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Introduction: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a protective gear designed to safeguard the health of workers by minimizing the exposure to a biological agent. PPE usage is a primary strategy to prevent disease transmission in health-care settings where health-care professionals directly come in contact with infected patients. Kang et al. discovered that health-care personnel contaminated themselves in almost 80% of the PPE simulations.Aims: This study was done aiming to assess the knowledge, attitude, and reported practice, and identify the associated factors regarding donning and dofng of PPE among frontline healthcare workers in our institution. Materials and method: This was a single center observational, Cross sectional study from tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India from duration of study: May 2021 – January – 2022. Personal protective equipment was used among the doctor and nurse against covid-19 in our hospital. Doctor and Nurse and Personal protective equipment among the doctor and nurse against covid-19 in our hospital. Result: 47(94.0%) doctors had corrected response and 3(6.0%) doctors had incorrected response about donning and dofng of PPE for frontline healthcare workers. 47(94.0%) nurses had corrected response and 3(6.0%) nurse had incorrected response about donning and dofng of PPE for frontline healthcare workers. This association was not statistically signicant (P=1.0000). 33(66.0%) doctors had corrected response and 17(34.0%) doctors had incorrected response to the following components based on their sequence of appearance during donning of PPE. 12(24.0%)nurse had corrected response and 38(76.0%) nurses had incorrected response to the following components based on their sequence of appearance during donning of PPE. This association was statistically signicant (P

Introduction: Nosocomial infections due to poor hand hygiene are a major cause of increasing morbidity, mortality and health care costs among hospitalized patients worldwide. The high prevalence of these infections, as high as 19%, in developing countries poses a challenge to health care providers. Hand hygiene is considered the single most cost-effective public health measure for preventing health care associated infection (HCAI). Aims: To assess the compliance, identify factors inuencing compliance and to study the knowledge, attitude and perceptions associated with HH among health care workers (HCW). Materials and method: This was a single centre cross sectional study from tertiary care hospital in kolkata, India from February 2021 – February – 2022 were included all healthcare workers who are directly involved in management of the patient (Doctors, Nursing stuff, paramedic stuff and group D stuff) in this study. Result: Knowledge about proper and consistent hand washing prevents infections in health facilities was signicantly high in doctor group [49(98.0%)], in nurse group [47(94.05%)] and in others group [43(86.0%)]. (P=0.0488). Knowledge about no need for hand washing for those who perform their activity with caution was signicantly more in others group [13(26.0%)] and in nurse group [3(6.0%)]. (P

Introduction: Acidosis is a process causing increased acidity in the blood and other body tissues (i.e., an increase in hydrogen ion concentration). If not further qualied, it usually refers to acidity of the blood plasma Acidemia is said to occur when arterial pH falls below 7.35 , while its counterpart (alkalemia) occurs at a pH over 7.45. Arterial blood gas analysis and other tests are required to separate the main causes.Aims: To nd out correlation between different grades of Acidemia with 30 day mortality of patient diagnosed as academic in emergency department Materials and method: This was a single center observational, retrospective cohort study from tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India from January 2021 – January – 2022. All Patients were presenting with signs of Acidemia in Emergency Department. Age >18 years, Blood gas analysis, Done in ED and pH ≤ 7.34 were included in this study. Result: In mortality, 33(32.4%) patients were in

Introduction: Indwelling urinary tract catheterization (IUTC) is a very common intervention frequently required in hospitalized patients. It is estimated that 10-12% of hospital patients and four per cent of patients in the community have urinary catheters in situ at any given time.1 Nosocomial UTIs (urinary tract infections) develop in ve per cent of catheterized patients per day in the US, with associated bacteremia in four per cent and as many as 80% are a consequence of urinary catheters. Research has shown that just reminding physicians to remove unnecessary urinary catheters can signicantly reduce the duration of urinary catheterization and the catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rate in a hospital. Aims:To Study of Infection Rate due to Folleys Catheter Insertion in ED, Medical Ward and ICU. Methods: This was a single centre observational, retrospective cohort study from tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India from May 2021 – JANUARY– 2022 were included no Past History of UTI, No Past History of renal Infection and No Previous Indwelling Folleys Catheter. Result: In Critical Care (ICCU) Group, 166 (21.3%) patients had CAUTI. In Emergency Group, 297 (42.9%) patients had CAUTI. In Medical Ward Group, 332 (30.1%) patients had CAUTI. Association of CAUTI with Group was statistically signicant (p

