Large-scale polymorphism of heterochromatic repeats in the DNA of Arabidopsis thaliana

Background: The composition of the individual eukaryote's genome and its variation within a species remain poorly defined. Even for a sequenced genome such as that of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana accession Col-0, the large arrays of heterochromatic repeats are incompletely sequenced, with gaps of uncertain size persisting in them. Results: Using geographically separate populations of A. thaliana, we assayed variation in the heterochromatic repeat arrays using two independent methods and identified significant polymorphism among them, with variation by as much as a factor of two in the centromeric 180 bp repeat, in the 45S rDNA arrays and in the Athila retroelements. In the accession with highest genome size as measured by flow cytometry, Loh-0, we found more than a two-fold increase in 5S RNA gene copies relative to Col-0; results from fluorescence in situ hybridization with 5S probes were consistent with the existence of size polymorphism between Loh-0 and Col-0 at the 5S loci. Comparative genomic hybridization results of Loh-0 and Col-0 did not support contiguous variation in copy number of protein-coding genes on the scale needed to explain their observed genome size difference. We developed a computational data model to test whether the variation we measured in the repeat fractions could account for the different genome sizes determined with flow cytometry, and found that this proposed relationship could account for about 50% of the variance in genome size among the accessions. Conclusion: Our analyses are consistent with substantial repeat number polymorphism for 5S and 45S ribosomal genes among accession of A. thaliana. Differences are also suggested for centromeric and pericentromeric repeats. Our analysis also points to the difficulties in measuring the repeated fraction of the genome and suggests that independent validation of genome size should be sought in addition to flow cytometric measurements

Cardiovascular and biochemical studies on the effects of thrombin and dabigatran and the interaction with vasopressor molecules

Background: The effect of serine protease thrombin and its directly acting inhibitor dabigatran were evaluated on the heart rate, blood pressure, and phospholipase C (PLC) enzyme activity and the intracellular calcium levels in the platelets.Methods: Heart rate and blood pressure were estimated using electrophysiology equipment.Results: While thrombin was unable to significantly affect the heart rate and blood pressure, the inhibitor dabigatran was able to reduce the heart rate appreciably but its effects on the blood pressure were minimal. The thrombin induced increase in PLC enzyme activity, and intracellular calcium levels were attenuated by dabigatran in the platelets. The posterior pituitary hormone, vasopressin, and the adrenergic agonist noradrenaline were used to stimulate the PLC and calcium levels in platelets.Conclusion: The thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran reduces vascular oxidative stress and inflammation, improves endothelial function, and decreases atherosclerosis in rodents

Evaluation of the effect of metformin on the inhibitory effect of oxytocin on potassium chloride stimulated goat ileum

The posterior pituitary hormone, oxytocin is expressed in the myenteric and submucous ganglia and nerve fibers along the entire human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The role for oxytocin in the physiology and pathophysiology of the bowel remains to be clearly elucidated. Many studies have described that oxytocin exerts stimulatory or inhibitory effects on gut functions. Recently, mRNA for oxytocin and its receptor was found throughout the entire human GI tract. In this study, we examined the responses of the posterior pituitary hormone, oxytocin on the contractile responses to KCl and the effect of metformin on these responses as it affects the glucose transport and causes monoamine release in the gut

Sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens: long-term outcomes

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation at a tertiary referral center. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 50 eyes of 43 consecutive patients who underwent sutureless SFIOL implantation by a single surgeon from January 2009 to December 2015. Indications for surgery were aphakia, dislocated intraocular lens (IOL), complicated cataract surgery (posterior capsule rupture, zonular dialysis, dropped nucleus), iris-clipped IOL with corneal decompensation, and lens with poor capsular support. Indication for surgery, visual acuity, ocular history, ocular comorbidities, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and the need for further surgery were analyzed. Results: The analysis conducted on 50 eyes from 43 patients with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) follow-up of 16.64 ± 9.34 months. Patients were 27 (63%) men and 16 (37%) women with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 53.36 ± 22.45 years (range 8–90 years). Final visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 39 eyes. SFIOL was stable and well centered in 48 eyes. SFIOL dislocation was noted in 2 eyes, retinal detachment in 1 eye, and worsening of diabetic cystoid macular edema in 1 eye. Two patients with pre-existing corneal decompensation from complicated cataract surgery had worsening of their condition Conclusions: Sutureless SFIOL could be considered as a long-term option for the management of aphakia, dislocated IOL, and lens with poor capsular support. However, future studies with more subjects, longer follow-ups, and robust study design are needed to confirm the results of the present study

