Infectious diseases and immunity: special reference to major histocompatibility complex.

Human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are an inherent system of alloantigens, which are the products of genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). These genes span a region of approximately 4 centimorgans on the short arm of human chromosome 6 at band p 21.3 and encode the HLA class I and class II antigens, which play a central role in cell-to-cell interaction in the immune system. These antigens interact with the antigen-specific cell surface receptors of T lymphocytes (TCR) thus causing activation of the lymphocytes and the resulting immune response. Class I antigens restrict cytotoxic T-cell (CD8+) function thus killing viral infected targets, while class II antigens are involved in presentation of exogenous antigens to T-helper cells (CD4+) by antigen presenting cells (APC). The APC processes the antigens, and the immunogenic peptide is then presented at the cell surface along with the MHC molecule for recognition by the TCR. Since the MHC molecules play a central role in regulating the immune response, they may have an important role in controlling resistance and susceptibility to diseases. In this review we have highlighted studies conducted to look for an association between HLA and infectious diseases; such studies have had a variable degree of success because the pathogenesis of different diseases varies widely, and most diseases have a polygenic etiology

Optical, Thermal and Topological Characterization of Quaternary Se65Ge15Te20-aSba Chalcogenide Glasses

Se-Te based chalcogenide glasses have been found suitable for optical memory devices due to their distinct amorphous-to-crystalline transformation. In the present work alloys of Se65Ge15Te20-aSba (a = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18) glasses have been synthesized using melt quench technique. Author report investigations leading to optical, thermal and topological properties of these glasses by varying the concentrations of Te and Sb. Glass transition and crystallization kinetics of alloys have been investigated using differential thermal analysis at different heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 Kmin-1). The results so obtained verify the usefulness of above composition

Agro-morphological and quality characterization of indigenous and exotic aromatic rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm

For establishment of the distinctness among 64 aromatic rice germplasm, 35 agro-morphological and quality traits were used. Most of the studied traits showed wide variation among the germplasm. Purple colour of auricles and ligule was found in only one genotype, while light purple colour of auricles was recorded in four genotypes. White colour of stigma was recorded in 57 accessions, whereas purple stigma was observed in six accessions. Awns present in 31 accessions. The weight of 1000 grains, which is one of the most important yield attributing traits showed wide variation among accessions, and ranges from very low to very high weight. Grain: length and decorticated grain: length showed high variation and ranges from very short to long type, while grain: width and decorticated grain: width showed somewhat little variation among the genotypes. Extra long slender type grain shape was observed in 27 accessions. White type of decorticated grain colour was found in 55 genotypes, while light red and red colour was observed in only three genotypes. The present study concluded that all sixty four accessions were found to be distinct on the basis of thirty one agro-morphological and quality traits. Accessions having short stem length, very long panicle length, more number of panicle per plant, and extra long slender grain may be used as potential donor in hybridization programmes. This study will be useful for breeders, researchers and farmers toidentify and choose the restoration and conservation of beneficial genes for crop improvement

The BG News November 28, 2012

The BGSU campus student newspaper November 28, 2012. Volume 103 - Issue 43https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/bg-news/9579/thumbnail.jp

Reliability Analysis of The Estimated Parameters in Groundwater Systems

Source: ICHE Conference Archive - https://mdi-de.baw.de/icheArchiv

Histological subclassification of cirrhosis based on histological-haemodynamic correlation

Background: Determining a relationship between specific histological parameters in cirrhosis and hepatic venous pressure gradient can be used to subclassify cirrhosis. Aim: To determine the relationship between hepatic venous pressure gradient and specific histological parameters in cirrhosis. Methods: Forty-seven patients (mean age: 46.2 ± 13.6 years; 36 male) with biopsy-proven cirrhosis and hepatic venous pressure gradient measurements within 1 month of biopsy were studied. The following histological parameters were scored semiquantitatively: nodule size, loss of portal tracts and central veins, portal inflammation, periportal inflammation, bile duct proliferation, lobular inflammation, ballooning, fatty change, cholestasis and septal thickness. Results: On multiple ordinal regression analysis, small nodule size (odds ratio: 21.0; 95% confidence interval: 2.1-208.2, P = 0.009) and thick septa (OR: 42.6; CI: 2.3-783.7, P = 0.011) were significantly associated with the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension. A score was assigned to each of the two parameters (nodule size: large = 1, medium = 2, small = 3 and septal thickness: thin = 1, medium = 2, thick = 3). Two subcategories were devised based on the composite score: category A (n = 12): score 1-3 and category B (n = 35): score 4-6. On ordinal regression, subcategory B (OR: 15.5; CI: 3.3-74.2, P = 0.001) was significantly associated with clinically significant portal hypertension. Conclusion: Small nodularity and thick septa are independent predictors of the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension