Deciphering miRNA-lncRNA-mRNA interaction through experimental validation of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and miRNA targets on mRNAs in Cajanus cajan

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is widely cultivated for its nutritional and medicinal value yet remains an orphan crop as productivity has not been improved because of a lack of genome and non-coding genome information. Non-coding RNAs, like miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are involved in regulation of growth, metabolism, development, and stress response, and have a critical role in post-transcriptional gene regulation (PTGR). We attempted to elucidate the roles of miRNAs and lncRNAs in pigeon pea through experimental validation of computationally predicted miRNAs and lncRNAs and targets of miRNAs on mRNAs. We experimentally validated 20 miRNAs and 11 lncRNAs. We predicted cleavage sites of three miRNA targets: serine/threonine-protein kinase, polygalacturonase, beta-galactosidase. We identified 469 targets of 265 miRNAs and their functional annotations using computational methods. We built a miRNA-mRNA-lncRNA network model, with the miRNAs targeting both mRNAs and lncRNAs, to obtain information on the interplay of these three molecules. A confirmed interaction through experimental validation was established between miRNA, namely cca-miR1535a targeting the mRNA for beta-galactosidase, as well as the lncRNA cca-lnc-020033. Our findings increase knowledge of the non-coding genome of pigeon pea and their roles in PTGR and in improving agronomic traits of this pulse crop.

Tests of Light-Lepton Universality in Angular Asymmetries of B^{0}→D^{*-}ℓν Decays

We present the first comprehensive tests of the universality of the light leptons in the angular distributions of semileptonic B^{0}-meson decays to charged spin-1 charmed mesons. We measure five angular-asymmetry observables as functions of the decay recoil that are sensitive to lepton-universality-violating contributions. We use events where one neutral B is fully reconstructed in ϒ(4S)→BB[over ¯] decays in data corresponding to 189  fb^{-1} integrated luminosity from electron-positron collisions collected with the Belle II detector. We find no significant deviation from the standard model expectations.

Field-Based Planetary Protection Operations for Melt Probes: Validation of Clean Access into the Blood Falls, Antarctica, Englacial Ecosystem

Subglacial environments on Earth offer important analogs to Ocean World targets in our solar system. These unique microbial ecosystems remain understudied due to the challenges of access through thick glacial ice (tens to hundreds of meters). Additionally, sub-ice collections must be conducted in a clean manner to ensure sample integrity for downstream microbiological and geochemical analyses. We describe the field-based cleaning of a melt probe that was used to collect brine samples from within a glacier conduit at Blood Falls, Antarctica, for geomicrobiological studies. We used a thermoelectric melting probe called the IceMole that was designed to be minimally invasive in that the logistical requirements in support of drilling operations were small and the probe could be cleaned, even in a remote field setting, so as to minimize potential contamination. In our study, the exterior bioburden on the IceMole was reduced to levels measured in most clean rooms, and below that of the ice surrounding our sampling target. Potential microbial contaminants were identified during the cleaning process; however, very few were detected in the final englacial sample collected with the IceMole and were present in extremely low abundances (∼0.063% of 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences). This cleaning protocol can help minimize contamination when working in remote field locations, support microbiological sampling of terrestrial subglacial environments using melting probes, and help inform planetary protection challenges for Ocean World analog mission concepts.

Differential Response to Mechanical Cues in Uterine Fibroid Versus Paired Myometrial Cells

Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are common, benign tumors for which hysterectomy is the only definitive treatment. The extracellular matrix of fibroids is disorganized and stiffer than the surrounding myometrial tissue. To understand how stiffness affects fibroid cells, patient-matched fibroid and myometrial cells were cultured on substrates with stiffnesses varying from 0.2 to 150 kPa. Fibroid cells grew more slowly than myometrial cells overall, and only the myometrial cells altered their growth rate in response to stiffness. In both cell types, cell proliferation decreased with inhibition of PI3K and increased with inhibition of IGF-1. The cellular area was greater for the fibroid cells. The only significant effect of stiffness on the cell area was between the 0.2 and 64 kPa substrates, and this was true for both cell types. To investigate intracellular stiffness, intracellular particle tracking microrheology was used. Fibroid cells exhibited a more than 100-fold increase in elastic modulus at a frequency of 1 Hz in response to the addition of external stress, while myometrial cells showed little change in elastic modulus. Overall, the responses of both cells followed similar trends in response to stiffness and inhibitors, although the response was attenuated in the fibroid cells. The changes that were demonstrated by the change in intracellular stiffness with response to compression suggest that other mechanical forces may provide insight into differences in the two cell types.

Precise Measurement of the D_{s}^{+} Lifetime at Belle II

We measure the lifetime of the D_{s}^{+} meson using a data sample of 207  fb^{-1} collected by the Belle II experiment running at the SuperKEKB asymmetric-energy e^{+}e^{-} collider. The lifetime is determined by fitting the decay-time distribution of a sample of 116×10^{3} D_{s}^{+}→ϕπ^{+} decays. Our result is τ_{D_{s}^{+}}=(499.5±1.7±0.9)  fs, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is significantly more precise than previous measurements.

