A comparative study of serum lipid profile in preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy in third trimester and their fetomaternal outcome

Background: Preeclampsia is a common medical complication in pregnancy in developing countries. It is one of the most common causes that lead to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Incidence of preeclampsia in world is 3-5%.1 In India preeclampsia complicates 5-15% of pregnancies. As a result of these changes serial alteration in lipid profile, mainly increase in serum triglycerides, cholesterol occurs in pregnant women. Methods: After IEC clearance and taking informed written consent from the patients, present study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in PDZH, RNT Medical College, Udaipur from December 2020 to June 2022. Results: Study result based on 100 pregnant women with pre-eclampsia (BP >140/90 mm of Hg) as cases and 100 normotensive pregnant women (BP <140/90 mm of Hg) as controls. Cases had significantly higher total cholesterol (219.21±63.13 vs. 176.24±31.33, P<.0001), significantly higher triglycerides (mg/dL) (208.35±79.32 vs. 166.41±29.6, P<.0001), significantly higher LDL (mg/dL) (133.7±39.81 vs. 103.96±18.38, P<.0001), and significantly lower HDL (mg/dL) (43.29±7.09 vs. 50.18±8.15, P<.0001) in comparison to control. Conclusions: Women with pre-eclampsia had significantly higher serum Cholesterol, LDL, TG and significantly lower HDL in comparison to healthy pregnant women. There was a significant increase in the serum Cholesterol, LDL, TG in patients from mild to severe pre-eclampsia

Traditional agroforestry systems and practices of Assam

414-424Agroforestry is an age-old practice in Assam, the Northeastern state of India. But the documentation of such traditional practices is very meagre. Assam has six agro-ecological zones. This paper attempts to present the different types of traditional agroforestry systems practiced in North bank plains of agro-ecological zone of Assam. The documentation was done through direct observations. A questionnaire survey was done of 500 households in 250 villages distributed across four districts (Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Darrang) of Assam. Altogether 11 types of traditional agroforestry systems are recorded. Homegarden is the most common agroforestry system in all the four districts followed by aquaforestry and commercial crops trailed on support trees. The least common agroforestry system is Machilus-based agroforestry system and this system is not recorded from Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam. The choice of species and their planting pattern are influenced by their tradition, usage pattern and need of the agroforestry system’s owner. These traditional agroforestry systems are a part of their traditional knowledge which is intervened with their traditions and culture. It is a blend of time-tested knowledge of indigenous species, their compatibility and species planting pattern such that the yield is maximized. So, the documentation of these environment-friendly traditional practices is essential to advocate climate-smart and sustainable approach in agriculture

Effect of nutrition, harvesting date and fruit canopy position on yield and quality of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus nobilis x Citrus deliciosa)

Attractive peel colour and quality development in Kinnow (Citrus nobilis Lour x Citrus deliciosa Tenara) is a prime requisite for its fair market price. The objective of study was to find out the impact of canopy position, date of harvesting and nutrition on yield and quality of Kinnow mandarin. A field experiment was conducted in a four year old Kinnow orchard using factorial randomized block design with three replications. There were nine treatments comprised of various N, P, K levels and one control; two canopy positions (external and internal) and three harvesting dates (06.12.13, 26.12.13 and 16.01.14). Statistical analysis using SAS 9.3 software and Tukey's HSD test revealed the significance of various treatments, canopy positions and harvesting dates (P<0.01).The treatment comprising 400g+600g+240g (N+P2O5+K2O/plant) was found the best among other treatments with respect to yield (20.06 kg/tree) and other quality parameters (TSS, acidity, ascorbic acid and total carotenoids). Fruits which are present on external canopy of tree were superior in terms of quality (TSS, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids) as compared to fruits present on internal canopy of the tree.The Kinnow fruits harvested during the last week of December were found superior in terms of total carotenoids in juice and peel and ascorbic acid content. While the fruits harvested in second week of January were found superior in terms of TSS and acidity. Application of 400g, 600g and 240g of NPK respectively was found beneficial for quality fruit production of Kinnow. Quality of Kinnow fruits vary as per canopy position and date of harvesting, hence they should harvest at different times and also from different canopy positions according to purpose

Ubiquitin conjugation of open reading frame F DNA vaccine leads to enhanced cell-mediated immune response and induces protection against both antimony-susceptible and -resistant strains of Leishmania donovani

