The Influence of Gender on Food Consumption Patterns Among National-Level Adolescent Cyclists.

Background and objective Adolescents in general make poor food choices due to a lack of awareness, social pressure, and other factors, leading to a faulty lifestyle. On the other hand, the adolescent athletic population is associated with a healthy eating pattern. In light of this, this study aimed to evaluate the eating behavior of adolescent cyclists competing at the national level. Methods A total of 50 national-level adolescent cyclists (26 males and 24 females) were assessed for eating behavior, daily food consumption patterns, and eating habits around exercise time by using a pre-tested validated questionnaire, Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and 24-hour Food Recall. Results The majority (82%) of the cyclists were non-vegetarians, followed by lacto-vegetarians (14%) and lacto-ovo vegetarians (14%). Of note, 72% of the cyclists consumed four meals consisting of breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner daily, while 28% skipped at least one of the meals. The preference for takeaways (52%) surpassed dine-outs (34%) and home-cooked (14%) food. Pre-training snack was consumed by 37% and post-training snack by 47%. Cyclists daily consumed breakfast cereals (76%), bread (94%), pulses (92%), fruits (100%), vegetables (62%), milk (84%), milk products (90%), egg (82%), poultry, fish, and meat (74%), dry fruits, nuts, and seeds (78%), and saturated fats (100%). Junk foods (94%) and sweetened beverages (70%) were consumed at least once a week. No significant difference was observed in eating behavior and daily food consumption pattern between male and female cyclists. Conclusion The eating behavior of adolescent cyclists was inclined towards the consumption of saturated fats, junk food, and sweetened beverages. Male and female athletes have similar food habits. There is a need for the implementation of behavior change-oriented nutrition strategies to inculcate healthy eating habits among adolescent cyclists.

Validation of whole genome sequencing from dried blood spots.

BACKGROUND: Dried blood spots (DBS) are a relatively inexpensive source of nucleic acids and are easy to collect, transport, and store in large-scale field surveys, especially in resource-limited settings. However, their performance in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) relative to that of venous blood DNA has not been analyzed for various downstream applications. METHODS: This study compares the WGS performance of DBS paired with venous blood samples collected from 12 subjects. RESULTS: Results of standard quality checks of coverage, base quality, and mapping quality were found to be near identical between DBS and venous blood. Concordance for single-nucleotide variants, insertions and deletions, and copy number variants was high between these two sample types. Additionally, downstream analyses typical of population-based studies were performed, such as mitochondrial heteroplasmy detection, haplotype analysis, mitochondrial copy number changes, and determination of telomere lengths. The absolute mitochondrial copy number values were higher for DBS than for venous blood, though the trend in sample-to-sample variation was similar between DBS and blood. Telomere length estimates in most DBS samples were on par with those from venous blood. CONCLUSION: DBS samples can serve as a robust and feasible alternative to venous blood for studies requiring WGS analysis.

Analysis of seven putative Na+/H+ antiporters of Arthrospira platensis NIES-39 using transcription profiling and in silico studies: an indication towards alkaline pH acclimation.

Na+/H+ antiporters mediated pH regulation is one of the known mechanism(s), which advocates a possible role of the antiporters in the alkaline pH tolerance of Arthrospira platensis NIES-39. Seven putative Na+/H+ antiporters have been reported in A. platensis NIES-39. Based upon the in silico analysis, the seven putative antiporters were characterized into two different superfamilies, where A1, Q2, L2, and L6 belonged to the CPA1 family whereas C5, D5 and O6 belonged to CPA2 family. The orientation of functionally important residues in both CPA1 and CPA2 subfamily are conserved in modeled Q2 and C5 antiporters. Conserved domain analysis of the seven putative antiporters indicated the presence of nine different kinds of domains. Out of these nine domains, six domains function as monovalent cation-proton antiporters and two as the universal stress protein (Usp) category. Transcription profile of these seven antiporters was also generated at three different pH (7, 9 and 11) and time frames which showed a significant difference in the mRNA levels along with a temporal pattern of the expression profile. The in silico and the real-time PCR analysis put together, suggest the active participation of these seven putative Na+/H+ antiporters in alkaline pH homeostasis of this cyanobacterial strain where CPA1 subfamily antiporters play a major role.

Preclinical Evaluation of the Haematinic Activity of an Oral Indiffusible Mixture of Tamarindus indica L. Leaf Extract.

