Role of serum interleukin-6 in deciding therapy for multidrug resistant oral lichen planus

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell mediated immune response. T cells locally present in the involved tissues release cytokines like interleukin-6 (IL-6), which contributes to pathogenesis of OLP. Also IL-6 has been associated with multidrug resistance protein (MRP) expression by keratinocytes. Correspondingly, upregulation of MRP was found in OLP. We conducted this study to evaluate the effects of various drugs on serum IL-6 in OLP; and correlation of these effects with the nature of clinical response and resistance pattern seen in OLP lesions with various therapeutic modalities. Thus we evaluated the role of serum IL-6 in deciding therapy for multidrug resistant OLP. Material and Methods: Serum IL-6 was evaluated in 42 erosive OLP (EOLP) patients and 10 normal mucosa and 10 oral squamous cell carcinoma cases using ELISA technique. OLP patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of 14 patients each and were subjected to Pimecrolimus local application, oral Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) and Methotrexate (MTX) alongwith Pimecrolimus local application. IL-6 levels were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Serum IL-6 levels were raised above 3pg/ml in 26.19% erosive OLP (EOLP) cases (mean- 3.72±8.14). EOLP (5%) cases with IL-6 levels above 5pg/ml were resistant in MTX group. However significant decrease in serum IL-6 corresponding with the clinical resolution was seen in MMF group. Conclusions: Significantly raised IL-6 levels in EOLP reflect the chronic inflammatory nature of the disease. As serum IL-6 levels significantly decreased in MMF group, correspondingly no resistance to treatment was noted. However with MTX there was no significant decrease in IL-6 and resistance to treatment was noted in some, especially plaque type lesions. Thus IL-6 can be a possible biomarker in deciding the best possible therapy for treatment resistant OLP

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE OF JAHAR MOHRA PISHTI: A POTENT CARDIO TONIC

In the era of science and sagacity every sighting needs proofs and confirmations of its authenticity and when it comes to a medicinal preparation, the qualms are a step higher. Thus establishing pharmacopeial standards for a potent cardiotonic like Jahar Mohra Pishti is the need of time. Till date no work has been performed on standard operating procedure or standardization of Jahar Mohra. So, various available data was collected for complete documentation in terms of chemical composition, crystal structure, physicochemical analysis, therapeutic activity and method of proper storage so as to draw a standard operating procedure for the formulation.Jahar Mohra is named as Naga Pashana in most of the classical text of Ayurveda. Chemical formula for Jahar Mohra was evaluated through results of XRD and was Hydrous Magnesium Silicate i.e. Mg3-xSi2O5(OH)4-2x which is a basic formula for Serpentine group of minerals. Three samples of Jahar Mohra Pishti were prepared as per Siddha Yoga Sangraha to set the Standard Operating Procedure. Raw material was purified with lukewarm demineralised water. The Pisthi was prepared by impregnating and triturating the powdered samples with Gulab Arka (Rose Water) for 14 times. Observations were recorded during each step and a conclusion was drawn

The acute transcriptome response of the midbrain/diencephalon to injury in the adult mummichog (\u3cem\u3eFundulus heteroclitus\u3c/em\u3e)

Adult fish produce new cells throughout their central nervous system during the course of their lives and maintain a tremendous capacity to repair damaged neural tissue. Much of the focus on understanding brain repair and regeneration in adult fish has been directed at regions of the brainstem and forebrain; however, the mesencephalon (midbrain) and diencephalon have received little attention. We sought to examine differential gene expression in the midbrain/diencephalon in response to injury in the adult fish using RNA-seq. Using the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), we administered a mechanical lesion to the midbrain/diencephalon and examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at an acute recovery time of 1 h post-injury. Comparisons of whole transcriptomes derived from isolated RNA of intact and injured midbrain/diencephalic tissue identified 404 DEGs with the vast majority being upregulated. Using qPCR, we validated the upregulation of DEGs pim-2-like, syndecan-4-like, and cd83. Based on genes both familiar and novel regarding the adult brain response to injury, these data provide an extensive molecular profile giving insight into a range of cellular processes involved in the injury response of a brain regenerative-capable vertebrate

