Status of plankton diversity and biological productivity of Sahastradhara stream at Uttarakhand, India

The present contribution encompasses on plankton and biological productivity as ecological indicator for identifying the ecological quality of Sahastradhara stream (between 27 km stream stretches), located in the Doon Valley of Garhwal region in India. Monthly sampling from all the sampling sites was made for a period of 12 months (May 2009 – April 2010) at 9:00-11: 00 AM. A total of 40 taxa from different classes of plankton and zooplankton were reported. The phytoplankton (32 sp.) was found being the most abundant taxa than zooplankton (9 sp.) inSahastradhara stream. Fluctuation in the phytoplankton density was recorded highest (1536 unit/l) during winter and lowest (20 unit/l) during monsoon. Zooplanktons were reported to be maximum (147 unit/l) during summer and minimum (3 unit/l) during monsoon. The total diatoms were reported highest (1022unit/l) during starting the winter and lowest (4 unit/l) during monsoon. Green algae and blue green algae were reported to be maximum during winter and minimum during summer. The Shannon-wiener diversity index calculated for the density ofBacillariophyceae (0.2180-0.366), Chlorophyceae (0.208-0.367) and Cyanophyceae (0.391-0.366) and correlation was made between Plankton biomass and physico-chemical parameters to analyses the relative features of the both variables. The density of plankton and biological productivity were influenced by disturbances in the photic zone and indiscriminate anthropogenic activities for tourist development resulted aquatic habitat degradation in stream ecosystem

A study on ground water quality of industrial area at Gajraula (U.P.), India

The present study aims to identify the ground water contamination problem in villages located in the close vicinity of Gajraula industrial area at Gajraula (U.P.), India. Ground water samples were collected from different villages at the depth of 40 and 120 feet from earth’s surface layer. Analytical techniques as described in the standard methods for examination of water and waste water were adopted for physico-chemical analysis of ground water samples and the results compared with the standards given by WHO and BIS guidelines for drinking water. Water quality index was calculated for quality standard of ground water for drinking purposes. The present investigation revealed that the water quality is moderately degraded due to high range of seven water quality parameters such as Temperature (18.33-32.36 0C), conductivity (925.45-1399.59 ?mho/cm), TDS (610.80-923.73 mgL-1), Alkalinity (260.17- 339.83 mgL-1), Ca-Hardness (129.68-181.17 mgL-1), Mg-Hardness (94.07-113.50 mgLÉ1) and COD (13.99-25.62 mgL-1). The water quality index (WQI) also indicated the all the water quality rating comes under the standard marginal values (45-64) i.e. water quality is frequently threatened or impaired and conditions usually depart from natural or desirable levels

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF BEE PROPOLIS AGAINST ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS DRUGS (RIFAMPICIN AND ISONIAZID)-INDUCED HEMATOLOGICAL TOXICITY IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

ABSTRACTObjective: Protective effect of bee propolis against anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs (rifampicin and isoniazid)-induced hematological toxicity in SpragueDawley (SD) rats.Methods: Experimental male SD rats weighing 180±20 g were randomly assigned into eight groups (n=6), the Group 1 served as control; Group 2received 200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight; Groups 3, 5, and 7 were treated with drugs 100 mg rifampicin/kg body weight, 50 mg isoniazid/kgbody weight, and 100 mg rifampicin+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, respectively. Groups 4, 6, and 8 were treatment groups receiving 200 mg beepropolis/kg body weight+100 mg rifampicin/kg body weight, 200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, and 200 mg beepropolis/kg body weight+100 mg rifampicin+50 mg isoniazid/kg body weight, respectively. All the treatments were given for 30 days, and then, therats were sacrificed under light esthesia by cervical dislocation and blood was collected for physiological studies.Results: Bee propolis supplementation (200 mg/kg body weight) showed increased level of hemoglobin with respect to rifampicin (15.45%),isoniazid (11.34%), and rifampicin plus isoniazid (5.04%) administered groups after 30 days of treatment. Moreover, the decreased level of red bloodcell count and white blood cell count by anti-TB drugs rifampicin, isoniazid, and rifampicin plus isoniazid together was also elevated in treatmentgroup with bee propolis.Conclusion: Coadministration of propolis (200 mg bee propolis/kg body weight) with drugs helped modulate the toxic effects by restoring testedvalues to near normal.Keywords: Propolis, Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Hemoglobin, Red blood cell count, White blood cell count

