The effects of changes in glutathione levels through exogenous agents on intracellular cysteine content and protein adduct formation in chronic alcohol-treated VL17A cells

Alcohol-mediated liver injury is associated with changes in the level of the major cellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH). It is interesting to investigate if the changes in intracellular GSH level through exogenous agents affect the intracellular cysteine content and the protein adduct formation indicative of oxidative insult in chronic alcohol treated liver cells. In VL-17A cells treated with 2mM N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or 0.1mM ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) plus 100mM ethanol, an increase in cysteine concentration which was accompanied by decreases in hydroxynonenal (HNE) and glutathionylated protein adducts were observed. Pretreatment of 100mM ethanol treated VL-17A cells with 0.4mM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or 1mM diethyl maleate (DEM) had opposite effects. Thus, altered GSH level through exogenous agents may either potentiate or ameliorate chronic alcohol-mediated protein adduct formation and change the cysteine level in chronic alcohol treated VL-17A cells. The gene expression of non-treated and ethanol-treated hepatocytes in 2 microarray datasets was also compared to locate differentially expressed genes involved in cysteine metabolism. The study demonstrates that increased protein adducts formation and changes in cysteine concentration occur under chronic alcohol condition in liver cells which may increase alcohol-mediated oxidative injury

A Study of Passenger Services In Indian Railways- A Study with Special Reference to Madurai City

This paper gives a brief analysis of passenger services in Indian railways and special reference to Madurai city. Indian Railways have been making efforts over the past few years to enhance the services being provided to their passengers. The opinion of the passengers towards the services provided by the Indian Railways will be quite different as they vary in socio-economic characteristics. This study surveyed 300 passenger’s opinions to determine the satisfaction level regarding the different passenger services in Indian railways. Finally conclusions were drawn and suggestions were offered

The effects of changes in glutathione levels through exogenous agents on intracellular cysteine content and protein adduct formation in chronic alcohol-treated VL17A cells

Alcohol-mediated liver injury is associated with changes in the level of the major cellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH). It is interesting to investigate if the changes in intracellular GSH level through exogenous agents affect the intracellular cysteine content and the protein adduct formation indicative of oxidative insult in chronic alcohol treated liver cells. In VL-17A cells treated with 2mM N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or 0.1mM ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) plus 100mM ethanol, an increase in cysteine concentration which was accompanied by decreases in hydroxynonenal (HNE) and glutathionylated protein adducts were observed. Pretreatment of 100mM ethanol treated VL-17A cells with 0.4mM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) or 1mM diethyl maleate (DEM) had opposite effects. Thus, altered GSH level through exogenous agents may either potentiate or ameliorate chronic alcohol-mediated protein adduct formation and change the cysteine level in chronic alcohol treated VL-17A cells. The gene expression of non-treated and ethanol-treated hepatocytes in 2 microarray datasets was also compared to locate differentially expressed genes involved in cysteine metabolism. The study demonstrates that increased protein adducts formation and changes in cysteine concentration occur under chronic alcohol condition in liver cells which may increase alcohol-mediated oxidative injury

Wear behaviour of Al 2618 alloy reinforced with Si3N4, AlN and ZrB2 in situ composites at elevated temperatures

AbstractAl 2618 matrix material was mixed with the Silicon Nitride (Si3N4), Aluminium Nitride (AlN) and Zirconium Boride (ZrB2) reinforced particles. AMC was synthesized successfully by the stir casting method with the various X-wt.% of reinforcements (X=0,2,4,6,8). Tribological behaviour was studied in this composite with various temperature conditions. The working conditions were Temperature (°C), Load (N), Velocity (m/s) and Sliding Distances (m). Before wear testing the mechanical behaviour has been analysed. EDAX was confirmed by the matrix material composition. The Al 2618 alloy and the reinforcement mixers were confirmed by the X-ray Diffraction analysis. Wear rate (mm3/m), Wear resistance (m/mm3), Specific Wear rate (m/Nm) and Co-efficient of friction (μ) were analysed with various conditions. The worn surfaces were analysed before and after wear testing by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Influence of process parameters and Percentage of contribution were analysed by Taguchi and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) methods. Genetic Algorithm (GA) was adopted for optimizing the best and mean of the wear rate and to identify the exact influence of input parameters

Magnetic, elastic and optical properties of zinc peroxide (ZnO2): First principles study

Using first principles method we elaborately discuss the magnetic, elastic and optical properties of pure, Zn and O vacant ZnO2. It is found that the electronic structure and band gap of ZnO2 is not sensitive to the active on-site Coulomb interaction term U-d, but found to be depending on the term U-p. The role of orbitals subject to the correlation is thus completely opposite for the case of ZnO2 in respect of ZnO. Interestingly, the Zn vacancy converts ZnO2 as "d(0) magnet''. Indeed, our analysis show that, Zn vacancy transmuted O-2(2) state into O-2(delta+2) state, indicating the partially filled pi* states are the governing reason for the d(0) magnetism. Both HSE06 and PBE0 functional confirm the same. The similar phenomena has been observed for other peroxide materials XO2 (X = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) studied here. Our results suggest that this class of materials can be studied further to exploit its potential in spintronic devices. Further the elastic properties have been estimated for pure ZnO2 at different pressures and for Zn and O vacant ZnO2 to know the stability of the system. Zn vacancy in ZnO2 also tunes optical properties, indicating its potential application in other areas.close

