Computational Methods on Study of Differentially Expressed Proteins in Maize Proteomes Associated with Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation

Plant breeders have focused on improving maize resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin accumulation by breeding with genotypes having the desirable traits. Various maize inbred lines have been developed for the breeding of resistance. Identification of differentially expressed proteins among such maize inbred lines will facilitate the development of gene markers and expedite the breeding process. Computational biology and proteomics approaches on the investigation of differentially expressed proteins were explored in this research. The major research objectives included 1) application of computational methods in homology and comparative modeling to study 3D protein structures and identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) involved in changes of protein structures and functions, which can in turn increase the efficiency of the development of DNA markers; 2) investigation of methods on total protein profiling including purification, separation, visualization, and computational analysis at the proteome level. Special research goals were set on the development of open source computational methods using Matlab image processing tools to quantify and compare protein expression levels visualized by 2D protein electrophoresis gel techniques

Early onset osteoarthritis knee in premature menopausal women

Background: Women with early menopause medical (disease) or surgical (hysterectomy) are having postmenopausal symptoms after a variable period. Osteoarthritis (OA) strikes women more often than men and it increases in prevalence, incidence and severity after menopause. The present study was done to evaluate early onset osteoarthritis knee in premature (early) menopausal women.Methods: We have studied 160 women with early menopause (before 40 yrs of age) developing symptoms and well established osteo arthritic knees. We have studied various factors with early menopause. The data was analysed using SPSS software version 22.Results: In our study 138 cases (86.25%) were surgical menopause (hysterectomy) and 22 cases (13.75%) were medical menopause where definite cause was not obvious. An early onset knee pain was noted in 1 to 2 years. But late OA was noted after 6 to 7 years of menopause. Effective treatment was wanted by majority of the patient from the point of view of post-menopausal osteosaropaenia and physiotherophy. Even in urban population erratic treatment was maximum (75%). Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, fibroid or severe intractable infection appeared be the most common indication for hysterectomy.Conclusions: We concluded that with better awareness of menopause, effective regular treatment and physiotherapy can herald the process of osteoarthritis. The difficulties were mainly developed early because of lack of awareness, no effective regular treatment and physiotherapy. Pain is the starting feature which may continue to severe disability later on

Wind Energy Conversion System With Permanent Magnetic Synchronous Generator

This paper presents a study on grid-connected WECS with PMSG. The application of non-conventional energy resources develops much rapidly to improve low carbon energy resources in India. Nowadays, we are going to depend on solar, wind for the fulfillment of energy demand. Wind energy applications develop much more rapidly than other renewable resources such as solar, geothermal, and so on in the 21st century. It becomes the third core energy resource following non-conventional fuels as oil and chemical. The electrical energy generated by wind power plants is the best developing and most promising renewable energy source. The wind is a clean, free, and limitless energy source. Wind Energy Generation Systems (WECS) are confronted with increasing demands for power quality and harmonic distortion control. With the advance in power electronics technology, the fast growth of variable speed WECS is now witnessed

Targeted drug delivery (Site specific drug delivery)

230-247The conventional drugs used so far are small organic molecules meant to degrade the diseased protein, formed as a result of the interference of pathogens at cellular level. A high concentration of these drugs in the cells is necessary for desired therapeutic effect. This aggravates the problem of toxicity. Ever since the unraveling of human genome, attempts are being made to target the drugs selectively to the affected sites in order to increase their efficiency and simultaneously decrease their side effects. ‘Proteomics’ and ‘genomics’ have emerged as new disciplines. The ‘target identification’ for any ligand (drug) can now be achieved by identification of ‘right gene’, ‘right pathway’ and ‘right target,’ and the ‘right drug’ for ‘right patient’ can be developed. Genomics information decides the target validation, which is, in fact the association between particular target and disease process. Target validation can be achieved either at DNA level using gene knockout strategies and triplex formation, at RNA level using RNA interference (RNAi), at m-RNA level using antisense concept, at ribozyme level or at any other intermediate growth promoter site. Target validation is also possible via DNA- microarrays, stem cells or monoclonal antibodies. Recently, stem cells are being used for target identification and drug development. The application of aptamers, i.e., nucleic acids having well defined 3-D shape is gaining importance in target validation of drugs. The application of the knowledge of ‘Proteomics’, Transproteomics and ‘Genomics’ together with the array approach is likely to decide the future of drug development

Role of portable chest radiography in management of COVID-19: Experience of 422 patients from a tertiary care center in India

Objective: To analyze radiological changes in portable chest radiographs in coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19) patients to optimize the management of hospitalized patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 638 portable radiographs of 422 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. All the radiographs were reported in a structured format by two experienced radiologists. A severity score was assigned to every Chest Xray (CXR) and correlation was done with the CT scans whenever available. Results: Out of 422 baseline portable radiographs assessed,the ratio of male: female patients was 337:85 that is 79.8% were males and 20.14% were females.The mean age was 50.5 years and the range was 17–84 years.Of these 422 patients, 187 patients (44.3%) had abnormal baseline CXR. 161 out of 187 (86%) had either typical or indeterminate findings for COVID-19 pneumonia, rest 26 (13.9%) patients had CXR findings not consistent with COVID-19, like pleural effusion, hydropneumothorax, or lung cavity.Most commonly observed CXR findings in COVID 19 pneumonia were bilateral, multifocal air space opacities (consolidation and ground-glass opacities) predominantly involving lower zones and peripheral lung fields. X-ray identifiable lung changes of COVID-19 were mostly seen at 9-11 days after symptom onset. Conclusion: The presence of multifocal air-space opacities with bilateral, peripheral distribution on chest radiograph is highly suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonia in this pandemic setting.Portable chest radiography is a widely available and quicktool for estimating the evolution and assessing the severity of lung involvement of COVID-19 pneumonia in hospitalized symptomatic patients