Resistance of Leishmania donovani to sodium antimony gluconate has become a critical issue in the current, prolonged epidemic in India. Hence, there is an urgent need for a vaccine that is protective against both antimony-susceptible and -resistant strains of L. donovani. The multigene LD1 locus located on chromosome 35 of Leishmania is amplified in ~15% of the isolates examined. The open reading frame F (ORFF), a potential vaccine candidate against visceral leishmaniasis, is part of the multigene LD1 locus. ORFF was expressed as a chimeric conjugate of ubiquitin to elicit an Ag-specific cell-mediated immune response. Analysis of the cellular immune responses of ubiquitin-conjugated ORFF (UBQ-ORFF) DNA-immunized, uninfected BALB/c mice demonstrated that the vaccine induced enhanced IFN-&#947; -producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with nonubiquitinated ORFF DNA vaccine. Higher levels of IL-12 and IFN-&#947; and the low levels of IL-4 and IL-10 further indicated that the immune responses with UBQ-ORFF were mediated toward the Th1 rather than Th2 type. Infection of immunized mice with either the antimony-susceptible (AG83) or -resistant (GE1F8R) L. donovani strain showed that UBQ-ORFF DNA vaccine induced higher protection when compared with ORFF DNA. UBQ-ORFF DNA-immunized and -infected mice showed a significant increase in IL-12 and IFN-&#947; and significant down-regulation of IL-10. High levels of production of nitrite and superoxide, two macrophage-derived oxidants that are critical in controlling Leishmania infection, were observed in protected mice. The feasibility of using ubiquitinated-conjugated ORFF DNA vaccine as a promising immune enhancer for vaccination against both antimony-susceptible and -resistant strains of L. donovani is reported

Study on magico-religious plants in Mising tribe of Assam, India

Plants are traditionally utilized in various magico-religious beliefs of the Mising tribe in Assam, India. The present study attempted to document the utilization of plants in magico-religious practices, their valuation and prioritization based on importance and conservation priority and to assess the plant knowledge based on age and gender. It was studied from December 2014 to December 2017 through questionnaire survey and informal interviews. The data were collected from 80 informants belonging to 15 villages of three selected districts of Assam, India i.e. Dhemaji, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur. Overall, 63 plant species belonging 56 genera and 31 families were used in magico-religious practices. Poaceae was the dominant family and leaves were the dominant among plant parts. Sacred and religious rites (SAR), taboo (TAB) and magical belief system (MAG) were three major use categories. Of these, SAR was the dominant use category with 47 spp. SAR use category had the highest Fic value with 0.977 followed by MAG and TAB. No significant difference in plant knowledge was observed among three age groups i.e., young (&lt;40 years), adults ( 40 to &lt; 60 years) and old ( 60 years). The women had significantly higher plant knowledge than men in two use categories (MAG and TAB) and also in over all categories. The valuation of magico-religious plants was done based on cultural importance index wherein Brassica juncea had the highest CI index i.e., 1.401 followed by Mangifera indica, Areca catechu etc. Areca catechu and Gossypium arboreum were ranked 1st in MIS and SCP respectively. The present study is not intended to endorse the utilization of the magico-religious plants in a manner reported above; however, the study may lead to further detailed scientific investigation of the species

Comparative Wood Anatomical Properties of Genus Syzygium (Family Myrtaceae) From Manipur, India

COMPARATIVE WOOD ANATOMY OF GENUS SYZYGIUM (FAMILY MYRTACEAE) FROM MANIPUR, INDIA. Syzygium belongs to family Myrtaceae and comprises of mostly trees and a few shrubs. The main objectives were to study anatomical and physical characteristics of five Syzygium species namely Syzygium cumini, Syzygium fruticosum, Syzygium jambos, Syzygium nervosum and Syzygium praecox and to see intra and inter species variation among them. The wood samples were taken at breast-height from straight bole and uniform crowned trees. The present study showed that all the selected species shared common features like simple perforation plate, vestured inter-vessel pits, vessel-ray pits, disjunctive ray parenchyma cells, diffuse, diffuse-in-aggregate, vasicentric, aliform and confluent types of axial parenchyma Diffuse porous and indistinct fruticosum were observed. The vessels were mostly barrel shaped with small or long tails at one or both ends in all species except tube shaped in S. jambos and drum shaped in S. fruticosum. Spiral thickenings were present in the tails of S. nervosum and S. fruticosum. Fibres were thin walled and non-septate. Occasional septate fibres and vasicentric tracheids were present in S. nervosum and S. jambos. Crystals in ray of S. nervosum and S. fruticosum and silica bodies in axial parenchyma of S. jambos were observed. The fibre percentage and wood density were maximum in S. jambos whereas moisture content was minimum in S. jambos. Principal Component Analysis revealed a close relationship among all species. Therefore, the qualitative characteristics and all quantitative anatomical characteristics can be used for reliable identification of Syzygium species

Traditional agroforestry systems and practices of Assam

Agroforestry is an age-old practice in Assam, the Northeastern state of India. But the documentation of such traditional practices is very meagre. Assam has six agro-ecological zones. This paper attempts to present the different types of traditional agroforestry systems practiced in North bank plains of agro-ecological zone of Assam. The documentation was done through direct observations. A questionnaire survey was done of 500 households in 250 villages distributed across four districts (Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur and Darrang) of Assam. Altogether 11 types of traditional agroforestry systems are recorded. Homegarden is the most common agroforestry system in all the four districts followed by aquaforestry and commercial crops trailed on support trees. The least common agroforestry system is Machilus-based agroforestry system and this system is not recorded from Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam. The choice of species and their planting pattern are influenced by their tradition, usage pattern and need of the agroforestry system’s owner. These traditional agroforestry systems are a part of their traditional knowledge which is intervened with their traditions and culture. It is a blend of time-tested knowledge of indigenous species, their compatibility and species planting pattern such that the yield is maximized. So, the documentation of these environment-friendly traditional practices is essential to advocate climate-smart and sustainable approach in agriculture

