Effect of cryopreservation and capacitation on expression patterns of ATP synthesis associated genes in bubaline spermatozoa.

This study investigated the expression patterns of certain ATP synthesis associated genes (GAPDHS, PGK2, ENO4 and MDH2) in fresh and frozen-thawed bubaline spermatozoa vis-à-vis capacitation. Eight adult Murrah buffalo bulls, aged 5-7 years, were randomly selected from a bull farm and fresh semen was collected once a week for four weeks (n = 32) from the selected bulls. Simultaneously, frozen straws of the same bulls were collected (n = 32, four straws were pooled per sample). The samples were divided into four groups i.e., fresh non capacitated (control/group 1), fresh capacitated (group 2), frozen non capacitated (group 3) and frozen capacitated (group 4). In all groups mRNA extraction was done. The mRNA expression of GAPDHS was significantly higher in group 3 compared to the other groups, whereas the expression of ENO4 was significantly up-regulated in group 2 and 3 compared to the group 4. Similarly, the mRNA expression of PGK2 was significantly up-regulated in group 3 whereas in case of MDH2, it was significantly higher in group 2, 3 and 4 compared group 1. It can be concluded from our study that freezing and capacitation has a significant effect on the expression dynamics of the ATP synthesis-associated genes warranting necessary interventions in handling procedures to minimise the adverse effect of freezing on ATP synthesis process to ensure persistence of fertilizing ability of sperm.

Studies on the quality of duck meat sausages during refrigeration.

Duck farming is on the raise in the current scenario, but processed products from duck meat are still uncommon to find. Investigating the duck meat qualities during storage will provide information to enhance duck meat utilization. Development of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook duck meat products is expected to increase and improve non-chicken meat-based protein. The Study was aimed to evaluate the changes in quality characteristics of duck meat sausages preserved by refrigeration (7 ± 1 °C). Duck meat sausages were prepared by utilizing raw and partially cooked duck meat with addition of soy flour at 10% level as a binder. Different quality characteristics like physical and chemical characteristics, proximate composition, and organoleptic characteristics were evaluated. Cooking loss of partially cooked meat sausages was lower than raw duck meat sausages, whereas emulsion stability and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of raw duck meat sausages were lesser than partially cooked meat sausages. Cooking loss and emulsion stability decreased in both types of meat sausages, while, 2-TBA values increased as refrigerated storage progressed for 14 days. Percent moisture content of raw duck meat sausages was higher than partially cooked meat sausages, which decreased in both types of meat sausages as refrigerated storage progressed for 14 days. Percent crude protein (CP) and percent ether extract (EE) content of partially cooked duck meat sausages were higher than raw duck meat sausages. Regardless of type of meat used, refrigerated storage of sausages increased CP and EE up to 10th day but decreased upon further storage up to 14th day. Organoleptic scores for raw duck meat sausages were higher than partially cooked duck meat sausages and all the scores decreased with an increase in the storage period. However the scores were within the acceptable limits. The findings prove that, duck meat can be effectively acclaimed as an alternative avenue to meet the escalating protein demand in the form of ready-to-eat product. The quality of sausages is also retained during refrigerated storage.

Compliance with infection control practices in sputum microscopy centres: a study from Kerala, India.

BACKGROUND: One of the strategies of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme in India to achieve tuberculosis control is by increasing case detection through a nationwide network of designated microscopy centres (DMC). Practice of standard precautions for infection control in these DMCs is very important to prevent transmission of infection not only to the laboratory personnel, but also to the general population. However, in India this has not been evaluated by an external agency. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess knowledge, facilities and compliance regarding infection control practices (ICP) in all 38 DMCs in Kannur district, Kerala, India, in 2015. Using observations and interviews, the investigators collected data in a structured format. RESULTS: Overall knowledge about infection control was found to be satisfactory among 29% of laboratory technicians. Overall facilities for infection control were satisfactory in 61% of the DMCs, while adherence to ICP was satisfactory in 45% of the DMCs. Knowledge regarding ICP was better in government DMCs, whereas facilities for ICP and adherence to biomedical waste management guidelines were better in private DMCs. CONCLUSION: Given the higher risk of infection among laboratory technicians, there is an urgent need to address the shortcomings in infection control practices.

