Utilization of Electronic Information at IPR Library : A Case Study

Providing electronic information to its patrons has become a common feature of many special libraries. Most of the library services are being provided electronically in developed countries. A case study of IPR Library is presented. It discusses how IPR library has taken the challenge of the new emerging technologies and increasing demands of its users by adopting electronic information sources and services and how it generates value added electronic information for its patrons. It also indicates how a small special library can be converted or convert into an electronic library

TREM-1 Attenuates RIPK3-mediated Necroptosis in Hyperoxia-induced Lung Injury in Neonatal Mice

Hyperoxia-induced injury to the developing lung, impaired alveolarization, and dysregulated vascularization are critical factors in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD); however, mechanisms for hyperoxia-induced development of BPD are not fully known. In this study, we show that TREM-1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1) is upregulated in hyperoxia-exposed neonatal murine lungs as well as in tracheal aspirates and lungs of human neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and BPD as an adaptive response to survival in hyperoxia. Inhibition of TREM-1 function using an siRNA approach or deletion of the Trem 1 gene in mice showed enhanced lung inflammation, alveolar damage, and mortality of hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice. The treatment of hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice with agonistic TREM-1 antibody decreased lung inflammation, improved alveolarization, and was associated with diminished necroptosis-regulating protein RIPK3 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 3). Mechanistically, we show that TREM-1 activation alleviates lung inflammation and improves alveolarization through downregulating RIPK3-mediated necroptosis and NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3) inflammasome activation in hyperoxia-exposed neonatal mice. These data show that activating TREM-1, enhancing angiopoietin 1 signaling, or blocking the RIPK3-mediated necroptosis pathway may be used in new therapeutic interventions to control adverse effects of hyperoxia in the development of BPD.Peer reviewe

COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis in Head and Neck Region: Our Experiences at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Eastern India

Objective: To study the COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in the head and neck region of the patients along with patient details, clinical manifestations and management. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive and retrospective study of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) carried out at a postgraduate teaching hospital. This study was conducted between March 2020 to April 2021. A patient profile such as age, sex, comorbidities, clinical presentations, diagnosis and treatment of the CAM were analyzed. Results: There were 11 patients of CAM were enrolled in this study. There were eight male and three female patients, aged from 3 years to 72 years. Out of the 11 patients, 8 were diabetic (72.72%). Three patients (27.27%) were taking prolonged systemic steroids with a long hospital ICU stay. One child (9.09%) was under chemotherapy for acute leukemia. The common clinical symptoms were facial swelling, facial pain, nasal block and nasal discharge.  The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination and fungal culture with Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) showing Rhizopus oryzae. All were treated with endoscopic surgical debridement and amphotericin B. One case died because of cerebral involvement. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment for CAM are required. Aggressive endoscopic surgical debridement for local control and appropriate systemic antifungal treatment will help to improve the prognosis and survival of the patients

Msx2 and Sp6 Regulate Follistatin

Background: Ameloblasts are epithelially derived cells responsible for enamel formation through a process known as amelogenesis. Amongst the several transcription factors that are expressed during amelogenesis, both Msx2 and Sp6 transcription factors play important role. Msx2 and Sp6 mouse mutants, exhibit similar amelogenesis defects, namely enamel hypoplasia, while humans with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) carry mutations in the human homologues of MSX2 or SP6 genes. These across species similarities in function indicate that these two transcription factors may reside in the same developmental pathway. In this paper, we test whether they work in a coordinated manner to exert their effect during amelogenesis. Methods: Two different dental epithelial cell lines, the mouse LS8 and the rat G5 were used for either overexpression or silencing of Msx2 or Sp6 or both. Msx2 mutant mouse embryos or pups were used for in vivo studies. In situ hybridization, semi-quantitative and quantitative real time PCR were employed to study gene expression pattern. MatInspector was used to identify several potential putative Msx2 binding sites upstream of the murine Sp6 promoter region. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (chIP) was used to confirm the binding of Msx2 to Sp6 promoter at the putative sites. Results: Using the above methods we identified that (i) Msx2 and Sp6 exhibit overlapping expression in secretory ameloblasts, (ii) Sp6 expression is reduced in the Msx2 mouse mutant secretoty ameloblasts, and (iii) that Msx2, like Sp6 inhibits follistatin expression. Specifically, our loss-of function studies by silencing Msx2 and/or Sp6 in mouse dental epithelial (LS8) cells showed significant downregulation of Sp6 but upregulation of Fst expression. Transient transfection of Msx2 overexpression plasmid, up-regulated Sp6 and downregulated Fst expression. Additionally, using MatInspector, we identified several potential putative Msx2 binding sites, 3.5 kb upstream of the murine Sp6 promoter region. By chIP, we confirmed the binding of Msx2 to Sp6 promoter at these sites, thus suggesting that Sp6 is a direct target of Msx2. Conclusion: Collectively, these results show that Sp6 and Msx2 work in a concerted manner to form part of a network of transcription factors that operate during later stages of tooth development controlling ameloblast life cycle and amelogenesis

