Experimental Models on Diabetes: A Comprehensive Review

Present world scenario globally, upto 2010, around 285 million people suffering from Type 2 diabetes making up about 90% of the cases. According to statistics, by 2030, this number is estimated to almost double. Diabetes mellitus occurs throughout the world, but is more common (especially Type 2) in the more developed countries. The greatest increase in prevalence is, however, expected to occur in Asia and Africa, where most patients will probably be found by 2030. The aim of this review is to summarize several studies done for the discovery of new drug using different animal models for in vivo studies (chemical, surgical, and genetic models ) & in vitro models (glucose uptake, pancreatic islet cell lines and  insulin secretion)

The status of intercellular junctions in established lens epithelial cell lines

Purpose: Cataract is the major cause of vision-related disability worldwide. Mutations in the crystallin genes are the most common known cause of inherited congenital cataract. Mutations in the genes associated with intercellular contacts, such as Nance-Horan Syndrome (NHS) and Ephrin type A receptor-2 (EPHA2), are other recognized causes of congenital cataract. The EPHA2 gene has been also associated with age-related cataract, suggesting that intercellular junctions are important in not only lens development, but also in maintaining lens transparency. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression and localization of the key cell junction and cytoskeletal proteins, and of NHS and EPHA2, in established lens epithelial cell lines to determine their suitability as model epithelial systems for the functional investigation of genes involved in intercellular contacts and implicated in cataract. Methods: The expression and subcellular localization of occludin and zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1), which are associated with tight junctions; E-cadherin, which is associated with adherence junctions; and the cytoskeletal actin were analyzed in monolayers of a human lens epithelial cell line (SRA 01/04) and a mouse lens epithelial cell line (αTN4). In addition, the expression and subcellular localization of the NHS and EPHA2 proteins were analyzed in these cell lines. Protein or mRNA expression was respectively determined by western blotting or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), and localization was determined by immunofluorescence labeling. Results: Human SRA 01/04 and mouse αTN4 lens epithelial cells expressed either the proteins of interest or their encoding mRNA. Occludin, ZO-1, and NHS proteins localized to the cellular periphery, whereas E-cadherin, actin, and EPHA2 localized in the cytoplasm in these cell lines. Conclusions: The human SRA 01/04 and mouse αTN4 lens epithelial cells express the key junctional proteins. The localization patterns of these proteins suggest that these cell lines form tight junctions but do not form E-cadherin-based adherence junctions. These data further indicate that the regulatory role of NHS in actin remodeling, suggested in another study, is cell type dependent. In conclusion, the SRA 01/04 and αTN4 lens epithelial cell lines model some characteristics of an epithelium.This work was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia project grant GNT1009955, and Channel 7 Children’s Research Foundation, South Australia. JEC is a recipient of an Australian NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY FROM “NEPHROLEPIS EXALTATA”

Objective: Plants contain various types of phytochemicals with different solvent as per solvation properties, depending on their polarity. The goal of this analysis is to compare the effects of different solvents on the phytochemical profile and the characterization of different volatile bioactive compounds of Nephrolepis exaltata, a typical fern belonging to pteridophyte species. Methods: For the screening of phytochemical, a sequential extraction was carried out using different solvent systems namely methanol (MeOH), chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, hexane, and ethyl acetate (EtAc). A varied range of phytochemicals was found in the extracts. The volatile components were analyzed using the hyphenated technique gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results: All the extracts were found to be rich in alkaloids, whereas phenols and Phytosterols were extracted only in MeOH. The MeOH extract of the fern presented positive results for six phytochemical tests and the n-Hexane (nH) extract presented positive results for seven phytochemical tests. The present investigation on the plant N. exaltata aimed to prove that pteridophytes should have various kinds of bioactive phytochemicals and the selection of solvent for extraction of phytochemicals should be based on the target compounds. Conclusion: From the % yield of different extract, it can be concluded that some the bioactive phytochemicals are more soluble in more polar solvents such as MeOH, some are soluble in moderate solvents like EtAc and mostly non-polar organic molecules can be extracted using non-polar solvents like nH. The GC-MS characterization indicates the presence of different fatty compounds and sterols in the plant extract

