Report on the International Indian Ocean Expedition Collections of Cumacea in the Smithsonian Institution Washington

The studies on the Cumacea obtained by the International Indian Ocean Expedition deposited in the Smithsonian Institution suggest that the Cumacean fauna along the east coast of Africa (Durban Bay, Nossi-Be-Madagascar, Grand Comoro Island) is very rich. They show aflSnities with those of Australian and Phillippine Coasts. Family Nannastacidae is widely distributed along the east coast of Africa, Malaya Coast and Singapore Strait. It is also noted that most of them were obtained from shallow waters. Only very few species are restricted to deeper regions. Campylaspts orientalis Caiman, C. rubincunda (Lilljeborg) are distributed at 2125 m depth off Madagascar. The specimens are mostly benthic and they are abundant in a fine sandy bottom with a small percentage of silt and are rare in coarse and fine muddy deposits. Sometimes they occur in sand which contains soft and hard corals, sponges and Sargassum. Nannastacus gibbosus is present in large numbers at Palau Hantu (S. W. Singapore). The benthic collections from the Red Sea show that Schizotrema aculeata prefers a sandy bottom in a very shallow depth. It is also noted that two species namely Nannastacus longirostris and Cumella limicola which had been previously described from Mediterraenan Coasts are widely distributed in the Nossi-Be-Madagascar area. Cumella limicola is known from west coast of Africa also. The ecological habitat of the Cumacean fauna of the east coast of Africa are essentially intertidal rocks, large masses of compacted mud rocks, coral and rook patches on the hard sandy bottom with coral reefs and mangroves. Leucon sp. and Hemilamprops sp. are quite common in the Durban Bay, while Nannastacus sp. are observed from Nossi-Be-Madagascar areas and Singapore Coast

HPLC-LIF for early detection of oral cancer

At present, the diagnosis of many cancers relies on the subjective interpretation of morphological changes in biopsy samples. This usually provides only late diagnosis. Early detection, which can provide more successful therapy, is expected to be possible by identification of tumour markers in physiological samples. Immunoassay used at present for this purpose has several drawbacks. It is applicable only for known markers, can usually detect only one marker at a time, and may also fail to detect a marker when there exist conditions, which may mask or prevent the interaction between antigen and the antibody. We have developed a high performance liquid chromatography- laser induced fluorescence (HPLC-LIF) technique to detect and record simultaneously spectra and chromatograms of physiological samples, which will enable the detection of multiple 'markers' in a single physiological sample in a short time. Samples of saliva and serum from normal and oral cancer subjects have been studied with the set up. The present studies show that body fluids like saliva and serum of normal, premalignant and malignant subjects have substantially different protein profiles. By simultaneous recording of the chromatographic peaks and corresponding fluorescence spectra, it is possible to carry out unambiguous discrimination between normal, premalignant and malignant cases even when markers are present in femto/subfemtomole quantities, which should assist in early diagnosis of neoplasia

Towards Real-Time Oxygen Sensing: From Nanomaterials to Plasma

A significantly large scope is available for the scientific and engineering developments of high-throughput ultra-high sensitive oxygen sensors. We give a perspective of oxygen sensing for two physical states of matters—solid-state nanomaterials and plasma. From single-molecule experiments to material selection, we reviewed various aspects of sensing, such as capacitance, photophysics, electron mobility, response time, and a yearly progress. Towards miniaturization, we have highlighted the benefit of lab-on-chip-based devices and showed exemplary measurements of fast real-time oxygen sensing. From the physical–chemistry perspective, plasma holds a strong potential in the application of oxygen sensing. We investigated the current state-of-the-art of electron density, temperature, and design issues of plasma systems. We also show numerical aspects of a low-cost approach towards developing plasma-based oxygen sensor from household candle flame. In this perspective, we give an opinion about a diverse range of scientific insight together, identify the short comings, and open the path for new physical–chemistry device developments of oxygen sensor along with providing a guideline for innovators in oxygen sensing

Towards Real-Time Oxygen Sensing: From Nanomaterials to Plasma

A significantly large scope is available for the scientific and engineering developments of high-throughput ultra-high sensitive oxygen sensors. We give a perspective of oxygen sensing for two physical states of matters—solid-state nanomaterials and plasma. From single-molecule experiments to material selection, we reviewed various aspects of sensing, such as capacitance, photophysics, electron mobility, response time, and a yearly progress. Towards miniaturization, we have highlighted the benefit of lab-on-chip-based devices and showed exemplary measurements of fast real-time oxygen sensing. From the physical–chemistry perspective, plasma holds a strong potential in the application of oxygen sensing. We investigated the current state-of-the-art of electron density, temperature, and design issues of plasma systems. We also show numerical aspects of a low-cost approach towards developing plasma-based oxygen sensor from household candle flame. In this perspective, we give an opinion about a diverse range of scientific insight together, identify the short comings, and open the path for new physical–chemistry device developments of oxygen sensor along with providing a guideline for innovators in oxygen sensing

Modelling Chlamydia and HPV co-infection in patient-derived ectocervix organoids reveals distinct cellular reprogramming

