Meson Masses and Mixing Angles in 2+1 Flavor Polyakov Quark Meson Sigma Model and Symmetry Restoration Effects

The meson masses and mixing angles have been calculated for the scalar and pseudoscalar sector in the framework of the generalized 2+1 flavor Polyakov loop augmented quark meson linear sigma model. We have given the results for two different forms of the effective Polyakov loop potential. The comparison of results with the existing calculations in the bare 2+1 quark meson linear sigma model, shows that the restoration of chiral symmetry becomes sharper due to the influence of the Polyakov loop potential. We find that inclusion of the Polyakov loop in quark meson linear sigma model together with the presence of axial anomaly, triggers an early and significant melting of the strange condensate. We have examined how the inclusion of the Polyakov loop qualitatively and quantitatively affects the convergence in the masses of the chiral partners in pseudoscalar ($\pi$, $\eta$, $\eta'$, $K$) and scalar ($\sigma$, $a_0$, $f_0$,$\kappa$) meson nonets as the temperature is varied on the reduced temperature scale. The role of $U_A(1)$ anomaly in determining the isoscalar masses and mixing angles for the pseudoscalar ($\eta$ and $\eta'$) and scalar ($\sigma$ and $f_0$)meson complex, has also been investigated in the Polyakov quark meson linear sigma model. The interplay of chiral symmetry restoration effects and the setting up of $U_A(1)$ restoration trend has been discussed and analyzed in the framework of the presented model calculations.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, 4 table

Effects of quarks on the formation and evolution of Z(3) walls and strings in relativistic heavy-ion collisions

We investigate the effects of explicit breaking of Z(3) symmetry due to the presence of dynamical quarks on the formation and evolution of Z(3) walls and associated QGP strings within Polyakov loop model. We carry out numerical simulations of the first order quark-hadron phase transition via bubble nucleation (which may be appropriate, for example, at finite baryon chemical potential) in the context of relativistic heavy-ion collision experiments. Using appropriate shifting of the order parameter in the Polyakov loop effective potential, we calculate the bubble profiles using bounce technique, for the true vacuum as well as for the metastable Z(3) vacua, and estimate the associated nucleation probabilities. These different bubbles are then nucleated and evolved and resulting formation and dynamics of Z(3) walls and QGP strings is studied. We discuss various implications of the existence of these Z(3) interfaces and the QGP strings, especially in view of the effects of the explicit breaking of the Z(3) symmetry on the formation and dynamical evolution of these objects.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, PDFLate

Targeted isolation of alkaloid from Cyclea Peltata and determination of structural formula of Tetrandrine alkaloid based on NMR studies

Alkaloids are group of chemical entity with proven medicinal properties. This work consolidates the procedure in isolation and structural determination of a bisbenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid from Cyclea peltata with related NMR values and data. Dried routes of Cyclea peltata was extracted using chromatographic techniques monitored using TLC and proton NMR studies. The pure compound isolated was subjected for proton NMR, carbon NMR, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY and COSY spectral experiments. Goal is to document the methods of isolation and NMR experiments involved in structural determination. The compound isolated were bisbenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid with head to head ether bond connection and identified as “Tetrandrine”. Eventhough tetrandrine is a known compound and is reported from many other plants, this time it is isolated and reported from Cyclea peltata (H.f & T).Keywords:- Cyclea peltata; bisbenzyl isoquinoline; NMR; HSQ

Kappa and lambda immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in the evaluation of atypical cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates

BackgroundAtypical cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates are challenging lesions in dermatopathology. We present a summary of the literature regarding kappa and lambda immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) in the evaluation of atypical cutaneous or mucosal lymphoid infiltrates.MethodsRelevant articles from 1967 to 2018 in the English language were identified and summarized. In the absence of larger studies, case series of n ≥ 3 were included.ResultsSixty‐three articles assessing kappa and lambda IHC and/or ISH were identified. Most focused on marginal zone lymphomas. Other lymphomas included follicle center lymphoma, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, plasmablastic lymphoma, multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, and polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal protein, skin changes (POEMS). Non‐neoplastic lesions included reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, cutaneous plasmacytosis, connective tissue disease, IgG4‐related disease, acrodermatitis chronic atrophicans, Zoon balanitis, dermatitides, and infiltrates around epithelial dysplasias/neoplasias.ConclusionKappa and lambda IHC and ISH are useful tools in the evaluation of cutaneous B‐cell lymphomas and plasma cell neoplasms. The literature supports that the detection of light‐chain restriction by IHC and ISH is one of the most useful findings in the differential diagnosis of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia vs B‐cell lymphoma with plasmacytic differentiation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163451/2/cup13858.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163451/1/cup13858_am.pd

The role of oral mifepristone in pre-induction cervical ripening at term

Background: Planned induction of labor is an established part of modern obstetrics and is used as a definite form of treatment where continuation of pregnancy would be detrimental to the health of mother or fetus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mifepristone in pre-induction cervical ripening and labor induction.Methods: A total of 200 pregnant women at term with Bishop Score 4 or less were selected for this prospective randomized placebo-controlled study. The sample was equally divided into study group to receive 200 mg of mifepristone and control group to receive placebo orally for 2 days. Bishop score was assessed at every 24 hours interval till patient entered in spontaneous labor or 72 hours after 1st dose. Women who did not enter labor spontaneously, labor induction was planned with per vaginal insertion of prostaglandin (PG) E2 analogue, Dinoprostone gel 2.5 mg or PGE1 analogue Tab. Misoprostol 25 µg.Results: Ninety-six subjects in the study group and eighty-one in the control achieved successful ripening of cervix and the difference was statistically significant. Sixty-eight of study group and thirty-nine of placebo group entered in spontaneous active labor within 72 hours. Requirement of oxytocin as adjuvant treatment was significantly lower in the study group. Nineteen women of study group and fifteen of control group delivered within 24 hours, and eighty-one of study group and sixty-two of placebo delivered in 48 hours. The mean induction delivery interval was 35.53±13.67 hours in the study group, whereas it was significantly prolonged in the placebo group 50.49±20.92 hours. Eighty-two subjects of study group and seventy-eight of the control group delivered vaginally, the differences were statistically not significant.Conclusions: Mifepristone was found to be an effective agent for cervical priming prior to labor induction in women at term and significantly reduces the induction delivery interval compared with placebo

Aqueous channels within apolar peptide aggregates: solvated helix of the &#945;-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib)-containing peptide Boc-(Aib-Ala-Leu)<SUB>3</SUB>-Aib-OMe.2H<SUB>2</SUB>O.CH<SUB>3</SUB>OH in crystals

Although the peptide Boc-Aibl-Ala2-Leu3- Aib4-Ala5-Leu6-Aib7-Ala8-Leu9-Aib10-OMe [with a t-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) blocking group at the amino terminus, a methyl ester (OMe) at the carboxyl terminus, and four &#945;-aminoisobutyric (Aib) residues] has a 3-fold repeat of residues, the helix formed by the peptide backbone is irregular. The carboxyl-terminal half assumes an &#945;-helical form with torsion angles ) and &#968; of approximately -60&#176; and -45&#176;, respectively, whereas the amino-terminal half is distorted by an insertion of a water molecule between the amide nitrogen of Ala5 [N(5)] and the carbonyl oxygen of Ala2 [0(2)]. The water molecule W(1) acts as a bridge by forming hydrogen bonds N(5).W(1) (2.93 A) and W(1)---0(2) (2.86 A). The distortion of the helix exposes the carbonyl oxygens of Aib1 and Aib4 to the outside environment, with the consequence that the helix assumes an amphiphilic character despite having all apolar residues. Neighboring helices in the crystal run in antiparallel directions. On one side of a helix there are only hydrophobic contacts with efficient interdigitation of leucine side chains with those from the neighboring helix. On the other side of the helix there are hydrogen bonds between protruding carbonyl oxygens and four water molecules that separate two neighboring helices. Along the helix axis the helices bind head-to-tail with a direct hydrogen bond N(2)-0(9) (3.00 A). Crystals grown from methanol/water solution are in space group P21, with a = 15.778 &#177; 0.004 A, b = 11.228 &#177; 0.002 A, c = 18.415 &#177; 0.003 A, &#946; = 102.10 &#177; 0.02&#176; and two formula units per cell for C49H88N1003. 2H2O.CH3OH. The overall agreement factor R is 7.5% for 3394 reflections observed with intensities &gt; 3&#963;(F), and the resolution is 0.90 A

