Phosphorus speciation in the marine sediment of Kalpakkam coast, southeast coast of India.

A study was carried out at Kalpakkam coast to find out the distribution of various fractions of phosphorus (P) in the marine sediment during pre-northeast monsoon period. Samples were collected from ten locations covering ~80 km(2) of the inner-shelf region. Sedimentary parameters such as sand, silt, clay, and organic carbon percentage were analyzed in order to find out their relation with various P fractions. The sediment was found to be predominantly sandy in nature with low silt and clay content. Among all the fractions (loosely bound (LoP), calcium bound (CaP), iron bound (FeP), aluminum bound (AlP), and organic (OP)), CaP fraction constituted the largest portion (68.7%) followed by organic fraction (16.3%). The bioavailable P fractions ranged from 5 to 44% of the total P (TP) content. Relatively high LoP content was observed at the offshore locations with comparatively high mud percentage as compared with the near-shore locations. As FeP and AlP concentrations were directly proportional to the amount of fine-grain sediment, the low levels of these fractions found in this coastal area were therefore attributed to the sandy nature of the sediments. The order of abundance of the major forms of P in the surface sediments of Kalpakkam coast was as follows: CaP > OP > LoP > AlP > FeP.

Nutrient dynamics and seasonal variation of phytoplankton assemblages in the coastal waters of southwest Bay of Bengal.

In order to understand the phytoplankton community structure and its relationship with the environmental variables in the near shore waters of Kalpakkam, east coast of India, observations were carried out during 2008-2009. Phytoplankton population was comprised of 219 species, and the density was higher during the southwest monsoon (SWM) and inter-monsoon seasons than that of north east monsoon (NEM) season. The nutrient status on a temporal and spatial scale indicated the impact of point sources carrying anthropogenic runoff. Comparison of ambient nutrient ratios with the Redfield ratio (N/P/Si = 16:1:16) showed a clear temporal variation in the factors that regulate the phytoplankton growth. SWM and inter-monsoon season was evident to have an acute N-limitation of algal growth (~76%) whereas P-limitation was encountered during the NEM season (~75%). Interestingly, a sizable population of cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium erythraeum) were noticed during NEM season when there was an exponential increase in nitrogen concentration, probably due to nitrogen fixation. No significant impact of temperature on phytoplankton proliferation was observed in situ during the study period.

Achieving excellent microformability in aluminum by engineering a unique ultrafine-grained microstructure.

During microforming of conventional materials, specimen and microstructural length-scales are close to each other. This leads to an abnormal deformation behavior of the material and reduces microformability. Engineering ultrafine-grained (UFG) microstructure in the material is a possible solution. However, micro-scale deformation behavior of UFG material is not fully understood. Present work attempts to comprehensively investigate the micro-scale deformation of four distinctly engineered microstructures: UFG with residual dislocations and elongated grains, UFG free of residual dislocation with equiaxed grains, bimodal-grained and coarse-grained. The deformation behavior is captured via micro-scale uniaxial tensile test and micro-deep drawing operation. Micro-cups generated from UFG material with equiaxed grains show excellent surface quality, form-accuracy and minimal process scatter. Postmortem microscopy of the formed micro-cups attributes this improved microformability to the activation of grain boundary-mediated plasticity in the material which results in synergetic grain migration and rotation. Presence of residual dislocations and elongated grains hinders the grain migration and rotation leading to strain localization and thinning. In case of bimodal and coarse-grained material, cross-slip based deformation mode progressively dominates over grain migration and rotation, which results in a reduction in microformability due to the influence of size-effect.

Relationship between Dislocation Density and Antibacterial Activity of Cryo-Rolled and Cold-Rolled Copper.

