Inactivation thermodynamics and iso-kinetic profiling for evaluating operational suitability of milk clotting enzyme immobilized in composite polymer matrix.

Milk clotting enzyme (MCE) was immobilized in alginate-pectate interwoven gel with the yield of 73%. The encapsulated enzyme retained most of the protein load while soluble enzyme lost major proportion of activity after few hours. The immobilized enzyme showed high operational stability by retaining 40% activity even after 10 uses. The narrow optimal working pH of soluble enzyme changed to a broader range after encapsulation and a shift in optimum temperature from 45 to 50°C was also recorded for encapsulated enzyme. Studies on isokinetic temperature showed that immobilized enzyme is more thermo-stable at higher temperature. Immobilization, therefore, not only improved the catalytic properties and stability but also its suitability in food processes like cheese preparation with reduced cost and time.

Isozymes of antioxidative enzymes during ripening and storage of ber ( Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.).

Isozyme profile of antioxidative enzymes viz. superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) was studied during ripening and storage of two cultivars of ber fruit (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) differing in their shelf-lives viz. Umran (shelf-life, 8-9 d) and Kaithali (shelf-life, 4-5 d). The profile revealed that Umran variety exhibited three bands each of SOD and POX while in Kaithali, these enzymes had two isoenzymes throughout ripening. CAT and APX, however, showed two isozymes each during ripening of both the varieties and the pattern remained the same at all the stages of ripening except at the initial stage i.e immature green stage where single CAT isozyme was visible. During storage, one extra band each of SOD and POX present only in Umran got disappeared at later stages of storage, whereas in Kaithali, the pattern remained unchanged. Also, there was no change in the pattern of CAT and APX isozymes during storage of both the varieties. One isozyme of CAT could be considered as ripening related while one isozyme each of SOD and POX could be related to higher shelf life of fruits.

Characterization of low molecular weight antimicrobial peptide from human female reproductive tract.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The mechanisms that protect female upper genital tract from ascending infection by microbes present in vagina are only partially understood. It is expected that epithelial cells in mucosal surfaces and their secretions directly interfere with microbial colonization and invasion. This study was aimed to demonstrate the expression of 2 kDa antimicrobial peptide which was identified and purified from female genital tract tissues using chromatographic techniques. METHODS: Low molecular weight proteins were isolated from human female reproductive tract tissues obtained from premenopausal women. Antimicrobial activity of these LMW proteins was assessed against different reproductive tract pathogens viz., Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Group B streptococcus, Gardnerella vaginalis, Escherechia coli and Candida albicans. The expression of these peptides were also documented in reproductive tract tissues with the help of hyperimmune sera raised against the rabbits. The purified peptide was characterized by N-terminal sequencing. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that 2 kDa peptide was expressed in the stratified squamous epithelial cells of the ectocervix while it was absent in columnar epithelial cells of upper genital tract. Upregulation of the expression of this peptide was observed in patients of chronic non-specific cervicitis and acute on chronic cervicitis. This purified antimicrobial peptide also showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against different reproductive tract pathogens. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Considering the emerging bacterial resistance against conventional antibiotics, isolation and understanding of the expression of antimicrobial peptides from female reproductive tissue extracts may provide some leads towards the development of strategies for the treatment of reproductive tract infections.

Comparative evaluation of raloxifene versus estrogen: Progestin on symptomatology, endometrium, and lipid profile in postmenopausal women.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of raloxifene and estrogen progesterone (E + P) combination on symptoms, endometrium, and lipid profile in postmenopausal women. Ninety healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled and allocated to three groups namely E + P, raloxifene, and controls. These groups were given 0.625 mg conjugated estrogen and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone, 60 mg raloxifene and no therapy, respectively. Symptomatology and lipid profile were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months. Endometrial thickness was evaluated at 6 and 12 months, and endometrial biopsy was repeated at 12 months. The demographic profile of the women in the three different groups was comparable. In addition, the symptomatology, lipid profile, mean endometrial thickness, and endometrial biopsy categorization were comparable. E + P and raloxifene were equally effective in improving the postmenopausal symptoms and lipid profile. E + P had stimulatory effect on the endometrium, whereas raloxifene was found to be neutral.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in Guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruits during ripening.

Two varieties of guava viz., L-49 and Hisar Safeda differing in their shelf lives were analyzed for various components of oxidative stress and of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative system at different stages of fruit ripening. Indices of oxidative stress viz., lipoxygenase activity, malondialdehyde value and H2O2 content increased throughout during ripening in both the varieties. The extent of oxidative stress was more pronounced in Hisar Safeda (shelf life 3-4 days) than in L-49 (shelf life 7-8 days). Except for superoxide dismutase, activities of all other antioxidative enzymes viz., catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase increased up to color turning stage and decreased thereafter. Superoxide dismutase activity, however, increased upto ripe stage followed by a decline. Contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione (total, oxidized and reduced) were found to be the maximum at turning and mature stage, respectively. It is inferred that ripening of guava fruit is accompanied by a progressive increase in oxidative/peroxidative stress which induces antioxidant system but not until later stages of ripening. Over-accumulation of ROS due to dysfunctioning of ROS scavenging system at later stages of fruit ripening appears to be responsible for loss of tissue structure as observed in ripened and over-ripened fruits.

