Population genomic analysis reveals a rich speciation and demographic history of orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii)

To gain insights into evolutionary forces that have shaped the history of Bornean and Sumatran populations of orang-utans, we compare patterns of variation across more than 11 million single nucleotide polymorphisms found by previous mitochondrial and autosomal genome sequencing of 10 wild-caught orang-utans. Our analysis of the mitochondrial data yields a far more ancient split time between the two populations (~3.4 million years ago) than estimates based on autosomal data (0.4 million years ago), suggesting a complex speciation process with moderate levels of primarily male migration. We find that the distribution of selection coefficients consistent with the observed frequency spectrum of autosomal non-synonymous polymorphisms in orang-utans is similar to the distribution in humans. Our analysis indicates that 35% of genes have evolved under detectable negative selection. Overall, our findings suggest that purifying natural selection, genetic drift, and a complex demographic history are the dominant drivers of genome evolution for the two orang-utan populations.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Comparative study of efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxy maltose versus iron sucrose in treatment of postpartum iron deficiency anemia

Background: Iron deficiency is the commonest treatable cause of postpartum anemia. Parenteral iron therapy results faster and higher replenishment of iron stores and correction of Hb levels with better compliance. The study was to compare the safety and efficacy of ferric carboxy maltose (FCM) with iron sucrose to treat iron deficiency anemia in the post-partum.Methods: 200 women of postpartum iron deficiency anemia were allocated into two groups. Iron sucrose group, subjects were given I.V. iron sucrose in multiple doses, 200 mg/day on  day 0,2,4,6,8  total of 1000 mg. FCM group , subjects were  given I.V. ferric carboxymaltose 1000 mg single dose.  Both groups Hb%, and serum ferritin were done on 0 and day 30 of last dose of parenteral iron. Side effects, compliance were noted.Results: There was statistically significant rise (P <0.001) of Hb in FCM group 4.68 g/dl compare to iron sucrose group 3.92 g/dl. Mean rise of serum ferritin was 71.07±27.23 and 95.39±45.84 in iron sucrose and ferric carboxy maltose group. No serious adverse events were reported in either the FCM group or Iron sucrose group.Conclusions: Properties like ultra-short duration of treatment, fewer adverse reactions and better compliance makes FCM the first-line drug in the management of postpartum iron deficiency anemia

Standardisation Study of Kwatha Curnas

The present paper deals with the standardization of kwatha curnas such as dhanyapanchak kwatha curna, guduchyadigana kwatha curna and stanyajanankashaya curna. These are the important Ayurvedic formulations used for peri-natal care of mother and child health. Standardization of kwatha curnas were achieved by physico-chemical analysis, qualitative inorganic and organic analysis, thin layer chromatography (TLC), UV- visible spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) fingerprint studies. TLC study of kwatha curnas was carried out in Ethyl acetate: Methanol: Water solvent system. Ethanol extracts of kwatha curnas were used for UV- visible spectrophotometry and qualitative HPLC fingerprint study

Emotion Generation using LPC Synthesis

S speech synthesis means artificial production of human speech . A system used for this purpose is called a speech synthesizer . The most important qualities of a speech synthesis system are naturalness and intelligibility . Naturalness describes how closely the output sounds like human speech, while intelligibility is the ease with which the ou tput is understood. Emotion is an important element in expressive speech synthesis. T his paper describes LPC analysis and synthesis technique . The LPC s are analyse d for each speech segmen t and pitch p eriod is detected . At synthesis the speech samples equal to the samples in one pitch period are reconstructed using LPC inverse synthesis. Thus by using LPC Synthesis we can implement pitch modification or duration modification or spectrum modification to introduce emotion in the neutral speech, such as happiness or anger

