Identification of a novel nucleolin related protein (NRP) gene expressed during rat spermatogenesis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nucleolin is a major nucleolar phosphoprotein involved in various steps of ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotic cells. As nucleolin plays a significant role in ribosomal RNA transcription we were interested in examining in detail the expression of nucleolin across different stages of spermatogenesis and correlate with the transcription status of ribosomal DNA in germ cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>By RT PCR and western blot analysis we found that nucleolin is strongly down regulated in meiotic spermatocytes and haploid germ cells. We have identified a new nucleolin related protein (NRP) gene in the rat genome, which is over expressed in the testis and is up regulated several fold in meiotic spermatocytes and haploid germ cells. The NRP protein lacks the acidic stretches in its N terminal domain, and it is encoded in rat chromosome 15 having a different genomic organization as compared to nucleolin gene present on chromosome 9. We have also found NRP genes encoded in genomes of other mammalian species. We performed run-on transcription assay where we have observed that rDNA is transcribed at much lower level in meiotic spermatocytes and haploid spermatids as compared to diploid cells. By siRNA knock down experiments we could also demonstrate that NRP can support rDNA transcription in the absence of nucleolin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have identified a new nucleolin variant over expressed in germ cells in rat and analyzed its domain structure. We attribute that the transcriptional activity of rDNA genes in the late spermatogenesis is due to the presence of this variant NRP. The expression of this variant in the germ cells in the absence of nucleolin, could have additional functions in the mammalian spermatogenesis which needs to be investigated further.</p

Efficacy of chewable brush compared to manual brush in school going children of age group 10 to 12 years

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of chewable brush compared to manual brush on plaque removal and on salivary pH in school going children of age group 10 to 12 years. METHOD: A total of 150 school going children aged 10-12 years were enrolled in the study. Prior to the experiment children received professional prophylaxis and requested to refrain from brushing for 24 hours. Baseline salivary pH changes were assessed with the help of pH strips and supra gingival plaque scores were examined using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Data was analysed for the plaque reduction (pre brushing Vs post brushing) and alteration in the salivary pH. RESULTS: Both the chewable and manual tooth brushes showed a significant reduction from 1.4178±0.58 to 0.7050±0.45 (chewable brush) and 1.3934±0.54 to 0.7682±0.39 (manual brush) in plaque scores after brushing (P= <0.001). Chewable brush (50.28 %) was more effective in reducing the plaque score when compared with the manual brush (44.86%) (p= 0.008). Tooth brushing with both the chewable brush and manual brush showed a significant rise in salivary pH from baseline pH score to post brushing pH score from 6.997±0.595 to 11.083±1.434 (chewable brush ) 7.030±0.414 to 9.760±0.891(manual brush group) P<0.001. Chewable brush was more effective in increasing the salivary pH than the manual brush (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The experimental chewable brush was found to be relatively as effective as a manual brush in removing plaque and increasing the salivary pH. The chewable brush may be an appropriate oral hygiene aid for school children after a mid-day meal, including children with disabilities

Age estimation using pulp/tooth ratio single rooted premolars with digital intraoral periapical radiograph and longitudinal hemisection of tooth: A Comparative study in dravidian population

BACKGROUND: Age determination of a subject is one of the most important aspects of medico-legal cases and anthropological research. Age verification is required to obtain identification papers in order to be entitled to civil rights and /or social benefits in modern society. From the forensic point of view, the tooth may be the only undamaged human tissue remaining in mass deaths like those killed in a fire or explosion or even in individual homicides. Teeth consist of enamel as the outermost covering of tooth crown and dentin underneath, both of which are hard tissues resistant to decomposition, followed by pulp as the innermost soft tissue core. Likewise cementum is the outermost covering for the surface of root which is also resistant to decomposition. AIM OF THE STUDY To estimate and compare the age using digital intraoral periapical radiographs and longitudinal hemi section of tooth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens for the study were collected from extracted teeth in Department of Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Vivekananda Dental College for Women, Tiruchengode. The total sample of 120 mandibular premolars was collected and were divided into 5 groups. Two methods namely radiographic and hemisectioning, were used to estimate age using two parameter namely Pulp/Tooth area ratio and Pulp/Tooth width ratio at Cementoenamel Junction. With the age range of 20-70 years are included in the study. RESULTS: The reliability of the radiological and hemisectioning in estimating the age was performed using cohen’s kappa statistics. The value obtained by radiological method was 0.928 and by hemisectioning method was 0.928 and thus the reliability of both the methods are almost similar from the obtained values. CONCLUSION: The forensic judiciary has strict requirements for exact age estimation. Since there are only limited methods available for adult age estimation using extracted teeth, a combination of various methods are required for accurate age estimation. Increasing the number of parameters which would involve clinical parameter like attrition, radiological parameter like secondary dentin deposition and histological parameters like cementum annulations, dentin transluceny along with contribution of additional number of teeth can be a beneficiary aid in standardizing the precision of age estimation procedure in near future

