Salicylic acid (SA) is an important hormone involved in many diverse plant processes, including floral induction, stomatal closure, seed germination, adventitious root initiation, and thermogenesis. It also plays critical functions during responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. The role(s) of SA in signaling disease resistance is by far the best studied process, although it is still only partially understood. To obtain insights into how SA carries out its varied functions, particularly in activating disease resistance, two new high throughput screens were developed to identify novel SA-binding proteins (SABPs). The first utilized crosslinking of the photo-reactive SA analog 4-AzidoSA (4AzSA) to proteins in an Arabidopsis leaf extract, followed by immuno-selection with anti-SA antibodies and then mass spectroscopy-based identification. The second utilized photo-affinity crosslinking of 4AzSA to proteins on a protein microarray (PMA) followed by detection with anti-SA antibodies. To determine whether the candidate SABPs (cSABPs) obtained from these screens were true SABPs, recombinantly-produced proteins were generated and tested for SA-inhibitable crosslinking to 4AzSA, which was monitored by immuno-blot analysis, SA-inhibitable binding of the SA derivative 3-aminoethylSA (3AESA), which was detected by a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, or SA-inhibitable binding of [3H]SA, which was detected by size exclusion chromatography. Based on our criteria that true SABPs must exhibit SA-binding activity in at least two of these assays, nine new SABPs are identified here; nine others were previously reported. Approximately 80 cSABPs await further assessment. In addition, the conflicting reports on whether NPR1 is an SABP were addressed by showing that it bound SA in all three of the above assays.

Purpose. The structural integrity of foramen magnum is usually preserved in fire accidents and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded anatomical position and this study attempts to determine its sexing potential. Methods. The sagittal and transverse diameters and area of foramen magnum of seventy-two skulls (41 male and 31 female) from south Indian population were measured. The analysis was done using Student's t-test, linear correlation, histogram, Q-Q plot, and Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) to obtain a model for sex determination. The predicted probabilities of BLR were analysed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Result. BLR analysis and ROC curve revealed that the predictability of the dimensions in sexing the crania was 69.6% for sagittal diameter, 66.4% for transverse diameter, and 70.3% for area of foramen. Conclusion. The sexual dimorphism of foramen magnum dimensions is established. However, due to considerable overlapping of male and female values, it is unwise to singularly rely on the foramen measurements. However, considering the high sex predictability percentage of its dimensions in the present study and the studies preceding it, the foramen measurements can be used to supplement other sexing evidence available so as to precisely ascertain the sex of the skeleton.

No abstract

Sex determination is the preliminary step in every forensic investigation and the hard palate assumes significance in cranial sexing in cases involving burns and explosions due to its resistant nature and secluded location. This study analyzes the sexing potential of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length, palatine process of maxilla length, horizontal plate of palatine bone length and transverse length between the greater palatine foramina. The study deviates from the conventional method of measuring the maxillo-alveolar length and breadth as the dimensions considered in this study are more heat resistant and useful in situations with damaged alveolar margins. The study involves 50 male and 50 female adult dry skulls of Indian ethnic group. The dimensions measured were statistically analyzed using Student's t test, binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve. It was observed that the incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length is a definite sex marker with sex predictability of 87.2%. The palatine process of maxilla length with 66.8% sex predictability and the horizontal plate of palatine bone length with 71.9% sex predictability cannot be relied upon as definite sex markers. The transverse length between the greater palatine foramina is statistically insignificant in sexing crania (P=0.318). Considering a significant overlap of values in both the sexes the palatal dimensions singularly cannot be relied upon for sexing. Nevertheless, considering the high sex predictability of incisive foramen to posterior nasal spine length this dimension can definitely be used to supplement other sexing evidence available to precisely conclude the cranial sex.

No abstract

Introduction: Cheiloscopy is derived from Greek word "Cheiloswhich" meaning lips.It is the study of characteristic pattern of elevations and depressions on labial mucosa. It is unique for every individual like fingerprints and hence can be used to determine the sex and for personal identity. Aim: This study is undertaken to evaluate the uniqueness of lip prints for sexual and personal identification of an individual. Materials and Methods: lipsticks, brush, cellophane tape, bond paper and magnifying lens. 50 male and 50 female students were selected from Yenepoya University. Lipstick was applied on their lips evenly and the prints were taken on folded bond paper. The cellophane tape was stuck on the paper to preserve it as permanent records. The prints were analysed using magnifying lens and Tsuchihashi's classification of lip prints was used for to determine the most common pattern of lip prints found in males and females and to study any similarity of lip prints between two individuals. Observations and Results: Our study showed in males the predominant pattern was of type III pattern (40%), followed by type IV (22%), type I (18%), type I' (12%) type II (6%) and type V(4%) respectively. This hierarchy is different for females, where type I was more predominant(54%),next was type I' (28%), type III (10%), type IV (4%), type II (1%)and type V(2%) .Hence these results confirm the uniqueness of lip prints for every individual and show its variation according to gender. Conclusion: The data obtained from the above study shows promising results and indicates the uniqueness of lip prints like fingerprints for every individual. They hold a possible potential to determine the sex of an individual and hence can be used as records for personal identification.

No abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a multifactorial and polygenic cardiovascular disease with high mortality rate. Early diagnosis could help in precautionary measures and change in life style. Many studies used dermatoglyphics as noninvasive technique to predict the incidence of genetic diseases. Here, we tried to assess the association of dermatoglyphic pattern between MI and controls. Methods: We investigated dermatoglyphic patterns among 800 participants (n=400 MI cases and n=400 control groups) representing South Indian population. Patients with MI were compared with control groups who did not have any history of MI. Results: Showed higher frequency whorls in MI patients and loops in control group (p<0.001). The study showed significant difference in distribution of whorl (OR = 0.298, 95%CI=0.223-0.399, p=0.0001), loop (OR = 3.537, 95%CI=2.639-4.741, p=0.0001), arch (OR = 0.545, 95%CI=0.405-0.733, p=0.0001). Further, mean values of A-B ridge count (OR = 1.421, 95%CI=1.167-1.731, P=0.0001) of MI and control groups were significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study showed that there is an association between dermatoglyphic patterns and MI cases. Further, findings suggest that dermatoglyphic patterns may contribute to etiology of early prediction of MI.