PEGASIS-E: Power Efficient Gathering in Sensor Information System Extended

In this paper, an improved energy efficient PEGASIS based protocol (PEGASIS-E) has been proposed. PEGASIS-E uses average distance among the sensor nodes as the criteria for chaining, thereby providing better performance in terms of energy dissipation and amount of information sent to BS. The simulation results obtained show that PEGASIS-E gives an increase in the network lifetime as compared to PEGASIS

Combination PPARγ and RXR Agonist Treatment in Melanoma Cells: Functional Importance of S100A2

Nuclear hormone receptors, including RXR and PPARγ, represent novel therapeutic targets in melanoma. We have previously shown that the DRO subline of the amelanotic melanoma A375 responds to rexinoid and thiazolidinedione (TZD) treatment in vitro and in vivo. We performed microarray analysis of A375(DRO) after TZD and combination rexinoid/TZD treatment in which the calcium binding protein S100A2 had increased expression after rexinoid or TZD treatment and a synergistic increase to combination treatment. Increased S100A2 expression is dependent on an intact PPARγ receptor, but it is not sufficient to mediate the antiproliferative effects of rexinoid/TZD treatment. Over expression of S100A2 enhanced the effect of rexinoid and TZD treatment while inhibition of S100A2 expression attenuated the response to rexinoid/TZD treatment, suggesting that S100A2 is necessary for optimal response to RXR and PPARγ activation by respective ligands. In summary, we have identified potential downstream mediators of rexinoid and TZD treatment in a poorly differentiated melanoma and found that alterations in S100A2 expression affect RXR and PPARγ signaling in A375(DRO) cells. These studies provide insight into potential mechanisms of tumor response or resistance to these novel therapies

Single layer versus double layer closure of enteric perforation- a comparative study

Background: Small intestine perforation and gastrointestinal haemorrhage are the most common and dreadful complications of enteric fever. There are different operative procedures available for enteric perforation repair. In the present study attempts should be made to find out which operative procedure (either single layer or double layer closure) should be planned in enteric perforation by comparing these, in terms of morbidity, mortality and cost effectiveness.Methods: This study was carried out on 50 patients of either sex. They were divided in two groups Group- A     (conventional double layer repair in 25 patients) and Group- B (single layer interrupted sutures in 25 patients). After analysing the result of this study, it can be concluded that single layer repair for enteric perforation can be constructed in less time and with less complication rate compared with the conventional two layer repair technique, it also recovers the patient early and causing earlier bowel activity than two layer repair.Results: 50 patients were studied in the present study and results were in favour of single layer group as time taken for perforation repair and overall surgical time was less in this group. Moreover, single layer repair also helps early bowel activity and early recovery to the patient than double layer technique.Conclusions: Double layer closure of enteric perforation offers no definitive advantage over single layer repair in terms of faecal fistula formation, operative time, returns of bowel movements and other complications like wound abscess formation, wound dehiscence, respiratory complications etc. Less operative time and other factors in favour of single layer repair makes it the choice of procedure for most of the surgeons

Nanoinformatics - A newly introduced tool for research

431-439Research in the field of nanotechnology has witnessed rapid increase in the synthesis of Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs). This has even led to development of new discipline of Nanotoxicology. Advances in the field of Nanotoxicology further led to development of new domain-nanoinformatics. This new domain of nanoinformatics provides a computational perspective to biology and nanotechnology addressing multi level integration. Nanoinformatics not only helps in predicting nanoparticle structure, composition and behaviour but also covers raw data management, analysis of data derived from biomedical applications and simulation of nanoparticle interactions with biological systems. In addition, it accelerates nano-related research and applications into clinical practice. There are various computational models developed to study the key steps in nano-medicine like drug encapsulation and release, nanoparticle targeting, delivery and uptake and nanoparticle effects on cells and tissues. These prospects have opened up a large domain enabling possibilities of nanomedicine and frontiers for clinical practice and biomedical research in a cost-effective manner along with various applications including studies in clinical trials, toxicity assays, drug delivery systems. This review highlights new approaches for Engineered nanoparticles (ENP) risk assessment and regulation

Identification of prognostic and susceptibility markers in chronic myeloid leukemia using next generation sequencing

Background: Incidence of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is continuously increasing and expected to reach 100,000 patients every year by 2030. Though the discovery of Imatinib Mesylate (IM) has brought a paradigm shift in CML treatment, 20% patients show resistance to this tyrosine kinase inhibiter (TKI). Therefore, it is important to identify markers, which can predict the occurrence and prognosis of CML. Clinical Exome Sequencing, panel of more than 4800 genes, was performed in CML patients to identify prognostic and susceptibility markers in CML.Methods: Enrolled CML patients (n=18) were segregated as IM responders (n=10) and IM failures (n=8) as per European Leukemia Net (ELN), 2013 guidelines. Healthy controls (n=5) were also enrolled. DNA from blood of subjects was subjected to Next Generation Sequencing. Rare mutations present in one patient group and absent in another group were considered as prognostic markers, whereas mutations present in more than 50% patients were considered as susceptibility markers.Result: Mutations in genes associated with cancer related functions were found in different patient groups. Four variants: rs116201358, rs4014596, rs52897880 and rs2274329 in C8A, UNC93B1, APOH and CA6 genes, respectively, were present in IM responders; whereas rs4945 in MFGE8 was present in IM failures. Mutations in HLA-DRB1 (rs17878951), HLA-DRB5 (rs137863146), RPHN2 (rs193179333), CYP2F1 (rs116958555), KCNJ12 (rs76684759) and FUT3 (rs151218854) were present as susceptibility markers.Conclusion: The potential genetic markers discovered in this study can help in predicting response to IM as frontline therapy. Susceptibility markers may also be used as panel for individuals prone to have CML.Keywords: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, Genetic Markers, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS

Environmental nanotechnological applications for Sustainable agriculture

Agriculture and society are intertwined. Agriculture is necessary for human survival and social sustainability in India. Eco-friendly agriculture practices nurture ecosystems to solve current societal issues. Indian ecosystems are marred by pollution, imbalance, climate changes, food crisis, various diseases, and mal-nourishment continue as a major concern. The traditional environmental remedial strategies appear relatively ineffective in the ever expanding use of pollutants that pervade the water, air and soil environment. Nanotechnology provides an efficient, environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions to the global sustainability challenges that society is facing. Nanotechnology utilizes nanomaterials that have remarkable physical and chemical features to make smart functional materials for developing sustainable technologies. Nanotechnology seems to be very promising in sustainable environment development, sustainable agriculture, renewable and economically energy alternative through use of nanomaterials for detection, prevention, and removing pollutants. The development of nanotechnology in India has huge potential to address the challenges like providing drinking water, healthcare, nano-based industry and sustainable agriculture. This review highlights the recent nanotechnology applications to meet the global challenges in providing clean energy technology, water purification, and greenhouse gases management. In addition, effort has been made to analyse the opportunities and limitations in engineered nanomaterials safety, solid waste management, reducing pollution of air water and soil