Effect of tropical thermal stress on peri-implantation immune responses in cows.

Pregnancy losses during the peri-implantation period cause a negative impact on the reproductive and economic performance of dairy herds. In this study, we investigated the possible immunological factors which may contribute to pregnancy loss during the peri-implantation period under different seasons of tropical conditions. Eighteen Karan Fries cows, six cows in each season (W: winter; HH: hot-humid; HD: hot-dry) were selected.

Grain density and its impact on grain filling characteristic of rice: mechanistic testing of the concept in genetically related cultivars.

Physiological factors controlling assimilate partitioning was compared in relation to panicle architecture of lax- (Upahar) and compact-panicle (Mahalaxmi) rice cultivars. Grain number and ethylene production at anthesis are low, but filling rate is high in the former compared to high grain number and ethylene production and poor filling trait of the latter. Similar to Mahalaxmi, its progenitors Pankaj and Mahshuri, had attributes of high grain number and grain density, but grain filling was higher and ethylene evolution was lower.

Development of novel biofunctionalized chitosan decorated nanocochleates as a cancer targeted drug delivery platform.

A new family of biofunctionalized chitosan decorated nanocochleates-mediated drug delivery system was developed that involves uniquely combining nanocochleates with anticancer drug for controlled drug release, targeted delivery, improved bioavailability with reduced toxicity. This system was developed by loading of doxorubicin (DOX) to nanocochleates (DOX-NC) through conversion of negatively charged dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) phospholipid and cholesterol-bearing vesicles on addition of calcium ions, followed by encapsulation DOX-NC with folic acid conjugated chitosan (FA-CHI-DOX-NC). The release of DOX indicated strong pH dependence and implies hydrogen-bonding interaction between nanocochleates and DOX.

Development of surface-engineered PLGA nanoparticulate-delivery system of Tet1-conjugated nattokinase enzyme for inhibition of Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

According to the World Health Organization, globally there are around 18 million patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD), and this number is expected to double by 2025. The pathophysiology of AD includes selective deposition of Aβ peptide in the mitochondria of cells, which inhibits uptake of glucose by neurons and key enzyme functions. Current drug treatments for AD are unable to rectify the underlying pathology of the disease; they only provide short-term symptomatic relief, so there is a need for the development of newer treatment regimes.

Comparative analyses of putative toxin gene homologs from an Old World viper, .

Availability of snake genome sequences has opened up exciting areas of research on comparative genomics and gene diversity. One of the challenges in studying snake genomes is the acquisition of biological material from live animals, especially from the venomous ones, making the process cumbersome and time-consuming. Here, we report comparative sequence analyses of putative toxin gene homologs from Russell's viper () using whole-genome sequencing data obtained from shed skin.

In-vitro antimicrobial activity and identification of bioactive components using GC-MS of commercially available essential oils in Saudi Arabia.

This study was designed to evaluate antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of four different plant essential oils i.e. Ginger oil (GiO), Black seed oil (BSO), Oregano oil (OO) and Rose oil (RO) against different bacterial and fungal strains.

Telomere length, sibling competition and development of antioxidant defense in wild house mice.

Antioxidants and telomere length are potential biomarkers for individuals' exposure and ability to cope with environmental stressors. However, intraspecific variations in antioxidant alterations due to natural, life cycle related stress, have been rarely estimated. We investigated those changes in wild-derived house mice in a longitudinal study with natural sibling competition as a stressor.

Telomere length and antioxidant defense associate with parasite-induced retarded growth in wild brown trout.

Early growth conditions can have profound impacts on individuals' development, growth and physiology, with subsequent long-term consequences for individuals' fitness and life expectancy. Telomere length (TL) has been suggested to indicate both individual fitness and life expectancy in wide range of species, as the telomere attrition rate at early age can be accelerated due to exposure to various stressors, including parasites and inflammatory diseases, which increase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and influence antioxidant (AO) levels. We investigated impacts of Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae infection, a causative agent of proliferative kidney disease (PKD), on AO status and TL in a natural population of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta).

Azathioprine-Induced Pancytopenia and Septic Complications: A Probable Cause of Death.

Azathioprine, an immunosuppressant which is widely used in the management of the autoimmune neuromuscular disorder. Myasthenia gravis is known to cause myelotoxicity. A 55-year-old male recently diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and chronic kidney disease was put on azathioprine (100 mg/d) along with pyridostigmine and prednisolone.

Attenuation of neurobehavioral and neurochemical abnormalities in animal model of cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease by fermented soybean nanonutraceutical.

The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of nanonutraceuticals (NN) for attenuation of neurobehavioral and neurochemical abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease. Solid-state fermentation of soybean with Bacillus subtilis was performed to produce different metabolites (nattokinase, daidzin, genistin and glycitin and menaquinone-7). Intoxication of rats with colchicine caused impairment in learning and memory which was demonstrated in neurobehavioral paradigms (Morris water maze and passive avoidance) linked with decreased activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE).