Multi-dimensional, multi-national, multi-faceted hydrographic training: the Nippon Foundation GEBCO training program at the University of New Hampshire

Hydrographic training entered a new era when students arrived at the University of New Hampshire in August of 2004 to form the first class of the Nippon Foundation GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans) training program. Born out of the need to replenish GEBCO’s aging human material, and of the desire to spread deep ocean mapping capabilities more widely throughout the world, the program attracted applications from 57 students in over thirty countries. The seven selected each had post graduate training and several years experience, but differed in that three were hydrographers, two geologists and two oceanographers. Classes planned for the next two years will bring in a further fourteen students. The UNH program had been selected as the closest match to the general course requirements GEBCO considered that ocean bathymetrists should have. Subjects include all types of depth measurements, oceanography, acoustics, tides, plate tectonics, sea floor morphology, ocean basins, sedimentary processes, hydrothermal-thermal processes, gravity-magnetic relationships to seafloor fabrics, positioning and geodesy, maps and charts, IHO standards, GIS, data bases, gridding, contouring, spatial statistics, and the history of GEBCO and ocean mapping. These are taught at the graduate level as part of the graduate degree program at UNH. In this paper, the experiences that participants from the different backgrounds underwent are recounted with the overall goal of improving the general education required to map the floors of the deep ocean. Recommendations are made regarding the prior preparation of students entering the program, the content and intensity of courses comprising the program, and follow-up actions to solidify the learning experience. Intangibles such as the networking of professional contacts are also evaluated. Extrapolations to training in other areas of hydrography are made

Scrub Typhus Presenting as Subdural Hemorrhage with Normal Platelet Counts: A Rare Case Presentation

Scrub typhus is a common zoonotic disease with high case fatality rate. The clinical presentation of this disease may vary from acute febrile illness, thrombocytopenia, gastrointestinal manifestations, coagulopathy to neurological manifestations. The common neurological manifestations are meningitis and meningoencephalitis, whereas subdural hemorrhage, cerebrovascular accident, i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage, infarct, subarachnoid hemorrhage, etc. are among rare neurological presentations. Scrub typhus-induced neurological disease should be investigated to provide a timely and appropriate diagnosis and to reduce the mortality in complicated scrub typhus infection. Here we report a case of scrub typhus complicated with subdural hemorrhage admitted in our hospital

Prevalence of Hypertension and Association of Obesity with Hypertension in School Ggoing Children of Surat City, Western India.

Purpose: The association of obesity with hypertension has been recognized for the decades which are the important risk factors for the cardiovascular disease. So the purpose of the present study was to determine association of obesity with hypertension in school going children of Surat. Methodology: School going children aged between 12-18 years, of five schools in Surat were selected for the study. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Blood pressure measurements were taken as per recommendation of American heart society and family history of hypertension has also been assessed. Hypertension was considered if blood pressure is more than 95th percentile according to the update of task force report and Obesity was diagnosed by BMI for age. Results: Of 682 children, 8.94% were obese and 20.09% were hypertensive. Conclusion: Obesity is strongly associated with hypertension in children and both together may risk factors for later coronary disease

Capacity building in Ocean Bathymetry: The Nippon Foundation GEBCO Training Programme at the University of New Hampshire

A successful Capacity Building project in hydrography is underway at the University of New Hampshire. Organised by the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans and sponsored by the Nippon Foundation, the programme trains hydrographers and other marine scientists in bathymetric mapping. Participants are formally prepared to produce bathymetric maps when they return to their home countries through a combination of graduate level courses and workshops, practical field training, participation in deep ocean research cruises, working visits to other laboratories and institutions, focused lectures from visiting experts, and the preparation of a bathymetry map of their area from public domain data. Intangible but necessary preparation includes the networking with professionals in bathymetry and related fields within Ocean Mapping, and the building of a cadre of graduates who will form the basis of international bathymetric mapping in the future

