Representation of Man and Woman in the Selected Novels of Sidhwa and Singh: A Corpus Stylistic Analysis

The present study is a comparative stylistic analysis of two novels Train to Pakistan and The Ice Candy Man by Khuswant Singh (1956) and Bapsi Sidhwa (1988) respectively. The purpose of this study is to explore the depiction of Man and Woman in the selected texts to find out the similarities and differences through which these characters are represented. The study utilizes a mixed method approach which combines both qualitative and quantitative methods. The focus of the research is the analysis of adjectives that have been used with Man and Woman in both the texts. For this purpose, the study utilizes corpus linguistic tool AntConc (3.2.1) to carry out a stylistic analysis of the texts. A total number of 56 adjectives with a total frequency of 107 times were analyzed. The study has found that women are underrepresented in the selected texts as more adjectives are used to represent men. Moreover, both the male and female writers, mostly, portray men positively while women are portrayed negatively. It is expected that this study will open new doors for future researchers and teachers to explore and understand the language of literature from new perspectives

The uremic toxin oxythiamine causes functional thiamine deficiency in end-stage renal disease by inhibiting transketolase activity

Decreased transketolase activity is an unexplained characteristic of patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and is linked to impaired metabolic and immune function. Herein we describe the discovery of a link to impaired functional activity of thiamine pyrophosphate co-factor through the presence, accumulation and pyrophosphorylation of the thiamine antimetabolite, oxythiamine, in renal failure. Plasma oxythiamine was increased 4-fold in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 15-fold in patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) immediately before a dialysis session: healthy controls 0.18 (0.11 – 0.22) nM, CAPD, 0.64 (0.48-0.94) nM and HD (2.73 (1.52-5.76) nM); P<0.001, Mann-Whitney U test. Oxythiamine was converted to the transketolase inhibitor oxythiamine pyrophosphate (OTPP). Red blood cell OTPP concentration was increased 4-fold in HD: healthy controls, 15.9 ± 10.4 nM and HD patients, 66.1 ± 26.7 nM; P<0.001, t-test. This accounted for the concomitant 41% loss of transketolase activity (mU/mg Hb): healthy controls, 0.410 ± 0.144 nM and HD, 0.240 ± 0.107 nM; P<0.01, paired t-test. This may be corrected by displacement with excess thiamine pyrophosphate and explain lifting of decreased transketolase activity by high dose thiamine supplementation in previous studies. Oxythiamine is likely of dietary origin, through cooking of acidic thiamine-containing foods. Trace level oxythiamine was not formed from thiamine degradation under physiological conditions but rather under acidic conditions at 100 oC. Monitoring of plasma oxythiamine concentration in renal failure and implementation of high dose thiamine supplements to counter it may help improve clinical outcome of patients with renal failure

The Measurement of Activity of the Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase in Membranous Vesicles Isolated from Smooth Muscle of Ileum in Rats Treated with Ultraviolet Radiation

The Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase are high attraction calcium pump, that contributes in maintaining plasma membrane of cytoplasm Ca2+, Mg2+ homeostasis by source to the outside of cell. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the ultraviolet radiation on the activity of the Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase in the membranous vesicles of ileum in rats. Thirty adult Sprague–Dawley rats (age, 3-4 months, weight range, 180 – 200 g) were used in this experiment, which divided in to 5 groups (n = 6 / group). The membrane vesicles isolated from smooth muscles of rats showed high activity Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase. All isolated membranous vesicles are irradiated with Ultraviolet radiation of 250 nanometers except control group. The irradiation period for each group was (5, 10, 30 and 45) minutes, respectively. The activity of Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase was decreased with increased time of irradiation. In conclusion, the increased time of irradiation inhibited Ca2+_Mg2+ ATPase activity isolated from ileum smooth muscles of rats. The recommendations are to expose other organs like liver and kidney to UV radiation to explain its effect or using other range of UV radiation to reflect its effect

Advanced glycation endproducts, dityrosine and arginine transporter dysfunction in autism - a source of biomarkers for clinical diagnosis.

Background: Clinical chemistry tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently unavailable. The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic utility of proteotoxic biomarkers in plasma and urine, plasma protein glycation, oxidation, and nitration adducts, and related glycated, oxidized, and nitrated amino acids (free adducts), for the clinical diagnosis of ASD. Methods: Thirty-eight children with ASD (29 male, 9 female; age 7.6 \ub1 2.0 years) and 31 age-matched healthy controls (23 males, 8 females; 8.6 \ub1 2.0 years) were recruited for this study. Plasma protein glycation, oxidation, and nitration adducts and amino acid metabolome in plasma and urine were determined by stable isotopic dilution analysis liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Machine learning methods were then employed to explore and optimize combinations of analyte data for ASD diagnosis. Results: We found that children with ASD had increased advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), N\u3b5-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and N\u3c9-carboxymethylarginine (CMA), and increased oxidation damage marker, dityrosine (DT), in plasma protein, with respect to healthy controls. We also found that children with ASD had increased CMA free adduct in plasma ultrafiltrate and increased urinary excretion of oxidation free adducts, alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde and glutamic semialdehyde. From study of renal handling of amino acids, we found that children with ASD had decreased renal clearance of arginine and CMA with respect to healthy controls. Algorithms to discriminate between ASD and healthy controls gave strong diagnostic performance with features: plasma protein AGEs\u2014CML, CMA\u2014and 3-deoxyglucosonederived hydroimidazolone, and oxidative damage marker, DT. The sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic area-under-the-curve were 92%, 84%, and 0.94, respectively. Conclusions: Changes in plasma AGEs were likely indicative of dysfunctional metabolism of dicarbonyl metabolite precursors of AGEs, glyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone. DT is formed enzymatically by dual oxidase (DUOX); selective increase of DT as an oxidative damage marker implicates increased DUOX activity in ASD possibly linked to impaired gutmucosal immunity. Decreased renal clearance of arginine and CMA in ASD is indicative of increased arginine transporter activity which may be a surrogate marker of disturbance of neuronal availability of amino acids. Data driven combination of these biomarkers perturbed by proteotoxic stress, plasma protein AGEs and DT, gave diagnostic algorithms of high sensitivity and specificity for ASD