Coinfections with pathogenic microbes continually confront cervical mucosa, yet their implications in pathogenesis remain unclear. Lack of in-vitro models recapitulating cervical epithelium has been a bottleneck to study coinfections. Using patient-derived ectocervical organoids, we systematically modeled individual and coinfection dynamics of Human papillomavirus (HPV)16 E6E7 and Chlamydia, associated with carcinogenesis. The ectocervical stem cells were genetically manipulated to introduce E6E7 oncogenes to mimic HPV16 integration. Organoids from these stem cells develop the characteristics of precancerous lesions while retaining the self-renewal capacity and organize into mature stratified epithelium similar to healthy organoids. HPV16 E6E7 interferes with Chlamydia development and induces persistence. Unique transcriptional and post-translational responses induced by Chlamydia and HPV lead to distinct reprogramming of host cell processes. Strikingly, Chlamydia impedes HPV-induced mechanisms that maintain cellular and genome integrity, including mismatch repair in the stem cells. Together, our study employing organoids demonstrates the hazard of multiple infections and the unique cellular microenvironment they create, potentially contributing to neoplastic progression

Hydrography and water masses in the southeastern Arabian Sea during March-June 2003

This paper describes the hydrographic observations in the southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS) during two cruises carried out in March-June 2003 as part of the Arabian Sea Monsoon Experiment. The surface hydrography during March-April was dominated by the intrusion of low-salinity waters from the south; during May-June, the low-salinity waters were beginning to be replaced by the high-salinity waters from the north. There was considerable mixing at the bottom of the surface mixed layer, leading to interleaving of low-salinity and high-salinity layers. The flow paths constructed following the spatial patterns of salinity along the sections mimic those inferred from numerical models. Time-series measurements showed the presence of Persian Gulf and Red Sea Waters in the SEAS to be intermittent during both cruises: they appeared and disappeared during both the fortnight-long time series

Effect of hot water treatments on physiological and biochemical changes in mango cv. Banganapalli during storage at ambient temperature

Mango fruits majorly suffers from anthracnose and fruit fly infestations during storage, transportation and marketing. Hot water treatments (HWTs) at specific levels have shown to control the incidence of these important threats. Application of HWT not only act as a quarantine measure, but also maintains the quality and enhance the marketability of fruits, even at room temperature (RT), leading to its vast applicability in local / international markets. In this study, post harvest application of HWTs (48°C for 60 min and 55°C for 10 min) in mango cv. Banganapalli recorded reduced ethylene production rate, physiological loss in weight, improved sugar content, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids, phenolics and antioxidants compared to control. Combination of HWTs (48°C for 60 min followed by 55°C for 10 min) resulted in degradation of some quality parameters compared to individual HWT and control

Frequency and phenotypic spectrum of KMT2B dystonia in childhood: A single‐center cohort study

Background: Childhood-onset dystonia is often genetically determined. Recently, KMT2B variants have been recognized as an important cause of childhood-onset dystonia. Objective: To define the frequency of KMT2B mutations in a cohort of dystonic patients aged less than 18 years at onset, the associated clinical and radiological phenotype, and the natural history of disease. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing or customized gene panels were used to screen a cohort of sixty-five patients who had previously tested negative for all other known dystonia-associated genes. Results: We identified fourteen patients (21.5%) carrying KMT2B variants, of which one was classified as a Variant of Unknown Significance (VUS). We also identified two additional patients carrying pathogenic mutations in GNAO1 and ATM. Overall, we established a definitive genetic diagnosis in 23% of cases. We observed a spectrum of clinical manifestations in KMT2B variant carriers, ranging from generalized dystonia to short stature or intellectual disability alone, even within the same family. In 78.5% of cases, dystonia involved the lower limbs at onset, with later caudo-cranial generalization. Eight patients underwent pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation with a median decrease of BFMDRS-M score of 38.5% in the long term. We also report four asymptomatic carriers, suggesting that some KMT2B mutations may be associated with incomplete disease penetrance. Conclusions: KMT2B mutations are frequent in childhood-onset dystonia and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome often featuring growth retardation and intellectual disability as additional phenotypic features. A dramatic and long-lasting response to Deep Brain Stimulation is characteristic of DYT-KMT2B dystonia

Understanding our seas: National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

The present article summarizes the research done at the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography in 2014 in ocean science, resources and technology. Significant research has been conducted on air–sea interactions and coastal circulation, biogeochemistry, biology, marine geophysics, palaeoceanography, marine fishery, gas hydrates and wave energy. Technological advances covered topics like oceanographic tools. Major strides have been made in marine resources research and evaluation

Understanding our seas: National Institute of Oceanography, Goa

The present article summarizes the research done at the CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography in 2014 in ocean science, resources and technology. Significant research has been conducted on air–sea interactions and coastal circulation, biogeochemistry, biology, marine geophysics, palaeoceanography, marine fishery, gas hydrates and wave energy. Technological advances covered topics like oceanographic tools. Major strides have been made in marine resources research and evaluation