Study of the L13a Residues Required for Ribosomal Function

Ribosome biogenesis, a fundamental process, occurs in the nucleolus. It involves incorporation and association of ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) in the ribosomal subunit. Despite its obligatory and critical role in cellular function, the explicit mechanism of incorporation of different r-proteins into the pre-ribosome is not well understood. Using mammalian cell and r-protein L13a as our model, this study addresses the function and mechanism of r-protein incorporation during ribosome maturation. Published results from our laboratory showed the requirement of the release of L13a from the 60S ribosome to silence a cohort of inflammatory proteins directly at the level of translation thus showing the significant potential of this mechanism to resolve inflammation. To get further insight into the mechanism of its release, it is essential to identify the domain of L13a and the subcellular site required for ribosome incorporation. Homology modeling of human L13a with the crystal structure of prokaryotic L13, predicted some amino acid residues that could bind to ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Consistent with this model, a combined experimental approach involving ribosome incorporation assay of recombinant L13a and RNA immunoprecipitation have identified Arg at position 68 and Arg-Lys-Arg at position 59-60-61 as potential interaction site with 60S subunit. We have performed immunofluorescence studies to test whether the incorporation defective mutant L13a failed to translocate to the nucleolus, the site of ribosome biogenesis. L13a harboring the mutation of Arg at position 68 to Ala translocate to the nucleolus, but however alters the nucleolar morphology. In contrast L13a with the mutation of Arg-Lys-Arg at position 59-60-61 to Ala-Ala-Ala is nucleolar translocation incompetent. These studies also identified that incorporation of L13a during ribosome biogenesis occurs at the stage of 90S pre-ribosome formation. Previous studies from our laboratory showed an essential role of L13a in rRNA methylation. In these studies we identi

NANOPARTICLE INSULIN DRUG DELIVERY-APPLICATIONS AND NEW ASPECTS

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder caused via the deficiency of pancreatic hormone insulin (Type1 diabetes mellitus) or due to the resistance of cells to insulin secreted by using the body (Type 2 diabetes mellitus). It is a rapidly growing serious situation that inspires a lot of global concern. Exogenous insulin administration is many times used therapy for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and gestational diabetes. The traditional subcutaneous insulin injections cause a lot of suffering to the affected person, exceptionally due to pain and secondarily due to dose sensitivity and in additional complications. Hence alternate delivery systems are an area of recreation for medical professionals and a convenient alternative system will be a boon to the patients. As an end result of the technological advances, various invasive and non-invasive delivery systems have been brought in the previous years. Nanotechnology, particle-mediated delivery, pulmonary delivery, buccal spray, etc. are the most current advances

Study of the L13a Residues Required for Ribosomal Function

Ribosome biogenesis, a fundamental process, occurs in the nucleolus. It involves incorporation and association of ribosomal proteins (r-proteins) in the ribosomal subunit. Despite its obligatory and critical role in cellular function, the explicit mechanism of incorporation of different r-proteins into the pre-ribosome is not well understood. Using mammalian cell and r-protein L13a as our model, this study addresses the function and mechanism of r-protein incorporation during ribosome maturation. Published results from our laboratory showed the requirement of the release of L13a from the 60S ribosome to silence a cohort of inflammatory proteins directly at the level of translation thus showing the significant potential of this mechanism to resolve inflammation. To get further insight into the mechanism of its release, it is essential to identify the domain of L13a and the subcellular site required for ribosome incorporation. Homology modeling of human L13a with the crystal structure of prokaryotic L13, predicted some amino acid residues that could bind to ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Consistent with this model, a combined experimental approach involving ribosome incorporation assay of recombinant L13a and RNA immunoprecipitation have identified Arg at position 68 and Arg-Lys-Arg at position 59-60-61 as potential interaction site with 60S subunit. We have performed immunofluorescence studies to test whether the incorporation defective mutant L13a failed to translocate to the nucleolus, the site of ribosome biogenesis. L13a harboring the mutation of Arg at position 68 to Ala translocate to the nucleolus, but however alters the nucleolar morphology. In contrast L13a with the mutation of Arg-Lys-Arg at position 59-60-61 to Ala-Ala-Ala is nucleolar translocation incompetent. These studies also identified that incorporation of L13a during ribosome biogenesis occurs at the stage of 90S pre-ribosome formation. Previous studies from our laboratory showed an essential role of L13a in rRNA methylation. In these studies we identi