First principle calculations of structural, electronic and magnetic properties of transition metal Cr doped MgTe ternary alloys have been performed using density functional FP-LAPW methodology. The exchange–correlation potentials for ground state structural properties of CrxMg1-xTe (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0) alloys have been calculated with Wu-Cohen generalized-gradient approximation (WC-GGA) scheme, while those for electronic and magnetic properties with modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ)-GGA scheme. Calculations suggested that the CrxMg1-xTe compounds possess ferromagnetic zinc-blende structures. The analyses of density of states (DOS) show that spin polarisation of electron in Cr-d orbitals are responsible for the half-metallic ferromagnetic characters. In the study of magnetic properties, total magnetic moments of ternary alloys and their constituent atoms have been calculated and found that the major contribution comes from the Cr atom in each ternary alloy. The spin-exchange constant N 0 α and N 0 β have been calculated in order to validate the effects of exchange splitting in the specimens. Present calculations indicate that the ternary alloys are potential magnetic materials for various half-metallic ferromagnetic and spintronic applications.

Density functional calculations are carried out on elastic and thermal properties of zinc-blende specimens within HgxCd1−xS, HgxCd1−xSe and HgxCd1−xTe ternary systems. Elastic stiffness constants decrease almost linearly with increasing Hg-concentration in each system. Each cubic sample is mechanically and dynamically stable, elastically anisotropic, compressible against elastic deformation, ductile and fairly plastic. The hardness of specimens in each system reduces almost linearly with enhancement in Hg-composition. Mixed kind of bonding with dominancy of ionic bonding over covalent, central nature of interatomic forces and bond bending over stretching exist in all specimens. In each system, covalency, Debye temperature and frequency, Debye temperature for acoustic phonon, thermal conductivity and melting temperature of specimens decreases, while Philip ionicity and Gruneisen parameter increases with increasing Hg-concentration.

A numerical model based on Finite Element Method (FEM) has been developed to simulate the electrical properties of RPC utilizing the law of current conservation. It has been used to systematically investigate the effect of the electrical as well as the geometrical parameters of the device components on the potential distribution and field configuration which govern the RPC performance. The numerical model has been validated by comparing the dark current and electric field with those produced by another mathematical model based on surface currents. The efficacy of the present model has been demonstrated by comparing its results to the experimental measurements performed with a glass RPC. The measured and estimated values of these observables have been found to be in good agreement., Comment: 22 pages, 20 figures, accepted in JINST

Light can be understood only if we know the darkness. Similarly, the truths can be fully comprehended only if you know the falsehoods also. Many western philosophers, like Mark Twain, said “Majority is always in the wrong.” To understand Vedic science one must therefore know: (a) The role played by the money power. The destiny of the entire earth is controlled by the money power. Without money none of us can survive. So, everything we do, do not do, and cannot do is motivated by our desire and security of money. (b) Yogic power, which is the highest level power, even above the money power, if you can acquire it. It controls the global destiny of the entire universe. (c) Modern science, which is the product of the global destiny, as well as the money power or the destiny of the earth.Once you understand destiny, you will of course not blame anybody, including global, earth, or individual destiny. We will show with examples that all results of modern science are based on or derived from assumptions. Since assumptions cannot be valid for nature and engineering, modern science therefore cannot represent the nature, and be applicable to nature and engineering. For the same reason results of modern science can never be demonstrated. It must be realized that there is a heaven and hell difference between modern science and modern engineering. Since engineering uses science, all of engineering is full of patches and kludges, and therefore engineering is very unreliable, and pollutes environment. On the other hand the Vedic science is entirely based on observations, just like what Galileo observed. Vedic science does not therefore has any assumptions, and it is a record of what you see as happening in nature. The Vedic science also has another very crucial difference – it observed two types of causes: (a) efficient cause and (b) material cause, behind every phenomenon. As a result Vedic science is valid for the entire universe and for all time, past, present, and future. We will illustrate all results of Vedic science with observations in nature. Such examples will be beyond comprehension of modern science.

