Intra-species sequence variability in 28s rRNA gene of Oesophagostomum venulosum isolated from goats of West Bengal, India

AbstractObjectiveTo identify genotypes of Oesophagostmum venulosum (O. venulosum) prevailing in West Bengal, India by comparing variation of nucleotide sequences among 28S rRNA.MethodsPCR amplification of partial segment of 28 S rRNA sequence and analysis of sequence amplified product by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP).ResultsTwo distinct conformers among male and female parasites were identified by PCR-SSCP analysis. Sequence analysis among conformers revealed the presence of five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in codon 64, 66, 86, 125 and 146. Secondary RNA prediction structure showed that out of 5 SNPs, 4 occurred at interior loop of RNA which confirmed evolutionary changes among isolates prevailing in this region.ConclusionsSNPs occured in different isolates of O. venulosum might influence critical changes in rRNA folding pattern which influence evolutionary changes among isolates

Experimental Research on Contests

Costly competitions between economic agents are modeled as contests. Researchers use laboratory experiments to study contests and test comparative static predictions of contest theory. Commonly, researchers find that participants’ efforts are significantly higher than predicted by the standard Nash equilibrium. Despite overbidding, most comparative static predictions, such as the incentive effect, the size effect, the discouragement effect and others are supported in the laboratory. In addition, experimental studies examine various contest structures, including dynamic contests (such as multi-stage races, wars of attrition, tug-of-wars), multi-dimensional contests (such as Colonel Blotto games), and contests between groups. This article provides a short review of such studies

CHURG–STRAUSS SYNDROME

Churg–Strauss syndrome (CSS) is a rare granulomatous necrotizing small vessel vasculitis characterized by the presence of asthma, sinusitis, and hypereosinophilia. The cause of this allergic angiitis and granulomatosis is unknown. Other common manifestations are pulmonary infiltrates, skin, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular involvement. No data have been reported regarding the role of immune complexes or cell mediated mechanisms in this disease, although autoimmunity is evident with the presence hypergammaglobulinemia, increased levels of IgE and Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (positive in 40%). We report the case of a 27-year-old lady presenting with painful swelling of predominantly lower limbs with extensive vesicles and ecchymotic patches and fever shortly after stopping systemic steroids taken for a prolonged duration (2002--2010). The aim of this case report is to point to the possibility of CSS in patients presenting with extensive skin lesions masquerading as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (SJS/TENS)

Reliability analysis of slopes in soils with strain-softening behaviour

This article presents a systematic approach for the reliability analysis of slopes in strain-softening soils based on the first order reliability method (FORM). The performance function is based on the Spencer method modified to take strain-softening into account in terms of the average residual factor RF over a potential slip surface estimated based on a simple progressive failure model available in the literature. The shear strength parameters, peak and residual, are assumed as normally distributed random variables and the reliability analysis is performed on the probabilistic critical slip surface. For the residual factor RF, bounded by 0 and 1, a generalized beta distribution has been assumed. Results obtained from an illustrative example indicate that a significant reduction (25%) occurs in the value of the minimum reliability index when RF is considered as a random variable compared to when RF is considered as a deterministic parameter. A FORM based sensitivity study also reveals that, amongst the five random variables, residual factor has the most dominating influence on the estimated reliability index and thus justifies its inclusion as one of the random variables

Prevalence of inhibitors in hemophilia patients and quantitative estimation of FVIII Inhibitors in hemophilia patients of Odisha

Objective:To know prevalence of factor VIII and IX inhibitors in Haemophilia patients and Quantitative estimation of factor VIII inhibitors in Haemophilia A patients using Bethesda Assay. Study Population: Hemophilia Patients receiving blood products and recombinant factor transfusion. Results: Total 54 cases were screened for factor deficiency and inhibitors. 42 old cases were screened and 12 new cases of Hemophilia A were screened for development of inhibitors.The mean age of patients in the study population was 14.38+8.12 years with age ranging from 9 months to 68 years. Prevalence of Hemophilia A was 92.6%, prevalence of Hemophilia B was 5.5%. There were 46% severe hemophilia A cases and 44% moderate hemophilia A cases and 10% mild hemophilia A cases. 40.74% cases had development of target joints with knee joint which was most commonly effected. Prevalence of inhibitors in Hemophilia A was 8%.It was 13% in severe hemophilia cases. 25% i.e. 1 patient was high responder with inhibitor level of 64 BU, other 3 inhibitor positive patients were low responders with inhibitor levels of 3BU, 3.2 BU and 4.4 BU. Conclusion: Severe hemophilia patients need frequent factor transfusions and are at higher risk of inhibitor development. Patients with low inhibitor levels i.e.<10BU need high dose of recombinant factor VIII. Patients with high inhibitor levels >10 BU may require Recombinant factor VII with or without immune tolerance therapy. So inhibitor screening and Bethesda assay is needed at least once in every six months for prompt treatment

