Browsing by Author "Rashmi Srivastava"

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A Study of Sexual Dimorphism in the Femur Among North Indians
(2012) Rashmi Srivastava; Vineeta Saini; Rajesh K. Rai; Shashikant Pandey; Sunil K. Tripathi
Determination of sex of unknown skeleton remains is the most important step in the identification process. Racial and regional differences in the populations create and maintain specificity in their dimorphic characteristics. Moreover, considering continued secular changes in the population structure, constant revision of osteometric standards becomes mandatory. In an effort to establish osteometric standards for the femur of contemporary North Indian populations, 122 adult femora of known sex (M: 94; F: 28) were collected in the Department of Forensic Medicine, IMS, BHU, Varanasi. Eight standard parameters were measured and analyzed by discriminant function analysis using SPSS 16. The accuracy of sex prediction ranged from 70.5% to 83.6% with single variables. In stepwise analysis, epicondylar breadth, proximal breadth, and antero-posterior diameter of the lateral condyle were found to be the most discriminating variables providing an accuracy of 90.2%. The results clearly indicate the importance of the ends of femur in the determination of sex. © 2011 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Age, photoperiod and estrogen dependent variations in the shell gland and the expression of AVT in the ovary of Japanese quail
(Elsevier Inc., 2012) Rashmi Srivastava; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
Present work was undertaken to describe (i) age dependent (prepuberal-3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks old, puberal and actively laying 8 and 12 weeks old and aged 78 weeks old) (ii) photoperiodic response dependent (photosensitive and photorefractory) and sex steroid dependent (estradiol benzoate and its antagonist tamoxifen treated) variation in the ovary and shell gland activity of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Further, in view of the role of neurohypophysial peptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) in many physiological processes including age/reproduction related oviposition, expression of ir-AVT was also monitored in the ovary of quail. All the parameters associated with histodifferentiation increased rapidly during the developing stages followed by a decrease in old age, which also increased in reproductively quiescent photorefractory birds following estradiol treatment and decreased in reproductively active photosensitive quail following tamoxifen treatment. Using AVT-specific antibody, expression of immunoreactive AVT (ir-AVT) observed in the ovary of photosensitive quail was not detected in the photorefractory quail. However, administration of estrogen in the photorefractory quail stimulated the growth and activity of ovary and shell gland also resulted in the expression of ovarian ir-AVT. On the other hand, tamoxifen eliminated the localization of ir-AVT in the ovary of photosensitive quail in addition to a decrease in the shell gland protein and alkaline phosphatase activity. It is concluded that estrogen not only affects the growth and differentiation of ovary and oviduct including shell gland but also regulates the expression of ovarian AVT. It is also suggested that in addition to reported paracrine effect of AVT in the shell gland of Japanese quail for oviposition, ovarian AVT may also affect ovarian function (ovulation), and in part, this regulation is estrogen dependent. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Age-dependent expression of AVT and its oxytocic-like receptor VT3 in the shell gland of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica
(Academic Press Inc., 2010) Rashmi Srivastava; Lawrence E. Cornett; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
The avian neurohypophyseal hormone AVT is an important regulatory hormone involved in many physiological processes including oviposition; an age-related phenomenon, through its action on the shell gland. In this study, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization was performed to study the expression of immunoreactive (ir) AVT and its oxytocic-like receptor VT3 transcript in the ovary/shell gland of Japanese quail representing sexually immature, mature and old condition. Our results indicate that ir-AVT is present in the ovary of sexually active adult only, but in the shell gland it is observed in both sexually active adult and sexually quiescent old quail. Further, VT3 gene transcript although not detected in the shell gland of sexually immature birds, has been found abundantly in the myometrium of shell gland of sexually active adult quail with a slight decrease in old birds. It is concluded that in addition to the ovarian function and shell gland activity, the expression of AVT and VT3 receptor in the shell gland also varies with the age dependent reproductive/egg laying performance of the Japanese quail. Our findings also suggest that (i) local synthesis of AVT and the expression of its oxytocic-like VT3 receptors is estrogen dependent and (ii) shell gland AVT upregulates its VT3 receptor (paracrine role) in advance to facilitate the role of neurohypophyseal AVT during oviposition. © 2009 Elsevier Inc.