Search for a τ^{+}τ^{-} Resonance in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} Events with the Belle II Experiment

We report the first search for a nonstandard-model resonance decaying into τ pairs in e^{+}e^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}τ^{+}τ^{-} events in the 3.6-10  GeV/c^{2} mass range. We use a 62.8  fb^{-1} sample of e^{+}e^{-} collisions collected at a center-of-mass energy of 10.58 GeV by the Belle II experiment at the SuperKEKB collider. The analysis probes three different models predicting a spin-1 particle coupling only to the heavier lepton families, a Higgs-like spin-0 particle that couples preferentially to charged leptons (leptophilic scalar), and an axionlike particle, respectively. We observe no evidence for a signal and set exclusion limits at 90% confidence level on the product of cross section and branching fraction into τ pairs, ranging from 0.7 to 24 fb, and on the couplings of these processes. We obtain world-leading constraints on the couplings for the leptophilic scalar model for masses above 6.5  GeV/c^{2} and for the axionlike particle model over the entire mass range.

Measurement of CP Violation in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} Decays at Belle II

We report a measurement of the CP-violating parameters C and S in B^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{0} decays at Belle II using a sample of 387×10^{6}  BB[over ¯] events recorded in e^{+}e^{-} collisions at a center-of-mass energy corresponding to the ϒ(4S) resonance. These parameters are determined by fitting the proper decay-time distribution of a sample of 415 signal events. We obtain C=-0.04_{-0.15}^{+0.14}±0.05 and S=0.75_{-0.23}^{+0.20}±0.04, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Role of animal models in biomedical research: a review

The animal model deals with the species other than the human, as it can imitate the disease progression, its’ diagnosis as well as a treatment similar to human. Discovery of a drug and/or component, equipment, their toxicological studies, dose, side effects are in vivo studied for future use in humans considering its’ ethical issues. Here lies the importance of the animal model for its enormous use in biomedical research. Animal models have many facets that mimic various disease conditions in humans like systemic autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular diseases, Atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc., and many more. Besides, the model has tremendous importance in drug development, development of medical devices, tissue engineering, wound healing, and bone and cartilage regeneration studies, as a model in vascular surgeries as well as the model for vertebral disc regeneration surgery. Though, all the models have some advantages as well as challenges, but, present review has emphasized the importance of various small and large animal models in pharmaceutical drug development, transgenic animal models, models for medical device developments, studies for various human diseases, bone and cartilage regeneration model, diabetic and burn wound model as well as surgical models like vascular surgeries and surgeries for intervertebral disc degeneration considering all the ethical issues of that specific animal model. Despite, the process of using the animal model has facilitated researchers to carry out the researches that would have been impossible to accomplish in human considering the ethical prohibitions.

Mathematical Analysis of a COVID-19 Epidemic Model by Using Data Driven Epidemiological Parameters of Diseases Spread in India

This paper attempts to describe the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) via an epidemic model. This virus has dissimilar effects in different countries. The number of new active coronavirus cases is increasing gradually across the globe. India is now in the second stage of COVID-19 spreading, it will be an epidemic very quickly if proper protection is not undertaken based on the database of the transmission of the disease. This paper is using the current data of COVID-19 for the mathematical modeling and its dynamical analysis. We bring in a new representation to appraise and manage the outbreak of infectious disease COVID-19 through SEQIR pandemic model, which is based on the supposition that the infected but undetected by testing individuals are send to quarantine during the incubation period. During the incubation period if any individual be infected by COVID-19, then that confirmed infected individuals are isolated and the necessary treatments are arranged so that they cannot taint the other residents in the community. Dynamics of the SEQIR model is presented by basic reproduction number R ₀ and the comprehensive stability analysis. Numerical results are depicted through apt graphical appearances using the data of five states and India.

Mathematical Analysis of a COVID-19 Epidemic Model by Using Data Driven Epidemiological Parameters of Diseases Spread in India

This paper attempts to describe the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) via an epidemic model. This virus has dissimilar effects in different countries. The number of new active coronavirus cases is increasing gradually across the globe. India is now in the second stage of COVID-19 spreading, it will be an epidemic very quickly if proper protection is not undertaken based on the database of the transmission of the disease. This paper is using the current data of COVID-19 for the mathematical modeling and its dynamical analysis. We bring in a new representation to appraise and manage the outbreak of infectious disease COVID-19 through SEQIR pandemic model, which is based on the supposition that the infected but undetected by testing individuals are send to quarantine during the incubation period. During the incubation period if any individual be infected by COVID-19, then that confirmed infected individuals are isolated and the necessary treatments are arranged so that they cannot taint the other residents in the community. Dynamics of the SEQIR model is presented by basic reproduction number R 0 and the comprehensive stability analysis. Numerical results are depicted through apt graphical appearances using the data of five states and India.

