Mammalian sex chromosomes III. Activity of pseudoautosomal steroid sulfatase enzyme during spermatogenesis inMus musculus

Parallel to the inactivation of the X chromosome in somatic cells of female, the male X in mammals is rendered inactive during spermatogenesis. Pseudoautosomal genes, those present on the X-Y meiotically pairable region of male, escape inactivation in female soma. It is suggested, but not demonstrated, that they may also be refractory to the inactivation signal in male germ cells. We have assayed activity of the enzyme steroid sulfatase, product of a pseudoautosomal gene, in testicular cells of the mouse and shown its presence in premeiotic, meiotic (pachytene), and postmeiotic (spermatid) cell types. It appears that, as in females, pseudoautosomal genes may escape inactivation in male germ cells also.     

Standardization for image characteristics in telemammography using genetic and nonlinear algorithms

As the soft copy reading and computer assisted diagnosis (CAD) in mammography become more and more important, the standardization of digital images becomes paramount. Telemammography and telemedicine requires the standardization for image characteristics, such as image resolution, bit-depth and intensity response. Soft copy reading and CAD in mammography are both dependent on the characteristics of the source of the digital data, either direct digital mammography or digitized screen-film mammography. An algorithm developed on images from one database may not perform well as on images from another database (with a different digitization). In this paper, we describe two methods based on a genetic algorithm and a nonlinear algorithm for standardization of digitized and digital mammography. The proposed standardization techniques are based on geometric and intensity transformations that are discovered using a set of calibration images. A set of transformation algorithm is used to search for the best standardization.     

Studies on carboxymethylcellulose: Conductivity measurements of solutions, 2

The conductivity behaviour of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solutions was studied using different types of neutralizing reagents (LiOH, NaOH, KOH); the following order of conductance of CMC solutions was observed: Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺. This conductance behaviour of CMC solutions with respect to the size of counterions is explained qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Binding of Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ ions onto the polymer molecule and the influence of the degree of substitution, ,DS , on the conductivity of CMC were also investigated. The conductivity of CMC solutions as well as the fraction of bound counterions increase with increasing DS , at a given degree of neutralization (α) for each type of counterion. The effect of DS on the polymer charge fraction, i/s, is in line with the counterion condensation phenomena of Oosawa. The results regarding the dependence of the equivalent conductance of the polyion, Δ_p, on DS are compared with literature data.     

Reproductive tract immune cells from pregnant women or those using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate show no excess susceptibility to HIV-1: Results of an ex vivo fusion assay

IntroductionEx vivo fusion assays offer an efficient method for studying HIV-1 entry associated with contraceptive use and pregnancy outside of cohort studies of HIV-1 incidence.MethodsWe measured ex vivo HIV-1 fusion to cervical or endometrial immune cells from three groups of women: pregnant, non-pregnant not using hormonal or intrauterine contraception, and using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA).Results and conclusionsThere was no excess susceptibility to HIV-1 fusion of cells from pregnant women or DMPA users compared to controls. Although the number of target cells in endometrium was higher in DMPA users compared to controls, HIV-1 fusion was lower.ImplicationsIn ex vivo assays, HIV-1 showed no enhanced fusion to cervical immune cells from pregnant women or DMPA users compared to controls, and lower fusion to endometrial immune cells from DMPA users. This assay is useful for studying hormonal and contraceptive effects on HIV-1 entry into reproductive tract immune cells.     

High prevalence of type 2 diabetes in an urban settlement in Kerala, India

Background. Prevalence of type 2 or non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is high among Indians living in India as well as abroad. Prevalence among persons of Indian origin in many countries is greater than that of people of other ethnic extraction. The Indian state of Kerala is distinguished by a high level of achievement in the health sector, characterised by both lower mortality rates and greater density of health care institutions that ensure access to most people. These attributes make the prevalence of diabetes and the pattern of its management in Kerala worth studying. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of diabetes among persons 20 years or older in an urban housing settlement in Trivandrum city, the capital of Kerala, as well as study the management of the disease in subjects affected. Design. Cross sectional survey for detecting diabetes and other chronic diseases in all willing residents of an urban housing settlement in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, as part of a preventive campaign against lifestyle diseases. Fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, height, weight and blood pressure were measured, and a detailed questionnaire administered to ascertain previous diabetic status and management. Results. Overall prevalence of type 2 diabetes is 16.3%. In the 30-64 age group, age standardised prevalence is 13.7%. Gender differences in prevalence are negligible. Greater prevalence is associated with advancing age, body mass index above 24.99, sedentary habits, serum total cholesterol > 239, serum triglycerides > 149, hypertension and smoking. Compared to non-diabetics, diabetics have greater mean and range of fasting plasma glucose values (8.87 + /-3.6 mM/l as against 4.34 + /-0.53 mM/l). 32 out of 38 diabetics among the subjects (82.4%) were already diagnosed even before the survey; of them, 89% were on medication. 3% of subjects had impaired fasting glucose, or FPG level between 110-125 mg/dl. Conclusion. Prevalence of type 2 diabetes among a group of urban residents in Trivandrum city in Kerala is very high. This is associated also with a high detection rate and compliance to treatment.