Comparative study between the Hybrid Capture II test and PCR based assay for the detection of human papillomavirus DNA in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oral malignancy is a major global health problem. Besides the main risk factors of tobacco, smoking and alcohol, infection by human papillomavirus (HPV) and genetic alterations are likely to play an important role in these lesions. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of HC-II assay and PCR for the detection of specific HPV type (HPV 16 E6) in OSMF and OSCC cases as well as find out the prevalence of the high risk HPV (HR-HPV) in these lesions.</p> <p>Methods and materials</p> <p>Four hundred and thirty patients of the potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions were taken from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, India from Sept 2007-March 2010. Of which 208 cases were oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) and 222 cases were oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The HC-II assay and PCR were used for the detection of HR-HPV DNA.</p> <p>Result</p> <p>The overall prevalence of HR-HPV 16 E6 DNA positivity was nearly 26% by PCR and 27.4% by the HC-II assay in case of potentially malignant disorder of the oral lesions such as OSMF. However, in case of malignant oral lesions such as OSCC, 32.4% HPV 16 E6 positive by PCR and 31.4% by the HC-II assay. In case of OSMF, the two test gave concordant result for 42 positive samples and 154 negative samples, with an overall level of agreement of 85.4% (Cohen's kappa = 66.83%, 95% CI 0.553-0.783). The sensitivity and specificity of the test were 73.7% and 92.05% (p < 0.00). In case of OSCC, the two test gave concordant result for 61 positive samples and 152 negative samples, with an overall level of agreement of 88.3% (Cohen's kappa = 79.29, 95% CI 0.769-0.939) and the sensitivity and specificity of the test were 87.14% and 92.76% (p < 0.00).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study concluded that slight difference was found between the positivity rate of HR-HPV infection detected by the HC-II and PCR assay in OSMF and OSCC cases and the HC II assay seemed to have better sensitivity in case of OSCC.</p

Synergistic effect of stromelysin-1 (matrix metalloproteinase-3) promoter (-1171 5A->6A) polymorphism in oral submucous fibrosis and head and neck lesions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that degrade all the components of extra cellular matrix and collagen. Various types of MMPs are known to be expressed and activated in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) as well as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The purpose of this study was to asses the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) adenosine insertion/deletion polymorphism (-1171 5A->6A) in the MMP-3 promoter region in these lesions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MMP-3 SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in a case control study consisting of 362 participants; 101 cases of OSMF, 135 of HNSCC and 126 controls, compared for age, sex and habits. ROC distribution was plotted to assess the contributions of genetic variation in MMP-3 genotypes with relation to age.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis of MMP 3 (-1171 5A->6A) polymorphism revealed the frequency of 5A allele in OSMF, HNSCC and controls to be 0.15, 0.13 and 0.07, respectively. A significant difference was found in 5A genotype frequency between OSMF (5A genotype frequency = 0.15, p = 0.01, OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.22-4.20) and in controls (5A genotype frequency 0.07) as well as HNSCC (5A genotype frequency 0.13, p = 0.03,95%CI = 1.06-3.51) and controls (5A genotype frequency = 0.07) In this study, 5A genotype had greater than two fold risk for developing OSMF (OR = 2.26) and nearly the same in case of HNSCC (OR = 1.94) as compared to controls. In patients with OSMF as well as HNSCC, the ROC analysis between the MMP-3 genotype and age, 6A/6A allele was found to be significant in patients both over and under 45 years of age; while the 5A/5A carrier alleles showed an association only in patients less than 45 years of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study concluded that the expression of MMP-3 genotype associated with the 5A alleles, it may have an important role in the susceptibility of the patients to develop OSMF and HNSCC.</p

