Identification of a Novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in Porcine Beta-Defensin-1 Gene

Pruthviraj, D.R.,Usha, A.P.,Venkatachalapathy, R.T. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.3

Porcine beta-defensin-1 (PBD-1) gene plays an important role in the innate immunity of pigs. The peptide encoded by this gene is an antimicrobial peptide that has direct activity against a wide range of microbes. This peptide is involved in the co-creation of an antimicrobial barrier in the oral cavity of pigs. The objective of the present study was to detect polymorphisms, if any, in exon-1 and exon-2 regions of PBD-1 gene in Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and native Ankamali pigs of Kerala, India. Blood samples were collected from 100 pigs and genomic DNA was isolated using phenol chloroform method. The quantity of DNA was assessed in a spectrophotometer and quality by gel electrophoresis. Exon-1 and exon-2 regions of PBD-1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the products were subjected to single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Subsequent silver staining of the polyacrylamide gels revealed three unique SSCP banding patterns in each of the two exons. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing of the PCR products. A novel SNP was found in the 5'-UTR region of exon-1 and a SNP was detected in the mature peptide coding region of exon-2. In exon-1, the pooled population frequencies of GG, GT, and TT genotypes were 0.67, 0.30, and 0.03, respectively. GG genotype was predominant in both the breeds whereas TT genotype was not detected in LWY breed. Similarly, in exon-2, the pooled population frequencies of AA, AG, and GG genotypes were 0.50, 0.27, and 0.23, respectively. AA genotype was predominant in LWY pigs whereas GG genotype was predominant in native pigs. These results suggest that there exists a considerable genetic variation at PBD-1 locus and further association studies may help in development of a PCR based genotyping test to select pigs with better immunity.

Trees, unicyclic graphs extremal with respect to Kekule index

Usha.A,P. S. Ranjini,V.Lokesha 장전수학회 2014 Advanced Studies in Contemporary Mathematics Vol.24 No.3

For a molecular graph G with vertex set V(G) and edge set E(G), recently Lavanya, [1] introduced a new topologial index, the Kekule index is defined as (formula) where, (formula) and i and j are the degrees of the vertices u and v respectively. In this paper, we characterize the trees and unicyclic graphs extremal with respect to Kekule index.

Preparation, In vitro, Preclinical and Clinical Evaluations of Once Daily Sustained Release Tablets of Aceclofenac

Naha, A.,Usha, A.N.,Ranjith, A.K.,Musmade, P.,Manoj, K.,Anju, P.,Prasanna, S.,Mutalik, S. 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.2

The objective of the present study was to develop ‘once daily’ sustained release tablets of aceclofenac by direct compression using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-K4M (HPMC). The solubility studies of aceclofenac were conducted to select suitable dissolution media. The drugexcipient mixtures were subjected to preformulation studies. The tablets were subjected to physicochemical, In vitro drug release and stability studies. Preclinical (anti-inflammatorv, analgesic, pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies) and clinical pharmacokinetic studies were conducted for optimized tablets. Based on the preformulation results, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), dicalcium phosphate and spray dried lactose (SDL) were selected as directly compressible vehicles. Because of the incompatibility with aceclofenac, SDL was excluded from the study. The physicochemical properties of tablets were found within the limits. By comparing the dissolution profiles with the marketed product, the tablet containing HPMC (45%) and MCC (30%) along with talc and magnesium stearate (1% w/w, each) (tablet B7) was considered as a better formulation. This tablet exhibited almost similar drug release profile in different dissolution media as that of marketed tablet. Tablet B7 was stable in accelerated conditions for 6 months. The composition of this tablet showed almost similar preclinical pharmacological activities compared to marketed tablet composition and did not exhibit any toxicity in rats and mice with respect to tested haematological and biochemical parameters along with bodyweight, food and water intake. The pharmacokinetic study in healthy human volunteers indicated that B7 tablet produced an extended drug release of drug upto 24 h as that of marketed product with almost identical pharmacokinetic parameters.

Effect of Feeding Urea and Acetic Acid Treated Wheat Straw on the Digestibility of Nutrients in Adult Male Murrah Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Mehra, Usha R.,Dass, R.S.,Verma, A.K.,Sahu, D.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.12

