ArrayD: A general purpose software for Microarray design

BACKGROUND: Microarray is a high-throughput technology to study expression of thousands of genes in parallel. A critical aspect of microarray production is the design aimed at space optimization while maximizing the number of gene probes and their replicates to be spotted. RESULTS: We have developed a software called 'ArrayD' that offers various alternative design solutions for an array given a set of user requirements. The user feeds the following inputs: type of source plates to be used, number of gene probes to be printed, number of replicates and number of pins to be used for printing. The solutions are stored in a text file. The choice of a design solution to be used will be governed by the spotting chemistry to be used and the accuracy of the robot. CONCLUSIONS: ArrayD is a software for standard cartesian robots. The software aids users in preparing a judicious and elegant design. ArrayD is universally applicable and is available at

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacities and Total Polyphenols in Various Edible Parts of Capparis spinosa L. Collected from Trans-Himalayas

The phytochemical screening, antioxidant capacity, and total polyphenols in the methanolic extract of leaves, flower buds, roots and fruits of Capparis spinosa collected from trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh were assessed in an effort to corroborate its medicinal and culinary potential. Highest DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity were observed in the leaves and least in dried fruit samples, even FRAP assay also illustrated the same trend. IC50 values of DPPH assay was highly correlated with that of ABTS (R2=0.9084) and FRAP assay (R2=0.9771). However, IC50 value of ABTS was reasonably correlated with FRAP assay (R2=0.5838). The highest phenolic and flavonoid content was recorded in the leaf samples (24.78 and 5.69 mg GAE/g DW respectively), whereas it was lowest in the dried fruit samples (4.07 mg quercetin equivalent/g DW and nil, respectively). The total phenolic contents were highly correlated with IC50 value of ABTS (R2=0.9084), DPPH (R2=0.9388) and FRAP value (R2=0.9618). But, total flavonoid contents were highly correlated with ABTS (R2=0.7449), DPPH (R2=0.8791) and FRAP values (R2=0.9588). Thus, this study has validated the medicinal potential of all the edible parts of the C. spinosa

Indian railway track analysis for displacement and vibration pattern estimation

This paper presents the dynamic response of the Indian Railway track. Two track models are considered for the dynamic response in terms of vertical displacement and acceleration at different wheel speeds, keeping the moving point load at constant magnitude. The rail is treated as a beam either on viscoelastic foundation or on the discrete elastic support system. The governing equation is implemented in finite element analysis using ANSYS 14.0. For the validation of result from system equation are compared with those available in published literature and the maximum deviation for displacement at the midpoint of rail is found to be within 5 %. Different wheel speed generates variation in displacement and acceleration of the rail track. The study can be viewed as the foundation for the comparison of FEA based simulation of rail track to specify its dynamic response useful to provide better safety and comfort to commuters

Hepatitis C sero-prevalence and risks of transmission in end-stage renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis

Introductions: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in the patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The quality of life and survival of patients with hepatitis C infected end-stage renal disease is less than that of the noninfected ones. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV in patients undergoing HD and the risk of transmission. Methods: This was a retrospective study of charts of the chronic kidney disease patients who underwent dialysis at Patan Hospital from March 2011 to July 2017. Those patients who were positive for HIV, HBsAg and HCV before the initiation of dialysis were excluded. Pearson Chi square test and Fisher’s Exact test were used to determine the significance of the results. Results: Out of 173 patients, 12 (6.9%) seroconverted to HCV: five (41.66%) in firstyear, four (33.33%) in secondyear, and three (25%) in thirdyear (Fisher’s Exact test p=0.26). Out of 173 patients, 137 (79.2%) received blood transfusion, 27 (15.6%) received erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA), 9 (5.2%) received both blood transfusion and ESA. The HCV seropositivity were 9 (75%), 2 (16.66%), and 1 (8.33%) respectively in them, Fisher’s Exact test p value was 0.65. There was no significant association between the seroconversions in in-center versus multicenter HD and the number of dialyses per week. Conclusions: Hepatitis C infection was common (6.9%) in HD patients. There was no significant association of transmission in regards to duration of HD, transfusion or single vs multicentre HD. Keywords: end-stage renal disease, hemodialysis, hepatitis C viru

Zirconia: Substitute for Metal Ceramics

In the search for the ultimate esthetic restorative material, many all-ceramic systems have been proposed. Dental research is nowadays directed toward metal-free prosthetic restorations in order to improve an esthetical outcome of crown and bridge restorations. Zirconia is a polycrystalline ceramic without a glassy phase and exists in several forms. Zirconia cores for fixed partial dentures (FPD) on anterior and posterior teeth and on implants are now available. This article is a review of zirconia crowns as replacement for conventional metal-ceramic crowns

The effects of wrong pronunciation on the meaning of French words: a case study of french students of Wesley College of Education, Kumasi

Abstract: Pronunciation of French words may seem tricky and difficult as a result of the several sounds that come with the words. In the attempt by students to pronounce these French words, learners refer to English words that sound similar. This however affects the pronunciation of some, and thus hides their meanings. This study investigates the effect of wrong pronunciation on the meanings of French words, a problem identified among French students of Wesley College of Education. The mixed method was employed and 70 respondents, made up of 60 students from level 100 and 10 students from level 200 were selected and used in collecting data for the study. Questionnaires, observation and reading test were used as the key instruments to collect data. The results from the study indicate that many French learners pronounce two different words in exactly the same way. Some of these learners do not actively listen to the difference in sounds of French words. The maternal languages (L1 and L2) of learners contributed immensely to the wrong pronunciation of French words which in turn affects their meanings. Suggestions for correct pronunciation of French words are also offered to enhance easy understanding of French words. Keywords: Pronunciation; learners; wrong pronunciation; mixed method; sound

Patan hospital experience in treating philadelphia chromosome/BCR-ABL1 positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients with gleevec (imatinib mesylate); the first generation specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is caused by the abnormal fusion protein BCR-ABL1, a constitutively active tyrosine kinase and product of the Philadelphia chromosome. Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate) is a selective inhibitor of this kinase. Treatment with this agent is known to result in hematologic, cytogenetic, and molecular responses. Patan hospital (Patan, Nepal) is one of the Gleevec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) centers for patients with CML.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 106 Philadelphia positive CML patients were enrolled in our center between Feb 2003 and Jun 2008, and 103 of them were eligible for cytogenetic and/or hematologic response analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 103 patients, 27% patients underwent cytogenetic analysis. Imatinib induced major cytogenetic responses in 89% and complete hematologic responses in almost 100% of the patients with confirmed CML. After a mean follow up of 27 months, an estimated 90% of the patients on imatinib remained in hematologic remission and more than 90% of the patients are still alive. About 30% of patients developed some form of manageable myelosuppression. A few patients developed non-hematologic toxic side effects such as edema and hepatotoxicity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study demonstrates that imatinib is safe to use in a developing country. Furthermore, we demonstrate that imatinib is very effective and induced long lasting responses in a high proportion of patients with Ph chromosome/BCR-ABL1 positive CML. Imatinib is well tolerated by our patients. The lack of cytogenetic analysis in the majority of our patients hindered our ability to detect inadequate responses to imatinib and adjust therapy appropriately.</p