Spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy: a case report

Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as multiple gestation in which intrauterine and extrauterine gestational sacs co-exist. The extra uterine gestational sac is most commonly tubal ectopic pregnancy. We presented case of a 26 years old multigravida who presented to emergency with complaints of pain abdomen and giddiness for 2-3 days. She was at period of gestation (POG) 7 weeks and on clinical examination patient was anxious with mild pallor, mildly tachycardiac and blood pressure (BP) was 90/60 mm of Hg. After thorough clinical examination and sonography diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy with ruptured tubal ectopic was made. She was taken up for Emergency laparotomy after investigations and consent. Left salpingectomy was done and she was discharged with a single intrauterine live pregnancy on 6th post op day. For early detection of cases of heterotopic pregnancy careful evaluation of adnexa is mandatory in early gestation scan

Chickpea

Pulses form a major source of protein, particularly for vegetarian diet, and chickpea ranks among the leading legumes in this regard. Albeit considerable efforts at national and international levels, productivity of the chickpea crop has been stagnated for long due to the major biotic and abiotic constraints caused by Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, pod borer, drought, and cold. Though many wild annual Cicer species possess a wealth of agronomically desirable donor genes, particularly those conferring resistance to stresses, they are sexually incompatible with the cultivated species. Transgenic approach is, therefore, a potential alternative means for incorporation of desirable alien genes into chickpea. This chapter highlights various dimensions of the international efforts in producing transgenic chickpea and provides a comprehensive perspective of strategies and achievements. Development of transgenic chickpea includes different aspects such as locating genes for particular traits from available chickpea germplasm, their isolation, making suitable constructs to transfer into chickpea through modifying them by adding marker gene, promoter sequence, and termination sequence for their effective expression, and finally transformation followed by an efficient regeneration protocol. This technology will have a very important role in developing newer varieties of chickpea with desired traits such as insect resistance, disease resistance, and drought/cold resistance

Characterizing the Role of Host's Immune Mechanisms in Coronavirus Pathogenesis

Coronaviruses are positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses known to cause mild to severerespiratory diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to identify the differentmolecular mechanisms and antiviral cellular host antagonists involved in the coronavirus pathogenesis.IFI16, a member of the PYHIN family, is an antiviral restriction factor known to restrict several DNAviruses like human papillomavirus, human cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1. Recently,its role in restricting RNA virus replication has also been established. IFI16 belongs to a PYHIN family,which is entirely lost in bats, the only mammals capable of sustained flight, and are also a naturalreservoir for several deadly viruses in the world, including coronaviruses. The evolutionary loss of thePYHIN family in bats highlights that an impaired innate immune system might be a potentialexplanation for their ability to host several pathogenic viruses without facing any casualties. IFI16 isabundantly present in other mammalian species. Thus, we proposed that IFI16 might have an antiviralrole in coronavirus pathogenesis. We used two bat-derived coronaviruses- low pathogenic (NL63) andhighly pathogenic (SARS-CoV-2) to analyze IFI16 involvement in modulating the host innate immuneresponse in IFI16 WT and IFI16 KO-HaCaT cells. We found an increase in the induction of innateimmune response in NL63-infected IFI16 KO-HaCaT cells. However, the infection rate in HaCaT cellswas insufficient to provide any conclusions. Thus, we switched to a different cell line, LLC-MK2,which is an efficient study model for studying both viruses. We noticed the induction of IFI16 uponboth NL63 and SARS-CoV-2. We also observed that NL63 dampens the innate immune response inLLC-MK2 cells. Moreover, we have identified the nuclear to cytoplasmic localization of IFI16 and itsco-localization with the NL63 nucleoprotein. However, the antiviral role of IFI16 in this context is yetto be established. We are currently working on characterizing these experiments in the newlyestablished IFI16KO-LLC-MK2. IFI16 is a crucial regulator for identifying and responding to invadingpathogens and maintaining a homeostatic balance of host cells. Deepening our understanding of IFI16'sinvolvement in triggering abnormal inflammatory reactions in hCoV-infected human epithelial cells canhelp develop novel therapeutic approaches for hCoV-related disease pathologies.Coronaviruses are positive sense, single-stranded RNA viruses known to cause mild to severerespiratory diseases. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to identify the differentmolecular mechanisms and antiviral cellular host antagonists involved in the coronavirus pathogenesis.IFI16, a member of the PYHIN family, is an antiviral restriction factor known to restrict several DNAviruses like human papillomavirus, human cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1. Recently,its role in restricting RNA virus replication has also been established. IFI16 belongs to a PYHIN family,which is entirely lost in bats, the only mammals capable of sustained flight, and are also a naturalreservoir for several deadly viruses in the world, including coronaviruses. The evolutionary loss of thePYHIN family in bats highlights that an impaired innate immune system might be a potentialexplanation for their ability to host several pathogenic viruses without facing any casualties. IFI16 isabundantly present in other mammalian species. Thus, we proposed that IFI16 might have an antiviralrole in coronavirus pathogenesis. We used two bat-derived coronaviruses- low pathogenic (NL63) andhighly pathogenic (SARS-CoV-2) to analyze IFI16 involvement in modulating the host innate immuneresponse in IFI16 WT and IFI16 KO-HaCaT cells. We found an increase in the induction of innateimmune response in NL63-infected IFI16 KO-HaCaT cells. However, the infection rate in HaCaT cellswas insufficient to provide any conclusions. Thus, we switched to a different cell line, LLC-MK2,which is an efficient study model for studying both viruses. We noticed the induction of IFI16 uponboth NL63 and SARS-CoV-2. We also observed that NL63 dampens the innate immune response inLLC-MK2 cells. Moreover, we have identified the nuclear to cytoplasmic localization of IFI16 and itsco-localization with the NL63 nucleoprotein. However, the antiviral role of IFI16 in this context is yetto be established. We are currently working on characterizing these experiments in the newlyestablished IFI16KO-LLC-MK2. IFI16 is a crucial regulator for identifying and responding to invadingpathogens and maintaining a homeostatic balance of host cells. Deepening our understanding of IFI16'sinvolvement in triggering abnormal inflammatory reactions in hCoV-infected human epithelial cells canhelp develop novel therapeutic approaches for hCoV-related disease pathologies