We have developed a numerical model to simulate the electric field and dark current of RPC from the first principle using finite element method. The effect of the electrical properties of electrode and spacer materials on field configuration and dark current has been systematically investigated for optimization of RPC design using the model.

The paper discusses about the R&D of a setup for muon tomography utilizing the scattering suffered by the muons due to electromagnetic interaction with the atomic nuclei while passing through any matter. The design of the setup has been optimized using numerical simulation for material discrimination and for further application in inspection of civil structures. An image processing algorithm based on pattern recognition method has been developed and tested for its performance in distinguishing between light and heavy elements and detecting defects in civil structures. The hardware developmental activities related to the muon tracking detectors and data acquisition system have been discussed.

First principle calculations of elastic and thermal properties of zinc-blende specimens within HgxZn1–xS, HgxZn1−xSe and HgxZn1−xTe ternary systems are executed. Elastic stiffness constants decrease non-linearly with increasing Hg-concentration in each system. Each cubic sample is mechanically and dynamically stable, elastically anisotropic, compressible against elastic deformation, ductile and fairly plastic. Hardness of specimens in each system reduces with enhancement in Hg-composition. Mixed kind of bonding with dominancy of covalent over ionic in most cases, bond bending over stretching and central type of interatomic bonding forces are calculated. In each system, covalency, Debye temperature and frequency, Debye temperature for acoustic phonon, thermal conductivity and melting temperature of specimens decreases, while Philip ionicity and Gruneisen parameter increases with enhancing Hg-concentration.

With an objective to examine neem seed cake as bactericide, three treatments—10, 20, and 30 mg L⁻¹—were applied in outdoor experimental Labeo rohita culture tanks for a period of 120 days. Nitrifying, ammonifying, and denitrifying bacteria declined directly with increasing dosage. Ammonifying and phosphate solubilizing bacteria recovered within a month, nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria after 45 days. A positive relationship was established between soil available-N and ammonifying, nitrifying, and denitrifying bacteria in 10 mg L⁻¹ (R² = 0.68–0.83). Phosphate solubilizing bacteria responded directly with dosage and contributed significantly to the orthophosphate pool (R² = 0.66–0.78).

All-electron density functional calculations of structural, electronic and optical properties of wutrzite beryllium oxide (w-BeO) are carried out at different applied hydrostatic pressure. Calculated lattice constants decrease (a, c), while bulk modulus increases with increasing pressure. Direct fundamental band-gap (Eg) of w-BeO increases with increasing pressure and vice versa and the variation provides first and second order pressure coefficient of band-gap. The calculated volume deformation potential of band-gap of w-BeO is −11.5972 eV. Optical properties of w-BeO at zero and high pressures have been studied in terms of dielectric function e(ω) and related ancillary optical parameters. Each optical parameter is marginally anisotropic. Calculated components of refractive index at each pressure signify uniaxial characteristics of the w-BeO. Calculated components of static dielectric constant, refractive index and reflectivity decreases, while critical point energy in the spectra of each component of e2(ω), k(ω), σ(ω) and α(ω) increases with increasing pressure and vice versa. Calculated optical energy-gap (Eopt) of w-BeO increases like Eg with increasing pressure and vice versa. The transmission cutoff energy (ECutoff) is shifted towards the higher energy region with increasing pressure.

Structural, mechanical, electronic, magnetic and thermoelectric characteristics of Ba2CaMO6 (M = Re, Os) double perovskites have been calculated using first-principle based full-potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) approach. Optimized ground-state lattice constants of the compounds are in fair resemblance with the respective available experimentally investigated data. Calculated elastic constants and moduli show mechanical stability, anisotropy, ductility and significant stiffness. Computed spin-polarized electronic properties with a diversity of exchange-correlation potential schemes have revealed their half-metallic nature. Estimated spin magnetic moments indicate their ferromagnetic nature with major contributions from the 5d state of transition elements Re and Os. The present study has projected both the perovskite compounds as prospective magnetic materials for a variety of half-metallic, ferromagnetic and spintronic applications. Calculated thermoelectric parameters have predicted their scope of thermoelectric applications in high temperature waste heat management.