The acute transcriptome response of the midbrain/diencephalon to injury in the adult mummichog (\u3cem\u3eFundulus heteroclitus\u3c/em\u3e)

Adult fish produce new cells throughout their central nervous system during the course of their lives and maintain a tremendous capacity to repair damaged neural tissue. Much of the focus on understanding brain repair and regeneration in adult fish has been directed at regions of the brainstem and forebrain; however, the mesencephalon (midbrain) and diencephalon have received little attention. We sought to examine differential gene expression in the midbrain/diencephalon in response to injury in the adult fish using RNA-seq. Using the mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), we administered a mechanical lesion to the midbrain/diencephalon and examined differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at an acute recovery time of 1 h post-injury. Comparisons of whole transcriptomes derived from isolated RNA of intact and injured midbrain/diencephalic tissue identified 404 DEGs with the vast majority being upregulated. Using qPCR, we validated the upregulation of DEGs pim-2-like, syndecan-4-like, and cd83. Based on genes both familiar and novel regarding the adult brain response to injury, these data provide an extensive molecular profile giving insight into a range of cellular processes involved in the injury response of a brain regenerative-capable vertebrate

Bronchiectasis in India:results from the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration (EMBARC) and Respiratory Research Network of India Registry

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a common but neglected chronic lung disease. Most epidemiological data are limited to cohorts from Europe and the USA, with few data from low-income and middle-income countries. We therefore aimed to describe the characteristics, severity of disease, microbiology, and treatment of patients with bronchiectasis in India. METHODS: The Indian bronchiectasis registry is a multicentre, prospective, observational cohort study. Adult patients ( 6518 years) with CT-confirmed bronchiectasis were enrolled from 31 centres across India. Patients with bronchiectasis due to cystic fibrosis or traction bronchiectasis associated with another respiratory disorder were excluded. Data were collected at baseline (recruitment) with follow-up visits taking place once per year. Comprehensive clinical data were collected through the European Multicentre Bronchiectasis Audit and Research Collaboration registry platform. Underlying aetiology of bronchiectasis, as well as treatment and risk factors for bronchiectasis were analysed in the Indian bronchiectasis registry. Comparisons of demographics were made with published European and US registries, and quality of care was benchmarked against the 2017 European Respiratory Society guidelines. FINDINGS: From June 1, 2015, to Sept 1, 2017, 2195 patients were enrolled. Marked differences were observed between India, Europe, and the USA. Patients in India were younger (median age 56 years [IQR 41-66] vs the European and US registries; p<0\ub70001]) and more likely to be men (1249 [56\ub79%] of 2195). Previous tuberculosis (780 [35\ub75%] of 2195) was the most frequent underlying cause of bronchiectasis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common organism in sputum culture (301 [13\ub77%]) in India. Risk factors for exacerbations included being of the male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1\ub717, 95% CI 1\ub703-1\ub732; p=0\ub7015), P aeruginosa infection (1\ub729, 1\ub710-1\ub750; p=0\ub7001), a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (1\ub720, 1\ub707-1\ub734; p=0\ub7002), modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score (1\ub732, 1\ub725-1\ub739; p<0\ub70001), daily sputum production (1\ub716, 1\ub703-1\ub730; p=0\ub7013), and radiological severity of disease (1\ub703, 1\ub701-1\ub704; p<0\ub70001). Low adherence to guideline-recommended care was observed; only 388 patients were tested for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and 82 patients had been tested for immunoglobulins. INTERPRETATION: Patients with bronchiectasis in India have more severe disease and have distinct characteristics from those reported in other countries. This study provides a benchmark to improve quality of care for patients with bronchiectasis in India. FUNDING: EU/European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Innovative Medicines Initiative inhaled Antibiotics in Bronchiectasis and Cystic Fibrosis Consortium, European Respiratory Society, and the British Lung Foundation

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Zoos: Animals, Keepers and Veterinary Medicine

This presentation will provide a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like to work at a zoo. Approaching from the angle of both zookeepers and veterinarians, we will explore the rewards, challenges and responsibilities of working at zoo, and learn about zoo animal nutrition, enrichment, training and veterinary needs. We will also gain a better understanding of the mission of zoos and how they go about accomplishing it. The locations discussed will be Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, MA and the Texas Zoo in Victoria, Texas