Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, Kerala: A Case Study

The Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala, houses the treasures of ancient knowledge in India. It has come in to existence out of royal interest. The kings of Travancore, as a rule, were valorous as well as lovers of art and literature. Srimulam Thirunal was mainly responsible for the spread of Oriental literature throughout the world. It was he who instituted the department for the publication of manuscripts which in due course grew into the present institution. It is located at Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Its origin goes back to the illustrious Maharaja of Travancore, Swati Tirunal (1829-1846). The institute carries out researches on Indian language manuscripts, major part of which are in Sanskrit. Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library has over 65,000 works mostly of palm leaf manuscripts. Currently the Oriental Institute and Manuscript Library is headed by Dr. R. B. Sreekala, Professor and Head of the Department, Oriental Research Institute and Manuscripts Library, University of Kerala. The paper highlights the techniques used for the conservation and preservation of the rare manuscript collection in Oriental Research & Manuscript Library, Thiruvananthapuram. It further investigates the hardware and software available for digitizing the invaluable collection of manuscripts for the future generation

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with one-step nucleic acid assay relegates the need for preoperative ultrasound-guided biopsy staging of the axilla in patients with early stage breast cancer

Avoiding axillary node clearance in patients with early stage breast cancer and low‑burden node‑positive axillary disease is an emerging practice. Informing the decision to adopt axillary conservation is examined by comparing routine preoperative axillary staging using ultrasound (AUS) ± AUS biopsy (AUSB) with intraoperative staging using sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and a one‑step nucleic acid cytokeratin‑19 amplification assay (OSNA). A single‑centre, retrospective cohort study of 1,315 consecutive new diagnoses of breast cancer in 1,306 patients was undertaken in the present study. An AUS ± AUSB was performed on all patients as part of their initial assessment. Patients who had a normal ultrasound (AUS‑) or negative biopsy (AUSB‑) followed by SLNB with OSNA ± axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and those with a positive AUSB (AUSB+), were assessed. Tests for association were determined using a χ2 and Fisher's Exact test. A total of 266 (20.4%) patients with cT1‑3 cN0 staging received 271 AUSBs. Of these, 205 biopsies were positive and 66 were negative. The 684 patients with an AUS‑/AUSB‑assessment proceeded to SLNB with OSNA. AUS sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were 0.53 [0.44‑0.62; 95% confidence interval (CI)] and 0.58 (0.53‑0.64, 95% CI), respectively. Using a total tumour load cut‑off of 15,000 copies/µl to predict ≥2 macro‑metastases, the sensitivity and NPV for OSNA were 0.82 (0.71‑0.92, 95% CI) and 0.98 (0.97‑0.99, 95% CI) (OSNA vs. AUS P<0.0001). Of the AUSB+ patients, 51% had ≤2 positive nodes following ALND and were potentially over‑treated. Where available, SLNB with OSNA should replace AUSB for axillary assessment in cT1‑2 cN0 patients with ≤2 indeterminate nodes seen on AUS

Enhanced production of lupeol through elicitation in in vitro shoot cultures of snake grass (Clinacanthus nutans)

Clinacanthus nutans (Acanthaceae), generally known as ‘snake grass’, has diverse uses in customary system of herbal medicine. The species is endowed with various bioactive compounds exhibiting extensive pharmacological properties. The present investigation focused on elicitor-intervened in vitro shoot biomass cultivation and scale-up production of the anti-cancerous compound ‘lupeol’, one of the foremost constituents in this species. For the augmented production of lupeol, the shoot cultures were elicited with various concentrations of yeast extract (YE), chitosan and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Maximum shoot biomass yield and production of lupeol was detected in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 BA and 400 mgl-1 YE. The petroleum ether extracts of selected samples upon TLC analysis proved Rf values corresponding to lupeol. HPTLC analysis revealed that the sample treated with YE displayed relatively higher amount (975.50 ng) of lupeol than the in vivo plant (713.69 ng). Hence the in vitro shoot culture system with elicitor (YE) treatment propose an appropriate method for the elevated synthesis of lupeol which can be scaled up via bio-reactor technology in doing so profiting the pharmaceutical appliances

Identification of RNF213 as a Susceptibility Gene for Moyamoya Disease and Its Possible Role in Vascular Development