Hyperoxia-Induced miR-195 Causes Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in Neonatal Mice

Background: Exposure to hyperoxia is an important factor in the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm newborns. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of BPD and provide a potential therapeutic target. Methods: This study was conducted utilizing a postnatal animal model of experimental hyperoxia-induced murine BPD to investigate the expression and function of miR-195 as well as its molecular signaling targets within developing mouse lung tissue. Results: miR-195 expression levels increased in response to hyperoxia in male and female lungs, with the most significant elevation occurring in 40% O2 (mild) and 60% O2 (moderate) BPD. The inhibition of miR-195 improved pulmonary morphology in the hyperoxia-induced BPD model in male and female mice with females showing more resistance to injury and better recovery of alveolar chord length, septal thickness, and radial alveolar count. Additionally, we reveal miR-195-dependent signaling pathways involved in BPD and identify PH domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2) as a novel specific target protein of miR-195. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that high levels of miR-195 in neonatal lungs cause the exacerbation of hyperoxia-induced experimental BPD while its inhibition results in amelioration. This finding suggests a therapeutic potential of miR-195 inhibition in preventing BPD

Vitamin A mediated limb deformities in the common Indian toad, <i>Bufo melanostictus </i>(Schneider)

258-264Several types of limb deformities were induced by vitamin A in B. melanostictus. These ranged from total suppression of all the limbs (ectromelia) to partial development of either the forelimb or the hindlimb or both (mesomelia) to reduction or absence of digits in either the foreliinbs or hindlimbs or both and absence of long bones in either the forelimbs or hindlimbs or both (phocomelia) or duplication of the hindlimbs (polymelia). All the limb abnormalities were induced in the developing limbs of the tail amputated tadpoles of B. melanostictus following vitamin A treatment, which is all the more interesting. The results suggest that vitamin A induces the above mentioned abnormalities by either switching on or over-expressing or disrupting the limb-specific hox genes by yet unknown mechanisms

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Role of Social Distancing, Hand Hygiene and Wearing Mask in Controlling COVID-19 Pandemic: A review

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) continues to spread all over world and is outpacing the resources and capacity of health care systems. This rapidly spreading COVID-19 infection is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has been challenging the medical community and keeping the whole world in great threat to an unprecedented degree. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review article is to describe details of social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing face masks including there role in controlling the current COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: We conducted an electronic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, Medline and PubMed databases for articles between June to September 2021. RESULTS: The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets or contact with an infected person. There are no established medications and vaccine available until now to restrain the transmission of the COVID-19 infection. Currently, social distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask are key steps to lower the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in COVID-19 pandemic. As this infection is highly contagious via a respiratory pathway through coughing, sneezing and contact with an infected surface, the spread can be reduced by the proper practice of social distancing, hand hygiene or frequent hand washing and wearing mask. These universal precautions should be done as COVID-19 patients may be asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Social distancing, hand washing and wearing face masks are cheap and widely acceptable methods for the prevention of the COVID-19 infection. The goal of this review paper is to discuss social distancing, hand hygiene and face mask information, including its role in managing the current COVID-19 pandemi

