Expression of TNF-α and Related Signaling Molecules in the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

We examined the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and its related signaling intermediates leading to apoptosis/proliferation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of RA patients. The constitutive expression of mRNA for TNF-α receptors (TNFR-I and TNFR-II) and the adapter molecules, such as the TNF receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD), Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), receptor interacting protein (RIP), and TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF-2) were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) in PBMCs from control and RA cases. PBMCs of RA patients showed a significant increase in TNF-α and TNFR-I expression as compared with that from control subjects along with significantly increased constitutive expression of TRADD, RIP, and TRAF-2 mRNA. There was a decrease in expression of FADD in RA patients, but the difference was not significant as compared to controls. These data suggested enhanced signaling by the TNFR-I-TRADD-RIP-TRAF-2 pathway and suppressed signaling by the TNFR-I-TRADD-FADD pathway in PBMCs of RA patients. However, the regulatory mechanisms for TNF-α induced signaling may not be explained only by these pathways

Loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding in Kashmir red deer (Cervus elaphus hanglu) of Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir, India

BACKGROUND: Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu), the eastern most subspecies of red deer, is now confined only to the mountains in the Kashmir region of Jammu & Kashmir State of India. It is of great conservation significance as this is the last and only hope for Asiatic survivor of the red deer species in India. Wild population of free ranging hangul deer inhabiting in and around Dachigam National Park was genetically assessed in order to account for constitutive genetic attributes of hangul population using microsatellite markers. RESULTS: In a pool of 36 multi-locus genotypes, 30 unique individuals were identified based on six microsatellite loci. The estimated cumulative probability of identity assuming all individuals were siblings (P(ID) sibs) was 0.009 (9 in 1000). Altogether, 49 different alleles were observed with mean (± s.e.) allelic number of 8.17 ± 1.05, ranging from 5 to 11 per locus. The observed heterozygosity ranged between 0.08 and 0.83, with mean 0.40 ± 0.11 and the inbreeding coefficient ranged between −0.04 and 0.87 with mean 0.38 ± 0.15. Majority of loci (5/6) were found to be informative (PIC value > 0.5). All loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except Ca-38 (P > 0.05) and none of the pairs of loci showed significant linkage disequilibrium except the single pair of Ca-30 and Ca-43 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary findings revealed that hangul population is significantly inbred and exhibited a low genetic diversity in comparison to other deer populations of the world. We suggest prioritizing the potential individuals retaining high heterozygosity for ex situ conservation and genetic monitoring of the hangul population should be initiated covering the entire distribution range to ensure the long term survival of hangul. We speculate further ignoring genetics attributes may lead to a detrimental effect which can negatively influence the reproductive fitness and survivorship of the hangul population in the wild

Generation of a strong reverse shock wave in the interaction of a high-contrast high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse with a silicon target

We present ultrafast pump-probe reflectivity and Doppler spectrometry of a silicon target at relativistic laser intensity. We observe an unexpected rise in reflectivity to a peak approximately9 ps after the main pulse interaction with the target. This occurs after the reflectivity has fallen off from the initially high “plasma-mirror” phase. Simultaneously measured time-dependent Doppler shift data show an increase in the blue shift at the same time. Numerical simulations show that the aforementioned trends in the experimental measurements correspond to a strong shock wave propagating back toward the laser. The relativistic laser-plasma interaction indirectly heats the cool-dense (ne 10^23 cm^-3 and Te ~10eV) target material adjacent to the corona, by hot electron induced return current heating, raising its temperature to around 150eV and causing it to explode violently. The increase in reflectivity is caused by the transient steepening of the plasma density gradient at the probe critical surface due to this explosive behavior

CAIC anjur kolokium memperkasa program pengajaran dan pembelajaran

Seramai 180 dalam kalangan tenaga akademik dan pensyarah dari Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) dan institut pengajian tinggi hadir menyertai Kolokium Pengajaran dan Pembelajaran 2014 bertemakan `Innovation Towards Creative Pedagogy’ anjuran Pusat Inovasi dan Daya Saing Akademik (CAIC) universiti ini

Tracking ultrafast dynamics of intense shock generation and breakout at target rear

We report upon the picosecond plasma dynamics at the rear surface of a thin aluminium foil (of either 5.5 um or 12 um thickness) excited by high contrast (picosecond intensity contrast of 10^10), 800 nm, femtosecond pulses at an intensity of 3 x 10^19 W/cm2. We employ ultrafast pump-probe reflectometry using a second harmonic probe (400 nm) interacting with the rear surface of the target. A rise in the probe reflectivity 30 picoseconds after the pump pulse interaction reveals the breakout of a shock wave at the target rear surface which reflects the 400 nm probe pulse. Simulations using the ZEPHYROS hybrid particle-in-cell code were performed to understand the heating of the target under the influence of the high intensity laser pulse, and the temperature profile was then passed to the radiation-hydrodynamics simulation code HYADES in order to model the shock wave propagation in the target. A good agreement was found between the calculations and experimental results

Traditional use of medicinal plants among the tribal communities of Chhota Bhangal, Western Himalaya

