Electrical structure of the Himalaya of Central Nepal: high conductivity around the mid-crustal ramp along the MHT

Twelve broadband magnetotelluric (MT) soundings were performed across the Himalaya of Central Nepal in 1996 in order to determine the electrical structure of the crust and its relation to geological structures and active tectonics. The MT impedance tensors were obtained for frequencies between 0.001 and 500 Hz. The 2‐D section, derived from joint inversion of TE‐ and TM mode after RRI and Groom/Bailey decomposition, shows high conductivity in the foreland basin (∼30 Ω.m) that contrasts with the resistive Indian basement (>300 Ω.m) and Lesser Himalaya (>1000 Ω.m). In addition, our MT sounding reveals a major conductive feature beneath the front of the Higher Himalaya, also characterized by intense microseismic activity, and the position of a mid‐crustal ramp along the major active thrust fault (MHT). This high conductivity zone probably reflects metamorphic fluids, released during underthrusting of the Indian basement and pervading well connected microcracks induced by interseismic stress build‐up, or distributed brittle deformation around the ramp

Investigating tropospheric effects and seasonal position variations in GPS and DORIS time-series from the Nepal Himalaya

Geodetic time-series from continuous GPS (cGPS) and 1 DORIS stations across the Himalaya of central Nepal show strong seasonal fluctuations observed on the horizontal and vertical components. Because the fluctuations determined at the different stations have similar phase but different amplitudes, these observations would imply that the secular shortening across the range is modulated by a seasonal strain. Given the geographic and climatic setting, there is however a possibility that the GPS positions be biased by tropospheric effects. We process these data using two different software packages and two different analysis strategies. Our analysis shows evidence for 1-strong seasonal fluctuation of zenithal delays consistent with in situ meteorological data and two strong horizontal tropospheric gradients in particular in the EW direction, that is, parallel to the mountain front at Gumba, also detected in DORIS results. We show that the tropospheric effects cannot however be the source of the observed seasonality of horizontal strain. This study supports the view that the seasonal strain in the Himalaya is real and probably driven by seasonal surface load variations. Our study adds support to the view that seasonal variations of seismicity in the Himalaya reflects seasonal variations of geodetic strain

Assessment of job stress among non-teaching staff: A cross-sectional study at teaching hospital, Central India

Introduction: Job stress plays an important role in the maintenance of organizational performance. A key aspect of job stress is increased workload, role conflict, poor job control, lack of support from coworkers and interpersonal conflict. Most studies in the field of job stress have focused on private sectors. The objective of this study was to assess the job stress among non-teaching staff at government teaching hospital. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in a government teaching hospital in central India between Jan 2020 to March 2020 among 90 participants purposively chosen for the study. New Job Stress Scale was used to assess the extent of stress among the participants. Approval from Institutional Ethical Committee was obtained before commencing the study. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 for percentages, mean and standard deviation. Results: A moderate level of stress affects 47.78 percent of participants. The present study found that most problematic dimensions of job stress variables were dimension of role conflict with as many as 51% of participants had experience role expectation conflict. Conclusion: We can infer from this finding that we need to have formal job description written for their non-teaching staff so that their role should be clear and unambiguous

Clinical Profile and Short-term Outcome of Heart Failure Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Kaski, Nepal: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemio-clinical profile and short-term outcome of hospitalized heart failure patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences, Kaski, Nepal from October 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022. All the hospitalized heart failure patients aged 18 years or above were included. Relevant history, examination, laboratory, and pertinent findings were noted.  Descriptive statistics were used for qualitative and quantitative data. Paired t-test was used for the comparison of pre-and post-hospitalization data. A p-value <0.05 was taken for statistical significance. Results: There were a total of 116 patients (65.5% females) with a mean age of 64.20 ± 16.35 years. Most of them had shortness of breath (97.4%) and orthopnea (72.4%) and presented with pedal/sacral edema (81.9%) and bilateral basal crepitations (69.8%) in the chest. Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was the most prevalent (61.2%) type and dilated cardiomyopathy (27.6%) was the commonest etiology of heart failure. The median duration of hospitalization was five days and the in-hospital mortality was 2.6%. Loop diuretics and vasodilators (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker) were the most commonly used medications. Conclusions: Dilated cardiomyopathy was the most common etiology and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction was the predominant type of heart failure. With a short length of stay and low in-hospital mortality, the short-term outcome was good

Synthesis and evaluation of biological activity of some novel carbazole derivatives

Natural and synthetic carbazoles contains potent activity against inflammation. Some novel carbazole derivatives have been synthesized and also checked for activity against inflammation by using Carrageenan Induced Inflammation in Rat Paw Edema Model. Structures of synthesized carbazole derivatives have been confirmed on the basis of FT-IR, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. During the evaluation of biological activity, newly synthesized compounds (4a) and (4f) are found more potent against inflammation

