Troponin proteins in cooperative interaction with tropomyosin are responsible for controlling the contraction of the striated muscles in response to changes in the intracellular calcium concentration. Contractility of the muscle is determined by the constituent protein isoforms, and the isoforms can switch over from one form to another depending on physiological demands and pathological conditions. In Drosophila, a majority of the myofibrillar proteins in the indirect flight muscles (IFMs) undergo post-transcriptional and post-translational isoform changes during pupal to adult metamorphosis to meet the high energy and mechanical demands of flight. Using a newly generated Gal4 strain (UH3-Gal4) which is expressed exclusively in the IFMs, during later stages of development, we have looked at the developmental and functional importance of each of the troponin subunits (troponin-I, troponin-T and troponin-C) and their isoforms. We show that all the troponin subunits are required for normal myofibril assembly and flight, except for the troponin-C isoform 1 (TnC1). Moreover, rescue experiments conducted with troponin-I embryonic isoform in the IFMs, where flies were rendered flightless, show developmental and functional differences of TnI isoforms and importance of maintaining the right isoform.[Singh S. H., Kumar P., Ramachandra N. B. and Nongthomba U. 2014 Roles of the troponin isoforms during indirect flight muscle development in Drosophila. J. Genet. 93, [379][380][381][382][383][384][385][386][387][388]

Globalization and women empowerment have led to stressful life among Indian women. This stress impairs women's hormonal makeup and menstrual cycle, leading to infertility. National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) reports a decline in fertility status in India, indicating a rise in various infertility treatments involving hormonal interventions. No studies are available from India on the risk association link between maternal hormonal treatments and ASD. Hence, this study explores the association of maternal hormonal interventions with risk for ASD. Parents of 942 children (471 ASD and 471 controls) across 9 cities in India participated in the questionnaire-based study. The questionnaire was pilot tested and validated for its content and reliability as a psychometric instrument. Data collection was done at 70 centres through direct interaction with parents and with the help of trained staff. Statistical analysis of data was carried out using SAS 9.1.3. Out of the 471 ASD cases analysed, 58 mothers had undergone hormonal interventions (12.3 percent) while there were only 22 mothers among controls who underwent hormonal interventions (4.6 percent). According to logistic regression analysis maternal hormonal intervention (OR=2.24) was a significant risk factor for ASD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has both genetic and environmental factors in its etiology. The risk for many disorders is increased by consanguinity, but it is not known whether it increases the risk for ASD. Our study from large population in India concludes that consanguinity increases the risk for ASD with an odds ratio of 3.22.

L-type-voltage-dependent Ca channels (L-VDCCs; Ca1.2, α), crucial in cardiovascular physiology and pathology, are modulated via activation of G-protein-coupled receptors and subsequently protein kinase C (PKC). Despite extensive study, key aspects of the mechanisms leading to PKC-induced Ca current increase are unresolved. A notable residue, Ser1928, located in the distal C-terminus (dCT) of α was shown to be phosphorylated by PKC. Ca1.2 undergoes posttranslational modifications yielding full-length and proteolytically cleaved CT-truncated forms. We have previously shown that, in Xenopus oocytes, activation of PKC enhances α macroscopic currents. This increase depended on the isoform of α expressed. Only isoforms containing the cardiac, long N-terminus (L-NT), were upregulated by PKC. Ser1928 was also crucial for the full effect of PKC. Here we report that, in Xenopus oocytes, following PKC activation the amount of α protein expressed in the plasma membrane (PM) increases within minutes. The increase in PM content is greater with full-length α than in dCT-truncated α, and requires Ser1928. The same was observed in HL-1 cells, a mouse atrium cell line natively expressing cardiac α, which undergoes the proteolytic cleavage of the dCT, thus providing a native setting for exploring the effects of PKC in cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, activation of PKC preferentially increased the PM levels of full-length, L-NT α. Our findings suggest that part of PKC regulation of Ca1.2 in the heart involves changes in channel's cellular fate. The mechanism of this PKC regulation appears to involve the C-terminus of α, possibly corroborating the previously proposed role of NT-CT interactions within α.

Introduction: Head and neck lesions are very common in day to day practice. These diseases range from common cold to the uncommon, malignant neoplasms. These lesions are responsible for very high morbidity and mortality. Factors known to contribute to the risk of developing head and neck cancer are smokeless tobacco (Pan masala, soda), alcohol, HPV viral infections, etc. Smokeless tobacco is commonly used in Northern part of India, especially in Uttar Pradesh. Aim: To evaluate the diagnosis, frequency and histopathological subtypes of head and neck lesions and their distribution in different age groups and sex in Western Uttar Pradesh. Settings and Design: A retrospective study of 3 years from March 2014 to February 2017 was conducted and the data were collected from the archives of the department. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 15.0. Materials and Methods: All the biopsies from the head and neck region, which were submitted for histopathology in the Post Graduate department of Pathology, Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, were reviewed and analyzed for their demographic profile, age, gender, site and diagnosis. The lesions were then categorized accordingly as inflammatory, benign and malignant. Results: All the lesions of head and neck region, diagnosed on histopathology were included in the present study. A total of three hundred twenty one biopsies were studied, including 212 (66%) males and 109 (34%) females (M: F=1.9:1). 197 (61%) of the cases were benign, followed by 69 (22%) malignant and 55 (17%) inflammatory lesions. The maximum numbers of malignant cases were in the age group of 41 to 50 years with Squamous cell carcinoma as the most common histopathological type. The most common site of malignant lesions was the oral cavity. The maximum benign lesions were in the 11-20 years age group. Conclusions: The present study helped us in assessing the frequency as well as the different histopathological types of head and neck lesions in different age groups and gender in this part of the country.

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