COHESION WITHOUT COHESINS IN DROSOPHILA MEIOSIS

Meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction. The proper segregation of chromosomes in meiosis requires multiple functions of a multi-subunit protein complex known as cohesin. Cohesin forms a ring around duplicated sister chromatids and prevents them from separating prematurely. In Drosophila, mitotic cohesin is composed of four subunits: SMC1 and SMC3 and SCC1/RAD21 and SCC3/SA and are required for mitotic cohesion. However, RAD21 is dispensable for meiotic cohesion and although SMC1 and SMC3 are present on meiotic centromeres and on synapsed chromosome arms, as expected, their functions in meiosis remain poorly characterized. Moreover, unlike in other eukaryotes in which screens for meiotic cohesion genes have revealed meiosis-specific cohesin paralogs such as the conserved RAD21 paralog REC8, similar screens in Drosophila identified three novel genes that encode meiosis-specific centromere proteins (SOLO, ORD and SUNN (SOS)) with no apparent similarity to cohesins. Loss-of-function mutations in all three genes disrupt centromere cohesion and SMC1/3 centromere localization, and cause random chromatid segregation. We are investigating the role of cohesins in Drosophila male and female meiosis by using germ-line specific RNAi (RNA interference) to deplete one of the core cohesins - SMC3. When we knockdown SMC3 in the male germline we observe premature loss of cohesion between the sister centromeres of some (but not all) chromosomes during prophase I, and numerical mis-segregation of major autosomes (2nd and 3rd). Surprisingly, however, cohesion and segregation of the sex chromosomes is nearly unaffected by depletion of SMC3. Even more remarkably, SMC3 knockdown in the female germline has no apparent effect on centromere cohesion. This result is probably not due to incomplete depletion of SMC3 as synaptonemal complexes (which require SMC1 and SMC3 as components of the lateral elements) are completely eliminated in the SMC3-depleted oocytes. We show that despite the absence of cohesin proteins from centromeres, SOLO localizes normally to the centromeres in SMC3 knockdown in both male and female germlines. These results suggest the hypothesis that SOLO along with SUNN and ORD can provide cohesion to centromeres in the absence of the cohesins. This is the first clear evidence for a non-cohesin-based cohesion mechanism in any eukaryote

Examination and Empirical Forecast of Wheat Yield in Northwest India Based on Climate and Socio-Economic Factors

This study summarizes the findings of research organized in two parts. The first part includes the impact of climate and socio-economic factors that affected wheat yield in northwest India during the 2000s. The second part focused on the forecast of average wheat yield for the two highest wheat producing states Punjab and Haryana. Initial study focused on the impact of climate factors on wheat yield in northwest India. It has been found that above normal temperature coupled with water shortage i.e. irregular irrigation and low soil moisture contributed to the prolonged yield reduction during 2002-2010. Next, we reviewed the socio-economic factors which might be responsible for the wheat yield reduction along with climate factors. Lastly, an attempt has been made to forecast (2 years) wheat yield for the two states with very limited input. Despite of the limited input, the fitted model worked well and produced around 74% forecast accuracy. This short-term forecast can help crop management planning and other decision planning for the next few years

Utilization of Agro industrial Food Processing Wastes and Pollutants for Manufacture of Products of Industrial Value A review

Rapid industrialization as a consequence of the population explosion has led to the expansion of the agricultureand food processing sector to feed every mouth and to meet rapidly growing market demand. Extensive harvesting and processing of crops and raw agricultural harvests, and production of secondary and tertiary wastes from industrial manufacturing operations associated with agricultural and food products have impacted the environment in adverse ways, which is causing irreparable damages. To minimize the carbon load on earth, several sustainable technologies have been developed, which can save the environment as well as generate some useful and industrially important products. This review work focuses on the current scenario of these wastes, and their harmful effects on nature in general, and on the environment in particular. It also suggests that sustainable techniques can minimize these harmful impacts, and can instead manufacture some valuable products like antibiotics, enzymes, organic acid, organic chemicals, biomass, pigment, flavors, solid fuel, and bioalcohol. Thus, this is a comprehensive and extensive account of the utilization of agricultural and food processing wastes to derive valuable, useful products

Examination of the Climate Factors That Reduced Wheat Yield in Northwest India during the 2000s

In India, a significant reduction of wheat yield would cause a widespread impact on food security for 1.35 billion people. The two highest wheat producing states, Punjab and Haryana in northern India, experienced a prolonged period of anomalously low wheat yield during 2002–2010. The extent of climate variability and change in influencing this prolonged reduction in wheat yield was examined. Daily air temperature (Tmax and Tave) was used to calculate the number of days above optimum temperature and growing degree days (GDD) anomaly. Two drought indices, the standard precipitation and evapotranspiration index and the radiation-based precipitation index, were used to describe the drought conditions. Groundwater variability was assessed via satellite-based approximation. The analysis results indicate that the wheat yield loss corresponds to the increase in the number of days with a temperature above 35 °C during the maturity stage (March). Reduction in monsoon rainfall led to a depletion of groundwater and reduced surface water for irrigation in the wheat growing season (November–March). Higher temperatures, coupled with water shortage and irregular irrigation, also appear to impact the yield reduction. In hindsight, improving the agronomic practices to minimize crop water usage could be an adaptation strategy to maintain the desired wheat yield in the face of climate-induced drought and precipitation anomaly