A Single Mammalian Mitochondrial Translation Initiation Factor Functionally Replaces Two Bacterial Factors

The mechanism of translation in eubacteria and organelles is thought to be similar. In eubacteria, the three initiation factors IF1, IF2, and IF3 are vital. Although the homologs of IF2 and IF3 are found in mammalian mitochondria, an IF1 homolog has never been detected. Here, we show that bovine mitochondrial IF2 (IF2mt) complements E. coli containing a deletion of the IF2 gene (E. coli ΔinfB). We find that IF1 is no longer essential in an IF2mt-supported E. coli ΔinfB strain. Furthermore, biochemical and molecular modeling data show that a conserved insertion of 37 amino acids in the IF2mt substitutes for the function of IF1. Deletion of this insertion from IF2mt supports E. coli for the essential function of IF2. However, in this background, IF1 remains essential. These observations provide strong evidence that a single factor (IF2mt) in mammalian mitochondria performs the functions of two eubacterial factors, IF1 and IF2

Crucial contribution of the multiple copies of the initiator tRNA genes in the fidelity of tRNAfMet selection on the ribosomal P-site in Escherichia coli

The accuracy of the initiator tRNA (tRNAfMet) selection in the ribosomal P-site is central to the fidelity of protein synthesis. A highly conserved occurrence of three consecutive G–C base pairs in the anticodon stem of tRNAfMet contributes to its preferential selection in the P-site. In a genetic screen, using a plasmid borne copy of an inactive tRNAfMet mutant wherein the three G–C base pairs were changed, we isolated Escherichia coli strains that allow efficient initiation with the tRNAfMet mutant. Here, extensive characterization of two such strains revealed novel mutations in the metZWV promoter severely compromising tRNAfMet levels. Low cellular abundance of the chromosomally encoded tRNAfMet allows efficient initiation with the tRNAfMet mutant and an elongator tRNAGln, revealing that a high abundance of the cellular tRNAfMet is crucial for the fidelity of initiator tRNA selection on the ribosomal P-site in E. coli. We discuss possible implications of the changes in the cellular tRNAfMet abundance in proteome remodeling

Multiplexed bead-based assay for the simultaneous quantification of human serum IgG antibodies to tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, and pertactin

BackgroundLuminex bead-based assays offer multiplexing to test antibodies against multiple antigens simultaneously; however, this requires validation using internationally certified reference standards. Therefore, there is an urgent need to characterize existing reference standards for the standardization of multiplex immunoassays (MIAs). Here, we report the development and validation of an MIA for the simultaneous estimation of levels of human serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies for pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), pertactin (PRN), diphtheria toxoid (DT), and tetanus toxoid (TT).MethodsThe MIA was assessed using a panel of human serum samples and WHO reference standards. The WHO reference standards were also studied for suitability in the MIA. Purified antigens (PT, FHA, PRN, DT, and TT) were coupled to the spectrally unique magnetic carboxylated microspheres. The method was validated in accordance with the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the International Committee of Harmonization Multidisciplinary (ICH M10) guidelines, and parameters such as precision, accuracy, dilutional linearity, assay range, robustness, and stability were assessed. Method agreements with commercially available IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assays were also evaluated. In addition, the study assessed the level of correlation between the IgG levels estimated by the MIA and the cell-based neutralizing antibody assays for PT and DT.ResultsWe identified that an equimix of WHO international standards (i.e., 06/142, 10/262, and TE-3) afforded the best dynamic range for all the antigens in the MIA. For all five antigens, we observed that the back-fitted recoveries using the four-parameter logistic (4-PL) regression fits ranged between 80% and 120% for all calibration levels, and the percentage coefficient of variation (% CV) was < 20%. In addition, the difference in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) between the monoplex and multiplex format was < 10% for each antigen, indicating no crosstalk among the beads. The MIA also showed good agreement with conventional and commercially available assays, and a positive correlation (> 0.75) with toxin neutralization assays for PT and DT was observed.ConclusionThe MIA that was calibrated in accordance with WHO reference standards demonstrated increased sensitivity, reproducibility, and high throughput capabilities, allowing for the design of robust studies that evaluate both natural and vaccine-induced immunity

Infrequent Transmission of Monovalent Human Rotavirus Vaccine Virus to Household Contacts of Vaccinated Infants in Malawi

Horizontal transmission of rotavirus vaccine virus may contribute to indirect effects of rotavirus vaccine, but data are lacking from low-income countries. Serial stool samples were obtained from Malawian infants who received 2 doses of monovalent human rotavirus vaccine (RV1) (days 4, 6, 8, and 10 after vaccination) and from their household contacts (8-10 days after vaccine). RV1 vaccine virus in stool was detected using semiquantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. RV1 fecal shedding was detected in 41 of 60 vaccinated infants (68%) and in 2 of 147 household contacts (1.4%). Horizontal transmission of vaccine virus within households is unlikely to make a major contribution to RV1 indirect effects in Malawi