Optimal control design incorporating vaccination and treatment on six compartment pandemic dynamical system

In this paper, a mathematical model of the COVID-19 pandemic with lockdown that provides a more accurate representation of the infection rate has been analyzed. In this model, the total population is divided into six compartments: the susceptible class, lockdown class, exposed class, asymptomatic infected class, symptomatic infected class, and recovered class. The basic reproduction number (R0) is calculated using the next-generation matrix method and presented graphically based on different progression rates and effective contact rates of infective individuals. The COVID-19 epidemic model exhibits the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium. The local and global stability analysis has been done at the disease-free and endemic equilibrium based on R0. The stability analysis of the model shows that the disease-free equilibrium is both locally and globally stable when R0<1, and the endemic equilibrium is locally and globally stable when R0>1 under some conditions. A control strategy including vaccination and treatment has been studied on this pandemic model with an objective functional to minimize. Finally, numerical simulation of the COVID-19 outbreak in India is carried out using MATLAB, highlighting the usefulness of the COVID-19 pandemic model and its mathematical analysis.

AB0399 COMPARISON OF RITUXIMAB VERSUS LEFLUNOMIDE IN COMBINATION WITH METHOTREXATE IN PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS DESPITE METHOTREXATE TREATMENT- AN OPEN LABEL, RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Background

Active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) despite methotrexate monotherapy is seen in about 43% of patients1. The current American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines recommend adding a biologic or targeted synthetic Disease Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drug (DMARD) to methotrexate (MTX) therapy in such cases. The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) guidelines recommend combination DMARDs but the most commonly used combination is that of MTX with sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. In a resource limited country like ours, it is not always possible to give a biological or a targeted synthetic DMARD, and a more cost effective method needs to be implemented. Often, leflunomide (LEF) is added in such cases and is effective.

Objectives

We aimed to study if LEF with MTX combination is non inferior to rituximab (RTX) and MTX combination in patients with active RA despite MTX.

Methods

This open label, randomised controlled trial, carried out on patients with moderate to high disease activity despite MTX therapy for atleast 3 months (Clinical Trials Registry- India - REF/2021/04/042755) was conducted in a tertiary care centre in India. Patients were randomised to receive either LEF (10-20mg/day) or RTX (2 doses of 1gm, 2 weeks apart) along with background MTX (10-25mg/week) and followed up at 12, 18 and 24 weeks. The primary outcome ACR20 response at 24 weeks and secondary outcomes were ACR50 and 70 responses at 24 weeks.

Results

There were 21 patients in each arm. At baseline, all patients in both groups had seropositive RA and had high disease activity according to Disease Activity Score (DAS)28 scores. The ACR20 response at 24 weeks was achieved by 14 (66.6%) and 16 (76.19%) patients respectively in the LEF and RTX arms. The ACR50 response was achieved by 11 (52.38%) patients in both groups and ACR70 response by 4 (19%) and 7 (33.3%) in the LEF and RTX arms respectively (Figure 1). The mean dose of LEF at week 24 was 17.6 mg/day. Improvement of various parameters at week 24 as compared to the baseline values were similar in both groups (Table 1). No major adverse events were noted. Two patients receiving RTX had a mild infusion reaction. Elevation in liver enzymes (<3 times the upper limit of normal) were noted in 4 patients in the LEF arm which normalised subsequently. No patient required drug withdrawal.

Table 1.

Responses in both groups at week 24 (p= Not significant for all)

Leflunomide, n=21Rituximab, n=21Mean ±SD reduction in SJC-4.57 ± 3.4-5.43 ± 4.6Mean ±SD reduction in TJC-6.2 ± 3.9-7.1 ± 6.1Mean ±SD reduction in PhGA-3.42 ± 1.8-4.04 ± 2.5Mean ±SD reduction in PGA-3.05 ± 1.8-3.42 ± 2.4Mean ±SD reduction in pain VAS-33.57 ± 23.2-38.57 ± 24.4Mean ±SD reduction in DAS28-ESR-1.95 ± 1.2-2.08 ± 1.4Mean ±SD reduction in DAS28-CRP-1.81 ± 1.2-2.07 ± 1.4Mean ±SD reduction in HAQ-DI-0.65 ± 0.5-0.82 ± 0.6EULAR good response (%)1 (4.76%)1 (4.76%)EULAR moderate response (%)15 (71.43%)14 (66.6%)EULAR non-responders (%)5 (23.81%)6 (28.57%)

CRP, C- Reactive Protein; DAS, Disease Activity Score; ESR, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; HAQ-DI, Healthy Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index; PGA, Patient’s global assessment of disease activity; PhGA, Physician’s global assessment of disease activity; SJC, Swollen Joint Count; TJC, Tender Joint Count; VAS, Visual analogue scale.