Learning levels and gaps in Pakistan

The authors report on a survey of primary public and private schools in rural Pakistan witha focus on student achievement as measured through test scores. Absolute learning is low compared with curricular standards and international norms. Tested at the end of the third grade, a bare majority had mastered the K-I mathematics curriculum and 31 percent could correctly form a sentence with the word"school"in the vernacular (Urdu). As in high-income countries, bivariate comparisons show that higher learning is associated with household wealth and parental literacy. In sharp contrast to high-income countries, these gaps decrease dramatically in a multivariate regression once differences between children in the same school are looked at. Consequently, the largest gaps are between schools. The gap in English test scores between government and private schools, for instance, is 12 times the gap between children from rich and poor families. To contextualize these results within a broader South Asian context, the authors use data from public schools in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Levels of learning and the structure of the educational gaps are similar in the two samples. As in Pakistan, absolute learning is low and the largest gaps are between schools: the gap between good and bad government schools, for instance, is 5 times the gap between children with literate and illiterate mothers.Primary Education,Education For All,Tertiary Education,Secondary Education,Teaching and Learning

DESIGN, FORMULATION, AND EVALUATION OF SOLID DISPERSION TABLETS OF POORLY WATER-SOLUBLE ANTIDIABETIC DRUG USING NATURAL POLYMER

Objective: The objective of the present study was to formulate the solid dispersion (SD) of poorly water-soluble drug glimepiride and the development of the tablets of prepared SD of glimepiride using natural and synthetic polymers. Methods: The SD of glimepiride was to prepare using fusion method. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method using synthetic polymer such as HPMC and natural polymer gellan gum. Results: The granules were evaluated by determining the angle of repose (23.70±0.761 to 29.21±0.127º), bulk density, tapped density, Hausner ratio, and Carr’s index. It shows satisfactory results. The tablets were subjected to the measurement of hardness (3.9±0.08 to 4.6±0.04kg/cm2), friability (0.22±0.004 to 0.40±0.005%), and in vitro release studied. Release study of pure drug was performed. In the release study, SD of glimepiride tablets with gellan gum gives considerably good result compared to HPMC. Conclusion: From the results, it was shown that dissolution rate of pure glimepiride was very slow. When the glimepiride was prepared in SD form, then the dissolution rate was very fast. The tablets of the SD of glimepiride were prepared and release study was shown depending on various quantities of HPMC and gellan gum used. Therefore, the long term stability study is required for future development of this formulation

Exploring the Margins of Kotha Culture : Reconstructing a Courtesan’s life in Neelum Saran Gour’s \u3cem\u3eRequiem in Raga Janki\u3c/em\u3e

In their article, “Exploring the Margins of Kotha Culture: Reconstructing a Courtesan’s life in Neelum Saran Gour’s Requiem in Raga Janki,” Chhandita Das and Priyanka Tripathi discuss the invisible challenges in life of a famous courtesan Janki Bai Ilahabadi through close analysis of Neelum Saran Gour’s 2018 novel, Requiem in Raga Janki. In this novel, Janki belongs to the infamous kotha but she never fails to seek her subjectivity. This marginal place of Janaki’s belonging will be discussed by appropriating and the theoretical framework of Indian feminist Lata Singh’s (2007) for whom courtesans have been represented as “‘other’ in history” (1677). Other than Singh, bell hooks’ ‘margin as a space of radical openness’ (Yearning 228), Veena Oldenburg’s spectacular scholarship on courtesans’ in ‘Lifestyle as Resistance’ (1990) will be synthesized to deconstruct the social hierarchy. Although baijis or tawaifs in India possess rich artistic heritage but surprisingly enough they have been often in a questionable space wherein their individual and social integrity has been compromised. Gour attempts to rewrite life of a courtesan from Allahabad and in the process creates an alternative discourse or understanding of a courtesan’s life through Janki, matron, yes! not patron of Indian classical music and tradition

CYTOMORPHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL STUDIES OF SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA

Objective: To investigate the cytomorphological and physico-chemical characteristics of Sida rhombifolia.Methods: Fresh leaves, stems and roots were studied for microscopical characters and dried powder of leaves, stems and roots were subjected to physico-chemical analysis using standard methods.Results: The detail microscopy of leaf revealed the presence of paracytic stomata, unicellular covering trichome, cluster of calcium oxalate crystals, lignified xylem, non-lignified phloem; presence of both simple and compound starch granules, pitted, spiral and annular xylem vessels were found in stem; and section of root found to contain cortex of polygonal and rectangular cells with brownish content, both lignified and nonlignified fibres, xylem vessels of spiral, annular thickening, and squarish type of crystals. Leaf constants such as stomatal number, stomatal index, and vein-islet number along with the dimension of starch grains were measured. Physico-chemical parameters such as ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, fluorescence analysis, behavior of powder drug with different chemical reagents, etc. were also determined. Preliminary photochemical screening of plant parts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, steroids and amino acids.Conclusion: The microscopic study and physico-chemical analysis of Sida rhombifolia (S. rhombifolia) are useful in standardization for detrmination of quality, checking of purity and identification of the sample.Â

Association of sociodemographic variables with nutritional status among the college girls of Howrah, West Bengal, India

Nutritional status of young adult girls is very essential since they are future mothers, and their nutritional requirements increase tremendously compared to the preceding years of growth. The present study was an endeavour to assess the nutritional status and to find an association between sociodemographic variables and nutritional status among young adult college girls of Howrah, West Bengal. The study included a total of 140 college girls aged between 18 to 20 years. The sociodemographic data were collected by the interview method using a pretested standard structured schedule. The anthropometric data were measured by the standard protocol. For the comparison of anthropometric data, growth charts of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were used. The anthropometric measures like weight, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), suprailiac skinfold, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR) and waistheight ratio (WHtR) show an increasing trend according to age groups. Based on BMI, 25.7% of the young adult college girls were found to be underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2), which includes chronic energy deficiency (CED) grade I (13.6%), chronic energy deficiency (CED) grade II (7.9%) and chronic energy deficiency (CED) grade III (4.3%). BMI for age (< 5th percentile) or thinness showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) according to age. Similarly, stature for age (< 5th percentile) or stunting shows a significant association (p < 0.05) with father’s education, and underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) shows a significant association (p < 0.05) with monthly family household income. The results of linear regression show that sociodemographic variables and food habits were significant predictors of various anthropometric measures. Monthly family income and frequency of eating fast food per week were significant predictors of BMI and MUAC, and the age of the participant and the education of the mother were significant predictors of WHR, and family income per month and the age of the participant were significant predictors of WHtR. Thus, the present study provides a podium for further studies to combat the effect of undernutrition among future mothers and instigates effective nutritional intervention strategies entailing this vulnerable group

Separability of State Trajectories and its Applications to Security of Cyber-Physical Systems

This article studies a fundamental problem of security of cyber-physical systems (CPSs). We focus on a class of attacks where some of the actuators could be malicious while all the sensors are considered to be honest. We introduce a novel idea of separability of state trajectories that are generated by the honest and corrupt actuators, and establish its connection to the security of CPSs in the context of detecting the presence of malicious actuators (if any,) in the system. As a defense strategy to guard the CPS against malicious attacks, we focus on the mechanism of perturbing the pre-determined control action by injecting a certain class of random process by the honest actuators called private excitation, which is assumed to have a known distribution. As primary contributions we give sufficient conditions for the existence and non-existence of a separator for linear time-invariant stochastic systems, under the assumption that the policies are randomized-Markovian and randomized history dependent. Several technical aspects of the established results are discussed extensively.Comment: 26 page