Tumors and tumor-like lesions of the heart valves

Valvular tumors and tumor-like lesions may have similar morphological and clinical characteristics, and may place the patients at a high risk of stroke in different ways. From January 2004 to June 2008, 11 patients underwent surgery for a suspected valvular tumor. Valvular tumor and tumor-like lesions accounted for 0.32% of adult cardiac operations. Five (45.5%) valvular lesions were papillary fibroelastomas, one (9.1%) was myxoma, 2 (18.2%) were organized thrombi, and 3 (27.3%) were calcification lesions. There was a total of 5 (45.5%) atrioventricular valve lesions, 4 arising from the atrial side of the leaflets, and one from the ventricular side. All 5 (45.5%) semilunar valvular lesions were from the aortic valve. One (9.1%) lesion originated from the chorda tendinea of the mitral valve. All leaflet lesions were resected by a simple shave technique, and all the patients recovered favorably. Valvular tumor and tumor-like lesions are rare. Pre-operative differential diagnoses among these valvular lesions pose important clinical implications for appropriate treatment for the underlying diseases. Prompt therapeutic measures in view of the underlying diseases of the valvular lesions are essential to prevent potential embolic events

CD36 deficiency attenuates experimental mycobacterial infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Members of the CD36 scavenger receptor family have been implicated as sensors of microbial products that mediate phagocytosis and inflammation in response to a broad range of pathogens. We investigated the role of CD36 in host response to mycobacterial infection.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Experimental <it>Mycobacterium bovis </it>Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection in <it>Cd36^+/+</it>and <it>Cd36^-/-</it>mice, and <it>in vitro </it>co-cultivation of <it>M. tuberculosis</it>, BCG and <it>M. marinum </it>with <it>Cd36^+/+</it>and <it>Cd36^-/-</it>murine macrophages.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using an <it>in vivo </it>model of BCG infection in <it>Cd36^+/+</it>and <it>Cd36^-/-</it>mice, we found that mycobacterial burden in liver and spleen is reduced (83% lower peak splenic colony forming units, p < 0.001), as well as the density of granulomas, and circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in <it>Cd36^-/-</it>animals. Intracellular growth of all three mycobacterial species was reduced in <it>Cd36^-/-</it>relative to wild type <it>Cd36^+/+</it>macrophages <it>in vitro</it>. This difference was not attributable to alterations in mycobacterial uptake, macrophage viability, rate of macrophage apoptosis, production of reactive oxygen and/or nitrogen species, TNF or interleukin-10. Using an <it>in vitro </it>model designed to recapitulate cellular events implicated in mycobacterial infection and dissemination <it>in vivo </it>(i.e., phagocytosis of apoptotic macrophages containing mycobacteria), we demonstrated reduced recovery of viable mycobacteria within <it>Cd36^-/-</it>macrophages.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Together, these data indicate that CD36 deficiency confers resistance to mycobacterial infection. This observation is best explained by reduced intracellular survival of mycobacteria in the <it>Cd36^-/-</it>macrophage and a role for CD36 in the cellular events involved in granuloma formation that promote early bacterial expansion and dissemination.</p

Groundnut

Groundnut, a crop rich in nutrients, originated in South America and spread to the rest of the world. Cultivated groundnut contains a fraction of the genetic diversity present in their closely related wild relatives, which is not more than 13 %, due to domestication bottleneck. Closely related ones are placed in section Arachis , which have not been extensively utilized until now due to ploidy differences between the cultivated and wild relatives. In order to overcome Arachis species utilization bottleneck, a large number of tetraploid synthetics were developed at the Legume Cell Biology Unit of Grain Legumes Program, ICRISAT, India. Evaluation of synthetics for some of the constraints showed that these were good sources of multiple disease and pest resistances. Some of the synthetics were utilized by developing ABQTL mapping populations, which were screened for some biotic and abiotic constraints. Phenotyping experiments showed ABQTL progeny lines with traits of interest necessary for the improvement of groundnut

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Not AvailableThe prepared Jamun Syrup was analysed for physico-chemical characters and sensory quality at monthly interval for three months of storage. The targeted analysis showed that the TSS, pH, total sugars and reducing sugars were found to have increased during the storage whereas; acidity, anthocyanin, ascorbic acid content, total antioxidants, non- reducing sugars and the organoleptic scores had decreased. Among all the blended Syrup treatments, highest pH of 4.32, maximum TSS (68.15 oB), ascorbic acid (23.76 mg 100g-1), higher retention of anthocyanin content (23.71 mg 100ml-1), total antioxidants (49.33 %) and total sugars (56.08 %) was found in treatment combination of J3S2R2 [(50ml juice), (80 per cent jamun, 15 per cent avocado, 5 per cent nannari) and honey]. Keywords: syrup, jamun, avocado, Decalepis hamiltoniiNot Availabl

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Not AvailableA field experiment was conducted to assess the Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria on soil microbial load and nodulation at different growth stages in Clitorea ternatea L. under irrigation condition at College of Horticulture, UHS campus, GKVK Post, Bengaluru during 2016-2017. The experiments were comprised of ten treatments and they were replicated thrice in RCBD. The maximum Bradyrhizobium japonicum (13.75 CFU) and Pseudomonas fluorescence population (14.18 CFU) was recorded with seed treatment of Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Pseudomonas fluorescence with application of full dose of RDF and number of nodules (3.51, 19.14 and 26.15), fresh weight of nodules (136.69 mg, 860.67 mg and 1196.40 mg) and dry weight of nodules (50.21 mg, 284.40 mg and 563.06 mg) are found maximum at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing respectively, with seed treatment of Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Pseudomonas fluorescence with application of full dose of RDF.Not Availabl