On a sperm whale landed at Kalpeni island with notes on ambergris

In the Indian Ocean The sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus is found concentrated more in the Arabian Sea upto 20° N and between 50° and 80° E especially in the Gulf of Aden and approaches a little east of Minicoy Island and off Sri Lanka. The morphology of the sperm whales landed at various islands in the Lakshadweep are Total length 530; Distance from eye to snout 115 cm; Height of the body 98cm and Girth of the body 62cm. Ambergris is a valuable substance obtained from the sperm whale. In 1974 ambergris weighing 90 kg was found floating in the sea and it was auctioned at the rate of Rs. 1,160 per kg. Of this amount, 55% was paid to the fisherman who recovered it and 45% was credited to the Fisheries Department

An Anti-C1s Monoclonal, TNT003, Inhibits Complement Activation Induced by Antibodies Against HLA.

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) of solid organ transplants (SOT) is characterized by damage triggered by donor-specific antibodies (DSA) binding donor Class I and II HLA (HLA-I and HLA-II) expressed on endothelial cells. While F(ab')2 portions of DSA cause cellular activation and proliferation, Fc regions activate the classical complement cascade, resulting in complement deposition and leukocyte recruitment, both hallmark features of AMR. We characterized the ability of an anti-C1s monoclonal antibody, TNT003, to inhibit HLA antibody (HLA-Ab)-induced complement activation. Complement deposition induced by HLA-Ab was evaluated using novel cell- and bead-based assays. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were cultured with HLA-Ab and human complement; production of activated complement proteins was measured by flow cytometry. Additionally, C3d deposition was measured on single antigen beads (SAB) mixed with HLA-Ab and human complement. TNT003 inhibited HLA-Ab mediated complement deposition on HAEC in a concentration-dependent manner; C3a, C4a and C5a anaphylatoxin production was also diminished by TNT003. Finally, TNT003 blocked C3d deposition induced by Class I (HLAI-Ab)- and Class II (HLAII-Ab)-specific antibodies on SAB. These data suggest TNT003 may be useful for modulating the effects of DSA, as TNT003 inhibits complement deposition and split product formation generated by HLA-I/II-Ab in vitro

Aerosol modulation of ultraviolet radiation dose over four metro cities in india

This paper discusses the influence of aerosols on UV erythemal dose over four metro cities in India. Tropospheric Emission Monitoring Internet Service (TEMIS), archived UV-index (UV-I), and UV daily erythemal dose obtained from SCIAMACHY satellite were used in this study during June 2004 and May 2005 periods covering four important Indian seasons. UV-Index (UV-I), an important parameter representing UV risk, was found to be in the high to extreme range in Chennai (8.1 to 15.33), moderate to extreme range in Mumbai and Kolkata (5 to 16.5), and low to extreme over Delhi (3 to 15). Average UV erythemal dose showed seasonal variation from 5.9 to 6.3 KJm-2 during summer, 2.9 to 4.4 KJm-2 during postmonsoon, 3 to 4.5 KJm-2 during winter, and 5.1 to 6.19 KJm-2 during premonsoon seasons over the four cities. To estimate the influence of aerosols on reducing UV dose, UV aerosol radiative forcing and forcing efficiency were estimated over the sites. The average aerosol forcing efficiency was found to be from - 1.38 ± 0.33 to - 3.01 ± 0.28 KJm-2 AOD-1 on different seasons. The study suggests that aerosols can reduce the incoming UV radiation dose by 30-60 during different seasons. © 2014 A. S. Panicker et al

Assessment and validation of i-skyradiometer retrievals using broadband flux and MODIS data

Ground-based network of cloud measurements is presently limited and there exists uncertainty in the cloud microphysical parameters derived from ground-based measurements. Bias in the i-skyradiometer derived cloud optical depth () and droplet effective radius () and the importance of these parameters in the parameterization of clouds in climate models have made us intend to develop a possible method for improving these parameters. A new combination method, which uses zenith sky transmittance and surface radiation measurements, has been proposed in the present study to improve the retrievals. The i-skyradiometer derived parameters and have been provided as a first guess to a radiative transfer model (SBDART) and a new retrieval algorithm has been implemented to obtain the best combination of and having minimum bias (−0.09 and −2.5) between the simulated global and diffuse fluxes at the surface with the collocated surface radiation measurements. The new retrieval method has improved and values compared to those derived using the transmittance only method and are in good agreement with the MODIS satellite retrievals. The study therefore suggests a possible improvement of the i-skyradiometer derived cloud parameters using observed radiation fluxes and a radiative transfer model

Chemical composition and isotopic signatures of ice and snow over a Himalayan Glacier (Satopanth) in India