Figure 1.

Number of patients achieving ACR20, 50 and 70 responses at week 24

Conclusion

In our study, LEF was comparable to RTX for achievement of ACR20/50/70 responses at 24 weeks. LEF can be considered as an add-on option to MTX instead of more expensive biologic agents in MTX refractory RA. Larger studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

References

[1]Sergeant JC, Hyrich KL, Anderson J, et al. Prediction of primary non-response to methotrexate therapy using demographic, clinical and psychosocial variables: results from the UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Study (RAMS). Arthritis Res Ther. 2018;20(1):147. Published 2018 Jul 13.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

A discrete-time epidemic model for the analysis of transmission of COVID19 based upon data of epidemiological parameters

The forecasting of the nature and dynamics of emerging coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has gained a great concern for health care organizations and governments. The efforts aim to to suppress the rapid and global spread of its tentacles and also control the infection with the limited available resources. The aim of this work is to employ real data set to propose and analyze a compartmental discrete time COVID-19 pandemic model with non-linear incidence and hence predict and control its outbreak through dynamical research. The Basic Reproduction Number ( R 0 ) is calculated analytically to study the disease-free steady state ( R 0 < 1 ), and also the permanency case ( R 0 > 1 ) of the disease. Numerical results show that the transmission rates α > 0 and β > 0 are quite effective in reducing the COVID-19 infections in India or any country. The fitting and predictive capability of the proposed discrete-time system are presented for relishing the effect of disease through stability analysis using real data sets.

Surgical Outcome of CSF Drainage in Paediatric Obstructive Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus (HCP) is occurred when there is inequality in the formation and absorption of CSF to such a level which causes accumulation of fluid and causing raised intracranial pressure. Hydrocephalus is the most frequent neurosurgical problem encountered in the paediatric age group. CSF diversion surgically is needed as treatment for certain condition. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) and Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) are most widely used CSF diversion procedure. Therefore, this study was conducted for comparing the surgical outcome of ETV and VP shunt in obstructive hydrocephalus. This is a prospective experimental study conducted in the Department of Neurosurgery, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2017 to December 2019. Paediatric patients of both sex and 6 months to 18 years of age with obstructive hydrocephalus undergone endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VP shunt) were included after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients divided into two groups (Group A and Group B). The Group A included 30 patients who treated by Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and the Group B include 30 patients, who was treated by Ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Surgical outcome was analyzed in two procedures separately. In Group A (ETV group) symptomatic improvement, GCS score improves earlier and post-operative complications relatively less than Group B (VP shunt group). But in VP shunt group 3 months follow up reveals- improvement of papilledema, Occipital frontal circumference (OFC) regression and fontanelle size improvement was more than that of ETV group. This study concluded with suggesting that Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is technologically superior surgical technique than VP shunt. Though ETV showed relatively more immediate procedural failure and intraventricular hemorrhage but long-term outcome is better and also associated with lower incidence of infection and re-operation in comparison to VP shunt.

Micro-CT imaging of Onchocerca infection of Simulium damnosum s.l. blackflies and comparison of the peritrophic membrane thickness of forest and savannah flies

Onchocerciasis is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Onchocerca Diesing 1841 (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) nematodes transmitted by blackflies. It is associated with poverty and imposes a significant health, welfare and economic burden on many tropical countries. Current methods to visualize infections within the vectors rely on invasive methods. However, using micro-computed tomography techniques, without interference from physical tissue manipulation, we visualized in three dimensions for the first time an L1 larva of an Onchocerca species within the thoracic musculature of a blackfly, Simulium damnosum s.l. Theobald 1903 (Diptera: Simuliidae), naturally infected in Ghana. The possibility that thicker peritrophic membranes in savannah flies could account for their lower parasite loads was not supported, but there were limits to our analysis. While there were no statistically significant differences between the mean thicknesses of the peritrophic membranes, in the anterior, dorsal and ventral regions, of forest and savannah blackflies killed 34-48 min after a blood-meal, the thickness of the peritrophic membrane in the posterior region could not be measured. Micro-computed tomography has the potential to provide novel information on many other parasite/vector systems and impactful images for public engagement in health education.

Studies on the changes of biochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters of sauerkraut and fermented mix vegetables

Fermentation is one of the safest and most economical means of producing foods acceptable to human beings. It improves the nutritional quality of foods by increasing the bioavailability and thus, renders the food safe palatable and easily acceptable to mankind. The present study showed the effects of fermentation on the nutritional quality and safety of fermented foods with respect to nutrient composition and digestibility measures. Sauerkraut and fermented mixed vegetable were selected for study and the effects of fermentation on nutrient were observed. Digestibility, shelf-life and biochemical aspects were also studied. Level of all principle nutrients was significantly increased. In course of fermentation, total sugar and reducing sugar in the brine increased slowly to 3% and 2%, respectively up to 8th day and then decreased in sauerkraut fermentation. The maximum total acidity (1.98-2.22%) was observed on 15th day in fermented mixed vegetables. The pH of the shredded cabbage was 6.9 and decreased to around 4 after 15 days and then remained constant.

