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An avirulent, live transconjugant Shigella hybrid (LTSHΔ stx) strain was constructed in our earlier study by introducing a plasmid vector, pPR1347, into a Shiga toxin gene deleted Shigella dysenteriae 1. Three successive oral administrations of LTSHΔ stx to female adult mice produced comprehensive passive heterologous protection in their offspring against challenge with wild-type shigellae. Production of NO and different cytokines such asIL-12p70, IL-1β and IL-23 in peritoneal mice macrophages indicated that LTSHΔ stx induced innate and adaptive immunity in mice. Furthermore, production of IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-17 in LTSH-primed splenic CD4+ T cell suggested that LTSHΔ stx may induce Th1 and Th17 cell-mediated immune responses. Exponential increase of the serum IgG and IgA titre against whole shigellae was observed in immunized adult mice during and after the immunization with the highest peak on day 35. Antigen-specific sIgA was also determined from intestinal lavage of immunized mice. The stomach extracts of neonates from immunized mice, mainly containing mother's milk, contained significant levels of anti-LTSHΔ stx immunoglobulin. These studies suggest that the LTSHΔ stx could be a new live oral vaccine candidate against shigellosis in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crushing mechanism plays a vital role in liberation of coal macerals (organic constituents), which aid in coke making. Due to the use of impact mills, vitrinite maceral grains shatter and participation in coke making is reduced. To address this issue, a new crushing machine based on a shear fracture mechanism has been developed and termed as coal shear crusher (CSC). It is shown that by using CSC one can take advantage of the viscoelastic property of vitrinite maceral. When compared to hammer mill, CSC processed coal showed improvement in plastic layer thickness (PLT), crucible swelling number (CSN), rank and coke strength after reaction (CSR) of the coal blends. Coals with vitrinite reflectance (Ro) greater than 1%, when processed using CSC showed greater improvement in coke properties as compared to coals with less than 1% Ro. Coal blend cost reduction can be effectively obtained if CSC technology is used, by increasing the portion of poor coking coal by replacing good coking coals. Present study scopes the utilization of up to 10% of CSC processed component in the coal blend, which is currently limited due to concerns related to coal cake stability which if overcome can increase the fraction of poor-coking coal in blends even further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sisal is a perennial plant identified by its 50 - 150 thick, spiky, long and rigid spirally arranged leaves. Upon maturation, pale yellow/shiny white fibre can be extracted from leaves by retting followed by washing and drying. Easy to raise on wastelands in a wide range of agroclimates, sustained fibre yield for a considerable long duration and versatility of the fibre as a potential input material for various applications makes it a viable option for employment generation and rural development thus leading to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we report the impact of epitaxial Gd2O3 on the electrical properties of an AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) grown on a 150 mm diameter Si (111) substrate. Incorporation of epitaxial Gd2O3 grown by the molecular beam epitaxy technique under a metal gate (metal/Gd2O3/AlGaN/GaN) causes six orders of magnitude reduction in gate leakage current compared to metal/AlGaN/GaN HEMT. We observe that epi-Gd2O3 undergoes complete structural changes from hexagonal to monoclinic as the thickness of the layer is increased from 2.8 nm to 15 nm. Such structural transformation is found to have a strong impact on electrical properties whereby the gate leakage current reaches its minimum value when the oxide thickness is 2.8 nm. We find a similar trend in the density of interface traps (Dit) having a minimum value of 2.98 × 1012 cm−2 eV−1 for the epioxide layer of thickness 2.8 nm. Our measurements also confirm a significant increase in the two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density (∼40%) at AlGaN/GaN interface with epioxide grown on AlGaN, thus confirming the contribution of epitaxial lattice strain on 2DEG modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of vitrinite is being primarily carried out through density-gradient concentration (DGC) method. However, this technology is limited to laboratory-scale operations, since gravity plays a trivial role in the separation of ultrafine particles. In the present investigation, processing of vitrinite macerals on a large scale was explored using column flotation. Two coal samples (medium coking and non-coking) of less than 500 µm size were processed at neutral pH in single-stage column operation. Column-flotation operating parameters such as air flow rate, collector, and frother dosage were optimized to obtain the maximum recovery of vitrinite maceral. Enrichment of vitrinite in flotation products was confirmed through petrography studies with respect to feed. The column-flotation results were compared against to theoretical value obtained from sink-and-float analysis. The extent of vitrinite enrichment using flotation column was further investigated through surface-characterization techniques such as contact angle, zeta potential, and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy. The column-flotation results showed that the maximum yield was 67% and 77.5% for Coals A and B and the corresponding recovery was 84% and 93%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines factors causing the occurrence of neurological involvement in fluorosis in India. Description of fluorosis; Importance of surgery in the management of the disease; Usefulness of laminectomy to treat the disease.