Oncogenic HPV among HIV infected female population in West Bengal, India

Abstract Background Prevalence of both cervical cancer and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection are very high in India. Natural history of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection is known to be altered in HIV positive women and there is an increased possibility of persistence of HPV infections in this population. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the epidemiology and circulating genotypes of oncogenic HPV among HIV positive and negative female population in West Bengal, India. Methods In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, 93 known HIV positive females attending a pre-ART registration clinic and 1106 HIV negative females attending a Reproductive and Child Health Care Clinic were subjected to study. Cervical cell samples collected from the study population were tested for the presence of HPV 16, 18 using specific primers. Roche PCR assay was used to detect other specific HPV genotypes in the cervical cells specimens of HIV positive cases only. Results Prevalence of HPV 16, 18 among HIV positive females (32.2%; n = 30) was higher than HIV negative females (9.1%; n = 101). About 53% (23/43) of cases with oncogenic HPV were infected with genotypes other than 16, 18 either as single/multiple infections. HPV 18 and HPV 16 were the predominant genotypes among HIV positive and HIV negative subjects respectively. Oncogenic HPV was not found to be associated with age and duration of sexual exposure. But the presence of HIV was found to a statistically significant predictor oncogenic HPV. Conclusion The currently available HPV vaccines offer protection only against HPV 16 and 18 and some cross- protection to few associated genotypes. These vaccines are therefore less likely to offer protection against cervical cancer in HIV positive women a high percentage of who were infected with non-16 and non-18 oncogenic HPV genotypes. Additionally, there is a lack of sufficient evidence of immunogenicity in HIV infected individuals. Therefore, prevention of cervical cancer in HIV positive women must be focused towards early detection of oncogenic HPV & cervical cytological abnormality followed by an appropriate treatment.</p

Oncogenic human papilloma virus and cervical pre-cancerous lesions in brothel-based sex workers in India

Summary: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in brothel-based sex workers of West Bengal, Eastern India, to determine their oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) status and the presence of pre-cancerous lesions. A total of 229 sex workers from three districts of West Bengal participated in the study. All the study participants were interviewed with the aid of a pre-tested questionnaire to determine their sociodemographics, risk behaviour and risk perceptions after obtaining informed verbal consent. The interview was followed by collection of cervical cells from all participants using a disposable vaginal speculum and cervical cytobrush. Oncogenic HPV DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A simultaneous Papanicolaou test (‘Pap smear’) was performed to detect cervical cytological abnormalities. Overall, the prevalence of oncogenic HPV was found to be 25% (58/229) among the studied population. A subset (n = 112) of the sample was tested separately to determine the existence and magnitude of HPV genotypes 16 and 18. The results showed that genotype 16 was prevalent in 10% (11/112), genotype 18 in 7% (8/112) and both genotype 16 and 18 in 7% (8/112). The HPV prevalence rate showed a decreasing trend with age, being 71.4% in the 10–19 years age group, 32.3% in the 20–29 years age group, 18.3% in the 30–39 years age group and 2.5% in the ≥40 years age group (statistically significant differences, P ≤ 0.00001). Considering the duration of sex work, oncogenic HPV prevalence was found to be 55% (n = 21) and 19% (n = 35) in sex workers with a sex working duration of ≤1 year and >1 year, respectively. This difference was found to be statistically significant both by univariate and multivariate analysis. In this study, it was observed that sex workers with an average number of daily clients of six or more had an HPV prevalence of 67% (n = 6), those with four to five clients had a prevalence of 45% (n = 9), those with two to three clients had a prevalence of 30% (n = 34) and those with one or less clients had a prevalence of 10% (n = 9) (statistically significant differences, P = 0.00003). Multivariate analysis showed a statistical association only with a duration of sex work of ≤1 year [odds ratio (OR) = 3.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–7.6] and daily income of Rupees (Rp) ≥101 (OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.3–5). Regarding pre-cancerous lesions, 2 of 229 sex workers showed the presence of a low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion along with high-risk HPV. Thus, 1% of the studied population suffer from a pre-cancerous lesion caused by high-risk HPV. This study concludes that young sex workers are particularly vulnerable to high-risk HPV, similar to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The observation of older sex workers relatively free from HPV supports the view of acquired immunity against HPV, which needs to be studied in-depth further. There is a need for a suitable community-based intervention programme targeted towards sex workers, with special reference to younger sex workers, for control and prevention of HPV and cervical cancer. Vaccination against HPV for newly entrant sex workers may be an important component for a successful intervention programme. Keywords: Human papillomavirus, Oncogenic HPV, Sex workers, India, Risk factors, Cervicitis, Cervical pre-cancerous lesion, ST

Visible light sensitive photoliquefiable arylazoisoxazoles for the molecular solar thermal energy storage under solvent-free conditions at room temperature and lower temperatures

Solar energy can be transformed into heat energy using molecular solar thermal (MOST) energy storage materials, which can then store the heat energy and release it in response to an external stimulus like light or heat. Arylazoisoxazoles, unlike analogous arylazopyrazoles, fail to draw much attention as MOST materials due to poor photoisomerization yields in both directions and utilization of UV light for trans-cis isomerization. With the para-thioalkyl substitution in the phenyl ring, we have demonstrated that the photoswitching yields in both directions can be drastically improved under visible light irradiations. Additionally, the long thioalkyl chain permitted solid-liquid phase transition followed by very high trans-cis photoisomerization and liquid-solid transition associated with high cis-trans photoconversion at various temperatures (10-35oC). The solid liquefication enabled the storage of the latent heat along with the isomerization energy in the charged state. The compound with a C6 alkyl chain could store ̴ 196 J/g of thermal energy for nearly three weeks at 10 oC and three months at 0 oC; the liquidity of the charged state can be retained at lower temperature down to -15 oC. We further showed that the reverse cis-trans isomerization-related heat release triggered by green light can be monitored by directly recording the sample surface temperature with a high-resolution IR camera. Our results demonstrate that arylazoisoxazoles have the potential to serve as MOST materials