First principle based investigations on mechanical and thermal properties have been executed for the zinc-blende specimens constituting the CdxZn1-xSeyTe1-y system. Elastic stiffness constants of specimens have been increased with increasing selenium concentration at any fixed cadmium concentration, while reverse tendencies have been observed with increasing cadmium concentration at any fixed selenium concentration. Hardness of specimens has been increased with increasing selenium concentration at any fixed cadmium concentration, while it has been decreased with increasing cadmium concentration at any fixed selenium concentration. The phonon dispersion spectra indicate dynamical stability in each binary, but instability in each ternary and quaternary alloy in their zinc-blende structures. Mechanical stability, elastic anisotropy, compressibility, ductility, plasticity, mixing of covalent and ionic bonding with prominent role of covalent over ionic, prominent role of bending over stretching in chemical bonds and central nature of interatomic forces have been observed in each compound. Calculated Debye temperature has established ZnSe as the hardest and CdTe as the softest among all the compounds. The anharmonic nature of interactions between the atoms in any compound has been confirmed with respective calculated Gruneisen parameter. The computed thermal conductivity and melting point temperature of each specimen have also been reported in the present article.

For the first time, beryllium (Be) composition dependent structural and optoelectronic characteristics of wurtzite BexMg1-xS ternary alloys have been investigated through first principle calculations. The WC-GGA scheme for structural and both EV-GGA and mBJ-GGA schemes for optoelectronic properties have been utilized for computing exchange-correlation potentials. The lattice constants ( a 0 , c 0 ) decrease, while bulk modulus ( B 0 ) increases nonlinearly with increasing Be-composition x. Though MgS is a direct (Γ-Γ) and BeS is an indirect (M-Γ) band gap semiconductor, their amalgamation possesses direct band gap (Γ-Γ) ternary semiconductor alloys. Calculated minimum band gap ( E g ) with mBJ-GGA potentials is higher then that with EV-GGA for each specimen and it nonlinearly reduces with increasing Be-composition x. Calculated higher effective mass of hole compared to electron is indicating the domination of electrons over holes in carrier transport phenomenon in each specimen. The electronic transport properties of the considered specimens have been computed in terms of their Seebeck coefficients, electrical conductivities, electronic thermal conductivities, electronic power factors, electronic specific heats and Pauli magnetic susceptibilities. Each specimen shows optical anisotropy and hence uniaxial birefringence. The peak(s) in the ultraviolet region of the dielectric function spectra of the considered specimens are contributed by S-3p→Be-3s, 2p & Mg-4s, 4p electronic excitations. Moreover, enhancement in calculated E g causes reduction in calculated zero-frequency limits in e 1 ( ω ) , n ( ω ) and R ( ω ) spectra, but enhancement in critical point energies in the e 2 ( ω ) , k ( ω ) , α ( ω ) and σ ( ω ) spectra and vice versa.

Elastic properties of zinc blende CdxZn1-xSySe1-y quaternary alloys have been calculated with density functional theory oriented FP-LAPW scheme. Elastic stiffness constants and hardness of specimens have been increased almost linearly with increasing sulphur composition at each fixed cadmium composition, while their decrease have been observed with increasing cadmium composition at each fixed sulphur composition in any binary-ternary/ternary-quaternary system. Mechanical and dynamical stability, elastic anisotropy, compressibility, ductility and fair plasticity have been calculated as the key features of each specimen. Mixture of covalent and ionic bonding with dominant role of covalent, central nature of interatomic forces and bending over stretching in chemical bonds have been observed in each compound. Calculated Debye temperature suggests ZnS as the stiffest and CdSe as the softest among all compounds. Calculated Gruneisen parameter has confirmed anharmonic nature of interaction between the atoms. Thermal conductivities and melting temperatures of all the specimens have also been computed.