In the present work, cold rolling and cryo-rolling were performed on 99% commercially pure copper substrates. Both cold and cryo-rolling processes caused severe plastic deformation that led to an increase in dislocation density by 14× and 28× respectively, as compared to the pristine material. Increases in average tensile strengths, by 75% (488 MPa) and 150% (698 MPa), were observed in the two rolled materials as the result of the enhancement in dislocation density. In addition to strength, enhanced antibacterial property of cryo-rolled copper was observed in comparison to cold rolled and pristine copper. Initial adhesion and subsequent proliferation of bio-film forming Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus was reduced by 66% and 100% respectively for cryo-rolled copper. Approximately 55% protein leakage, as well as ethidium bromide (EtBr) uptake, were observed confirming rupture of cell membrane of S. aureus. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy reveals higher leaching of elemental copper in nutrient broth media from the cryo-rolled copper. Detailed investigations showed that increased dislocation led to leaching of copper ions that caused damage to the bacterial cell wall and consequently killing of bacterial cells. Cryo-rolling enhanced both strength, as well as antibacterial activity, due to the presence of dislocations.

Comparative therapeutic efficacy of levofloxacin, ornidazole and alpha tocopherol combination with prostaglandin F2α on IL-6 and IL-10 transcript level in longstanding cases of endometritis in crossbreed Jersey cows.

This study compared the therapeutic efficacy of levofloxacin, ornidazole and alpha tocopherol combination and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) in longstanding cases of endometritis and evaluated their impact on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) transcript level in peripheral blood leukocytes. Eighteen endometritic crossbred Jersey cows were randomly allotted to three groups (six in each) viz. Group I (levofloxacin combo treatment I/U), group II (PGF2α treatment I/M), group III (no treatment, control), and group IV (six non-endometritic healthy cyclic) was taken for comparison study. The clinical efficacy was assessed by haematological study (TLC: Total leukocyte count; DC: Differential count), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) count in uterine cytology and relative mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-10 in peripheral blood leukocytes before and after treatment with respect to conception rate following single and second inseminations. Group I and II registered significant increase in TLC and neutrophil count. PMN cytology was increased two and three fold in group I and II, respectively. The IL-6 transcript level was increased by 2.5 and 4.6 fold while that of IL-10 increased by 3.7 and 5.2 fold in group I and II, respectively. Conception rate across group I to IV following single insemination was found to be 66.67%, 50%, 16.67%, and 83.33% and their corresponding values following second insemination were 66.67%, 83.33%, 16.67%, and 83.33%, respectively. Thus, the administration of levofloxacin combo and PGF2α might have better conception rate following first and second insemination, respectively. Our study also reveals that PGF2α could register better clearance of bacteria through stronger PMN cell and cytokine activity in post-treatment period.

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of combined sucrose and non-nutritive sucking for analgesia in newborns undergoing minor painful procedure: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of combined sucrose and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) for analgesia in newborn infants undergoing heel-stick procedures. STUDY DESIGN: This randomized control trial was conducted in the neonatal intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital over a period of 1 year. One hundred and eighty full-term neonates with birth weight >2200 g and age >24 h were randomized to one of four interventions administered 2 min before the procedure: 2 ml of 30% sucrose (group I, n=45) or NNS (group II, n=45) or both (group III, n=45) or none (group IV, n=45). Primary outcome was composite score based on Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) score. RESULT: Baseline variables were comparable among the groups. Median (interquartile range) PIPP score was 3 (2 to 4) in group III as compared with 7 (6.5 to 8) in group I, 9 (7 to 11) in group II and 13 (10.5 to 15) in group IV. Group III had significant decrease in the median PIPP score compared with other groups (P=0.000). Median PIPP score also decreased significantly with any intervention as compared with no intervention (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Sucrose and/or NNS are effective in providing analgesia in full-term neonates undergoing heel-stick procedures, with the combined intervention being more effective compared with any single intervention.