Wheat straw was treated on laboratory scale with 4% urea at a moisture level of 50% along with different amounts of acetic acid (AA) to fix various levels of ammonia nitrogen (15, 30, 45 and 60%) evolved from urea and stored for 4 weeks. Chemical composition of the treated samples revealed a significant (p<0.01) increase in N content of the samples where AA was added. The N content of the ammoniated straw was only 1.21% which increased to 2.58 with the addition of AA to trap 30% $NH_3-N$. The concentration of free $NH_3-N$ in the straw was significantly (p<0.01) less when more than 15% $NH_3-N$ was trapped with AA. There was significant increase (p<0.01) in N disappearance and depression in NDF and hemicellulose disappearance, when AA was used to trap 30% $NH_3-N$. Large scale treatment of wheat straw with 4% urea at a moisture level of 50% along with AA (to trap 30% $NH_3-N$) increased the N content, but not as much as in laboratory scale treatment. In vivo experiment conducted on nine adult male buffaloes divided into three groups revealed no difference in the intake of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose among group I (ammoniated straw), group II (AA treated ammoniated straw) and group III (AA treated ammoniated straw +1 kg barley grain), but the intake was significantly (p<0.05) more in groups where AA treated straw was fed as compared to only ammoniated straw fed group. However EE digestibility was depressed in group II. The digestibility of cellulose and hemicellulose both depressed significantly (p<0.05) in group II and III as compared to group I. Animals in all the 3 groups showed positive nitrogen balance and it was significantly more in group II and III as compared to group I. DCP intake was significantly (p<0.05) more in group II and III as compared to group I, but there was no significant difference among the three groups in TDN intake. It can be concluded that AA (to trap 30% $NH_3-N$) is effective in capturing the excess ammonia released during urea ammoniation of straw and improving its nutritive value, as well as animal performance.

ARIMA Based Wind Speed Modeling for Wind Farm Reliability Analysis and Cost Estimation

Rajeevan.A.K.,P.V Shouri,Usha Nair 대한전기학회 2016 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.11 No.4

Necessity has compelled man to improve upon the art of tapping wind energy for power generation; an apt reliever of strain exerted on the non-renewable fossil fuel. The power generation in a Wind Farm (WF) depends on site and wind velocity which varies with time and season which in turn determine wind power modeling. It implies, the development of an accurate wind speed model to predict wind power fluctuations at a particular site is significant. In this paper, Box-Jenkins ARIMA (Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average) time series model for wind speed is developed for a 99MW wind farm in the southern region of India. Because of the uncertainty in wind power developed, the economic viability and reliability of power generation is significant. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) method is used to determine the economic viability of WF generated power. Reliability models of WF are developed with the help of load curve of the utility grid and Capacity Outage Probability Table (COPT). ARIMA wind speed model is used for developing COPT. The values of annual reliability indices and variations of risk index of the WF with system peak load are calculated. Such reliability models of large WF can be used in generation system planning.

Preparation, In vitro, Preclinical and Clinical Evaluations of Once Daily Sustained Release Tablets of Aceclofenac

S. Mutalik,A. Naha,A. N. Usha,A. K. Ranjith,P. Musmade,K. Manoj,P. Anju,S. Prasanna 대한약학회 2007 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.30 No.2

The objective of the present study was to develop “once daily” sustained release tablets of aceclofenac by direct compression using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-K4M (HPMC). The solubility studies of aceclofenac were conducted to select suitable dissolution media. The drugexcipient mixtures were subjected to preformulation studies. The tablets were subjected to physicochemical, in vitro drug release and stability studies. Preclinical (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies) and clinical pharmacokinetic studies were conducted for optimized tablets. Based on the preformulation results, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), dicalcium phosphate and spray dried lactose (SDL) were selected as directly compressible vehicles. Because of the incompatibility with aceclofenac, SDL was excluded from the study. The physicochemical properties of tablets were found within the limits. By comparing the dissolution profiles with the marketed product, the tablet containing HPMC (45%) and MCC (30%) along with talc and magnesium stearate (1% w/w, each) (Tablet B7) was considered as a better formulation. This tablet exhibited almost similar drug release profile in different dissolution media as that of marketed tablet. Tablet B7 was stable in accelerated conditions for 6 months. The composition of this tablet showed almost similar preclinical pharmacological activities compared to marketed tablet composition and did not exhibit any toxicity in rats and mice with respect to tested haematological and biochemical parameters along with body weight, food and water intake. The pharmacokinetic study in healthy human volunteers indicated that B7 tablet produced an extended drug release of drug upto 24 h as that of marketed product with almost identical pharmacokinetic parameters.

Topological Indices on Model Graph Structure of Alveoli in Human Lungs

V. Lokesha,A. Usha,P. S. Ranjini,K. M. Devendraiah 장전수학회 2015 Proceedings of the Jangjeon mathematical society Vol.18 No.4

Alveoli are hollow cavitites within the human body. In the present study, alveoli of human lungs are considered which are healthy and also when aected by emphysema loss of elasticity resulting in breathing diculties. It is interesting to apply graph theory with a view to test and predict the status of alveoli in both healthy lungs and when aected. The model developed can be used for further advancement in the medical eld for any diagnosis with respect to the lung diseases. The purpose of this paper is to investigation of Alveoli in Human lungs using concept of Topological indices. Here we have attempted to use double graphs by considering the alveoli as a connected graph. Topological indices are determined for healthy and ruptured alveoli by using graph operator called double graphs. PI and Szeged indices have been found for a healthy alveoli as was modelled earlier. Four graph operators namely S(G) , R(G) , Q(G) and L(G) are obtained and their respective PI and Szeged indices are studied. Finally, a comparative study is made for all the operators with respect to the aected alveoli in order to better facilitate the modeling to help detect the defects early.

