Optical properties and laser damage threshold of HfO(2)-SiO(2) mixed composite thin films.

HfO(2)-SiO(2) mixed composite thin films have been deposited on fused silica substrate by co-evaporation of HfO(2) and SiO(2) through the reactive electron-beam evaporation technique. The composition-dependent refractive index and the absorption coefficient have been analyzed using different effective medium approximation (EMA) models in order to evaluate the suitability of these models for such mixed composite thin films. The discrepancies between experimentally determined and EMA-computed values are explained through microstructural and morphological evolutions observed in these mixed composite films.

Differentially expressed myo-inositol monophosphatase gene (CaIMP) in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) encodes a lithium-sensitive phosphatase enzyme with broad substrate specificity and improves seed germination and seedling growth under abiotic stresses.

myo-Inositol monophosphatase (IMP) is an essential enzyme in the myo-inositol metabolic pathway where it primarily dephosphorylates myo-inositol 1-phosphate to maintain the cellular inositol pool which is important for many metabolic and signalling pathways in plants. The stress-induced increased accumulation of inositol has been reported in a few plants including chickpea; however, the role and regulation of IMP is not well defined in response to stress. In this work, it has been shown that IMP activity is distributed in all organs in chickpea and was noticeably enhanced during environmental stresses.

Mercuric chloride-induced gastrin/cholecystokinin 8 immunoreactivity in the central nervous system of the terrestrial slug Semperula maculata: an immunohistochemical study.

We measured the immunoreactivity of the neuropeptide gastrin cholecystokinin 8 (gastrin/CCK 8) in neurons of the terrestrial slug Semperula maculata following acute treatment with mercuric chloride (HgCl2). The distribution of gastrin/CCK 8 was analyzed in neurons of different regions, specifically from cerebral ganglia (procerebrum (pro-c), mesocerebrum (meso-c) and metacerebrum (meta-c). In the control group, neurons of pedal, pleural, parietal and visceral ganglia showed positive immunoreactivity using vertebrate antiserum against gastrin/CCK 8.

Effect of TGF-β1 superfamily members on survival of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryonic stem-like cells.

This study examined the effects of supplementation of ES-like cell culture medium with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 (0, 10, 20 or 100 ng/ml) or Noggin (250, 500 or 750 ng/ml) or TGF-β1 (0, 0.1, 1 or 10 ng/ml) or SB431542 (0, 10, 25 or 50 μm), an inhibitor of TGF-β1 signalling, on survival, colony area and expression level of pluripotency genes in buffalo ES-like cells at passage 40-80, under different culture conditions. BMP-4 supplementation significantly reduced (p < 0.

Acute pancreatitis complicating acute hepatitis e virus infection: a case report and review.

Acute pancreatitis complicating fulminant viral hepatitis has been well recognized; however, acute pancreatitis occurring in nonfulminant hepatitis is very rare. The case presented describes moderate pancreatitis in a young male, manifesting during the course of nonfulminant acute hepatitis E infection. The diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis E was confirmed by serology and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to demonstrate Hepatitis E virus (HEV) RNA in both stool and serum.

Study of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in India.

Background And Objective: To study the incidence and pattern of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in patients with mild-to-moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using dual-probe 24-h oesophageal pH recording.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 50 patients with mild-to-moderate stage COPD based on the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. A detailed history of illness along with spirometry was done in all patients.

Growth factor expression pattern of homologous feeder layer for culturing buffalo embryonic stem cell-like cells.

The present study examined the expression profile of buffalo fetal fibroblasts (BFF) used as a feeder layer for embryonic stem (ES) cell-like cells. The expression of important growth factors was detected in cells at different passages. Mitomycin-C inactivation increased relative expression levels of ACTIVIN-A, TGF-β1, BMP-4 and GREMLIN but not of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2).

Neurohistochemistry in molluscan species: focus on extracellular matrix.

Carbohydrate polymers with acid-base properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) have a critical impact on guidance, migration and synaptic transmission. The present study showed acid-base properties of ECM stained with histochemical techniques. The central nervous system (CNS) of mature terrestrial slug Semperula maculata and freshwater bivalve Lamellidens corrianus was selected to visualize sulphated and carboxylic strong acid groups.

A rapidly developing lung mass diagnosed as desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

We present a case of a young male who presented with complaints of fever along with cough and sputum. He was diagnosed with having right pleural effusion. He was already taking anti-tubercular therapy for one month before presentation.

Optimization of culture conditions to support long-term self-renewal of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) embryonic stem cell-like cells.

A culture system capable of sustaining self-renewal of buffalo embryonic stem (ES) cell-like cells in an undifferentiated state over a long period of time was developed. Inner cell masses were seeded on KO-DMEM+15% KO-serum replacer on buffalo fetal fibroblast feeder layer. Supplementation of culture medium with 5 ng/mL FGF-2 and 1000 IU/mL mLIF gave the highest (p<0.

Rare association of Visceral leishmaniasis with Hodgkin's disease: A case report.

We present here a case of young male with complaints of fever and swelling in the neck for eight months. History of progressive weakness associated with weight loss was present. Physical examination revealed pallor, multiple enlarged cervical lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly.

Brain metastasis as the site of relapse in germ cell tumor of testis.

Background: Brain metastases occur in approximately 8-15% of patients with testicular germ cell tumors and invariably are associated with relapse at other sites, most commonly the lungs, or as a terminal event.

Methods: The authors, from the Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, a regional cancer center in northern India, did a retrospective analysis to determine how many previously treated patients had isolated cerebral metastasis develop.

Results: Three of 123 patients with testicular germ cell tumor seen during a 6-year period starting in January 1986 had isolated cerebral metastasis develop during remission after initial treatment.