Expression and modulation of complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis

Background: The involvement of B cells, complement activation and subsequent immune complex deposition has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the reduced expression of complement receptor 2 (CR2, CD21) on the B cells of RA patients is known for long, we aimed at determining the modulation and expression of CR2 on PBMC of healthy individuals and RA patients.Methods: Sixty controls and 57 RA patients were enrolled. PBMC-CR2 transcript levels were correlated with the levels of C3, C3d and circulating immune complexes (CIC) in controls and patients and with DAS28 in patients only. CIC levels were determined by PEG precipitation, C3 levels by nephlometry and C3d levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sixteen patients were recruited for 6 months follow up studies of transcript levels of PBMC correlated with DAS28 score. Appropriate statistical methods were used for the analyses of data.Results: PBMC- CR2 transcript levels were declined in patients as compared to controls. PBMC-CR2 levels correlated negatively with DAS28 score. DAS28 correlated positively with levels of CIC, C3 and C3d. Levels of PBMC -CR2 increased in patients with decline in DAS28 scores in 6 months follow-up patients.Conclusions: Low level of CR2 expression in patients may, thus, contribute significantly to the pathological manifestation of RA. Cause-effect relationships of the up regulation of CR2 on improvement of health condition with the pathophysiology of RA and their importance as putative disease markers is being confirmed.

Zirconia based nucleic acid sensor for Mycobacterium tuberculosis detection

Nanostructured zirconium oxide (ZrO2) film (particle size ∼ 35 nm), electrochemically deposited onto gold(Au) surface, has been used to immobilize 21-mer oligonucleotide probe (ssDNA) specific to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by utilizing affinity between oxygen atom of phosphoric group and zirconium to fabricate DNA biosensor. This DNA-ZrO2/Au bioelectrode, characterized using x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques, can be used for early and rapid diagnosis of M. tuberculosis with detection limit of 0.065 ng/μL within 60s

A novel urea biosensor based on zirconia

Electrochemically deposited biocompatible zirconia (ZrO2) film on gold coated glass electrodes has been utilized for the fabrication of urea biosensor. The prepared ZrO2 films and bioelectrodes have been characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical techniques, respectively. The urea biosensor, fabricated by immobilizing mixed enzyme [urease (Urs) and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH)] on this nanobiomaterial, shows linearity up to 40 mg dL− 1 of analyte (urea) and sensitivity of 0.071 μA/(mM cm− 2) with stability up to 4 months when stored at 4 °C. The low value of Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) estimated using Hans plot as 0.5 mM indicates enhancement in the affinity and/or activity of enzyme attached to this nanostructured biocompatible matrix

Application of nanostructured ZnO films for electrochemical DNA biosensor

Nanostructured zinc oxide (nsZnO) films have been fabricated onto conducting indium–tin–oxide (ITO) coated glass plate, by cathodic electro-deposition to immobilize probe DNA specific to M. tuberculosis via physisorption based on strong electrostatic interactions between positively charged ZnO (isoelectric point = 9.5) and negatively charged DNA to detect its complementary target. Electrochemical studies reveal that the presence of nano-structured ZnO results in increased electro-active surface area for loading of DNA molecules. The DNA–nsZnO/ITO bioelectrode exhibits interesting characteristics such as detection range of 1 × 10-6 - 1 × 10-12 M, detection limit of 1 × 10-12 M (complementary target) and 1 × 10-13 M (genomic DNA), reusability of about 10 times, response time of 60s and stability of up to 4 months when kept at 4°C

Optimization of Protocol for Isolation of Genomic DNA from Leaves of Selaginella Species Suitable for RAPD Analysis and Study of their Genetic Variation

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Spectral analysis of thulium doped zinc-boro-silicate glass

