A dynamical proximity analysis of interacting galaxy pairs

Using the impulsive approximation to study the velocity changes of stars during disk-sphere collisions and a method due to Bottlinger to study the post collision orbits of stars, the formation of various types of interacting galaxies is studied as a function of the distance of closest approach between the two galaxies

The nature of the evolution of galaxies by mergers

The merger theory for the formation of elliptical galaxies is examined by conducting a dynamical study of the expected frequency of merging galaxies on the basis of the collisional theory, using galaxy models without halos. The expected merger rates obtained on the basis of the collisional theory fall about a magnitude below the observational value in the present epoch. In the light of current observational evidence and the results obtained, a marked regularity in the formation of ellipticals is indicated, followed by secular evolution by mergers

A statistical study of merging galaxies: Theory and observations

A study of the expected frequency of merging galaxies is conducted, using the impulsive approximation. Results indicate that if we consider mergers involving galaxy pairs without halos in a single crossing time or orbital period, the expected frequency of mergers is two orders of magnitude below the observed value for the present epoch. If we consider mergers involving several orbital periods or crossing times, the expected frequency goes up by an order of magnitude. Preliminary calculation indicate that if we consider galaxy mergers between pairs with massive halos, the merger is very much hastened

Continuous transition of social efficiencies in the stochastic strategy Minority Game

We show that in a variant of the Minority Game problem, the agents can reach a state of maximum social efficiency, where the fluctuation between the two choices is minimum, by following a simple stochastic strategy. By imagining a social scenario where the agents can only guess about the number of excess people in the majority, we show that as long as the guess value is sufficiently close to the reality, the system can reach a state of full efficiency or minimum fluctuation. A continuous transition to less efficient condition is observed when the guess value becomes worse. Hence, people can optimize their guess value for excess population to optimize the period of being in the majority state. We also consider the situation where a finite fraction of agents always decide completely randomly (random trader) as opposed to the rest of the population that follow a certain strategy (chartist). For a single random trader the system becomes fully efficient with majority-minority crossover occurring every two-days interval on average. For just two random traders, all the agents have equal gain with arbitrarily small fluctuations.Comment: 8 pages, 6 fig

A study on adverse drug reactions to non-ionic contrast medium in an Indian population: a 1-year experience

Background: To the best of our understanding, very few studies focusing on the adverse drug reaction (ADR) profile of non-ionic contrast medium (NICM) has been carried out until date among the Indian population. Hence, this study was planned. We sincerely believe that the knowledge gathered from this study can improve safer usage of these agents among the patients of Indian origin. The objective was to evaluate the incidence and severity of ADRs of non-ionic radio contrast media (CM) used in tertiary care hospital in Eastern India.Methods: For the duration of 1-year from July 2011 to July 2012, we prospectively recorded all the ADRs associated with the administration of NICM (iohexol and ioversol) in 3708 patients of Indian origin undergoing computed tomography scan at the hospital. The average median age, weight, dose used; types of ADRs, concomitant medication, final diagnosis, reasons for use were recorded and analyzed with appropriate statistical tools. Causality assessment was performed using Naranjo scale.Results: Eleven of 3708 patients who received either ioversol or iohexol developed ADRs (i.e. 0.3% of patients). The most common ADR was rigor. The incidences of mild, moderate and severe reactions were 55%, 36% and 9%, respectively. Average median age, weight, and dose used were 35 years, 66 kg and 70 ml, respectively. All the ADRs were early (occurred within 1 hr of CM administration). Due to logical constraints, the follow-up of these patients was not possible and hence late ADRs were not captured. The common concomitant medication used was pantoprazole (63.63% of patients). The difference in the incidence of ADRs by age distribution (Group 1 - Iohexol, Group 2 - Ioversol) and weight distribution was not statistically significant (p=0.75 and p=0.18, respectively). Causality analysis revealed that all the ADRs were possible (Score of 4). Interestingly, the incidence of reactions was noted to be higher in patients with a history of gastro intestinal disorders (45.45%).Conclusions: This pilot study reveals that adverse reactions to NICM are rare and severe reactions are less common among the patients of Indian origin. However, a larger multicentric study across the country should be carried out to understand the safety profile of these CM better among the Indian population

Can the Intestine Perform Some Functions of the Kidney?

