Life History of Epuraea (Haptoncus) ocularis Fairmaire, 1849 in Kolkata area, India and descriptions of the immature stages (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Epuraeinae).

Sap beetle, Epuraea ocularis Fairmaire usually lays eggs and breeds on fermenting overripe fruits, and larvae pass through different instars before pupating on soil. In laboratory condition, mating pairs of adults copulated and females laid eggs in clusters; larva hatched out in 1 to 2 days, passed through four instars; mature larva migrated to soil for pupation. Larval development took about 12 to 17 days; and adult hatched out of pupa in about 4 to 5 days. Detailed morphology of egg, larva and pupa is presented herein, and significance of larva in taxonomy of beetles has been indicated.

Highlights from Kaleidoscope: A Discussion Meeting in Chemistry, Goa, India, July 2016.

"Kaleidoscope: A Discussion Meeting in Chemistry" is an annual gathering of young Indian investigators working in various fields of chemistry and allied areas. The meeting serves as a common ground to cross-pollinate new research ideas and come up with coherent approaches to solve long-standing and challenging problems within an informal setting. The third installment of the meeting was hosted within the serene confines of the International Center, Goa, India from July 14th-17th 2016. In this report, we provide an overview of the topics covered and the ensuing discussions which took place during Kaleidoscope-2016 in order to highlight the scientific rigour of the meeting.

Review of the Megauchenia Macleay of India (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Prometopinae).

Three species of Megauchenia Macleay [M. angustata (Erichson, 1843), M. quadricollis (Reitter, 1883) and M. indica (Grouvelle, 1908)] were studied based on a collection from India. The genus and the species are re-described. A key to the species of Megauchenia from India is appended.

Nanofiltration based water reclamation from tannery effluent following coagulation pretreatment.

Coagulation-nanofiltration based integrated treatment scheme was employed in the present study to maximize the removal of toxic Cr(VI) species from tannery effluents. The coagulation pretreatment step using aluminium sulphate hexadecahydrate (alum) was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). A nanofiltration unit was integrated with this coagulation pre-treatment unit and the resulting flux decline and permeate quality were investigated. Herein, the coagulation was conducted under response surface-optimized operating conditions. The hybrid process demonstrated high chromium(VI) removal efficiency over 98%. Besides, fouling of two of the tested nanofiltration membranes (NF1 and NF3) was relatively mitigated after feed pretreatment. Nanofiltration permeation fluxes as high as 80-100L/m(2)h were thereby obtained. The resulting permeate stream quality post nanofiltration (NF3) was found to be suitable for effective reuse in tanneries, keeping the Cr(VI) concentration (0.13mg/L), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) (65mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) (142mg/L), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (108mg/L), Total Solids (TS) (86mg/L) and conductivity levels (14mho/cm) in perspective. The process water reclaiming ability of nanofiltration was thereby substantiated and the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid system was thus affirmed.

Response surface-optimized removal of Reactive Red 120 dye from its aqueous solutions using polyethyleneimine enhanced ultrafiltration.

Retention of toxic dyes with molecular weights lower than the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the ultrafiltration membranes can be improved through selective binding of the target dyes to a water-soluble polymer, followed by ultrafiltration of the macromolecular complexes formed. This method, often referred to as polymer enhanced ultrafiltration (PEUF), was investigated in the present study, using polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the chelating agent. Model azo dye Reactive Red 120 was selected as the poorly biodegradable, target contaminant, because of its frequent recalcitrant presence in colored effluents, and its eventual ecotoxicological impacts on the environment. The effects of the governing process factors, namely, cross flow rate, transmembrane pressure polymer to dye ratio and pH, on target dye rejection efficiency were meticulously examined. Additionally, each parameter level was statistically optimized using central composite design (CCD) from the response surface methodology (RSM) toolkit, with an objective to maximize performance efficiency. The results revealed high dye retention efficiency over 99%, accompanied with reasonable permeate flux over 100L/m(2)h under optimal process conditions. The estimated results were elucidated graphically through response surface (RS) plots and validated experimentally. The analyses clearly established PEUF as a novel, reasonably efficient and economical route for recalcitrant dye treatment.

