Utilization of Ripe Coconut Fiber in Stone Matrix Asphalt Mixes

ABSTRACTStone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) is a gap graded mix; characterized by higher proportion of coarse aggregate, lower proportion of middle size aggregate and higher proportion of mineral filler. In the present laboratory study, commonly available one conventional VG 30 bitumen and another modified binder, namely CRMB 60 have been used along with a non-conventional natural fiber, namely coconut fiber which is abundantly available in India to provide improved engineering properties and at the same time preventing the usual draining of binder in SMA. The role of a particular binder and fiber with respect to their concentrations in the mix is studied for various engineering properties. Marshall procedure has been followed to determine the optimum binder and optimum fiber contents and also to study the relative advantages of fiber addition in the SMA mixtures. Thereafter, the engineering properties under both static as well as repeated load conditions and moisture susceptibility characteristics have been studied. It is observed that only a marginal 0.3% coconut fiber addition brings significant improvement in the engineering properties of SMA mixes

Association of vitamin D with triglyceride-glucose index and cardiometabolic risk factors in subclinical hypothyroidism

Background: The present study aimed to explore the association of vitamin D with triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and cardiometabolic risk factors in subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Methods: We recruited 75 individuals diagnosed with SCH and 75 healthy controls of both genders aged 20 to 65 years. Triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured using chemiluminescent immunoassay. Fasting plasma glucose and lipid profile were analyzed by standard methods. The TyG index was calculated as Ln [fasting triglycerides (mg/dL) × fasting glucose (mg/dL)]/2. Results: There were significant decreases in 25(OH)D levels and changes in cardiometabolic risk factors among individuals with SCH compared to healthy controls. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the TyG index among the SCH group. Correlation and regression analysis revealed that 25(OH)D was significantly and negatively associated with TyG index, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). However, it was positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Conclusion: Present study shows that SCH patients have lower vitamin D levels and higher TyG index, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Screening and managing vitamin D deficiency is crucial in these subjects. In addition, TyG index could be used as an indicator for identifying vitamin D deficiency

Extracellular Vesicles As Modulators of Tumor Microenvironment and Disease Progression in Glioma

Diffuse gliomas are lethal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by infiltrative growth, aggressive nature, and therapeutic resistance. The recent 2016 WHO classification for CNS tumors categorizes diffuse glioma into two major types that include IDH wild-type glioblastoma, which is the predominant type and IDH-mutant glioblastoma, which is less common and displays better prognosis. Recent studies suggest presence of a distinct cell population with stem cell features termed as glioma stem cells (GSCs) to be causal in driving tumor growth in glioblastoma. The presence of a stem and progenitor population possibly makes glioblastoma highly heterogeneous. Significantly, tumor growth is driven by interaction of cells residing within the tumor with the surrounding milieu termed as the tumor microenvironment. It comprises of various cell types such as endothelial cells, secreted factors, and the surrounding extracellular matrix, which altogether help perpetuate the proliferation of GSCs. One of the important mediators critical to the cross talk is extracellular vesicles (EVs). These nano-sized vesicles play important roles in intercellular communication by transporting bioactive molecules into the surrounding milieu, thereby altering cellular functions and/or reprogramming recipient cells. With the growing information on the contribution of EVs in modulation of the tumor microenvironment, it is important to determine their role in both supporting as well as promoting tumor growth in glioma. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of EVs in tumor progression and glioma pathogenesis

Circulating asprosin levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim: Asprosin, a recently discovered adipokine, exhibits pathological elevation in individuals experiencing insulin resistance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between circulating asprosin levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: Two independent authors carried out a thorough and systematic literature search of electronic databases including PubMed/Medline, Europe PMC, and Google Scholar for relevant studies published up to June 30, 2023. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random effect model. Cochran's Q test and I2 statistics were employed to assess the statistical heterogeneity. A leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was carried out to evaluate the stability of result and funnel plot was constructed to assess publication bias. Results: Twenty-one articles including 1601 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 1162 healthy controls were selected for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients had significantly higher circulating asprosin levels compared to controls [SMD = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.89–1.61; p < 0.00001] with a considerable heterogeneity [I2 = 94%]. The results from subgroup analyses, which considered diagnostic criteria, study design, continents, sample size and type of blood sample, were consistent with the main finding. Conclusion: Circulating asprosin levels were significantly increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients compared to controls. Hence, there is potential for utilizing asprosin as a target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Chitin Derived Small Molecule AVR-48 Reprograms the Resting Macrophages to an Intermediate Phenotype and Decrease <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Mouse Lung Infection

AVR-48 is a structural derivative of chitin previously shown by our laboratory to significantly decrease lung injury parameters in LPS, hyperoxia and sepsis-induced rodent models. The current study objectives are to determine the cellular mechanism of action and demonstrate efficacy in a mouse bacterial lung infection model. For in vitro receptor binding and macrophage polarization studies, C57Bl/6J mouse derived spleens and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) were treated with AVR-48 ± LPS or biotin conjugated AVR-48. Different macrophage types were determined using flow cytometry and secreted cytokines were measured using ELISA. In vivo, a CD-1 mouse Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection was treated with AVR-48, assessing bacterial colony forming unit (CFU), IL-10 and IL-17A levels in lung and blood samples. AVR-48 binds to both the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the CD163 receptor on mouse monocytes. In hPBMCs, frequency of intermediate macrophages increased upon AVR-48 treatment for 72 h. Increased bacterial phagocytosis/intracellular killing were observed in THP-1 cells and reduction in CFU in CD-1 mouse lungs. Binding of AVR-48 to both TLR4 and CD163 receptors bring the macrophages to an intermediary stage, resulting in increased phagocytosis and decreased inflammation, altogether providing an optimal immune balance for treating lung injury and infection