This work reports a cost-effective, simple front-end readout and DAQ of a RPC-based muon scattering tomography system under construction. The Time-over-threshold property of NINO ASICs has been exploited to achieve precise tracking by extraction of position information. The use of a low-cost FPGA for event selection and TOT measurement has been demonstrated for a prototype RPC which has been triggered by a cosmic ray hodoscope of three plastic scintillators. The relation between input pulse width and TOT has been established by analyzing the waveforms of the RPC signals. The TOT profile at different working voltages has been obtained by the FPGA and it has been fitted with the Gaussian distribution. Its standard deviation represents an estimate of the tracking precision.

Elastic and thermal properties of zinc-blende HgSxSe1−x, HgSxTe1−x and HgSexTe1−x ternary specimens are calculated with density functional FP-LAPW approach. Elastic constants increases, but elastic compliances decreases nonlinearly with enhancement in dopant chalcogen concentration in each system. Each of the highly ductile specimens shows mechanical and dynamical stability, elastic anisotropy, reasonably compressibility against elastic deformation, plasticity and central nature of interatomic bonding forces. Hardness of compounds in any system enhances with enhancement in dopant chalcogen composition. Mixed kind of bonding with dominancy of ionic bonding and bond bending over stretching are found in each specimen. Covalency of specimens decreases, while Philip ionicity increases with enhancement in dopant chalcogen concentration in each system. The HgS, possessing maximum Debye temperature, is the stiffest among all the compounds. In each system, calculated Debye temperature, Debye frequency, Gruneisen parameter, minimum thermal conductivity and melting temperature of specimens increases nonlinearly with enhancement in dopant chalcogen concentration.

Stereoselective synthesis of common C

It is increasingly evident that cytokines and growth factors produced in the decidua play a pivotal role in the regulation of the local immune microenvironment and the establishment of pregnancy. One of the major growth factors produced in the decidua is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which acts not only on endothelial cells, but also on multiple other cell types, including macrophages. We sought to determine whether decidua-derived VEGF affects macrophage recruitment and polarization using human endometrial/decidual tissue samples, primary human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), and the human monocyte cell line THP1. In situ hybridization was used for assessment of local VEGF expression and immunohistochemistry was used for identification and localization of CD68-positive endometrial macrophages. Macrophage migration in culture was assessed using a transwell migration assay, and the various M1/M2 phenotypic markers and VEGF expression were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We found dramatic increases in both VEGF levels and macrophage numbers in the decidua during early pregnancy compared to the secretory phase endometrium (non-pregnant), with a significant increase in M2 macrophage markers, suggesting that M2 is the predominant macrophage phenotype in the decidua. However, decidual samples from preeclamptic pregnancies showed a significant shift in macrophage phenotype markers, with upregulation of M1 and downregulation of M2 markers. In THP1 cultures, VEGF treatment significantly enhanced macrophage migration and induced M1 macrophages to shift to an M2 phenotype. Moreover, treatment with conditioned media from decidualized ESCs induced changes in macrophage migration and polarization similar to that of VEGF treatment. These effects were abrogated by the addition of a potent VEGF inhibitor. Together these results suggest that decidual VEGF plays a significant role in macrophage recruitment and M2 polarization, and that inhibition of VEGF signaling may contribute to the shift in macrophage polarity observed in different pregnancy disorders, including preeclampsia.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has many effects on cells, including remodeling the cytoplasm to form the cytoplasmic virion assembly complex (cVAC), the site of final virion assembly. Viral tegument, envelope, and some nonstructural proteins localize to the cVAC, and cytoskeletal filaments radiate from a microtubule organizing center in the cVAC. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi intermediate compartment, Golgi apparatus, and trans -Golgi network form a ring that outlines the cVAC. The center of the cVAC ring is occupied by numerous vesicles that share properties with recycling endosomes. In prior studies, we described the three-dimensional structure and the extensive remodeling of the cytoplasm and shifts in organelle identity that occur during development of the cVAC. The objective of this work was to identify HCMV proteins that regulate cVAC biogenesis. Because the cVAC does not form in the absence of viral DNA synthesis, we employed HCMV-infected cells transfected with synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that targeted 26 candidate early-late and late protein-coding genes required for efficient virus replication. We identified three HCMV genes (UL48, UL94, and UL103) whose silencing had major effects on cVAC development, including failure to form the Golgi ring and dispersal of markers of early and recycling endosomes. To confirm and extend the siRNA results, we constructed recombinant viruses in which pUL48 and pUL103 are fused with a regulatable protein destabilization domain (dd-FKBP). In the presence of a stabilizing ligand (Shield-1), the cVAC appeared to develop normally. In its absence, cVAC development was abrogated, verifying roles for pUL48 and pUL103 in cVAC biogenesis. IMPORTANCE Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an important human pathogen that causes disease and disability in immunocompromised individuals and in children infected before birth. Few drugs are available for treatment of HCMV infections. HCMV remodels the interior of infected cells to build a factory for assembling new infectious particles (virions), the cytoplasmic virion assembly complex (cVAC). Here, we identified three HCMV genes (UL48, UL94, and UL103) as important contributors to cVAC development. In addition, we found that mutant viruses that express an unstable form of the UL103 protein have defects in cVAC development and production of infectious virions and produce small plaques and intracellular virions with aberrant appearances. Of these, only the reduced production of infectious virions is not eliminated by chemically stabilizing the protein. In addition to identifying new functions for these HCMV genes, this work is a necessary prelude to developing novel antivirals that would block cVAC development.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) employs numerous strategies to combat, subvert, or co-opt host immunity. One evolutionary strategy for this involves capture of a host gene and then its successive duplication and divergence, forming a family of genes, many of which have immunomodulatory activities. The HCMV US12 family consists of 10 tandemly arranged sequence-related genes in the unique short (US) region of the HCMV genome (US12 to US21). Each gene encodes a protein possessing seven predicted transmembrane domains, patches of sequence similarity with cellular G-protein-coupled receptors, and the Bax inhibitor 1 family of antiapoptotic proteins. We show that one member, US17, plays an important role during virion maturation. Microarray analysis of cells infected with a recombinant HCMV isolate with a US17 deletion (the ΔUS17 mutant virus) revealed blunted host innate and interferon responses at early times after infection (12 h postinfection [hpi]), a pattern opposite that previously seen in the absence of the immunomodulatory tegument protein pp65 (pUL83). Although the ΔUS17 mutant virus produced numbers of infectious particles in fibroblasts equal to the numbers produced by the parental virus, it produced >3-fold more genome-containing noninfectious viral particles and delivered increased amounts of pp65 to newly infected cells. These results suggest that US17 has evolved to control virion composition, to elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response. At later time points (96 hpi), ΔUS17 mutant-infected cells displayed aberrant expression of several host endoplasmic reticulum stress response genes and chaperones, some of which are important for the final stages of virion assembly and egress. Our results suggest that US17 modulates host pathways to enable production of virions that elicit an appropriately balanced host immune response.