A radiologically proven post-traumatic intraosseous ganglion of the fifth metacarpal bone is described. Intraosseous ganglia have been described in the literature with reference to benign cyst-like bone lesions. They appear radiographically, as well circumscribed, juxta-articular, cystic lesions, which contain myxoid fibrous tissue histologically. They occur most frequently in the long bones of the lower limb. Most reported cases of intraosseous ganglia in the hand involve the carpal bones, particularly the lunate and the scaphoid. Most intraosseous ganglia are merely an incidental radiographic finding. Those of the carpal bones have been reported to be a source of pain. The literature concerning post-traumatic intraosseous ganglia is scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas putida is an uncommon opportunistic pathogen, usually susceptible to antimicrobial agents. Data concerning resistance to antimicrobial agents in clinical P. putida isolates are limited. To the best of our knowledge we report for the first time the isolation of NDM-1 -producing multidrug-resistant P. putida from a case of acute gastroenteritis. The isolate showed resistance to a wide range of antimicrobials, including fluoroquinolones, third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems. The isolate also exhibited multiple mutations in the quinolone resistance determining region and showed the presence of qepA , bla TEM , bla OXA1 and bla OXA7 genes. The present study highlights the importance of looking for the relatively rare aetiological agents in clinical samples that do not yield common pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan film has potential applications in agriculture, food, and pharmacy. However, films made only from chitosan lack water resistance and have poor mechanical properties. Forming miscible, biodegradable composite film from chitosan with other hydrophilic biopolymers is an alternative. The objective of this study was to prepare chitosan/starch composite films by combining chitosan (deacetylated degree, 90%) solution and two thermally gelatinized cornstarches (waxy starch and regular starch with 25% amylose). The film’s tensile strength (TS), elongation-at-break (E), and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) were investigated. The possible interactions between the two major components were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Regardless of starch type, both the TS and E of the composite films first increased and then decreased with starch addition. Composite film made with regular starch showed higher TS and E than those with waxy starch. The addition of starch decreased WVTRs of the composite films. The introduction of gelatinized starch suppressed the crystalline peaks of chitosan film. The amino group band of chitosan molecule in the FTIR spectrum shifted from 1578 cm-1 in the chitosan film to 1584 cm-1 in composite films. These results indicated that there was a molecular miscibility between these two components. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the role of circulating neutrophils if any in oxidative stress in migraine by evaluating free radical generation and activities of enzymatic antioxidants in the blood in 55 patients with migraine and 60 healthy controls. Free radical generation was assessed by flow cytometry, while activity of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was estimated in blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) by standard procedures. Platelet SOD was also measured. No significant change was found in free radical generation and in the activity of catalase, SOD and GPx in migraine patients. Univariate analysis of PMN catalase level revealed that migraineurs with a positive family history had significantly lower catalase activity compared with those with a negative family history. No correlation was found in the activity of antioxidant enzymes with age, duration of disease, time since last attack and headache index. The platelet SOD also did not show any significant change in patients of migraine without aura. Platelet aggregation in the presence or absence of PMNs was also not altered significantly. Thus the findings of the present study suggest that neutrophils are not the cause of oxidative stress observed in migraine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.—The present study was undertaken to investigate the alterations in platelet 5-HT2 receptor binding in patients with tension-type headache. Background.—Serotonin (5-HT) has an important but complex role in pain modulation. The involvement of serotonin in tension-type headache has been investigated by studying serotonin in peripheral blood, but results have been inconclusive. There are, however, only a few investigations in which the status of platelet serotonin transporters has been studied by 3 H imipramine and 3 H paroxetine. The present study was undertaken to investigate alterations in platelet 5-HT2A receptors using 3 H ketanserin as a ligand. Methods.—Platelet 3 H ketanserin binding was studied in 14 patients with tension-type headache and in 15 healthy controls. The binding characteristics, equilibrium dissociation constant and maximal number of binding sites were determined by Scatchard analysis. Results.—There was no change in the equilibrium dissociation constant in the patients with headache as compared to the control group, but subgroup analysis revealed that patients with tension-type headache with a headache index of less than 360 had a significantly lower equilibrium dissociation constant as compared to those with a headache index of more than 360; there was a significant correlation between the equilibrium dissociation constant and the headache index. A significant decrease was observed in the maximal number of binding sites in tension-type headache. No correlation was observed between the maximal number of binding sites and age, duration of illness, or headache intensity. Conclusions.—The findings of the present study show that there is a decrease in the number of binding sites of 5-HT2A receptors in some patients with tension-type headache, suggesting postsynaptic serotonergic dysfunction and the involvement of serotonin in... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: alterations in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) receptors, second messenger system and in their responses have been found associated with depression. Recently role of tetrahydrobiopterin and nitric oxide has also been reported in the depressive disorders. It was therefore considered worthwhile to investigate the NOS activity in the PMNs, which like neurons, also express neuronal NOS (nNOS), antioxidant enzyme levels [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)] and beta-adrenergic receptors in the patients of depression.Methods: patients were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV and were medication free, while healthy age-matched controls were also included in the study to estimate nitrite content, beta-adrenergic receptors and antioxidant enzymes in the PMNs according to the standard methodologies.Results: an analysis of 66 cases of depression and 114 controls revealed 73% decrease in nitrite content and 71% decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor binding in the patients as compared to the healthy controls. However, activities of SOD, catalase and Gpx were not significantly altered in the patients.Conclusion: the results of the present study for the first time indicate alterations the NOS activity in PMNs obtained form the patients of affective disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: alterations in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) receptors, second messenger system and in their responses have been found associated with depression. Recently role of tetrahydrobiopterin and nitric oxide has also been reported in the depressive disorders. It was therefore considered worthwhile to investigate the NOS activity in the PMNs, which like neurons, also express neuronal NOS (nNOS), antioxidant enzyme levels [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)] and β-adrenergic receptors in the patients of depression. Methods: patients were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV and were medication free, while healthy age-matched controls were also included in the study to estimate nitrite content, β-adrenergic receptors and antioxidant enzymes in the PMNs according to the standard methodologies. Results: an analysis of 66 cases of depression and 114 controls revealed 73% decrease in nitrite content and 71% decrease in β-adrenergic receptor binding in the patients as compared to the healthy controls. However, activities of SOD, catalase and Gpx were not significantly altered in the patients. Conclusion: the results of the present study for the first time indicate alterations the NOS activity in PMNs obtained form the patients of affective disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Platelet 3H ketanserin binding was studied in 33 patients of migraine and 30 healthy controls. The binding characteristics: equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) and maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) determined by Scatchard analysis revealed a significant decrease in Kd and no change in Bmax in migraine cases. No correlation was observed between the Kd and Bmax with the clinical features of migraine. The findings of the present study show that there is a decreased affinity of platelet 5-HT2 receptors in migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective.--To investigate blood nitrite levels after migraine attacks and to assess whether or not the change in nitric oxide levels observed during acute migraine persist after the attacks. Background.--Involvement of nitric oxide has been suggested in the initiation of acute migraine. Recent studies have shown alteration in the platelet response and platelet nitrite levels during migraine attacks. Methods.--Patients with migraine with aura and patients without aura were included in the study. The study was conducted on 50 patients with migraine and 90 healthy controls. Blood from the patients was collected at least 7 ± 0.8 days after the last attack of migraine. Nitrite levels in the polymorphonuclear leukocytes, platelets, and plasma were estimated. Platelet aggregation response in some of these patients was also studied. Results.--No significant change in the polymorphonuclear leukocyte, platelet, and plasma nitrite levels in patients with migraine compared to controls was observed. Patients with migraine with aura had significantly lower polymorphonuclear leukocyte nitrite levels compared to those without aura (P<.05). In addition, no significant difference in the adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation was observed in the migraineurs compared to the healthy controls. Conclusions.--Results obtained indicate that the platelet aggregation response and the blood nitrite levels were not altered significantly after an attack in the patients with migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Human cardiac progenitor cells (hCPCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative repair after myocardial infarction. Exploitation of their full therapeutic potential may require stable genetic modification of the cells ex vivo. Safe genetic engineering of stem cells, using facile methods for site-specific integration of transgenes into known genomic contexts, would significantly enhance the overall safety and efficacy of cellular therapy in a variety of clinical contexts.Methods and Results: We used the phiC31 site-specific recombinase to achieve targeted integration of a triple fusion reporter gene into a known chromosomal context in hCPCs and human endothelial cells. Stable expression of the reporter gene from its unique chromosomal integration site resulted in no discernible genomic instability or adverse changes in cell phenotype. Namely, phiC31-modified hCPCs were unchanged in their differentiation propensity, cellular proliferative rate, and global gene expression profile when compared with unaltered control hCPCs. Expression of the triple fusion reporter gene enabled multimodal assessment of cell fate in vitro and in vivo using fluorescence microscopy, bioluminescence imaging, and positron emission tomography. Intramyocardial transplantation of genetically modified hCPCs resulted in significant improvement in myocardial function 2 weeks after cell delivery, as assessed by echocardiography (P=0.002) and MRI (P=0.001). We also demonstrated the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of genetically modifying differentiated human endothelial cells, which enhanced hind limb perfusion (P<0.05 at day 7 and 14 after transplantation) on laser Doppler imaging.Conclusions: The phiC31 integrase genomic modification system is a safe, efficient tool to enable site-specific integration of reporter transgenes in progenitor and differentiated cell types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]