The majority of patients in countries like India and Pakistan with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) die without renal replacement therapy due to lack of adequate resources. The use of the intestinal mucosa as a semipermeable membrane for removal of urea and creatinine from the body has been previously studied using various types of intestinal lavage for gut dialysis. This study was undertaken in an animal model to assess the applicability, cost of therapy, and acceptability of the method for potential application in humans. Renal failure was induced in six dogs by bilateral ureteric ligation along with six healthy controls. Dialysis fluid was introduced per rectum as an enema, which was repeatedly administered. Clearances of serum creatinine and urea were assessed. Mean recovery of creatinine and urea in dialysate in the present study was around 8.925 mmol/l and around 207.74 μmol//l, respectively. The mean clearances of serum creatinine and urea were, respectively, 0.0683 and 0.0633 ml/sec. Enteral dialysis was effective and, considering its minimal cost (monthly cost will be around US$35–40) vis a vis available methods, it holds promise for the treatment of patients with ESRD. The creation of an appendicostomy for repeated introduction of antegrade enemas would be a consideration

Stimulation of Heat Shock Protein 90 Chaperone Function Through Binding of a Novobiocin Analog KU-32

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a eukaryotic chaperone responsible for the folding and functional activation of numerous client proteins, many of which are oncoproteins. Thus, Hsp90 inhibition has been intensely pursued, resulting in the development of many potential Hsp90 inhibitors, not all of which are well-characterized. Hsp90 inhibitors not only abrogate its chaperone functions, but also could help us gain insight into the structure-function relationship of this chaperone. Here, using biochemical and cell-based assays along with isothermal titration calorimetry, we investigate KU-32, a derivative of the Hsp90 inhibitor novobiocin (NB), for its ability to modulate Hsp90 chaperone function. Although NB and KU-32 differ only slightly in structure, we found that upon binding, they induce completely opposite conformational changes in Hsp90. We observed that NB and KU-32 both bind to the C-terminal domain of Hsp90, but surprisingly, KU-32 stimulated the chaperone functions of Hsp90 via allosteric modulation of its N-terminal domain, responsible for the chaperone\u27s ATPase activity. and studies indicated that upon KU-32 binding, Hsp90 undergoes global structural changes leading to the formation of a partially closed intermediate that selectively binds ATP and increases ATPase activity. We also report that KU-32 promotes HeLa cell survival and enhances the refolding of an Hsp90 substrate inside the cell. This discovery explains the effectiveness of KU-32 analogs in the management of neuropathies and may facilitate the design of molecules that promote cell survival by enhancing Hsp90 chaperone function and reducing the load of misfolded proteins in cells

TLR-3 Stimulation Skews M2 Macrophages to M1 Through IFN-αβ Signaling and Restricts Tumor Progression

During tumor progression, macrophages shift their protective M1-phenotype to pro-tumorigenic M2-subtype. Therefore, conversion of M2 to M1 phenotype may be a potential therapeutic intervention. TLRs are important pathogen recognition receptors expressed by cells of the immune system. Recently, a crucial role of TLR-3 has been suggested in cancer. Consequently, in the current study, we defined the role of TLR-3 in the reversion of M2-macrophages to M1. We analyzed the role of TLR-3 stimulation for skewing M2-macrophages to M1 at mRNA and protein level through qRT-PCR, flow cytometry, western blotting, and ELISA. The effectiveness of TLR-3L stimulation to revert M2-macrophages to M1 was evaluated in the murine tumor model. To determine the role of IFN-αβ signaling in vitro and in vivo, we used Ifnar1−/− macrophages and anti-IFN-αβ antibodies, respectively. We observed upregulation of M1-specific markers MHC-II and costimulatory molecules like CD86, CD80, and CD40 on M2-macrophages upon TLR-3 stimulation. In contrast, reduced expression of M2-indicators CD206, Tim-3, and pro-inflammatory cytokines was noticed. The administration of TLR-3L in the murine tumor reverted the M2-macrophages to M1-phenotype and regressed the tumor growth. The mechanism deciphered for macrophage reversion and controlling the tumor growth is dependent on IFN-αβ signaling pathway. The results indicate that the signaling through TLR-3 is important in protection against tumors by skewing M2-macrophages to protective M1-subtype

"The fruits of independence": Satyajit Ray, Indian nationhood and the spectre of empire

Challenging the longstanding consensus that Satyajit Ray's work is largely free of ideological concerns and notable only for its humanistic richness, this article shows with reference to representations of British colonialism and Indian nationhood that Ray's films and stories are marked deeply and consistently by a distinctively Bengali variety of liberalism. Drawn from an ongoing biographical project, it commences with an overview of the nationalist milieu in which Ray grew up and emphasizes the preoccupation with colonialism and nationalism that marked his earliest unfilmed scripts. It then shows with case studies of Kanchanjangha (1962), Charulata (1964), First Class Kamra (First-Class Compartment, 1981), Pratidwandi (The Adversary, 1970), Shatranj ke Khilari (The Chess Players, 1977), Agantuk (The Stranger, 1991) and Robertsoner Ruby (Robertson's Ruby, 1992) how Ray's mature work continued to combine a strongly anti-colonial viewpoint with a shifting perspective on Indian nationhood and an unequivocal commitment to cultural cosmopolitanism. Analysing how Ray articulated his ideological positions through the quintessentially liberal device of complexly staged debates that were apparently free, but in fact closed by the scenarist/director on ideologically specific notes, this article concludes that Ray's reputation as an all-forgiving, ‘everybody-has-his-reasons’ humanist is based on simplistic or even tendentious readings of his work