Homology modeling of major intrinsic proteins in rice, maize and Arabidopsis: comparative analysis of transmembrane helix association and aromatic/arginine selectivity filters

BACKGROUND: The major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) facilitate the transport of water and neutral solutes across the lipid bilayers. Plant MIPs are believed to be important in cell division and expansion and in water transport properties in response to environmental conditions. More than 30 MIP sequences have been identified in Arabidopsis thaliana, maize and rice. Plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), Nod26-like intrinsic protein (NIPs) and small and basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs) are subfamilies of plant MIPs. Despite sequence diversity, all the experimentally determined structures belonging to the MIP superfamily have the same "hour-glass" fold. RESULTS: We have structurally characterized 39 rice and 31 maize MIPs and compared them with that of Arabidopsis. Homology models of 105 MIPs from all three plant species were built. Structure-based sequence alignments were generated and the residues in the helix-helix interfaces were analyzed. Small residues (Gly/Ala/Ser/Thr) are found to be highly conserved as a group in the helix-helix interface of MIP structures. Individual families sometimes prefer one or another of the residues from this group. The narrow aromatic/arginine (ar/R) selectivity filter in MIPs has been shown to provide an important constriction for solute permeability. Ar/R regions were analyzed and compared between the three plant species. Seventeen TIP, NIP and SIP members from rice and maize have ar/R signatures that are not found in Arabidopsis. A subgroup of rice and maize NIPs has small residues in three of the four positions in the ar/R tetrad, resulting in a wider constriction. These MIP members could transport larger solute molecules. CONCLUSION: Small residues are group-conserved in the helix-helix interface of MIP structures and they seem to be important for close helix-helix interactions. Such conservation might help to preserve the hour-glass fold in MIP structures. Analysis and comparison of ar/R selectivity filters suggest that rice and maize MIPs could transport more diverse solutes than Arabidopsis MIPs. Thus the MIP members show conservation in helix-helix interfaces and diversity in aromatic/arginine selectivity filters. The former is related to structural stability and the later can be linked to functional diversity

Non closure of parietal peritoneum at cesarean section and adhesion formation

Background: Cesarean section is the most commonly performed surgery worldwide. Recent times have seen rising trends in c-section rates, for a variety of reasons. Although the basic procedure remains same, some new techniques have been adopted like not closing the visceral or the parietal peritoneum. A large number of studies on merits and demerits of these practices have been published, generating even larger debates. Objective of this effort is to evaluate studies on either side of the argument and cite our experiences.Methods: Repeat cesarean sections were evaluated for adhesion related procedural problems in both peritoneal closure and non closure in primary cesareans.Results: Dense adhesions were observed in cases where peritoneal closure was not done in previous surgery and there were fewer or less dense adhesion cases where routine closure of parietal peritoneum was practiced.Conclusion: Routine closure of parietal peritoneum in cesarean sections is recommended to reduce adhesion related morbidity and difficult subsequent surgery.

Genome-wide analysis of major intrinsic proteins in the tree plant Populus trichocarpa: Characterization of XIP subfamily of aquaporins from evolutionary perspective

10.1186/1471-2229-9-134BMC Plant Biology913

Financing Indian growth : a case study of Sonepat District in Haryana

The paper is based on UGC sponsored major research project recently completed. Major finding of the project has been that the Indian financial sector has failed to assist in the growth process of the economy. Granger causality tests on quarterly data in the framework of VAR and VEC models have been used to establish the results. These results hold at the aggregate economy level and also at the sectoral level. The reasons are to be found in the working of the financial system as experienced by the demand side of loanable funds. The field study conducted under the project has brought out that not only has the system failed to contribute to economic growth but also that its functioning is highly lopsided. Primary data collected through field survey points to a biased allocation of the available funds by the banking system and a substantial presence of the informal sources of credit in the economy. While the informal real sector is the one that primarily contributes to the growth of the Indian economy the dismal reality is that its financial needs are barely served by the mainstream financial sector. This in itself explains the failure of the financial system to contribute to economic growth. Since the finance growth linkages are found to be weak/ absent, an important implication of the result is that controlling inflation in India using tight credit policies can be achieved with minimum costs to growth of the real sector.peer-reviewe

