Anthropophilic Behavior of Aedes albopictus: A Predominant Vector of Dengue/Chikungunya in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, South India

Human host seeking behavior of Aedes albopictus was evaluated using human landing collections conducted during both dry and wet seasons of 2010-2012 in Thiruvanathapuram district, Kerala. Collections were segregated hourly to provide a time distribution of host-seeking behavior. Aedes albopictus’ day time landing collections comprised of 36.89% and maintained 3-4 per man hour (PMH) density during morning hours whereas 2-3 per man hour density during afternoon hours. PMH density of Aedes albopictus (P < 0.001) and Aedes vittatus (P < 0.05) varied significantly between pre and post monsoon seasons. PMH density of Aedes albopictus is correlated with humidity at pre monsoon season (r = 0.64) but slightly correlated with post monsoon season (r = 0.35). Night time collections showed the presence of Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus from both indoor and outdoor landing collections. Density of both Ae. albopictus and Ae. vittatus significantly varied in Day time and Indoor (Night time) collections (P < 0.05). Density of Aedes albopictus significantly varied in Day time and Thinnai (Night time) collections (P < 0.05). Aedes albopictus was the only species that varied both in Indoor and Thinnai night time collections (P < 0.05). This study revealed that the Ae. albopictus mosquitoes predominantly bite during day time (95.5%) compared to night time in Thinnai (3.9%). Increase in dengue cases reported during the post monsoon period in Kerala was due to the increased human host seeking behavior (71.3%) of Ae. albopictus

Superconductivity in single crystals of a quasi-one dimensional infinite chain cuprate Srx_xCa1−x_{1-x}CuO2_2 at 90 K

Although there is no complete theory of high temperature superconductivity, the importance of CuO$_2$ planes in cuprate superconductors is confirmed from both theory and experiments. Strong Coulomb repulsion between electrons on the CuO$_2$ plane makes the resultant electron system highly correlated and a difficult problem to solve since exact solutions of many-body Hamiltonian in two dimensions do not exist. If however, superconductivity can arise in structures having chains rather than planes and having a high critical temperature, then the high temperature superconductivity problem could become more tractable since exact solutions in one dimension do exist. In this paper, we report the observation of bulk superconductivity in single crystals of a cuprate Sr$_x$Ca$_{1-x}$CuO$_2$ at very high critical temperature, T$_c$, of $\sim$ 90 K whose structure reveals the presence of infinite double chains of Cu-O-Cu-O instead of CuO$_2$ planes, thus, ensuring quasi-one dimensional superconductivity. Bulk superconducting behaviour was observed in \textit{dc} magnetisation, \textit{ac} susceptibility as well as resistance measurements. The observation of bulk superconductivity in Sr$_x$Ca$_{1-x}$CuO$_2$ having chains of Cu-O-Cu-O rather than planes of CuO$_2$ at a high T$_c$ of 90 K is expected to profoundly impact our understanding of high temperature superconductivity.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure

Protein kinases orchestrate cell cycle regulators in differentiating BeWo choriocarcinoma cells

Abstract Choriocarcinoma, a trophoblastic neoplasia, occurs in women as an incidence of abnormal pregnancy. BeWo choriocarcinoma cells derived from the abnormal placentation are a suitable model system to study the factors associated with differentiation, invasion and other cellular events as an alternative to clinical samples. Many protein kinases orchestrate the complex events of cell cycle and in case of malignancy such regulators are found to be mutated. In the present study, BeWo cells treated with forskolin (Fo) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were used to study the role of PKA (protein kinase A) and PKC (protein kinase C), respectively, on the expression pattern of differentiation-related genes, membrane markers, PKC isoforms and cell cycle regulators. The effect of Fo and PMA on the cell proliferation was assessed. Progressive induction of alkaline phosphatase level and formation of multinucleated differentiated cells were observed in the cells treated with Fo. Exposure of cells to Fo and PMA induced the mRNA transcripts of α-hCG, β-hCG and endoglin and down-regulates E-cadherin at mRNA and protein levels. Synergistic levels of both up- and down-regulated genes/proteins were observed when cells were treated with the combination of Fo and PMA. The mRNA levels of cyclin D1, cyclin E1, p21, Rb, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-8 decreased gradually during differentiation. Fo significantly inhibited the protein levels of PCNA, Rb, PKC-α and PMA stimulated mRNA expression of PKC-ε and PKC-δ. Further, failure in the activation of essential components of the cell cycle machinery caused G2/M phase arrest in differentiating BeWo cells