Upper respiratory tract infections and general anaesthesia in children

Conflicting reports regarding the hazards of anaesthesia in children presenting for surgery with an upper respiratory tract infection have appeared in the literature. In the present study 130 children undergoing general anaesthesia with face mask for myringotomy and grommet insertion were graded as having either an acute or recent upper respiratory tract infection or were asymptomatic according to predetermined clinical symptoms and signs. The severity of respiratory and related complications were scored during induction, emergence and recovery. The peripheral oxygen saturation was recorded during induction, emergence, transfer to the recovery ward and in the recovery ward itself. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the complication scores between the three groups of children. However, the incidence of hypoxaemia (oxygen saturation ± 93%) was significantly greater during transfer in the acute infection group (p = 0.001) and the recent infection group (p = 0.02), as well as during recovery in the acute group (p = 0.03) compared with asymptomatic children.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75689/1/j.1365-2044.1992.tb02389.x.pd

Knowns and unknowns for psychophysiological endophenotypes: Integration and response to commentaries

We review and summarize seven molecular genetic studies of 17 psychophysiological endophenotypes that comprise this special issue of Psychophysiology , address criticisms raised in accompanying Perspective and Commentary pieces, and offer suggestions for future research. Endophenotypes are polygenic, and possibly influenced by rare genetic variants. Because they are not simpler genetically than clinical phenotypes, they are unlikely to assist gene discovery for psychiatric disorder. Once genetic variants for clinical phenotypes are identified, associated endophenotypes are likely to provide valuable insights into the psychological and neural mechanisms important to disorder pathology. This special issue provides a foundation for informed future steps in endophenotype genetics, including the formation of large sample consortia capable of fleshing out the many genetic variants contributing to individual differences in psychophysiological measures.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109647/1/psyp12358.pd

Solvated helical backbones: X-ray diffraction study of Boc-Ala-Leu-Aib-Ala-Leu-Aib-OMe &#183; H<SUB>2</SUB>O

A second example of insertion of a water molecule into the helical backbone of an apolar peptide is presented here and compared to a similar occurrence in a longer peptide with the same type of sequence of residues, i.e., Boc-Aib-(Ala-Leu-Aib)3-OMe. The backbone of the title compound assumes an approximate 310-helical form with three 4 &#8594; 1 hydrogen bonds. In the place of a fourth 4 &#8594;1 hydrogen bond, a water molecule is inserted between O(1) and N(4), and acts as a bridge by forming hydrogen bonds N(4) W(1) (2.95 &#197;) and W(1) O(1) (2.81&#197;). The water molecule participates in a third hydrogen bond with a neighboring peptide molecule, W(1) O(4) (2.91 &#197;). The insertion of the water molecule causes the apolar peptide to mimic an amphiphilic helix. Crystals grown from ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (reported here) or from methanol/water solution are in space group P212121 with a = 12.024(4) &#197;, b = 15.714(6) &#197;, c = 21.411(7) &#197;, Z = 4 and dcalc = 1.124 g/cm3 for C32H58N6O9 &#183; H2O. The overall agreement factor R is 6.3% for 2707 reflections observed with intensities &gt; 3&#963;(F) and the resolution is 0.90 &#197;

REVIVING EDUCATION IN NIGERIA FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

Education has been identified as a critical agent in the development of a modern society because it plays a pivotal role in training and building human capacity for the nation. It is argued “as information grows exponentially, and its incorporation in the production process becomes increasing complex, the ability to absorb, and adapt new knowledge is determined by the nature, quality and quantity of the education system”. Nigerian government played the „Ostrich‟ while its educational system headed for a total collapse. This paper in a quest to examining the issues pertaining to the decay, finds poor funding, limited access to good education, obsolete curricula, brain drain, corruption, incessant University strikes, examination malpractice, inept leadership, and poor budgetary allocation to education as part of the problem. Our simple regression findings show a positive relationship between education, health and economic growth. Therefore, except the system is revived and revamped, it will be a mirage for the country to catch up with the global competitiveness. As a way forward, Government must increase funding, tackle corruption and improve infrastructure. Excellence must be rewarded and indigenous R&amp;D improved. They must stem the tide of brain drain by creating environment for good education