Clinical relevance of glycosylation in triple negative breast cancer: a review

Glycosylation alterations in TNBC have significant implications for tumor behavior, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies. Dysregulated glycosylation affects cell adhesion, signaling, immune recognition, and response to therapy in TNBC. Different types of glycosylation, including N-linked glycosylation, O-linked glycosylation, glycosphingolipid glycosylation, mucin-type glycosylation, and sialylation, play distinct roles in TNBC. The "barcoding" method based on glycosylation sites of the membrane type mannose receptor (MR) shows promise in accurately distinguishing breast cancer subtypes, including TNBC. Alpha-L-fucosidase 1 (FUCA1) and Monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) have been identified as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for TNBC. The glycosylation status of PD-L1 impacts the response to immune checkpoint blockade therapy in TNBC. Inhibiting fucosylation of B7H3 enhances immune responses and improves anti-tumor effects. Targeting glycosylated B7H4 and modulating estrogen metabolism through glycosylation-related mechanisms are potential therapeutic strategies for TNBC. Understanding the role of glycosylation in TNBC provides insights into disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and potential therapeutic targets. Further research in this field may lead to personalized treatment approaches and improved outcomes for TNBC patients.

Evidence of a Hardening in the Cosmic Ray Proton Spectrum at around 166 TeV Observed by the GRAPES-3 Experiment

We present the measurement of the cosmic ray proton spectrum from 50 TeV to 1.3 PeV using 7.81×10^{6} extensive air shower events recorded by the ground-based GRAPES-3 experiment between 1 January 2014 and 26 October 2015 with a live time of 460 day. Our measurements provide an overlap with direct observations by satellite and balloon-based experiments. The electromagnetic and muon components in the shower were measured by a dense array of plastic scintillator detectors and a tracking muon telescope, respectively. The relative composition of the proton primary from the air shower data containing all primary particles was extracted using the multiplicity distribution of muons which is a sensitive observable for mass composition. The observed proton spectrum suggests a spectral hardening at ∼166  TeV and disfavors a single power law description of the spectrum up to the Knee energy (∼3  PeV).

Design and operation of a hybrid LED/LD-pumped phosphor-converted white-light lamp

Illumination sources based on phosphors, pumped by laser diodes (LDs), have seen rapid developments over the past decade. Here, we present a new, to the best of our knowledge, design that features both spectral richness and the capability for high brightness. Complete design details and operational characterization have been described. This basic design can be extended in various ways to customize such lamps for different operational requirements. A hybrid arrangement of both LEDs and an LD is used to excite a mixture of two phosphors. The LEDs, in addition, provide a blue fill-in to enrich output radiation and to tune the chromaticity point inside the white region. The LD power, on the other hand, can be scaled up to generate very high brightness levels that are not achievable with pumping from LEDs alone. This capability is gained using a special transparent ceramic disk that carries the remote phosphor film. We also show that the radiation from our lamp is free from speckle-producing coherence.

O-031 Activation of NLRP3 inflammasome enhances neutrophil extracellular traps in women with stage III/IV endometriosis: convergence of multiple signaling portray association between genetics and lesion type

Study question

Do NOD-like receptor pyrin-containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling affect neutrophil extracellular traps (NET)-osis in women with stage III/IV endometriosis?

Summary answer

Inflammasome activation whether due to pathogen (disease itself) or damage-associated molecular pattern (through NET) might be one mechanism involved in establishing perturbed endometrium in endometriosis.

What is known already

Endometriosis is characterized by number of processes like vascularization, hypernociception, and fibrosis, cardinal cause being inflammation. Recently, expression of inflammasome components, including NLRP3 and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase has been demonstrated in human endometrium cueing involvement in uterine innate immunity. Moreover, a novel extracellular killing mechanism, NET, is documented to reflect an inflammatory status in deep infiltrating endometriosis. Since, endometriosis demonstrates similarities with chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders; we postulated inflammatory responses in endometriosis may become modulated through a feed-forward loop of NET-induced specific cytokine production thus providing insights against potentiality of endometriotic cells to limit progression of the disease.