An osteometric study of northern Indian populations for sexual dimorphism in craniofacial region
(2011) Vineeta Saini; Rashmi Srivastava; Rajesh K. Rai; Satya N. Shamal; Tej B. Singh; Sunil K. Tripathi
Sex identification is an initial crucial objective in the revelation of the complete identity of the human skeleton as it also renders significantly clearer guidance towards age and stature estimation. Population specific standards are of great practical relevance in the present era of increasing population intermixing. Size differences and robusticity are the two well-elaborated pillars holding most of the dimorphic burdens of the skull. This study is designed to explore dimorphic characteristics of the craniofacial region to establish anthropometric standards for contemporary North Indian populations, which have not been available so far. One hundred and twelve adult crania of known age (23-65years) and sex (M:F; 82:30) were collected in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Ten standard metric parameters of craniofacial region were measured and subjected to stepwise and direct discriminant function analysis employing SPSS 16.00. Bizygomatic breadth emerged as the single best parameter in stepwise analysis, providing an average accuracy of 85.5%. © 2011 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Are high-water-content contact lenses safe?
(2006) R.P. Bhatia; Kshama Panday; Rashmi Srivastava; Hitendra Singh Indolia
We examined the role of tear secretion on contact lens water content during selection. Tear secretion was estimated using Schirmer's tests. High-water-content contact lenses compromised the tear film more than low-watercontent contact lenses, hence they should not be advised in low or marginal Schirmer's test cases. © Copyright 2006 by ASCO All rights of any nature whatsoever reserved.
Assessment of Bacillus licheniformis (vbr-1) against phytopathogenic fungi and its plant growth-promoting effect on wheat
(2009) Shrilekha Mishra; Rashmi Srivastava; Amitabh Singh; B.K. Sarma; U.R. Singh
The microorganisms have established themselves as an effective alternative to control plant pathogens. There are many examples of formulations using bacterial or fungal strains for biocontrol applications. Bacillus licheniformis (isolate vbr-1) which has been used in the present experiment showed antagonistic activity against several fungi viz., Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., Curvularia lunata (Walk.) Boedijn, Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan), Fusarium udum Butler, Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, Aspergillus flavus Link ex Fr., and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl when tested in dual culture technique. The ethanolic extract of test bacteria have revealed antifungal compounds of different Rf values in TLC. The bacterial culture extract also stimulated growth of wheat seedlings. The in vitro results of the experiments revealed that this bacterium may prove worthy for protecting plants from fungal infection. Its plant growth-promoting property is an additional factor in increasing crop yields. The leaves obtained from the treated and untreated wheat seeds with bacterial extract showed high amount of phenolic acids in the former as compared to control, when analyzed through High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
Effect of estrogen and its antagonist on the expression of arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its oxytocic-like receptor VT3 in the shell gland of Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica
(Elsevier Inc., 2008) Rashmi Srivastava; Lawrence E. Cornett; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
Avian neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) is known to regulate shell gland contractility during oviposition. While studying the role of estrogen in the expression and regulation of AVT and its oxytocic-like receptor VT3, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, it was observed that the expression of AVT and its receptor was not detected in the shell gland of sexually immature Japanese quail. However, administration of estrogen to these birds not only stimulates the growth and activity (as assessed by increased mucosal fold length, total protein content and alkaline phosphatase level) of the shell gland but also upregulates the expression of AVT and VT3. Further, administration of estrogen antagonist tamoxifen to sexually mature bird shows opposite results. On the other hand, localization of ir-AVT, observed in the ovary of sexually mature bird, was not detected in the estrogen treated sexually immature quail. It is concluded that estrogen not only affects the growth and differentiation of avian oviduct, but also regulates the expression of shell gland AVT and its receptor VT3. Present findings suggest that the locally synthesized AVT acts in a paracrine way to upregulate VT3 receptor and thus facilitates the endocrine function of neurohypophysial AVT during oviposition. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on the shell gland AVT and VT3R of scotosensitive and scotorefractory Japanese quail
(Academic Press Inc., 2010) Rashmi Srivastava; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
The neurohypophyseal hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) found in most vertebrate species is known to modulate different aspects of reproduction in quail. AVT system is sensitive to gonadal steroids. Previous studies have shown that estradiol benzoate stimulates the proliferation of shell gland and increases the AVT and the vasotocin 3 receptor (VT3R) in long day length. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on AVT as well as its receptor VT3 under the short day condition (6L:18D). Estradiol benzoate (EB) was administered daily in sexually quiescent (scotosensitive) condition for 15. days. After the initial period of sexual quiescence, the quail of control group exhibited sexual development (scotorefractory condition). Thereafter, scotorefractory quail were administered with anti-estrogen tamoxifen, which eliminated the reoccurrence of scotosensitivity. Immunohistochemical and in-situ hybridization studies indicate the expression of AVT and VT3R transcripts in both scotosensitive as well as scotorefractory conditions. Administration of EB to scotosensitive female quail produced an increase in AVT and VT3 while tamoxifen suppressed them in scotorefractory quail. The results indicate that in quail myometrium the expression of VT3R is upregulated by estrogen when kept under short day condition. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.