Risk Categorization with Different Grades of Cervical Pre-Neoplastic Lesions - High Risk HPV Associations and Expression of p53 and RARβ

Objective:

To identify high risk HPV associations by evaluating linked p16 overexpression and also the expression of p53 and RARβ together with histopathology for risk categorization of cervical pre-neoplastic lesions.

Materials and Methods:

Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 100 cases of cervical pre- neoplastic lesions for expression of biomarkers like p16, p53 and RARβ for comparison with haematoxylin/eosin (HE) findings. All the experimentally generated data were statistically analyzed.

Results:

In this study 70% cases showed overexpression of p16INK4A increasing progressively from CIN I to CIN II but reduced in CIN III (p <0.01). p53 oncoprotein expression was seen in 51% cases, again with increments from CIN I to CIN II with slight reduction in CIN III (p<0.01). Some 24% cases showed negative immunoreactivity for the putative tumor suppressor gene RARβ (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Our study provides support for the idea that p16 can be used to identify associations with HPV , as well as having potential along with p53 and RARβ for categorizing cervical pre-neoplastic cases having a higher risk of neoplastic conversion. Thus it may be concluded that accurate risk categorization can be achieved with the help of genetic markers as well as histopathology.

Systematic review of methodologies used to assess mastectomy flap viability

BACKGROUND

Accurate prediction of mastectomy skin flap viability is vital as necrosis causes significant morbidity, potentially compromising results and delaying oncological management. Traditionally assessed by clinical judgement, a more objective evaluation can be provided using intraoperative imaging modalities. This systematic review aimed to compare all intraoperative techniques for assessment of mastectomy flap viability.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE and Embase databases. Primary outcomes reported included specificity, sensitivity and predictive values of each test, and mean rates of mastectomy flap necrosis and reoperation. Secondary outcomes included cost analysis.

RESULTS

Some 18 studies were included. Designs were prospective cohort study (8), retrospective case series (4), prospective case series (3), retrospective case-control study (1), prospective pilot trial (1) and cost analysis study (1). The studies compared indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) (16 studies) and fluorescein dye angiography (FA) (3 studies) with clinical judgement. Sensitivity and specificity were highest for ICGA (5 studies) ranging from 38 to 100 and 68 to 91 per cent respectively. Both methods overpredicted necrosis. Mean rates of flap necrosis and reoperation decreased with ICGA (7·9 and 5·5 per cent respectively) and FA (3 and 0 per cent) compared with clinical judgement (19·4 and 12·9 per cent). Two studies were designed to define numerical parameters corresponding to perfusion using intraoperative techniques. Two studies performed a cost analysis for ICGA; one claimed a cost benefit and the other advocated its use in high-risk patients only.

CONCLUSION

ICGA and FA are potentially useful tools for mastectomy flap assessment. However, the predictive accuracy is subject to the specific settings and model of equipment used. Current recommendations support their use in high-risk patients.

The utility of monitoring trimellitic anhydride (TMA)-specific IgG to predict IgE-mediated sensitization in an immunosurveillance program

BACKGROUND

Workplace exposure to trimellitic anhydride (TMA) can elicit TMA-specific IgE (sIgE), which may lead to occupational asthma (OA). An occupational immunosurveillance program (OISP) has been implemented to monitor TMA exposure and immunologic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether TMA-specific IgG (sIgG) responses can discriminate between TMA-exposed workers with and without sIgE responses.

METHODS

Serum TMA-specific antibody (IgG, IgG4, and IgE) levels were estimated longitudinally (years 2006 to 2014) in TMA-exposed workers recruited in low, medium, and high exposure areas. sIgG and sIgE titers plotted against exposure duration were compared between workers with (a) sIgG only and (b) with sIgG who developed sIgE.

RESULTS

Among 92 TMA-exposed workers continuously monitored for sIgG and sIgE, 38 developed sIgG; 11 developed a sIgE response 342.38 ± 186.03 days posthire and were removed from exposure. The average detection time of sIgG in removed workers (159 ± 92 days) was significantly shorter than for actively exposed workers with only sIgG (346 ± 187 days). Workers with earlier sIgG responses of higher titer (mean value 42.25 μg/mL) compared to delayed responders with lower sIgG titers (mean value 14.79 μg/mL) more frequently developed sIgE responses. Hierarchical clustering showed the initial magnitude and exposure time required for detectable sIgG production discriminated between workers with only sIgG from workers who subsequently produced sIgE.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the utility of longitudinally monitoring TMA-specific antibodies in an OISP as exposed workers with early sIgG responses and of higher magnitude are more likely to develop TMA sIgE sensitization.

Antibacterial activity of polyphenolic fraction of Kombucha against Vibrio cholerae: targeting cell membrane

The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism of antibacterial activity of a polyphenolic fraction, composed of mainly catechin and isorhamnetin, previously isolated from Kombucha, a 14-day fermented beverage of sugared black tea, against the enteropathogen Vibrio cholerae N16961. Bacterial growth was found to be seriously impaired by the polyphenolic fraction in a dose-dependent manner. Scanning Electron Microscopy demonstrated morphological alterations in bacterial cells when exposed to the polyphenolic fraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Permeabilization assays confirmed that the fraction disrupted bacterial membrane integrity in both time- and dose-dependent manners, which were proportional to the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, each of the polyphenols catechin and isorhamnetin showed the ability to permeate bacterial cell membranes by generating oxidative stress, thereby suggesting their role in the antibacterial potential of Kombucha. Thus, the basic mechanism of antibacterial activity of the Kombucha polyphenolic fraction against V. cholerae involved bacterial membrane permeabilization and morphological changes, which might be due to the generation of intracellular ROS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the investigation of antibacterial mechanism of Kombucha, which is mostly attributed to its polyphenolic content.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The emergence of multidrug-resistant Vibrio cholerae strains has hindered an efficient anti-Vibrio therapy. This study has demonstrated the membrane damage-mediated antibacterial mechanism of Kombucha, a popular fermented beverage of sugared tea, which is mostly attributed to its polyphenolic content. This study also implies the exploitation of Kombucha as a potential new source of bioactive polyphenols against V. cholerae.

Mass cytometry identifies a distinct monocyte cytokine signature shared by clinically heterogeneous pediatric SLE patients

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with heightened disease severity in children. The incomplete understanding of the precise cellular and molecular events that drive disease activity pose a significant hurdle to the development of targeted therapeutic agents. Here, we performed single-cell phenotypic and functional characterization of pediatric SLE patients and healthy controls blood via mass cytometry. We identified a distinct CD14hi monocyte cytokine signature, with increased levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (Mip1β), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). This signature was shared by every clinically heterogeneous patient, and reproduced in healthy donors' blood upon ex-vivo exposure to plasma from clinically active patients only. This SLE-plasma induced signature was abrogated by JAK1/JAK2 selective inhibition. This study demonstrates the utility of mass cytometry to evaluate immune dysregulation in pediatric autoimmunity, by identification of a multi-parametric immune signature that can be further dissected to delineate the events that drive disease pathogenesis.

Long-term effects of fertilizer and manure application on soil quality and sustainability of jute-rice-wheat production system in Indo-Gangetic plain

A long-term fertilizer experiment was initiated in 1971 in sandy loam soil (Eutrochrept) of Barrackpore, West Bengal to study the effects of applying organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield of jute-rice-wheat system and soil health. The unfertilized soil supported yields of 0.8 t ha-1 of jute fibre, 1.5 t ha-1 of rice grain and 0.7 t ha-1 of wheat grain (average yield of 42 years). Application of 150% recommended NPK through chemical fertilizers produced maximum yields of jute (2.1 t ha-1), rice (3.8 t ha-1) and wheat (2.8 t ha-1). The yields obtained with 150% NPK fertilizers were 5%, 2.7% and 12% higher than that with 100% NPK fertilizers +FYM. Combined application of 100% NPK fertilizers and FYM, however, increased soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium from 5.60 to 8.90 g kg-1, 270 to 316 kg ha-1, 40.7 to 120 kg ha-1 and 139 to 236 kg ha-1 respectively. Maximum DTPA-extractable micronutrients in soil were also observed with 100%NPK fertilizers+FYM. Applying FYM together with NPK fertilizers increased microbial biomass from 221 to 435 mg kg-1 and microbial quotient from 3.95 to 4.89 with concomitant increase in dehydrogenase, phosphatase and fluorescein-diacetate-hydrolyzing activities in the soil. The acid phosphatase activity (139 to 275 μg PNPg-1 h-1) was much lower than alkaline phosphatase activity  (479 to 616 μg PNPg-1 h-1). The enzymes assayed showed significant correlation with microbial-C and organic C. Beneficial effects of integrated nutrient management (NPK+FYM) on soil health were reflected on the yields of all the crops.