Closure of Pfannenstiel skin incisions in cesarean sections: comparison of wound outcomes with interrupted mattress vs. subcuticular suture

Background: Cesarean section is by far the commonest surgery performed worldwide. Most of these surgeries are performed by Pfannenstiel incision. Various techniques and material have been tried for skin closure in these surgeries. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. The objective of the study was to compare wound outcomes in Pfannenstiel incisions closed in interrupted mattress sutures and subcuticular suture with absorbable material, in a prospective study of cesarean deliveries.Methods: It was studied that 104 women who had cesarean sections with Pfannenstiel incision prospectively for wound outcomes in terms of wound complications (hematoma formation, infection, nonunion, dehiscence and need for resuturing), pain and cosmetic appearance in two groups. One with absorbable subcuticular sutures, another with interrupted mattress suture.Results: Women who had subcuticular stitches had less postoperative pain, better wound outcomes, faster recovery, early discharge from hospital and cosmetically superior scars as compared with interrupted mattress sutures.Conclusions: While search for the best method and material for skin closure continues, the subcuticular suture with an absorbable material seems to leave a cosmetically better scar with lesser wound complications

Non-surgical management of unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is still the leading cause of pregnancy related morbidity in the first trimester. Since majority of the women who present with ectopic pregnancies are sub fertile and young, there is a role for non-surgical options of managing these pregnancies. Expectant and medical management not only serves to conserve the fallopian tubes but also saves women from surgical trauma and morbidity. The objective of this retrospective study was to share our experience of treating un-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies conservatively.Methods: Women diagnosed with un-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy, fit for conservative /medical management were included. Women with serum beta HCG levels less than 1000 mIU/L were treated expectantly and women with Bet HCG levels >1000 but <10,000 mIU /L were given Injectable methotrixate. Response to treatment was monitored by serial beta HCG levels.Results: Total 37 women included in the study.12% women showed complete resolution with expectant treatment alone and 88% resolved after a single dose methotrixate.Conclusions: Many women with un-ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies would benefit from expectant management, or methotrixate therapy. Methotrixate used in carefully selected women is safe and effective in resolving these cases with good post treatment reproductive outcome

To analyse the semen for various parameters with special reference to lifestyle factors

Background: Male factor is responsible for infertility in 23% cases. Semen analysis is the cornerstone of infertility evaluation as it provides information on the functional status of seminiferous tubules, epididymis and accessory sex glands. Reports in recent years has shown that incidence of male infertility has increased as a result of various factors such as lifestyle, environmental pollution and stress.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on patients reporting for semen analysis in Department of Pathology, Subharti Medical College. The duration of the study was from October 2014 to September 2016 with a study sample of 196 cases. Semen analysis was done by manual method according to WHO 2010 criteria.Results: According to fertility scoring, out of 196 cases, 51 (26%) were infertile cases. With respect to infertile cases 82.4% were alcoholic, 80.4% tobacco smokers, 25.5% were tobacco chewers. These results were statistically significant. Out of 45 cases of oligozoospermia 37 (82.2%) were alcoholic, 36 (80%) were tobacco smoker and 10 (22.2%) were tobacco chewers. Out of 54 cases of asthenozoosperma 38 (70.4%) were alcoholic, 37 (68.5%) were tobacco smoker and 11 (20.4%) were tobacco chewers.Conclusions: Alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking and tobacco chewing have a significant negative effect on the process of spermatogenesis, ultimately affecting sperm concentration, viability and motility. Hence clinician and fertility counselors need to be more focused to control infertility by modifying the life style factors.

