Comparative Analysis of Molecular Structure, Function and Expression of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Toll-Like Receptor 9

Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) has been characterized as a receptor that recognizes unmethylated CpG motif and triggers a pro-inflammatory cytokine response that influences both innate and adaptive immunity. Buffalo is an economically important livestock species in many Asian and Mediterranean countries, but there is little information available on its TLR9 structure and response to stimulation with its agonist CpG-ODNs. Hence in this study, we report the analysis of newly sequenced buffalo TLR9 gene fragment. In this study, buffalo TLR9 amino acid sequence revealed close association of TLR9 proteins within other bovines and small ruminants; but high divergence from other species. Multiple alignment of deduced amino acid sequence of Bubalus bubalis TLR9 with other species showed that 156/201 (74.28%) amino acids were conserved in all species. Leucine rich repeat (LRR) motifs in the ectodomain of TLR9 are responsible for molecular recognition of its agonist. The LRR pattern of Bubalus bubalis TLR9 protein was predicted towards N-terminal sequence and was found to be conserved among all species except Rattus norvegicus and Equus caballus. Blast analysis of buffalo TLR9 sequence with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) database revealed 13 SNPs out of which 7 were cds-synonymous and 6 were of the functional significance. Furthermore, kinetics of TLR9 and proinflammatory IL-beta and TNF-alpha cytokine expression by buffalo PBMCs influenced by CpG-ODN is also discussed

A rare case report: heterotopic pregnancy with ovarian ectopic pregnancy

Heterotopic Pregnancy(HP) is defined as the occurrence of intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy simultaneously. Incidence varies from 1 in 8000 to 30,000 natural conceptions. HP is common with artificial reproductive techniques and is very rare in natural conception. A high index of suspicion is helpful in diagnosis and appropriate management. We report a case of HP in a 28-year-old woman presented with 2 and half months amenorrhoea, pain abdomen and bleeding per vagina with TAS showing intra uterine single missed abortion and ovarian ectopic pregnancy

Epidemiological study of congenital malformations at birth in a tertiary health centre in central India

Background: The proposed study was carried out to determine incidence of congenital malformations, incidence of CM in live and still births, risk factors attributable, maternal and perinatal outcome, to frame the recommendations for early detection and prevention of CM.Methods: Prospective observational study. The cases selected from those attending the antenatal O.P.D. and those admitted in wards of Obs and Gynae Dept., GMH who delivered congenitally malformed baby dated from August 2013-July 2014. A detailed history, examination, relevant investigations was done.Results: Out of 9014 deliveries, 110 babies had CM. The incidence of CMs was found to be 1.22%. Maximum number (24.55%) of CM s were of CNS, most common was NTD (Anencephaly). Incidence of CMs was more in still births, mothers of age >40 yrs and <20 yrs, of illiterate, educated <8 std., house wives, rural areas, unbooked and multigravida. Most CM fetuses were delivered prematurely (67.27%). CVS and CNS systems were more commonly involved in consanguinous married couples. CM was associated with drug intake, 1.82% on antiepileptics, 1.82% on antihypertensives, 3.64% on oral hypoglycaemics,0.91% on NSAID,6.36% on unspecified drugs. 12.73% CMs were seen in passive smokers, 6.36% consumed alcohol, 17.27% pan/gutka intake. Majority were delivered by vaginal route, maximum fetuses (82.73%) were in vertex presentation, maximum (67.27%) CMs were in male babies.Conclusions: Many malformations arise because of the interplay of genetic, environmental and multifactorial factors. The stress imposed may be reduced considerably by understanding the causes of the malformations and adopting the management strategies outlined for the prevention or reduction of CM

The selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride.

Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, 2003.Industrial catalysts used in commercial processes for the production of maleic anhydride are mainly Vanadium Phosphorous Oxide (VPO) catalysts. The VPO catalyst used is Vanadyl Pyrophosphate (VO)2P207 made from its precursor Vanadium Phosphorous Hemi-Hydrate VOHP04.O.5H20 in an non-aqueous medium. In order for the VPO catalyst to perform optimally, a metal promoter, Ru, was selected as the doping agent in this study. Four catalysts of different metal doping concentrations (undoped, 0.2%, 0.6% and 1%) were subjected to the oxidation of n-butane. Promoters are added to facilitate the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. n-Butane gas is now being used in many industrial processes, in fixed bed reactors to convert the gas to maleic anhydride. Catalysts were calcined under high temperatures under a nitrogen atmosphere. It was found that with an increase in reaction temperature, there was an increase in conversion of n-butane to maleic anhydride. Selectivity of the product also showed an increase with an increase in temperature at a Gas Hourly Space Velocity (GHSV) of 1960-2170hr-1. Catalysts were characterized using different techniques such as Electron Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform - Infra Red, Average Oxidation State, Brunauer Emmett and Teller (surface area), X-Ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The 0.6% Ru promoted VPO catalyst showed to be most effective in terms of conversion, selectivity and yield, at a temperature of 450°C as compared to the other catalysts studied. The catalysts degenerated after being subjected to higher temperatures. The selectivity obtained by this catalyst was at 70.2% and the yield obtained was 37%. This study showed that with an increase in Ru up to a certain concentration (0.6%), an increase in selectivity and yield was observed, thereafter, with additional Ru doping, a decrease in selectivity and yield was obtained