Safety and efficacy of ferric carboxy maltose in pregnant women- a pilot study

Background: Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency amongst women of childbearing age. It is associated with significant maternal, fetal and infant morbidity. Current options for treatment include oral iron, parenteral iron and red blood cell transfusions. Ferric carboxy maltose is a newer i.v. iron formulation which can be used at high doses with rapid administration. This study was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy in pregnant women.Methods: Prospective observational study was conducted in VIMS Ballari. 50 pregnant women between 28-36 weeks of gestation having moderate anemia with confirmed iron deficiency were administered with 1000 mg of ferric carboxy maltose (FCM). These women were followed after 2 weeks, 4 weeks and till delivery. Safety and efficacy were assessed.Results: There was significant improvement in both hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels (p<0.01). None of them had significant reactions.Conclusions: Ferric carboxy maltose is well tolerated. Ability to transfuse in single high dose makes it a preferred drug for faster and higher replenishment of iron stores and correction of hemoglobin levels during pregnancy especially in third trimester

Clinical Significance of Telomere Length and Associated Proteins in Oral Cancer

Purpose: Telomere shortening is an important event during carcinogenesis. Although studies suggest role of multiple proteins in telomere length regulation, there is dearth of reports in oral cancer which is a leading malignancy in Asian countries especially in India. Thus the present study was carried out to study these mechanisms and explore the pathways involved in telomere—telomerase regulation and identify possible prognostic markers to understand the biology of oral tumors for better treatment approaches. Methods: Telomere length was determined by Southern Hybridisation method, telomeric repeat binding factor (TRF) 1 and 2 expression was detected by Western blot method and telomerase activation by telomeric repeat amplifi cation protocol. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS (Version 10) software. Results: Significant shortening of telomeres was seen in the tumor tissues as compared to normal tissues. Poor prognosis was observed in the patients with higher telomere length in malignant tissue, higher tumor to normal telomere length ratio (T/N TRF LR). Expression of TRF-2 but not TRF-1 protein was signifi cantly higher in the malignant tissues. We also observed telomerase activation in 75 malignant tissues.Conclusions: Our results reveal signifi cant clinical usefulness of telomere length, T/N TRF LR and telomerase activation in the prognosis of oral cancer patients. TRF-2 overexpression in malignant tissues appears to play an important role in telomere length shortening in oral cancer. Abbreviations: TRF—Terminal restriction fragment; TRF-1—telomeric repeat binding factor-1; TRF-2—telomeric repeat binding factor-2; T/N TRF LR—Tumor/ Normal TRF length ratio

Physicochemical and Phytochemical Examination of Medicinal Plants Used in Indigenous System of Medicine

The present paper deals with the physicochemical and phytochemical examination of seventy-six medicinal plants belonging to thirty-six dicot and six monocot families. These are used in indigenous system of medicine as well as local inhabitants either as single drugs or in combination, for the cure of various ailments. In physicochemical study, the parameters such as moisture content, pH (1% aqueous), total ash, acid insoluble ash, water-soluble extractive and alcohol soluble extractive were carried out. The preliminary phytochemical study was done for the detection of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, flavonoid, glycoside, phenol, saponin, resin, steroid and tannin. The preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloid and saponin in 68.4%; flavonoid in 44.7%; glycoside, phenol and steroid in 72.37%; resin in 60.5% and tannin in 71% of selected medicinal plants

Standardization Study of Antifertility Drug - Pippalyadiyoga

The present paper deals with the standardization study of pippalyadiyoga powder. It is used as a long acting contraceptive. The standardization of compound drug has been achieved by physico-chemical analysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint studies. Quantitative evaluation of borax in pippalyadiyoga showed 19.08% as sodium borate. RP-HPLC was performed using methanol and water as mobile phase. The detection and quantification was performed at a wavelength of 345 nm. Linearity of detector response for piperine was between the concentrations 0.005% to 0.1%. The correlation coefficient obtained for the linearity was 0.998. The recovery value of standard piperine was 99.4%. Low value of standard deviation and coefficient of variation are indicative of high precision of the method. Quantitative evaluation of piperine in pippalyadiyoga was found to be 0.339%