Unusual domain architecture of aminoacyl tRNA synthetases and their paralogs from <it>Leishmania major</it>

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Leishmania major</it>, a protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Due to the development of resistance against the currently available anti-leishmanial drugs, there is a growing need for specific inhibitors and novel drug targets. In this regards, aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, the linchpins of protein synthesis, have received recent attention among the kinetoplastid research community. This is the first comprehensive survey of the aminoacyl tRNA synthetases, their paralogs and other associated proteins from <it>L. major</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 26 aminoacyl tRNA synthetases were identified using various computational and bioinformatics tools. Phylogenetic analysis and domain architectures of the <it>L. major</it> aminoacyl tRNA synthetases suggest a probable archaeal/eukaryotic origin. Presence of additional domains or N- or C-terminal extensions in 11 aminoacyl tRNA synthetases from <it>L. major</it> suggests possibilities such as additional tRNA binding or oligomerization or editing activity. Five freestanding editing domains were identified in <it>L. major</it>. Domain assignment revealed a novel asparagine tRNA synthetase paralog, asparagine synthetase A which has been so far reported from prokaryotes and archaea.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis revealed 26 aminoacyl tRNA synthetases and five freestanding editing domains in <it>L. major</it>. Identification of two EMAP (endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide) II-like proteins similar to human EMAP II-like proteins suggests their participation in multisynthetase complex formation. While the phylogeny of tRNA synthetases suggests a probable archaeal/eukaryotic origin, phylogeny of asparagine synthetase A strongly suggests a bacterial origin. The unique features identified in this work provide rationale for designing inhibitors against parasite aminoacyl tRNA synthetases and their paralogs.</p

Microbiome and Its Dysbiosis in Inborn Errors of Immunity

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) can present with infections, autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, granulomas, and malignancy. IEIs are due to genetic abnormalities that disrupt normal host-immune response or immune regulation. The microbiome appears essential for maintaining host immunity, especially in patients with a defective immune system. Altered gut microbiota in patients with IEI can lead to clinical symptoms. Microbial dysbiosis is the consequence of an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria or a reduction in anti-inflammatory bacteria. However, functional and compositional differences in microbiota are also involved. Dysbiosis and a reduced alpha-diversity are well documented, particularly in conditions like common variable immunodeficiency. Deranged microbiota is also seen in Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome, severe combined immunodeficiency, chronic granulomatous disease, selective immunoglobulin-A deficiency, Hyper IgE syndrome (HIGES), X-linked lymphoproliferative disease-2, immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, x-linked syndrome, and defects of IL10 signalling. Distinct gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cutaneous symptoms linked to dysbiosis are seen in several IEIs, emphasizing the importance of microbiome identification. In this study, we discuss the processes that maintain immunological homeostasis between commensals and the host and the disruptions thereof in patients with IEIs. As the connection between microbiota, host immunity, and infectious illnesses is better understood, microbiota manipulation as a treatment strategy or infection prevention method would be more readily employed. Therefore, optimal prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbial transplantation can be promising strategies to restore the microbiota and decrease disease pathology in patients with IEIs

Anatomical and Physical Characteristics of Cephalostachyum Mannii (Gamble) Stapleton – an Endemic Scrambling Bamboo of Northeast India

Cephalostachyum mannii is a tall, graceful scandent bamboo with solid culms. It is distributed in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland states of Northeast India. The present study was carried out to investigate radial and vertical variations in anatomical and physical properties in the culms of this bamboo species. The mature culms (3-4 years old) were selected from forests of Amkassar Amlarem village, West Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India. The selected internodes of culms were radially divided into outer, middle and inner zones, and vertically bottom, middle and top positions. The vascular bundles were of Type II and well developed in middle zones of both bottom and middle positions. The number and size of vascular bundles increased from inner to outer zone and decreased from bottom to top. Vessel length and vessel diameter decreased both radially and vertically. Among fibre characteristics, fibre wall thickness increased, while fibre length, fibre diameter, and fibre lumen diameter decreased significantly in both radial and vertical directions. Among physical properties, density increased, and moisture content decreased in both radial and vertical directions. Radial shrinkage was higher than tangential shrinkage. Both radial and tangential shrinkage decreased significantly from bottom to top. The fibres were long, thick-walled and highly rigid, and the derived indices do not satisfy the requirement as a superior fibrous raw material for pulp and paper making. However, this bamboo species has the potential for making good quality handicrafts and basketry