Evaluation of wear in cylindrical pipes using non-linear finite element analysis

Abstract not availabl

Thermal analysis of metal sulfate hydrazinates and hydrazinium metal sulfates

Thermal analysis of metal sulfate hydrazinates, MSO4·xN2H4 (I) (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd; x = 2–3), hydrazinium metal sulfates, (N2H5)2M(SO4)2 (II) (M=Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd), and N2H5LiSO4 have been studied using simultaneous TG-DTGDTA. Both types of complexes, I and II, decompose to the respective metal sulfates or a mixture of metal sulfide and sulfate

Fetal biometry is assessment of fetal growth restriction in Telangana region

Background: Intrauterine increase restriction (IUGR) is most common complication in pregnancy and affects morbidity and mortality in any respect degrees of life. With current Doppler research of the fetal important circulation, inclusive of intracardiac flows and the ductus venosus, higher timing of shipping to decrease morbidity can be possible. Serial ultrasound measurements can offer an inexpensive estimate of fetal gestational age and weight primarily based totally on person and composite fetal biometric measurements. Materials and methods: This study consists of pregnant women who are attending OP /IP in department of OBG, SVS medical college, Mehabubnagar, Telanagana. All the retrospective USG quantitative data was noted in case proforma. Sample size was 100 in our study and was divided into cases and controls. Results: In 2nd trimester FGR parameters like FL (30.32), BPD (41.74), AC (136.34), HC (185.36) , GA (20.22) and EFW (310.04) were less when compared to normal fetus. In 3nd trimester we observed FL (61.44), BPD(79.64), AC(287.54) , HC(314.06) , GA (32.06) and EFW (1695.60) which were less when compared to normal fetus. &nbsp;Conclusion: that all the parameters in FGR from 2nd and 3rd trimester were less when compared to normal.&nbsp

Histomorphometrical changes of placenta in fetal growth restriction

Introduction: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, carrying a 20% recurrence rate. The placental disease is a cardinal factor among FGR underlying processes. The examination of the placenta in utero as well as postpartum, gives valuable information about the state of the fetal well-being. Material and methods: 50 placental samples from normal pregnancy and 50 FGR placental samples were taken after taking informed consent form. Placenta was washed thoroughly under tap water and observed for any macroscopic pathology. Results: Total no. of villi and volume of intervillous space was 76.57 % and 12.56% in FGR. Dense collagen fibers within villous stroma and around the fetal blood capillaries, significance increase in the mean number of syncytial knots &amp; mean number of collagen fibers was observed in FGR group, when compared with normal group. Conclusion: More number of syncytial knots, dense collagen fibres within villous stroma and area of collagen fiber was significantly more in FGR when compared to normal. Macroscopic and microscopic examination is an accurate way to understand FGR for better management. Placental microscopic changes reflect severity of FGR which has big role in fetal growth

Histopathological findings of umbilical cord in intrauterine growth restriction

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction is one of the causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Intrauterine growth of fetus depends on maternal, fetal and genetic factors. Aim of the study was to find the histopathology of umbilical cord in IUGR and normal pregnancies. Materials &amp; methods: This prospective case control study included 100 umbilical cord samples which were equally distributed as cases and control. Routine histological procedures were followed for staining of tissue. Histopathology readings were photographed and noted. Results: In our study we found 24 % Wharton’s jelly oedema and 28 % venous dilatations in IUGR. We didn’t observe any thrombus, fibrinoid necrosis, perivascular or intraparietal hemorrhage, arterial or venous thrombus in our study both in cases and control. Conclusion: Umbilical cord and placental histopathology provides insight to predict reoccurrence of IUGR and for timely management