The translational repressors Nanos and Pumilio have divergent effects on presynaptic terminal growth and postsynaptic glutamate receptor subunit composition

Pumilio (Pum) is a translational repressor that binds selectively to target mRNAs and recruits Nanos (Nos) as a corepressor. In the larval neuromuscular system, Pum represses expression of the translation factor eIF-4E and the glutamate receptor subunit GluRIIA. Here, we show that Nos, like Pum, is expressed at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and in neuronal cell bodies. Surprisingly, however, Nos and Pum have divergent functions on both the presynaptic and postsynaptic sides of the NMJ. In nos mutant and nos RNA interference larvae, the number of NMJ boutons is increased, whereas loss of Pum reduces the bouton number. On the postsynaptic side, Nos acts in opposition to Pum in regulating the subunit composition of the glutamate receptor. NMJ active zones are associated with GluRIIA- and GluRIIB-containing receptor clusters. Loss of Nos causes downregulation of GluRIIA and increases the levels of GluRIIB. Consistent with this finding, the electrophysiological properties of NMJs lacking postsynaptic Nos suggest that they use primarily GluRIIB-containing receptors. Nos can regulate GluRIIB in the absence of GluRIIA, suggesting that the effects of Nos on GluRIIB levels are at least partially independent of synaptic competition between GluRIIA and GluRIIB. Nos is a target for Pum repression, and Pum binds selectively to the 3' untranslated regions of the nos and GluRIIA mRNAs. Our results suggest a model in which regulatory interplay among Pum, Nos, GluRIIA, and GluRIIB could cause a small change in Pum activity to be amplified into a large shift in the balance between GluRIIA and GluRIIB synapses

Drainage basin morphometric analysis and its relationship with altitude of Uttarkashi District

The area of investigation lies between Maneri and Gangnani along the Bhagirathi river in the lesser and central Himalayan block of Garhwal Himalayas. The rocks of Garhwal group are represented by quartzites, sericite quartzite’s and talc chlorite schist intruded by metabasics, whereas the Central crystallines are constituted by gneisses, schists, migmatites and amphibolites. For the purpose of drainage basin morphometric analysis 100 third order drainage basins were marked. Drainage basin morphometric parameters of 100 basins were calculated. On the basis of lithology and tectonic setup,the area was divided into three morphogenetic units viz Central crystallines, Thrust zone and Garhwal group. The basins which were situated below 2500 mts are categorized under low altitudes and above 2500 as basins of higher altitudes.The relationship between deainage basinmorphometric parameters and altitude suggest that basins situated at higher altitude have higher value of stream frequency, number of first and second order streams,fine texture and low drainage density

Ideal and reality: do countries adopt and follow recommended procedures in comprehensive multiyear planning guidelines for national immunization programmes?

BACKGROUND: Meticulous steps and procedures are proposed in planning guidelines for the development of comprehensive multiyear plans for national immunization programmes. However, we know very little about whether the real-life experience of those who adopt these guidelines involves following these procedures as expected. Are these steps and procedures followed in practice? We examined the adoption and usage of the guidelines in planning national immunization programmes and assessed whether the recommendations in these guidelines are applied as consistently as intended. METHODS: We gathered information from the national comprehensive multiyear plans developed by 77 low-income countries. For each of the 11 components, we examined how each country applied the four recommended steps of situation analysis, problem prioritization, selection of interventions, and selection of indicators. We then conducted an analysis to determine the patterns of alignment of the comprehensive multiyear plans with those four recommended planning steps. RESULTS: Within the first 3 years following publication of the guidelines, 66 (86%) countries used the tool to develop their comprehensive multiyear plans. The funding conditions attached to the use of these guidelines appeared to influence their rapid adoption and usage. Overall, only 33 (43%) countries fully applied all four recommended planning steps of the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption and usage of the guidelines for the development of comprehensive multiyear plans for national immunization programmes were rapid. However, our findings show substantial variation between the proposed planning ideals set out in the guidelines and actual use in practice. A better understanding of factors that influence how recommendations in public health guidelines are applied in practice could contribute to improvements in guidelines design. It could also help adjust strategies used to introduce them into public health programmes, with the ultimate goal of a greater health impact

Alkyl Chain growth on a transition metal centre: How does iron compare to ruthenium and osmium?

Industrial Fischer-Tropsch processes involve the synthesis of hydrocarbons usually on metal surface catalysts. On the other hand, very few homogeneous catalysts are known to perform a Fischer-Tropsch style of reaction. In recent work, we established the catalytic properties of a diruthenium-platinum carbene complex, [(CpRu)2(μ2-H) (μ2-NHCH3)(μ3-C)PtCH3(P(CH3)3)2](CO)n+ with n = 0, 2 and Cp = η5-C5(CH3)5, and showed it to react efficiently by initial hydrogen atom transfer followed by methyl transfer to form an alkyl chain on the Ru-center. In particular, the catalytic efficiency was shown to increase after the addition of two CO molecules. As such, this system could be viewed as a potential homogeneous Fischer-Tropsch catalyst. Herein, we have engineered the catalytic center of the catalyst and investigated the reactivity of trimetal carbene complexes of the same type using iron, ruthenium and osmium at the central metal scaffold. The work shows that the reactivity should increase from diosmium to diruthenium to diiron; however, a non-linear trend is observed due to multiple factors contributing to the individual barrier heights. We identified all individual components of these reaction steps in detail and established the difference in reactivity of the various complexes

Evaluation of proteome complexes normalizing osmoregulation in salt stressed Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.