A comparative study of efficacy and side effects of nifedipine with nifedipine along with dydrogesterone in management of preterm labor

Background: Preterm labor remains one of the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Different tocolytics have been studied for prolongation of pregnancy, role of progesterone in increasing latency period remains controversial. Aim of the study was to compare efficacy of nifedipine with nifedipine along with dydrogesterone as a tocolytic agent in case of preterm labor and find its impact on maternal and neonatal outcome. Methods: This study was conducted in 100 women who presented with  symptoms of   preterm labor,  patients were then randomized to nifedipine plus dydrogesterone therapy  or nifedipine  treatment. Group I received Nifedipine plus dydrogesterone 10 mg and group II received only nifedipine. Results: There was significant difference in latency period between group I and group II polongation beyond 1 week was observed in 58% in group I and 32% in group II. There is significant difference in APGAR score at 1 minute and 5 minute between patients of group I and group II. In group I, 57.4% neonates have APGAR >7 whereas in group II 31.9% neonates have APGAR >7 at 1 minute. In Group I, 89.4 % neonates have APGAR >7 whereas in group II 68.1% neonates have APGAR >7 at 5 minutes. The mean birth weight in group I was 1.86 with SD 0.35 whereas in group II it was 1.72 with SD 0.34 which is statistically significant. However, no significant difference was found between admission in neonatal intensive care unit or neonatal complications and adverse effects between 2 groups. Conclusions: This study found dydrogesterone along with nifedipine is more effective as tocolytic in comparison to nifedipine alone

Impact of COVID 19 in antenatal patient with gestational diabetes mellitus and vice a versa: a retrospective study

Background: The objective of this study is to compare the incidence, severity and feto-maternal outcome of antenatal Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) positive patients with GDM vs non GDM patients.Methods: This is a retrospective observational study. The study was carried out in department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur from March 2020 to December 2020. All the antenatal women with COVID 19 positive status who were admitted during this period were enrolled in the study. Analysis were made on the basis of observation regarding the severity of symptoms COVID 19 disease, oxygen requirements, mode of delivery and neonatal outcome in GDM vs non GDM COVID positive antenatal patient.Results: A total of 421 COVID positive antenatal patients were enrolled of which 21 patients were having GDM and 400 were non GDM. Of these 21 patients, 14 (66.7%) were diagnosed with GDM after admission while 7 patients i.e., 33.3% were already diagnosed GDM before admission in current pregnancy. Of these 21 (42.9%) antenatal COVID pt with GDM majority shows mild symptoms of COVID 19, however the severity of fever, myalgia and cough was increased in GDM compared to Non GDM Group. While in non GDM Group, majority of patients were asymptomatic (44.3%) and severity was also less.Conclusions: It is also evident that patients with GDM had longer duration of hospital stay, higher incidence of caesarean delivery and oxygen requirements

Genetic variation in growth traits in whitewood (Endospurmum medullosum LS Smith) in Vanuatu

