A novel role for the TIR domain in association with pathogen-derived elicitors

Plant innate immunity is mediated by Resistance (R) proteins, which bear a striking resemblance to animal molecules of similar function. Tobacco N is a TIR-NB-LRR R gene that confers resistance to Tobacco mosaic virus, specifically the p50 helicase domain. An intriguing question is how plant R proteins recognize the presence of pathogen-derived Avirulence (Avr) elicitor proteins. We have used biochemical cell fraction and immunoprecipitation in addition to confocal fluorescence microscopy of living tissue to examine the association between N and p50. Surprisingly, both N and p50 are cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins, and N's nuclear localization is required for its function. We also demonstrate an in planta association between N and p50. Further, we show that N's TIR domain is critical for this association, and indeed, it alone can associate with p50. Our results differ from current models for plant innate immunity that propose detection is mediated solely through the LRR domains of these molecules. The data we present support an intricate process of pathogen elicitor recognition by R proteins involving multiple subcellular compartments and the formation of multiple protein complexes. © 2007 Burch-Smith et al

Monsoon and cyclone induced wave climate over the near shore waters off Puduchery, south western Bay of Bengal

Seasonal and annual variations in wave characteristics are studied based on measurements during 2009-2011 using wave rider buoy. Presence of swells generated by the south Indian Ocean cyclones are found over the south western Bay of Bengal during pre-monsoon season. Maximum significant wave height is measured 6 m during Thane cyclone in December, 2011. Long period waves are observed mostly during the summer (SW) monsoon and are negligible in the winter (NE) monsoon period. Short period waves dominate (63) the wave climate during the NE monsoon. Wave spectra during the SW monsoon are multi peaked whereas during the post monsoon season single peaked spectra are found. Single peaked spectra observed during SW monsoon of 2011 coincides with the presence of positive Indian Ocean Dipole. Waves during the pre monsoon and SW monsoon season are influenced by sea breeze. Analysis indicates that directional width is minimum for waves from the NE since they are wind waves and maximum for waves from SE since they are swells. Study indicates that wave climate of the south western Bay of Bengal is in contrast to that in eastern Arabian Sea during the SW monsoon

Influence of winds on temporally varying short and long period gravity waves in the near shore regions of the eastern Arabian Sea

Wave data collected off Ratnagiri, west coast of India, during 1 May 2010 to 30 April 2012 are used in this study. Seasonal and annual variations in wave data controlled by the local wind system such as sea breeze and land breeze, and remote wind generated long period waves are also studied. The role of sea breeze on the sea state during pre-and postmonsoon seasons is studied and it is found that the maximum wave height is observed at 15:00 UTC during the premonsoon season, with an estimated difference in time lag of 1-2 h in maximum wave height between premonsoon and postmonsoon seasons. Observed waves are classified in to (i) short waves (Tp <8 s), (ii) intermediate waves (8 < Tp< 13 s), and (iii) long waves (<T< p 13 s) based on peak period (Tp) and the percentages of occurrence of each category are estimated. Long period waves are observed mainly during the pre-and the postmonsoon seasons. During the southwest monsoon period, the waves with period > 13 s are a minimum. An event during 2011 is identified as swells propagated from the Southern Ocean with an estimated travelling time of 5-6 days. The swells reaching the Arabian Sea from the south Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean, due to storms during the pre-and postmonsoon periods, modify the near surface winds due to higher phase wave celerity than the wind speed. Estimation of inverse wave age using large-scale winds such as NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) reflects the presence of cyclonic activity during pre-and postmonsoon seasons but not the effect of the local sea breeze/land breeze wind system

MICRO RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS ON BLOOD SERUM SAMPLES OF DUCTAL CARCINOMA PATIENTS

Objective: Identification of biochemical changes in ductal cancer patient's serum samples using micro Raman spectroscopy.Methods: Micro Raman spectroscopy was used for the identification of Raman shift bands. Data analysis was done using K-means clustering.Results: Micro Raman spectroscopic analysis of human breast cancer patient's serum samples was done. Biochemicals present in the samples were identified from the peak evaluations. K-means clustering analysis was used to differentiate the biochemicals present in the samples.Conclusion: From the study, we conclude that Raman spectroscopy has the potential to differentiate the biochemical changes occurring in the human body, and the differentiation can be done using K-means clustering

Observational evidence of summer shamal swells along the west coast of India

Wave data collected off Ratnagiri, which is on the west coast of India, in 2010 and 2011 are used to examinethe presence of the summer shamal swells. This study also aims to understand variations in wave characteristics and associated modifications in wind sea propagation at Ratnagiri. Wind data collected using an autonomous weather station (AWS), along with Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) and NCEP data, areused to identify the presence of summer shamal winds along the west coast f the Indian subcontinent and on the Arabian Peninsula. NCEP and ASCAT data indicate the presence of summer shamal winds over the Arabian Peninsula and northwesterly winds at Ratnagiri. This study identifies the presence of swells from the northwest that originate from the summer shamal winds in the Persian Gulf and that reach Ratnagiri during 30 of the summer shamal period. AWS data show the presence of northwest winds during May and southwest winds during the strong southwest monsoon period (June-August). Another important factor identified at Ratnagiri that is associated with the summer shamal events is the direction of wind sea waves.During the onset of the southwest monsoon (May), the sea direction is in the direction of swell propagation (northwest); however, during the southwest monsoon (June-August), a major part of the wind sea direction is from the southwest. The average occurrence of summer shamal swells is approximately 22 during the southwest monsoon period. An increase in wave height is observed during June and July at Ratnagiri due to the strong summer shamal event