Modern-day agriculture is facing the challenge of sustaining global food security. However, the rapid increase in salinity stress among arable areas poses a major threat to crop health and yield. Salinity stress is one of the most common and rapidly spreading stress that has a detrimental effect on the productivity of edible plant family i.e. Cucurbitaceae. The present study endeavors to evaluate the Osmoregulators (anti-oxidants and proteins), that supports the growth of two varieties of Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. under salt stress. The 2-3 weeks old saplings were exposed to salt stress (up to 200 mM NaCl) for one week. Post-treatment the osmoregulatory metabolites like Trehalose, Proline & enzymic anti-oxidants like peroxidase (POD), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and proteins using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. In both the varieties, Trehalose increased with increasing salt concentration, while the level of Proline increased in Variety 1 and decreased in Variety 2. With increasing salt concentrations, the POD activity decreased in both varieties whereas that of SOD levels increased in Variety 2 and decreased in Variety 1. The protein identified by LC-MS/MS and functional annotation analysis employing Uniport database & BlastP algorithm, aided in the detection of differentially expressed proteins in response to salt stress. This was followed by metabolic interaction annotation enrichment analysis by FunRich 3.0 tool, enabling characterization of proteins to be involved in the Calvin cycle, amino acids biosynthesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, ROS defence, hormonal biosynthesis and signal transduction. The augmentation of the metabolic activities of the Calvin cycle, biosynthesis of amino acids, carotenoids and peroxisomes, glycolytic pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle will conceivably influence the photosynthetic capacity in L. acutangula varieties under salt stress. The upsurge of key enzymes involved in these above described biological processes possibly appears to play an important role in the enhancement of salt tolerance

A Macroscopic Two-Phase Blood Flow through a Bell Shaped Stenosis in an Artery with Permeable Wall

The present work concerns the effects of the hematocrit and the permeability of the wall on blood flow characteristics due to the presence of a bell shaped stenosis in an artery. In this analysis, the flowing blood is represented by a macroscopic two-phase model, as a suspension of erythrocytes in plasma. The analytical expressions for the flow characteristics, namely, the flow resistance (impedance), the wall shear stress distribution in the stenotic region and the shearing stress at the stenosis throat have been derived. Results for the effects of permeability as well as of hematocrit on these flow characteristics are shown graphically and discussed briefly

Doppler interrogation of fetoplacental circulation in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and their perinatal outcomes

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are one of the major causes of maternal morbidity-mortality leading to 10-15% of maternal deaths especially in developing areas of the world. The Doppler examination makes it possible by providing a unique, non-invasive and safe method of studying blood flow characteristics in both the fetoplacental and uteroplacental circulations that is being used in clinical evaluation of high risk pregnancies. The aim was to study early detection of fetoplacental compromise in hypertensive disorder of pregnancy with Doppler indices and to know its role in predicting perinatal outcomes and interventional strategies in these patients.Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 100 subjects, 50 patients in study group with hypertensive disorders and 50 patients in control group with normotensive pregnancy. Doppler studies of umbilical and middle cerebral artery done and parameters recorded were systolic/diastolic ratio, pulsatility index and resistance index at 28-37 weeks of gestation. Perinatal outcomes of both groups compared, analyzed statistically. Multiple pregnancy, chronic hypertension, fetal congenital anomalies, systemic disease and those lost to follow up till delivery were excluded from study.Results: Statistically significant difference in the incidence of induction of labour (p=0.012) and caesarean delivery (p=0.049), preterm delivery (p=0.004), low birth weight (p=0.003), low apgar score (p=0.045) and NICU admission in the patients with abnormal umbilical artery doppler of hypertensive group were seen .66.66% and 100% perinatal mortality seen in absent end diastolic flow and reverse end diastolic flow of umbilical artery in hypertensive group respectively.Conclusions: Abnormal umbilical artery had highest sensitivity 76% and positive predictive value 84% in predicting adverse perinatal outcome and MCA Doppler having highest specificity 96% to exclude the false positive results of abnormal UA. The sequential study of both vessels useful in predicting interventional strategies and improving perinatal outcomes

A Study to Explore the Weight Reducing Property of Dolichos biflorus and Metformin using Obese Rat Model: Mechanistic study

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is defined as a condition of abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in adipose tissue to the extent that health is impaired. Obesity is associated with noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer and infertitility. WHO has declared obesity as global epidemic. The etiology of obesity is multifactorial and is due to the interaction of genetic, environmental and social factors. Diet and exercise form the main stay of treatment of obesity but difficult to practice. Antiobesity drugs available are associated with side effects and lead to rebound increase in body weight after withdrawal. Herbal supplements are alternative treatment modalities. Dolichos biflorus commonly as horse gram in traditional medicine has many medicinal qualities. Previous studies have proved the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property of cold extract of Dolichos. It also has hypolipidemic and anorectic property. In this study we explored the mechanism of weight reducing property of cold extract of Dolichos in comparison to Metformin in an obese rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Swiss albino rats. Dolichos biflorus 12 hours cold extract. High fat diet. Tab. Metformin. The male Swiss albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. 6 animals were taken as control and baseline parameters were taken. Obesity is induced in group B and Group C with high fat diet for a period of 6 weeks followed by treatment with cold extract of Dolichos in group B and with Metformin in Group B. Group A was given cold extract along with high fat diet. Post induction and Post treatment parameters were taken. Parameters taken were food intake, eating behavior, weight, BMI, blood collection for analysis- serum SOD, serum MDA, serum cholesterol, serum Triglycerides, serum IL 6, Serum leptin, serum lipase and serum adiponectin. RESULTS: We found that cold extract of Dolichos had antiobesity property due to central and peripheral mechanism and it also had antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects. The effects were equally effective and comparable to that of Metformin. Thus cold extract can be used as a pharmacological tool for the treatment of obesity after relevant clinical studies