New perspective of nanotechnology: role in preventive forensic

Abstract Background Generally, material scientist discussing new-fangled nanotechnology research and its conversation turns to the commercial aspects or potential issues around health, safety, and the environment. In recent years, few of them have been shown interest to apply nanotechnology for forensic purposes which are related to societal or community issues. Main text In forensic science, nanotechnology majorly is applied to develop reactive (‘smart’) materials; micro-chip technology; nanomanipulators; nanoimaging tools for visualization. These advances in forensic technologies have mainly been focused on analytical techniques. These techniques are based on nanomaterials that are able to provide either improved performance over conventional techniques or enable to collect information from a crime scene that would not otherwise have been possible ever. Moreover, some crucial forensic issues such as cost and time effectiveness, wide availability, accuracy, and reliability of results are major concerns in forensic investigation and security. Conclusion With the help of this review article, an attempt was made to elucidate how nanotechnologies could be crucial in addressing current forensic investigation issues such as collection and analysis of evidence from the crime scene and how these technologies may be helpful in preventive forensic and security measures

Fluorescent magnesium nanocomplex in a protein scaffold for cell nuclei imaging applications

Herein, we report a facile strategy for the synthesis of a water-soluble ultra-fine blue-green emitting fluorescent magnesium nanoparticle-protein complex (MgNC). This MgNC is demonstrated to exhibit excellent photostability and biocompatibility. It was also observed that MgNCs stain cell nuclei with high specificity

Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema as complication in COVID-19 patient with high CT severity score: Two case reports

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused due to infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is highly infective virus resulting in recent on-going pandemic and causing multisystem involvement predominantly affecting respiratory system. The most common presenting symptoms are fever, dry cough and breathlessness. The role of Computerized tomography (CT) is crucial especially in those patient having negative (rRT-PCR) but with high clinical suspicion, for prognosis and follow up. CT imaging findings mainly consists of multiple patchy bilateral ground-glass opacity (GGO) with or without consolidation and interlobular septal thickening with a peripheral or posterior distribution, mainly involving the lower lobes, depending upon the stage of disease. We present two case report of high CT severity score COVID-19 infection on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) having rare complication of pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema apart from typical COVID pattern lung findings during their course of admission in the hospital

Effects of post COVID-19 lockdown on educational pedagogy: A study of Lovely Professional University

Background: The end of 2019 marked the beginning of the global pandemic COVID-19. With this global issue, all the fields of society became stagnant. The education system is no exception to it. Education sector suffered as students were sent back to homes and schools, colleges and universities were shut down. But steps were taken and the education teaching system was shifted from offline to online mode. This research project examines the educational pedagogy which has been adapted in online mode of teaching due to post COVID-19 lockdown. It seeks to discover the pros and cons of online teaching vis-a-vis the ways of offline conduct of classes. The data for the project has been gathered in the form of an online survey in which both teachers and students were given questionnaires which are used to map and understand different pedagogical choices during online teaching. It also tries to highlight the comparative value, compatibility and usefulness of digital mode of learning.&nbsp

Seed Priming with ZnO and Fe₃O₄ Nanoparticles Alleviate the Lead Toxicity in <i>Basella alba</i> L. through Reduced Lead Uptake and Regulation of ROS

The increased lead (Pb) content in the environment has an impact on all living beings, including plant growth and quality. The present study aims to investigate the protective roles of zinc (Zn)- and iron (Fe)- nanoparticles (NPs) in alleviating stress symptoms caused by lead (Pb) exposure in Basella alba seedlings. For this purpose, 15 different treatment combinations of seed priming with two NPs at 0 and 200 mg L−1, and five Pb levels (0, 4, 8, 15, 20 mM) were chosen. Pb stress (20 mM) was found to reduce seed germination by 72.8% and seedling growth, particularly root length, by 92% when compared to the control. Under different Pb concentrations, seed priming with ZnNPs (200 mg L−1) and FeNPs (200 mg L−1) increased seed germination by 34.7% and 54.9%, respectively, and root length by 152.9% and 252.9%, respectively. In 20 mM Pb stress, NPs primed seedling showed decrease in Pb content by 33.7% with ZnNPs and 32.6% with FeNPs. Increased Pb stress resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) compared to non-Pb stressed seedlings. However, increased antioxidants in the NPs treatments such as SOD, CAT, POD and proline content, scavenged these ROS. Considering all the parameters under study, priming alleviated Pb stress in the following order: FeNPs > ZnNPs > hydropriming > control. To summarise, seed priming with Zn- and Fe-NPs has the potential to alleviate Pb toxicity via reduced Pb uptake, ROS generation and lipid peroxidation as well as increased proline content and activation of antioxidant enzymatic system

