Gender Differences in the Use of FTAs when Reporting Incidents of UI: An Indian Study

The study, conducted in an Indian organization, aims to examine differences, if any, across genders in the use of face threatening acts (FTAs) while reporting incidents of upward influence (UI). The nature of incidents reported for use of UI entails the possible use of FTAs, that is, challenging the positive or negative face of the target to achieve certain desired objectives. Given research evidence on the differences in communication styles between men and women, we examined the possibility of any such differences in the use of FTA in reported speech within an organization. No significant differences were found between women and men in the use of FTAs. When the target was of the opposite gender as the agent, the latter was more likely to use either bald on-record or on-record with redressive action strategy for influencing. In cases where both the interactants were of the same gender, the agent generally used FTAs such as on-record with redressive action and solidarity politeness to gain compliance. A combination of UI strategies was employed in such instances.

Multiple myeloma: Looking beyond standards

Multiple myeloma has been regarded as an incurable disease with frequent relapses. The diagnostic criteria have been revised multiple times to include early stage of the disease where treatment can be effective and can prolong the survival. Newer diagnostic criteria for myeloma have incorporated ≥60% plasma cells in the bone marrow and serum free light chain ratio (involved to uninvolved free light chains) of ≥100. The role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans has been recognized, and it has been increasingly utilized upfront in the management of multiple myeloma. Role of minimal residual disease monitoring has been studied in multiple trials and will in near future guide the treatment. Autologous stem cell transplant is still the preferred consolidation therapy after initial three or four drug induction. With the use of novel drugs combinations and with emerging treatment options the standard of care of myeloma patients will change

Telodendrimer-Based Macromolecular Drug Design using 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition for Applications in Biology

An architectural polymer containing hydrophobic isoxazole-based dendron and hydrophilic polyethylene glycol linear tail is prepared by a combination of the robust ZnCl2 catalyzed alkyne-nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and esterification chemistry. This water soluble amphiphilic telodendrimer acts as a macromolecular biologically active agent and shows concentration dependent reduction of glioblastoma (U251) cell survival

A comparative evaluation of the effect of various chelating agents on the microhardness of root canal dentin: An in vitro study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of 17% liquid ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), 10% citric acid, and 9% 1-hydroxy ethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) on the microhardness of root canal dentin. Materials and Methods: Eighteen mandibular premolars which were freshly extracted were selected and randomly assigned to one of the three groups (n = 6). After decoronating, the teeth at the cementoenamel junction, specimens were prepared up to F3 (ProTaper Universal). After each instrument, irrigation was done with 3% sodium hypochlorite. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally to expose dentin surface and mounted on acrylic resin blocks. One half served as the test group and the other served as its control. The dentin was covered with test solutions throughout its length for 5 min. Group 1: 17% liquid EDTA, Group 2: 10% citric acid, and Group 3: 9% HEBP. Measurement of microhardness was done using Vickers indenter at 1000 μm, 1200 μm, 1400 μm from orifice of root canal and 100 μm from pulp-dentin junction, a load of 50 g for 15 s dwell time was applied. A mean of the three readings was used to calculate microhardness. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey test at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean microhardness of EDTA reduced from 52.28 VHN to 39.00 VHN, and that of citric acid reduced from 52.50 VHN to 47.30 VHN, whereas, HEBP showed least reduction, from 52.46 VHN to 50.52 VHN. Conclusion: A reduction in microhardness was evident on using all three chelating agents. However, HEBP caused the least reduction in microhardness and can be a potential chelating agent for use in endodontics

Gold nanoclusters elicit homeostatic perturbations in glioblastoma cells and adaptive changes of lysosomes

International audienceUnique physicochemical features place gold nanoclusters at the forefront of nanotechnology for biological and biomedical applications. To date, information on the interactions of gold nanoclusters with biological macromolecules is limited and restricts their use in living cells.Methods: Our multidisciplinary study begins to fill the current knowledge gap by focusing on lysosomes and associated biological pathways in U251N human glioblastoma cells. We concentrated on lysosomes, because they are the intracellular destination for many nanoparticles, regulate cellular homeostasis and control cell survival.Results: Quantitative data presented here show that gold nanoclusters (with 15 and 25 gold atoms), surface-modified with glutathione or PEG, did not diminish cell viability at concentrations ≤1 µM. However, even at sublethal concentrations, gold nanoclusters modulated the abundance, positioning, pH and enzymatic activities of lysosomes. Gold nanoclusters also affected other aspects of cellular homeostasis. Specifically, they stimulated the transient nuclear accumulation of TFEB and Nrf2, transcription factors that promote lysosome biogenesis and stress responses. Moreover, gold nanoclusters also altered the formation of protein aggregates in the cytoplasm. The cellular responses elicited by gold nanoclusters were largely reversible within a 24-hour period.Conclusions: Taken together, this study explores the subcellular and molecular effects induced by gold nanoclusters and shows their effectiveness to regulate lysosome biology. Our results indicate that gold nanoclusters cause homeostatic perturbations without marked cell loss. Notably, cells adapt to the challenge inflicted by gold nanoclusters. These new insights provide a framework for the further development of gold nanocluster-based applications in biological sciences

Metabolism-based targeting of MYC via MPC-SOD2 axis-mediated oxidation promotes cellular differentiation in group 3 medulloblastoma

Abstract Group 3 medulloblastoma (G3 MB) carries the worst prognosis of all MB subgroups. MYC oncoprotein is elevated in G3 MB tumors; however, the mechanisms that support MYC abundance remain unclear. Using metabolic and mechanistic profiling, we pinpoint a role for mitochondrial metabolism in regulating MYC. Complex-I inhibition decreases MYC abundance in G3 MB, attenuates the expression of MYC-downstream targets, induces differentiation, and prolongs male animal survival. Mechanistically, complex-I inhibition increases inactivating acetylation of antioxidant enzyme SOD2 at K68 and K122, triggering the accumulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species that promotes MYC oxidation and degradation in a mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC)-dependent manner. MPC inhibition blocks the acetylation of SOD2 and oxidation of MYC, restoring MYC abundance and self-renewal capacity in G3 MB cells following complex-I inhibition. Identification of this MPC-SOD2 signaling axis reveals a role for metabolism in regulating MYC protein abundance that has clinical implications for treating G3 MB