Deaths due to hanging among adolescents - A 10-year retrospective study.

The present study was carried out to analyze various factors associated with death due to hanging among adolescents and to identify the areas of intervention for preventing such deaths. A retrospective study was carried out on 51 cases of adolescent deaths due to hanging, the autopsies of which were conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra State (India), during the period between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010. In the present study, death by hanging among the adolescent age group was most commonly suicidal (96.08%) in nature, and only two (3.92%) cases of deaths due to accidental hanging were observed. Of the total number of suicidal deaths due to hanging among adolescents, the majority (80.39%) were among the older adolescent (15-19 years) age group. Rope and clothing items were commonly used ligature materials for committing suicide by hanging. Females outnumbered male victims (M:F ratio 1:1.13) among adolescents, contrary to the male preponderance observed among victims of the older age group (M:F ratio 1:0.44). Most of the suicidal deaths due to hanging (83.67%) among adolescents were observed at the victims' home. The predisposing and precipitating factors observed were domestic strife, examination-related stress, and physical and psychological illness.

Superstrong nature of covalently bonded glass-forming liquids at select compositions.

Variation of fragility (m) of specially homogenized Ge(x)Se(100-x) melts is established from complex specific heat measurements and shows that m(x) has a global minimum at an extremely low value (m = 14.8(0.5)) in the 21.5% < x < 23% range of Ge. Outside of that compositional range, m(x) then increases first rapidly and then slowly to about m = 25-30. By directly mapping melt stoichiometry as a function of reaction time at a fixed temperature T > Tg, we observe a slowdown of melt-homogenization by the super-strong melt compositions, 21.5% < x < 23%. This range furthermore appears to be correlated to the one observed between the flexible and stressed rigid phase in network glasses. These spectacular features underscore the crucial role played by topology and rigidity in the properties of network-forming liquids and glasses which are highlighted when fragility is represented as a function of variables tracking the effect of rigidity. Finally, we investigate the fragility-glass transition temperature relationship, and find that reported scaling laws do not apply in the flexible phase, while being valid for intermediate and stressed rigid compositions.

Isolation and Confirmation of Listeria Species from Seafood off Goa Region by Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Several food borne outbreaks have highlighted the importance of Listeria monocytogenes to the public health and have been recognized as an emerging, important food borne pathogen, and a causative agent of listerioses. A number of genes are involved in the manifestation of Listeria virulence, hlyA is one among them. In the present study, 111 marine fish samples including prawns, finfishes and bivalves were screened for the presence of Listeria species. The isolates were characterized biochemically and further L. monocytogenes were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using the hlyA gene as a tool to differentiate between L. monocytogenes and other non-pathogenic Listeria species. Out of 111 samples 5 (4.5%) samples were positive for L. monocytogenes. Among the three different types of samples bivalves were found to have maximum percent (12.5) of L. monocytogenes followed by prawns (3.84) and finfishes (2.9). Among all the 111 samples, 15 (13.51%) samples were positive for other Listeria species. It was observed that Listeria occurrence is more in shellfishes than in fin fishes. All the isolates were sensitive towards five different antibiotics in sequence ciprofloxacin > sulphafurazole > norfloxacin > ampicillin and gentamicin.

Characterization of antibody-binding sites on proteins: development of a knowledgebase and its applications in improving epitope prediction.

Immunoinformatics provides tools for reverse vaccinology and encompasses development of knowledge bases and algorithms for prediction of epitopes. AgAbDb, a database archiving molecular interactions of antigen-antibody co-crystal structures, has been developed (http://202.41.70.51:8080/agabdb2/). Analyses of antibody-binding sites on proteins helped to fine-tune the parameters for prediction of sequential and conformational B-cell epitopes.

Some unique ethnomedicinal uses of plants used by the Korku tribe of Amravati district of Maharashtra, India.

The present ethnobotanical study was carried out among the ethnic groups (Korku tribe) in the Chikhaldara, Achalpur and parts of Morshi in Amravati district of Maharashtra, India. A field survey of the study area was carried out during 2000-2004 to document the medicinal utility of plants occurring in this area by Korku tribe. Traditional uses of 66 plant species belonging to 40 families are described under this study. The documented ethnomedicinal plants were mostly used to cure skin disorders, diarrhea, jaundice, tuberculosis, stroke, migraine, menstrual problems, fertility problems, urinary problems, piles, wounds and poison bites. The medicinal plants used by the Korku tribe are arranged alphabetically followed by family name, herbarium number, local name, parts used, mode of preparation and medicinal uses.

In vitro multiple shoot regeneration and plant production in Alysicarpus rugosus DC. var. heyneanus Baker.

A protocol for in vitro multiple shoot regeneration and plant production through seedling (shoot tip) culture was established for Alysicarpus rugosus DC. var. heyneanus Baker. Maximum number of adventitious shoots (14.4) per shoot tip explant were initiated after two subcultures on MS solid medium supplemented with IAA (2.85 microM) plus BAP (2.22 microM) after 4 weeks. Shoot elongation (3.0-3.5 cm) was achieved on MS medium without any hormones. Stunted shoots elongated on half MS medium without growth hormones. Rooting occurred in MS medium containing IAA (1.14 - 2.85 microM) alone or in combination with IBA (0.89 - 2.46 microM) and or NAA (1.07 - 2.69 microM). Maximum rooting was established in MS medium supplemented with IAA (2.85 microM). The plants were acclimatized successfully with 55% survival in pot containing cocoa peat and sand (1:1). After a month, hardened plants were transferred to pots with manure, garden soil and sand (1:2:1) for further growth and finally planted in field.