Attenuation of the cyproterone acetate-induced testicular hypofunction by a novel nutraceutical lycopene: a genomic approach

This study was designed to explore the cyproterone acetate (CPA)-induced andrological hypofunction and its correction by oral administration of lycopene. In this concern, spermatogenic, biochemical, histological and genomic profiles were studied. Cyproterone acetate administration for 1 month helped to develop infertile model rats. A significant recovery was noted in sperm motility, sperm count, sperm viability, hypo-osmotic swelling tail-coiled spermatozoa; activities of testicular ∆⁵ , 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), 17β-HSD, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); and levels of conjugated diene (CD), malondialdehyde (MDA), testicular cholesterol and serum testosterone after the administration of lycopene at 1.5 mg/0.5 ml Tween-80/100 g body weight/day for last 1 month to infertile model rats. Simultaneously, qRT-PCR study of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, ∆⁵ , 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD genes in testicular tissue showed a significant rectification towards the control in CPA-pre-treated cum CPA-lycopene-cotreated rats. Side-by-side histological and histometric studies showed a significant correction in qualitative analysis of spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) in CPA-pre-treated cum CPA-lycopene-cotreated rats. Lycopene showed outstanding efficacy in the management of CPA-induced testicular hypofunction with special reference to correction in oxidative stress-induced testicular apoptosis at genomic level.

Calcium Channels in Vascular Smooth Muscle

Calcium (Ca²⁺) plays a central role in excitation, contraction, transcription, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMs). Precise regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) is crucial for proper physiological VSM function. Studies over the last several decades have revealed that VSMs express a variety of Ca²⁺-permeable channels that orchestrate a dynamic, yet finely tuned regulation of [Ca²⁺]_i. In this review, we discuss the major Ca²⁺-permeable channels expressed in VSM and their contribution to vascular physiology and pathology.

Study on the safety and efficacy of miltefosine for the treatment of children and adolescents with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Bangladesh, and an association of serum vitamin E and exposure to arsenic with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: an open clinical trial and case-control study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatological complication that occurs primarily among treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients, and sporadically in a few without a history of VL. It mostly affects children and adolescents but is also common in adults. The conventional treatment with 120 intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is phasing out. Miltefosine (MF) is the only eventual alternative to SSG; however, its efficacy and safety profiles for treatment of children and adolescents with PKDL are lacking. In addition, risk factors for PKDL are poorly investigated. Host genetic, nutritional and environmental factors could be potential risk factors. As such, here we propose to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MF for 12 weeks at an allometric dose for children and adolescents with PKDL, and also to explore potential risk factors for PKDL.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A cross-sectional survey will look for suspected participants with PKDL among treated VL children and adolescents, a subsequent open clinical trial with MF at allometric dose, with a follow-up at 12 months. A case-control study will be carried out for PKDL risk factors. Assuming 95% cure rate, 95% CI and α=0.05, a sample size of 73 children with PKDL is needed. Considering an attrition rate of 10%, the final sample size is 80 children in each group. Descriptive and analytical analyses will be performed. Primary outcome is safety and cure rate of 12 weeks of treatment with MF.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) Ethical Review Committee (ERC) approved the protocol (PR#013045). Written informed consent will be taken from all participants and their guardians (in case of minor). A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of ICDDR,B ERC will monitor all study activities to ensure the safety of the participants.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02193022; Pre-results.

Smart micro/nanoparticles in stimulus-responsive drug/gene delivery systems

New achievements in the realm of nanoscience and innovative techniques of nanomedicine have moved micro/nanoparticles (MNPs) to the point of becoming actually useful for practical applications in the near future. Various differences between the extracellular and intracellular environments of cancerous and normal cells and the particular characteristics of tumors such as physicochemical properties, neovasculature, elasticity, surface electrical charge, and pH have motivated the design and fabrication of inventive "smart" MNPs for stimulus-responsive controlled drug release. These novel MNPs can be tailored to be responsive to pH variations, redox potential, enzymatic activation, thermal gradients, magnetic fields, light, and ultrasound (US), or can even be responsive to dual or multi-combinations of different stimuli. This unparalleled capability has increased their importance as site-specific controlled drug delivery systems (DDSs) and has encouraged their rapid development in recent years. An in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these DDS approaches is expected to further contribute to this groundbreaking field of nanomedicine. Smart nanocarriers in the form of MNPs that can be triggered by internal or external stimulus are summarized and discussed in the present review, including pH-sensitive peptides and polymers, redox-responsive micelles and nanogels, thermo- or magnetic-responsive nanoparticles (NPs), mechanical- or electrical-responsive MNPs, light or ultrasound-sensitive particles, and multi-responsive MNPs including dual stimuli-sensitive nanosheets of graphene. This review highlights the recent advances of smart MNPs categorized according to their activation stimulus (physical, chemical, or biological) and looks forward to future pharmaceutical applications.

