TLR Signaling on Protozoan and Helminthic Parasite Infection

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a major component of innate immune system, are expressed as membrane or cytosolic receptors on neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), B lymphocytes, Th1, Th2, and regulatory T lymphocytes. It recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and Toll-interleukin1 (IL-1) receptor (TIR) of various invading pathogens. Downstream signaling of TLRs activates NF-κB, which acts as a transcription factor of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and costimulatory molecules. A balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine protects host body from infectious agents and also induces the healing process. Some of parasitic infections by protozoans and helminths such as Malaria, Leishmaniasis, Trypanosomiasis, Toxoplasmosis, Amoebiasis, Filariasis, Schistosomiasis, Ascariasis, Taeniasis, and Fasciolosis are the leading cause of death and economic loss in both developing and developed nations. Frequent exposure to parasites, immigration, refugee resettlement, increasing immunodeficiency, climate change, drug resistance, lack of vaccination, etc. are the major cause of emerging and re-emerging of the above-stated diseases. However, TLR activation by parasites could stimulate antigen presenting cells and ultimately clear the pathogens by phagocytosis. So, a better understanding of host-parasite interaction in relation to TLR signaling pathway will improve the controlling method of these pathogens in immunotherapy

An Insight into the Changing Scenario of Gut Microbiome during Type 2 Diabetes

The gut microbiome consists of bacteria, protozoans, viruses, and archaea collectively called as gut microbiota. Gut microbiome (GM) modulates a variety of physiological responses ranging from immune and inflammatory responses, neuronal signalling, gut barrier integrity and mobility, synthesis of vitamins, steroid hormones, neurotransmitters to metabolism of branched-chain aromatic amino acids, bile salts, and drugs. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a highly prevalent metabolic disorder that is featured by imbalance in blood glucose level, altered lipid profile, and their deleterious consequences. GM dysbiosis a major factor behind the incidence and progression of insulin resistance and is responsible for altering of intestinal barrier functions, host metabolic, and signaling pathways. The GM of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients is characterized by reduced levels of Firmicutes and Clostridia and an increased ratio of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes. Endotoxemia stimulates a low-grade inflammatory response, which is known to trigger T2DM. Xenobiotics including dietary components, antibiotics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs strongly affect the gut microbial composition and can promote dysbiosis. However, the exact mechanisms behind the dynamics of gut microbes and their impact on host metabolism are yet to be deciphered. Interventions that can restore equilibrium in the GM have beneficial effects and can improve glycemic control

Pro-Oxidant Therapeutic Activities of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Given that basal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are higher in cancer cells, there is a growing school of thought that endorses pro-oxidants as potential chemotherapeutic agents. Intriguingly, cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles can manifest either anti- or pro-oxidant activity as a function of differential pH of various subcellular localizations. In an acidic pH environment, for example, in extracellular milieu of cancer cells, CeO2 would function as a pro-oxidant. Based on this concept, the present study is designed to investigate the pro-oxidant activities of CeO2 in human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT 116). For comparison, we have also studied the effect of ceria nanoparticles on human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells. Dose-dependent viability of cancerous as well as normal cells has been assessed by treating them independently with CeO2 nanoparticles of different concentrations (5-100 mu g/mL) in the culture media. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of nanoceria for HCT 116 is found to be 50.48 mu g/mL while that for the HEK 293 cell line is 92.03 mu g/mL. To understand the intricate molecular mechanisms of CeO2-induced cellular apoptosis, a series of experiments have been conducted. The apoptosis-inducing ability of nanoceria has been investigated by Annexin V-FITC staining, caspase 3/9 analysis, cytochrome c release, intracellular ROS analysis, and mitochondrial membrane potential analysis using flow cytometry. Experimental data suggest that CeO2 treatment causes DNA fragmentation through enhanced generation of ROS, which ultimately leads to cellular apoptosis through the p53-dependent mitochondrial signaling pathway

Clinicopathological study of soft tissue sarcoma-retrospective study of tertiary cancer institute in eastern India