This paper reports on the results concerning the optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra of Tin(3+)-doped zinc-boro-silicate (ZBS) glass. Absorption spectrum of this glass has revealed seven absorption bands in the wavelength region of 300-2000 nm. From the measured oscillator strengths of these absorption bands, three phenomenological Judd-Ofelt intensity (Omega 2, Omega 4, Omega 6) parameters have been computed by the application of a least-squares fit analysis. These intensity characteristic factors have successfully been used in evaluating the radiative properties of the emission transitions of the rare earth ion (Tm3+) in zinc borosilicate glass. The measured emission profile of this Tin(3+)-glass, has displayed three emission bands such as D-1(2) -> H-3(4) (weak blue), (1)G(4) -> H-3(6) (strong blue) and (1)G(4) -> H-3(4) (weak red), when excited by 356 nm wavelength. Lifetime (tau(m)) of the blue emission ((1)G(4) -> H-3(6)) at 473 nm has been measured and compared with the radiative lifetime (tau(R)) obtained based on the application of Judd-Ofelt theory. Non-radiative relaxation mechanisms have been attributed to the multiphonon-assisted relaxation on the basis of the high-energy phonon modes that could be found in the glass network

A Study to Assess Changes in Cortisol Level and Heart Rate Variability between Fixed Duty and Shift Duty Health Care Providers in a Tertiary Care Hospital- A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Increased demand of service 24 hours around the clock has divided the workers into 2 domains as “Fixed duty” and “Shift duty”. Personals associated with shift duty are increasing in numbers day by day. Shift duty or more specifically night duty is associated with increased stress which results in high morbidity and decrease in work efficiency. Cortisol hormone and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) are useful parameters to determine the effects of stress. Aim: To find any change in cortisol levels, HRV, Athens score among the fixed duty and shift duty healthcare providers. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital at Kolkata between July, 15th to Sept, 15th 2021. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire was made and ethical clearance was taken from institutional IEC. Then after taking consent total 120 (60 fixed duty and 60 shift duty) healthcare providers were recruited for the study. Subjects of the study filled up a questionnaire {including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS)}. After applying exclusion criteria (any cardiovascular, neurological, psychological, sleep disorder) 120 health individuals were taken five minutes short-term HRV (time and frequency domain) recording in supine posture and 4 PM blood sample (for cortisol) were obtained from the participants which was further analysed in Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLI). Data was analysed in SPSS version 20.0. Statistical tests like student t-test, Cron bach’s alpha and chi-square tests were applied significant p<0.05 (95% CI). Results: After analysis, shift duty workers showed a significant (p6) than fixed duty workers. Blood test showed that shift duty workers had significantly high evening cortisol level than fixed duty workers (p= 0.036). The time domain of HRV showed that the parameters like Standard Deviation all NN interval (SDNN) (p=0.001), Mean HR (p=0.037), RMSSD (p <0.001), NN50 (p=0.006), pNN50 (p=0.002) were significantly different in the two groups. Whereas the frequency domain of HRV showed that HF power was lower and LF power (p=0.002), LF/HF ratio (p <0.001) were significantly higher in shift duty workers. Conclusion: The study showed that shift duty workers had comparatively higher stress levels resulting in significantly high sympathetic drive and increased risk of insomnia. This can be associated with morbidity and ill health in the shifting duty workers

Emission analysis of Eu3+: CaO-La2O3-B2O3 glass

This paper reports on the analysis of the emission spectra of Eu3+: CaO-La2O3-B2O3 glass-From the measurement of its optical absorption spectrum, three phenomenological Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been computed and used to parameterize the radiative properties such as spontaneous emission probability (A), radiative rate (AT), radiative lifetime (TR), branching ratios (fl) and stimulated emission cross sections (sigma(E)(P)) of the measured emission transitions. A significant change has been observed in the fluorescence features of Eu3+ glass due to the occurrence of crystallization from the controlled heat treatment schedules. Local environment structure in the glass around the rare earth ion has also been understood. From the XRD spectral profiles of the ceramized Eu3+: calcium lanthanum borate glass, the crystalline phases have been analyzed in correlation with the measurement of FT-IR spectra of this red luminescent glass. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved