Micro-RNA mediated regulation of a cytokine factor: TNF-alpha: an exploration of gene expression control in proliferating and quiescent cells

Two types mechanisms that control gene expression involve cis-regulatory factors and trans-regulatory factors. Cis-acting regulatory RNAs include targeted messenger RNA (mRNA) specificity and AU-rich elements (AREs). AU-rich mRNAs are a subcategory of mRNAs that have AREs in their 3'-Untranslated Regions (UTRs). These ARE-genes have been observed to correlate with rapid mRNA decay patterns. They comprise approximately 12% of all transcripts and are known to encode for a group of proteins that have involvement in the inflammatory response. Trans-acting regulatory mechanisms are micro RNAs (miRNAs) in eukaryotes, and small RNAs (sRNA) in prokaryotes. Misregulation of these mechanisms can lead to many disease states if rapid mRNA decay does not occur, leading to tumorigenesis, and eventually, different types of cancer. In this project, the TNF-α ARE was studied in both serum-positive and quiescent G0 conditions in order to analyze whether the translation of the gene differed in any respect due to the binding of a known miRNA called miR-130a. Additionally, both serum-positive and one-day serum-starved quiescent G0 conditions were analyzed for eIF5B and FXR1 levels to analyze whether there was a correlation between the two proteins

The Effect of Particle Size and Shape on Transport through Confined Channels in three-phase Froths

Multiphase systems (containing solid, liquid and gas) are increasingly common in a number of industries, with the most complex manifestation being three-phase froth. The interstitial suspension has to navigate tortuous channels and its transport is affected by drag, capillary and gravitational forces. Particle properties such as wettability, size, shape, and morphology results in a number of different types of interactions with the liquid-air interface and can have a significant effect on froth composition and stability. The effect of particle size and shape on its transport through these confined channels is thus of great interest for a number of industrial applications and is the focus of this work. This transport behavior is studied using a three phase transient froth that is produced in the froth flotation process for mineral separation. In this system, hydrophilic non-value particles present in the interstitial liquid phase do not attach to air bubbles, and their removal is desirable. The original hypothesis was that as particles become more anisotropic in shape, there is an increase in the froth interstitial viscosity, which results in reduced drainage rate of particles through the froth. Flotation experiments, froth sampling experiments, and rheological experiments were conducted to test this hypothesis. Froth zone sampling experiments were conducted using mixtures of sized platy mica, needle-like wollastonite, and fibrous chrysotile, all mixed with low aspect ratio silica in varying amounts. The froth zone suspension compositions were then used to prepare the froth interstitial suspension ex-situ, and bulk rheological measurements were conducted on the suspensions. The data showed that while the relative viscosities of the suspensions were much higher at even low concentrations of the fibrous ore in the mixture, there was no significant difference when mica was substituted for silica in the mixture at high concentrations (~50 wt%) at the solids volume fraction of interest (~7.5%). The bulk rheological measurements thus could not fully account for the difference in transport behavior between mica and silica. Flotation experiments were conducted with a copper mineral-containing ore augmented with additional hydrophilic minerals mica, silica (low aspect ratio), wollastonite or chrysotile. The results suggest increasing aspect ratios of the added non-value particles result in increased net transport (transport accounting for loss due to drainage) through the froth zone; mica transport is faster than silica. Froth zone sampling experiments (using pure mixtures of above minerals) confirmed that mica net transport was greater than that of silica. It was then hypothesized that this increase was due to increased drag experienced by high aspect ratio mica compared to low aspect ratio silica. The doped ore flotation data also suggested a decrease in transport as size of added platy mica increased until a local transport minimum was reached, beyond which another increase in transport was observed. It was further hypothesized that this was related to confinement of coarse mica particles in the plateau borders when the size of the constriction was comparable to particle size. Froth sampling experiments under high drag (upward flow dominated) conditions were compared with those under conditions where drag and drainage were more balanced (steady state froths). Under high drag conditions, mica mixtures showed more hydrophilic mineral mass in the froth zone compared to silica mixtures. Under drag and drainage-balanced conditions when the size of mica approached the size of the measured channel size, platy mica was found to be accumulating in the froth. This was not the case for silica particles with settling being more efficient for silica than for mica. The key parameters driving transport of particles through the froth are the bulk rheology of the interstitial suspension (driven by particle size and shape distributions and solids concentration), the size of constrictions in the plateau borders and vertices and the resulting confinement effects, and the mobility or elasticity of the interfaces (driven largely by the hydrophobic particles attached at the interface)

Quantum Dot-sensitized Solar Cells: A Review

Quantum dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSSC) has an analogous structure and working principle to the dye sensitizer solar cell (DSSC). It has drawn great attention due to its unique features, like multiple exciton generation (MEG), simple fabrication and low cost. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of QDSSC is lower than that of DSSC. To increase the PCE of QDSSC, it is required to develop new types of working electrodes, sensitizers, counter electrodes and electrolytes. This review highlights recent developments in QDSSCs and their key components, including the photoanode, sensitizer, electrolyte and counter electrode