Whitewood (Endospermum medullosum LS Smith) is a very important timber tree in Vanuatu. It is relatively easy to grow and early maturing. This tree species is contributing to Vanuatu's economy in a big way in terms of employment and revenue but its stands are getting thinner due to continuous logging and lack of replanting. Therefore to establish a breeding programme, genetic variation studies were conducted on a four year-old whitewood family trial established by the Vanuatu Department of Forests under the South Pacific Regional Initiative on Forest Genetic Resources (SPRIG). A total of 97 whitewood families with seed lots collected throughout the Vanuatu were assessed using a row-column design. Characters of economic importance like tree height, diameter at breast height (dbh), wood volume and survival rate were included in this study. Mean height of four year-old trees in families in this trial ranged from 7.8 - 9.2 meters, dbh from 14.8 - 16.8 cm, volume ranged from 0.09m3 - 0.12m3 and survival rate from 70 - 88%. Ranking of the trees within and between families was based on differential weighting system for different characters. Therefore economic weight of 1 was assigned to height and 2 to dbh. All the trees in the trial were ranked but only 20 best trees in the ranking were discussed in detail with the focus on the five best trees for their utility in hybridization programme to improve whitewood provenances. Estimated volume per hectare from the best families and provenances was 166m3 and 100m3 respectively. Mean annual increment (MAI) for the fastest growing family and provenances were 29.2 and 25.0m3 ha-1 yr-1 respectively. Analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (P<0.001) in height, dbh, volume, survival rate and growth of families at 4 years of age. The nested analysis of variance for families and provenances also indicated highly significant differences (P<0.001)) for height, dbh, volume and survival rate

Genetic Evidence for Modifying Oceanic Boundaries Relative to Fiji

We present the most comprehensive genetic characterization to date of five Fijian island populations: Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Kadavu, the Lau Islands, and Rotuma, including non-recombinant Y (NRY) chromosome and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes and haplogroups. As a whole, Fijians are genetically intermediate between Melanesians and Polynesians, but the individual Fijian island populations exhibit significant genetic structure reflecting different settlement experiences in which the Rotumans and the Lau Islanders were more influenced by Polynesians, and the other Fijian island populations were more influenced by Melanesians. In particular, Rotuman and Lau Islander NRY chromosomal and mtDNA haplogroup frequencies and Rotuman mtDNA hypervariable segment 1 (HVS1) region haplotypes more closely resemble those of Polynesians, while genetic markers of the other populations more closely resemble those of the Near Oceanic Melanesians. Our findings provide genetic evidence supportive of modifying regional boundaries relative to Fiji, as has been suggested by others based on a variety of non-genetic evidence. Specifically, for the traditional Melanesia/Polynesia/Micronesia scheme, our findings support moving the Melanesia-Polynesia boundary so as to include Rotuma and the Lau Islands in Polynesia. For the newer Near/Remote Oceania scheme, our findings support keeping Rotuma and the Lau Islands in Remote Oceania and locating the other Fijian island populations in an intermediate or “Central Oceania” region to better reflect the great diversity of Oceania

Antimycotic activity of green tea phytocompounds against Candida glabrata

One of the medically important opportunistic fungal pathogen for humans is Candida glabrata that causes various types of candidiasis. Its environmental adaptations and antimicrobial resistance is now a great concern for public health. In the present study, the green tea phytocompounds; EGCg, Chlorogenic acid, Coumaroyl quinic acid and Rutin trihydrate along with a known antimycotic Fluconazole were studied for their antimycotic activity against Candida glabrata. The MIC90 for C. glabrata was observed at 125µg/ml for EGC g, 250 µg/mlf or Chlorogenic acid, 500µg/ml for Coumaroyl quinic acid and Rutin trihydrate while 12.5µg/ml for Fluconazole in macro dilution assay while the MFC values were 1000 µg/ml for EGC g, 500 µg/ml for Chlorogenic acid, Coumaroyl quinic acid, Rutin trihydrate and 50 µg/ml for Fluconazole. In microdilution assay, the MIC90 for C. glabrata was observed 125µg/ml for EGC g and chlorogenic acid, 500µg/ml for Coumaroyl quinic acid, Rutin trihydrate and 12.5µg/ml for Fluconazole while the MFC values were 31.25 µg/ml for Fluconazole, 250 µg/ml for chlorogenic acid and 500 µg/ml for EGC g, Coumaroyl quinic acid and Rutin trihydrate. EGCg and Chlorogenic acid was found to be more effective against C. glabrata and therefore these two were used for synergistic study along with Fluconazole. The viability of HeLa cells (in per cent) was observed ≥100% green tea phyto compounds. The viability of treated cells (in per cent) with a combination of Green tea, phytocompounds and fluconazole was observed between ≥98± 0.79 to ≥ 98± 0.87. Green tea phytocompounds mainly EGC g and chlorogenic acid can be used as synergistic molecules having antimycotic activity against C. glabrata.