Characterization of cytosolic phosphoglucoisomerase from immature wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm

Phosphoglucoisomerase from cytosol of immature wheat endosperm was purified 650-fold by ammonium sulphate fractionation, isopropyl alcohol precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and gel filtration through Sepharose CL-6B. The enzyme, with a molecular weight of about 130,000, exhibited maximum activity at pH 8.1. It showed typical hyperbolic kinetics with both fructose 6-P and glucose 6-P with Km of 0.18 mM and 0.44mM respectively. On either side of the optimum pH, the enzyme had lower affinity for the substrates. Using glucose 6-P as the substrate, the equilibrium was reached at 27% fructose 6-P and 73% glucose 6-P with an equilibrium constant of 2.7. The ΔF' calculated from the apparent equilibrium constant was +597 cal mol-1. The activation energy calculated from the Arrhenius plot was 5500 cal mol-1. The enzyme was completely inhibited by ribose 5-P, ribulose 5-P and 6-phosphogluconate, with Ki values of 0.17, 0.25 and 0.14 mM respectively. The probable role of the enzyme in starch biosynthesis is discussed

To study the outcome of previous one cesarean pregnancies in a rural tertiary center of Haryana, India

Background: Rising rates of caesarean section is a matter of great concern and TOLAC is an attractive alternative. Analysing outcome of previous one caesarean pregnancies will provide an insight for reducing the caesarean rates and formulating protocols and policies for TOLAC.Methods: A retrospective study of patients of previous one caesarean pregnancy was done from February 2015 to January 2016 and 3 groups were made, ERCS group, failed TOLAC group and successful TOLAC group. The rates of elective repeat caesarean, failed TOLAC, successful TOLAC, maternal complications, neonatal morbidity and mortality in all three groups were studied.Results: There were 5177 total deliveries with 488 (9.43%) previous one caesarean pregnancies. Out of 488 patients 161 (33%) underwent elective repeat caesarean and 327 (67%) underwent trial of labour. Out of 327 patients 234 (71.56%) had a successful TOLAC and 93 (28.44%) had failed TOLAC. Breech (23%) followed by foetal distress (20%) were the most common indications of previous caesarean. Commonest indication of elective repeat caesarean was short interval (33%) and that of failed TOLAC was foetal distress (38.7%) followed by failed induction (23.6%). There were 4 morbidly adherent placentas (0.82%), 1 scar rupture, 3 scar dehiscence, no maternal mortality and 10 neonatal deaths.Conclusions: Previous one caesarean section is not only a risk factor for repeat caesareans and complications like morbidly adherent placenta, uterine rupture but also a financial burden on health facilities. Encouraging the patients for trial of labour and emphasizing the usage of contraception is the need of the hour

New species of the parasites of the Rhodes - grass scale from the Indian union

This article does not have an abstract

Combining ability analysis in near homozygous lines of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] for yield and yield attributing parameters

Line × tester analysis was carried out with the objective of identifying the good combiners and to decide the breeding strategies for developing potential and productive genotypes or cultivars. Parents and hybrids differed significantly for GCA and SCA effects for all the characters respectively. Specific combining ability (SCA) variance was higher than the general combining ability (GCA) variance which shows the predominance of non-additive gene action for the improvement of all the characters studied. The parents and crosses having highest and significant GCA and SCA effects viz., KO-18 (13.69), KO-6 (9.54) and KO-2 × Parbhani Kranti (19.28) for plant height; KO-12 (0.34), KO-14 (0.19) and KO-5 × V5 (0.60) for number of branches per plant; KO-14 (-0.66) and KO-15 × Arka Anamika(-1.66) for days to first flowering; KO-1(1.10), Arka Anamika (0.46) and KO-9 × VRO-5 (3.28) for fruit length; KO-7 (7.91), VRO-5(1.68) and KO-18 × VRO-6 (8.64) for average fruit weight; KO-2 (1.18) and KO-17 × Arka Anamika (2.80) for number of fruits per plant; KO-9(0.05), VRO-6 (0.01) and KO-11 × VRO-6 (0.10) for total yield per plant were identified as good general and specific combiners. The results establish the worth of heterosis breeding for effective usage of non-additive genetic variance in okra