Improved glycemic control and vascular function in overweight and obese subjects by glyoxalase 1 inducer formulation

Risk of insulin resistance, impaired glycemic control and cardiovascular disease is excessive in overweight and obese populations. We hypothesised that increasing expression of glyoxalase 1 (Glo1) – an enzyme that catalyses the metabolism of reactive metabolite and glycating agent, methylglyoxal – may improve metabolic and vascular health. Dietary bioactive compounds were screened for Glo1 inducer activity in a functional reporter assay, hits confirmed in cell culture and an optimised Glo1 inducer formulation evaluated in a randomised, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial in 29 overweight and obese subjects. We found trans-resveratrol (tRES) and hesperetin (HESP), at concentrations achieved clinically, synergised to increase Glo1 expression. In highly overweight subjects (BMI >27.5 kg/m2), tRES-HESP co-formulation increased expression and activity of Glo1 (+ 27%. P<0.05), decreased plasma methylglyoxal (-37%, P<0.05) and total body methylglyoxal-protein glycation (-14%, P<0.01). It decreased fasting and postprandial plasma glucose (-5%, P<0.01 and – 6%, P<0.03, respectively), increased Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity index (+42 mlmin-1m-2, P<0.02) and improved arterial dilatation ΔFMD/ΔGTND (95%CI 0.13–2.11). In all subjects, it decreased vascular inflammation marker sICAM-1 (-10%, P<0.01). In previous clinical evaluations, tRES and HESP individually were ineffective. tRES-HESP co-formulation could be a suitable treatment for improved metabolic and vascular health in overweight and obese populations

Mechanisms of colorectal cancer cell growth and metastasis inhibition by CARP-1 functional mimetic-4

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes one of the most aggressive malignancies worldwide and in Malaysia. Due to high recurrence rate and toxic side effects associated with radiation and chemotherapies, new agents are urgently needed. CARP-1 is a peri-nuclear phospho-protein which plays a dynamic role in regulating cell growth and apoptosis. CARP-1 functional mimetics (CFMs) are a class of compounds that stimulate CARP-1. CFM-4, a lead compound, was shown to suppress growth and metastasis of various cancers, other than CRC. We hypothesized that CFM-4 inhibits proliferation and metastasis in CRC. Material and methods: CFM-4 anti-cancer effects of on CRC cells were investigated using MTT assay, Annexin V/Propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis assay, cell cycle analysis, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. Antimetastatic activities were assessed by migration, colony formation and invasion assays. Results: CFM-4 inhibited CRC cell proliferation and was much more potent than the classical anti-CRC 5-fluorouracil. These effects were shown to be mediated at least in part by stimulating apoptosis, as indicated in our Annexin V/PI assay results. Cell cycle analysis showed that CFM-4 induced G2/M phase arrest. Molecularly, qRT-PCR results revealed that CFM-4 promoted intrinsic apoptosis by upregulating expression of caspase-8 and -9, p53, PUMA and Noxa, and stimulated extrinsic apoptosis by enhancing expression of death receptors. CFM-4 upregulated NF-B signaling inhibitor A20-binding inhibitor protein and the PI3K negative regulator PTEN. Western blot analysis results revealed that CFM-4 enhanced expression of CARP-1, caspase-8 and executioner caspase-3. Metastatic properties of the CRC cells were reduced by CFM-4 through blocking their capabilities to form colonies, migrate and invade through the matrix-coated membranes. Conclusion: The potent antitumor and anti-metastatic properties of CFM-4 against CRC are due to collective pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities. Together our data warrants further investigations of CFM-4 as potential anti-tumor agent for CRC malignancy and metastasis

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands (Coleoptera)

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands are reviewed. Ten species are recorded with certainty from this Archipelago, of which 6 namely, Trogoxylon impressum (Comolli, 1837), Amphicerus bimaculatus (A.G. Olivier, 1790), Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884), Sinoxylon unidentatum (Fabricius, 1801), Xyloperthella picea (A.G. Olivier, 1790) and Apate monachus Fabricius, 1775 are recorded for the first time. Two of the mentioned species (H. aequalis and S. unidentatum) are alien and recorded only on the basis of single captures and the possible establishment of these species is discussed. Earlier records of Scobicia pustulata (Fabricius, 1801) from Malta are incorrect and should be attributed to S. chevrieri (A. Villa & J.B. Villa, 1835). A zoogeographical analysis and an updated checklist of the 12 species of Bostrichidae recorded from the Maltese Islands and neighbouring Sicilian islands (Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa) are also provided. Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 from Uttarakhand (northern India) was overlooked by almost all subsequent authors. Its history is summarized and the following new synonymy is established: Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 = Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792), syn. n. Finally, records of Amphicerus bimaculatus from Azerbaijan, of Bostrichus capucinus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan and Syria, of Scobicia chevrieri from Jordan and Italy, of Xyloperthella picea from Italy, and of Apate monachus from Corsica (France) and Italy, are also provided.peer-reviewe

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London