もやもや病感受性遺伝子の特定とその機能についての発見. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2011-7-21.Background Moyamoya disease is an idiopathic vascular disorder of intracranial arteries. Its susceptibility locus has been mapped to 17q25.3 in Japanese families, but the susceptibility gene is unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings Genome-wide linkage analysis in eight three-generation families with moyamoya disease revealed linkage to 17q25.3 (P<10-4). Fine mapping demonstrated a 1.5-Mb disease locus bounded by D17S1806 and rs2280147. We conducted exome analysis of the eight index cases in these families, with results filtered through Ng criteria. There was a variant of p.N321S in PCMTD1 and p.R4810K in RNF213 in the 1.5-Mb locus of the eight index cases. The p.N321S variant in PCMTD1 could not be confirmed by the Sanger method. Sequencing RNF213 in 42 index cases confirmed p.R4810K and revealed it to be the only unregistered variant. Genotyping 39 SNPs around RNF213 revealed a founder haplotype transmitted in 42 families. Sequencing the 260-kb region covering the founder haplotype in one index case did not show any coding variants except p.R4810K. A case-control study demonstrated strong association of p.R4810K with moyamoya disease in East Asian populations (251 cases and 707 controls) with an odds ratio of 111.8 (P = 10−119). Sequencing of RNF213 in East Asian cases revealed additional novel variants: p.D4863N, p.E4950D, p.A5021V, p.D5160E, and p.E5176G. Among Caucasian cases, variants p.N3962D, p.D4013N, p.R4062Q and p.P4608S were identified. RNF213 encodes a 591-kDa cytosolic protein that possesses two functional domains: a Walker motif and a RING finger domain. These exhibit ATPase and ubiquitin ligase activities. Although the mutant alleles (p.R4810K or p.D4013N in the RING domain) did not affect transcription levels or ubiquitination activity, knockdown of RNF213 in zebrafish caused irregular wall formation in trunk arteries and abnormal sprouting vessels. Conclusions/Significance We provide evidence suggesting, for the first time, the involvement of RNF213 in genetic susceptibility to moyamoya disease

Manuscripts: Preservation in the Digital Age

Library is the indispensable part of educational institution designed to serve educational, cultural, research, recreational information to the users. . Libraries are the places wherever the complete information gathering takes place together with intellectual and our cultural heritage. The collections possessed by the library are affected by numerous environmental factors that ultimately results in irreparable harm to numerous collections. The information embodied in manuscripts is effective however materials used for this purpose cause a true challenge. These manuscripts have proof of facts, their accomplishments, thoughts, work they need done, theories then on, that are essential for human development. These guide the younger generations for ages and should be saved for each coming generations. This article provides a short define of preservation strategies adopted to protect the manuscripts. Preventive measures should be applied with caution and value effective manner

Designing interfaces for healthcare workers: a case study of electronic partogram

by Bhaskar Bhatt, G. Kar, S. Shashank and S. Somaraja

Ataxic form of central pontine myelinolysis

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM), a neurologic disorder caused most frequently by rapid correction of hyponatremia, is characterized by demyelination that affects the central portion of the base of the pons. Central pontine myelinolysis occurs frequently in alcoholism and chronic liver disease. Clinical features usually reflect damage to the descending motor tracts and include spastic tetraparesis, pseudobulbar paralysis and the locked-in syndrome. Cerebellar ataxia with out weakness and pyramidal signs is extremely unusual. There are only very few reports of central pontine myelinolysis presenting as cerebellar ataxia

An interesting case of hemiplegia in a child

Hemiplegia in children occurs due to several causes. We report an interesting case who presented with prolonged fever, native valve endocarditis and infection triggered Macrophage activation syndrome. Macrophage activation syndrome (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis syndrome) is a rare, potentially fatal inflammatory response syndrome characterized by fever, pancytopenia, rash, falling ESR, increased ferritin, increased triglycerides and hypofibrinogenemia. Central nervous system involvement is frequent with, seizures, irritability, stiff neck, cranial nerve palsy, ataxia and coma

Repositioning Academic Libraries as a Hub of technology enhanced learning space: Innovations and Challenges

As the third millennium dawns, technology has profoundly changed at such a rapid pace that what is trending once may not continue the next hour and one need to keep up to date on any changes that reflect on their respective profession or within the scope of their duties. Skills change as technology advances which is necessary for job pre- paredness, productivity, research and digital reformation. Library staff needs to be tech savvy in order to answer the broadened technology questions including computers, databases, and new media for rendering best user service. Rather than seeing technology as a threat, it must be adopted as a supporting system for information services, social networking, RSS, weblogs etc. The concept of libraries as physical space is rapidly changing to web based servers in the digital era. Library innovations evolved from the needs and motivations from the past, present and the digital future. The new generation is born into technology surrounded by an infinite number of digital devices keeping high expectations on technology driven library services. This study explores how to make the defining technology of this century more accessible, appealing, and inviting a variety of users and learners to meet the technological demands