Patient-posture and Ileal-intubation during colonoscopy (PIC): a randomized controlled open-label trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patient's posture change is commonly employed by a colonoscopist to achieve complete examination. We studied whether patient's posture (left-lateral decubitus vs supine) influenced the success rate of ileal intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective open-label randomized study performed in the Endoscopy Suite of a tertiary-care center, all adult outpatients referred for colonoscopy, in whom cecal intubation was achieved and who satisfied predefined inclusion criteria, were randomized to undergo ileal intubation in either of the above two postures. Colonoscopy (EC-201 WL, Fujinon) was performed after overnight poly-ethylene-glycol preparation, under conscious sedation and continuous pulse-oxymetry monitoring. After confirming cecal intubation, patients were randomized for ileal intubation. Success was defined by visualization of ileal mucosa or villi (confirmed by digital photography) and was attempted until limited by pain and/or time of ≥ 6 min. RESULTS: Of 320 eligible patients, 217 patients (150 males) were randomized, 106 to left-lateral decubitus and 111 to supine posture. At baseline, the two groups were evenly matched. Successful ileal intubation was achieved in 145 (66.8 %) patients overall, significantly higher in the supine posture (74.8 % versus 58.5 %; P = 0.014). On multivariate analysis, supine posture (P = 0.02), average/good right-colon preparation (P < 0.01), non-thin-lipped ileocecal (IC) valve (P < 0.001) and younger age (P = 0.02) were independent predictors of success. Positive ileal findings were recorded in 13 (9 %) patients. CONCLUSION: Ileoscopy is more successful in supine than in left-lateral decubitus posture. Age, bowel preparation and type of IC valve also determine success.

The role of Asn14 in the stability and conformation of the reactive-site loop of winged bean chymotrypsin inhibitor: crystal structures of two point mutants Asn14-->Lys and Asn14-->Asp.

A double-headed chymotrypsin inhibitor, WCI, from winged bean seeds was cloned for structural and biochemical studies. The inhibitor was subjected to two point mutations at a conserved position, Asn14. This residue, known to have a pivotal role in stabilizing the first reactive-site loop (Gln63-Phe68) of the inhibitor, is highly conserved in the sequences of the other members of Kunitz (STI) family as well as in the sequences of Kazal family of serine protease inhibitors. The mutants, N14K and N14D, were subjected to biochemical assay and their characteristics were compared with those of the recombinant inhibitor (rWCI). Crystallographic studies of the recombinant and the mutant proteins are discussed. These studies were primarily aimed at understanding the importance of the protein scaffolding towards the conformational rigidity of the reactive-site loop. Our analysis reveals that, as the Lys14 side chain takes an unusual fold in N14K and the Asp14 side chain in N14D interacts with the loop residues by water-mediated hydrogen bonds, the canonical conformation of the loop has remained effectively intact in both the mutant structures. However, minor alterations such as a 2-fold increase in the inhibitory affinity towards the cognate enzyme were observed.

The origin of atmospheric oxygen on Earth: the innovation of oxygenic photosynthesis.

The evolution of O(2)-producing cyanobacteria that use water as terminal reductant transformed Earth's atmosphere to one suitable for the evolution of aerobic metabolism and complex life. The innovation of water oxidation freed photosynthesis to invade new environments and visibly changed the face of the Earth. We offer a new hypothesis for how this process evolved, which identifies two critical roles for carbon dioxide in the Archean period. First, we present a thermodynamic analysis showing that bicarbonate (formed by dissolution of CO(2)) is a more efficient alternative substrate than water for O(2) production by oxygenic phototrophs. This analysis clarifies the origin of the long debated "bicarbonate effect" on photosynthetic O(2) production. We propose that bicarbonate was the thermodynamically preferred reductant before water in the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. Second, we have examined the speciation of manganese(II) and bicarbonate in water, and find that they form Mn-bicarbonate clusters as the major species under conditions that model the chemistry of the Archean sea. These clusters have been found to be highly efficient precursors for the assembly of the tetramanganese-oxide core of the water-oxidizing enzyme during biogenesis. We show that these clusters can be oxidized at electrochemical potentials that are accessible to anoxygenic phototrophs and thus the most likely building blocks for assembly of the first O(2) evolving photoreaction center, most likely originating from green nonsulfur bacteria before the evolution of cyanobacteria.