This study reports the chemical composition and isotopic signatures of snow and ice over a Himalayan Glacier in India. An observational campaign was carried out from September 22, 2016, to October 2, 2016, over Satopanth in central Himalaya. The pH value of ice and snow, respectively, was 5.6 ± 0.4 and 5.9 ± 0.35 over the glacier, indicating moderate acidity of the glacier components. Calcium (Ca2+) was the dominant component in snow (35.2%), while sulfate (SO42−) was dominant in ice samples (52.7%). The neutralization factor was estimated to find the extent of neutralization of acidic fractions by basic components. It is found that Ca2+ was the prominent neutralizing factor both in snow and ice over the region. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic analyses of snow, surface layer ice and debris-covered ice suggest that the moisture source is common for all three components. δD and d-excess values of snow at Satopanth are different than that of those for Chorabari, Dokriani and Tiprabank Glacier, indicating the plausibility of different sources of moisture for these glaciers. Limited observations suggest that the interaction of ice with the debris has no impact on the isotopic signatures of the ice over the region; such non-alteration of isotopic signatures makes the region important for ice core-based paleoclimatic studies

Scan-Negative Cauda Equina Syndrome A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To describe clinical features relevant to diagnosis, mechanism, and etiology in patients with “scan-negative” cauda equina syndrome (CES). Methods: We carried out a prospective study of consecutive patients presenting with the clinical features of CES to a regional neurosurgery center comprising semi-structured interview and questionnaires investigating presenting symptoms, neurologic examination, psychiatric and functional disorder comorbidity, bladder/bowel/sexual function, distress, and disability. Results: A total of 198 patients presented consecutively over 28 months. A total of 47 were diagnosed with scan-positive CES (mean age 48 years, 43% female). A total of 76 mixed category patients had nerve root compression/displacement without CES compression (mean age 46 years, 71% female) and 61 patients had scan-negative CES (mean age 40 years, 77% female). An alternative neurologic cause of CES emerged in 14/198 patients during admission and 4/151 patients with mean duration 25 months follow-up. Patients with scan-negative CES had more positive clinical signs of a functional neurologic disorder (11% scan-positive CES vs 34% mixed and 68% scan-negative, p < 0.0001), were more likely to describe their current back pain as worst ever (41% vs 46% and 70%, p = 0.005), and were more likely to have symptoms of a panic attack at onset (37% vs 57% and 70%, p = 0.001). Patients with scan-positive CES were more likely to have reduced/absent bilateral ankle jerks (78% vs 30% and 12%, p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups in the frequency of reduced anal tone and urinary retention. Conclusion: The first well-phenotyped, prospective study of scan-negative CES supports a model in which acute pain, medication, and mechanisms overlapping with functional neurologic disorders may be relevant

Offspring conceived through ART have normal thyroid function in adolescence and as young adults

STUDY QUESTION: Are there differences in thyroid function between adolescents and young adults conceived with and without ART? SUMMARY ANSWER: This study demonstrated no evidence of clinically relevant differences in thyroid function between adolescents and young adults conceived with and without ART. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Studies to date have reported an increase in subclinical hypothyroidism in offspring conceived after ART. It has been suggested that the increase in maternal estrogen (E2) after fresh embryo transfers could affect thyroid function of the offspring. Suboptimal thyroid function at a young age can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, which makes early detection and correct treatment essential. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: The Growing Up Healthy Study (GUHS) is a prospective cohort study, which aimed to recruit all adolescents born after conception with ART between 1991 and 2001 in the study area. The included participants (n = 303, aged 13-20 years) completed various health assessments. Depending on the age at enrolment, participants completed thyroid assessments at the 14-or 20-year follow-up. The outcomes of these replicated thyroid assessments were compared to those of participants conceived without ART from the Raine Study Generation 2 (Gen2). The Gen2 participants (n = 2868) were born between 1989 and 1992 and have been recognized to be representative of the local population. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Thyroid function assessments were compared between n = 134 GUHS and n = 1359 Gen2 adolescents at age 14 years and between n = 47 GUHS and n = 914 Gen2 young adults at age 20 years. The following mean thyroid hormone concentrations were compared between the cohorts: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), free thyroxine (fT4) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb). The prevalence of the following thyroid hormone profiles, based on individual thyroid hormone concentrations, was compared: euthyroidism, subclinical and overt hypo-and hyperthyroidism and thyroid autoimmunity. Outcomes were compared between the cohorts, and univariately between fresh embryo transfers (ET) and frozen ET (FET) within the GUHS. The correlation between maternal peak E2 concentrations (pE2) and fT4 was assessed within the GUHS. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: All mean thyroid function outcomes fell within the normal range. At both ages, we report no differences in TSH concentrations. At age 14 years, lower fT3 concentrations (4.80 versus 5.35 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001) and higher fT4 concentrations (12.76 versus 12.19 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001) were detected in the GUHS adolescents compared to Gen2 adolescents. At age 20 years, higher fT3 and fT4 concentrations were reported in GUHS adolescents (4.91 versus 4.63 pmol/L, P = 0.012; 13.43 versus 12.45 pmol/L, P \u3c 0.001, respectively) compared to Gen2 participants. No differences in the prevalence of subclinical and overt hypo-and hyperthyroidism or thyroid autoimmunity were demonstrated between the cohorts at age 14 and 20 years. Thyroid function did not differ between ET and FET, and no correlation between pE2 and fT4 was reported. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The observational nature of the study limits the ability to prove causation. Furthermore, the comparison of ET and FET offspring at age 20 years may be lacking power. We were unable to differentiate between different types of ART (e.g. IVF versus ICSI) owing to the low number of ICSI cycles at the time of study. As ART laboratory and clinic data were collected contemporaneously with the time of treatment, no other data pertaining to the ART cycles were sought retrospectively; hence, some factors could not be accounted for. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This study does not support previous findings of clinically relevant differences in thyroid function when comparing a cohort of adolescents conceived after ART to counterparts conceived without ART. The minor differences detected in fT3 and fT4 were considered not biologically relevant. Although these findings appear reassuring, they warrant reinvestigation in adulthood. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This project was funded by an NHMRC Grant (Hart et al., ID 1042269). R.J.H. is the Medical Director of Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and a shareholder in Western IVF. He has received educational sponsorship from MSD, Merck-Serono and Ferring Pharmaceuticals. P.B. is the Scientific Director of Concept Fertility Centre, Subiaco, Western Australia. J.L.Y. is the Medical Director and a shareholder of PIVET Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A