Study design, size, duration

Twenty-two consented women (24-39 years) with endometriosis (Group A) (Stages III–IV) (based on ASRM-2018 guidelines) and age-matched counterpart/s of male sub-fertility (Group B; control), free of uterine abnormalities (n = 18) were recruited between January to December 2021 from Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Kolkata. Eutopic endometrium, were collected from women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy (Group A) or by curettage from women undergoing endometrial ablation (Group B). Serum was collected during window-of-implantation (LH + 7) for both the group/s.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Pro-(IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-6, TGF-b) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-13, IL-4, IL-5) cytokines was evaluated by western blot. Expression level of inflammasome-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, CASPASE1, PYCARD, IL-1-b) and mRNA expression was estimated by western-blot and quantitative-real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) respectively from tissue biopsies in Group A and B. SYTOX® green assay by flow-cytometry and neutrophil-elastase activity by immunofluorescence was done to quantify and characterize NET production in blood monocytes. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Main results and the role of chance

The mean (±SD) age of study population was 31.6±5.2 years. Hyperestrogenic milieu possibly stimulated (p < 0.001) pro-inflammatory molecules (IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-6, TGF-b) in endometriosis as observed by western-blot and qRT-PCR. A significant up-regulation (p < 0.001) was observed in relative mRNA expression of NLRP3 and PYCARD gene in Group A. However, caspase 1 expression documented non-significant variation in biopsies from endometriosis patients. Western blot corroborated the finding/s. The outcome of NLRP3 activation was supported by increased (p < 0.002) mRNA expression of IL-1b. NETs were detected significantly higher (p < 0.01) in 54.54% (12/22) patients in group A compared to control (16.66%; (3/18)). Moreover, quantification of NETs showed a significantly higher amount in endometriosis compared to group B (0.097 vs. 0.02, p < 0.03).

Spermann-rank correlation by SPSS version22 revealed positive correlation between IL-1b with NLRP3 (r = 0.56, p< 0.001), PYCARD (r = 0.11, p< 0.01); and caspase1 (r = 0.16, p< 0.01) and IL-1b (r = 0.47, p< 0.01) with NET-positive cell/s in endometriosis. Moreover, posterior cul-de-sac lesions correlated positively with NET-positive cell/s (r = 0.29; p < 0.01) cueing to possible prognostic marker/s. In summary, a coordinated-fashioned action of components of NLRP3 inflammasome machinery may regulate production of NET/s forming a complex network allowing communication between cell-types in order to maintain viability and development of endometrial lesion/s.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Our findings need to be replicated in larger study cohort/s, especially stratified by severity of endometriosis sub-groups and in women of different ethnicities. Another limitation is the missing information about NETs in normal functioning human endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle.

Wider implications of the findings

The proposed study aims to understand potential role of NLRP3 inflammasome complex as a “double-edged sword” in the development and pathophysiology of endometriosis. Therapeutic alternatives that aim to re-balance the pro- to anti-inflammatory milieu in the endometrium should consider the inflammasome as part of the equation.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

P-390 Serum homocysteine and uterine artery Doppler ultrasound in combination has better predictive accuracy in women with preeclampsia: useful tool for early screening in everyday practice

Study question

Is serum homocysteine combined with uterine-artery Doppler were effective in predicting preeclampsia (≥140mmHg/≥90mmHg blood pressure) in singleton pregnancy during 11–15 weeks of gestation?

Summary answer

Combination of serum homocysteine levels with uterine-artery Doppler is superior to individual presence of biochemical/ultrasound marker/s making the duo effective for early screening in preeclampsia.

What is known already

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and National Institute for Care and Health Excellence recommend identifying patients who are at high risk of developing preeclampsia based on medical history. Recently, biochemical and ultrasound markers were investigated for prediction of preeclampsia, but none of them were predictably reliable, valid, and suitable for routine clinical use. Increased levels of homocysteine in 1st-trimester, seems to signal onset of preeclampsia later in pregnancy portraying severity of the disease as well. We aimed to identify predictive value of serum homocysteine combined with uterine-artery Doppler in singleton pregnancy during 11–15 weeks of gestation for preeclampsia.

