Search

Aim Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their interaction with HLA class I ligands have been shown to be associated with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. The aim of our study was to investigate the influence of KIR genes and their HLA-C ligands for susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes in patients from Eastern India. Methods A total of 135 patients with Type 1 diabetes and 98 healthy subjects from Eastern India were typed for KIR genes and HLA-C ligands using PCR-based genotyping. The frequencies of these genes were compared between patients and controls. Results Comparison of KIR genes between Type 1 diabetes patients and healthy subjects revealed significantly different frequencies of KIRs 2DL2 and 2DS4. The presence of HLA-C1 was negatively associated with disease. The presence of both HLA-C1 and -C2 showed a negative association with Type 1 diabetes, whereas the absence of C1 and presence of C2 was positively associated with disease. Stratification analysis of HLA-C ligands and KIRs showed significant associations between Type 1 diabetes and 2DL2+/C1-, 2DL2-/C1+, 2DL3+/C1+, 2DL3+/C1- and 2DS2+/C1-. Conclusions Our results suggest that the interaction of KIRs with HLA-C ligands are significant and certain combinations contribute to susceptibility to and protection against Type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study aqueous, ethanol and methanol extracts of freshwater mussel Parreysia corrugata were screened for antibacterial activity. The extracts were obtained from the whole body tissue of the animals and tested against 5 pathogenic bacteria viz., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus. Ethanol extract of P.corrugata showed maximum antibacterial activity 11 mm against P.aeruginosa and the minimum activity 9 mm against K. pneumoniae. Methanol extract of P.corrugata showed Maximum inhibition 13mm against P.aeruginosa and the minimum inhibition zone of 8mm against K. pneumoniae. Aqueous extract of P.corrugata showed the maximum inhibition zone was 10mm against S.aureus and the minimum inhibition zone was 7 mm against S.typhi. Aqueous, Ethanol and Methanol extracts showed antibacterial activity against five human pathogen bacteria tested. Compare to water extracts Ethanol and Methanol extracts showed more activity against all pathogens. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds signals at different ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molluscs are highly delicious seafood and they are also very good source for biomedically imported products. Gastropod crude extract was tested for inhibition of bacterial growth against human pathogenic bacteria. Pila virens was screened against five human pathogenic bacteria strains for antibacterial activities. Five species of pathogenic bacteria namely Klepsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis. Control discs were with water and solvents to assess the effect of water and solvents on pathogens. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h the antimicrobial activity was measured accordingly based on the inhibition zone around the disc impregnated with gastropod extract. Ethanol extract of Pila virens was found active against five species of pathogens. The inhibition zone ranged from 9 mm to 11 mm. The maximum inhibition zone was 11 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis. The minimum zone was 9mm in Salmonella typhi and 10mm in Klepsiella pneumoniae. Water extract of Pila virens zone ranged from 9mm to 10mm. The maximum inhibition zone was 10mm in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and the minimum inhibition zone was 9mm in Klepsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi. Commercial antibiotics are highly effective to kill the bacterial and fungal pathogens involved in common infection. Water, ethanol extracts of gastropods used in the present study showed significant antibacterial activity compare with other solvents extraction. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds signals at different ranges. It is worthy to note that the product from natural source is good for health and to avoid side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the results of a study to differentiate iron ores in terms of their grades, using the hyperspectral (EO-1 Hyperion) image data, covering a mineralized belt in the Noamundi area, eastern India. The study involves hyperspectral data collection, pre-processing (reduction of atmospheric and solar flux effects), generation of spectral curves from the image for the iron ore deposits, extraction of key spectral parameters and linear spectral unmixing for mapping iron ore abundance. Spectral curves for iron ore deposits extracted from the Hyperion image pixels exhibit strong absorption at 850–900 nm and 2150–2250 nm wavelengths, which is typical of iron ores. The strength of the absorption features in the continuum removed spectra varies spatially in the image around the mining areas, indicating differences in composition/grade of the iron ores. Spectral parameters such as the depth, width, area and wavelength position of the absorption features, derived from image spectra in the 850–900 nm and 2150–2250 nm regions, correlate well with the concentration of iron-oxide and alumina (gangue) in the ore samples obtained from the mine face. Well defined correlations are evident between the concentration of iron oxide and (i) the depth of NIR absorption feature ( R 2 = 0.883); (ii) the width of NIR absorption feature ( R 2 = 0.912); and (iii) the area of the NIR absorption feature and ( R 2 = 0.882). Further, the linear spectral unmixing resulted in an iron ore abundance map which, in conjunction with the image- and laboratory-spectra, helped in assessing the grades of iron ores in the study area. Thus, this study demonstrates the feasibility of discriminating grades of iron ores based on spectral information derived from spaceborne hyperspectral imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper present the results of a study made to assess the grades of iron ore deposits in parts of Noamundi area using the hyperspectral image data (EO-1 Hyperion). The study involves hyperspectral image data, preprocessing (removal of atmospheric effects), spectral curve generation from the image, extraction of certain spectral parameters and spectral data analysis. Atmospheric correction was carried out by using algorithms involving atmospheric analysis of spectral hyper-cubes and Quick Atmospheric Correction modules. Spectral curves generated for the pixels that contain iron ores resemble the spectral signature of iron ores, i.e., very strong absorption at 850-900nm region is observed. The strength of the absorption varies spatially at different pixels. Hence, spectral parameters such as radius of curvature of NIR absorption trough (750-1000nm), position of NIR absorption trough and distance from a reference(100% reflectance) line have been derived for all the image-derived spectra and were compared with the concentration of iron in the ore samples of mines. Empirical models were generated by relating the image-derived spectral parameters of iron ore locations and geochemistry of the samples collected from the same location which shows a reasonable match. Strong negative correlation is seen between the radius of curvature of the NIR absorption trough and concentration of iron with a R value of 0.809. The position of the NIR absorption trough is seen to shift towards longer wavelengths with decreasing iron content and the distance from the reference line increases with increasing iron content. Thus, this study indicates that it is feasible to discriminate the grades of iron ores from the spectral parameters derived from Hyperspectral satellite images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Indian coastline experienced the most devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004, with run-up height (maximum vertical height) of 10.5 m. Possibility of a similar event in the near future is now being postulated. This work describes the run-up elevation maps prepared using SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and geomorphic details derived from satellite images, showing the probable areas of inundation due to various wave-heights along parts of Kerala coast. These areas include the Bharathapuzha estuary, Periyar estuary, Vembanadu Lake and certain low-lying mudflats of Kuttanadu. It is also evident that the Beach ridge complexes seen in the satellite images and SRTM DEM, could act as a buffer against waves up to 10 m height. Thus, the inundation maps derived from SRTM DEM can serve as a good input for mapping vulnerable areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]