Physical realization of realignment criteria using structural physical approximation

Entanglement detection is an important problem in quantum information theory because quantum entanglement is a key resource in quantum information processing. Realignment criteria is a powerful tool for detection of entangled states in bipartite and multipartite quantum system. It is an important criteria for entanglement detection because it works well; not only for negative partial transpose entangled states (NPTES) but also for positive partial transpose entangled states (PPTES). Since the matrix corresponding to realignment map is indefinite so the experimental implementation of the map is an obscure task. In this work, firstly, we have approximated the realignment map to a positive map using the method of structural physical approximation (SPA) and then we have shown that the structural physical approximation of realignment map (SPA-R) is completely positive. Positivity of the constructed map is characterized using moments which can be physically measured. Next, we develop a separability criterion based on our SPA-R map in the form of an inequality and have shown that the developed criterion not only detect NPTES but also PPTES. We have provided some examples to support the results obtained. Moreover, we have analysed the error that may occur because of approximating the realignment map.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, 1 table, Appendix, Accepted in Physical Review

Isolation of a serine Kunitz trypsin inhibitor from leaves of Terminalia arjuna

A serine Kunitz protease inhibitor was isolated from the semi-mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna, a host plant for Antheraea mylitta, using ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel permeation chromatography and trypsin–sepharose affinity chromatography. A 29-fold purification of T. arjuna Trypsin Inhibitor (TaTI) with a yield recovery of 3.2% was achieved. The purified protease inhibitor (TaTI) was resolved into a single protein band corresponding to molecular weight of 19.0 kDa on 12% SDS–PAGE under non-reducing conditions, whereas an additional band of 21.5 kDa was observed when the same fraction was resolved on SDS–PAGE under reducing conditions in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol. TaTI inhibited both trypsin and chymotrypsin, but showed higher affinity for trypsin compared to chymotrypsin. However, it is more effective on bovine trypsin than midgut trypsin of tasar silkworm. TaTI retains its activity over a wide range of temperatures (0–100°C) and pH (2.0–8.0), with pH optimum of 8.0. These observations indicate that TaTI is not only specific to tasar silkworm but also to bovine serine proteases. Hence it can be considered as a generalist protease inhibitor

Influence of host plant (Terminalia arjuna)defences on the evolution of feeding behaviourin the tasar silkworm

Both under indoor and outdoor rearing conditions, early instars of Antheraea mylitta showed differential preference for eating towards developmentally different leaves of host plant, Terminalia arjuna. Semi-mature leaves were preferred by first, second and third instar of A. mylitta. Nutritional-value study of leaves of different age groups with respect to soluble protein and electrophoretic profile showed that young leaves are nutritionally rich compared to semi-mature and mature leaves. However, growth response and survival of larvae were better on semi-mature leaves compared to young and mature leaves. When analysed, semi-mature leaves showed protease inhibitor activity intermediate between young and mature leaves. This observation suggests optimal defence theory, where young and semi-mature leaves having high fitness and high probability of attack tend to have higher concentration of defence metabolites. Differential inhibition of midgut and bovine proteases by host plant protease inhibitor indicates that the tasar silkworm might have detoxified or evolved proteases that are insensitive to the leaf protease inhibitor of the host plant. Thus the differential feeding behaviour of larvae of tasar silkworm is an adaptation for coexistence of the insect and its host plant

Endometrial hyperplasia and tubal ectopic: a correlation

Anovulation due to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the causes of endometrial hyperplasia in infertile women. Tubal ectopic apart from tubal factors can also be the result of hampered endometrial receptivity in these women which could be due to disturbed hormonal mileu, endometrial hyperplasia at cornua thereby interfering with transport of embryo from fallopian tube to uterus, or could be because of mechanical damage caused while taking endometrial biopsy. We are presenting case series of eight women of PCOS who presented to infertility clinic within two years with history of ectopic pregnancy or had subsequent ectopic pregnancy (after taking endometrial biopsy) with histopathology report of endometrial hyperplasia with or without atypia were enrolled. Out of 1200 PCOS women presenting to infertility clinic, eight women had coexistence of both endometrial hyperplasias and ectopic pregnancy. It is rare to find endometrial hyperplasias causing ectopic pregnancy. The causative factor in these cases could be the faulty endometrium by not being receptive thereby causing the embryo to implant in the fallopian tube or the tubes due to subtle infection secondary to repeated endometrial evaluation