Study design, size, duration

One hundred forty-two consented singleton pregnant women (28-45 years) at gestational age of 11–15 weeks, recruited between January to December 2021 from Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Kolkata were enrolled in the study. Women who used aspirin as a prophylaxis for preeclampsia or were diagnosed to have fetal, structural or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the study (n = 7). Maternal age, weight and height, mean arterial pressure, parity, and obstetric history were documented.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Uterine-artery Doppler ultrasound and serum homocysteine levels were performed transabdominally and using ELISA respectively. Pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) at optimal cut-off values were determined to predict preeclampsia. Optimal cut-off values for homocysteine levels were calculated using receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC). Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, unpaired t test, and Mann–Whitney U test were used when appropriate. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Main results and the role of chance

16 cases had preeclampsia (11.26%) of whom 9 had early-onset preeclampsia (6.33%). Baseline characteristics including maternal-age (>35 or<), parity, body-mass- index, and gestational-age at measurement were not significantly different between two groups excepting higher (p < 0.001) mean arterial blood pressure (mmHg) at first trimester (97.2±6.4 vs. 81.1±7.2) in preeclampsia. Preeclamptic women had significantly higher (p < 0.001) serum homocysteine levels (μmol/l) (26.1±3.5 vs 10.2± 5.6) than normotensive pregnant women (n = 119). No difference in mean pulsatility (PI) of uterine-artery was observed (1.78±0.64 vs. 1.72±0.48) excluding significantly high (p > 0.02) in women with early-onset preeclampsia than control (2.11±0.81 vs. 1.39±0.92). However, lower (p < 0.01) gestational age (weeks) (35.4±2.1 vs. 37.6±1.4), and neonatal birth weight (gms) (2937.3±578.2 vs. 3227.6±421.5) with higher (p < 0.001) preterm delivery (25% vs 5.04%), low birth weight (25% vs 5.04%) and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (12.5% vs. 0.84%) was documented in preeclampsia than control/s. The optimal cut-off value of serum homocysteine with PI levels, from ROC (AUC=0.735, p < 0.001) was superior to individual ROC (AUC=0.451; AUC=0.268). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 67.7%, 70.5%, 1.7%, and 98.5%, respectively using a combination of abnormal serum homocysteine levels with abnormal uterine artery Doppler PI (above 95th percentile) and used as a predictive value for preeclampsia.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The limitation of this study was that there were small cases of early-onset preeclampsia. Additional studies with a larger sample size of early-onset preeclampsia and other models using serum homocysteine, combined with uterine artery Doppler, and maternal characteristic risk factors should be conducted.

Wider implications of the findings

Early screening of preeclampsia by using combination of serum homocysteine and uterine artery Doppler during first trimester (11–15 weeks) at the same visit may be more effective and allows the timing for using early low-dose aspirin prophylaxis in order to prevent preeclampsia.

Trial registration number

Not applicable

Unveiling the intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of C,N-disubstituted nitrones from the molecular electron density theory perspective

The zwitterionic type intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition reactions of nitrones show remarkable substituent effects and varying reactivities in the cases of cyclic and acyclic alkenes.

ADRENAL HISTOPLASMOSIS: AN EASTERN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

CONTEXT

The clinical presentation of histoplasmosis is varied. Due to its propensity for adrenal involvement, histoplasmosis is an important differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with adrenal mass, bilateral in particular.

OBJECTIVE

Data on clinical presentation, pattern of adrenal involvement, radiological appearance and long-term follow-up of adrenal histoplasmosis are relatively sparse; hence we looked at it.

DESIGN

This record based single-centre retrospective study was conducted in one of the tertiary care hospitals, situated in eastern India catering the Gangetic delta.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Data on demographic characters, presenting manifestations, biochemical & hormonal parameters and radiological appearance of confirmed adrenal histoplasmosis cases (n=9), admitted between 2015-2019 have been retrieved. The treatment outcome and condition of patients after 1-4 years of follow-up has also been discussed.

RESULTS

Four out of the nine (44.4%) patients had predisposing immunocompromised conditions in the form of diabetes and/or chronic alcoholism while rest were immunocompetent. Seven out of nine patients (77.8 %) had signs and symptoms suggestive of adrenal insufficiency, while two (22.2%) presented with only pyrexia of unknown origin. All of them had bilateral adrenal mass, though the radiologically appearances were different. All patients received anti-fungal agents with/without hydrocortisone and/or fludrocortisone. One patient died (11.1%), while majority responded favourably to treatment. Adrenocortical function did not recover completely.

CONCLUSIONS

The possibility of adrenal histoplasmosis should always be considered in patients presenting with bilateral adrenal mass, irrespective of adrenal morphology. Treatment is effective, but many of them require supplemental hydrocortisone for quite a long period, if not lifelong. Mineralocorticoid deficiency, however, is not permanent.