Not Available

Not AvailableAmong heavy metal contaminants in soil, lead (Pb) is a potentially toxic element to plant growth and humans due to non-degradable nature. Nowadays, concentration of Pb in cultivable soil has increased tremendously due to different anthropogenic activities such as untreated sewage water, industrialization etc. Present study explored the role of ZnO and Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) in alleviating stress symptoms caused by lead (Pb) exposure in Basella alba during seed germination and seedling growth. After preliminary study, 15 different treatment combinations of seed priming with two NPs (ZnNPs and FeNPs at 0 & 200 mg/L) and Pb (0, 4, 8, 15, 20 mM), were chosen to investigate the effect of the NPs in Pb contaminated media. Pb stress (0 to 20 mM) was found to reduce seed germination (72.8 %) and seedling growth, particularly root growth (92 %). Under Pb stress conditions, however, seed priming with ZnNPs (200 mg/L) and FeNPs (200 mg/L) resulted in increase in seed germination and root length. The content of Pb in seedling decreased by 20.2–33.7% and 24.6–32.6%, respectively, in Pb + ZnNPs and Pb + FeNPs treatments. Increasing Pb stress resulted in increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (H2O2 content), and lipid peroxidation (MDA content) compared to non-Pb stressed seedlings. These ROS were scavenged however, by increased production of SOD, CAT, POX and proline content in the Pb + ZnNPs and Pb + FeNPs treatments. To summarise, seed priming with NPs has the potential to alleviate Pb toxicity by (1) reduction in Pb uptake (2) reduction in ROS and lipid peroxidation (3) increase in proline (4) activation of antioxidant enzymes. It is recommended that seed priming with either of the NPs could be used in the remediation of Pb contaminated media for healthy vegetable production.Not Availabl

Co-Factor Binding Confers Substrate Specificity to Xylose Reductase from <em>Debaryomyces hansenii</em>

<div><p>Binding of substrates into the active site, often through complementarity of shapes and charges, is central to the specificity of an enzyme. In many cases, substrate binding induces conformational changes in the active site, promoting specific interactions between them. In contrast, non-substrates either fail to bind or do not induce the requisite conformational changes upon binding and thus no catalysis occurs. In principle, both lock and key and induced-fit binding can provide specific interactions between the substrate and the enzyme. In this study, we present an interesting case where cofactor binding pre-tunes the active site geometry to recognize only the cognate substrates. We illustrate this principle by studying the substrate binding and kinetic properties of Xylose Reductase from <em>Debaryomyces hansenii</em> (<em>Dh</em>XR), an AKR family enzyme which catalyzes the reduction of carbonyl substrates using NADPH as co-factor. <em>Dh</em>XR reduces D-xylose with increased specificity and shows no activity towards “non-substrate” sugars like L-rhamnose. Interestingly, apo-<em>Dh</em>XR binds to D-xylose and L-rhamnose with similar affinity (K_d∼5.0–10.0 mM). Crystal structure of apo-<em>Dh</em>XR-rhamnose complex shows that L-rhamnose is bound to the active site cavity. L-rhamnose does not bind to holo-<em>Dh</em>XR complex and thus, it cannot competitively inhibit D-xylose binding and catalysis even at 4–5 fold molar excess. Comparison of K_d values with K_m values reveals that increased specificity for D-xylose is achieved at the cost of moderately reduced affinity. The present work reveals a latent regulatory role for cofactor binding which was previously unknown and suggests that cofactor induced conformational changes may increase the complimentarity between D-xylose and active site similar to specificity achieved through induced-fit mechanism.</p> </div