This paper proposes a new scheme for secret image sharing which shuffles and manipulates the nibbles (and hence the bytes) of the pixel values of the images. We have developed a new algorithm called LDRU (Left-Down-Right-Up) for the construction of shares. Using LDRU algorithm any type of (Binary, Gray scale or Color) secret images can be shared and reconstructed precisely in linear time.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces profound changes in infected cell morphology, including a large cytoplasmic inclusion that corresponds to the virion assembly complex (AC). In electron micrographs, the AC is a highly vacuolated part of the cytoplasm. Markers of cellular secretory organelles have been visualized at the outer edge of the AC, and we recently showed that a marker for early endosomes (i.e., early endosome antigen 1) localizes to the center of the AC. Here, we examined the relationship between the AC and components of the secretory apparatus, studied temporal aspects of the dramatic infection-induced cytoplasmic remodeling, examined the three-dimensional structure of the AC, and considered the implications of our observations for models of HCMV virion maturation and egress. We made three major observations. First, in addition to being relocated, the expression levels of some organelle markers change markedly during the period while the AC is developing. Second, based on three-dimensional reconstructions from z-series confocal microscopic images, the observed concentric rings of vesicles derived from the several compartments (Golgi bodies, the trans -Golgi network [TGN], and early endosomes) are arranged as nested cylinders of organelle-specific vesicles. Third, the membrane protein biosynthetic and exocytic pathways from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi bodies, TGN, and early endosomes are in an unusual arrangement that nonetheless allows for a conventional order of biosynthesis and transport. Our model of AC structure suggests a mechanism by which the virus can regulate the order of tegument assembly.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) US12 gene family is a group of 10 predicted seven-transmembrane domain proteins that have some features in common with G-protein-coupled receptors. Little is known of their patterns of expression, localization, or functional interactions. Here, we studied the intracellular localization of three US12 family members, US14, US17, and US18, with respect to various intracellular markers and the cytoplasmic virion assembly compartment (AC). The three proteins have distinct patterns of expression, which include associations with the AC. US14 is often distributed in a uniform granular manner throughout the cytoplasm, concentrating in the AC in some cells. US17 is expressed in a segmented manner, with its N-terminal domain localizing to the periphery of what we show here to be the AC and the C-terminal domain localizing to nuclei and the cytoplasm [Das, S., Skomorovska-Prokvolit, Y., Wang, F. Z., Pellett, P.E., 2006. Infection-dependent nuclear localization of US17, a member of the US12 family of human cytomegalovirus-encoded seven-transmembrane proteins. J. Virol. 80, 1191–1203]. Here, we show that the C-terminal domain is present at the center of the AC, in close association with markers of early endosomes; the N-terminal staining corresponds to an area stained by markers for the Golgi and trans-Golgi. US18 is distributed throughout the cytoplasm, concentrating in the AC at later stages of infection; it is localized more to the periphery of the AC than are US14 and US17C, in association with markers of the trans-Golgi. Although not detected in virions, their structures and localization in various zones within the AC suggest possible roles for these proteins in the process of virion maturation and egress.