Effect of photoperiod and estrogen on expression of arginine vasotocin and its oxytocic-like receptor in the shell gland of the Japanese quail
(Elsevier Inc., 2007) Rashmi Srivastava; Lawrence E. Cornett; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
The avian neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasotocin (AVT) is an important regulatory hormone involved in many physiological processes including fluid balance, blood pressure regulation, stress responses and reproductive events including oviposition. The mechanisms by which AVT stimulates myometrial contraction during oviposition are not well established in birds. In the present study, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to localize AVT and the oxytocin-like VT3 receptor in the shell gland of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Using an AVT-specific antibody, immunoreactive AVT (ir-AVT) was observed in the myometrium of both photosensitive and photorefractory birds. Similarly, VT3 receptor gene transcripts were detected in the myometrial layer of the shell gland of both photosensitive and photorefractory birds. Body mass, shell gland mass and length of mucosal folds of the shell gland of photosensitive birds was higher compared to that of photorefractory birds. Treatment of photorefractory birds with estrogen increased shell gland activity (mass and length of mucosal folds) and levels of both AVT and VT3 receptor mRNA, whereas treatment of photosensitive birds with the estrogen antagonist tamoxifen decreased shell gland activity and levels of both AVT and VT3 receptor mRNA. Our results suggest that shell gland contractility in response to AVT may be regulated during the reproductive cycle of the Japanese quail and that, in part, this regulation is estrogen-dependent. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Effect of soft contact lens on central visual field
(2005) R.P. Bhatia; Rashmi Srivastava; Bhaskar Reddy
The effect of soft contact lenses (CLs) and spectacles on central visual fields was assessed in 48 eyes. Forty-three eyes (89.5%) showed smaller pattern standard deviation in CL wearers than five eyes (10.5%) with spectacles. In addition, 38 CL wearers (79%) showed higher positive mean deviation values than 10 eyes (20.8%) with spectacles. Findings indicate the pattern of visual fields shifts toward normalcy in CL wearers. © Copyright 2005 by ASCO. All rights of any nature whatsoever reserved.
Expression of arginine vasotocin and estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the shell gland altered by the specific phase relations of neural oscillations affects the reproductive physiology of Japanese quail
(Elsevier Inc., 2016) Rashmi Srivastava; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
In order to study the effect of specific phase relation of neural oscillations on reproductive regulation and the response of AVT (the avian homologue of mammalian AVP) the expression of AVT in the shell gland was monitored in sexually immature quail. In this study 3-week-old female Japanese quail were administered with serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan followed by the dopamine precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine at interval of 8 h and 12 h daily over a period of 13 days. At thirty two days post treatment, a significant decrease in gonadal activity was seen in 8 h quail although 12 h quail exhibited an increase as compared to controls. A significant decrease in plasma estradiol level was noted in 8 h quail while 12 h exhibited no significant difference compared to controls. To address the relative roles of estrogen mediated action we also investigated estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) expression and localization in the shell gland by visualizing it through confocal immuno-fluorescence microscopy. Results indicate increased expression of immunoreactive (ir)-AVT (myometrium), ir-ER-α (epithelial cells of endometrial region), along with significant increase in hypothalamic, plasma and shell gland AVT and a rapid increase in egg laying thus maintaining full breeding condition in 12 h while low expression of ir-AVT and ir-ER-α was observed in 8 h quail along with a significant decrease in hypothalamic, plasma and shell gland AVT with the suppression of gonads thereby stopping the egg-laying behaviour was noted. These findings not only suggest the modulation of gonadal development by changing the specific phase relation of neural oscillations but also demonstrate a parallel relation of AVT and gonadal activity in both conditions. It is concluded that the egg laying performance in response to AVT is regulated by the temporal phase relationship of neurotransmitters, and in part, this effect appears to be estrogen dependent. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
Impact of estrogen and photoperiod on arginine vasotocin and VT3 receptor expression in the shell gland of quail
(Frontiers in Bioscience, 2018) Rashmi Srivastava; Lawrence E. Cornett; Chandra Mohini Chaturvedi
Role of estrogen and photoperiod is well-established in avian reproduction. In addition, the distribution and the expression of arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its receptor VT3 to ensure reproductive/ breeding conditions in Japanese quail influenced by them has been the main focus of this review. To consider this aspect the mRNA expression of VT3 receptor and its ligand AVT in the shell gland has been emphasized. In birds, AVT performs a dual role as an anti-diuretic hormone and the functions accomplished by oxytocin in mammals. The physiological actions of AVT in birds are mediated through its diverse receptor subtypes VT1, VT2, VT3 and VT4. Dynamic alteration of VT3 expression during different reproductive and photo-sexual conditions of quail can be modulated by estrogen. In addition to the endocrine effect of AVT, the shell gland is complemented by its paracrine action via its receptors. Evidences indicate that the expression of shell gland AVT modulated by estrogen appears to play a priming role by modulating the availability of VT3 receptor for the required action of neurohypophysial AVT during oviposition. © 1996-2018
Limbal stem cell study in contact lens wearers.
(2009) R.P. Bhatia; Rashmi Srivastava; Amrita Ghosh
The effect of soft contact lens on the limbal stem cells was assessed in 30 contact lens wearers, 19 controls, and 17 cases known to cause limbal stem cell deficiency. Different results were seen as compared to controls in all the four quadrants, but more severe in cases known to cause limbal stem cell deficiency.
Mandibular Ramus: An Indicator for Sex in Fragmentary Mandible
(2011) Vineeta Saini; Rashmi Srivastava; Rajesh K. Rai; Satya N. Shamal; Tej B. Singh; Sunil K. Tripathi
Mandible is the hardest and most durable bone of the skull exhibiting a high degree of sexual dimorphism. Especially ramus of mandible is subjected to greater stress than any other bone of the skull because of the process of mastication. This study has been performed to establish the osteometric standards for practical use in forensic context over Indian population using mandibular ramus. The sample consists of 116 mandibles of Northern Indian population (M:F; 92:24, mean age 37.4 years), collected from the Department of Forensic Medicine, IMS, BHU, Varanasi. Osteometric informations about five metric parameters (coronoid height, projective height, condylar height, and maximum breadth and minimum breadth of ramus) were taken with sliding calipers. These parameters were subjected to different discriminant function analysis using SPSS 16.0. All parameters showed significant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.001 in all cases) with an overall accuracy of 80.2%, and coronoid height was the single best parameter providing an accuracy of 74.1%. © 2010 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Qualitative analysis of chromosomes from neural ganglia of flesh-flies sarcopahga
(Connect Journal, 2012) Rashmi Srivastava; Anurag Dabas; Rakesh Srivastava; Pratima Gaur
A simplified technique has been developed in order to obtain and visualize large number of mitotic chromosomes at metaphase stage in the neural ganglial cells to facilitate the detection of various banding patterns which play a significant role in cytogenetical analysis of flesh-flies. Several studies have been performed on the flesh-fly Sarcophaga related to their role in forensics, as vectors of pathogenic micro-organisms, in the isolation of many useful proteins, studies related to circadian cycle, developmental and metabolic processes which require enough time as well as a good infrastructure; yet basic cytogenetical methods remain the prerequisite for perusing genetical analysis. In view of this fact, the present study was conducted to determine a simple, rapid and qualitative method that is indeed helpful in the cytogenetical studies of Sarcophaga species as well as other dipterans even without the requirement of any special equipment. © 2020, Biochem. Cell. Arch.. All rights reserved.
