Baseline information of reproduction parameters of an amphidromous croaker Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822) from Ganga river basin, India with special reference to potential influence of climatic variability

Reproductive biology of female amphidromous croaker Johnius coitor (Hamilton, 1822) was studied for the first time from various freshwater stretches of Ganga river basin, India in relation to climatic variability. The species showed high spatial variation in reproductive phenology and capable of breeding during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. Water temperature is the most crucial environmental parameter influencing gonadal maturation and breeding. Generalized additive model (GAM) models revealed water temperature near 23–25 °C as optimum and threshold GSI above 3 units necessary for breeding. Pre-spawning fitness (Kspawn50) and size at 50% maturity (LM50) benchmarked through Kaplan-Meier survival fit estimates were in the range 1.27–1.37 units and 19–24.5 cm respectively. First maturity of females was encountered at 11.4 cm within the size range 7.2–28.5 cm. Egg parameters in mature-ripe females ranged between 0.29–0.80 mm (diameter), 0.05–0.19 mg (weight) and 5687–121 849 eggs (absolute fecundity). Mapping of climate preferendum through LOESS smoothing technique hinted water temperatures 32 °C to be detrimental for attainment of pre-spawning fitness while no dependence on rainfall was observed. Based on the climato-hydrological influence on breeding and regional trends of changing climate along river Ganga, we infer minimal climate driven changes in breeding phenology of this amphidromous fish species. Results of this study may serve as baseline information for future studies assessing climate driven changes and evolutionary adaptations in croakers from river Ganga

HIV Transmission Potential Among Local and Migrant Factory Workers in Kolkata, India

Migrant workers in India play a key role in the spread of HIV. Kolkata is a common destination for workers, who may acquire infection and transmit it to their wives and/or other sexual partners. We investigated sexual relations and condom use by factory workers. Migrant and local factory workers were randomly selected from five wards of Kolkata. Information was collected about demographic and socio-economic characteristics, sexual relationships, condom usage, and perceptions and intent to use condoms. Condom use was very low in both groups of workers, particularly among migrants. Many married workers visited female sex workers but never used condoms. Few intended to use condoms, and if they did, it did not always translate into actual usage. There is great potential for transmission of HIV/sexually transmitted infections by these workers. Carefully designed intervention and education programs in the context of low literacy and cultural norms are urgently needed

Sequence of the hyperplastic genome of the naturally competent Thermus scotoductus SA-01

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many strains of <it>Thermus </it>have been isolated from hot environments around the world. <it>Thermus scotoductus </it>SA-01 was isolated from fissure water collected 3.2 km below surface in a South African gold mine. The isolate is capable of dissimilatory iron reduction, growth with oxygen and nitrate as terminal electron acceptors and the ability to reduce a variety of metal ions, including gold, chromate and uranium, was demonstrated. The genomes from two different <it>Thermus thermophilus </it>strains have been completed. This paper represents the completed genome from a second <it>Thermus </it>species - <it>T. scotoductus</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The genome of <it>Thermus scotoductus </it>SA-01 consists of a chromosome of 2,346,803 bp and a small plasmid which, together are about 11% larger than the <it>Thermus thermophilus </it>genomes. The <it>T. thermophilus </it>megaplasmid genes are part of the <it>T. scotoductus </it>chromosome and extensive rearrangement, deletion of nonessential genes and acquisition of gene islands have occurred, leading to a loss of synteny between the chromosomes of <it>T. scotoductus and T. thermophilus</it>. At least nine large inserts of which seven were identified as alien, were found, the most remarkable being a denitrification cluster and two operons relating to the metabolism of phenolics which appear to have been acquired from <it>Meiothermus ruber</it>. The majority of acquired genes are from closely related species of the Deinococcus-Thermus group, and many of the remaining genes are from microorganisms with a thermophilic or hyperthermophilic lifestyle. The natural competence of <it>Thermus scotoductus </it>was confirmed experimentally as expected as most of the proteins of the natural transformation system of <it>Thermus thermophilus </it>are present. Analysis of the metabolic capabilities revealed an extensive energy metabolism with many aerobic and anaerobic respiratory options. An abundance of sensor histidine kinases, response regulators and transporters for a wide variety of compounds are indicative of an oligotrophic lifestyle.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The genome of <it>Thermus scotoductus </it>SA-01 shows remarkable plasticity with the loss, acquisition and rearrangement of large portions of its genome compared to <it>Thermus thermophilus</it>. Its ability to naturally take up foreign DNA has helped it adapt rapidly to a subsurface lifestyle in the presence of a dense and diverse population which acted as source of nutrients. The genome of <it>Thermus scotoductus </it>illustrates how rapid adaptation can be achieved by a highly dynamic and plastic genome.</p

