Detection and localization of regucalcin in spermatozoa of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis): A calcium-regulating multifunctional protein.

Regucalcin (RGN) is a calcium-regulating, anti-apoptotic, antioxidative and antiproliferative multifunctional protein predominantly seen in liver and kidney. All these functions are very crucial during spermatogenesis and sperm maturation process until fertilization of the ovum. Although many studies have reported the wide distribution of regucalcin in the male reproductive tract of the rat, human and bovine, its presence in spermatozoa is yet to be demonstrated wherein calcium has a pivotal role in the transport, capacitation, acrosomal reaction and further fusion with ova. Here, we detected the expression of regucalcin mRNA and protein in buffalo spermatozoa using real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The study detected two new regucalcin isoforms of 44 kDa and 48 kDa size along with the reported 34-kDa, 28-kDa and 24-kDa isoforms, wherein the 34-kDa isoform was found to be membrane associated in spermatozoa. Further, immunocytochemistry study localized the regucalcin protein in the acrosomal region of the caudal and ejaculated buffalo spermatozoa while it was detected in both cytoplasm and acrosomal region of testicular spermatozoa. This discovery of RGN in spermatozoa and localization in the acrosomal region will help to focus researchers to see its role in calcium-related functions like capacitation, acrosomal reaction and membrane fusion. Overall, regucalcin may be a new fertility marker in buffalo and can be utilized for infertility treatments.

Experimental investigation on utilization of Sesbania grandiflora residues through thermochemical conversion process for the production of value added chemicals and biofuels.

All the countries in the world are now searching for renewable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels due to the shortage and environmental problems related with the usage of conventional fuels. The cultivation of cereal and noncereal crops through agricultural activities produces waste biomasses, which are being evaluated as renewable and viable fossil fuel substitutes. The thermochemical properties and thermal degradation behavior of Sesbania grandiflora residues were investigated for this work. A fluidized bed reactor was used for fast pyrolysis in order to produce pyrolysis oil, char and gas. Investigations were done to analyze the effect of operating parameters such as temperature (350-550 °C), particle size (0.5-2.0 mm), sweeping gas flow rate (1.5-2.25 m3/h). The maximum of pyrolysis oil (44.7 wt%), was obtained at 425 °C for 1.5 mm particle size at the sweep gas flow rate of 2.0 m3/h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods were used to examine the composition of the pyrolysis oil. The pyrolysis oil is rich with aliphatic, aromatic, phenolic, and some acidic chemicals. The physical characteristics of pyrolysis oil showed higher heating value of 19.76 MJ/kg. The char and gaseous components were also analyzed to find its suitability as a fuel.

Effectiveness of a reproductive sexual health education package among school going adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a school based "Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Education (ARSHE) Package" in improving students' knowledge on reproductive sexual health matters. METHODS: An ARSHE package originally developed at Child Development Centre, Kerala, modified and approved by ICMR taskforce group was administered in three urban schools (One boys only, one girls only and one co-education) and one co-education rural school at Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. The study sample consisted of 1,586 adolescents including 996 boys and 560 girls of class IX and XI. Pre and post intervention knowledge regarding reproductive sexual health matters was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: In the pre-intervention period, it was observed that majority of adolescents were poorly informed about reproductive sexual health matters, particularly about contraceptives. As compared to boys, girls had much poorer knowledge about prevention of pregnancy and after intervention; there was a statistically significant increase in the knowledge in both boys and girls. Among girls percentage of poor knowledge had reduced significantly from 64.1% to 8.3% and among boys from 37.7% to 3.5%. Similarly, increase in knowledge level was also observed in various other aspects of reproductive and sexual health including, STI, HIV/AIDS and perceptions about premarital sex. CONCLUSIONS: The study results revealed the feasibility and effectiveness of school based reproductive and sexual health education intervention programs for adolescents.

Attitude of parents and teachers towards adolescent reproductive and sexual health education.

OBJECTIVE: To assess parents' and teachers' attitude towards Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Education (ARSHE). METHODS: The study group consisted of a random sample of 795 parents and 115 teachers belonging to three urban schools (one boys only, one girls only and one co-education) and one co-education rural school at Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, where an ICMR supported ARSHE intervention programme was done subsequently. A self-administered questionnaire for parents and teachers developed by an ICMR taskforce for ARSHE programme was used to assess their opinion on the need, content and the appropriate person to provide adolescent reproductive sexual health education in a school setting. RESULTS: 65.2% of parents and 40.9% teachers have not discussed growth and development issues with their adolescents. Only 5.2% teachers and 1.1% parents discussed sexual aspects with adolescents. 44% of parents agreed that information on HIV/AIDS/STD should be provided. More than 50% of parents were not sure whether information on topics like masturbation, dating, safe sex, contraceptives, pregnancy, abortion and childcare should be provided to adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Results pointed out the need for introducing reproductive and sexual education in the school setting. Only 1.1% of parents and 5.2% teachers actually discussed sexual aspects with adolescents which highlights the need for parent and teacher awareness programs before ARSHE is introduced in the schools.

Microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension and its relationship to target organ damage: an Indian experience.

Persistent microalbuminuria (MA) is the earliest indicator of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Patients with MA have high risk for target organ damage (TOD) resulting in stroke, retinopathy and adverse cardiovascular events. Though the prevalence of hypertension is high in India, the relationship between MA and TOD in hypertension is not well studied. To address this issue, this study was conducted at the Kottayam Medical College, Kerala, South India, between May 2005 and October 2006. The principal aim was to find out the prevalence of MA and its relationship to TOD in patients with essential hypertension. A total of 150 hypertensives without diabetes mellitus and/or other conditions causing MA were studied. Urine albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) was assessed and MA was defined as albumin excretion between 30-300 mg/day. The relationship of MA with the duration, severity and previous treatment of hypertension, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and TOD's like left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), hypertensive retinopathy and stroke was assessed by univariate analysis. Forty patients (26.67%) were found to have MA of whom 24 were males and 16 were females. MA was significantly higher in those with longer duration and greater severity of hypertension (p < 0.001 in each). Older age (p < 0.001), adverse lipid profile (p < 0.01) and higher BMI (p < 0.04) were the other identifiable risk factors for MA. Gender and history of smoking did not pose higher risk for MA. Stroke (OR=3.8), echocardiography-proven LVH (OR=9.42) and hypertensive retinopathy (OR=9.7) were significantly higher in those with MA. In conclusion, the prevalence of MA in essential hypertension is high and patients with MA have high odds for developing TOD like stroke, LVH and hypertensive retinopathy. Early screening of hypertensives for MA and prompt treatment of positive cases might reduce the burden of CKD and cardiovascular disease in the community.