Contexte : Une des stratégies du Programme national révisé de lutte contre la tuberculose (RNTCP) en Inde consiste à lutter contre la tuberculose en augmentant la détection des cas à travers un réseau national de Centres de Diagnostic par Microscopie (DMC). La mise en oeuvre des précautions standard de lutte contre les infections dans ces DMC est très importante pour prévenir la transmission des infections, non seulement vis-à-vis du personnel de laboratoire, mais également vis-à-vis de la population générale. Cependant, en Inde, ceci n'a pas été évalué par une agence externe.Méthode : Une étude transversale a été réalisée pour évaluer les connaissances, la structure et l'adhésion aux pratiques de lutte contre l'infection (ICP) dans les 38 DMC du district de Kannur, état du Kerala, Inde en 2015. Grâce à des observations et à des entretiens, les investigateurs ont recueilli des données dans un format structuré.Résultats : Les connaissances d'ensemble relatives à la lutte contre l'infection ont été jugées satisfaisantes pour 29% des techniciens de laboratoire. Le niveau d'ensemble des centres en matière de lutte contre l'infection a été satisfaisant dans 61% des DMC. L'adhésion aux pratiques de lutte contre l'infection a été satisfaisante dans 45% des DMC. Les connaissances relatives aux pratiques d'ICP ont été meilleures dans les DMC du gouvernement tandis que les installations et l'adhésion aux directives de gestion des déchets biomédicaux ont été meilleures dans les DMC privés.Conclusion : Connaissant le risque très élevé d'infection parmi les techniciens de laboratoire, il y a un besoin urgent de corriger les déficiences des pratiques de lutte contre l'infection.

Marco de referencia: Una de las estrategias del Programa Nacional Revisado contra la Tuberculosis de la India consiste en controlar la enfermedad al aumentar la detección de casos por conducto de una red nacional de centros de microscopia diagnóstica (DMC). La práctica de las precauciones corrientes de control de las infecciones en estos centros es muy importante con el fin de evitar la transmisión no solo al personal de laboratorio, sino también a la población general. Sin embargo, ningún organismo externo ha evaluado estas prácticas en el país.Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal con el fin de evaluar los conocimientos, la adecuación de los establecimientos y el cumplimiento de las prácticas en materia de control de las infecciones (ICP) en 38 DMC del distrito de Kannur en el estado de Kerala en la India en 2015. Los investigadores recogieron datos mediante observaciones y entrevistas estructuradas.Resultados: En general, el 29% del personal auxiliar de laboratorio poseía un grado satisfactorio de conocimientos sobre el control de las infecciones; el 61% de los DMC contaba con dispositivos adecuados de ICP y en el 45% se observó el cumplimiento de las normas. El conocimiento de las ICP fue mayor en los DMC del sector público, pero los dispositivos de los establecimientos y el cumplimiento de las directrices de eliminación de los desechos biológicos fueron de mejor calidad en los DMC del sector privado.Conclusión: Teniendo en cuenta el mayor riesgo de exposición a las infecciones que presenta el personal auxiliar de laboratorio, existe una necesidad urgente de abordar las deficiencias observadas en las prácticas de control de las infecciones.

Patterns of mandibular invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular region.

BACKGROUND: Mandibular resections are routinely carried out for achieving a R0 resection for oral cancers. However, the need of mandibular resection to achieve this has always been questioned. The present study was carried out to define the pattern of mandibular involvement in carcinoma of the mandibular region. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 25 consecutive patients who had undergone mandibular resection and were found to have mandibular invasion were studied in a prospective open fashion. After decalcification the specimens were serially sectioned at 1 cm interval to identify invasion of mandibular bone. Type of invasion, route of spread and host cell reactions were also recorded. RESULTS: The mandibular involvement was infiltrative in 14(56%) and erosive in 11(44%). It was cortical in 5(20%), marrow involvement was seen in 15(60%) while 5(20%) had spread through the inferior alveolar canal. Of the 25, 24(96%) lesions were located with in 1 cm of the mandible. CONCLUSION: The possibility of mandibular involvement is higher in patients where tumours are located with in 1 cm of the mandible. Involvement of mandible through the canal of inferior alveolar nerve in the present study was relatively high (20%). Therefore it is recommended that before a decision is taken to preserve the mandible it should be thoroughly screened for possible involvement.