A radiological study of ossification at the lower end of humerus for age estimation among boys in Central Karnataka, India

Background: The earlier studies which were conducted across the world on long bones to know the age reveal that there is no uniform sequence for the epiphyseal union of long bones in different countries or different places in the same country. To ascertain this in Central Karnataka, India present study was done.Methods: A radiological study of lower end of Humerus was conducted on total 100 boys of age group 11–20 years from different schools and colleges of Chitradurga district of central Karnataka, India. The radiographs were studied in detail and the findings were recorded.Results: Fusion of epiphyseal centre of lateral epicondyle with that of Capitulum was seen between 12–15 years. Fusion of epiphyseal centre of Capitulum with that of Trochlea was seen between 12–15 years. Fusion of conjoint epiphysis with the shaft was seen between 12–16 years. Fusion of epiphyseal centre of medial epicondyle with shaft was seen between 14-17 years.Conclusions: In general, fusion of epiphysis occurs around 12-17 years

COMMIPHORA MUKUL EXTRACT AND GUGGULSTERONE EXHIBIT ANTITUMOUR ACTIVITY THROUGH INHIBITION OF CYCLIN D1, NF-Κß AND INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS IN ORAL CANCER CELLS

ABSTRACTComiphora mukul, a promising medicinal plant and its constituent Guggulsterone (GS) is used in Ayurveda since decades. This study was aimed toinvestigate the anticancer potential of C. mukul and GS on oral cancer cell lines (SCC-4, KB). MTT assay was used to determine tumour cell proliferation,propidium iodide labeling and annexin V- binding, followed by flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle and apoptosis of tumor cells aftertreatment. Expression of regulatory proteins such as NF-κß, cyclin D1, p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor was determined by western blot.C. mukul and GS significantly inhibited tumor cell growth, caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in both tumor cells. Such activities appeared to bedue to inhibition of NF-κß, cyclin D1and restoration of p53. Overall our data suggests that C. mukul and GS may be developed as chemopreventive andchemotherapeutic drug for oral cancer.Keywords: Commiphora mukul, Oral cancer, Antitumor, Cell cycle, Apoptosis, NF-κß, Cyclin D1, P53

A cadaveric study on anatomical variations of kidney and ureter in India

Background: The kidneys are a pair of bean - shaped organ located in the back of the abdomen between the 12th thoracic and 3rd lumbar vertebrae. Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long - about the size of a fist. The objective of this study was to study the major anatomical variations of kidney and urinary tract.Methods: The study was conducted during routine dissections of 32 cadavers over a period of 5 years. All specimens included in the study was adult cadavers of which 20 were males and 12 were females.Results: Out of 32 cadavers, 1 cadaver showed bilateral and 2 showed unilateral (2 L) lobulated kidney, 2 cadavers showed unilateral (1 L,1 R) and 1 showed bilateral accessory renal artery. 2 cadavers showed unilateral (1 L,1 R) incomplete double ureter.Conclusions: 12.5% of the cadavers showed anatomical variations in kidney and 6.25% showed bifid ureter. The knowledge of anatomical variations of kidney and ureter is of great importance for surgical, radiological and academic perspective. Hence, the early detection may be helpful in better management and increased survival rates

Chimeras of Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis Single-Stranded DNA Binding Proteins: Characterization and Function in Escherichia coli