The Art of Tactile Sensing: A State of Art Survey

This paper describes about tactile sensors, its transduction methods, state-of-art and various application areas of these sensors. Here we are taking in consideration the sense of touch. This provides the robots with tactile perception. In most of the robotic application the sense of touch is very helpful. The ability of robots to touch and feel the object, grasping an object by controlled pressure, mainly to categorize the surface textures. Tactile sensors can measure the force been applied on an area of touch. The data which is interpreted from the sensor is accumulated by the array of coordinated group of touch sensors. The sense of touch in human is distributed in four kinds by tactile receptors: Meissner corpuscles, the Merkel cells, the Rufina endings, and the Pacinian corpuscles. There has many innovations done to mimic the behaviour of human touch. The contact forces are measured by the sensor and this data is used to determine the manipulation of the robot

Emblica Officinalis: A Novel Therapy for Acute Pancreatitis — An Experimental Study

Acute necrotising pancreatitis is associated with an unacceptably high mortality for which no satisfactory remedy exists. Emblica officinalis (E.o.) is a plant prescribed in Ayurveda, the Indian traditional system of medicine, for pancreas-related disorders. This study was carried out to evaluate the protective effect of E.o. against acute necrotising pancreatitis in dogs. Pancreatitis was induced by injecting a mixture of trypsin, bile and blood into the duodenal opening of the pancreatic duct. Twenty eight dogs were divided into 4 groups (n = 6-8 each): GpI–control, GpII–acute pancreatitis, GpIII–sham-operated, GpIV–pretreatment with 28 mg E.o./kg/day for 15 days before inducing pancreatitis. Serum amylase increased from 541.99 ± 129.13 IU/ml to 1592.63 ± 327.83 IU (p<0.02) 2 hrs after the induction of pancreatitis in GpII. The rise in serum amylase in both GpIII and GpIV was not significant. On light microscopic examination, acinar cell damage was less and the total inflammatory score was significantly lower in the E.o. treated group as compared to GpII. Electron microscopy confirmed this and showed an increased amount of smooth, endoplasmic reticulum and small, condensed granules embedded in a vacuole. More studies are needed to explore the clinical potential of E.o. and its mechanism of action

Isolation of acid soluble collagen from daggertooth pike conger (Muraenesox cinereus) and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

The study was conducted to isolate acid soluble collagen (ASC) from daggertooth pike conger eel and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the isolated protein. Conger eels were collected from Kochi harbour. The proximate composition of eel skin consisted of 68.73 per cent of moisture on a wet basis with a crude protein, crude fat and total ash of 30.24 per cent, 12.17 per cent and 2.16 per cent respectively on a dry matter basis. Conger eel skin collagen was isolated by treating with 0.5 M acetic acid after pretreatment with 0.1 N NaOH and 10 per cent butanol. Salting out and precipitation of ASC was carried out by adding NaCl to a final concentration of 2.3 M. Precipitated ASC was then dialysed against 0.1 M acetic acid for 24h and then in distilled water until neutral pH was obtained. The yield of ASC was 12.78 per cent on a wet basis and 31.95 per cent on a dry basis. The antimicrobial activity of ASC was determined by the agar diffusion method. ASC showed antimicrobial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus