AIM: To identify alterations in genes and molecular functional pathways in esophageal cancer in a high incidence region of India where there is a widespread use of tobacco and betel quid with fermented areca nuts. MET...AIM: To identify alterations in genes and molecular functional pathways in esophageal cancer in a high incidence region of India where there is a widespread use of tobacco and betel quid with fermented areca nuts. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from tumor and matched normal tissue of 16 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Pooled tumor tissue RNA was labeled with Cy3-dUTP and pooled normal tissue RNA was labeled with Cy5-dUTP by direct labeling method. The labeled probes were hybridized with human 10K cDNA chip and expression profiles were analyzed by Genespring GX V 7.3 (Silicon Genetics). RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty three genes were differentially expressed. Of these, 611 genes were upregulated and 312 genes were downregulated. Using stringent criteria (P ≤ 0.05 and ≥ 1.5 fold change), 127 differentially expressed genes (87 upregulated and 40 downregulated) were identified in tumor tissue. On the basis of Gene Ontology, four different molecular functional pathways (MAPK pathway, G-protein coupled receptor family, ion transport activity, and serine or threonine kinase activity) were most significantly upregulated and six different molecular functional pathways (structural constituent of ribosome, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, structural constituent of cytoskeleton, antioxidant activity, acyl group transferase activity, eukaryotic translation elongation factor activity) were most significantly downregulated. CONCLUSION: Several genes that showed alterations in our study have also been reported from a high incidence area of esophageal cancer in China. This indicates that molecular profiles of esophageal cancer in these two different geographic locations are highly consistent.展开更多
Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phen...Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phenology and to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on flowering, fruiting and seed production. Data on vegetative and repro- ductive characters were monitored from 2016 individuals of Panax wangianus population in Law Lyngdoh, Smit sacred grove in Nongkrem, Shillong, India. Leaflet area was measured by a planimeter. Size variables of both vegetative and reproductive traits in different age classes were measured. Climatic factors were recorded from 2007 to 2009. Age was recorded by counting the number of bud scale scars on the rhizome. Light intensity and relative humidity were measured using a photometer, LiCor Model LI-189 and thermohygrometer respectively. Different climatic variables are correlated with vegetative and reproductive phenological events. Statistical analysis revealed that a strong positive correlation was observed between the age versus vegetative and reproductive characters, except 1%–2% plants showed neoteny. Morphological variations were observed in natural conditions on the basis of the number of prong and carpellate conditions. Phenological status revealed that most of the individuals of the age class 35–50 years and above 50 years contributed the most to flowering, fruiting and seed production. Age class was significant to predict the size of the plant and its reproductive capacity. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity show synergistic effect on both the vegetative and reproductive phases in Panax wangianus in the undisturbed Nongkrem sacred grove. The color of flowers of P. wangianus also varied depending upon the sunlight intensity. Therefore, in the view of conservationand management, the age class of 35–50 years and above 50 years is the most important for population sustainability.展开更多
The economy of India's North Eastern Region (NER),severely disrupted by the partition of India in 1947,is characterized by a relatively stagnant primary sector,slow industrial growth,and a bloated service sector. ...The economy of India's North Eastern Region (NER),severely disrupted by the partition of India in 1947,is characterized by a relatively stagnant primary sector,slow industrial growth,and a bloated service sector. The recently released North Eastern Region Vision 2020 report (2008) provides a magisterial overview of development efforts in the NER,and a roadmap for the region's future. Crucial to this vision is the opening-out of the region to trade and commerce with its natural and historical partners in South East and East Asia through the enhancing of connectivity and the improvement of infrastructure both within the NER itself,and across its international borders. This thrust is in consonance with India's 'Look East Policy' (LEP),enunciated in the early 1990s,and expressed in the country's increasing involvement in multilateral forums of sub-regional cooperation such as SAARC,BIMSTEC,ASEAN,the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Scheme and the Track