Single stranded DNA binding proteins (SSBs) are vital for the survival of organisms. Studies on SSBs from the prototype, Escherichia coli (EcoSSB) and, an important human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtuSSB) had shown that despite significant variations in their quaternary structures, the DNA binding and oligomerization properties of the two are similar. Here, we used the X-ray crystal structure data of the two SSBs to design a series of chimeric proteins (mβ1, mβ1′β2, mβ1–β5, mβ1–β6 and mβ4–β5) by transplanting β1, β1′β2, β1–β5, β1–β6 and β4–β5 regions, respectively of the N-terminal (DNA binding) domain of MtuSSB for the corresponding sequences in EcoSSB. In addition, mβ1′β2ESWR SSB was generated by mutating the MtuSSB specific ‘PRIY’ sequence in the β2 strand of mβ1′β2 SSB to EcoSSB specific ‘ESWR’ sequence. Biochemical characterization revealed that except for mβ1 SSB, all chimeras and a control construct lacking the C-terminal domain (ΔC SSB) bound DNA in modes corresponding to limited and unlimited modes of binding. However, the DNA on MtuSSB may follow a different path than the EcoSSB. Structural probing by protease digestion revealed that unlike other SSBs used, mβ1 SSB was also hypersensitive to chymotrypsin treatment. Further, to check for their biological activities, we developed a sensitive assay, and observed that mβ1–β6, MtuSSB, mβ1′β2 and mβ1–β5 SSBs complemented E. coli Δssb in a dose dependent manner. Complementation by the mβ1–β5 SSB was poor. In contrast, mβ1′β2ESWR SSB complemented E. coli as well as EcoSSB. The inefficiently functioning SSBs resulted in an elongated cell/filamentation phenotype of E. coli. Taken together, our observations suggest that specific interactions within the DNA binding domain of the homotetrameric SSBs are crucial for their biological function

Analysis of the impact of a uracil DNA glycosylase attenuated in AP-DNA binding in maintenance of the genomic integrity in Escherichia coli

Uracil DNA glycosylase (Ung) initiates the uracil excision repair pathway. We have earlier characterized the Y66W and Y66H mutants of Ung and shown that they are compromised by ∼7- and ∼170-fold, respectively in their uracil excision activities. In this study, fluorescence anisotropy measurements show that compared with the wild-type, the Y66W protein is moderately compromised and attenuated in binding to AP-DNA. Allelic exchange of ung in Escherichia coli with ung::kan, ungY66H:amp or ungY66W:amp alleles showed ∼5-, ∼3.0- and ∼2.0-fold, respectively increase in mutation frequencies. Analysis of mutations in the rifampicin resistance determining region of rpoB revealed that the Y66W allele resulted in an increase in A to G (or T to C) mutations. However, the increase in A to G mutations was mitigated upon expression of wild-type Ung from a plasmid borne gene. Biochemical and computational analyses showed that the Y66W mutant maintains strict specificity for uracil excision from DNA. Interestingly, a strain deficient in AP-endonucleases also showed an increase in A to G mutations. We discuss these findings in the context of a proposal that the residency of DNA glycosylase(s) onto the AP-sites they generate shields them until recruitment of AP-endonucleases for further repair

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Measurement of the top quark forward-backward production asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric and chromomagnetic moments in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV

Abstract The parton-level top quark (t) forward-backward asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric (d̂ t) and chromomagnetic (μ̂ t) moments have been measured using LHC pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected in the CMS detector in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. The linearized variable AFB(1) is used to approximate the asymmetry. Candidate t t ¯ events decaying to a muon or electron and jets in final states with low and high Lorentz boosts are selected and reconstructed using a fit of the kinematic distributions of the decay products to those expected for t t ¯ final states. The values found for the parameters are AFB(1)=0.048−0.087+0.095(stat)−0.029+0.020(syst),μ̂t=−0.024−0.009+0.013(stat)−0.011+0.016(syst), and a limit is placed on the magnitude of | d̂ t| < 0.03 at 95% confidence level. [Figure not available: see fulltext.