Non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation focusing on immunotherapy of life-threatening malignant and non-malignant diseases.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) represents an important therapeutic tool for treatment of otherwise incurable malignant and non-malignant diseases. Until recently, myeloablative regimens were considered mandatory for eradication of all undesirable host-derived hematopoietic elements. Our preclinical and ongoing clinical studies indicated that much more effective eradication of host immunohematopoietic system cells could be achieved by adoptive allogeneic cell therapy with donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) following BMT. Thus, eradication of blood cancer cells, especially in patients with CML can be frequently accomplished despite complete resistance of such tumor cells to maximally tolerated doses of chemoradiotherapy. Our cumulative experience suggested that graft versus leukemia (GVL) effects might be a useful tool for eradication of otherwise resistant tumor cells of host origin. The latter working hypothesis suggested that effective BMT procedures may be accomplished without lethal conditioning of the host, using new well tolerated non-myeloablative regimen, thus possibly minimizing immediate and late side effects related to myeloablative procedures considered until recently mandatory for conditioning of BMT recipients. Recent clinical data that will be presented suggests that safe non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST), with no major toxicity can replace the conventional BMT. Thus, NST may provide an option for cure for a large spectrum of clinical indications in children and elderly individuals without lower or upper age limit, while minimizing procedure-related toxicity and mortality.

Indolent aspergillus arthritis complicating fludarabine-based non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation.

Fungal arthritis and osteomyelitis are rare and documented mainly in immunocompromised or neutropenic patients. Patients receiving therapeutic immunosuppression for organ transplants have also reported to suffer from aspergillus osteoarthritis. We describe two patients with aspergillus arthritis of the knee joint following fludarabine-based non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation. Both were suffering from acute and chronic GVHD and treated with heavy immunosuppression including steroids and cyclosporine. Interestingly in one of our patients, the arthritis was almost asymptomatic and did not spread to other organs. Heavy pre- and post-transplant immunosuppression is a major risk factor for invasive fungal infection, which can involve remote organs and manifest in an indolent and atypical manner.

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation for the treatment of cancer and life-threatening nonmalignant disorders: past accomplishments and future goals.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) or blood stem cell transplantation represents an important therapeutic tool for the treatment of otherwise incurable malignant and nonmalignant diseases. Until recently. autologous and allogeneic BMT or mobilized blood stem cell transplantation was used primarily to replace a malignant, genetically abnormal, or deficient immunohematopoietic compartment, and therefore highly toxic myeloablative regimens were considered mandatory for eradication of all undesirable host-derived hematopoietic elements. Our preclinical and ongoing clinical studies have indicated that more effective eradication of host immunohematopoietic system cells could be achieved by adoptive allogeneic cell therapy with donor lymphocyte infusion following BMT. Thus eradication of blood cancer cells, especially in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and less frequently in patients with other hematologic malignancies, can frequently be achieved despite complete resistance of such tumor cells to the maximum tolerated doses of chemoradiotherapy. Our cumulative experience suggests that graft vs leukemia (GVL) effects might be a useful tool for eradication of otherwise resistant tumor cells of host origin. Based on the cumulative clinical experience and experimental data in animal models of human diseases, it appears that induction of host vs graft tolerance as the first step may allow durable engraftment of immunocompetent donor lymphocytes, which may be used for induction of effective biologic warfare against host-type immunohematopoietic cells that need to be replaced, whether they are malignant, genetically abnormal, or self-reactive. Based on this rationale, we speculate that the therapeutic benefit of BMT may be increased by using safer conditioning as part of the transplantation procedure, with the goal of inducing host vs graft tolerance to enable subsequent induction of GVL, possibly graft vs tumor, or even graft vs autoimmunity effects, rather than attempting to eliminate host cells with hazardous myeloablative chemoradiotherapy. Our hypothesis suggests that effective BMT procedures might be accomplished without lethal conditioning of the host, using new, well-tolerated nonmyeloablative regimens, possibly minimizing immediate and late side effects related to myeloablative procedures. Recent clinical data suggest that effective BMT procedures may be accomplished with nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation (NST) regimens, with no major toxicity. Thus new NST approaches may make BMT procedures safer for a spectrum of clinical indications in children and elderly individuals without lower or upper age limits, while minimizing procedure-related toxicity and mortality. Our cumulative data suggest that high-dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be successively replaced by more effective alloreactive donor lymphocytes, thus setting the stage for innovative therapeutic procedures with safer and more effective treatment of patients requiring BMT.