Sex determination using mandibular ramus flexure: A preliminary study on Indian population
(2011) Vineeta Saini; Rashmi Srivastava; Satya Narayan Shamal; T.B. Singh; Abhay Kumar Pandey; Sunil Kumar Tripathi
Determination of sex by morphological assessment has been one of the oldest approaches in forensic anthropology. Loth and Henneberg6 introduced a morphological trait "Mandibular Ramus Flexure" for sex identification with a high accuracy of 99% in African Blacks. However, the population specificity of sexually dimorphic features is well known. The purpose of this study is to test the reliability of this trait in Indian population. A total number of 112 adult mandibles (88 males and 24 females) were studied from the Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, India. The mandibles were scored according to the original method by two observers in three different sessions. This was done to test inter and intra-observer errors in identifying the trait. The result shows that this trait can be used to diagnose sex with an average accuracy of upto 82%. Though, inter and intra-observer errors were present but could be minimized with extended practice. So, the trait has the potential to be relied upon as a single morphological trait for determination of sex in Indian population. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.
Sex Estimation from the Mastoid Process Among North Indians
(2012) Vineeta Saini; Rashmi Srivastava; Rajesh K. Rai; Satya N. Shamal; Tej B. Singh; Sunil K. Tripathi
Determination of sex from fragmentary crania is a critical problem in forensic anthropology. Osteometric analysis of mastoid can serve forensic anthropologists better in sex identification by virtue of the noticeable dimorphic characteristics. The present study aims to develop population-specific, sex-differentiating anthropometric standards for the mastoid process of North Indian skulls. Eight parameters of the mastoid region were measured on 138 adult crania (M/F 104:34, 22-65years) and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. All parameters showed significant sexual dimorphism (p<0.000). In stepwise analysis, asterion-mastoidale and mastoid breadth have provided an accuracy of 87%. Receiver operating characteristic curves were obtained for each variable to observe their overall performance in sex determination. Posterior end of incisura mastoidea-depression of suprameatal triangle was found to be the best variable with maximum area under curve and highest predictive accuracy (82.6%). © 2011 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Sexual dimorphism in ulna: An osteometric study from India
(2013) Rashmi Srivastava; Vineeta Saini; Rajesh Kumar Rai; Shashikant Pandey; Tei Bahadur Singh; Sunil Kumar Tripathi; Abhay Kumar Pandey
Determination of sex constitutes the most important element during the identification process of human skeletal remains. Several sex-specific features of human skeleton have been exploited for sex determination with varying reliability. This study aims to obtain sexual dimorphic standards for ulnae of the north Indian population. Eight measurements were obtained on a sample of 106 ulnae (males-80, females-26) in the age range of 25-65 years. The sexual dimorphism index and demarking points were calculated for all the variables. The data were then subjected to stepwise and direct discriminant function analysis. The best discriminator of sex was the maximum length (84.9%) followed by radial notch width (84%). In stepwise analysis, these two variables were selected and provided an accuracy of 88.7% (M-87.5%, F-92.3%). The proximal end provided a classification rate of 81.1% (M-80%, F-84.6%) with selection of the notch length and olecranon width. © 2013 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Temporal variations in basicranium dimorphism of North Indians
(Springer Verlag, 2014) Vineeta Saini; Rashmi Srivastava; Satya Narayan Shamal; Tej Bali Singh; Vinod Kumar; Pramod Kumar; Sunil Kumar Tripathi
In recent years, several investigations have documented notable secular changes in human skull morphology. The present study is the next link in the series, addressing its possible effects in the cranial base in North Indian populations. The present study aims to examine the sexual dimorphism in cranial base of two temporally different samples of North Indian population to provide updated population specific osteometric standards. The contemporary and the subrecent samples are comprised of 158 (M 110; F 48) and 325 adult crania (M 206; F 119), respectively. Five variables of cranial base were measured, and data were subjected to discriminant function analysis using SPSS 16.0. The t-tests between the two temporally different samples showed significant sexual dimorphism and population variation. Contemporary females showed comparatively greater dimensions than subrecent. Contemporary population exhibited less sexual dimorphism than subrecent population. Factors associated with the changes in sexual dimorphism are likely to be a consequence of improved nutrition and population admixture in last 50 years. The accuracy of sex prediction ranged from 48.1 to 70.0 % in contemporary sample and 60.9 % to 77.2 % in subrecent sample. Overall, these findings support the conclusion that sexual dimorphism shows variation within few decades, so sex discriminating osteometric standards must be updated regularly. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.