Assessment of thyroid function among the young asymptomatic male members of the Indian armed forces

Background: Thyroid Disorders are often underdiagnosed. This is probably due to the fact that most of the clinicians are unaware of that fact that clinical entities like Subclinical Hypothyroidism & Subclinical Hyperthyroidism do exist. Overt Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism form only the tip of the iceberg of Thyroid Disorders. It has been shown in previous studies that unchecked subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) in young individuals poses a risk for cardiovascular events in the future. This study attempts to assess the extent of Subclinical Hypothyroidism & Autoimmune Sub Clinical Hypothyroidism in the male members of the Indian Armed Forces. Through this study, the authors endeavour to bring to the notice that Subclinical Thyroid Disorders are an emerging health problem among the young individuals. It is also evident that clinical parameters alone are insufficient in establishing a diagnosis of hypothyroidism and are often misleading, thus biochemical confirmation is a must. Aims & Objectives: 1) To assess the thyroid function among asymptomatic male members of the Indian Armed Forces. 2) To study the distribution of non neoplastic thyroid disorders, if any, among the asymptomatic male members of the Armed Forces. 3) To detect the levels of Anti TPO antibodies among the members of the Armed Forces. 4) To correlate the variation in the T3, T4, TSH levels with the presence of Anti TPO antibodies. 5) To ascertain correlation, if any, between age of the subjects & presence of Anti thyroid antibodies. Materials & Methods: This is an Observation Crossectional Study performed at a Tertiary Care Naval Hospital over a period of 15 months.100 Male volunteers meeting the Inclusion & Exclusion criteria were enrolled using simple random sampling. The samples were tested for Serum T3, T4, TSH & Anti TPO Antibody levels using the STRATEC SR 300 Analyser on the day of collection. The data was analysed using the SPSS software & depicted in figures. Results: The prevalent non neoplastic Thyroid Disorders in the study population were Subclincal Hypothyroidism, Autoimmune Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Overt Hypothyroidism & High Anti TPO Antibody levels with normal Thyroid Function.The Mean Age of Presentation of Subclinical Hypothyroidism, Positive Anti TPO Antibodies & Autoimmune Subclinical Hypothyroidism were 27 ± 8.36 years (p>0.05), 26.12 ± 9.0 years (p>0.05) & 26.5 ± 7.0 years (p>0.05) respectively .The prevalence of Autoimmune Subclinical Hypothyroidism (p=0.0004), Overt Hypothyroidism (p value 0.042) & Anti TPO Antibody positivity (p=0.017) in the study population was significantly lower compared to the results of the prevalence of these disorders in General Population Based Studies. The Serum T4 levels and Age in the study population were found to have a statistically significant inverse correlation (p=0.041) Conclusion: Subclinical Autoimmune Hypothyroidism & Overt Hypothyroidism are the most prevalent non neoplastic thyroid disorders in the Male members of the Indian Armed with their prevalence in the study population being significantly less than the General population. Anti TPO antibody positivity precedes thyroid symptoms & deranged Thyroid Profile. Serum T4 has a significant inverse correlation with age & serum TSH levels. However, the correlation serum Anti TPO Antibody levels & age of the individuals is insignificant

Comparative transcriptional analysis of clinically relevant heat stress response in Clostridium difficile strain 630.