Bilateral Brenner tumor of ovary with associated unilateral mucinous cystadenoma: a case report

Brenner tumors are rare ovarian tumors, which are a subgroup of transitional cell tumors of ovary. Most of these tumors are benign presenting as incidental unilateral masses in postmenopausal age group. Only 5-7% cases are bilateral. These tumors are mostly small, solid and asymptomatic, seen commonly in association with mucinous cystadenomas of ovary. In such cases they may attain a massive size. Specific diagnosis of Brenner tumor is difficult using imaging studies and can be definitely diagnosed only on pathological examination. Surgical removal is usually curative for benign tumors. We present a rare case of bilateral Brenner tumor of ovary with associated unilateral mucinous cystadenoma in which bilateral Brenner tumor was a rare incidental finding on pathological examinati

Frailty, Polypill and Quality of Life in Elderly

Frailty is an age-related state of increased susceptibility of functional decline that may be reversed or at least slowed progressiveness. It is characterized by impairments in a number of physiological systems and is linked to a higher risk of morbidity or unexpected hospitalization. It is a newly recognized geriatric syndrome in clinical practice, and excess healthcare expenses from consultations, polypill use, and hospitalization are some of its correlations. When under stress, frailty results in a loss of autonomy in everyday activities and death. Elderly adults frequently have many comorbid ailments, which exposes them to multiple medications or polypill therapy. This is linked to a higher chance of negative drug reactions, which leads to more hospitalizations, high morbidity, mortality, and higher healthcare system costs. It’s crucial to recognize these conditions in order to offer primary care patients early intervention and/or interdisciplinary management, which fits well with the physical and psychosocial model for their well-being

Impact of Cultivation Practices and Varieties on Productivity, Profitability, and Nutrient Uptake of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System in India

Interest in conservation measures, including reduced tillage, zero tillage, and crop residue retention, is growing in major rice growing areas of the world; particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains. Of late, research interest is increasing in India for a specialised method of cultivation known as natural farming, which aims at maintain the functional biodiversity of the farm with little or no use of external inputs. With the increasing water crisis at a global level, it became imperative to develop technologies that can reduce the water use, particularly in water-guzzling low land paddy, by developing alternate cultivation methods; direct seeded rice is one such technology. A two-year field experiment was carried out at two locations during 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 to find out the impact of different cultivation and varieties on the productivity and profitability of the rice–wheat cropping system. The experiments were conducted in split plot design, replicated thrice, with cultivation practices in the main plot and varieties of both wheat and rice in the sub plot. The results so obtained reveal that conventional tillage significantly out yielded other methods of cultivation in both the crops at both the locations, while significantly lower grain yield in both crops was observed from natural farming. Adoption of reduced tillage, zero tillage and natural farming reduced the grain yield of wheat by 4.6%, 10.9%, and 59.4% over conventional tillage, while the corresponding decline in grain yield of rice was 10.8%, 16.1%, and 34.0% with reduced tillage, zero tillage, and natural farming, respectively. Among the varieties tested, HPW 368 and Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 (HPR 2795) produced significantly higher grain yield of wheat and rice, respectively, at both the locations during both years. Conventional tillage among cultivation practices and HPW 368 and Him Palam Lal Dhan 1 (HPR 2795) among wheat and rice varieties also proved to be better in terms of various economic indicators, including gross return, net return, and ratio benefit cost ratio (B:C ratio)

A 9-Bit Flash Analog to Digital Convertor

Need constantly exists for converters with higher resolution, faster conversion speed and lower power dissipation. High-speed analog to digital converters (ADC’s) have been based on flash architecture, because all comparators sample the analog input voltage simultaneously, this ADC is thus inherently fast. Unfortunately, flash ADC requires 2N - 1 comparators to convert N bit digital code from an analog sample. This makes flash ADC’s unsuitable for high-resolution applications. This paper demonstrates a simple technique to reduce comparator requirement of 9-bit flash ADC that requires as few as 256 comparators for 9-bit conversion. In this approach, the analog input range is partitioned into 256 quantization cells, separated by 255 boundary points. A 8-bit binary code 00000000 to 11111111 is assigned to each cell. A 9-bit flash converter requires 512 comparators, while proposed technique reduces number of comparator requirements to 256 for 9-bit conversion