OBJECTIVES: Tamarindus indica L. is known to be a multipurpose traditional plant in India. It is used to treat some bacterial infections, parasitic infestations, constipation, and inflammation. It is also used as a blood tonic and for wound healing. This study was designed to substantiate the traditional claim of haematinic activity for T. indica. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T. indica leaf extract was formulated into an oral indiffusible mixture (TIM) and evaluated for its haematinic activity in phenylhydrazine (single dose of 10 mg/kg per oral for 8 days) induced anaemia. Wistar rats were grouped into six (n=6). Groups I and II served as normal control and disease control groups, respectively. Group III received the standard drug (haematinic suspension 2 mL/kg). Groups IV, V, and VI received the formulated oral indiffusible mixture of T. indica at a dose of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. RESULTS: The TIM was formulated and pharmaceutically optimized. It produced significant increases in red blood cells, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume and a decrease in mean corpuscular volume. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the treatment with TIM reversed phenylhydrazine induced anemia. However, the short duration of the present study is regarded as a limitation, and therefore a longer duration is required for obtaining better responses.

Cytomorphological Study of Medullary Carcinoma of Breast in Comparison to Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Medullary breast carcinoma (MBC) is one of the rare variants of breast carcinoma, accounting for less than 5% of invasive breast carcinoma. MBCs relatively appear a decade earlier when compared to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC NOS), which is more prevalent in the elderly age. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Pathology from 2009 to 2016. Fine needle aspiration cytology slides of MBCs and IDCs were retrieved, studied microscopically, and reviewed to compare the cytological features. RESULTS: During the study period, MBC cases were 12 and IDC were 319. Random 12 cases of IDC NOS were taken up for comparative cytological evaluation. Various cytological features are assessed and compared using chi square test and independent t test ratio. On comparison of IDC NOS and MBC cases in relation to the parameters like: syncytial clusters and nature of inflammatory infiltrate; the number of positive category was higher in MBC group (83.3%). In contrast, parameters like three-dimensional clusters, acinar pattern, and necrosis; the number of positive category was higher in IDC NOS group with a percentage of 91.7%, 100%, and 67%, respectively. Ratio of lymphoplasmacytic cells to tumor cells between the two showed that the ratio was higher in MBC group. This comparison was statistically significant with a P value of <0.001. CONCLUSION: Though few variants of breast carcinoma contain lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, the intensity and pattern of distribution of these lymphocytes and plasma cells in relation to tumor cells helps in distinguishing MBC from other breast carcinomas commonly IDC NOS on cytology. Also MBCs have a better prognosis when compared to IDC NOS.

Axillary lymph node tuberculosis masquerading as inflammatory breast carcinoma in an immune-compromised patient.

While tuberculosis is still the leading opportunistic infection among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is more common than pulmonary tuberculosis, with lymph nodes being a common site. Axillary lymph node pathology such as tuberculosis and lymphoma rarely mimics inflammatory breast carcinoma by producing lymphatic obstruction. We report a case of axillary lymph node tuberculosis in a 40-year-old immune-compromised woman, clinically presenting as inflammatory breast carcinoma.

Granulosa cell tumor of ovary: A clinicopathological study of four cases with brief review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Adult granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is a rare ovarian malignancy having good prognosis in comparison with other epithelial tumors. The study aims to collect data of all granulosa cell tumors diagnosed in ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bangalore over the last 3 years and to describe the patient profile, ultrasonographic and various histopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4 granulosa cell tumors were diagnosed in ESIC Medical College & PGIMSR, Rajajinagar, Bangalore during the period from June 2010 to June 2013. The patient's age, clinical manifestations, radiological and histopathological findings were evaluated. RESULTS: All 4 patients were diagnosed as adult granulosa cell tumor, three of four cases were in premenopausal age group and one case was in perimenopausal age. The clinical manifestations were menorrhagia and abdominal pain. Ultrasonographically, 2 cases of granulosa cell tumors were both solid and cystic and one case each was either solid or cystic. Histologically, variety of patterns like diffuse, trabecular, cords, spindle and clear cells were noted. Both Call-Exner bodies and nuclear grooves were observed in all cases. All four cases showed simple hyperplasia without atypia endometrial findings. Follow up on all patients revealed no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary is a rare ovarian entity. The important prognostic factor is staging of the tumor. Staging and histopathology helps in prediction of survival. Also diligent endometrial pathology has to be sorted to rule out endometrial carcinoma.