What’s new in dry eye disease diagnosis? Current advances and challenges [version 1; referees: 3 approved]

Dry eye disease (DED) is a commonly encountered condition in general ophthalmology practice and imparts a significant socioeconomic burden. Despite its prevalence, there remain challenges regarding its diagnosis and management. A major reason behind these challenges is the fact that DED represents an umbrella term that encompasses many different underlying conditions and pathophysiological mechanisms. The purpose of this article is to highlight aspects of DED pathophysiology and focus on targeted diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this multifactorial, chronic condition

Scrub typhus in children: Clinical profile and complications at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Uttarakhand

Background: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by rickettsia Orientia tsutsugamushi. Rickettsial infections are grossly underdiagnosed in India because of their non-specific clinical presentation, low index of suspicion among clinicians, and lack of diagnostic facilities. Objective: Objective of the study is to study the clinical profile, complications, and outcome of pediatric scrub typhus. Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, SGRR Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, over a period of 2 years from November 2013 to October 2015. Children up to 18 years of age with signs and symptoms compatible with scrub typhus along with serological confirmation were included in the study. Serological study was conducted using rapid immunochromatographic assay and/or immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, complications, and outcome of these children were recorded on a performa. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Results: About 115 children were diagnosed as scrub typhus during the study period. All children presented with fever. Other common symptoms were myalgia (56%), vomiting (50.5%), abdominal pain (26%), headache (28%), facial puffiness (15%), and seizures (8.7%). Pallor was present in 48% of children. Other common signs were hepatomegaly (29%), splenomegaly (28%), hypotension (24%), edema (21%), oliguria (17%), maculopapular rash (10%), meningeal signs (10.4%), and conjunctivitis (3%). Thrombocytopenia (67%), anemia (51%), pleural effusion (23%), shock (16%), hepatitis (23%), acute kidney injury (17%), meningoencephalitis (10%), myocarditis (7%), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (7%) were the complications observed. Azithromycin, doxycycline or chloramphenicol were used for the treatment. Overall mortality rate was 12.2%. Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion and knowledge of geographicaldistribution of rickettsial diseases is crucial for its early diagnosis and favorable outcome. The presence of an eschar is a valuable clinical clue in the diagnosis of scrub typhus; however, its absence does not rule out the disease

Glutathione Supplementation Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis in a Mouse Model of Acute Lung Injury

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a life threatening condition associated with hypoxemia, diffuse alveolar damage, inflammation, and loss of lung function. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS; endotoxin) from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is a major virulence factor involved in the development of ALI. The depletion of glutathione (GSH), an essential intra- and extra-cellular protective antioxidant, by LPS is an important event that contributes to the elevation in reactive oxygen species. Whether restoring GSH homeostasis can effectively ameliorate mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular apoptosis in ALI is unknown and therefore, was the focus of this study. In peripheral lung tissue of LPS-treated mice, hydrogen peroxide and protein nitration levels were significantly increased. Pre-treatment with GSH-ethyl ester (GSH-EE) prevented this increase in oxidative stress. LPS also increased the lactate/pyruvate ratio, attenuated SOD2 protein levels, and decreased ATP levels in the mouse lung indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. Again, GSH-EE treatment preserved the mitochondrial function. Finally, our studies showed that LPS induced an increase in the mitochondrial translocation of Bax, caspase 3 activation, and nuclear DNA fragmentation and these parameters were all prevented with GSH-EE. Thus, this study suggests that GSH-EE supplementation may reduce the mitochondrial dysfunction associated with ALI