Case report on hydatid cyst of the liver progressed to the lungs

Hydatid liver disease is commonly found in sheep farming areas. Hydatid cysts are confined to the liver and lungs in common. Many reports on hydatid cysts of liver and lungs were reported individually. Here, we report a case of hydatid cyst of the liver leading to the development of cysts in the lungs. The patient had previously underwent surgery for the removal of hydatid cysts in the liver but chemotherapy with albendazole was neither initiated immediately nor continued for 3 to 6 weeks after initiation. Later she presented with shortness of breath and cough along with fever and chills, for which she was diagnosed to have pleural effusion confirmed with pleural fluid analysis showing increase in ADA (Adenosine deaminase) and protein levels and USG (Ultrasonography) demonstrating loculations. Inspite of specific therapy, pleural effusion was not relieved and she was advised for CT chest which revealed multiple cysts in the lung. Suspecting for the liver cysts, USG abdomen was advised and it confirmed the presence of hydatid cysts in the liver. This helped to draw a conclusion that failure of earlier surgical intervention i.e excision of hydatid cyst of the liver lead to the development of cyst in the lungs that presented as pleural effusion. This case highlights the importance of chemotherapy along with surgical intervention before and after the surgery

Fe Substituted SrTiO3 as Visible Light Active Photosensitive Material for Solar-Hydrogen Generation

Perovskite SrTiO3 and Fe Substituted SrTiO3 were prepared by solid-state reaction route as visible light active photosensitive materials for solar-hydrogen generation applications. Powder X-ray diffraction pattern confirms the formation of crystalline perovskite SrTiO3 phase at sintering temperature of 1273 K. The pattern of Fe substituted SrTiO3 exhibits number of peaks with splits and less crystalline indicating a lower symmetry structure upon substation at Sr and Ti sites. Crystallinity and crystallite size also finds decrease with increased Fe substitution. The band gap of SrTiO3 obtained by DR UV-Vis absorbance analysis at various sintering temperature approaches the theoretical value 3.06 eV. However, on Fe substitution the band gap is reduced to ~ 2.0-2.5 eV suggesting the materials can extend its absorption to the visible range also. FT-IR spectra confirmed that the Fe substituted SrTiO3 is similar to that of pure phase with bands corresponding to the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Since the substituted materials show reduced band gap, these materials can be utilized for photosensitive solar-hydrogen generation

Cross sectional study on different doses of acenocoumarol with INR in a tertiary care hospital

Background: It is of high value to be assess the relationship between doses of Acenocoumarol and the INR values to offer better patient care. Since Acenocoumarol is a commonly used drug with a narrow therapeutic range it is essential to monitor the variations encountered in response to it to avoid drastic complications and to provide better health care. Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the INR values with different doses of Acenocoumarol, to compare the association of dose of Acenocoumarol with their respective INR and to find out the occurrence of bleeding with different doses of Acenocoumarol.Methods: The study was conducted in a Tertiary care hospital. 40 patients taking Acenocoumarol were recruited in the study. Relevant details like age, weight, dose of Acenocoumarol, INR and other concomitant drugs were obtained in a prospective manner. Correlation of dose of Acenocoumarol with respective INR was done by simple linear regression.Results: The relationship between dose and INR was analyzed using Simple linear regression and the scatter plot revealed no significant correlation between the dose and INR values. There is a lot of inter-individual variability in the dose response and thereafter the INR values.Conclusions: The dose of Acenocoumarol cannot predict INR values. Patient can ideally be started treatment on a low dose of Acenocoumarol and based on the INR values, dose can be titrated. There is a need for consideration of other factors which influence the dose and INR values.

Chromatin architecture reorganisation during neuronal cell differentiation in Drosophila genome

The organization of the genome into topologically associating domains (TADs) was shown to have a regulatory role in development and cellular functioning, but the mechanism involved in TAD establishment is still unclear. Here, we presented the first high-resolution contact map of Drosophila neuronal cells (BG3) and identified different classes of TADs by comparing this to genome organization in embryonic cells (Kc167). We find that only some TADs are conserved in both cell lines, whereas the rest are cell-specific TADs. This is supported by a change in the enrichment of architectural proteins at TAD borders, with BEAF-32 present in embryonic cells and CTCF in neuronal cells. Furthermore, we observed strong divergent transcription, together with RNA Polymerase II occupancy, and an increase in DNA accessibility at the TAD borders. TAD borders that are specific to neuronal cells are enriched in enhancers controlled by neuronal-specific transcription factors. Our results suggest that TADs are dynamic across developmental stages and reflect the interplay between insulators, transcriptional states and enhancer activities

Study on awareness and perception towards adverse drug reactions among medical and paramedical students in South India

Background: Pharmacovigilance (PV) programme targets the monitoring of safety of drugs. It aims at promoting patient care and improving public health and also helps to assess the risk-benefit profile of medicines. The aim of the study was to assess public knowledge about medicine information, safety, and adverse drug reaction reporting (ADR) in medical and paramedical student community.Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted among medical and paramedical students for the period of six months from November 2021 to April 2022. The questionnaire was adopted from the literature and was validated. Content and face validities were established, and reliability was assessed. In this study a total of 364 participants returned completed questionnaires.Results: In this study, 364 students completely filled the questionnaire and out of 364 participants, 155 were males (42.58%) and 209 (57.41%) were females. Fourth year students 131 (35.98%) are highly participated in this study and indicated that final year B Pharmacy students having the perceptive knowledge towards ADR. Majority of medical and paramedical students known well about the ADRs.Conclusions: The results of this study highlighted that although the scores for knowledge of medicines, and tendency to report ADR were better, the score for knowledge regarding medication safety was unsatisfactory. There is a need for a regular training and the re-enforcement for the ADR reporting among the health care personnel both medical and paramedical students.