Evaluation of Microleakage Using Dye-penetration Method in Three Different Composite Resin Core Build-up Materials: An In Vitro Study

AIM

Aim of the current research is to establish and assess the microleakage in bulk-fill composite, nanohybrid ormocer-based resins, and nanofilled composite resin core build-up materials employing the dye-penetration technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty human mandibular first premolar teeth with a solitary root canal without dental caries were chosen for this research. Each specimen was subjected to decoronation of 2 mm from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), following which the root canal treatment procedure was rendered complete. A space for the post was made for all the 60 samples. Following positioning of the post, specimens were allocated into one of the following three investigational groups (20 specimens in every group) on the basis of the core build-up materials used as group I: bulk-fill composites, group II: nanohybrid ormocer-based resins, and group III: nanofilled resin composites. Direct composite was used for core build-up and subjected to light-curing. Following this, the specimens were immersed in 1% methylene blue solution for 24 hours interval. Each section was evaluated for dye diffusion employing a stereomicroscope with software at a magnifying power of 40× and surface contact between dentin and base of the material was evaluated under scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

Nanohybrid ormocer-based composites exhibited the least microleakage at 1.12 ± 0.14, in pursuit by nanofilled composite resins at 1.79 ± 0.09, and finally the bulk-fill composites at 2.85 ± 0.11, amid the investigational groups studied. A statistically significant difference amid the three dissimilar cores buildup substances was found upon analysis of variance.

CONCLUSION

Despite the study limitations, this research came to a conclusion that each of the three investigated core build-up substances exhibited microleakage. However, amid the three, nanohybrid ormocer-based composites depicted the lowest amount of microleakage in pursuit by the nanofilled resins and the bulk-fill composites.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Core build-up is an important requirement as the remaining tooth substance following root canal treatment reduces and needs reinforcement with core build-up to sustain the tooth structure and provide resistance. A vital mandate for enduring efficiency of the restoration in the mouth is high-quality adhesive bond of these agents to cavity walls with diminished microleakage.

A Scanning Electron Microscope Evaluation of the Efficacy of Different Fluoride-releasing Dental Restorative Materials to Prevent Enamel Demineralization: An In Vitro Study

AIM

Aim of the present research was to investigate the effectiveness of various fluoride-releasing dental restorative agents in preventing demineralization of enamel.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty human mandibular permanent molar teeth constituted the study group. All samples were subjected to storage in thymol, after which they were taken out to prepare alike proximal box in each. Inductions of artificial enamel surface lesions were done by placing the teeth in demineralizing solution for 96 hours. Subsequently, all 80 molars were randomly assigned to any of the four groups (i.e., 20 in every individual group) according to the restoration as group A: giomer (composite resin containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer fillers), group B: compomer (polyacid-modified composite resin), group C: resin-modified glass-ionomer cement (RMGIC), group D: fluoride-releasing composite. After this, the pH cycling was performed, and the samples were subjected to examination beneath scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTS

Higher mean areas of remineralization were noted when RMGIC (96.34 ± 0.06) was used followed by the compomer (109.52 ± 0.17), giomer (118.39 ± 0.82), and the fluoride-releasing composite group (129.27 ± 0.31) in that order. A statistically significant difference was seen amid the investigational groups that utilized different restorative agents (p <0.001). A pairwise evaluation that was performed revealed that except for the giomer group and the compomer group, a statistically significant difference (p <0.001) was found among the experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

This research infers that the RMGIC-treated samples exhibited significantly superior performance in preventing enamel demineralization in comparison to compomer, giomer as well as fluoride-releasing composites.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

One among the highly frequently employed anticariogenic materials is fluorides. Owing to this characteristic, they are integrated into numerous restorative substances. Nevertheless, the quantity and speed of fluoride release differ in different agents, which translates to the efficacy of the restorative agent in avoiding demineralization about the restoration.

Process improvement to effectively manage and reduce sharps injuries in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern India

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Needle stick injuries are associated with a 0.3-30% risk of transmission of Human Immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus, and Hepatitis B virus. Despite causing psychological trauma they also involve a huge financial burden. A robust process improvement (RPI) toolkit was introduced in order to effectively manage and reduce needle stick injuries, as well as an attempt to report prevalence, post-exposure management, and associated economic burden.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective Observational Study (2015-2018) has been design in a Corporate Tertiary Care Hospital. The participants included were needle stick injuries exposed staff. RPI toolkit was implemented (2015-2018) focusing on root cause analysis, availability of safety engineered devices, immunization and post-exposure management of needle stick injuries exposed staff. The main outcome measure was needle stick injuries incidence.

