Study of renal functions in preterm and full term new born in relation to parity of the mother

Background:During the intrauterine life, placenta performs the function of maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and removing harmful waste products. The renal function is related more closely to gestational age, postnatal age and parity of mother. Objective of the study was to study renal functions in preterm and full term new born in relation to the parity of mother (primiparous versus multiparous mother).Methods: The study was conducted from January 2015 to December 2015 on 500 healthy new-borns among them 250 were full term healthy new-borns and 250 were preterm healthy new-borns. They were divided into 3 groups on the basis of gestational age and parity of mother. Relevant investigations were done in all cases enrolled in study:Results:  Out of total 500 new-born 255 (51%) male 245 (49%) female. In both FT and PT new-borns, primigravida child was more dehydrated then multigravida (P- Value<0.001). Mean change in the levels of S. Na, S. urea. S. Cr, BUN Ratio at 72 hours in dehydrated PT (BF) new born was significantly higher than FT (BF) non-dehydrated new born (P-value<0.001).Conclusions: Hypernatremic dehydration is a potentially fatal complication of the failure of establishment of breastfeeding mainly in primigravida so mothers should be highly motivated to breastfeed having either decreased milk production or nipple-related abnormalities that create feeding difficulty and result in inadequate fluid and caloric intake in their infants. Therefore, mothers should be helped and supported to breast feed their infants as soon as possible after delivery.

A novel form of actin in Leishmania: molecular characterisation, subcellular localisation and association with subpellicular microtubules

To study the occurrence and subcellular distribution of actin in trypanosomatid parasites, we have cloned and overexpressed Leishmania donovani actin gene in bacteria, purified the protein, and employed the affinity purified rabbit polyclonal anti-recombinant actin antibodies as a probe to study the organisation and subcellular distribution of actin in Leishmania cells. The Leishmania actin did not cross react with antimammalian actin antibodies but was readily recognized by the anti-Leishmania actin antibodies in both the promastigote and amastigote forms of the parasite. About 106 copies per cell of this protein (Mr 42.05 kDa) were present in the Leishmania promastigote. Unlike other eukaryotic actins, the oligomeric forms of Leishmania actin were not stained by phalloidin nor were dissociated by actin filament-disrupting agents, like Latrunculin B and Cytochalasin D. Analysis of the primary structure of this protein revealed that these unusual characteristics may be related to the presence of highly diverged amino acids in the DNase I-binding loop (amino acids 40-50) and the hydrophobic plug (amino acids 262-272) regions of Leishmania actin. The subcellular distribution of actin was studied in the Leishmania promastigotes by employing immunoelectron and immunofluorescence microscopies. This protein was present not only in the flagella, flagellar pocket, nucleus and the kinetoplast but it was also localized on the nuclear, vacuolar and cytoplasmic face of the plasma membranes. Further, the plasma membrane-associated actin was colocalised with subpellicular microtubules, while most of the actin present in the kinetoplast colocalised with the k-DNA network. These results clearly indicate that Leishmania contains a novel form of actin which may structurally and functionally differ from other eukaryotic actins. The functional significance of these observations is discussed

Ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene (UHMWPP): Synthesis and fiber processing

Ultra-high molecular weight polyolefin (UHMWPO) has enormous potential applications due to their excellent mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural modulus, toughness and outstanding chemical resistance. But the processing of polyolefin, in particular, UHMWPO fibers cannot be processed by conventional methods due to its very high melt viscosity. In this work, we synthesized isotactic ultra-high molecular weight polypropylene (UHMWPP) resin and studied the processability of UHMWPP fibers using gel spinning and investigated physicomechanical properties. UHMWPP gel was made at various concentrations in decalin solvent at 150°C to produce consistent spinning dope solutions. The 7 wt.% concentration of UHMWPP was deemed best for fiber creation, compared to 3 wt.% and 5 wt.%. A rheological time sweep was done to ensure the gel's stability at 170°C before the spinning process. The UHMWPP's gelation and fiber formation were studied by tweaking the gel concentration and adjusting the processing temperature. The resulting UHMWPP monofilament had a measure of 220-250 denier. The hot stretched fibers were analyzed with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to understand the surface morphology of the fibers. The crystal morphology of UHMWPP fibers was measured with wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) and DSC. The X-ray measurement of hot stretched UHMWPP fibers showed crystalline peaks compared to those without stretched fibers

