Cdk1 drives meiosis and mitosis through two different mechanisms.

Comment on: Adhikari D, et al. Hum Mol Gene 2012; 21:2476-84.

Experimental evidence showing that no mitotically active female germline progenitors exist in postnatal mouse ovaries.

It has been generally accepted for more than half a century that, in most mammalian species, oocytes cannot renew themselves in postnatal or adult life, and that the number of oocytes is already fixed in fetal or neonatal ovaries. This assumption, however, has been challenged over the past decade. In this study, we have taken an endogenous genetic approach to this question and generated a multiple fluorescent Rosa26(rbw/+);Ddx4-Cre germline reporter mouse model for in vivo and in vitro tracing of the development of female germline cell lineage.

Effective catalytic conversion of cellulose into high yields of methyl glucosides over sulfonated carbon based catalyst.

An amorphous carbon based catalyst was prepared by sulfonation of the bio-char obtained from fast pyrolysis (N(2) atm; ≈ 550°C) of biomass. The sulfonated carbon catalyst contained high acidity of 6.28 mmol/g as determined by temperature programmed desorption of ammonia of sulfonated carbon catalyst and exhibited high catalytic performance for the hydrolysis of cellulose.

Calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fracture: an unusual variant.

Calcaneal tuberosity fractures involve the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneus and may involve the insertion of the Achilles tendon. In this report, we describe an unusual presentation of a calcaneal avulsion fracture involving 2 displaced fragments in a male patient who did not seek treatment for 1 month after the original injury. The larger fragment contained the insertion of the Achilles tendon, and tendon lengthening was required in addition to fixation of the fracture fragments with cannulated lag screws and washers.

The safe use of a PTEN inhibitor for the activation of dormant mouse primordial follicles and generation of fertilizable eggs.

Background: Primordial ovarian follicles, which are often present in the ovaries of premature ovarian failure (POF) patients or are cryopreserved from the ovaries of young cancer patients who are undergoing gonadotoxic anticancer therapies, cannot be used to generate mature oocytes for in vitro fertilization (IVF). There has been very little success in triggering growth of primordial follicles to obtain fertilizable oocytes due to the poor understanding of the biology of primordial follicle activation.

Methodology/principal Findings: We have recently reported that PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten) prevents primordial follicle activation in mice, and deletion of Pten from the oocytes of primordial follicles leads to follicular activation.

Cdk1, but not Cdk2, is the sole Cdk that is essential and sufficient to drive resumption of meiosis in mouse oocytes.

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at the prophase of meiosis I during fetal or postnatal development, and the meiosis is resumed by the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone. The in vivo functional roles of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) during the resumption of meiosis in mammalian oocytes are largely unknown. Previous studies have shown that deletions of Cdk3, Cdk4 or Cdk6 in mice result in viable animals with normal oocyte maturation, indicating that these Cdks are not essential for the meiotic maturation of oocytes.

A temperature and salt-tolerant L-glutaminase from gangotri region of uttarakhand himalaya: enzyme purification and characterization.

Purification and characterization of halotolerant, thermostable alkaline L-glutaminase from a Bacillus sp. LKG-01 (MTCC 10401), isolated from Gangotri region of Uttarakhand Himalaya, is being reported in this paper. Enzyme has been purified 49-fold from cell-free extract with 25% recovery (specific activity 584.

A novel thermostable xylanase of Paenibacillus macerans IIPSP3 isolated from the termite gut.

Xylanase is an enzyme in high demand for various industrial applications, such as those in the biofuel and pulp and paper fields. In this study, xylanase-producing microbes were isolated from the gut of the wood-feeding termite at 50°C. The isolated microbe produced thermostable xylanase that was active over a broad range of temperatures (40-90°C) and pH (3.

Bilateral, mirror-imaged, postero-inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: report of a rare case.

A 60-year-old right-handed lady presented with the features of subarachnoid haemorrhage. The CT angiogram showed a pair of very rare bilateral, mirror-imaged distal postero-inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms. Both aneurysms were clipped via the midline posterior fossa craniectomy under general anaesthesia.

Selective surface and near-surface modification of a noncatenated, catalytically active metal-organic framework material based on Mn(salen) struts.

From a combination of chiral Mn(salen) struts and the tetratopic ligand tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene, a large-pore, noncatenated metal-organic framework (MOF) material, MnSO-MOF, has been synthesized. Following solvent exchange with hydrophobic CHCl(3), treatment of MnSO-MOF with aqueous H(2)O(2) allowed for the selective demetalation of Mn(salen) struts at and near the surface of the crystals. The resulting crystals displayed greatly enhanced size-selective catalysis compared to the as-synthesized material.

Glucagon-induced pheochromocytoma crisis.

Objective: To describe a previously asymptomatic woman who developed a glucagon-induced pheochromocytoma crisis during preparation for screening colonoscopy.

Methods: We present the patient's clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings, and outcome and review the related literature.

Results: A 76-year-old woman received glucagon to inhibit intestinal motility before routine colonoscopy.

Recurrent tense pneumoperitoneum due to air influx via abdominal wall stoma of a PEG tube.

