347 research outputs found
Effective attenuation of atrazine-induced histopathological changes in testicular tissue by antioxidant N-phenyl-4-aryl-polyhydroquinolines.
No full textAbstract Some of the environmental toxicants acting as endocrine disruptors have been associated with health hazards in human and wildlife by modulating hormonal actions. Atrazine, a strong endocrine disruptor, induces detrimental effects on gonads in male and female, and causes impairment of fertility and developmental problems as well as sex alterations. Atrazine decreases the activities of antioxidant enzymes and thus responsible for oxidative stress. Natural antioxidants have shown ability to reduce/slow down the apoptotic effect of atrazine on testicular tissue. In the present study, some N-phenyl-4-aryl-polyhydroquinolines bearing phenolic or/and alkoxy group(s) (6a-6g) were synthesized and evaluated for antioxidant activity in four different assays. Three best compounds (6e-6g) were studied for their ameliorative effect on testicular tissue supplemented with atrazine in vitro
Is vulnerability to cardiometabolic disease in Indians mediated by abdominal adiposity or higher body adiposity.
No full textBACKGROUND: Indians may be particularly vulnerable to cardiometabolic disease, potentially due to higher body fat for a given BMI, or a tendency towards depositing abdominal adiposity. The aim of the study is to assess whether different measures of the distribution of adiposity (abdominal versus whole body) or amount of adiposity (DXA versus traditional anthropometric) are better at predicting prevalent cardiometabolic risk markers in an Indian population. METHODS: Participants were recruited from the Indian Migration Study (IMS) and the Andhra Pradesh Children and Parent Study (APCAPS). Participants attended a clinic in Hyderabad, India, January 2009-December 2010. Adiposity was measured by conventional anthropometry (including weight, height, waist) and DXA scanning (whole body and abdominal). Blood samples were taken and assessed for fasting plasma glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides and blood pressure was measured. Lifestyle data were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: We invited 4 617 participants to the clinic (1 995 IMS; 2 622 APCAPS) and examined 918 from IMS (46%) and 1 451 from APCAPS (55%). There were strong and consistent relationships between adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Cardiometabolic risk factors did not appear to be more strongly associated with DXA measures as opposed to BMI, or skinfold measures of body fat. There was some evidence that WHR was more closely related to diabetes than total body adiposity, but this was not apparent for the other measures of abdominal adiposity (DXA measures, waist circumference) or other cardiometablic risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: No strong evidence supports that DXA measures or abdominal measures of adiposity are better at predicting the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in comparison to BMI
Hypoxia inducible factors (HIF1α and HIF3α) are differentially methylated in preeclampsia placentae and are associated with birth outcomes
No full textPreeclampsia is a placental vascular pathology and hypoxia is known to influence placental angiogenesis. Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF1α and HIF3α) mediate the response to cellular oxygen concentration and bind to hypoxia response element of target genes. However the mechanism regulating above activity is not well-understood. We investigated if placental DNA methylation (DNAm) and expression of HIF1α and 3α genes are altered and associated with pre-eclampsia, placental weight and birth outcomes. Using a cohort comprising women with preeclampsia [N = 100, delivering at term (N = 43) and preterm (N = 57)] and normotensive controls (N = 100), we analysed DNAm in HIF1α and 3α, and their mRNA expression in placentae, employing pyrosequencing and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. We observed significant hypermethylation at cg22891070 of HIF3α in preeclampsia placentae compared to controls (β = 1.5%, p = 0.04). CpG8 in the promoter region of HIF1α, showed marginally significant hypomethylation in preterm preeclampsia compared to controls (β = - 0.15%, p = 0.055). HIF1α expression was significantly lower in preterm preeclampsia compared to controls (mean ± SE = 10.16 ± 2.00 vs 4.25 ± 0.90, p = 0.04). Further, DNAm in HIF1α promoter region was negatively associated with its expression levels (β = - 0.165, p = 0.024). Several CpGs in HIF1α were negatively associated with placental weight and birth outcomes including birth weight (β range = - 0.224-0.300) and birth length [β range = - 0.248 to - 0.301 (p < 0.05 for all)]. Overall, we demonstrate altered DNAm in HIF1α and HIF3α in preeclampsia placentae, also associated with various birth outcomes. Correlation of DNAm in HIF1α and its expression suggests a possible role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Further investigations on interactions between HIF1α and HIF3α in preeclampsia would be interesting
Evaluation of seven common lipid associated loci in a large Indian sib pair study.