Management of postburn perioral contracture using a customized static commissural splint and intralesional injections of triamcinolone.

A perioral facial burn is usually accompanied by a reduction in size of the oral orifice because of the contraction of the healing wound. Perioral contracture leads to microstomia, restricting nutrition, speech, and jaw movements and impairing the esthetic appearance of the face. It is imperative to introduce splints as early as possible to prevent the postburn sequelae.

Leptin supplementation in vitro improved developmental competence of buffalo oocytes and embryos.

The aim of the present study was to determine potential role of leptin on in vitro developmental competence of buffalo oocytes and embryos. Slaughterhouse derived culture grade buffalo cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro (IVM) with leptin (10 ng/ml) or without leptin (control). In each experiment, a pool of matured COCs was used for further in vitro embryo production and another pool of COCs was used for cumulus cells and mature oocytes isolation to study the relative mRNA expression of developmentally important genes.

Lipid Based nanoformulation of lycopene improves oral delivery: formulation optimization, ex vivo assessment and its efficacy against breast cancer.

This study aims at developing an optimised nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) of lycopene for efficient absorption following oral administration. The optimised formulation showed an average particle size of 121.9 ± 3.

Impact of oocyte-secreted factors on its developmental competence in buffalo.

Oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) play an important role in the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence through bidirectional cross-talk between oocyte and cumulus cells via gap junctions. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of two OSFs, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), on the developmental competence of buffalo oocytes derived from two different follicle sizes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from large follicles (LF, >6 mm) or small follicles (SF, 0.

Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles Induce Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Lathyrus sativus L. Root Bioassay System.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP-GS) were synthesised from the precursor zinc acetate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂) through the green route using the milky latex from milk weed ( L. R. Br) by alkaline precipitation.

Crop and varietal diversification of rainfed rice based cropping systems for higher productivity and profitability in Eastern India.

Rice-rice system and rice fallows are no longer productive in Southeast Asia. Crop and varietal diversification of the rice based cropping systems may improve the productivity and profitability of the systems. Diversification is also a viable option to mitigate the risk of climate change.

Optimizing culture conditions for establishment of hairy root culture of Semecarpus anacardium L.

Semecarpus anacardium L. is a tree species which produces secondary metabolites of medicinal importance. Roots of the plant have been traditionally used in folk medicines.

Folic acid ameliorates celecoxib cardiotoxicity in a doxorubicin heart failure rat model.

Context: The cardiotoxic effect of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors is well known. While rofecoxib and valdecoxib have been withdrawn, celecoxib remains on the market. Folic acid, a naturally occurring vitamin, has been shown to reduce myocardial ischemia and post-reperfusion injury in rats.

Decentralization and health system performance - a focused review of dimensions, difficulties, and derivatives in India.

Introduction: One of the principal goals of any health care system is to improve health through the provision of clinical and public health services. Decentralization as a reform measure aims to improve inputs, management processes and health outcomes, and has political, administrative and financial connotations. It is argued that the robustness of a health system in achieving desirable outcomes is contingent upon the width and depth of 'decision space' at the local level.

Local self governance in health - a study of it's functioning in Odisha, India.

Background: Local decision making is linked to several service quality improvement parameters. Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKS) at peripheral decision making health units (DMHU) are composite bodies that are mandated to ensure accountability and transparency in governance, improve quality of services, and facilitate local responsiveness. There is scant literature on the nature of functioning of these institutions in Odisha.

Does decentralization influence efficiency of health units? A study of opinion and perception of health workers in Odisha.

Background: Health systems in low and middle income countries are struggling to improve efficiency in the functioning of health units of which workforce is one of the most critical building blocks. In India, Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS) was established at every health unit as institutions of local decision making in order to improve productive efficiency and quality. Measuring efficiency of health units is a complex task.

Structural elucidation and immunostimulating property of a novel polysaccharide extracted from an edible mushroom Lentinus fusipes.

A water soluble heteroglycan (PS-II) with an average molecular weight∼60kDa was isolated from the hot aqueous extract of an edible mushroom Lentinus fusipes. The structural characterization of PS-II was carried out using total acid hydrolysis, methylation analyses, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation and 1D/2D NMR experiments. Total acid hydrolysis indicated the presence of D-galactose and D-glucose in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1.

Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of a glucan from Meripilus giganteus.

A new water soluble glucan (MGPS), with a molecular weight ∼1.48×10Da, was isolated from the fruit bodies of Meripilus giganteus by hot water extraction followed by purification through dialysis tubing cellulose membrane and sepharose 6B column chromatography. Its structural characteristics were investigated by acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, Smith degradation and 1D/2D NMR experiments.