Out-of-Pocket Expenditure in Hypertension Related Care in India: Estimates from National Sample Survey 2017-18

Background: Studies estimating treatment cost associated with hypertension care in the Indian context are limited and show considerable variations. Objective: To estimate the extent of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) for hypertension care at the population level and its financial impact on households in India. Methods: We analysed the data of the 75th round of the of NSSO survey (India) on the social consumption of health care conducted in 2017-18.  OOPE was assessed after deducting the amount reimbursed by insurance from the total medical expenditure per episode of hypertension-related hospitalisation and outpatient visit during the survey period. OOPE for hypertension care was considered catastrophic if exceeding 10% of the household’s monthly per capita expenditure. The determinants of catastrophic health expenditures were examined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis.   Results:  A total of 1,351 and 6,379 individuals reported hypertension-related hospitalization and outpatient care, respectively, in the survey. The overall hypertension-related hospitalization rate was 54 per 100,000 persons.  OOPE associated with hypertension-related hospitalisation were on an average INR 3,491 (SD 6,176) and INR 24,565 (SD 37,343) in public hospitals and private hospitals, respectively. The OOPE for hypertension related to outpatient visit was INR 277 (SD 571) in public facilities but was in the range of INR 457 (SD 556) – INR 695 (SD 1,431) based on the type of private hospitals/clinics. OOPE on medicines constituted on an average 43% (95% CI: 32-52%) and 66% (95% CI: 54-64%) of public sector hospitalisation and outpatient care respectively. The risk of catastrophic expenditure due to hypertension care was 41% among the poorest households. Conclusion: Direct expenses on drugs and diagnostic tests contribute significantly to OOPE. The on-going public health efforts towards controlling hypertension need to ensure better access to essential hypertensive drugs and diagnostic tests in public facilities

Black Quarter in crossbred dairy cattle- A Case Report

Aim: A sporadic incident of Clostridial disease that affected Holstein Friesian (HF) cross bred cows (n=8) at an organized dairy farm was investigated. Materials and Methods: Detailed clinical investigations and treatment were carried out on all the affected animals. Complete blood count (CBC) and plasma biochemistry were performed on survived animals (n=6). The needle biopsy samples were subjected to culture and identification of the organism by Gram staining. Results: Two cows were died before instituting the treatment in this clinical incident. The carcasses were seen with typical bloated appearance immediately after death, laying one side with affected leg stuck out. Post-mortem of the carcasses were not been carried out. Pertinent findings of the CBC were a relative neutrophilia whilst a normal total leucocyte count and lowered Hb. Plasma biochemical parameters revealed significant increase in the mean activity of aspartate aminotransferase while alanine aminotransferase levels were within limits. Gram's staining of the inoculated culture revealed the presence of small gram-positive rods with sub terminal spores. Clinical treatment of the cases was performed with administration of heavy dose of crystalline penicillin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Clinical recoveries of the cases were good and cessation of spread within the herd confining itself as a sporadic clinical incident. Conclusion: Sporadic Clostridiosis (BQ) of eight cross bred dairy cows was dealt in the present case study by including the details of its alterations in hematological parameters, Plasma biochemical parameters, observation of characteristic clinical signs of the disease and employment of empirical treatment with Penicillin. [Vet World 2012; 5(12.000): 767-770

Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of13; (1 x2013; x)[Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3]x2013;x[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3],13; 0 xA3; x xA3; 1

The dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric13; properties of ceramic materials of compositions13; (1 x2013; x)[Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3]x2013;x[Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3],13; x = (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0) were studied. The above13; compositions were prepared by mixing the individual13; Pb0.91La0.09(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3 (PLZT) and Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)13; O3 (PMN) powders in order to design materials with13; different combination of piezo and dielectric properties.13; The powders were calcined at 850 C for 4 h. The presence13; of various phases in the calcined powders was13; characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique.13; The compacts were prepared by uniaxial pressing and13; were sintered at 1250 C for 2 h. The sintered compacts13; were electroded, poled at 2 kV/mm dc voltage and their13; dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties13; were measured. In general, it was observed that the13; dielectric constant, loss factor and the slimness of the13; ferroelectric curves increase with the PMN content13; while the remnant polarization, saturation polarization,13; and the coercive fields were decreased. It is now possible13; to design materials with a wide combination of d33, K,13; and loss factor by varying PLZT and PMN ratio