MICRO RAMAN SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF LOBULAR CARCINOMA TISSUES

Objective: For the past 20 decades, vibrational spectroscopy based studies are undergoing around the world to detect cancer at the earliest stage. Since vibrational spectroscopic techniques have the ability to measure the biochemical changes occur during the time of mutation, which may be the reason for cell proliferation. Biochemical changes may appear in the tissues and blood before the tumor formation. The objective of this work is to study the potential of Raman spectroscopy to detect biochemical changes in the normal and malignant tissues.Methods: In this research work, 10 Raman spectra were acquired from ex vivo samples of human breast tissue (normal and lobular carcinoma) of 10 patients after the removal during prophylactic mastectomy surgery and biopsy. Data analysis was performed using k-means clustering using SPSS and intensity ratio analysis.Result: Intensity variation in the Raman spectra of normal and malignant tissues clearly indicate that Raman spectra are capable to distinguish between normal and malignant tissues. A number of peaks are more in the case of malignant tissues and the presence of amide I and amide III indicate the predominance of protein in malignant tissues. Intensity ratio analysis and K-means clustering analysis also show the significance of protein in lobular carcinoma tissues.Conclusion: This research work proves the potential of Raman spectroscopy to differentiate between the normal breast tissues and lobular carcinoma tissues

EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONING AND STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF HEMOVIGILANCE PROGRAM OF INDIA IN THE BLOOD BANKS OF SOUTHERN KERALA

 Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the functioning and status of implementation of hemovigilance program of India (HvPI) in the blood banks of southern Kerala.Methods: It was a survey approach to analyze the facilities, working nature, and status of implementation of hemovigilance program by the blood banks located in the three districts of southern Kerala. Both goevrnment and private sector blood banks were subjected to the survey. Standard pro forma was used to collect the data. Collected data were analyzed by percentages and ratios.Results: A total of 40 blood banks were covered in the study. All the blood banks were licensed for handling whole blood. 23 blood banks were licensed for handling blood components. 6 blood banks process 100% blood into components. Majority of blood banks have excellent demand for components. Packed red cells, platelet concentrate, and fresh frozen plasma were the significant components among the prepared components. Majority of the blood banks under the survey had hospital transfusion committee (HTC). 25 blood banks replied as the HvPI is an excellent/good system. However, only 11 blood banks were enrolled in the HvPI. Training programs for the resident doctors and nurses regarding with adverse transfusion reaction and their reporting were not conducted by 17 blood banks.Conclusion: Except very few blood banks, all are need more awareness and training programs. Attention should be given in the area such as underreporting, poor implementation of hemovigilance, only serious reactions reporting, and avoiding minor reactions. Core factor is proper functioning of HTC and awareness programs about hemovigilance system

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pathophysiology and Pharmacotherapy Approach

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by complete cessation of upper airflow during sleep, leading to repetitive episodes of desaturations and arousals. The symptoms include excessive daytime somnolence and are associated with a significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of OSA is higher in men with an approximate rate of 14 and 5% in women respectively. Typical risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea in the normal adult population are obesity, aging, gender, menopause, ethnicity, genetical predisposition, craniofacial anatomy, smoking, alcohol consumption and some other factors such as REM sleep, surface tension, and impaired sensory processing. Several screening questionnaires can be performed in outpatient settings to identify the patient symptoms. Polysomnography is considered as the gold standard for diagnosis of OSA. Different surgical treatments and devices are readily available for an effective management of this disease. Proper diagnosis and treatment improves not only the quality of life but also relatively decreases patient morbidity and mortality. A multifaceted approach is necessary for an accurate management of the OSA

New-physics contributions to the forward-backward asymmetry in B -> K* mu+ mu-

We study the forward-backward asymmetry (AFB) and the differential branching ratio (DBR) in B -> K* mu+ mu- in the presence of new physics (NP) with different Lorentz structures. We consider NP contributions from vector-axial vector (VA), scalar-pseudoscalar (SP), and tensor (T) operators, as well as their combinations. We calculate the effects of these new Lorentz structures in the low-q^2 and high-q^2 regions, and explain their features through analytic approximations. We find two mechanisms that can give a significant deviation from the standard-model predictions, in the direction indicated by the recent measurement of AFB by the Belle experiment. They involve the addition of the following NP operators: (i) VA, or (ii) a combination of SP and T (slightly better than T alone). These two mechanisms can be distinguished through measurements of DBR in B -> K* mu+ mu- and AFB in B -> K mu+ mu-.Comment: 33 pages, revtex, 9 figures. Paper originally submitted with the wrong figures. This is corrected in the replacement. An incorrect factor of 2 found in a formula. This is corrected and figures modified. Conclusions unchanged. Typos correcte