The importance of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare practices, providing clues to new areas of research and in biodiversity conservation is now well recognized. However, information on the uses for plants for medicine is lacking from many interior areas of Himalaya. Keeping this in view the present study was initiated in a tribal dominated hinterland of western Himalaya. The study aimed to look into the diversity of plant resources that are used by local people for curing various ailments. Questionnaire surveys, participatory observations and field visits were planned to illicit information on the uses of various plants. It was found that 35 plant species are commonly used by local people for curing various diseases. In most of the cases (45%) under ground part of the plant was used. New medicinal uses of Ranunculus hirtellus and Anemone rupicola are reported from this area. Similarly, preparation of "sik" a traditional recipe served as a nutritious diet to pregnant women is also not documented elsewhere. Implication of developmental activities and changing socio-economic conditions on the traditional knowledge are also discussed

Taking stock of 10 years of published research on the ASHA programme: Examining India’s national community health worker programme from a health systems perspective

Background: As India’s accredited social health activist (ASHA) community health worker (CHW) programme enters its second decade, we take stock of the research undertaken and whether it examines the health systems interfaces required to sustain the programme at scale. Methods: We systematically searched three databases for articles on ASHAs published between 2005 and 2016. Articles that met the inclusion criteria underwent analysis using an inductive CHW–health systems interface framework. Results: A total of 122 academic articles were identified (56 quantitative, 29 mixed methods, 28 qualitative, and 9 commentary or synthesis); 44 articles reported on special interventions and 78 on the routine ASHA program. Findings on special interventions were overwhelmingly positive, with few negative or mixed results. In contrast, 55% of articles on the routine ASHA programme showed mixed findings and 23% negative, with few indicating overall positive findings, reflecting broader system constraints. Over half the articles had a health system perspective, including almost all those on general ASHA work, but only a third of those with a health condition focus. The most extensively researched health systems topics were ASHA performance, training and capacity-building, with very little research done on programme financing and reporting, ASHA grievance redressal or peer communication. Research tended to be descriptive, with fewer influence, explanatory or exploratory articles, and no predictive or emancipatory studies. Indian institutions and authors led and partnered on most of the research, wrote all the critical commentaries, and published more studies with negative results. Conclusion: Published work on ASHAs highlights a range of small-scale innovations, but also showcases the challenges faced by a programme at massive scale, situated in the broader health system. As the programme continues to evolve, critical comparative research that constructively feeds back into programme reforms is needed, particularly related to governance, intersectoral linkages, ASHA solidarity, and community capacity to provide support and oversight

Wildlife DNA Forensic in Curbing Illegal Wildlife Trade: Specie Identification from Seizures

Species identification in wildlife forensics is the one of the major concern to enforce law and curbing illegal wildlife trade. Among all the available analytical teqniques DNA based species identification is the most robust and acceptable evidence in the court of law. We analysed cytochrome b and 12S rRNA mtDNA fragments to identify species from three different seizures. DNA based analysis of Cyt b and 12S rRNA has identified three seizures as Hog deer, Chital and Swamp deer

Thermal utilization and heat use efficiency of sorghum cultivars in middle Indo- Gangetic Plains

A field experiment was carried out during the summer seasons of 2015 and 2016 in clay loamy soil of ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna to study the phenology, accumulation of growing degree days (GDD), heliothermal units (HTU), heat use efficiency (HUE), heliothermal use efficiency (HTUE) and performance of five sorghum cultivars including 3 hybrids (CSH 13 ,CSH16 and CSH 30) and 2 varieties (CSV 23 and SPV 462) were grown under two sowing dates viz.16th February and 3rd March in split-plot design. For our study purpose and as per package of practices, February 16 is considered as early sowing and March 3 as timely sowing condition. It was observed that GDDs and HTU reduced significantly by 45.9 oC days and 663.6 oC days hr respectively, in early sowing. The sorghum cultivars SPV 462 and CSH 13 accumulated markedly higher GDDs and HTUs. On mean basis, cv. CSH 16 produced significantly higher grain yield (5.51 tha-1) followed by CSH 13 (4.93 t ha-1). The significant reduction in grain yield was recorded in earlier sowing date than the timely sown crop. The phenothermal index gradually increases from emergence to maturity in all the tested cultivars irrespective of sowing date. Sorghum hybrid CSH 16 showed better performance in terms of HUE and HTUE followed by CSH 13 and SPV 462. Varieties giving higher yield, HUE and HTUE are identified under the varying growing environments, so as to suggest the appropriate sowing time of sorghum cultivars in middle the middle Indo-Gangetic Plains

Tuberculosis of the thyroid gland

Thyroid tuberculosis is a very rare condition despite an overall increase in the extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis. Tuberculous infection spreads to the thyroid by lymphogenous/hematogenous route or directly from adjacent organs. Thyroid tuberculosis does not have any specific symptom. Fine needle aspiration is the mainstay of diagnosis. Antituberculous therapy and surgical removal of affected parts of the thyroid gland are the most common methods of treatment of thyroid tuberculosis. We present a case of a 37-year-old male who presented with a swelling in the neck and was diagnosed as tubercular thyroiditis on cytopathological examination