An “off-the shelf” Synthetic Membrane to Simplify Regeneration of Damaged Corneas

yesOur overall aim is to develop a synthetic off-the-shelf alternative to human amniotic membrane which is currently used for delivering cultured limbal stem cells to the cornea in patients who suffer scarring of the cornea because of the loss of limbal stem cells. We have recently reported that both cultured cells and limbal explants grow well on electrospun Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) (44 kg/mol) with a 50:50 ratio of lactide and glycolide and sterilized with γ-irradiation. Prior to undertaking a clinical study our immediate aim now is to achieve long term storage of the membranes in convenient to use packaging. Membranes were electrospun from Poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (44 kg/mol) with a 50:50 ratio of lactide and glycolide and sterilized with γ-irradiation and then stored dry (with desiccant) for several months at -80°C and -20°C , Room temperature (UK and India), 37°C and 50°C. We explored the contribution of vacuum sealing and the use of a medical grade bag (PET/Foil/LDPE) to achieve a longer shelf life. Confirmation of membranes being suitable for clinical use was obtained by culturing tissue explants on membranes post storage. When scaffolds were stored dry the rate of breakdown was both temperature and time dependent. At -20°C and -80°C there was no change in fiber diameter over 18 months of storage, and membranes were stable for 12 months at 4°C while at 50°C (above the transition temperature for PLGA) scaffolds lost integrity after several weeks. The use of vacuum packaging and a medical grade bag both improved the storage shelf-life of the scaffolds. The impact of temperature on storage is summarized beneath. We report that this synthetic membrane can be used as an off-the-shelf or-out-of-the freezer alternative to the amniotic membrane for corneal regeneration

Fecal microbiota transplant rescues mice from human pathogen mediated sepsis by restoring systemic immunity.

Death due to sepsis remains a persistent threat to critically ill patients confined to the intensive care unit and is characterized by colonization with multi-drug-resistant healthcare-associated pathogens. Here we report that sepsis in mice caused by a defined four-member pathogen community isolated from a patient with lethal sepsis is associated with the systemic suppression of key elements of the host transcriptome required for pathogen clearance and decreased butyrate expression. More specifically, these pathogens directly suppress interferon regulatory factor 3. Fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) reverses the course of otherwise lethal sepsis by enhancing pathogen clearance via the restoration of host immunity in an interferon regulatory factor 3-dependent manner. This protective effect is linked to the expansion of butyrate-producing Bacteroidetes. Taken together these results suggest that fecal microbiota transplantation may be a treatment option in sepsis associated with immunosuppression

Metabolic Effects Of Duodenojejunal Bypass Surgery In A Rat Model Of Type 1 Diabetes

Background Metabolic surgery has beneficial metabolic effects, including remission of type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that duodenojejunal bypass (DJB) surgery can protect against development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) by enhancing regulation of cellular and molecular pathways that control glucose homeostasis. Methods BBDP/Wor rats, which are prone to develop spontaneous autoimmune T1D, underwent loop DJB (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) surgery at a median age of 41 days, before development of diabetes. At T1D diagnosis, a subcutaneous insulin pellet was implanted, oral glucose tolerance test was performed 21 days later, and tissues were collected 25 days after onset of T1D. Pancreas and liver tissues were assessed by histology and RT-qPCR. Fecal microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S V4 sequencing. Results Postoperatively, DJB rats weighed less than sham rats (287.8 vs 329.9 g,P = 0.04). In both groups, 14 of 15 rats developed T1D, at similar age of onset (87 days in DJB vs 81 days in sham,P = 0.17). There was no difference in oral glucose tolerance, fasting and stimulated plasma insulin and c-peptide levels, and immunohistochemical analysis of insulin-positive cells in the pancreas. DJB rats needed 1.3 +/- 0.4 insulin implants vs 1.9 +/- 0.5 in sham rats (P = 0.002). Fasting and glucose stimulated glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion was elevated after DJB surgery. DJB rats had reduced markers of metabolic stress in liver. After DJB, the fecal microbiome changed significantly, including increases inAkkermansiaandRuminococcus, while the changes were minimal in sham rats. Conclusion DJB does not protect against autoimmune T1D in BBDP/Wor rats, but reduces the need for exogenous insulin and facilitates other metabolic benefits including weight loss, increased GLP-1 secretion, reduced hepatic stress, and altered gut microbiome