtained. The pristine and irradiated samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). None of the samples amorphized up to the highest fluence of 1 × 10(14) ions per cm(2) employed in this study. XRD and Raman studies showed that the sample with lowest grain size suffered maximum damage while the sample with largest grain size was most stable and showed little change in crystallinity. Raman spectroscopy indicated the enhanced formation of Ce(3+) and related defects in the sample with larger grain size after irradiation. The most intriguing result was the absence of Ce(3+)-related defects in the sample with lowest grain size which actually showed maximum damage upon irradiation. The XPS studies on S800 and S1300 provided concrete evidence for the presence of Ce(3+) and oxygen ion vacancies in S1300. The grain boundaries and grain size dependent stability have been discussed.

High resolution microendoscopy for classification of colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: It can be difficult to distinguish adenomas from benign polyps during routine colonoscopy. High resolution microendoscopy (HRME) is a novel method for imaging colorectal mucosa with subcellular detail. HRME criteria for the classification of colorectal neoplasia have not been previously described. Study goals were to develop criteria to characterize HRME images of colorectal mucosa (normal, hyperplastic polyps, adenomas, cancer) and to determine the accuracy and interobserver variability for the discrimination of neoplastic from non-neoplastic polyps when these criteria were applied by novice and expert microendoscopists. METHODS: Two expert pathologists created consensus HRME image criteria using images from 68 patients with polyps who had undergone colonoscopy plus HRME. Using these criteria, HRME expert and novice microendoscopists were shown a set of training images and then tested to determine accuracy and interobserver variability. RESULTS: Expert microendoscopists identified neoplasia with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 67 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] 58 % - 75 %), 97 % (94 % - 100 %), and 87 %, respectively. Nonexperts achieved sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 73 % (66 % - 80 %), 91 % (80 % - 100 %), and 85 %, respectively. Overall, neoplasia were identified with sensitivity 70 % (65 % - 76 %), specificity 94 % (87 % - 100 %), and accuracy 85 %. Kappa values were: experts 0.86; nonexperts 0.72; and overall 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: Using the new criteria, observers achieved high specificity and substantial interobserver agreement for distinguishing benign polyps from neoplasia. Increased expertise in HRME imaging improves accuracy. This low-cost microendoscopic platform may be an alternative to confocal microendoscopy in lower-resource or community-based settings.

Genesis of arsenic-rich groundwater and the search for alternative safe aquifers in the Gangetic Plain, India.

Distribution and mobilization of groundwater arsenic from a 1580-km(2) area in the Gangetic Plain was studied. A two-tier aquifer system made up of Quaternary sand layers exists within 300 m below ground. Arsenic concentration exceeding >50 microg/L is confined within the active floodplain of the Ganga River, affecting the top aquitard and upper 5- to 20-m slice of the underlying shallow aquifer. The genesis of arsenic was investigated by principal component analyses involving total dissolved solids, Ca(+2), Mg(+2), Na(+), K(+), HCO3-, Cl(-1), SO4(-2), NO3-, Fetotal, and Astotal and analyzed for 57 groundwater samples, hydrochemical facies analyses, aquifer-aquitard configuration, and water-level behaviour. A 20- to 25-m thick deeper aquifer, appearing at 190 to 205 m below ground and separated from the shallow aquifer by a thick clay sequence, was low in arsenic load (<2 microg/L). Hydrostratigraphy and pumping tests revealed that the deeper aquifer can be used for community drinking in contaminated areas.

Intrarenal resistance index (RI) as a predictor of early renal impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite its functional nature, hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is associated with a poor prognosis and the only effective treatment is liver transplantation. It is very important to diagnose renal impairment in cirrhosis patients at an early stage before overt HRS develops. In patients with cirrhosis the early renal impairment or renovascular vasoconstriction can be predicted by renal arterial resistance index (RI). Our study aimed to compare RI in healthy controls versus patients with liver cirrhosis with and without ascites and assess its value for predicting subsequent renal status. METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups with 50 patients in each group. Group 1 contained patients with cirrhosis without ascites and group 2 contained cirrhosis patients with ascites. All patients were subjected to detailed clinical examination, laboratory investigations and abdominal doppler ultrasound with renal RI measurements. Patients were followed for 6 months. RESULTS: RI was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients as compared to healthy controls (0.62 vs. 0.52, p< 0.01). In patients with cirrhosis, RI was significantly greater in patients with ascites than those without ascites (0.70 vs. 0.62, p < 0.01). RI >0.70 was significant independent predictor of subsequent HRS development (p = 0.006) CONCLUSIONS: Intrarenal RI measurement can be used as a predictor of HRS and may be further validated for regular monitoring of cirrhotic patients at risk of developing renal impairment.