No full textBACKGROUND: Genome wide association studies (GWAS), mostly in Europeans have identified several common variants as associated with key lipid traits. Replication of these genetic effects in South Asian populations is important since it would suggest wider relevance for these findings. Given the rising prevalence of metabolic disorders and heart disease in the Indian sub-continent, these studies could be of future clinical relevance. METHODS: We studied seven common variants associated with a variety of lipid traits in previous GWASs. The study sample comprised of 3178 sib-pairs recruited as participants for the Indian Migration Study (IMS). Associations with various lipid parameters and quantitative traits were analyzed using the Fulker genetic association model. RESULTS: We replicated five of the 7 main effect associations with p-values ranging from 0.03 to 1.97x10(-7). We identified particularly strong association signals at rs662799 in APOA5 (beta=0.18 s.d, p=1.97 x 10(-7)), rs10503669 in LPL (beta =-0.18 s.d, p=1.0 x 10(-4)) and rs780094 in GCKR (beta=0.11 s.d, p=0.001) loci in relation to triglycerides. In addition, the GCKR variant was also associated with total cholesterol (beta=0.11 s.d, p=3.9x10(-4)). We also replicated the association of rs562338 in APOB (p=0.03) and rs4775041 in LIPC (p=0.007) with LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We report associations of five loci with various lipid traits with the effect size consistent with the same reported in Europeans. These results indicate an overlap of genetic effects pertaining to lipid traits across the European and Indian populations
Triglyceride associated polymorphisms of the APOA5 gene have very different allele frequencies in Pune, India compared to Europeans
No full textBackground: the APOA5 gene variants, -1131T>C and S19W, are associated with altered triglyceride concentrations in studies of subjects of Caucasian and East Asian descent. There are few studies of these variants in South Asians. We investigated whether the two APOA5 variants also show similar association with various lipid parameters in Indian population as in the UK white subjects. Methods: we genotyped 557 Indian adults from Pune, India, and 237 UK white adults for -1131T>C and S19W variants in the APOA5 gene, compared their allelic and genotype frequency and determined their association with fasting serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol levels using univariate general linear analysis. APOC3 SstI polymorphism was also analyzed in 175 Pune Indian subjects for analysis of linkage disequilibrium with the APOA5 variants. Results: the APOA5 -1131C allele was more prevalent in Indians from Pune (Pune Indians) compared to UK white subjects (allele frequency 20% vs. 4%, p = 0.00001), whereas the 19W allele was less prevalent (3% vs. 6% p = 0.0015). Patterns of linkage disequilibrium between the two variants were similar between the two populations and confirmed that they occur on two different haplotypes. In Pune Indians, the presence of -1131C allele and the 19W allele was associated with a 19% and 15% increase respectively in triglyceride concentrations although only -1131C was significant (p = 0.0003). This effect size was similar to that seen in the UK white subjects. Analysis of the APOC3 SstI polymorphism in 175 Pune Indian subjects showed that this variant is not in appreciable linkage disequilibrium with the APOA5 -1131T>C variant (r2 = 0.07). Conclusions: this is the first study to look at the role of APOA5 in Asian Indian subjects that reside in India. The -1131C allele is more prevalent and the 19W allele is less prevalent in Pune Indians compared to UK Caucasians. We confirm that the APOA5 variants are associated with triglyceride levels independent of ethnicity and that this association is similar in magnitude in Asian Indians and Caucasians. The -1131C allele is present in 36% of the Pune Indian population making it a powerful marker for looking at the role of elevated triglycerides in important conditions such as pancreatitis, diabetes and coronary heart disease
Periconceptional environment predicts leukocyte telomere length in a cross-sectional study of 7-9 year old rural Gambian children
No full textEarly life exposures are important predictors of adult disease risk. Although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, telomere maintenance may be involved. This study investigated the relationship between seasonal differences in parental exposures at time of conception and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in their offspring. LTL was measured in two cohorts of children aged 2 yrs (N = 487) and 7-9 yrs (N = 218). The association between date of conception and LTL was examined using Fourier regression models, adjusted for age, sex, leukocyte cell composition, and other potential confounders. We observed an effect of season in the older children in all models [likelihood ratio test (LRT) χ²2 = 7.1, p = 0.03; fully adjusted model]. LTL was greatest in children conceived in September (in the rainy season), and smallest in those conceived in March (in the dry season), with an effect size (LTL peak-nadir) of 0.60 z-scores. No effect of season was evident in the younger children (LRT χ²2 = 0.87, p = 0.65). The different results obtained for the two cohorts may reflect a delayed effect of season of conception on postnatal telomere maintenance. Alternatively, they may be explained by unmeasured differences in early life exposures, or the increased telomere attrition rate during infancy.</p
A protocol for a comparative evaluation of the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth reinforced with Cention N, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and short fiber reinforced flowable composite as an intraorifice barrier [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