To study the effect of glycemic control and duration of disease on pulmonary function tests and diffusion capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background:Type 2 diabetes mellitus is known to cause serious progressive macro and micro vascular complications leading to end organ damage like retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Pulmonary complications due to collagen and elastin changes as well as microangiopathy has also been demonstrated in type 2 diabetes mellitus but prevalence in most of population is unknown and its possible correlation with duration of disease and degree of glycemic control is not studied more in our population. Aims and objectives: To compare Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) in type 2 diabetes mellitus with control group and to evaluate possible correlation of PFT with status of sugar control and duration of disease.Methods:Consecutively consenting 120 subjects who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited over one year duration. These 120 subjects are categorised into two i.e. healthy volunteers recruited as controls (n=60) and type 2 diabetic patients (n=60).  Results:Both group compared and studied with each other. Diabetic patients showed a significant reduction in Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) relative to their matched controls and these values were further reduced in diabetic patients with uncontrolled glycemic status.Conclusion:Our study concluded that lung functions in type2 diabetes mellitus are impaired with restrictive pattern of respiratory abnormality. Duration of diabetes did not influence on pulmonary function and diffusion capacity.

ADF/cofilin-driven actin dynamics in early events of Leishmania cell division

ADF/cofilin is an actin-dynamics-regulating protein that is required for several actin-based cellular processes such as cell motility and cytokinesis. A homologue of this protein has recently been identified in the protozoan parasite Leishmania, which has been shown to be essentially required in flagellum assembly and cell motility. However, the role of this protein in cytokinesis remains largely unknown. We show here that deletion of the gene encoding ADF/cofilin in these organisms results in several aberrations in the process of cell division. These aberrations include delay in basal body and kinetoplast separation, cleavage furrow progression and flagellar pocket division. In addition to these changes, the intracellular trafficking and actin dynamics are also adversely affected. All these abnormalities are, however, reversed by episomal complementation. Together, these results indicate that actin dynamics regulates early events in Leishmania cell division

A Non aqueous Formulation for Efficient Detoxification of Chemical Weapons at Sub zero Temperatures

An effective decontamination methodology based on nucleophilic non-aqueous decontaminant has been developed against chemical weapons sulfur mustard and soman. This new formulation consists of non-aqueous solution of 2-aminoethanol (60%, w/v), potassium hydroxide (2%, w/v), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (38 %, w/v) and detoxified more than 99 % of sulfur mustard and soman within a period of 30 min at -35 °C. It was found to be operable over a wide range of temperatures starting from -35 °C to +55 °C without losing its fluidity and detoxicant efficiency at sub-zero temperatures promising hassle-free application against chemical weapons. It degrades sulfur mustard to divinyl sulfide and 2-chloroethyl vinyl sulfide and converted soman into O-pinacolyl O’-(2-amino) ethyl methylphosphonate, which are relatively non toxic to humans. This formulation is environmentally benign, relatively non corrosive and has an improved capability to dissolve and decontaminate chemical weapons within 15 minutes at ambient conditions. This approach paves the way for efficient and rapid decontamination platform for chemical weapons and holds considerable promise for field application in near future

Larvicidal activity of neem oil (Azadirachta indica) formulation against mosquitoes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mosquitoes transmit serious human diseases, causing millions of deaths every year. Use of synthetic insecticides to control vector mosquitoes has caused physiological resistance and adverse environmental effects in addition to high operational cost. Insecticides of botanical origin have been reported as useful for control of mosquitoes. <it>Azadirachta indica </it>(Meliaceae) and its derived products have shown a variety of insecticidal properties. The present paper discusses the larvicidal activity of neem-based biopesticide for the control of mosquitoes.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Larvicidal efficacy of an emulsified concentrate of neem oil formulation (neem oil with polyoxyethylene ether, sorbitan dioleate and epichlorohydrin) developed by BMR & Company, Pune, India, was evaluated against late 3^rdand early 4^thinstar larvae of different genera of mosquitoes. The larvae were exposed to different concentrations (0.5–5.0 ppm) of the formulation along with untreated control. Larvicidal activity of the formulation was also evaluated in field against <it>Anopheles</it>, <it>Culex</it>, and <it>Aedes </it>mosquitoes. The formulation was diluted with equal volumes of water and applied @ 140 mg <it>a.i</it>./m²to different mosquito breeding sites with the help of pre calibrated knapsack sprayer. Larval density was determined at pre and post application of the formulation using a standard dipper.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of the formulation against <it>Anopheles stephensi</it>, <it>Culex quinquefasciatus </it>and <it>Aedes aegypti </it>was found to be 1.6, 1.8 and 1.7 ppm respectively. LC₅₀values of the formulation stored at 26°C, 40°C and 45°C for 48 hours against <it>Ae. aegypti </it>were 1.7, 1.7, 1.8 ppm while LC₉₀values were 3.7, 3.7 and 3.8 ppm respectively. Further no significant difference in LC₅₀and LC₉₀values of the formulation was observed against <it>Ae. aegypti </it>during 18 months storage period at room temperature. An application of the formulation at the rate of 140 mg <it>a.i</it>./m²in different breeding sites under natural field conditions provided 98.1% reduction of <it>Anopheles </it>larvae on day 1; thereafter 100% reduction was recorded up to week 1 and more than 80% reduction up to week 3, while percent reduction against <it>Culex </it>larvae was 95.5% on day 1, and thereafter 80% reduction was achieved up to week 3. The formulation also showed 95.1% and, 99.7% reduction of <it>Aedes </it>larvae on day 1 and day 2 respectively; thereafter 100% larval control was observed up to day 7.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The neem oil formulation was found effective in controlling mosquito larvae in different breeding sites under natural field conditions. As neem trees are widely distributed in India, their formulations may prove to be an effective and eco-friendly larvicide, which could be used as an alternative for malaria control.</p