Active site geometry of porcine pancreatic lipase: an interesting switchover from Jones' to Seebach's model.

Porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL)-catalyzed hydrolysis of cis 3-acetoxyethyl-1,4-diphenyl and cis 3-acetoxyethyl-1-phenyl-4-(2-furyl) beta-lactams 1a and 1b proceeded with opposite stereoselectivity while the corresponding thienyl beta-lactam 1c showed no selectivity at all. An explanation based upon the dominance of hydrophobic and polar pockets in governing the stereoselectivity has been proposed.

INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (ICDS) SCHEME.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is world's largest community based programme. The scheme is targeted at children upto the age of 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers and women 16-44 years of age. The scheme is aimed to improve the health, nutrition and education (KAP) of the target community. Launched on 2 October 1975, the scheme has completed 25 years of its operational age. The article describes in brief, the organisation, achievements and drawbacks of this national programme. It also suggests various thrust areas for its betterment and further improvement.

Esophageal and gastric dysmotility in non ulcer dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of non ulcer dyspepsia is poorly understood. Data on gastrointestinal motility alterations in this condition in the Indian population are scanty. We studied esophageal and gastric motility in patients with non ulcer dyspepsia. METHODS: 58 consecutive patients with non ulcer dyspepsia (according to the Rome criteria) were studied; 10 healthy volunteers were studied as controls. Esophageal transit of solid and liquid boluses (in all patients) and solid-phase gastric emptying (in 20 patients) were studied using scintigraphic techniques. RESULTS: Delayed esophageal transit and delayed gastric emptying were observed in 32 (55%) and 9 (45%) patients, respectively. Delay of both esophageal and gastric transit was found in 5 patients. Mean (SD) esophageal transit for liquid bolus was significantly delayed in patients (9.3 [3.7] s) compared to controls (7.0 [2.0] s; p < 0.01). Mean (SD) gastric emptying time (T50) was significantly delayed in patients (61.6 [13.6] min) compared to controls (50.0 [5.0] min; p < 0.001). Esophageal and gastric delayed transit was found in about two thirds of patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia, but there were no significant difference in these abnormalities among different subgroups of dyspepsia. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of esophageal and gastric transit delay was found in non ulcer dyspepsia, particularly in the dysmotility subgroup.

DDT and HCH residues in dairy milk samples collected from different geographical regions of India: a multicentre study.

Under a multicentre study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 2205 samples of dairy milk were collected from rural and urban areas of 12 states representing different geographical regions of India. These samples were analysed for residues of DDT and different isomers of HCH by gas-liquid chromatography. Analytical quality assurance between various participating laboratories was ensured through analysis of check samples. The residues of DDT and HCH were detected in more than 80% of samples analysed. Concentrations of DDT residues, alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH and delta-HCH exceeded their maximum residue limits prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Indian Government in 37, 21, 42, 28 and 4% of the samples, respectively. Median values of DDT and HCH found in dairy milk in India were more than the corresponding values reported from most other countries. The results showed significant variations in the incidence as well as level of these contaminants in dairy milk from different regions of the country.

Study of portal hypertension in children with special reference to sclerotherapy.

