Chromatin remodeling during mammalian spermatogenesis: role of testis specific histone variants and transition proteins.

The structure of chromatin undergoes extensive alteration during mammalian spermatogenesis. Several testis specific histone subtypes are synthesised and replace their somatic counterparts during pre-meiotic, meiotic and post-meiotic stages of germ cell differentiation. Early work from our laboratory showed that pachytene spermatocyte nuclei as well as nucleosome core particle are more accessible to DNasel than the interphase liver nuclei. The higher order structure of chromatin in pachytene spermatocytes is also loosely packed due to the poor DNA and chromatin condensing property of the testis specific linker histone H1t. A careful analysis of the amino acid sequence of histone H1t revealed the absence of the DNA condensing domain containing SPKK/TPKK motifs in the C-terminus of the histone H1t. The spermiogenesis process following the meiotic division is characterised by extensive remodeling of chromatin. Transition proteins, TP1 and TP2, unique to mammalian spermatogenesis play an important role in this spermiogenesis process. We have shown that TP1 is a DNA melting protein while TP2 is a DNA condensing protein. We have delineated the molecular anatomy of TP2 including the presence of two novel zinc finger modules, which are essential for the recognition of CpG islands in the genome. TP2 is also phosphorylated by sperm specific protein kinase A and the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle plays an important role in the chromatin condensation process

Atherogenic dyslipidemia in diabetic nephropathy: lipoprotein (a), lipid ratios and atherogenic index

Background: Atherogenic lipid profile is reported to become pronounced with onset of nephropathy. Lipid ratios also indicate atherogenic dyslipidemia. Lipoprotein (a) [(Lp(a)] considered as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), may play an important role in development and progression of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to assess atherogenic dyslipidemia in T2DM and diabetic nephropathy patients. Methods: Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides(Tgl), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), Lp(a), lipid ratios: TC/HDL, Tgl/HDL, LDL/HDL, non-HDL cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) was assessed in T2DM (n=35), diabetic nephropathy (n=30) and healthy individuals (n=30). Means of biochemical parameters were compared by ANOVA (analysis of variance). Pearson correlation was performed to study the association between parameters. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was done to assess the predictive ability of the variables.Results: Atherogenic dyslipidemia with elevated Lp(a), TC, Tgl, VLDL, LDL, non-HDL cholesterol, lipid ratios, AI and low HDL levels were observed in both T2DM patients with and without nephropathy when compared to controls. Significantly high Tgl/HDL, TC/HDL and AI were observed in diabetic nephropathy when compared to T2DM. Conclusion: T2DM and diabetic nephropathy are associated with dyslipidemia which was more pronounced in diabetic nephropathy. Elevated Lp(a) levels may be considered as an independent CVD risk marker in T2DM and diabetic nephropathy patients along with atherogenic lipid ratio indicators

Do mutual funds have consistency in their performance?

Using a comprehensive data set of 714 Chinese mutual funds from 2004 to 2015, the study investigates these funds’ performance persistence by using the Capital Asset Pricing model, the Fama-French three-factor model and the Carhart Four-factor model. For persistence analysis, we categorize mutual funds into eight octiles based on their one year lagged performance and then observe their performance for the subsequent 12 months. We also apply Cross-Product Ratio technique to assess the performance persistence in these Chinese funds. The study finds no significant evidence of persis- tence in the performance of the mutual funds. Winner (loser) funds do not continue to be winner (loser) funds in the subsequent time period. These findings suggest that future performance of funds cannot be predicted based on their past performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The achievement of food and nutrition security in South Asia is deeply gendered

Women form an integral part of the agricultural sector, and in much of South Asia women make up a majority of the agricultural workforce, often compelled to work in order to meet their families’ basic needs. While their contributions are recognised as central to the food and nutrition security of households and communities, their work is not recognized or supported adequately by public policy and social institutions. Women continue to face inequality across key development indicators including health, education, and nutrition; discriminatory laws; and high levels of precarity in terms of income, employment conditions, safety and wellbeing. Social structures that promote gender inequality and inhibit the agency of women contribute to the South Asian enigma – the persistence of undernutrition despite economic growth – and must be addressed to achieve food and nutrition security

Effect of a single Dialysis session on plasma Lp(a) levels in patients on Maintenance haemodialysis

Background: 
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality in End stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on Maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). Lp (a), is a specialized form of glycoprotein-LDL-cholesterol complex and is an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction. The risk is related to its atherogenic and thrombogenic properties. The present study was taken up to evaluate changes in Lp(a) and Lipid profile in patients undergoing hemodialysis session. 

Methodology: 
Twenty seven patients with end stage renal disease who were on maintenance hemodialysis were included. Plasma samples were collected hourly during a dialysis session with polysulfone membrane using bicarbonate dialysate. Plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and Lp(a) were estimated on Beckmann CX9 Fully Automated Analyzer using commercial kits. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for windows version 11.5.

Results: 
Results of analysis of variance for repeated measures after correction for hemoconcentration where necessary revealed a decrease in Lp(a) (p=0.022) and triglycerides (p=0.001) levels and no change in cholesterol (p=0.48) levels.

Conclusion: 
Maintenance dialysis program is known to produce Dyslipidemia. Study of Lp(a) in dialysis patients is important as this is an independent risk marker. However there are very few reports on changes in Lp(a) due to the dialysis session. Our findings will be discussed in comparison with other reports.
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Функції юридичної відповідальності в правовій науці України та Польщі

В статті автор аналізує та порівнює деякі аспекти дослідження функціонального призначення юридичної відповідальності в правовій науці України та Польщі.In article the author analyzes and compares some aspects of research of a legal responsibility functional purpose in a Ukrainian and Polish law theory