Second order parameter-uniform convergence for a finite difference method for a singularly perturbed linear reaction-diffusion system

A singularly perturbed linear system of second order ordinary differential equations of reaction-diffusion type with given boundary conditions is considered. The leading term of each equation is multiplied by a small positive parameter. These singular perturbation parameters are assumed to be distinct. The components of the solution exhibit overlapping layers. Shishkin piecewise-uniform meshes are introduced, which are used in conjunction with a classical finite difference discretisation, to construct a numerical method for solving this problem. It is proved that the numerical approximations obtained with this method is essentially second order convergent uniformly with respect to all of the parameters

Screening of Sunflower Genotypes for Reaction to Alternaria Leaf Blight Disease across Multi-environments using Pooled Analysis

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an oilseed crop with potential health benefits as a source of oil and dietary fiber. The productivity of sunflower is hampered by both biotic and abiotic stresses caused due to climate changes. So far, the available gene pool is having moderately resistant lines. In the present study, we evaluated two screening methods by artificially challenging the plants with the causative agent A. helianthi. Significant changes in disease severity have been observed across 160 pre-breeding lines of sunflower, including the susceptible check, Morden in three different seasons. Among the160 pre-breeding lines derived from a mutant population of sunflower cv. Morden, 6.25 and 5.63 % of lines showed less leaf blight disease incidence under in vivo and in vitro environments respectively. Moreover, 44.38 % of the sunflower pre breeding lines demonstrated field tolerance with disease severity in the scale of 5. The promising accessions evaluated in our studies by whole plant assay method and detached leaf technique includes KSFI 19, KSFI 24, KSFI 147, KSFI 56, KSFI 120, KSFI 88, KSFI 152, KSFI 51 and KSFI 115. Therefore, these sunflower lines, could be employed for introgression of resistance genes against leaf blight disease in sunflower cultivars through marker assisted breeding strategies

Computer Simulations of Pulsatile Blood Flow in Fusiform Models of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Flow dynamics have been investigated in model aneurysms under physiologically realistic pulsatile flow condition via computational modeling techniques. The computer simulations are based on finite element method. Vortex pattern emergence and evolution were evaluated. Throughout the bulge in all models regardless of size, the systolic flow was found to be forward-directed. Vortices were initially evident in the bulge during deceleration from peak systole and further expanded during the retrograde flow phase. Flow in larger models become increasingly unstable compared to smaller models. It was also noted that these unstable flow fields were much significant towards the distal half of the bulge models. This increased intensity of turbulent flow fields in larger models may contribute significantly to wall shear stress magnitude and subsequently contributing to higher rupture risks. (Abstract by authors

Arsenite binds to the RING finger domains of RNF20-RNF40 histone E3 ubiquitin ligase and inhibits DNA double-strand break repair.

Arsenic is a widespread environmental contaminant. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying the carcinogenic effects of arsenic remain incompletely understood. Core histones can be ubiquitinated by RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases, among which the RNF20-RNF40 heterodimer catalyzes the ubiquitination of histone H2B at lysine 120. This ubiquitination event is important for the formation of open and biochemically accessible chromatin fiber that is conducive for DNA repair. Herein, we found that arsenite could bind directly to the RING finger domains of RNF20 and RNF40 in vitro and in cells, and treatment with arsenite resulted in substantially impaired H2B ubiquitination in multiple cell lines. Exposure to arsenite also diminished the recruitment of BRCA1 and RAD51 to laser-induced DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites, compromised DNA DSB repair in human cells, and rendered cells sensitive toward a radiomimetic agent, neocarzinostatin. Together, the results from the present study revealed, for the first time, that arsenite may exert its carcinogenic effect by targeting cysteine residues in the RING finger domains of histone E3 ubiquitin ligase, thereby altering histone epigenetic mark and compromising DNA DSB repair. Our results also suggest arsenite as a general inhibitor for RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligases

rac-6-Eth­oxy-3,3a,4,9b-tetra­hydro-1,3-diphenyl-1H-chromeno[4,3-c]isoxazole-3a-carbonitrile

The title compound, C25H22N2O3, with three stereogenic centres, crystallizes in a centrosymmetric space group as a racemate. The pyran ring adopts a sofa conformation and the five-membered isoxazole ring exhibits an envelope conformation. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane through the near coplanar atoms of the pyran ring is 10.54 (9)°. In the crystal, no significant intermolecular interactions are observed

Knowledge, attitude and practice of insulin use and its adverse effects in adult diabetic population

Background: Diabetes is a disease when left untreated, leads to many complications. India is emerging as a diabetic capital of the world. Insulin is widely used as a therapeutic option, and hence this study was conducted to assess the awareness of Insulin use and its adverse effects in diabetic population.Methods: The study was a questionnaire survey conducted in adult patients with diabetes who are on Insulin therapy. The participants’ knowledge, attitude and practice were assessed by using a questionnaire consisting of 32 questions. Scores were allotted to each question, and evaluated after applying appropriate statistical tests.Results: The mean age of the participants was 57.26±11.24 years. About 54% were males. 46% belonged to rural areas. The mean knowledge score was 17.53±4.40, mean attitude score 7.42±4.85 and the mean practice score was 6.56±1.91. 40% responded that they will return the expired insulin vials to the pharmacy. The most common reason for non adherence was economical constraints (60%). The females had better knowledge (17.60±4.43 vs. 17.45±4.40, p>0.88), attitude (8.21±3.84 vs. 6.58±5.56, p>0.09) and practice (6.97±1.84 vs. 6.13±1.92, p0.297), attitude (8.70±3.95 vs. 6.06±5.37, p 1.395) than the rural counterparts.Conclusions: There exists a gap between knowledge attitude and practice of insulin use. This can be overcome by conducting awareness programmes by health care providers, to sensitise people about the proper use, side effects and the methods of disposal of insulin vials

Delay in diagnosis of breast cancer in a developing country: a single centre observational study in a tertiary care hospital in North Kerala, India

Background: Around the world breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In India, peak incidence is between 45-50 years of age. Early diagnosis improves survival, hence reducing diagnostic delay in breast cancer will have major social and economic implications besides improving the quality of life. This observational study aims to decipher various factors influencing diagnostic delay so that early treatment can be instituted.Methods: We interviewed 212 consecutive patients who attended the twice weekly breast clinic conducted by Department of general surgery and department of radiotherapy, government medical college, Kozhikode between September 2014 and February 2015. All patients with primary breast cancer were included in the study. Exclusion criteria included recurrence, second primaries, history of partial treatment and incomplete records. Finally, we interviewed 202 patients with the help of a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.Results: In present study, the commonest age group was 40-50 years with 62.4% participants presenting with early breast cancer and 37.6% having advanced breast cancer. Most of present study subjects were educated up to high school and unemployed. Awareness about breast cancer was 74.25% but many were ignorant of its symptomatology. Practice of breast self-examination (BSE) was low at 32.1%. Side and quadrant were statistically significant factor.Conclusions: In present study religion, educational status, marital status, breast cancer awareness, practice of BSE and location of tumor were statistically significant factors influencing delay in diagnosis. There was a general lack of knowledge about the importance of self-examination in breast cancer which needs health education and need for active social propaganda in print and electronic media regarding its importance. In future institution of a screening programme will hasten diagnosis and improve survival of breast cancer patients