Subglacial Lake Whillans microbial biogeochemistry: a synthesis of current knowledge

Liquid water occurs below glaciers and ice sheets globally, enabling the existence of an array of aquatic microbial ecosystems. In Antarctica, large subglacial lakes are present beneath hundreds to thousands of metres of ice, and scientific interest in exploring these environments has escalated over the past decade. After years of planning, the first team of scientists and engineers cleanly accessed and retrieved pristine samples from a West Antarctic subglacial lake ecosystem in January 2013. This paper reviews the findings to date on Subglacial Lake Whillans and presents new supporting data on the carbon and energy metabolism of resident microbes. The analysis of water and sediments from the lake revealed a diverse microbial community composed of bacteria and archaea that are close relatives of species known to use reduced N, S or Fe and CH4 as energy sources. The water chemistry of Subglacial Lake Whillans was dominated by weathering products from silicate minerals with a minor influence from seawater. Contributions to water chemistry from microbial sulfide oxidation and carbonation reactions were supported by genomic data. Collectively, these results provide unequivocal evidence that subglacial environments in this region of West Antarctica host active microbial ecosystems that participate in subglacial biogeochemical cycling.

Status of Serum Zinc in Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis

Zinc plays a vital role in the immune status. Its deficiency affects host defense by reducing the number of circulating T cells and phagocytosis activity of other cells which ultimately impair cell mediated immunity. The cell-mediated immunity plays a major role in the causation of pulmonary tuberculosis. The present study was carried out to estimate serum zinc level in newly detected multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in adult population. In this study total fifty (50) MDR-TB patients were enrolled conveniently from the in-patients departments of National Institute of Diseases of the Chest Hospital (NIDCH), Bangladesh. Serum zinc was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method from early morning fasting blood sample. Serum zinc level was assessed according to normal cut-off value 70-120 μgm/dl and 76% studied population were found lower than this value. The mean±SD serum zinc level was observed 60.40±8.91 μgm/dl. No associations were found between serum zinc level with age (p=0.11) and with sex (p=0.085) of the study population respectively. The low level of serum zinc in MDR-TB patients suggested impaired immune status of our study population.

Cationic antimicrobial peptide, magainin down-regulates secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by early placental cytotrophoblasts

BACKGROUND

Human placental villous cytotrophoblasts exhibit relative externalization of negatively charged moieties to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane during the time of syncytialization rendering their reactivity to positively charged cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) during the window of implantation and early placentation. Vaginal administration of a synthetic CAMP, Ala(8,13,18)-magainin II amide (AMA) inhibited blastocyst implantation and early placentation in monkeys. Furthermore, the administration of AMA resulted in significant inhibition of cell differentiation, enhancement in apoptosis and loss of viability in first trimester placental villous cytotrophoblasts in primary culture. The present study examines the effect of in vitro application of different doses (0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 ng/ml) of AMA on the secreted cytokine profiles of cytotrophoblasts obtained from placental villi samples (n = 13) collected during 8-9 weeks of gestation and grown on three-dimensional collagen matrix in vitro.

METHODS

A panel of forty-eight (48) cytokines in conditioned medium was analysed using multiplex immunoassays technique. Further, the steady state transcript levels of four cytokines (CCL4, CCL5, IL1B, IL6), the concentrations of which were affected by AMA in the isolated cytotrophoblasts, as well as, two cytokines (IL1A and TNF) which were not affected by AMA were estimated. Input list of cytokines secreted by cytotrophoblasts and showing differential secretion in response to AMA were used in enrichment analysis for the generation of biological networks.

RESULTS

Placental cytotrophoblasts secreted 27 cytokines, 13 of which are affected by AMA in vitro with significantly decreased secretion of CCLs-2, 3, 4, 5, CXCLs-1 and 8, FGF2 and MCSF and that of IL1B, IL6 and MIF, and increased secretion of IL16 and IL-2RA. Of the above cytokines showing differential secretion, only IL-2RA, IL16 and MIF showed significant correspondence in the steady state expression of their respective transcript levels. Post-hoc Enrichment analysis revealed Toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated pathways were the top-scored target pathways that were affected by AMA.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of a CAMP causes shift in the balance of immune-inflammatory responses involving downstream pathways of TLRs in cytotrophoblast function. Further verification of functions of placental trophoblasts on administration of CAMP with pregnancy outcome is necessary.

Al2O3 influence on structural, elastic, thermal properties of Yb(3+) doped Ba-La-tellurite glass: evidence of reduction in self-radiation trapping at 1μm emission

Ba-La-tellurite glasses doped with Yb(3+) ions have been prepared through melt quenching technique by modifying their composition with the inclusion of varied concentration of Al2O3 to elucidate its effects on glass structural, elastic, thermal properties and Yb(3+) ion NIR luminescence performance. The FTIR spectral analysis indicates Al2O3 addition is promoting the conversion of BOs from NBOs which have been generated during the process of depolymerisation of main glass forming TeO4 units. The elastic properties of the glass revealed an improved rigidity of the glass network on addition of Al2O3. In concurrence to this, differential thermal analysis showed an increase in glass transition temperature with improved thermal stability factor. Also, Yb(3+) fluorescence dynamics demonstrated that, Al2O3 inclusion helps in restraining the detrimental radiation trapping of ∼1μm emission.