Decision-making in economics: critical lessons from neurobiology

In this chapter, the authors consider some of the issues regarding the rational choice decision framework in neoclassical economics and how it can particularly be found wanting in the absence of due consideration for some of the underlying critical neurobiological factors which govern decision making. They develop a critical decision problem and explore the scenario where the solution predicted by formal economic theory may be in conflict with the decision that actually occurs. Such conflict is especially relevant in the context of economic decision making in emerging markets where there can be a lack of trust in the system by the agents operating within it. Based on logically consistent arguments derived from the extant literature, the authors argue that non-consideration of underlying neurobiological factors is a direct cause of this conflict

AN OPD BASED PROSPECTIVE EXPLORATORY STUDY OF DERMATOPHYTOSIS - FOCUS ON TREATMENT OUTCOMES, MEDICATION ADHERENCE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE

Objective: The study was planned primarily to judge the effectiveness, safety, and adherence of the prescribed treatments in dermatophytosis along with the effect on the Quality of Life (QoL) of the affected individuals. Methods: In this prospective observational study, spanning over 5 months, participants (dermatophytosis patients) were assessed at baseline and 6 week-follow-up at study site. Information about their clinical presentation, QoL (Quality of Life) parameters, medication adherence, and adverse drug reaction (ADR) were entered in the Case Report Form (CRF) prepared by utilizing global standard tools such as 5D-itch scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), and WHO-ADR reporting form respectively. Results: Total 60 subjects (33 males and 27 females) had completed the study. Overall, tinea cruris (40%) was the most common variety followed by combination of tinea corporis and cruris (35%), tinea corporis (20%), and tinea incognito (3%). Pruritus was the predominant symptom. There was a significant (p<0.001) improvement of both 5D-itch & DLQI scores from baseline to follow-up stage (after 6 weeks). Treatment regimens were well tolerated (only eight subjects reported any adverse event such as gastric irritation and sedation). Medication adherence to the prescribed treatment was good; (mean MARS score 7.588±1.82). Mostly prescribed regimen was a combination of antifungal (oral plus topical) and antihistamine tablet (58/60, 96.66%). The most common drug combination was capsule itraconazole, luliconazole cream, and cetirizine or levocetirizine tablet with or without ketoconazole soap (35/60, 58.33%). Conclusion: Prescribed treatment regimen for dermatophytosis was effective, tolerable, acceptable with high medication adherence and also improved the QoL of the study subjects

Regulation of sumoylation by dTopors during male meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster

The Topors protein is a tumor suppressor in human that associates with and regulates a number of cell cycle regulators that including topoisomerase I and p53. It possesses both ubiquitin and SUMO ligase activity and its mutation or downregulation has been associated with some human cancers and diseases. The Drosophila homologue, dTopors, is an ubiquitin E3 ligase. We have investigated the role of Dtopors in sumoylating proteins in the male germ line. Although nuclear lamin localization is disrupted in dtopors mutants, we find no evidence of lamin modification by Dtopors. We observe an increase in the overall sumoylation of testis proteins and a corresponding decrease in the pool of free SUMO in homozygous dtopors versus heterozygous dtopors flies. Based on this result, we propose a model explaining the role of dtopors in altering germline sumoylation. We have constructed a SUMO-GFP transgenic protein to investigate how dtopors is altering the pool of SUMO in the cell. We demonstrate that this transgenic construct can rescue smt3 mutant flies and is expressed in spermatocytes. This tool will allow one to measure SUMO synthesis and processing, and how these aspects of SUMO dynamics are affected by dtopors during meiosis in D. melanogaster males

Hospital-based surveillance of enteric parasites in Kolkata

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of illness and death in developing countries and the second commonest cause of death due to infectious diseases among children under five in such countries. Parasites, as well as bacterial and viral pathogens, are important causes of diarrhoea. However, parasitic infections are sometimes overlooked, leading after a period of time to an uncertain aetiology. In this paper we report the prevalence of <it>Giardia lamblia</it>, <it>Entamoeba histolytica </it>and <it>Cryptosporidium </it>sp. in and around Kolkata.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A hospital-based laboratory surveillance study was conducted among the patients admitted between November 2007 and October 2008 to the Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital (Population = 1103) with diarrhoeal complaints. Of the 1103 samples collected, 147 were positive for <it>Giardia lamblia</it>, 84 for <it>Cryptosporidium </it>sp. and 51 for <it>Entamoeba histolytica</it>. For all these parasites there was a high rate of mixed infection with common enteric viruses and bacteria such as Rotavirus, <it>Vibrio cholerae </it>and <it>Shigella </it>sp. There were also cases of co-infection with all other diarrheogenic pathogens. The age group ≥ 5 years had the highest prevalence of parasites whereas the age group >5 – 10 years was predominantly infected with <it>Giardia lamblia </it>(p =< 0.001; Odds ratio (OR) = 3.937; 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.862 – 8.326) and with all parasites (p = 0.040; OR = 2.043; 95% CI = 1.033 – 4.039). The age group >10 – 20 years could also be considered at risk for <it>G. lamblia </it>(p = 0.009; OR = 2.231; 95% CI = 1.223 – 4.067). Month-wise occurrence data showed an endemic presence of <it>G. lamblia </it>whereas <it>Cryptosporidium </it>sp. and <it>E. histolytica </it>occurred sporadically. The GIS study revealed that parasites were more prevalent in areas such as Tangra, Tiljala and Rajarhat, which are mainly slum areas. Because most of the population surveyed was in the lower income group, consumption of contaminated water and food could be the major underlying cause of parasitic infestations.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study provides important information on the occurrence and distribution of three important intestinal parasites and indicates their diarrheogenic capacity in Kolkata and surrounding areas.</p