A concise and convergent route for stereoselective total synthesis of promising anticancer natural lipid mycalol has been achieved using cheap and readily available l-arabinose as a chiral pool. The notable features of our synthesis comprised regioselective Wacker oxidation, Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, Julia–Kocienski olefination, Wittig olefination, Zipper reaction, and Sonogashira reaction. Comparison of the spectroscopic data on a series of isomers supports the revised structure (Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 1652) instead of the one originally proposed.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) US12 gene family is a group of predicted seven-transmembrane, G-protein-coupled receptor-related proteins, about which little is known. Specific rabbit polyclonal antibodies detected US17 and US18 beginning 54 and 36 h after infection, respectively, with expression of both proteins dependent on viral DNA synthesis. While US14 and US18 are expressed exclusively in the cytoplasm, we unexpectedly found abundant expression of US17 in both the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. N- and C-terminally tagged versions of US17 were readily detected in the cytoplasm of transfected mammalian cells, but not in nuclei, suggesting that nuclear localization involves other viral proteins or an infection-triggered cellular process. There was no specific colocalization between US17 and other nuclear expressed HCMV-encoded proteins (IE-2, DNA polymerase processivity factor, and pp28/UL99). To determine whether the observed nuclear localization might be the product of a process by which a soluble C-terminal segment of the full-length protein is expressed, we constructed a recombinant virus that incorporates a synthetic epitope at its N terminus, which in conjunction with the antipeptide antibody that targets its predicted cytoplasmic C-terminal segment, enables simultaneous independent detection of both termini. In cells infected with the recombinant, the US17 N and C termini had limited colocalization, with the N-terminal segment not detected in nuclei, supporting the segmentation hypothesis. Consistent with this, a fragment with an apparent molecular size of 10 kDa was detected by immunoblotting. We have identified the first viral example of a seven-transmembrane protein that is either segmented or expressed in nuclei. Further study will be required to learn the mechanism by which this occurs and the function of the nuclear localizing segment. This likely represents yet another mechanism by which a virus has hijacked or modified cellular regulatory pathways for its benefit.

Lipid peroxidation estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substance increased with advancing age in the brain of male garden lizard. The degree of increase in the parameter was almost double in senescent phase (middle-aged to old) than in maturation phase (young to middle-aged). Partial water deprivation led to an increase in lipid peroxidation of the brain of young and middle-aged lizards. On the other hand, a similar treatment to old counterparts caused a decrease in the parameter.