Portal Hypertension (PH) is the commonest cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children. Most Indian studies have highlighted extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) as the major cause of PH in children. As there is paucity of data from the eastern part of the country we decided to study the major causes of PH in children in this region and to ascertain the efficacy of sclerotherapy for its management. Fifty children aged 14 months to 10 years with PH were studied from April 1990 to April 1995. Thorough examination and relevant investigations showed non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis (NCPF) in 24 (48%), EHPVO in 18 (36%) and cirrhosis of liver in 8 (16%) children. Forty six children had hematemesis and melaena of whom endoscopic sclerotherapy (EST) was done in 45 cases. One child having type 2 gastric varices was referred for surgery. Following eradication of varices the patients were followed-up at 3 monthly intervals. Number of sittings of sclerotherapy required for obliteration of varices was 5.9 +/- 1.6. A variceal state was achieved in 35 (78%) cases and varices were reduced to Grade I in 6 cases (13%). Two cases underwent surgery for EST failure. One patient of cirrhosis died within two weeks of bleeding episode due to hepatic encephalpathy. Rebleeding (13%) and recurrences (13%) were noted during the follow-up period. Retrosternal discomfort (22%), dysphagia (22%), stricture (13%), oesophageal ulceration (13%) and fever (11%) were the complications noted but these could be managed conservatively. The present study highlights that NCPF is an important cause of PH in eastern India. EST is useful in controlling variceal bleeding in children irrespective of their aetiology.

Pre-labour rupture of membrane: the histological study of membrane and bacteriological profile.

One hundred two (102) cases of pre-labour rupture of membrane (PROM) were studied and special attention was given to the histological study of the amniotic membrane as well as to the bacteriological study of high vaginal flora, cervical flora and flora of amniotic fluid, in search of probable causes or factors leading to PROM. The incidence was found to be 3.16% in the age group of 20-25 years without any relation to parity; and the duration of gestation was 38 to 40 weeks in most of the cases. The histological study revealed: (a) Focally denuded amniotic epithelium, focally separated amniotic epithelium from chorion layer, lesser density of focal squamoid change of the epithelium and thicker chorion layer probably indicating focal immaturity of the chorio-amnion, (b) lesser thickness of collagen layer, focal hydropic degeneration and mild cellular infiltrate, (c) presence of focal hyaline degeneration and focal calcification of chorio-amnion. Microbial culture revealed: (a) Higher rate of positive culture in high vaginal swab, cervical swab and amniotic fluid showing presence predominantly of Esch coli, Strept haemolyticus, klebseilla species, Staph aureus, Strept non-haemolyticus, proteus species and pseudomonas species against that of positive cultures in the control cases, (b) no anaerobic bacteria from high vaginal swab, cervical swab or from amniotic fluid. It was presumed that focal immaturity of chorio-amnion or focal irregularity in the chorio-amnion at the microscopical level, focal degeneration of collagen superadded with bacterial infection, however mild, could be the factors leading to weakness in the tensile strength of chorio-amnion, again leading to PROM, in the face of stress factors of foetal origin.

Deduced amino acid sequence of 2S storage protein from Brassica species and their conserved structural features.

2S seed storage albumin coding regions from five Brassica species, namely Brassica campestris, B. oleracea, B. nigra, B. juncea, and B. carinata have been cloned by PCR amplification of genomic DNA using oligonucleotide primers and their nucleotide sequences have been determined. These sequences showed more than 85% homology amongst themselves and considerable homology with some other crucifer 2S protein coding sequences. The deduced amino acid sequences showed more homology due to some inconsequential mutations in codons without changing the amino acids. Computer analysis of the protein sequences for possible secondary structure revealed a high degree of conservation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains and the invariant positions of cysteine residues. Unrooted phylogenic tree based on the coding region of 2S albumin from different Brassica species cloned by us and published sequences from other Cruciferae indicated that these genes originated before the evolutionary divergence of different Brassica species and were conserved due to some stringent structural and functional features required for seed metabolism.

CD4-independent signal transduction through the T-cell receptor (TCR/CD3).