No full textBackground Endodontic treatment is the most common method for resolving pulpal and periapical pathology. However, various studies have reported that almost 11%–13% of all teeth that undergo extraction after endodontic treatment show the presence of cracks, craze lines, and vertical root fractures. Teeth with inadequate post endodontic restoration are more prone to fracture and coronal leakage, resulting in the diffusion of oral fluids, bacteria, bacterial products, and possibly root canal treatment failure. Furthermore, studies have advocated the use of endodontically treated teeth with restorative materials that have a similar or higher elastic modulus than the tooth for providing stiffness against forces that cause root fracture. Intraorifice barriers made of restorative materials that can bond to radicular dentin could thus be used to reinforce the radicular dentin while also preventing coronal microleakage. Although the sealing ability of intraorifice barriers has been widely compared in the literature, there have been few studies on the strengthening effect of the materials used in the study as intraorifice barriers when placed into the root canal. As a result, the current in vitro study aims to assess the effect of various materials as intraorifice barriers (Cention N, Resin modified glass ionomer cement, and short fiber reinforced flowable composite) on the force required fracture teeth after root canal treatment. Methods This in vitro study will be done on extracted human mandibular premolars with single root canal where after doing root canal treatment 2-3 mm obturating material would be replaced by intra orifice barriers (Cention N, resin modified glass ionomer cement [RMGIC], and short fiber reinforced flowable composite). The force required to fracture teeth will be calculated using universal testing machine
Evaluation of Impact of Success Factors of Supply Chain Strategy and Flexibility on Supply Chain Performance
No full textDue to rapid globalization, an introduction of Goods and Services Taxes (GST), ban on BS-III vehicles, and rapid technological advancement creates new dimensions for the automobile industry in India especially for those who come in the category of small and medium enterprise (SMEs).In the current changing scenario victorious execution of supply chain management (SCM) practices can provide competitive leverage to Automobile manufacturers over their rivals particularly those who are poorly implemented supply chain management practices. This paper takes two main SCM practices, i.e. supply chain flexibility (SCF) and supply chain strategy (SCS).Against this background, this paper acknowledged 5 success factors (SFs) for supply chain flexibility and 3 success factors (SFs) for supply chain strategy for proper implementation of SCM practices in the Automobile industry, and studied their impact on three factors of supply chain performance (SCP), and thereby on firms performance. The top management of any industry is focused on their core strength with commitment, long-term vision and provides resources for supply chain, and thereby developing effective and efficient SCS emerged as the most significant SFs. To measure the impact on supply chain performance, the author carefully measures different SFs of SCS related to customer-oriented strategy, innovation strategy and agile supply chain strategy on cost performance, logistics performance and customer satisfaction performance. Similarly to access the impact on supply chain performance, carefully measure different SFs of SCF on cost performance, logistics performance and customer satisfaction performance. Results are analyzed by testing research propositions using standard statistical tools.
 
Continuing discrimination in the times of technology: Women, work, algorithms and law in India
No full textHuman societies are discriminatory. So, it has been an unrelenting effort to eliminate what divides us. While there have been leapfrog developments in this regard, we need to consider newer challenges now that technology is taking over public and private spaces. The author, in this article, discusses gender-based algorithmic discrimination in workplaces and argues that there is an urgent need to enforce laws for regulating algorithmic discrimination. India is in a precarious position. It has been consistently faring poorly when it comes to the gender gap in work. It lacks a comprehensive and codified anti-discriminatory law; and lacks laws to deal with algorithmic discrimination. The withdrawn Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, the Draft Digital Data Protection Bill, 2022 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, do not effectively deal with gender discrimination. The parliament is now considering introducing the Digital India Act to give a much-needed overhaul to the country's antiquated technology laws. The article focuses on the current labour and technology laws, the withdrawn bills, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, and the discussion around the Digital India Act to argue that there is a need to specifically consider algorithmic gender discrimination. Further, it culls out the lessons that India can learn from the global developments in this field
Effect of Base Isolation on the Response of Reinforced Concrete Building
No full textAbstract The main aim of using seismic base isolation tool is to reduce the inert ia forces introduced in the structure due to earthquake by shifting the fundamental period of the structure out of dangerous resonance range and concentration of the deformation demand at the isolation system. In the paper a parametric study on Reinforced Concrete (RC) build ing with fixed and isolated base with rubber bearing (RB) and friction isolator (FI) are carried out using response spectrum method. Here, the design spectra recommended by Indian Standard Code IS 1893-2002 (part -I) and Euro Code 8 are considered for comparison. The main objective of this study is to investigate the differences caused by the use of different codes in the dynamic analysis of multistoried RC build ing along with fixed and isolated base condition. Two different floor p lans that are symmetric (SB) and unsymmetric (UB) with torsional irregularity are taken as samp le build ing. To evaluate the seismic response of the buildings, elastic analysis is performed using the computer program SAP2000. It is observed from the comparative study that the building response with isolated base is very less to that of building with fixed base in all the cases and IS code depict higher values in all the cases with and without isolation, when compared to that of Euro code
- …