Relationship between smoking status and muscle strength in the United States older adults

R. Constance Wiener,Patricia A. Findley,Chan Shen,Nilanjana Dwibedi,Usha Sambamoorthi 한국역학회 2020 Epidemiology and Health Vol.42 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Muscle strength in older adults is associated with greater physical ability. Identifying interventions to maintain muscle strength can therefore improve quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether current or former smoking status is associated with a decrease in muscle strength in older adults. METHODS: Data from the Health and Retirement Study from 2012-2014 were analyzed with regard to maximum dominant hand grip strength, maximum overall hand grip strength, and smoking status (current, former, or never). Unadjusted linear regression was conducted. Other factors known to be related to strength were included in the adjusted linear regression analyses. RESULTS: For maximum grip strength, the regression coefficient was 4.91 for current smoking (standard error [SE], 0.58; p<0.001), 3.58 for former smoking (SE, 0.43; p<0.001), and 28.12 for never smoking (SE, 0.34). Fully adjusted linear regression on the relationship between dominant hand grip strength and smoking did not yield a significant result. The factors significantly associated with dominant hand grip strength were male sex, younger age, a race/ethnicity of non-Hispanic White or non-Hispanic Black, higher income, morbidity of ≤1 condition, no pain, and moderate or vigorous exercise more than once a week. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle strength in older adults was not associated with smoking status in the adjusted analysis.

An insight into in vitro strategies for bioproduction of isoflavones

Vidya Nandakumar,Saravanan Krishnagowdu,Halka Jayachandran,Kowsalya Kumaresan,Preetha Jaganathan Sakthi Yazhini,Gurusaravanan Packiaraj,Radhakrishnan Ramalingam,Nanthini A. Usha Raja,Arun Muthukrishna 한국식물생명공학회 2021 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.15 No.6

Isoflavones (ISF) are potent secondary metabolites, widely distributed among the members of the Fabaceae family. They have a multitude of biological functions in plants, animals, and humans. Most of the functions exhibited by isoflavones are highly beneficial to human beings. Benefits mainly include lowering cardiovascular diseases, reducing menopausal symptoms, and decreasing the risk of hormone-related cancers. Therefore, this potent compound has emerged as a promising possibility for making medicines and has grabbed the pharmaceutical industry's attention. Nowadays, many isoflavone-based products are manufactured commercially as food supplements, and their demand is drastically increasing globally. Numerous in vitro stud- ies have successfully synthesized value-added metabolites that possess a vast number of industrial applications. Production of isoflavones within the plants depends on several biological and environmental conditions. Hence, in vitro cultures pro- vide an alternate source to recover these compounds independent of environmental factors and limited bio-resources. Plant organ cultures could be highly recommended as a reliable platform for synthesizing plant-based pharmaceutically active isoflavones. Moreover, biotechnological approaches, such as elicitation and precursor feeding, can eventually promote the yield and increase these metabolites' production. This review initially outlines information regarding the source, structure, synthesis, and diverse roles of isoflavones. Later, this paper describes different plant organ cultures for the in vitro production of isoflavones and highlights elicitation strategies as well as metabolic engineering work to enhance production.

Statistical Optimization of Medium Composition for Bacterial Cellulose Production by Gluconacetobacter hansenii UAC09 Using Coffee Cherry Husk Extract - an Agro-Industry Waste

( Rani Mahadevaswamy Usha ),( Navin K. Rastogi ),( K. A. Anu Appaiah ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2011 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.21 No.7

During the production of grape wine, the formation of thick leathery pellicle/bacterial cellulose (BC) at the air-liquid interface was due to the bacterium, which was isolated and identified as Gluconacetobacter hansenii UAC09. Cultural conditions for bacterial cellulose production from G. hansenii UAC09 were optimized by central composite rotatable experimental design. To economize the BC production, coffee cherry husk (CCH) extract and corn steep liquor (CSL) were used as less expensive sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. CCH and CSL are byproducts from the coffee processing and starch processing industry, respectively. The interactions between pH (4.5- 8.5), CSL (2-10%), alcohol (0.5-2%), acetic acid (0.5- 2%), and water dilution rate to CCH ratio (1:1 to 1:5) were studied using response surface methodology. The optimum conditions for maximum BC production were pH (6.64), CSL (10%), alcohol (0.5%), acetic acid (1.13%), and water to CCH ratio (1:1). After 2 weeks of fermentation, the amount of BC produced was 6.24 g/l. This yield was comparable to the predicted value of 6.09 g/l. This is the first report on the optimization of the fermentation medium by RSM using CCH extract as the carbon source for BC production by G. hansenii UAC09.