Pigmented Basal cell carcinoma of nipple and areola in a male breast - a case report with review of literature.

Basal cell carcinoma is a common skin cancer worldwide. However basal cell carcinoma of nipple and areola complex is rare, commonly seen in males in elderly age group. The tumor has aggressive behavior with increased tendency for metastasis. We present a case in a 78 year male in the left breast.

Carcinoid tumour of appendix in a child: a rare case at an uncommon site.

Carcinoid tumours of the appendix are uncommon incidentally detected tumours during histopathological examination following appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. Even though considered rare in children, they are the most frequently encountered tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. To our knowledge, carcinoid tumour of appendix in childhood has not yet been reported from Indian Subcontinent. The clinical presentation is similar to acute appendicitis and the signs and symptoms of carcinoid syndrome have not been reported in children. The prognosis of carcinoid tumour of appendix is excellent in children as the tumour is generally small in size and less aggressive with no metastasis. Simple appendicectomy is curative in most of the patients and long term follow up is debatable. We present here a case of carcinoid tumour of the body of appendix, which is an uncommon location in a 6-year-old child.

Characterization of high temperature induced stress impairments in thylakoids of rice seedlings.

Exposure of isolated thylakoids or intact plants to elevated temperature is known to inhibit photosynthesis at multiple sites. We have investigated the effect of elevated temperature (40 degrees C) for 24 hr in dark on rice seedlings to characterize the extent of damage by in vivo heat stress on photofunctions of photosystem II (PSII). Chl a fluorescence transient analysis in the intact rice leaves indicated a loss in PSII photochemistry (Fv) and an associated loss in the number of functional PSII units. Thylakoids isolated from rice seedlings exposed to mild heat stress exhibited >50% reduction in PSII catalyzed oxygen evolution activity compared to the corresponding control thylakoids. The ability of thylakoid membranes from heat exposed seedlings to photooxidize artificial PSII electron donor, DPC, subsequent to washing the thylakoids with alkaline Tris or NH2OH was also reduced by approximately 40% compared to control Tris or NH2OH washed thylakoids. This clearly indicated that besides the disruption of oxygen evolving complex (OEC) by 40 degrees C heat exposure for 24 hr, the PSII reaction centers were impaired by in vivo heat stress. The analysis of Mn and manganese stabilizing protein (MSP) contents showed no breakdown of 33 kDa extrinsic MSP and only a marginal loss in Mn. Thus, we suggest that the extent of heat induced loss of OEC must be due to disorganization of the OEC complex by in vivo heat stress. Studies with inhibitors like DCMU and atrazine clearly indicated that in vivo heat stress altered the acceptor side significantly. [14C] Atrazine binding studies clearly demonstrated that there is a significant alteration in the QB binding site on D1 as well as altered QA to QB equilibrium. Thus, our results show that the loss in PSII photochemistry by in vivo heat exposure not only alters the donor side but significantly alters the acceptor side of PSII.

Nucleotide sequence of initiator tRNA from Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The nucleotide sequence of initiator tRNA from Mycobacterium smegmatis was determined to be pCGCGGGGUGGAGCAGCUCGGDAGCUCGCUGGGCUCAUAACCCAGAGm7GUCG CAGGU psi CGm1AAUCCUGUCCCCGCUACCAOH . The nucleotide sequence of Mycobacterium initiator tRNA was found to be the same as that of Streptomyces initiator tRNA, except that G46 and A57 were replaced by m7G46 and G57 , respectively. The striking feature of Mycobacterium initiator tRNA is the absence of ribothymidine at residue 54, and the presence of 1-methyladenosine at residue 58 which makes the sequence of this tRNA similar to that of eukaryotic initiator tRNA.

Occurrence of 1-methyladenosine and absence of ribothymidine in transfer ribonucleic acid of Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The minor base composition of Mycobacterium smegmatis tRNA has been studied. Thin-layer chromatographic patterns of a ribonuclease T2 digest of mycobacterial tRNA indicated the presence of appreciable amounts of 1-methyladenosine (which is commonly present only in eucaryotic tRNA), dihydrouridine, and 7-methylguanosine. Ribothymidine was absent. The S-adenosylmethionine-dependent tRNA methylases of M. smegmatis catalyzed the formation of 1-methyladenosine when Escherichia coli tRNA was used as acceptor. Similarly, E. coli extracts methylated the tRNA of M. smegmatis, forming ribothymidine.