RESULTS

A total of 211 needle stick injuries were reported (mean - 52.72/year, needle stick injury incidence - 13.18/year/100 beds). Yearly trends showed a decrease of 21.3% in injuries from 2015 (61) to 2018 (48). Half (106, 50%) of the total injuries were reported among nurses. Use of hypodermic needles was involved in 116 (55%) injuries, with 114 (54%) occurring due to nonadherence to hospital policies. Overall, 204 staff had protective immunity, and 135 (64%) of these had completed their Hepatitis B immunizations. The source was known in 165 (78%) cases, and 113 of these cases had an injury from a source with negative viral markers. A 6-month follow-up was completed in 90 cases. No seroconversion was reported. Overall costs incurred in post-exposure prophylaxis was approximately €30,000 (mean cost €143.50/needle stick injury).

CONCLUSION

Nurses are most at risk of needle stick injury in healthcare settings. Implementation of RPI toolkit led to a 21.3% reduction in sharps injury incidences. These injuries incur huge financial burden on the hospital. Appropriate immunization strategies saved about €1360 expenditure on post-exposure prophylaxis.

Impact of water deficit stress in maize: Phenology and yield components

Fifteen million farmers in India engaged in Maize cultivation. India would require 45 MMT of Maize by 2022. But, only 15% of cultivated area of maize is under irrigation and water shortage has been a challenge for sustainability of maize production. Water deficit stress (WDS) during pre-flowering and grain filling stages massively affects the plant performance due to imprecise traits function. Thus, the effect of WDS on non-drought tolerant (NDT) and drought tolerant (DT) maize lines were investigated. WDS increased the flowering days, days to maturity, anthesis silk interval, decreased the leaf number, abnormal expression of secondary stress responsive traits, loss of normal root architecture which overall lead to a reduction in GY/ha. WDS at flowering and grain filling stage leads to significant yield penalty especially in NDT lines than DT lines. The yield penalty was ranged from 34.28 to 66.15% in NDT and 38.48 to 55.95% in DT lines due to WDS. Using multiple statistics, traits which improve WDS tolerance in maize were identified viz; number of leaves, number of stomata on lower surface of leaf, leaf angle at ear forming node internodal length between 3^rd and 4^th leaf from top, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, ear per plants, leaf senescence, pollen stainability, root fresh weight and root length. These traits would help in trait specific breeding in maize for WDS tolerance.

Antimicrobial effects of different extracts of medicinally used green leafy vegetables collected from local market of Dhaka, Bangladesh

The present study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of green leafy vegetable samples which are traditionally used as medicinal herbs. Therefore, three samples each of Neem (Azadirachta indica, leaves), Ivy Gourd (Coccinia grandis, leaves), Water Spinach (Ipomoea aquatica, leaves) and Skunkvine (Paederia foetida, leaves) were collected and subjected to microbiological analysis, and agar well diffusion and microdilution assays to check antimicrobial activity. The samples contained total viable bacteria and fungi up to 107 and 105 CFU/g, respectively. Staphylococcus spp., Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were recovered in all the samples. All the samples showed potential antibacterial activity against most of the tested bacteria, especially their ethanolic and methanolic extracts. Although, crude and hot water extracts almost had no effect on the bacterial growth. The MIC value of the samples was found in a range of 3 mg/mL to 12 mg/mL and the average MIC value was recorded to be 6 mg/mL. Overall, the findings of the present study justified the therapeutic potential of the tested green leafy vegetable samples.

Microsatellite Instability in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia using D17S261 and D3S643 markers: A Pilot Study in Gujarat Population

CONTEXT

Tumor progresses through a series of genetic alterations that involve proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes - the gatekeeper, caretakers, and landscaper genes. Microsatellites are short tandem repeat sequences, present over the span of human genome and are known to be variable at multiple loci due to errors in DNA Mismatch Repair machinery.

AIM

The present study was aimed to evaluate the association between Microsatellite Instability (MSI) and evolution of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) - genetically a rare event but profound in this pilot study.

