X-raying the coronae of HD~155555

We present an analysis of the high-resolution Chandra observation of the multiple system, HD 155555 (an RS CVn type binary system, HD 155555 AB, and its spatially resolved low-mass companion HD 155555 C). This is an intriguing system which shows properties of both an active pre-main sequence star and a synchronised (main sequence) binary. We obtain the emission measure distribution, temperature structures, plasma densities, and abundances of this system and compare them with the coronal properties of other young/active stars. HD 155555 AB and HD 155555 C produce copious X-ray emission with log Lx of 30.54 and 29.30, respectively, in the 0.3-6.0 keV energy band. The light curves of individual stars show variability on timescales of few minutes to hours. We analyse the dispersed spectra and reconstruct the emission measure distribution using spectral line analysis. The resulting elemental abundances exhibit inverse first ionisation potential effect in both cases. An analysis of He-like triplets yields a range of coronal electron densities ~10^10-10^13 cm-3. Since HD 155555 AB is classified both as an RS CVn and a PMS star, we compare our results with those of other slightly older active main-sequence stars and T Tauri stars, which indicates that the coronal properties of HD 155555 AB closely resemble that of an older RS CVn binary rather than a younger PMS star. Our results also suggests that the properties of HD 155555 C is very similar to those of other active M dwarfs.Comment: 17 pages, 23 figues, Accepted in Ap

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of a novel polyherbal formulation in streptozotocin - nicotinamide induced diabetic wistar rats

Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of polyherbal formulation (PHF) containing seven plants namely Cassia auriculata, Cassia fistula, Syzygium cumini, Cyperus rotundus, Saussurea lappa, Terminalia arjuna and Salacia reticulate in streptozotocin (STZ) - nicotinamide (NC) induced diabetic rats by administering oral doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight). Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into diabetic and nondiabetic groups. Rats were fed with normal laboratory diet and induced with a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg of STZ, and thereafter 120 mg/kg NC was injected after 15min. Diabetic rats were treated with formulation (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide 5 mg/kg. Blood glucose levels were measured using blood glucose test strips with ACCU CHEK glucometer. Glycosylated haemoglobin, total haemoglobin, lipid profiles, lipoproteins, hepatic marker enzymes activity were determined in normal and STZ- NC induced diabetic rats after oral administration of the PHF for 28 days. Histopathological changes in normal and diabetic rat pancreas organs were also observed after PHF treatment.The statistical analysis of results was carried out using one-way analysis (ANOVA) followed by post hoc multiple comparison tests. Results: Treatment of diabetic rats with PHF (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) indicate significant decreased blood glucose level and significant improvement in body weight. PHF treated rats showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the level of HbA1C, TC, TG, LDL, VLDL, AST, ALT and ALP while a significant increment in the level of Hb, HDL cholesterol was observed. Furthermore, the PHF treated rats has a favourable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in STZ-NC induced diabetes. Conclusion: These findings suggested the antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic properties of the PHF and thus help in preventing future complications of diabetes

Ecology and pathogenicity of the anaerobic pathogen Clostridium botulinum seen in farmed fish shellfish and fishery products

Aquaculture has become one of the expanding food production method in the world. Its growth rate in the last decade has been phenomenal recording 9.4% per year from 1986 to 1995 (FAO 1977). Global aquaculture production totalled 27 .8 mmt and aquaculture production of fi sh and shellfish reached 20.9 mmt in 1995. India is a major fish producing country in the world. Aquaculture production of fish and shellfish in India increased from 686260 metric tonnes to 1608938 metric tonnes over the period 1986 to 1995. In aquaculture, India holds the second position in the world. Aquaculture contributes substantially to world food used for direct human consumption. Percapita food fish supply from aquaculture has increased by 163% since 1984, from l.4kg to 3.68kg in 1995. With the marine fish production reaching a plateau, any further demand for fish has to be met from aquaculture only. In order to reduce the gap between supply and demand of food fish development of ecofriendly and sustainable aquaculture is very important. Fish and crustaceans are generally safe food for human. However, the risk of contamination of fishery products by microorganisms, chemicals etc. is greater in farming systems compared to open seas. Food safety hazards due to microorganisms are significant from human health consideration. Bacteriological hazards include pathogenic bacteria associated with food-borne disease. There are two broad groups of pathogenic bac teria of public health significance that will contaminate products from aquaculture - those th at are indigenous to the aquatic environment from which fi sh/shellfish are harvested and those introduced into fish/shellfish as a result of environmental contamination resulting from di sposal of sewage and land run-off. In addition to this, pathogens are also introduced into fish and fishery products during post harvest handling and processing. One major pathogen associated with food poisoning is Clostridium botulinum

Sympathovagal Imbalance in Prehypertensive Offspring of Two Parents versus One Parent Hypertensive

Objective. Though prehypertension has strong familial predisposition, difference in pathophysiological mechanisms in its genesis in offspring of both parents and single parent hypertensive have not been elucidated. Methods. Body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), basal heart rate (BHR), blood pressure (BP), HR and BP response to standing, deep breathing difference, BP response to handgrip and spectral indices of heart rate variability (HRV) were analyzed in normotensive offspring of two parents hypertensive (Group I), normotensive offspring of one parent hypertensive (Group II), prehypertensive offspring of two parents hypertensive (Group III) and prehypertensive offspring of one parent hypertensive (Group IV). Results. Sympathovagal imbalance (SVI) in prehypertensive offspring was observed due to increased sympathetic and decreased vagal activity. In group III, SVI was more prominent with greater contribution by vagal withdrawal. LF-HF ratio, the marker of SVI was correlated more with diastolic pressure, 30 : 15 ratio and E : I ratio in prehypertensives and the degree of correlation was more in group III prehypertensives. Conclusion. Vagal withdrawal plays a critical role in development of SVI in prehypertensive offspring of hypertensive parents. The intensity of SVI was more in offspring of two parents hypertensive compared to single parent hypertensive

Multiple recurrences of tuberculosis in an HIV infected individual.

Correspondenc

A validated high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of rifampicin and desacetyl rifampicin in plasma and urine

Objective: To standardize a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the determination of rifampicin (RMP) and its major metabolite desacetyl rifampicin (DRMP) in plasma and urine. Material and Methods: A simple, specific and sensitive HPLC method was developed for the determination of RMP and DRMP in plasma and urine. Separation in both was achieved by reversephase chromatography on a C18 column with a mobile phase composition of 0.05 M phosphate buffer: acetonitrile (55:45 v/v) at 254 nm. Results: The retention times of DRMP, RMP and Rifapentine (RPN), the internal standard were 2.9, 4.8 and 10.5 min respectively. The assay was linear from 0.25 to 15.0 μg ml-1 for plasma and 2.5 to 80.0 μg ml-1 for urine. Both intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision data showed good reproducibility. Conclusion: The HPLC method described is sensitive, selective and linear for the wide range of concentrations for RMP and DRMP in plasma and urine. Thus, the method developed is well suited for the pharmacokinetic studies

Puntius chalakkudiensis mitochondrion, complete genome

Puntius chalakkudiensis mitochondrion, complete genom