Real-world observational study to capture practice pattern of controlled ovarian stimulation in the in vitro-fertilization and embryo transfer or intracytoplasmic sperm injection-2

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the practice patterns of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in patients who underwent in vitro-fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Methods: In REAL-COS (REAL-world observational study to capture practice pattern of COS in IVF-ET/ ICSI cycle) study, data was collected by 138 clinicians across India between April 2021 and March 2022 in a retrospective manner.Results: Data of 1651 subfertility female patients were evaluated. The mean (SD) age was 31.8 (3.9) years and majority (77.8%) of the patients were aged <35 years. Obese patients constituted 28.1% of the total population. The majority (79.5%) of the patients had primary subfertility and the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was the most (27.8%) common cause of subfertility. Nearly equal percent of patients were treated with frozen or fresh embryo transfer. Most (~96%) of the patients received GnRH antagonist protocol wherein cetrorelix acetate was the most common drug (98.7%) while ~4% patients received GnRH agonist protocol wherein luprorelin was the most common one (83%). The most commonly used gonadotropin was recombinant follicle stimulating hormone alone therapy (rFSH, 49.2%). Majority (51.8%) of the patients were initiated at 225 IU dose of gonadotropin for COS. For ovulation trigger, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was used in majority (59%) of the cases. Treatment with rFSH alone therapy resulted in max mean no. of oocytes and mean metaphase-II oocytes as compared with other treatments.Conclusions: This real-world observational study reports primary subfertility as the major reason for IVF-ET/ICSI in the study population. The GnRH antagonist protocol was followed by most of the clinicians participating in this study. rFSH was the most commonly used gonadotropin. rFSH alone therapy yielded the greatest number of oocytes and metaphase II oocytes versus other treatments

A Cleanliness Drive in India: Assessment on Its Psycho-Social Impact

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan&amp;nbsp;(a cleanliness campaign) was initiated in 2014 under the regime of the NDA government. As the name signifies, the term ‘Swachh' denotes cleanliness in Sanskrit. In its nascent stages, the program attempted to ameliorate waste management – most predominantly open defecation and efficient utilization of resources. With the primary motive of having a hygienic surrounding environment for its people, the government of India initiated sundry cleanliness drives under this campaign. However, the conceptualisation and formulation of plans is one aspect – the praxis, i.e., the practical implementation of these plans is another important consideration altogether, which is perhaps the primary concern for the Government of India – for, if there is an inability to acquire mass involvement and participation then there is an automatic implication of failure. By having a comprehensive understanding of the motivational factors and attitudinal characteristics that members of a given community harbor – it would be relatively efficient at gaining mass involvement. Consequently, by addressing those factors and formulating plans on the basis of such fundamental facets there could be an exponential rate of success for such programs. Adding on to the literature and knowledge, which pre-exists within this domain, the subsequent research can aid in the better understanding of social perceptual phenomena and the successful implementation of programs related to campaigns addressing such issues. The study undertaken had a sample size of 1000 respondents. The findings of the paper suggest that the cumulative assessment across the concerned thematic factors (political, social, environmental, and communicational) apropos the initiative indicate an effective social (r)evolution with respect to the perceptual notions of the sample population involved. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.431858

Analysis of Construction and Demolition Waste and its Applications Based on Recent Studies

Construction and Demolition Waste C &amp; D waste is becoming a havoc each coming day. According to government agencies like Building Material Promotion Council (BMPTC) and Centre for Fly Ash Research and Management (C-FARM) estimated 165 million tonnes from construction. Out of municipal solid waste approximately 15% to 20% of solid waste comes from construction and demolition projects. Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) says in their latest release analysis of the C&amp;D waste management sector, titled Another Brick off the Wall, India manages to recover and recycle only about 1% of its construction and demolition (C&amp;D) waste), as the official recycling capacity is a mere 6,500 tons per day (TPD)- just about 1%. In this paper, we will analyze the C &amp; D waste management to maintain the sustainable approach. View Article DOI: 10.47856/ijaast.2022.v09i07.00