SETTINGS AND DESIGNS

We explore the possibility of MSI in primary CML patients confirmed by t(9;22) using capillary electrophoresis. Fifteen CML patients and healthy individual samples, respectively, were used to study the markers D17S261 and D3S643.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The DNA was amplified using tagged and nontagged primers and further subjected to bioanalysis and fragment analysis.

RESULTS

While the results from bioanalyzer fluctuated, fragment analysis indicated the presence of microsatellite variability in 80% of the patients' samples as compared to no MSI in normal individuals for both the markers.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that MSI is a genetic event that may have a role in CML progression or evolution. Further studies are warranted to understand the plausible underlying causes.

Development and characterization of a helicon plasma source

The Helicon Plasma Source (HeliPS) designed and developed at the Centre of Plasma Physics-Institute for Plasma Research is a versatile helicon plasma device, which operates in a wide range of magnetic field configurations from 50 G to 500 G. This device is dedicated to perform a broad range of research activities. The main objective for development of the HeliPS is to carry out studies on ion-ion plasmas in electronegative gases. In the near future, ion-ion plasmas will be formed in electronegative gases in the downstream of the plasma production region. Although the system is primarily designed to carry out ion-ion plasma experiments, the same system can also be used for experimental studies on some basic helicon plasma properties such as wave propagation, wave coupling, and plasma instability. At present, argon plasma is produced with a RF power supply of 13.56 MHz frequency. External circuit parameters, such as antenna current, plasma resistance (R_p), and internal parameters, such as electron density and temperature, are measured. The details of the experimental setup development, device characteristic, as well as preliminary plasma production and characterization to confirm occurrence of the helicon plasma in the system are presented in this article.

A new approach of oral cancer detection using bilateral texture features in digital infrared thermal images

Oral cancer is one of the most prevalent form of cancer and its severity is aggrandized specially among the socio-economically backward population in developing countries. A major fraction of patient population is unable to avail diagnosis for oral cancer due to scarcity of state-of-the-art infrastructure and experienced oral and maxillofacial pathologist. Contemporary gold standard of oral cancer confirmation relies on biopsy report. But biopsy is invasive and thus patients are usually reluctant to undergo this test. Moreover, biopsy yields considerable false negatives if investigated tissue is not collected precisely from the carcinogenic location. Till date, there is dearth of computer aided pre-screening tool for detection of oral cancer. The paper presents Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging as a viable modality for early screening of oral cancer. This is the pioneering attempt to discriminate normal subjects from patients by leveraging discriminating texture features on oral thermograms. Statistically significant texture features were selected from a) both halves of frontal face and b) right and left profile faces. Due to disparity of distribution of facial temperature between normal subjects and patients, the corresponding texture features form discriminative class specific local clusters. Such local conglomeration was exploited using k-means and fuzzy k-means clustering. We adopt the concept of cluster prototype classifier which assigns label to each cluster according to majority class labels within that cluster. Highest classification accuracy of 86.12% is attained on fusion of features from left and right half of frontal face of precancerous subject followed by fuzzy k-means guided cluster prototype classification. The proposed work outperforms our previously developed pre-screening framework by upto 6.5%. Such promising results boosts the viability of our approach.

Investigation of levels in ambient air near sources of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Kanpur, India, and risk assessment due to inhalation

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of organic compounds listed as persistent organic pollutant and have been banned for use under Stockholm Convention (1972). They were used primarily in transformers and capacitors, paint, flame retardants, plasticizers, and lubricants. PCBs can be emitted through the primary and secondary sources into the atmosphere, undergo long-range atmospheric transport, and hence have been detected worldwide. Reported levels in ambient air are generally higher in urban areas. Active sampling of ambient air was conducted in Kanpur, a densely populated and industrialized city in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, for detection of 32 priority PCBs, with the aim to determine the concentration in gas/particle phase and assess exposure risk. More than 50 % of PCBs were detected in air. Occurrence in particles was dominated by heavier congeners, and levels in gas phase were below detection. Levels determined in this study are lower than the levels in Coastal areas of India but are at par with other Asian countries where majority of sites chosen for sampling were urban industrial areas. Human health risk estimates through air inhalation pathway were made in terms of lifetime average daily dose (LADD) and incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR). The study found lower concentrations of PCBs than guideline values and low health risk estimates through inhalation within acceptable levels, indicating a minimum risk to the adults due to exposure to PCBs present in ambient air in Kanpur.

Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of commercially elite rice restorer line using nptII gene as a plant selection marker

Transformation of commercially important indica cultivars remains challenging for the scientific community even though Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocols for a few indica rice lines have been well established. We report successful transformation of a commercially important restorer line JK1044R of indica rice hybrid JKRH 401. While following existing protocol, we optimized several parameters for callusing, regeneration and genetic transformation of JK1044R. Calli generated from the rice scutellum tissue were used for transformation by Agrobacterium harboring pCAMBIA2201. A novel two tire selection scheme comprising of Geneticin (G418) and Paramomycin were deployed for selection of transgenic calli as well as regenerated plantlets that expressed neomycin phosphotransferase-II gene encoded by the vector. One specific combination of G418 (30 mg l(-1)) and Paramomycin (70 mg l(-1)) was very effective for calli selection. Transformed and selected calli were detected by monitoring the expression of the reporter gene uidA (GUS). Regenerated plantlets were confirmed through PCR analysis of nptII and gus genes specific primers as well as dot blot using gus gene specific as probe.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Hibiscus subdariffa leaf extract: effect of temperature on synthesis, anti-bacterial activity and anti-diabetic activity

Particle size dependent anti-bacterial and anti-diabetic activities of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles.

Influence of boron addition to Ti-13Zr-13Nb alloy on MG63 osteoblast cell viability and protein adsorption

Cell proliferation, cell morphology and protein adsorption on near β-type Ti-13Zr-13Nb (TZN) alloy and Ti-13Zr-13Nb-0.5B (TZNB) composite have been investigated and compared to evaluate the effect of boron addition which has been added to the Ti alloy to improve their poor tribological properties by forming in situ TiB precipitates. MG63 cell proliferation on substrates with different chemistry but the same topography was compared. The MTT assay test showed that the cell viability on the TZN alloy was higher than the boron containing TZNB composite after 36 h of incubation and the difference was pronounced after 7 days. However, both the materials showed substantially higher cell attachment than the control (polystyrene). For the same period of incubation in fetal bovine serum (FBS), the amount of protein adsorbed on the surface of boron free TZN samples was higher than that in the case of boron containing TZNB composite. The presence of boron in the TZN alloy influenced protein adsorption and cell response and they are lower in TZNB than in TZN as a result of the associated difference in chemical characteristics.

Congenital hypothyroidism presenting as pseudo-obstruction in preterm infants

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) presenting as acute pseudo-obstruction is uncommon. We report two premature infants presenting with acute bowel obstruction subsequently diagnosed to have CH. Both responded well to medical management with thyroid supplementation.

Bandgap engineering through nanocrystalline magnetic alloy grafting on reduced graphene oxide

Grafting of nanocrystalline Co₈₀Ni₂₀on reduced graphene oxide causes a significantly large moment (1.2μ_B), ∼10 times localization of conductivity and significant magnetoconductance of hybrid-materials, which is promising toward spintronic applications.

Corrosion behaviour of heat treated boron free and boron containing Ti-13Zr-13Nb (wt%) alloy in simulated body fluid

The corrosion behaviour of heat treated Ti-13Zr-13Nb (TZN) and Ti-13Zr-13Nb-0.5B (TZNB) alloys in Hank's solution has been investigated. The microstructure of the heat treated TZN alloy consisted of α, β or martensite. Addition of boron to TZN alloy led to the formation of dispersed TiB particles and modification of microstructure. In general, the furnace cooled TZN sample showed lower corrosion potential (E(corr)) than the air cooled sample. Aging of water quenched samples decreased the E(corr) value. The passive current density of TZN samples varied within a narrow range. Presence of boron in TZN alloy decreased the corrosion potential and substantially increased the passive current density. Results showed that boron deteriorated the corrosion resistance of TZN alloy.

