Cochin University of Science and Technology

About: Cochin University of Science and Technology is a(n) education organization based out in Kochi, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topic(s): Thin film & Natural rubber. The organization has 5382 authors who have published 7690 publication(s) receiving 103827 citation(s). The organization is also known as: CUSAT & Cochin University.

Toll-like receptor 2-mediated NF-kappa B activation requires a Rac1-dependent pathway.

Abstract: Mammalian Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are expressed on innate immune cells and respond to the membrane components of Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. When activated, they convey signals to transcription factors that orchestrate the inflammatory response. However, the intracellular signaling events following TLR activation are largely unknown. Here we show that TLR2 stimulation by Staphylococcus aureus induces a fast and transient activation of the Rho GTPases Rac1 and Cdc42 in the human monocytic cell line THP-1 and in 293 cells expressing TLR2. Dominant-negative Rac1N17, but not dominant-negative Cdc42N17, block nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transactivation. S. aureus stimulation causes the recruitment of active Rac1 and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) to the TLR2 cytosolic domain. Tyrosine phosphorylation of TLR2 is required for assembly of a multiprotein complex that is necessary for subsequent NF-κB transcriptional activity. A signaling cascade composed of Rac1, PI3K and Akt targets nuclear p65 transactivation independently of IκBα degradation. Thus Rac1 controls a second, IκB–independent, pathway to NF-κB activation and is essential in innate immune cell signaling via TLR2.

Global patterns of tectonic stress

Abstract: Regional patterns of present-day tectonic stress can be used to evaluate the forces acting on the lithosphere and to investigate intraplate seismicity. Most intraplate regions are characterized by a compressional stress regime; extension is limited almost entirely to thermally uplifted regions. In several plates the maximum horizontal stress is subparallel to the direction of absolute plate motion, suggesting that the forces driving the plates also dominate the stress distribution in the plate interior.

Finite size effects on the structural and magnetic properties of sol–gel synthesized NiFe2O4 powders

Abstract: Nanoparticles of nickel ferrite have been synthesized by the sol–gel method and the effect of grain size on its structural and magnetic properties have been studied in detail. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed that all the samples are single phasic possessing the inverse spinel structure. Grain size of the sol–gel synthesized powders has been determined from the XRD data and the strain graph. A grain size of 9 nm was observed for the as prepared powders of NiFe 2 O 4 obtained through the sol–gel method. It was also observed that strain was induced during the firing process. Magnetization measurements have been carried out on all the samples prepared in the present series. It was found that the specific magnetization of the nanosized NiFe 2 O 4 powders was lower than that of the corresponding coarse-grained counterparts and decreased with a decrease in grain size. The coercivity of the sol–gel synthesized NiFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles attained a maximum value when the grain size was 15 nm and then decreased as the grain size was increased further.

Safety management practices and safety behaviour: assessing the mediating role of safety knowledge and motivation.

Abstract: Safety management practices not only improve working conditions but also positively influence employees' attitudes and behaviours with regard to safety, thereby reducing accidents in workplace. This study measured employees' perceptions on six safety management practices and self-reported safety knowledge, safety motivation, safety compliance and safety participation by conducting a survey using questionnaire among 1566 employees belonging to eight major accident hazard process industrial units in Kerala, a state in southern part of India. The reliability and unidimesionality of all the scales were found acceptable. Path analysis using AMOS-4 software showed that some of the safety management practices have direct and indirect relations with the safety performance components, namely, safety compliance and safety participation. Safety knowledge and safety motivation were found to be the key mediators in explaining these relationships. Safety training was identified as the most important safety management practice that predicts safety knowledge, safety motivation, safety compliance and safety participation. These findings provide valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners for identifying the mechanisms by which they can improve safety of workplace.

A new oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate, compared with enoxaparin for prevention of thromboembolic events following total hip or knee replacement: the BISTRO II randomized trial

Abstract: Summary. Background: Dabigatran etexilate is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor undergoing evaluation for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following orthopedic surgery. Methods: In a multicenter, parallel-group, double-blind study, 1973 patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement were randomized to 6–10 days of oral dabigatran etexilate (50, 150 mg twice daily, 300 mg once daily, 225 mg twice daily), starting 1–4 h after surgery, or subcutaneous enoxaparin (40 mg once daily) starting 12 h prior to surgery. The primary efficacy outcome was the incidence of VTE (detected by bilateral venography or symptomatic events) during treatment. Results: Of the 1949 treated patients, 1464 (75%) patients were evaluable for the efficacy analysis. VTE occurred in 28.5%, 17.4%, 16.6%, 13.1% and 24% of patients assigned to dabigatran etexilate 50, 150 mg twice daily, 300 mg once daily, 225 mg twice daily and enoxaparin, respectively. A significant dose-dependent decrease in VTE occurred with increasing doses of dabigatran etexilate (P < 0.0001). Compared with enoxaparin, VTE was significantly lower in patients receiving 150 mg twice daily [odds ratio (OR) 0.65, P = 0.04], 300 mg once daily (OR 0.61, P = 0.02) and 225 mg twice daily (OR 0.47, P = 0.0007). Compared with enoxaparin, major bleeding was significantly lower with 50 mg twice daily (0.3% vs. 2.0%, P = 0.047) but elevated with higher doses, nearly reaching statistical significance with the 300 mg once-daily dose (4.7%, P = 0.051). Conclusions: Oral administration of dabigatran etexilate, commenced early in the postoperative period, was effective and safe across a range of doses. Further optimization of the efficacy/safety balance will be addressed in future studies.