[en] Seed bank studies of Peristrophe paniculata was carried out for two consecutive years at two different sites. Although, both the sites were dominated by P. paniculata, however differ in vegetation pattern. Site A possessed populations of annuals fully exposed to sunlight. While, site B possessed annuals along with perennials located in somewhat shady area. Input to the seed bank was mainly determined by the seed dispersal. Persistent seed bank was observed in annual plant species with increasing numbers in the third collection (i.e. after seed dispersal). On the other hand, perennial plants mostly exhibited transient nature of seed bank, with no or low numbers in some collections. Significant difference in seed numbers was observed on temporal and spatial scale. Seed densities were higher in the samples collected before rainfall and after dispersal of seeds at both the sites in both the years. High degree of similarity was observed between above and below ground vegetation; however this similarity was more pronounced at site B which was located in shady area, thus providing better soil moisture conditions for seed germination. Moreover, above and below ground vegetation was diverse and flourished in 2013, due to high germination rates, followed by heavy summer rains, providing ample amount of moisture along with high temperature. This study can be used to predict the above ground vegetation and vise versa. (author)

[en] The goal was to investigate the T helper (Th) response in splenocytes of mice exposed to low-dose/low-dose-rate (LDR) γ-rays, simulated solar particle event protons (sSPE), or combination of both. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to LDR γ-radiation (⁵⁷Co) to a total dose of 0.05 Gray (Gy) at 0.024 cGy/h, either with or without subsequent exposure to 2 Gy sSPE protons. Expression of genes related to Th cells was evaluated immediately after exposure (day 0). On day 21, intra- and extracellular cytokine production was assessed after activation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionophore (PMA/I). Five genes were significantly modulated on day 0 in one or more of the irradiated groups compared to controls (p<0.05): Ccl11, Ccr5, Cd80, Inha, and Il9. On day 21, numbers of cells positive for interferon-γ were high in the LDR + sSPE group versus 0 Gy and LDR γ-rays (p<0.05), but there was no difference in interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Levels of secreted cytokines after anti-CD3 mAb activation were high for 5 (maximum intensity projection (MIP)-1α, GM-CSF, interferon (IFN)-γ, TNF-α, IL-13) and low for 2 (IL-7, IL-9) in all irradiated groups. Priming with LDR photons had a significant effect on IFN-γ and IL-17 compared to sSPE protons alone; IL-2 was low only in the LDR + sSPE group. The cytokine patterns after anti-phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin (I) activation were different compared to anti-CD3 mAb and with fewer differences among groups. The data show that total-body exposure to space-relevant radiation has profound effects on Th cell status and that priming with LDR γ-rays can in some cases modulate the response to sSPE. (author)

[en] A better understanding of low dose radiation effects is needed to accurately estimate health risks. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were γ-irradiated to total doses of 0, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 Gy (⁵⁷Co; -0.02 cGy/h). Subsets per group were euthanized at the end of irradiation (day 0) and on days 4 and 21 thereafter. Relative spleen mass and splenic white blood cell (WBC) counts, major leukocyte populations, and spontaneous DNA synthesis were consistently higher in the irradiated groups on day 0 compared to 0 Gy controls, although significance was not always obtained. In the spleen, all three major leukocyte types were significantly elevated on day 0 (P<0.05). By day 21 post-irradiation the T, B, and natural killer (NK) cell counts, as well as CD4⁺ T cells and CD4:CD8 T cell ratio, were low especially in the 0.01 Gy group. Although blood analyses showed no significant differences in leukocyte counts or red blood cell and platelet characteristics, the total T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and NK cells were increased by day 21 after 0.01 Gy (P<0.05). Gene analysis of CD4⁺ T cells negatively isolated from spleens on day 0 after 0.1 Gy showed significantly enhanced expression of Il27 and Tcfcp2, whereas Inha and Socs5 were down-regulated by 0.01 Gy and 0.1 Gy, respectively (P<0.05). A trend for enhancement was noted in two additional genes (Il1r1 and Tbx21) in the 0.1 Gy group (P<0.1). The data show that protracted low dose photons had dose- and time-dependent effects on CD4⁺ T cells after whole-body exposure. (author)