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of malignant tumors of mesenchymal origin that comprise less than 1 percent of all adult malignancies. Although they occur anywhere in the body, they involve most commonly in extremities, trunk, retroperitoneum and head and neck. The aim of the study was to analyze clinical and histopathological features of various soft tissue sarcomas.Methods: This was a retrospective study, conducted in tertiary cancer centre in Odisha during the period 2015 to 2018. We collected clinical parameters like age, sex, site of swelling, any associated pain and biopsy reports and these variables were correlated with final histopathology reports.Results: A total of 107 patients were included in the study, with male to female ratio of 2:1(71 and 36) and average age of 43.45 years. All of them presented with a swelling. The lower extremities were the most common sites i.e. 44.62%. Pleomorphic sarcoma was the most frequent histologic variety comprising 43% and less frequent variety were angiosarcoma, and myxoid sarcoma.Conclusions: Soft tissue sarcoma are predominant in males and middle aged population are frequently affected. Most common affected site is lower extremity and pleomorphic sarcoma is the prominent histologic type

Compressibility behavior of bentonites by Stern theory based on constant surface charge conditions

The compressibility behavior of clays is governed by the electrical double layer formed around the clay particles. The Gouy-Chapman diffuse double layer theory is often utilized to predict the compressibility behavior of clay minerals. The theory does not consider the effect of the size of the cations, however, and thus predicts unrealistically small void ratios for compacted bentonites under large mechanical pressures expected in high-level nuclear waste-repository applications. In this study, the Stern layer was introduced to incorporate the cation size effect in the prediction of the compressibility behavior of bentonites. The overall diffuse double-layer thickness at large pressures was much smaller than the initially assumed Stern layer thickness based on the exchangeable cation size for all the bentonites studied. A compressible Stern layer was, therefore, considered for the first time in the prediction of the compressibility behavior of bentonites. The compression behavior of the Stern layer under the applied loading is influenced by the ratio of the mid-plane to the Stern potential, which is dependent on the type and composition of the exchangeable cations on the clay surface. Stern layer compression was initiated when the potential ratio was in the range 0.65–0.75 for bentonites with various surface cation characteristics. The incorporation of cation size and a compressible Stern layer provided significant improvements over the existing models in predicting the compressibility behavior of bentonites over a wide pressure range. The compressibility data predicted by the proposed model showed very good agreement with the data measured for five bentonites from the literature in the pressure range 0.1–42 MPa

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF NECK TUMOURS IN DOGS: CASE REPORTS

The present study was conducted on two dogs, one pug and one mongrel presented with the history of swelling at the base of neck. In one of the cases there was ulceration of the skin around the enlarged mass and in the second case there was gradual increase in size of the mass along with bending of neck to one side and reduced appetite. Further, the physical and radiographical examinations were conducted that confirmed the occurrence of tumour in both the cases. Under physical restraint and general anaesthesia the excision of the tumour mass was done along with the proper control of haemorrhage. Both the cases recovered well without any critical symptoms there of up to one year after surgery

N-Rich, Polyphenolic Porous Organic Polymer and Its In Vitro Anticancer Activity on Colorectal Cancer

N-rich organic materials bearing polyphenolic moieties in their building networks and nanoscale porosities are very demanding in the context of designing efficient biomaterials or drug carriers for the cancer treatment. Here, we report the synthesis of a new triazine-based secondary-amine- and imine-linked polyphenolic porous organic polymer material TrzTFPPOP and explored its potential for in vitro anticancer activity on the human colorectal carcinoma (HCT 116) cell line. This functionalized (-OH, -NH-, -C=N-) organic material displayed an exceptionally high BET surface area of 2140 m2 g−1 along with hierarchical porosity (micropores and mesopores), and it induced apoptotic changes leading to high efficiency in colon cancer cell destruction via p53-regulated DNA damage pathway. The IC30, IC50, and IC70 values obtained from the MTT assay are 1.24, 3.25, and 5.25 μg/mL, respectively