Clostridium difficile is considered to be one of the most important causes of health care-associated infections worldwide. In order to understand more fully the adaptive response of the organism to stressful conditions, we examined transcriptional changes resulting from a clinically relevant heat stress (41 °C versus 37 °C) in C. difficile strain 630 and identified 341 differentially expressed genes encompassing multiple cellular functional categories. While the transcriptome was relatively resilient to the applied heat stress, we noted upregulation of classical heat shock genes including the groEL and dnaK operons in addition to other stress-responsive genes. Interestingly, the flagellin gene (fliC) was downregulated, yet genes encoding the cell-wall associated flagellar components were upregulated suggesting that while motility may be reduced, adherence--to mucus or epithelial cells--could be enhanced during infection. We also observed that a number of phage associated genes were downregulated, as were genes associated with the conjugative transposon Tn5397 including a group II intron, thus highlighting a potential decrease in retromobility during heat stress. These data suggest that maintenance of lysogeny and genome wide stabilisation of mobile elements could be a global response to heat stress in this pathogen

Rice mechanization in India - key to enhance productivity and profitability

Long-term and seasonal variations in weather conditions, salt intrusion, waterlogging, and/or freshwater availability are some of the major factors that made coastal zones highly diverse, fragile, and vulnerable. Weather disturbances are common and are further aggravated by climate change. Competition among resource users usually leads to environmental and social challenges that need to be addressed at local and regional levels. These areas support dense human populations, with the prevalence of poverty and food insecurity, causing low and unstable agricultural productivity, driven by several abiotic stresses—floods in the wet season, soil salinization in the dry season, acidity, and high organic matter and nutritional toxicities or deficiencies throughout the year. Despite these challenges, these areas hold considerable opportunities for food production, though they still remain highly underutilized. Agriculture and aquaculture dominate the livelihood options in coastal tropical zones. Promising technologies together with access to knowledge had evolved considerably in the recent past, with packages of relevant technologies available to maximize the use of these areas. Major investments in infrastructure to control floods and salt intrusion demonstrated positive impacts in some areas, but this entails proper planning and policies for monitoring and adjustments, and large capital investments, beyond the reach of smallholder farmers. High rainfall during the wet season causes excessive wetting, positioning rice farming as the preferred agricultural activity. Several rice varieties with tolerance to salinity and floods or a combination of both have been developed and some deployed in affected areas over the past two decades, with remarkable impacts. These varieties provided opportunities for designing better stress- and variety-specific management options and more confidence and assurance for farmers to invest in input use and good crop husbandry, besides flexibility for higher cropping intensity and diversity to enhance their nutrition and household income. More efforts, however, are needed to fully exploit the potentials of these areas for food and nutrition security through large-scale adoption of validated technologies, human and infrastructure development, enabling and empowering policies, along with concomitant access to information via digital tools and to markets. Enhancing the productivity and profitability of rice-based cropping systems in these coastal areas with assured quality management services through proper harvest, postharvest processing, and value addition will significantly improve smallholder farmers’ livelihood, thereby contributing to national food security and to reach several of the targets of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals

Comparison of qRT-PCR, iTRAQ proteomics and microarray data for selected <i>Clostridium difficile</i> strain 630 genes.

<p>For each individual gene, expressional fold-change values (up-hatched columns) are shown relative to the 37°C control. Corresponding iTRAQ fold-changes (gray columns) are included for comparison with microarray data (down-hatched columns) and show good correlation between the three data sets. 16S rRNA, <i>tpi</i>, and CD2849, whose expression did not change by more than 1.5-fold, were used as reference genes.</p

Genomic context of Transposon Tn5397 in the genome of <i>Clostridium difficile</i> strain 630.

<p>Key: Arrows represent direction of changes in gene expression; genes lacking an arrow are unchanged. Tn5397 ORF numbers are shown above the genes. CD0506: group II intron. <i>tetM</i>: tetracycline resistance determinant.</p