Alterations in the proteome of the NHERF2 knockout mouse jejunal brush border membrane vesicles

To identify additional potential functions for the multi-PDZ domain containing protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor 2 (NHERF2), which is present in the apical domain of intestinal epithelial cells, proteomic studies of mouse jejunal villus epithelial cell brush border membrane vesicles compared wild-type to homozygous NHERF2 knockout FVB mice by a two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-iTRAQ approach. Jejunal architecture appeared normal in NHERF2 null in terms of villus length and crypt depth, Paneth cell number, and microvillus structure by electron microscopy. There was also no change in proliferative activity based on BrdU labeling. Four brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) preparations from wild-type mouse jejunum were compared with four preparations from NHERF2 knockout mice. LC-MS/MS identified 450 proteins in both matched wild-type and NHERF2 null BBMV; 13 proteins were changed in two or more separate BBMV preparations (9 increased and 4 decreased in NHERF2 null mice), while an additional 92 proteins were changed in a single BBMV preparation (68 increased and 24 decreased in NHERF2 null mice). These proteins were categorized as 1) transport proteins (one increased and two decreased in NHERF2 null); 2) signaling molecules (2 increased in NHERF2 null); 3) cytoskeleton/junctional proteins (4 upregulated and 1 downregulated in NHERF2 null); and 4) metabolic proteins/intrinsic BB proteins) (2 upregulated and 1 downregulated in NHERF2 null). Immunoblotting of BBMV was used to validate or extend the findings, demonstrating increase in BBMV of NHERF2 null of MCT1, coronin 3, and ezrin. The proteome of the NHERF2 null mouse small intestinal BB demonstrates up- and downregulation of multiple transport proteins, signaling molecules, cytoskeletal proteins, tight junctional and adherens junction proteins, and proteins involved in metabolism, suggesting involvement of NHERF2 in multiple apical regulatory processes and interactions with luminal contents.

Role of pulmonary infection in the development of chronic lung disease of prematurity

We studied the role of ante- and post-natal infection in the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) of prematurity. 192 newborn infants (61 term and 131 pre-term of <34 weeks gestation: 88 with respiratory distress syndrome, 35 developed CLD and eight died) were recruited. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes were identified by PCR of DNA isolated from 840 gastric and lung fluid samples. Ureaplasma spp. were also cultured. Presence of 16S rRNA genes (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2) and Ureaplasma spp. (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.7-7.7) was significantly associated with the development of CLD. This association remained if the 16S rRNA genes and Ureaplasma spp. were first identified within the first 3 days of life (OR 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-4.1) and 3.8 (95% CI 1.4-10.0), respectively) or if first identified after 3 days of age (OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.8) and OR 5.1 (95% CI 1.3-19.8), respectively). Peak lung fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were significantly associated with presence of microbes (p<0.0001 and p=0.0001, respectively) and development of CLD (p=0.003 and 0.001, respectively). Both early and late microbial presence in neonatal lung fluid samples was significantly associated with the development of CLD suggesting that both ante- and post-natal infection play a role in the development of CLD.

Alterations in the proteome of the NHERF1 knockout mouse jejunal brush border membrane vesicles

Na/H exchanger regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) is a scaffold protein made up of two PDZ domains and an ERM binding domain. It is in the brush border of multiple epithelial cells where it modulates 1) Na absorption by regulating NHE3 complexes and cytoskeletal association, 2) Cl secretion through trafficking of CFTR, and 3) Na-coupled phosphate absorption through membrane retention of NaPi2a. To further understand the role of NHERF1 in regulation of small intestinal Na absorptive cell function, with emphasis on apical membrane transport regulation, quantitative proteomic analysis was performed on brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) prepared from wild-type (WT) and homozygous NHERF1 knockout mouse jejunal villus Na absorptive cells. Jejunal architecture appeared normal in NHERF1 null; however, there was increased proliferative activity, as indicated by increased crypt BrdU staining. LC-MS/MS analysis using iTRAQ to compare WT and NHERF1 null BBMV identified 463 proteins present in both WT and NHERF1 null BBMV of simultaneously prepared and studied samples. Seventeen proteins had an altered amount of expression between WT and NHERF1 null in two or more separate preparations, and 149 total proteins were altered in at least one BBMV preparation. The classes of the majority of proteins altered included transport proteins, signaling and trafficking proteins, and proteins involved in proliferation and cell division. Affected proteins also included tight junction and adherens junction proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, as well as metabolic and BB digestive enzymes. Changes in abundance of several proteins were confirmed by immunoblotting [increased CEACAM1, decreased ezrin (p-ezrin), NHERF3, PLCβ3, E-cadherin, p120, β-catenin]. The changes in the jejunal BBMV proteome of NHERF1 null mice are consistent with a more complex role of NHERF1 than just forming signaling complexes and anchoring proteins to the apical membrane and include at least alterations in proteins involved in transport, signaling, and proliferation.