Pork carcass composition, meat and belly qualities as influenced by feed efficiency selection in replacement boars from Large White sire and dam lines.

This study evaluated carcass attributes, meat and belly qualities in finisher boars (n = 79) selected for feed efficiency (low, intermediate and high) based on estimated breeding value for feed conversion ratio within a Large White dam and sire genetic lines. The sire line had lower trimmed fat proportions and higher lean than the dam line (P < 0.01). Genetic lines expressed slight colour changes and drip losses (P < 0.05), with no differences in pH, marbling and cooking traits (P > 0.05). High-efficient animals presented the highest lean yield (P < 0.01), the lowest trimmed fat proportion (P < 0.01) and no effect on meat and belly quality attributes (P > 0.05) compared with other efficient groups. Interaction between efficiency group and genetic line was only detected for belly weight and thickness (P < 0.01). High-efficient animals offer a greater leanness level, with minimal impact on meat and belly quality traits.

Associative role of HLA-DRB1 SNP genotypes as risk factors for susceptibility and severity of rheumatoid arthritis: A North-east Indian population-based study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex, multifactorial, systemic autoimmune disease. Reports are suggestive of the role of HLA especially HLA-DRB1 alterations in RA pathogenesis. Existing data involving different geographical populations on the role of alterations in specific locus of HLA-DRB1 in RA susceptibility and severity are equivocal, with no data available from ethnically distinct North-east Indian population, where RA cases are alarmingly increasing. This study aimed to evaluate the association of HLA-DRB1 gene SNPs (rs13192471, rs660895 and rs6457617) with susceptibility and severity of RA in an ethnically distinct North-east Indian population. Whole blood was collected from clinically characterized RA cases (satisfying the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria) (n = 123) and community-based age and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 156) with informed consent. The HLA-DRB1 SNP analysis was performed for all the RA and control cases using ARMS-PCR using case and control genomic DNA as template. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSSv13.0 software. The HLA-DRB1 rs660895 showed both wild (AA) and heterozygote (AG) genotype but the heterozygote allele was found to be associated with reduced risk of RA compared to controls [OR = 0.531, p = .024]. The difference in distribution of rs6457617 polymorphism between RA and control cases was comparable [OR = 0.525, p = .079]. Significantly higher distribution of variant rs13192471 genotype was observed in RA cases (69.92%) compared to controls (46.75%) (p < .001) and was associated with increased risk of susceptibility to RA [OR = 2.576, p < .001] compared to controls, as well as progression to severity in RA cases [OR = 2.404, p = .048]. Combinatorially also, the presence of rs13192471 variant genotype was associated with increased risk of RA susceptibility [OR = 8.267, p = .026] and RA severity [OR = 3.647, p = .280]. Alterations in HLA-DRB1 are associated with RA susceptibility. HLA-DRB1 rs13192471 SNP plays a critical role in RA susceptibility and severity in North-east Indian cases and has prognostic significance in RA.

Variations in the spatial distribution of gall bladder cancer: a call for collaborative action.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of gall bladder cancers in this part of the world is high and the spatial variation in occurrence of gall bladder cancers can be identified by using geographical information system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data set containing the address information of gall bladder cancer patients from the District of Kamrup, India was obtained from cancer registry of a regional cancer center. The data set consisted of patients registered during the period of January 2010 to December 2012. The ArcGIS 10.0 used for the present analysis and the population density map of the District was prepared by using LandScan, 2008™. RESULTS: There were isolated areas with very high density of cases and low population density termed as "hot spots". Alternatively there were areas with very high population density and lesser number of cases with gall bladder cancers. CONCLUSION: This type of an analysis using GIS provides evidence to conduct joint research by epidemiologists and specialists from environmental and geological sciences in tandem.

Spontaneous cutaneous papillomatosis in yaks and detection and quantification of bovine papillomavirus-1 and -2.