Lipid profile of patients with diabetes mellitus: a cross sectional study

Background: Dyslipidemia is one of the common disorders which is seen in most of the diabetes patients, which causes cardio vascular disorders. Objective: To detect the lipid abnormality in diabetic patients.Methods: The study was carried out at Medicine Department, K.J. Mehta hospital, Amargadh, Bhavnagar during period from September 2014 to August 2015. The lipid profiles and the fasting blood sugar values of 100 type-1 diabetic patients, 100 type-2 diabetic patients and 50 healthy subjects were studied after taking informed consent. Their serum samples were assessed for fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high density lipoprotein cho­lesterol (HDL) by using standard biochemical methods. The data was collected by predesign, pretested proforma and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (Trial version).Results: Maximum Number of patients (37% and 44%) were from age group of 20-29 years in type-1 DM & 50-59 years in type-2 DM respectively. 53% cases of type-1 DM and 70 % cases of type-2 DM had less than 140 mg/dl level of Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS. 49 % patients of type-1 DM and 30% of type-2 showed more than 200 mg/dl level of Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS). Majority of type 2 DM patients (72%) showed high serum cholesterol level, while only 12% of the type1 DM patients showed high serum cholesterol level. 95% of type 1 DM patients showed normal (10-190 mg/dl) serum triglyceride level, while only 26% of type 2 DM subjects showed normal level. Serum LDL level was high (>160 mg/dl) in 78% of type 2 DM patients, while only 19% of type 1 DM patients showed higher value. All patients of type 2 had normal serum HDL level.Conclusions: The frequencies of the high cholesterol, high TG and high LDL levels were higher in the diabetic group, thus indicating that diabetic patients were more prone for dyslipidemia, which could cause cardiovascular disorders.

Health profile of adolescents of Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Adolescence and young adulthood are periods of critical development and transition. Adolescent constitutes over 23% of the population in India. Nutrition and health needs of the adolescent are more because of more requirements for growth spurt and increase in physical activity. Objective: To study health profile of adolescents of Bhavnagar district. Methods: The study was carried by Medicine Department, K.J. Mehta Hospital, Amargadh, Bhavnagar during period from September 2014 to August 2015. After taking the permission of principals of 10 schools and consent of the parents of adolescents, 842 adolescents from 10 schools of Bhavnagar district were examined for nutritional deficiencies. The data was collected by predesign, pretested proforma and analyzed using SPSS 17.0 (Trial version).Results: Mean age was 15.8 ± 1.96 years. Out of 867, 433 (51.4%) were boys and 409 (48.6%) were girls. Vitamin A deficiency was present in 53 (6.3%) adolescents. Vitamin B complex deficiency signs were seen in 139 (16.5%) adolescents. Vitamin C deficiency signs were seen in 84 (10.0%) adolescents. PEM was observed in 90 (10.7%) adolescents. The study revealed that 67.0% girls were suffering from anaemia compare to 58.7% of boys. 117 (13.9%) adolescents had visual impairment.  Conclusions: Poor personal hygiene and nutritional deficiency among these adolescents needs great attention and health education.

An Empirical Research on Impact of HRD Climate on Infosys Pune

In current scenario of ever changing surroundings IT sector is an emergent and mounting solitary. IT sector being a part Service industry is extreme lyreliant on the proficiencies and enthusiasm of recruits. Thus it’s momentous to investigate Human Resource Development which is comprised of two elements i.e., climate and culture of such organizations. The current research is an attempt to identify the HRD-climate practices in Infosys Pune. The investigator has used standardized planned opinionaire together information from the 50 employees of Infosys opinionaire.The information collected was analyzed by applying Factor analysis, Friedmen-test, one-way anova, Correlations and mean score. The main aim of present research was to examine the temperament of HRD-climate in Infosys and identify the factors conducive towards HRD-climate. Here researcher makes an effort to pull out notable HRD-Climate components derived from the inter-relationship of variables of HRD-Climate. Based on belief of Infosys employee’s influence of HRD components is measured. The result of the study involves 50 respondents from Infosys. The correlation analysis it has been observed that all three components HRD Mechanisms, General climate and OCTAPACE Culture are highly correlated to each other the value of r is lies 0.687 to 0.834, which highlights that deviation in single component will have strong influence on other two components. HRD-mechanisms is the top influencing element with mean score of 2.14. On account of overall result research determines that employees are motivated in their organisation, there is high level of team spirit and employees are encouraged to bring creative ideas and are supported by top management of organisation

Novel mutations in the von Hippel–Lindau gene associated with congenital polycythemia

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111073/1/pbc25407.pd

Knowledge and awareness of tuberculosis in caregivers of paediatric tuberculosis patients of north Gujarat region, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the most important public health problems worldwide. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of tuberculosis, which is often difficult to diagnose and therefore difficult to treat effectively. The compliance for treatment can be increased if caregivers of paediatric TB patients are well aware about the disease, treatment and preventive measures.Methods: This cross sectional observational, descriptive epidemiological study was conducted at GMERS medical college and hospital Dharpur-Patan located in north Gujarat during January 2015 to June 2015. The study was conducted among all the 151 pediatric TB patients who were currently under treatment at selected hospital. Caregivers of the patients were informed about the purpose of the study and their informed written consent was taken. By interviewing them on the basis of pre-designed and pre tested preform, information regarding socio demographic profile, knowledge and awareness regarding TB was collected. The collected data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS 17 Trial version).Results: Only 68 (45.0 %) caregivers of patients had knowledge regarding mode of spread of TB infection to others. 89 (58.9%) caregivers of patients knew about curability of the disease. 104 (68.9%) caregivers of patients had knowledge regarding DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short course chemotherapy) centre for TB treatment under RNTCP (Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme). 32.3% caregivers of the patients knew that TB can be prevented by BCG vaccine. The literacy status had a significant influence on awareness about TB. Conclusions: Apart from pharmacological treatment poor knowledge of tuberculosis in caregivers of the paediatric TB patients also needs great attention for better control and prevention of TB in paediatric age group.

New Automated Free Weight Device for Weightlifting and Resistance Training

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