Moisture prediction from simple micrometeorological data.

ABSTRACT Four linear regression methods and a generalized regression neural network (GRNN) were evaluated for estimation of moisture occurrence and duration at the flag leaf level of wheat. Moisture on a flat-plate resistance sensor was predicted by time, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, and precipitation provided by an automated weather station. Dew onset was estimated by a classification regression tree model. The models were developed using micrometeorological data measured from 1993 to 1995 and tested on data from 1996 and 1997. The GRNN outperformed the linear regression methods in predicting moisture occurrence with and without dew estimation as well as in predicting duration of moisture periods. Average absolute error for prediction of moisture occurrence by GRNN was at least 31% smaller than that obtained by the linear regression methods. Moreover, the GRNN correctly predicted 92.7% of the moisture duration periods critical to disease development in the test data, while the best linear method correctly predicted only 86.6% for the same data. Temporal error distribution in prediction of moisture periods was more highly concentrated around the correct value for the GRNN than linear regression methods. Neural network technology is a promising tool for reasonably precise and accurate moisture monitoring in plant disease management.

Bioassay of mycotoxins using terrestrial and aquatic, animal and plant species.

The role of bioassay in the diagnosis of mycotoxicoses in farm animals is discussed. Methods for detecting mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds using biological species (aquatic and terrestrial animals and plants but excluding bacteria and yeast) are reviewed. Factors that need to be considered when choosing and using particular bioassay procedures in a feed-screening programme are discussed in relation to the occurrence of false positives and false negatives.

Novel aspects of Kindlin-3 function in humans based on a new case of leukocyte adhesion deficiency III.

BACKGROUND: Kindlin-3 is a novel integrin activator in hematopoietic cells, and its deficiency leads to immune problems and severe bleeding, known as leukocyte adhesion deficiency III (LAD-III). Our current understanding of Kindlin-3 function primarily relies on analysis of animal models or cell lines. OBJECTIVES: To understand the functions of Kindlin-3 in human primary blood cells. PATIENTS/METHODS: We analyzed primary and immortalized hematopoietic cells obtained from a new LAD-III patient with immune problems, bleeding, a history of anemia, and abnormally shaped red blood cells. RESULTS: The patient's white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets showed defects in agonist-induced integrin activation and botrocetin-induced platelet agglutination. Primary leukocytes from this patient exhibited abnormal activation of ß(1) integrin. Integrin activation defects were responsible for the observed deficiency in the botrocetin-induced platelet response. Analysis of patient genomic DNA revealed a novel mutation in the Kindlin3 gene. The mutation abolished Kindlin-3 expression in primary WBCs and platelets, owing to abnormal splicing. Kindlin-3 is expressed in red blood cells (RBCs), and its deficiency is proposed to lead to abnormally shaped RBCs. Immortalized patient WBCs expressed a truncated form of Kindlin-3 that was not sufficient to support integrin activation. Expression of Kindlin-3 cDNA in immortalized patient WBCs rescued integrin activation defects, whereas overexpression of the truncated form did not. CONCLUSIONS: Kindlin-3 deficiency impairs integrin function, including activation of ß(1) integrin. Abnormalities in glycoprotein Ib-IX function in Kindlin-3-deficient platelets are secondary to integrin defects. The region of Kindlin-3 encoded by exon 11 is crucial for its ability to activate integrins in humans.

Virtual screening of 4-anilinoquinazoline analogues as EGFR kinase inhibitors: importance of hydrogen bonds in the evaluation of poses and scoring functions.