Seven clinical cases of cutaneous papillomatosis in yaks were studied in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Sporadic, single or a chain of multiple varying size warts appeared around the eyes or on the body. Predominant site of warts was around eyes. Histopathologically, these cases were diagnosed as fibropapilloma. It was confirmed by the detection of BPV-1 and BPV-2 or their mixed infection by PCR and sequencing. Quantitative SYBR Green real-time PCR detected comparatively lower viral DNA copy number in cutaneous warts (CWs). Cases of CWs and its causative agent as bovine papillomavirus (BPVs) are reported for the first time in yaks.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the palate.

Pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor of the salivary glands that has elements of both epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. The tumor most commonly arises in the parotid or submandibular glands. Infrequently, it may arise from the minor salivary glands and present as an intraoral mass over the palate or lip. We report a patient with PA over the hard palate, which resembled common intraoral diseases like oral papilloma, squamous cell carcinoma and condyloma acuminate.

Synthesis and characterization of 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz): novel high-nitrogen content insensitive high energy material.

This paper reports the synthesis, characterization and thermolysis studies of 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (BTATz) and 3-(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-6-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-s-tetrazine monohydrate (TADPTz). The synthesized BTATz and TADPTz have been characterized by spectroscopic techniques and the data obtained confirm their structure. TGA and DSC results suggested that BTATz decomposes in the range 265-350 degrees C and TADPTz in the range 245-275 degrees C respectively. The calculated energy of activation of BTATz and TADPTz is 212.69 and 257.29kJ/mol respectively. The experimentally determined DeltaH(f) value matches with theoretically computed heat of explosion. The computed volume of gases indicates that they can find application in gas generating compositions.

Study on ultrasound assisted precipitation of CL-20 and its effect on morphology and sensitivity.

Applying ultrasound to crystallizing systems offers significant advantages for modifying and improving the processes as well as quality of products. This paper reports on ultrasound assisted reprecipitation of CL-20 to obtain fine particles as well as to achieve desired morphology, which will improve insensitivity characteristics. In this study, CL-20 has been reprecipitated by sonication process and has been characterized by DSC, SEM and particle size analysis. The results are compared with control CL-20 sample (unsonicated). SEM photographs revealed that sonication process offer uniform crystalline morphology without any agglomeration. The particle size of sonicated CL-20 sample obtained is around 5+/-1 microm with a narrow particle size distribution. The DSC thermogram of sonicated and unsonicated sample is identical. CL-20 samples were subjected to impact and friction sensitivity experiments, the results indicate the sensitivity characteristics reduced considerably. Ultrasonic assisted crystallization technique reduces the time of reprecipitation considerably with an enhanced recovery of CL-20 with a very narrow particle size distribution.

Chemistry of trichlorofluoromethane: synthesis of chlorofluoromethyl phenyl sulfone and fluoromethyl phenyl sulfone and some of their reactions.

It was observed that the reaction of CFCl3 with thiophenoxide gave only 10% of the corresponding thioether. On the other hand, these thioethers could be prepared in excellent yield from diaryl disulfides and CFCl3 in the presence of sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate in aqueous DMF at 4 atm pressure of nitrogen. Dechlorination of the thioether (PhSCFCl2) with different reducing agents were studied. Most of the reducing agents eliminated both fluorine and chlorine functionalities or gave the hydrolyzed products. But its sulfone on treatment with Zinc in methanol gave monochlorofluoromethyl and fluoromethyl phenyl sulfone in good yields. Darzens reaction of these compounds was also studied.

Birth weight at Changlang, Arunachal Pradesh.

The data on birth weight of 524 (male--287, female--237) live born singleton babies of Changlang have been subjected to analysis in relation to sex, mean birth weight and low birth weight (LBW). For the purpose of comparison, the present data were sub-divided into three categories--Tangsa Tribe (T.T.), Tribes excluding Tangsa (T) and other groups (O.G.). Tribal babies of Changlang are found to be heavier than babies of other groups. It has also been observed that occurrence of LBW among tribal babies of Changlang is less than that of the babies of other groups of Changlang and it is much less than that of Bengali babies of Calcutta and Marathi babies of Pune District. It is apparent that tribal babies of Changlang are more healthier than caste babies of N.E. India.