Partial purification of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase from ber (Zizyphus mauritiana Lamk.) fruit using anion exchange chromatography.

Partial purification of the two enzymes i.e. superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) from ber pulp has been obtained by passing the ammonium sulphate fraction through a diethyl amino ethyl-cellulose (DEAE-Cellulose) column. The fractions showing SOD and POX activity were pooled separately and passed through a Sephadex G100 column for further purification. SOD was purified 12.2 fold with 12.6% yield while POX was purified 15.6 fold with 19.3% yield. Approximate molecular mass for SOD and POX, as judged by gel filtration method was 35.6 and 81.5 kDa, respectively.

Choice of therapy and mode of delivery in idiopathic intracranial hypertension during pregnancy.

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology that is most often seen in obese women of reproductive age (19.3/100,000) and is reported only occasionally during pregnancy. Both pregnancy and exogenous estrogens are thought to promote IIH or worsen it. It can occur in any trimester during pregnancy, and the visual outcome is the same as for nonpregnant patients with IIH. There is no increase in fetal wastage; therapeutic abortion to limit its progression is not indicated, and subsequent pregnancies do not increase the risk of recurrence. Most therapies used during the nonpregnant state can also be used during pregnancy. The aim of treatment is to preserve vision and improve symptoms. Treatments include analgesics, diuretics, steroids, and serial lumbar punctures. When medical therapy fails, surgical procedures need to be considered. Although this condition has been reviewed often, the issue of mode of delivery, especially when papilledema has not resolved, is unclear. We report on 3 women with IIH during pregnancy and review the choice of therapy and mode of delivery.

Biochemistry of fruit ripening of guava (Psidium guajava L.): compositional and enzymatic changes.

Changes in chemical composition and the activities of hydrolytic enzymes during four different stages of maturity, viz. mature green (MG), color turning (CT), ripe (R), and overripe (OR), have been studied in guava fruits cv. Banarsi Surkha. Chlorophyll content decreased while carotenoid content increased during ripening. Starch content decreased with concomitant increase in alcohol-soluble sugars. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin also decreased up to ripe stage, while pectin continued to decrease up to OR stage. PG (polygalacturonase) and cellulase exhibited progressive increase in activity throughout ripening, whereas pectin methyl esterase (PME) activity increased up to CT stage and decreased at R stage. The activities of alpha-amylase and beta-amylase decreased significantly with ripening. The most notable metabolic changes occurred between MG and CT stage, implying that for improved postharvest handling, guava fruits may be harvested at CT stage.

Evidence of chlamydial infection in infertile women with fallopian tube obstruction.

The study was carried out to find the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis seropositivity among women with infertility of tubal origin. Forty women with tubal infertility (verified at hysterosalpingography and laproscopy), 20 women with infertility due to variety of other reasons and 20 healthy fertile women of reproductive age were enrolled in the study. It was found that the presence of Chlamydia specific IgG antibody was significantly higher (70%) in women with infertility of tubal origin as compared to 35% seropositivity in healthy fertile women and 55% seropositivity in infertile women with cause of infertility other than tubal factor. Seventy eight percent of women with frequency of coitus 3-4 times/week were seropositive as compared to 34.7% when frequency of coitus was 1-2 times/week. Study also showed the silent nature of this infection as history suggestive of past pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was lacking in majority of the seropositive women (63.75%). In the study group, both the ends of the fallopian tubes (cornual and distal block) were involved with almost equal frequency. Eighty three percent of women with seropositivity had unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinx and 75% of women had marked pelvic adhesions. These results support the fact that there is strong association between serum anti-Chlamydial antibodies and tubal factor as a cause of infertility in infertile women.

Levamisole and Podophyllin For the Treatment of Condylomata Acuminata.

Levamisole, a wide spectrum antihelminthic has been compared for its, curative effect on condylomata acuminata with podophyhin when given alone or combind with podophylfin topically. A cure rate of83.6% was obtained with podophyllin alone after in average Of 1.6 applications. With combined therapy, comparable good, results- were. Obtained i.e. a cure rate of 79.0% after applications. Levamisole was found to tie completely disappointing and had no effect on warts either given alone or in combination with podophyllin. No serious local or system side effects were noted with podophyllin and levamisole. Perianal and intraameatal warts were found to be relatively resistant to therapy.

Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Chandigarh.

A retrospective,data analysis of sexually transmitted diseases was carried out to study the pattern of these diseases prevalent in the region. One thousand'five hundred and seventy,one patients'were seen from January 1977 to October 1985. Maks constituted 95.5% of this group and females the remaining 4.5%. Commonest age group affected was 20-29 years in both sexes. Condytoma acuminata was the commonest STD (21.40/o), followed by gonorrhoea (16.9%), chancroid (12.2%) genital herpes (11.4%), syphilis (10.4%), not'specific ulcers (7.1%), donovanosis (6.3%),mixed infections (5.3%) and NSU (4.1%) Secondary syphilis was the most common (48.6%) presentation of syphik and in women it od 75.8% of all the cases of syphilis. In'more than a quarter of patients, psycho- problems were the reason for attendance.