Virtual Screening (VS) is a computational technique that allows selection and ranking of possible hits from a library of compounds. We have carried out VS on 128 selected EGFR kinase inhibitors with GOLD and LigandFit. From the experimental crystal structure of the erlotinib-EGFR complex, three key hydrogen bonds were identified as responsible for anchoring the ligand in the active site. These are of the N-H...N, O(w)-H...N, and C-H...O types. Failure to include the hydrogen-bonded water molecule that forms the O(w)-H...N bond leads to incorrect results. Of the three interactions, the C-H...O formed by an activated C-H group is the best conserved. On the basis of the efficacy of these hydrogen bonds, the poses were classified into one of three categories: close, shifted, and misoriented. In the VS context, all three interactions need to be modeled correctly so that correct poses and affinities are obtained, and this happens in ligands of the close variety. Cross scoring wherein the poses from one software are input into another for scoring and consensus scoring wherein the scores from various software packages are weighted are also helpful in obtaining better agreements.

Effects of atmospheric ammonia on chick embryo development.

1. Two experiments were carried out in which fertile, White Leghorn eggs were individually subjected to atmospheric ammonia, for 24 h before incubation, in order to examine the effects on embryo development. 2. In experiment 1, development was unaffected by 0.35 mg/l (493 microliters/l) atmospheric ammonia and slightly reduced by 0.7 mg/l (986 microliters/l) while 7 mg/l (9,860 microliters/l) produced 100% mortality. In experiment 2, embryo development was unaffected by 0.35 mg/l atmospheric ammonia, but severely reduced by 3.15 mg/l (4,437 microliters/l).

Effects of different copra meals and amino acid supplementation on broiler chick growth.

1. The effects of including copra meals from different sources in nutritionally-balanced broiler chick diets were compared. A meal screw press-expelled twice to contain 75 g residual lipid/kg produced a lower growth rate than a meal pressed once to contain 220 g lipid/kg. 2. Chicks fed copra meal at 400 g/kg diet had a higher growth rate on a diet formulated to contain 12.4 g lysine/kg and 8.3 g methionine+cystine/kg than on a diet containing 13.5 and 9.0 g/kg of the respective amino acids; however, in a second experiment performance of chicks was unaffected when the low amino acid, low-oil copra meal-based diet was supplemented with synthetic amino acids.

Effects of dietary cottonseed meal and iron-treated cottonseed meal in different laying hen genotypes.

The effects of dietary screw-pressed cottonseed meal (CSM) and iron-treated CSM on laying performance and discolourations in eggs were examined in a range of hen genotypes. In experiment 1, six genotypes, obtained at point-of-lay from various sources, were fed on a non-CSM diet, a diet with 300 g CSM/kg, and a diet containing iron-treated CSM at 300 g/kg. In experiment 2, two of these genotypes were reared together from day-old and were fed from 10 to 18 weeks on a non-CSM diet or a diet containing iron-treated CSM at 250 g/kg. They were then fed on a non-CSM layer diet or a diet containing iron-treated CSM at 300 g/kg, in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design that also examined the effects of the rearing diet. 2. The effects on food intakes and egg production of including CSM and iron-treated CSM in layer diets depended on the genotype of the hens. The strongest interaction between breed and diet was on food intake, the breed Hubbard Golden Comet (HGC) being the least tolerant of CSM and iron-treated CSM. 3. Inclusion of iron-treated CSM in the rearer diet to supply approximately 70% of the dietary protein had no adverse effects on growth or age at first egg. Food intake and egg production between 18 and 26 weeks were affected by the iron-treated CSM layer diet, but there were no carry-over effects attributable to the rearing diets. 4. Genotype was not a factor in the development of the gossypol-related brown yolk discolouration in fresh or warm-stored eggs of hens fed on a CSM-based diet containing 197 mg free gossypol/kg and 52 mg cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA)/kg (experiment 1). 5. In both experiments, the susceptibility of eggs to the CPFA-related cold storage effects depended on the genotype of the hen, eggs from hens of the HCG breed being more affected than those of ISA hens. 6. Treatment of CSM with crystalline ferrous sulphate heptahydrate, at a 4:1 weight ratio of iron to free gossypol, prevented brown yolk discolourations in all genotypes tested, as assessed by subjecting egg yolks to atmospheres of ammonia, and cold storage of eggs.