Role of serum progesterone in threatened miscarriage

Background: Miscarriage is the inadvertent loss of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable. The World Health Organization defines this un-survivable state as an embryo or fetus weighing 500 grams or less, which typically corresponds to a fetal age (gestational age) of 20 to 22 weeks or less.Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, M. G. M. Medical College and M.Y. Hospital, Indore from October 2013 to October 2014 on 100 patients.Results: The incidence of first trimester threatened miscarriage, in the Gynaec O.P.D. of M.Y. Hospital, Indore, was 8.8%. The most common risk factor was a history of previous miscarriages in 38% of cases while 9% had advanced maternal age and 35% had advanced paternal age. History of preterm labour was positive in 25% cases and that of congenital anomaly in previous pregnancy in 7% cases. UTI and vaginitis were diagnosed in 10% and 11% cases respectively. Systemic illness was in 24% cases while 6% cases had endocrine disorders. On USG missed miscarriage was found in 8% inconclusive ultrasound was found in 34% cases, rest were normal. Of the 38 cases giving history of previous 1, 2, 3 and more than or equal to 4 miscarriages were 22%, 6%, 8% and 2 % respectively. 36% of the patients presented with bleeding per vaginum. only while 30% had bleeding with pain and 33% cases had only pain in abdomen. On USG 58% had normal scans. USG scan was inconclusive in 34% and only 35% continued with viable pregnancy, rest aborted. 7 of the 100 cases had preterm labour and 51 cases continued to term. Rest 42 aborted. H/o contact, travel, trauma, heavy work did not have any statistically proven effect on outcome of pregnancy.Conclusions: Progesterone assays are currently available in most immunoassay platforms and have shown excellent performance in terms of assay sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and precision with rapid turnaround times. Furthermore, the cost per test for progesterone assay is affordable. Several studies have shown that progesterone is the most specific biomarker for distinguishing viable from nonviable pregnancies. The downfall of progesterone as a biomarker is due to the different cut-off values used by researchers. The cut-off values were also determined on different study populations

Correlation of lateral placental location with development of preeclampsia

Background: Preeclampsia is a complex clinical syndrome which involves multiple organ systems and remains the principle cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia is a disease of trophoblastic tissue. Placental abnormality is one of the initial events in patients who are destined to develop pregnancy induced hypertension subsequently. Objective of this study was to evaluate the association of laterally located placenta on ultrasound with development of preeclampsia.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 200 antenatal women with singleton pregnancy at 18-24 weeks of gestation who attended antenatal clinic of obstetrics and gynaecology, PGIMS Rohtak from October 2017 to October 2018. Detailed antenatal transabdominal ultrasound along with placental location was done between 18-24 weeks of gestation in women who fitted into inclusion criteria. All the antenatal women belonged to 18-24 weeks of gestation were included in the study except those women with chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, severe anaemia, thyrotoxicosis, low lying placenta, previous history of preeclampsia or eclampsia.Results: Out of 200 antenatal women, 84 had lateral placenta while 116 had central placenta. Out of these 84 women who had lateral placenta, 55 women (65.5%) developed preeclampsia and out of 116 (58%) women who had central placenta, 28 women (24.1%) developed preeclampsia.Conclusions: From the above study, we concluded that women with laterally located placenta by ultrasound at 18-24 weeks of gestation have greater risk of developing preeclampsia

A comparative study of feto-maternal outcome in instrumental vaginal delivery at tertiary health level hospital in Uttarakhand state

Background: Instrumental vaginal delivery is an age-long obstetric practice used to expedite vaginal delivery or avert recourse to caesarean delivery. Objective of the study is to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of vacuum and forceps application in instrumental vaginal delivery.Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. Retrospective study of 70 consecutive ventouse and 70 consecutive forceps deliveries was done. Maternal and neonatal morbidity were compared in terms of perineal laceration, episiotomy extension, postpartum hemorrhage, apgar score, neonatal injuries and NICU admissions.Results: Maternal morbidity in terms of periurethral tear, second and third degree perineal tear were significantly more in forceps group (p=0.0332 and p=0.0173 respectively). However neonatal outcomes were found to be similar in both types of instrumental deliveries.Conclusions: Ventouse should be preferred over forceps whenever there is an indication for instrumental delivery (except in fetal distress) as it is associated with less maternal trauma and most of the neonatal morbidities were insignificant in comparison with both instruments