Two Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Forum (BCIM),formerly known as the 'Kunming Initiative'. Comprehensive though it is,the Vision 2020 document is relatively inexplicit regarding the gender dimensions of processes of economic liberalization and globalization in India's multi-ethnic North East. Beginning with a review of the Vision 2020 development road-map,this article surveys some recent studies in changing gender relations in the NER,focusing in particular on the traditional and contemporary roles of women in trading activities. It is suggested that similar and comparative case studies in the wider region of the BCIM countries might contribute constructively to gender-sensitive policy design,as well as to theoretical debates on the dilemmas of gender and development.展开更多
We present a brief overview of meteorites from the north-eastern India, with a focus on falls, finds, and research developments. To date, out of a total 150 numbers of meteorites fall/find in India (in Meteoritical Bu...We present a brief overview of meteorites from the north-eastern India, with a focus on falls, finds, and research developments. To date, out of a total 150 numbers of meteorites fall/find in India (in Meteoritical Bulletin Database), only six meteorites from north-eastern region have received official international recognition from the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. Among these six meteorites, 2 finds and 4 falls, including one ureilite, two H chondrites and three L chondrites. The first meteorite from north-eastern India (Assam L5, Find) was documented in 1846. After a lack of 153 years, the first fall (Sabrum LL6 chondrite) was documented in 1999. The most recent fall is Kamargaon (L6) chondrite in 2015. Intensively researched meteorites of this region are Goalpara and Dergaon. The reported most massive meteorite of north-eastern India is Mahadevpur (H4/5) chondrite, 70.5 kg of total known weight, and the rest are <13 kg of total known weight. The researches on these meteorites from north-east India can be applied to the newly recovered meteorites to understand the astrophysical enigma.展开更多
Plant growth, habitat of various microorganisms, sustenance conditions for the fauna and flora, are determined by the quality of soil. However, alteration in the properties of soil leads to various deficiencies/diseas...Plant growth, habitat of various microorganisms, sustenance conditions for the fauna and flora, are determined by the quality of soil. However, alteration in the properties of soil leads to various deficiencies/diseases in plants and thereby affects dependent fauna. The alkalinity and acidity of the soil refer to the change in pH value of the soil. In the North East India, most of the soils lack calcium (Ca) and are acidic. Therefore, majority of the fauna and flora have lower availability of Ca due to leaching, caused by the heavy rainfall. The present study hypothesizes that the life originating from areas deficient in Ca, impacts their bone concentration and facial formation. This makes them phenotypically distinct from their counterparts residing in the other regions which have alkaline soils or have the optimum pH value of soil. Strongly acidic soils, might have led to the formation of the major Mongolian Race in humans.展开更多
基金Supported by Non Communicable Disease Division,Indian Council of Medical Research
文摘AIM: To identify alterations in genes and molecular functional pathways in esophageal cancer in a high incidence region of India where there is a widespread use of tobacco and betel quid with fermented areca nuts. METHODS: Total RNA was isolated from tumor and matched normal tissue of 16 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Pooled tumor tissue RNA was labeled with Cy3-dUTP and pooled normal tissue RNA was labeled with Cy5-dUTP by direct labeling method. The labeled probes were hybridized with human 10K cDNA chip and expression profiles were analyzed by Genespring GX V 7.3 (Silicon Genetics). RESULTS: Nine hundred twenty three genes were differentially expressed. Of these, 611 genes were upregulated and 312 genes were downregulated. Using stringent criteria (P ≤ 0.05 and ≥ 1.5 fold change), 127 differentially expressed genes (87 upregulated and 40 downregulated) were identified in tumor tissue. On the basis of Gene Ontology, four different molecular functional pathways (MAPK pathway, G-protein coupled receptor family, ion transport activity, and serine or threonine kinase activity) were most significantly upregulated and six different molecular functional pathways (structural constituent of ribosome, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, structural constituent of cytoskeleton, antioxidant activity, acyl group transferase activity, eukaryotic translation elongation factor activity) were most significantly downregulated. CONCLUSION: Several genes that showed alterations in our study have also been reported from a high incidence area of esophageal cancer in China. This indicates that molecular profiles of esophageal cancer in these two different geographic locations are highly consistent.
文摘Panax wangianus （Syn. Panax pseudoginseng） S. C. Sun （Araliaceae） is a critically endangered, medicinal plant of North-East India. The objective of this study was to determine how plant size affects flowering phenology and to evaluate the effect of climatic factors on flowering, fruiting and seed production. Data on vegetative and repro- ductive characters were monitored from 2016 individuals of Panax wangianus population in Law Lyngdoh, Smit sacred grove in Nongkrem, Shillong, India. Leaflet area was measured by a planimeter. Size variables of both vegetative and reproductive traits in different age classes were measured. Climatic factors were recorded from 2007 to 2009. Age was recorded by counting the number of bud scale scars on the rhizome. Light intensity and relative humidity were measured using a photometer, LiCor Model LI-189 and thermohygrometer respectively. Different climatic variables are correlated with vegetative and reproductive phenological events. Statistical analysis revealed that a strong positive correlation was observed between the age versus vegetative and reproductive characters, except 1%–2% plants showed neoteny. Morphological variations were observed in natural conditions on the basis of the number of prong and carpellate conditions. Phenological status revealed that most of the individuals of the age class 35–50 years and above 50 years contributed the most to flowering, fruiting and seed production. Age class was significant to predict the size of the plant and its reproductive capacity. Climatic factors such as temperature, precipitation and relative humidity show synergistic effect on both the vegetative and reproductive phases in Panax wangianus in the undisturbed Nongkrem sacred grove. The color of flowers of P. wangianus also varied depending upon the sunlight intensity. Therefore, in the view of conservationand management, the age class of 35–50 years and above 50 years is the most important for population sustainability.
文摘The economy of India's North Eastern Region (NER),severely disrupted by the partition of India in 1947,is characterized by a relatively stagnant primary sector,slow industrial growth,and a bloated service sector. The recently released North Eastern Region Vision 2020 report (2008) provides a magisterial overview of development efforts in the NER,and a roadmap for the region's future. Crucial to this vision is the opening-out of the region to trade and commerce with its natural and historical partners in South East and East Asia through the enhancing of connectivity and the improvement of infrastructure both within the NER itself,and across its international borders. This thrust is in consonance with India's 'Look East Policy' (LEP),enunciated in the early 1990s,and expressed in the country's increasing involvement in multilateral forums of sub-regional cooperation such as SAARC,BIMSTEC,ASEAN,the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Scheme and the Track Two Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Forum (BCIM),formerly known as the 'Kunming Initiative'. Comprehensive though it is,the Vision 2020 document is relatively inexplicit regarding the gender dimensions of processes of economic liberalization and globalization in India's multi-ethnic North East. Beginning with a review of the Vision 2020 development road-map,this article surveys some recent studies in changing gender relations in the NER,focusing in particular on the traditional and contemporary roles of women in trading activities. It is suggested that similar and comparative case studies in the wider region of the BCIM countries might contribute constructively to gender-sensitive policy design,as well as to theoretical debates on the dilemmas of gender and development.
文摘We present a brief overview of meteorites from the north-eastern India, with a focus on falls, finds, and research developments. To date, out of a total 150 numbers of meteorites fall/find in India (in Meteoritical Bulletin Database), only six meteorites from north-eastern region have received official international recognition from the Nomenclature Committee of the Meteoritical Society. Among these six meteorites, 2 finds and 4 falls, including one ureilite, two H chondrites and three L chondrites. The first meteorite from north-eastern India (Assam L5, Find) was documented in 1846. After a lack of 153 years, the first fall (Sabrum LL6 chondrite) was documented in 1999. The most recent fall is Kamargaon (L6) chondrite in 2015. Intensively researched meteorites of this region are Goalpara and Dergaon. The reported most massive meteorite of north-eastern India is Mahadevpur (H4/5) chondrite, 70.5 kg of total known weight, and the rest are <13 kg of total known weight. The researches on these meteorites from north-east India can be applied to the newly recovered meteorites to understand the astrophysical enigma.
文摘Plant growth, habitat of various microorganisms, sustenance conditions for the fauna and flora, are determined by the quality of soil. However, alteration in the properties of soil leads to various deficiencies/diseases in plants and thereby affects dependent fauna. The alkalinity and acidity of the soil refer to the change in pH value of the soil. In the North East India, most of the soils lack calcium (Ca) and are acidic. Therefore, majority of the fauna and flora have lower availability of Ca due to leaching, caused by the heavy rainfall. The present study hypothesizes that the life originating from areas deficient in Ca, impacts their bone concentration and facial formation. This makes them phenotypically distinct from their counterparts residing in the other regions which have alkaline soils or have the optimum pH value of soil. Strongly acidic soils, might have led to the formation of the major Mongolian Race in humans.