Evaluation of crude sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus fastuosus as a natural preservative.

It has been revealed that the use of synthetic food preservatives has variety of various side effects and hence search of safe and effective natural preservative has become a need. With the afore said objective the present study to screen the possibility of using sesquiterpenoid extract of local folk mushroom Phellinus fastuosus as food preservative was undertaken. Microbial growth inhibition by sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus was evaluated in the media with natural ingredient such as milk agar (MA), tomato juice agar (TJA), wheat flour agar (WFA) and pineapple juice agar (PAJA) with the composition with Phellinus extract, sodium benzoate and combinations. Three strains of bacteria and one strain of fungus were used astest organisms. The sesquiterpenoid extract of Phellinus at 0.02% concentration significantly inhibited the growth of all test organisms on natural media and the results were comparable with sodium benzoate. Similarly combination of Phellinus extract and sodium benzoate completely inhibited the growth of all microorganisms in all media, suggesting the possibility of using the Phellinus extract as food preservative.

Programmed cell death as a prognostic indicator for radiation therapy in cervical carcinoma patients: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: In clinical practice, radiation therapy often fails in cervical carcinoma stage IIIB and there is a need to develop a predictive assay for prognosis of radiation treatment outcome in cancer patient. We have attempted to evaluate the relevance of changes in Membrane Fluidity (MF) and associated apoptotic cell death in cervical cancer cells after first fractionated dose of radiation therapy to treatment outcome of stage IIIB cervical carcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsies of 15 patients with histologically proven cervix cancer were collected from the patients before and 24 h after first fractionated radiation dose of 2 grays (Gy). Cell suspension made in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) were used for further investigations and cell suspension of cervix cancer patient were used to measure MF by fluorescence polarization method and apoptotic index (AI) was determined by Tdt dUTP Nucleotide End Labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS: A substantial increase in MF and AI was observed in cervical cancer cells irradiated ex vivo . A significant correlation ( P P > 0.1) was detected between changes in MF and treatment outcome of patients. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results showed significant change in MF and a marked increase in percentage apoptosis of cervix cancer cells irradiated ex vivo . The changes in AI after first fractionated dose of radiotherapy in cervical carcinoma patients may provide a predictor of prognosis for radiotherapy in uterine cervical carcinoma patients.

Potential of radiosensitizing agents in cancer chemo-radiotherapy.

Potential of herbs and other plant-based formulations have been increasingly recognized in prevention and treatment of human diseases including cancer. There exist enormous prospect for screening and evaluation of herbal/plant products for developing effective radiosensitization and radioprotection relevant to nuclear research program. Investigations in our laboratory have focused on the mechanism of activity of variety of anticancer and antioxidant agents, namely, Eugenol, (EU), Ellagic acid (EA), Triphala (TPL), Tocopherol Succinate (TOS) and Arachidonic acid on normal and cancer cells with view to design effective protocols in practical radioprotection and cancer radiotherapy. This paper is mainly focused on studies on cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines. Results have shown that these agents produced radiosensitizing action involving oxidative damage, membrane alteration and damage to nucleic acid in various human cell lines. Studies were performed employing fluorescence probes and electron spin resonance methods and gel electrophoresis protocols. It has been found that cytotoxic effect was induced by initiating membrane oxidative damage and by triggering intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by gamma radiation in combination with phytochemicals like TPL, EA and TOS in tumor cell line Ehrlich Ascites (EAC), Human cervical (HeLa) and breast (MCF-7) cells. Membrane damage and ROS generation was measured by DPH and DCF-FDA fluorescent probes respectively after exposure to low to moderate doses of gamma radiation. This talk will present the cytotoxic effects of phytochemicals in combination with ionizing radiation. It is emphasized that modulation of membrane peroxidative damage and intra cellular ROS may help achieve efficient killing of cancer cells which may provide a new approach to developing effective treatment of cancer.

Membrane oxidative damage and apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells of patients after radiation therapy.

This article describes evaluation of plasma membrane fluidity and intracellular SOD with relation to apoptotic death of cervical carcinoma cells after radiation therapy. Cells from biopsies of cancer patients (stage IIIB) prior to and 24 h after radiation dose of 2 Gy were examined. Plasma membrane fluidity, measured by fluorescence polarization of DPH incorporated into lipid bilayer and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, determined by epinephrine method, showed significant decrease but per cent apoptotic cells, as determined by annexin-V and TUNEL methods, were found increased by two folds after radiotherapy. It is suggested that decrease in DPH polarization in membrane, reduction in SOD activity and increased apoptosis in cervical cells of cancer patients treated with radiation may be consequent to oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may have implications in developing predictive protocol in cancer radiotherapy.

Molecular Rearrangement of Longifolene by Arthrobacter ilicis T(2).

Arthrobacter ilicis T(2) brings about a unique type of cometabolic structural rearrangement of longifolene, a sesquiterpene, resulting in the formation of an acid. Infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and decoupling studies indicate that the acid product has a sativenelike structure, which is confirmed by conversion of the acid to its methyl ester and hydrocarbon.