The lipid peroxidation potential, measured as a thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBA-RS) increased with advancing age in liver, brain and kidney of a short-lived species of reptile, Calotes versicolor. The same parameter did not show a significant change in an ageing heart. The pattern of age changes in lipid peroxidation potential in this species shows similarity with the findings in a majority of mammalian species. While suggesting a commonality in a basic mechanism of ageing between reptiles and mammals, the results also partially support the free radical theory of ageing.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) induces extensive remodeling of the secretory apparatus to form the cytoplasmic virion assembly compartment (cVAC), where virion tegumentation and envelopment take place. We studied the structure of the cVAC by confocal microscopy to assess the three-dimensional distribution of proteins specifically associated with individual secretory organelles. In infected cells, early endosome antigen 1 (EEA1)-positive vesicles are concentrated at the center of the cVAC and, as previously seen, are distinct from structures visualized by markers for the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and trans -Golgi network (TGN). EEA1-positive vesicles can be strongly associated with markers for recycling endosomes, to a lesser extent with markers associated with components of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport III (ESCRT III) machinery, and then with markers of late endosomes. In comparisons of uninfected and infected cells, we found significant changes in the structural associations and colocalization of organelle markers, as well as in net organelle volumes. These results provide new evidence that the HCMV-induced remodeling of the membrane transport apparatus involves much more than simple relocation and expansion of preexisting structures and are consistent with the hypothesis that the shift in identity of secretory organelles in HCMV-infected cells results in new functional profiles.

In each country the central bank is a privately owned bank with no transparency and accountability to the government of that country. It is also the only bank that can print the money for that country and does it so out of thin air. At the same time this bank wants that the government returns the money with interest. We show that this structure creates deficit, introduces tax, and causes poverty around the globe. This paper shows how central banks control the economy by manipulating the financial system it has designed. The paper explains how easily the central banks can control the unemployment, create recessions, and transfer wealth from the lower economic group to higher economic group and perpetuate the poverty. The paper also proposes three methods of eliminating central banks.

Forty-two cases of orbital lesions in superolateral quadrant were evaluated in our study by fine needle aspiration biopsy. Cases were histologically proven wherever possible. In 92.85% cases the diseases were correctly diagnosed. Females were mainly affected. Lymphomatous tumours were diagnosed on the basis of atypical lymphoid proliferation, correlated with clinical features and findings of computed tomographic scan and managed by radiotherapy. Pseudotumours, dermoid and epithelial tumours of lacrimal gland were diagnosed accurately except in one case of malignant mixed tumour where the malignant component was aspirated. Pseudotumours were treated by steroid, dermoid by excision. In case of adenocarcinoma and adenocystic carcinoma, tumour masses were removed by lateral orbitotomy and radiotherapy was applied when bony erosion was present. One case of eosinophilic granuloma was treated by radiotherapy and curettage. The suspected case of intra-osseous cavernous haemangioma did not turn up for treatment.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV; Human herpesvirus 5) and the other betaherpesviruses encode a number of distinct gene families, including the US12 family, which is represented only in the cytomegaloviruses of higher primates, and is comprised of a set of 10 contiguous genes (US12 through US21), each encoding a seven-transmembrane (7TM) protein. Nonessential for replication in cell culture but well-conserved among clinical isolates, little is known of possible US12 family member functions, other than a previously identified amino acid sequence similarity between US21 and a group of 7TM proteins that include known inhibitors of apoptosis, and a very limited description of similarity between US12 family members and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). As a prelude to biochemical analysis, we have conducted a detailed analysis of the relationships among US12 family members and between these proteins and other proteins, particularly GPCR and other 7TM molecules. In most cases, the closest relatives of individual genes are their colinear counterparts in the other viruses. Thus, the initial duplication and divergence events that resulted in the current version of the US12 family preceded divergence of the rhesus and hominoid lineages. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates that the US12 family represents a distinct branch of the 7TM superfamily. Although they are distantly related, at least some of the US12 family members may have GPCR-related properties, but they are also likely to embody functions and mechanisms that differ from more conventional GPCRs. Our analyses suggest that the 7TM structure of US12 family members constitutes a functionally flexible structural scaffold that can be readily adapted to diverse functional ends. This strategy may be the driving force in the emergence of the several families of duplicated and diverged betaherpesvirus genes.