Trafficking activity of myosin XXI is required in assembly of Leishmania flagellum

Actin-based myosin motors have a pivotal role in intracellular trafficking in eukaryotic cells. The parasitic protozoan organism Leishmania expresses a novel class of myosin, myosin XXI (Myo21), which is preferentially localized at the proximal region of the flagellum. However, its function in this organism remains largely unknown. Here, we show that Myo21 interacts with actin, and its expression is dependent of the growth stage. We further reveal that depletion of Myo21 levels results in impairment of the flagellar assembly and intracellular trafficking. These defects are, however, reversed by episomal complementation. Additionally, it is shown that deletion of the Myo21 gene leads to generation of ploidy, suggesting an essential role of Myo21 in survival of Leishmania cells. Together, these results indicate that actin-dependent trafficking activity of Myo21 is essentially required during assembly of the Leishmania flagellum

Insights into the Nature of Self‐Extinguishing External Donors for Ziegler-Natta Catalysis: A Combined Experimental and DFT Study

Developing donors for Ziegler‐Natta (ZN) catalysis to control the polymerization reaction and produce polymers with desirable properties has always been challenging due to the multi‐component nature of the catalytic systems. Here, we have developed a new synthetic protocol for making two external donors, D₁ (2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl myristate) and D₂ (2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl palmitate) that show self‐extinguishing properties, followed by a systematic DFT study to understand this peculiar property of these donors. D₁ and D₂ can undergo parallel reactions with aluminum and titanium species present in the system to produce ketones and aldehydes, which are poisons for ZN catalytic systems, thus explaining their self‐extinguishing nature. The non‐covalent interaction between the long alkyl chain of the donors with the surface plays a vital role in determining the donors′ self‐extinguishing nature. There is a significant thermodynamic preference for the binding of the donor with the longer alkyl chain at the titanium center. The current work, therefore, provides interesting insights into how self‐extinguishing donors function in ZN catalytic systems

Chemical Protection Studies of Activated Carbon Spheres based Permeable Protective Clothing Against Sulfur Mustard, a Chemical Warfare Agent

Technological advancements in the field of chemical threat have made it possible to create extremely dangerous chemical warfare agents (CWA). Hence, the effective protection of personnel is very important in a chemical warfare&nbsp;scenario amidst the current climate of terrorism awareness. In particular, body protection plays a substantial role in the chemical defence considering the urgency of situation in the nuclear, biological and chemical environment. Activated carbon spheres (ACS) based permeable chemical protective clothing (coverall) was developed for protection against CWA. The adsorbent material i.e, ACS used in this protective clothing provided higher adsorption capacity (1029 mg/g in terms of iodine) and low thermal burden (34 °C WBGT index) compared to earlier indigenously developed NBC suit. This article focuses on the extensive evaluation of chemical protective clothing against&nbsp;sulfur mustard (HD), a CWA. The results revealed that the developed protective clothing provided more than 24 h protection against HD. This chemical protective suit is light weight (&lt; 2.75 kg for XL size). It also has higher air permeability (&gt; 30 cm3/s/cm2) as well as less water vapour resistance (&lt; 9.6 m2Pa/W). With continued innovations in materials and attention to key challenges it is expected that advanced, multifunction chemical protective suit will play a pivotal role in the CWA protection scenario