Arbuscular mycorrhizal networks: process and functions. A review

An unprecedented, rapid change in environmental conditions is being observed, which invariably overrules the adaptive capacity of land plants. These environmental changes mainly originate from anthropogenic activities, which have aggravated air and soil pollution, acid precipitation, soil degradation, salinity, contamination of natural and agro-ecosystems with heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), global climate change, etc. The restoration of degraded natural habitats using sustainable, low-input cropping systems with the aim of maximizing yields of crop plants is the need of the hour. Thus, incorporation of the natural roles of beneficial microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility and plant productivity is gaining importance and may be an important approach. Symbiotic association of the majority of crop plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi plays a central role in many microbiological and ecological processes. In mycorrhizal associations, the fungal partner assists its plant host in phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) uptake and also some of the relatively immobile trace elements such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). AM fungi also benefit plants by increasing water uptake, plant resistance and biocontrol of phytopathogens, adaptation to a variety of environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, heavy metal contamination, production of growth hormones and certain enzymes, and even in the uptake of radioactive elements. The establishment of symbiotic association usually involves mutual recognition and a high degree of coordination at the morphological and physiological level, which requires a continuous cellular and molecular dialogue between both the partners. This has led to the identification of the genes, signal transduction pathways and the chemical structures of components relevant to symbiosis; however, scientific knowledge on the physiology and function of these fungi is still limited. This review unfolds our current knowledge on signals and mechanisms in the development of AM symbiosis; the molecular basis of nutrient exchange between AM fungi and host plants; and the role of AM fungi in water uptake, disease protection, alleviation of various abiotic soil stresses and increasing grain production

A Survey on Fish Population Availability in Different Season in Northern India

Among all the animal protein sources, fish is the best dietary animal protein source due to the presence of less saturated fat and readily available in the market. A survey on fish availability in the fish market has pasteurized the seasonal availability of the different species of fishes. The Present study conducted on the availability of different fish species during the summer, spring, and winter months at the Gummat fish market, Jammu Division; Bilaspur fish market, Himachal Pradesh; Amritsar fish market, Punjab. The survey result showed that in all the fish markets, the price of the fish was higher in the winter season than&nbsp;in the summer season. Mainly Labeo rohita, Tor mosal, Catla catla, Wallago attu, Bramidae, Anabas testudineus, Carassiusauratus, Catla catla, Ctenophoryngodon idella, Labeo rohita, Lethrinus bohar, Nandus nandus, Pampus chinensis, Pangasius buchanani, Platycephalus fuscus, Rita rita, Solea solea, Sperata seenghala, Telopia nilotica, Tenualosa ilish were found in these markets throughout the season. In the case of body weight and body length of different fish species, it has been found that bodyweight greatly varied in the summer and winter months.&nbsp;Lower availability and insufficient body weight of different fish species in the winter month affects the income of fish sellers of this market. From this study, it might be concluded that variable price, the low body weight of fish species may affect the income of fish sellers in this market. A special lookout should have to be taken by the state fisheries department so that the continuous fish supply may take place in this market.</p