[en] Heavy metals are serious environmental threats that, after accumulation inside edible organs of the food crops and following consumption, pose major human health problems. Maize is one of the most important food grain crops and so is the changes caused by heavy metals. Realizing this, the toxic impact of cadmium, chromium and nickel on biological characteristics, seed attributes, antioxidant enzymes and metal distribution in maize was assessed. Growth and yields of maize plants declined regularly with progressively increasing concentrations of metals. Among all metals, cadmium had most lethal effects and the onset of vegetative and reproductive growth stages was delayed. Cadmium at 36 mg/kg maximally declined the root and shoot length by 65 and 32%, respectively, while chromium (204 mg/kg) reduced the total chlorophyll content, grain yield and grain protein by 77, 84 and 16%, respectively, over control. The severity of oxidative stress increased with increasing rates of metals. Proline and malondialdehyde were enhanced by 59 and 72%, respectively, over control. The expression of antioxidant enzymes was superior in foliage of maize grown under metal stress. Cadmium maximally reduced the total P content in roots and shoots. Roots in general had more metals than shoots and grains. The scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy images showed metal distortive impact while energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the location of metals inside plant organs. The results suggest alarming consequences of metal toxicity to maize and the accumulation of heavy metals within grains raises disturbing public health concerns.

[en] It is established that immunosuppressed allograft recipients are at increased risk of developing certain types of cancers. The incidence of malignancies varies from 1% to 16% with an average of 6%. The variation of incidence may indicate differences in the intensity of immunosuppressive therapy given at various centers. The incidence also varies in different geographical regions. Kaposi's Sarcoma is more common in Arabs, Blacks Italian Jewish and Greeks. In our study of 630 patients, 12 had developed different malignancies. Six patients had Kaposi's Sarcoma, 4 had lymphoma and 2 were miscellaneous tumors, one each for adenocarcinoma of pancreas and testicular teratoma. (author)

[en] Quality of any service is the most important aspect for the manufacturer as well as the consumer. The primary objective of any nation's health system is to provide supreme quality health care services to its patients. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of diagnostic fine needle aspiration cytology service in a tertiary care hospital. As Patient's perspectives provide valuable information on quality of process, therefore, patient's perception in terms of satisfaction with the service was measured. Methods: In this cross sectional analytical study, 291 patients undergoing fine needle aspiration cytology in Mayo Hospital were selected by systematic sampling technique. Information regarding satisfaction of patients with four dimensions of service quality process, namely procedure, sterilization, conduct and competency of doctor was collected through interview on questionnaire. The questionnaire was developed on SERVQUAL model, a measurement tool, for quality assessment of services provided to patients. All items were assessed on 2- point likert scale (0=dissatisfied, 1=satisfied). Frequencies and percentages of satisfied and dissatisfied patients were recorded for each item and all items in each dimension were scored. If the percentage of sum of all item scores of a dimension was =60, the dimension was 'good quality'. Whereas <60% was 'poor quality' dimension. Data was analysed using epi-info-3.5.1. Fisher test was applied to check statistical significance. (p-value <0.05) Results: Out of the 4 dimensions of service quality process, Procedure (48.8%), Sterilization (51.5%) and practitioner conduct (50.9%) were perceived as 'poor' by the patients. Only practitioner competency (67.4%) was perceived as 'good'. Comparison of dimensions of service quality scoring with overall level of patient satisfaction revealed that all 4 dimensions were significantly related to patient dissatisfaction (p<.05) Conclusion: The study suggests that service quality of therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in public hospitals should be routinely monitored from the patient's point of view as most aspects of service quality in public hospitals of Pakistan, require improvements. In this manner patient's satisfaction regarding use of services in public hospitals can be made better. (author)

[en] Purpose: Astronauts on missions are exposed to low-dose/low-dose-rate (LDR) radiation and could receive high doses during solar particle events (SPE). This study investigated T cell function in response to LDR radiation and simulated SPE (sSPE) protons, alone and in combination. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice received LDR γ-radiation (⁵⁷Co) to a total dose of 0.01 Gray (Gy) at 0.179 mGy/h, either with or without subsequent exposure to 1.7 Gy sSPE protons delivered over 36 h. Mice were euthanised on days 4 and 21 post-exposure. T cells with cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4⁺) were negatively isolated from spleens and activated with anti-CD3 antibody. Cells and supernatants were evaluated for survival/signalling proteins and cytokines. Results: The most striking effects were noted on day 21. In the survival pathway, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB; total and active forms) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK; total) were significantly increased and cJun N-terminal kinase (JNK; total and active) was decreased when mice were primed with LDR γ-rays prior to sSPE exposure (P < 0.001). Evaluation of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signalling pathway revealed that LDR γ-ray exposure normalised the high sSPE proton-induced level of lymphocyte specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck; total and active) on day 21 (P < 0.001 for sSPE vs. LDR + sSPE), while radiation had no effect on active zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (Zap-70). There was increased production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4 and decreased transforming growth factor-β1 in the LDR + sSPE group compared to the sSPE group. Conclusion: The data demonstrate, for the first time, that protracted exposure to LDR γ-rays can significantly modify the effects of sSPE protons on critical survival/signalling proteins and immunomodulatory cytokines produced by CD4⁺ T cells. (authors)