Conventional slow freezing, vitrification and open pulled straw (OPS) vitrification of rabbit embryos.

Three different methods of cryopreservation viz., conventional slow freezing, vitrification and open pulled straw vitrification were compared for their ability to support post thaw in vitro and in vivo development of rabbit embryos. Morula stage rabbit embryos were collected from super-ovulated donor does. They were randomly allocated to different freezing methods and stored up to 3 months in liquid nitrogen. After thawing and removal of cryoprotectants, embryos exhibiting intact zona pellucida and uniform blastomeres were considered suitable for in vitro culture and/or transfer. Three to five cryopreserved embryos placed in approximately 1 ml of culture medium (TCM 199 supplemented with foetal calf serum and antibiotics) were incubated for up to 72 h under humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 39 degrees C. Development to hatched blastocyst stage was considered the initial indicator of success of cryopreservation of embryos. Of the embryos cryopreserved by programmed freezing, open pulled straw vitrification, vitrification-55 h pc and vitrification-72 h pc 55, 71, 17 and 48%, respectively, developed into hatched blastocysts. Similarly 19, 29, and 4% of embryos cryopreserved by programmed freezing, open pulled straw vitrification and vitrification -72 h pc developed into live offspring on transfer to recipient does. This is the first report on open pulled straw vitrification of rabbit embryos. Present results, suggest that (a) open pulled straw vitrification supports better in vitro survival of frozen thawed rabbit morulae; (b) both programmed freezing and OPS are similar but superior to vitirification in supporting in vivo survival of frozen thawed rabbit embryos.

Mandibular invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma: investigation by clinical examination and orthopantomogram.

Assessing the relationship of oral squamous carcinoma with the mandible prior to definitive therapy poses a perplexing problem for the head and neck oncologist. We carried out a prospective open study of 51 (21 female and 30 male; mean age of 53.4 years) patients undergoing mandibular resections for oral squamous cell carcinoma to examine the incidence of mandibular bone invasion and to assess the predictive capabilities of clinical and radiological examination in detecting bone involvement. A detailed clinical examination was followed by radiographic evaluation of mandible for bone invasion. After resection, the mandible was sectioned serially at every cm to find the pathological bone involvement. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of clinical and radiological findings were calculated. Specimens from 25 patients (49%) (4 segmental 21 hemi) demonstrated tumour invasion on histological examination. Clinical impression of mandibular invasion showed a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 65%, whereas radiological examination had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 88%. When considered together, clinical and radiological examinations were able to detect all the cases of bone invasion, but specificity was only 58%. This study advocates careful correlation of clinical and radiological findings prior to definitive therapy, as clinical examination tends to over diagnose bone invasion in tumours adjacent to the mandible. The specificity of imaging was also found to be low pointing towards the need for more specific diagnostic tools in doubtful cases. Aggressive surgical therapy, namely segmental or hemi resection of mandible is warranted in case of tumours of the lower alveolus with definite bone invasion. In case of carcinomas of the buccal mucosa and tongue the mandibular resection can be limited to that required for clearance of margins provided the radiology is negative.

Potential for osseous regeneration of platelet-rich plasma--a comparative study in mandibular third molar sockets.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the concentrate of platelets in plasma contains various growth factors that enhance osseous regeneration. This study utilized homologous platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of third molar extraction sockets in a total of fourteen human subjects, who were randomly assigned into one control and one test group, each comprising of seven members. Clinical parameters like pain on palpation, number of analgesic tablets consumed, swelling, degree of mouth opening, and condition of mucosa overlying the surgical site were assessed at intervals of 1,3,5,7,9,12, and 16 weeks post operatively. The margins between the socket and surrounding bone, radiopacity of bone filling the socket, and presence oftrabecular bone formation were evaluated simultaneously. Soft tissue healing differed significantly between the two groups, with the test group exhibiting better results. Radiographic evidence of bone formation was visible as early as I week in test subjects. It was concluded that PRP contributed to better healing of soft tissues and bone and is a viable means of growth factor delivery.