A 70 years old male on ventilatory and circulatory support for sepsis and non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction developed abdominal distension 14 d after placement of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube for enteral feeding. Radiography revealed free air in the abdomen and gastrograffin (G) study showed no extravasation into the peritoneum. The G tube was successfully repositioned with mechanical release of air.

Granular cell myoblastoma of the tongue in a 2-year-old girl: a case report.

Granular cell tumours are uncommon lesions, although the head and neck region accounts for approximately 50% of all lesions. It is not clear whether or not granular cell tumour is a true neoplasm, a developmental anomaly, or a trauma-induced proliferation. The basic cell of origin is now thought to be neural, although past reports frequently indicated an origin from striated muscle, or less frequently an origin from histiocytes, fibroblasts or pericytes.

Choledocholithiasis: endotherapy versus surgery.

When multiple treatment options are available, debate invariably persists regarding the optimal option. Confusion and controversy must then be resolved based on scientific evidence, but one needs to be practical because options depend on the available expertise. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endotherapy vis-à-vis surgery in patients with choledocholithiasis.

Synthesis and characterization of bioactive zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with new Schiff bases derived from 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and acetophenone with ethylenediamine.

The new Schiff bases N,N'-bis (4-nitro benzaldehyde) ethylenediamine (L(1)) and N,N'-bis (acetophenone) ethylenediamine (L(2)) and its Zn(II), Cd(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized by different physicochemical studies. Vibrational spectra indicate coordination of metal ion through azomethine nitrogen and acetate/nitrate ions. The presence of water molecule in all the complexes has been supported by TG/DTA studies.

Spectroscopic characterization and biological activity of Zn(II), Cd(II), Sn(II) and Pb(II) complexes with Schiff base derived from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-amino phenol.

A new Schiff base 2-aminophenol-pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde and its Zn(II), Cd(II), Sn(II) and Pb(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by various physicochemical studies. Spectral studies (IR and (1)H NMR) indicate deprotonation and coordination of phenolic oxygen along with binding of pyrrole nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and anion with metal ions. The presence of lattice water molecule(s) has also been confirmed by TG/DTA studies.

Characterization of hyperthermostable alpha-amylase from Geobacillus sp. IIPTN.

A newly isolated Geobacillus sp. IIPTN (MTCC 5319) from the hot spring of Uttarakhand's Himalayan region produced a hyperthermostable alpha-amylase. The microorganism was characterized by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Facile entry to 3d late transition metal boryl complexes.

Mononuclear nickel and cobalt boryl complexes have been prepared via sigma-bond metathesis reactions and in the case of nickel, an intermediate comprised of a Lewis acid-base type adduct has been experimentally detected by (31)P NMR spectroscopy and its structure probed by DFT calculations.

Disruption of Tsc2 in oocytes leads to overactivation of the entire pool of primordial follicles.

To maintain the length of reproductive life in a woman, it is essential that most of her ovarian primordial follicles are maintained in a quiescent state to provide a continuous supply of oocytes. However, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control the quiescence and activation of primordial follicles is still in its infancy. In this study, we provide some genetic evidence to show that the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (Tsc2), which negatively regulates mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), functions in oocytes to maintain the dormancy of primordial follicles.

Tsc/mTORC1 signaling in oocytes governs the quiescence and activation of primordial follicles.

To maintain the female reproductive lifespan, the majority of ovarian primordial follicles are preserved in a quiescent state in order to provide ova for later reproductive life. However, the molecular mechanism that maintains the long quiescence of primordial follicles is poorly understood. Here we provide genetic evidence to show that the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1), which negatively regulates mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), functions in oocytes to maintain the quiescence of primordial follicles.

Ethanol and xylitol production from glucose and xylose at high temperature by Kluyveromyces sp. IIPE453.

A yeast strain Kluyveromyces sp. IIPE453 (MTCC 5314), isolated from soil samples collected from dumping sites of crushed sugarcane bagasse in Sugar Mill, showed growth and fermentation efficiency at high temperatures ranging from 45 degrees C to 50 degrees C. The yeast strain was able to use a wide range of substrates, such as glucose, xylose, mannose, galactose, arabinose, sucrose, and cellobiose, either for growth or fermentation to ethanol.

Spectroscopic characterization of bioactive carboxyamide with trinuclear lanthanide (III) ions.

Complexes of La(III), Sm(III), Eu(III) and Tb(III) with bioactive carboxyamide ligands N',N''-bis(3-caboxy-1-oxophenelenyl)2-amino-N-arylbenzamidine have been synthesized and characterized by various physico-chemical techniques. Mass spectrum explains the successive degradation of the molecular species in solution and justifies ML complexes. Vibrational spectra indicate coordination of Ln(III) with amide and carboxylate oxygen of the ligand along with nitrate ions.

Frontal recurrence of medulloblastoma five years after excision and craniospinal irradiation.

Medulloblastomas were originally classified under gliomas of the cerebellum until Bailey and Cushing in 1925 named these tumors as medulloblastoma. At present these tumors are classified under primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Surgical excision followed by craniospinal irradiation is the treatment of choice.