Molecular phylogenetic relationships among four species of the mangrove tree genus Bruguiera (Rhizophoraceae), as revealed by chromosome and RAPD markers

Analysis of karyotype, nuclear DNA content and RAPD markers were performed in four species of Bruguiera (Rhizophoraceae) of Bhitarkanika mangrove forests, Orissa, India. Detailed karyotype analysis revealing 2n=34 in B. cylindrica and 2n=36 in B. gymnorrhiza was reported for the first time and 2n=34 in B. parviflora and B. sexangula was confirmed. On the basis of the common types of chromosomes present among Bruguiera, two distinct groups were found; one consists of B. cylindrica and B. parviflora and the other of B. gymnorrhiza and B. sexangula. The symmetrical karyotype with same chromosome types grouped B. cylindrica and B. parviflora together and presence of Type E chromosomes placed B. gymnorrhiza and B. sexangula in a separate group, suggesting their closer affinity in their respective group. Analysis of chromosome length, volume, INV and 4C DNA content confirmed this division. Nuclear DNA content was two-fold higher (~17.0 pg) in the second group than in the first (~8.0 pg). The amplification products generated through RAPD revealed 1-9 amplicons with size variations from 600 bp to 2 500 bp with 49.31% genetic similarity between B. gymnorrhiza and B. sexangula and 47.10% in between B. cylindrica and B. parviflora. The high copy number marker band (~ 1 100 bp) yielded in OPN-15 primer in B. parviflora the characteristic DNA marker, which was cloned and used as probes for assessment of genetic diversity, and demonstrated its close genetic affinity to B. cylindrica. B. gymnorrhiza and B. sexangula also produced similar marker bands of ~600 bp and ~2 200 bp in the same primer. All of the cytological, 4C DNA content and RAPD data confirmed the existence of two taxonomically distinct groups of Bruguiera: one consisting of B. cylindrica and B. parviflora and the other of B. gymnorrhiza and B. sexangula as placed earlier (1862) in the tribe Rhizophoreae by Bentham and Hooker, on the basis of the flowering habits of Bruguiera. Genetically, the B. sexangula and B. gymnorrhiza group was found to be very closely, rather than distantly, related to B. parviflora and B. cylindrica. Our results demonstrate that molecular markers together with cytological evidence provide an effective tool to access the existing interspecific genetic polymorphism in mangrove species, to solve the taxonomic problems and to design their conservation strategy

Correlation of Polymorphonuclear Cell Burden and Microbial Growth to the Inflammatory Cytokines in Tracheal Aspirates from Ventilated Preterm Infants.

OBJECTIVE:  The significance of the presence of microorganisms and polymorphonuclear cells in the tracheal aspirates (TAs) of ventilated preterm infants is not well known. Our aim was to correlate information about the presence of polymorphonuclear cells with microbial growth and the cytokine milieu in the TAs of infants who have been intubated for \u3e7 days. STUDY DESIGN:  TAs were collected from infants who had been intubated for 7 days or longer. Respiratory cultures were performed, and infants were stratified based on the presence and abundance of polymorphonuclear cells and microbial growth. Cytokines were measured in the TAs of each of the respective groups. RESULTS:  In the 19 infants whose TAs were collected, the presence of at least moderate WBC with presence of microbial growth was positively associated with the presence of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The presence of at least moderate WBC, with or without microbial growth, was correlated positively with the presence of IL-8 and TNF-α. CONCLUSION:  There are higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines (especially, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in TAs with higher cell counts and presence of microbial growth. The findings suggest that the presence of microbial growth correlated with inflammatory burden and warrant a larger study to see if treatment of microbial growth can ameliorate the inflammatory burden. KEY POINTS: · Concomitant evaluation of inflammatory cells, microbial growth, and cytokines in tracheal aspirates.. · Moderate TA WBC with presence of microbial growth associated with IL-10, IL-1β, IL-8, and TNF-α.. · Moderate TA WBC, with/without microbial growth, correlated with the presence of IL-8 and TNF-α.. · Higher levels of IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α correlated with higher TA cell counts and microbial growth.