The membrane-bound CD4 glycoprotein has been proposed to act like a co-receptor along with the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3) during ligand recognition and cell activation. Due to its association with the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) p56lck, CD4 is believed to transduce a signal and support CD3 activation of T cells. In this study we have shown that CD3 ligation on murine T-cell hybridomas induces tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins, including phospholipase C-gamma 1 (PLC gamma 1), both in the presence as well as in the absence of CD4-linked p56lck. Furthermore, using HPB clones deficient in CD3/PTK association, it has been found that the presence of CD4/p56lck does not overcome the defect in signalling. Not even co-aggregation of CD4 with CD3 triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in these cells. Together, the present results indicate that CD3-linked PTK(s) plays a primary role in the induction of signalling through TCR/CD3, and the presence of CD4/p56lck is neither necessary nor sufficient to elicit these events. In the light of these results a possible role for CD4 in antigen presentation has been proposed.

Specificity of signal transduction through CD16, TCR-CD3 and BCR receptor chains containing the tyrosine-associated activation motif.

FcR gamma III (CD16) is a member of a family of receptor proteins that bind to Fc regions of IgG molecules. Ligation of CD16 transduces signal and alters tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in natural killer, B and T cells. However, the identity of protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) involved in CD16 signaling and the mode of their interaction with the receptor are not completely understood. Here, we show that the transmembrane form of CD16 transfected in a CD3- Jurkat cell line associates with p56lck and ZAP-70 PTKs. Using chimeric proteins consisting of the extracellular domain of CD16 and the cytoplasmic portions of the zeta chain, we find that these PTKs interact with the 17-residue activation motif present in the zeta chain. Substitution of tyrosine residues in the motif with phenylalanine blocks the interaction of PTKs and abrogates signal transduction. Comparative studies demonstrate that similar to zeta, MB1 protein of the IgM receptor also binds to p56lck and ZAP-70 in T cells and induces strong activation responses, whereas CD3 gamma, delta and epsilon chains do not interact with ZAP-70 and transduce weak signals. Together, these results demonstrate that: (i) PTKs bound to CD16 mediate signal transduction, (ii) ZAP-70 plays a crucial role in signaling and (iii) apart from tyrosine residues in the activation motif, other structural constraints also regulate the interaction of PTKs with the receptor molecule.

MHC class I antigens regulate CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins in T cells.

The MHC class I antigens enhance the T cell response to various mitogenic stimuli. Class I antigens co-cap and associate with the CD3 structure on these cells. The present work shows that co-aggregation of these MHC antigens with CD3 induces a sustained elevated Ca2+ response in T cells. The duration required for a 50% decline in peak response is five to 10 times longer when class I antigens are cross-linked with CD3 as compared to that when cells are stimulated through CD3 alone. Further analysis reveals that class I antigens prolong the duration of CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins. No protein tyrosine kinase activity is found associated with these MHC antigens which could explain their influence on CD3 activation. Similarly, class I antigens do not depend on the membrane-bound protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45, since they elevate the degree of CD3-induced Ca2+ response in a CD45-deficient Jurkat cell line. On the contrary, in a CD45- HPB cell line defective in CD3 signaling, co-aggregation of class I antigens with CD3 does not induce Ca2+ flux. Therefore, the effect of class I antigens on CD3 function depends on the ability of CD3 to transduce a signal. Furthermore, cytofluorometric studies show that cross-linking of class I antigens with CD3 inhibits the internalization of the latter. Thus, class I antigens seem to prolong the duration of signal transduction through CD3 by retarding its down-regulation.

Collision tumor of gastrointestinal tract.

A rare combination of multiple adenomatous polyps of the colon and carcinoid tumor of the ileum in a 54-year-old man is reported.

Cloning and sequencing of 5' flanking sequence from the gene encoding 2S storage protein, from two Brassica species.

Using oligodeoxyribonucleotide primers and the polymerase chain reaction, we have cloned and sequenced about 1.2 kb of upstream sequences from two members of the 2S seed storage protein-encoding gene family from Brassica juncea and B. oleracea. The two sequences bear more than 90% homology and have characteristic seed-specific promoter motifs. The high degree of sequence conservation indicates that this napin-encoding gene family evolved earlier than the divergence of the three primary Brassica species and their amphidiploids, and the sequences have been conserved due to some metabolic constraints in seed development.