Potential use of low-cost herbs against contaminated water for health issues

The main objective of this study is to identify the most suitable herbal plants for removing contaminants to reduce the use of chemicals for water contamination. The microbial studies were performed in the contaminated kitchen and household wastewater treated (with various medicinal plants, i.e., Azardichta Indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Pinus roxburghii) using the serial dilution method. Aqueous extracts of the dried powdered plant material were used directly to treat the collected water samples. We examined that the enumeration of bacterial load in the treated water was reduced as compared to contaminated water. Enumeration of Bacterial load in the kitchen wastewater were ranging from 80x104 to 17x1010, However, the Cfu (colony forming unit) in treated kitchen water with Ocimum tenuiflorum were ranging from 13x103 to 2x1010. Bacterial load in the household sewage wastewater were ranging from 105 x 107 to 19 x 1010. However, the Cfu in treated household sewage wastewater with Pinus roxburghii were ranging from 75 x 104 to 4 x 1010. We found that Ocimum tenuiflorum was more effective against kitchen runoff compared to other selected medicinal plants

Human cytomegalovirus infection triggers a paracrine senescence loop in renal epithelial cells

Abstract Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an opportunistic pathogen causing severe diseases in immunosuppressed individuals. To replicate its double-stranded DNA genome, HCMV induces profound changes in cellular homeostasis that may resemble senescence. However, it remains to be determined whether HCMV-induced senescence contributes to organ-specific pathogenesis. Here, we show a direct cytopathic effect of HCMV on primary renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs), a natural setting of HCMV disease. We find that RPTECs are fully permissive for HCMV replication, which endows them with an inflammatory gene signature resembling the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), as confirmed by the presence of the recently established SenMayo gene set, which is not observed in retina-derived epithelial (ARPE-19) cells. Although HCMV-induced senescence is not cell-type specific, as it can be observed in both RPTECs and human fibroblasts (HFFs), only infected RPTECs show downregulation of LAMINB1 and KI67 mRNAs, and enhanced secretion of IL-6 and IL-8, which are well-established hallmarks of senescence. Finally, HCMV-infected RPTECs have the ability to trigger a senescence/inflammatory loop in an IL-6-dependent manner, leading to the development of a similar senescence/inflammatory phenotype in neighboring uninfected cells. Overall, our findings raise the intriguing possibility that this unique inflammatory loop contributes to HCMV-related pathogenesis in the kidney

Persistence of Neutralizing Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in First Wave Infected Individuals at Ten Months Post-Infection: The UnIRSA Cohort Study

Longitudinal mapping of antibody-based SARS-CoV-2 immunity is critical for public health control of the pandemic and vaccine development. We performed a longitudinal analysis of the antibody-based immune response in a cohort of 100 COVID-19 individuals who were infected during the first wave of infection in northern Italy. The SARS-CoV-2 humoral response was tested using the COVID-SeroIndex, Kantaro Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody RUO Kit (R&D Systems, Bio-Techne, Minneapolis, USA) and pseudotype-based neutralizing antibody assay. Using sequential serum samples collected from 100 COVID-19 recovered individuals from northern Italy—mostly with mild disease—at 2 and 10 months after their first positive PCR test, we show that 93% of them seroconverted at 2 months, with a geometric mean (GeoMean) half-maximal neutralization titer (NT50) of 387.9. Among the 35 unvaccinated subjects retested at 10 months, 7 resulted seronegative, with an 80% drop in seropositivity, while 28 showed decreased anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) and anti-spike (S) IgG titers, with a GeoMean NT50 neutralization titer dropping to 163.5. As an NT50 > 100 is known to confer protection from SARS-CoV-2 re-infection, our data show that the neutralizing activity elicited by the natural infection has lasted for at least 10 months in a large fraction of subjects

Arbuscular mycorrhizal networks: process and functions. A review

International audienceAn unprecedented, rapid change in environmental conditions is being observed, which invariably overrules the adaptive capacity of land plants. These environmental changes mainly originate from anthropogenic activities, which have aggravated air and soil pollution, acid precipitation, soil degradation, salinity, contamination of natural and agro-ecosystems with heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), global climate change, etc. The restoration of degraded natural habitats using sustainable, low-input cropping systems with the aim of maximizing yields of crop plants is the need of the hour. Thus, incorporation of the natural roles of beneficial microorganisms in maintaining soil fertility and plant productivity is gaining importance and may be an important approach. Symbiotic association of the majority of crop plants with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi plays a central role in many microbiological and ecological processes. In mycorrhizal associations, the fungal partner assists its plant host in phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) uptake and also some of the relatively immobile trace elements such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). AM fungi also benefit plants by increasing water uptake, plant resistance and biocontrol of phytopathogens, adaptation to a variety of environmental stresses such as drought, heat, salinity, heavy metal contamination, production of growth hormones and certain enzymes, and even in the uptake of radioactive elements. The establishment of symbiotic association usually involves mutual recognition and a high degree of coordination at the morphological and physiological level, which requires a continuous cellular and molecular dialogue between both the partners. This has led to the identification of the genes, signal transduction pathways and the chemical structures of components relevant to symbiosis; however, scientific knowledge on the physiology and function of these fungi is still limited. This review unfolds our current knowledge on signals and mechanisms in the development of AM symbiosis; the molecular basis of nutrient exchange between AM fungi and host plants; and the role of AM fungi in water uptake, disease protection, alleviation of various abiotic soil stresses and increasing grain production