The Interaction of Seasons and Biogeochemical Properties of Water Regulate the Air–Water CO₂ Exchanges in Two Major Tropical Estuaries, Bay of Bengal (India)

The exchange of CO2 between the air–water interfaces of estuaries is crucial from the perspective of the global carbon cycle and climate change feedback. In this regard, we evaluated the air–water CO2 exchanges in two major estuaries—the Mahanadi estuary (ME) and the Dhamra estuary (DE) in the northern part of the Bay of Bengal, India. Biogeochemical properties of these estuarine waters were quantified in three distinct seasons, namely, pre-monsoon (March to May), monsoon (June to October), and post-monsoon (November to February). The significant properties of water, such as the water temperature, pH, salinity, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a (chl a), and photosynthetic pigment fluorescence of phytoplankton, were estimated and correlated with CO2 fluxes. We found that the ME acted as a source of CO2 fluxes in the monsoon and post-monsoon, while DE acted as a sink during the monsoon. The stepwise regression model showed that the fluxes were primarily driven by water temperature, pH, and salinity, and they correlated well with the phytoplankton characteristics. The chl a content, fluorescence yield, and phycobilisomes-to-photosystem II fluorescence ratios were major drivers of the fluxes. Therefore, for predicting air–water CO2 exchanges precisely in a large area over a seasonal and annual scale in the estuaries of the Bay of Bengal, India, critical key parameters such as water temperature, pH, salinity, chl a, and fluorescence yield of phytoplankton should be taken into consideration. However, the responses of phytoplankton, both in terms of production and CO2 capture, are critical research areas for a better understanding of air–water CO2 exchanges in coastal ecology under climate change scenarios

Intra-annual Variability of CO2 Flux in the Mahanadi Estuary- A Tropical Estuarine System, India

The inorganic carbon dynamics and the CO2 flux of estuarine system are strongly influenced by the productivity and nutrient regime of water. This study provides full seasonal coverage of assessment of the physicochemical variables of Mahanadi estuary, mainly focusing on the carbonate system through the measurement of pH, Total Alkalinity (TA), Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC), both aqueous and air fCO 2, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and chlorophyll a (chl a). The relationship of TA and DIC were found conservative throughout the study period. The estuary was found to be over-saturated with CO2 and acted as a net source. However, the magnitude of flux varied from season to season with a range between -8.14 to 8.09 μmol m-2 h-1 indicating ephemeral sink phase in the estuary. The air-water CO2 flux was primarily governed by fCO2 (water) although other factors such as temperature, pH, salinity, total alkalinity, wind speed and fCO2 (air) noticeably affected CO2 flux. A strong positive correlation was observed between temperature and inorganic nutrients during the study period. The study of net ecosystem metabolism justifies the heterotrophic nature of Mahanadi estuarine system.</p

Novel Chitohexaose Analog Protects Young and Aged mice from CLP Induced Polymicrobial Sepsis

Abstract In Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, production of excess pro-inflammatory cytokines results in hyperinflammation and tissue injury. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 inhibit inflammation and enhance tissue healing. Here, we report a novel approach to treat septicemia associated with intra-abdominal infection in a murine model by delicately balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A novel oligosaccharide compound AVR-25 selectively binds to the TLR4 protein (IC50 = 0.15 µM) in human peripheral blood monocytes and stimulates IL-10 production. Following the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure, intravenous dosing of AVR-25 (10 mg/kg, 6–12 h post-CLP) alone and in combination with antibiotic imipenem protected both young adult (10–12 week old) and aged (16–18 month old) mice against polymicrobial infection, organ dysfunction, and death. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, MIP-1, i-NOS) were decreased significantly and restoration of tissue damage was observed in all organs. A decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) confirmed improved bacterial clearance. Together, these findings demonstrate the therapeutic ability of AVR-25 to mitigate the storm of inflammation and minimize tissue injury with high potential for adjunctive therapy in intra-abdominal sepsis

Noncoding RNA Ginir functions as an oncogene by associating with centrosomal proteins.

Long noncoding RNAs constitute a major fraction of the eukaryotic transcriptome, and together with proteins, they intricately fine-tune various growth regulatory signals to control cellular homeostasis. Here, we describe the functional characterisation of a novel pair of long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) comprised of complementary, fully overlapping sense and antisense transcripts Genomic Instability Inducing RNA (Ginir) and antisense RNA of Ginir (Giniras), respectively, from mouse cells. This transcript pair is expressed in a spatiotemporal manner during embryonic development. The individual levels of the sense and antisense transcripts are finely balanced during embryonic growth and in adult tissues. Functional studies of the individual transcripts performed using overexpression and knock-down strategies in mouse cells has led to the discovery that Ginir RNA is a regulator of cellular proliferation and can act as an oncogene having a preeminent role in malignant transformation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the oncogenic function of Ginir is mediated by its interaction with centrosomal protein 112 (Cep112). Additionally, we establish here a specific interaction between Cep112 with breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (Brca1), another centrosome-associated protein. Next, we prove that the mutual interaction between Cep112 with Brca1 is significant for mitotic regulation and maintenance of genomic stability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the Cep112 protein interaction with Brca1 protein is impaired when an elevated level of Ginir RNA is present in the cells, resulting in severe deregulation and abnormality in mitosis, leading to malignant transformation. Inhibiting the Ginir RNA function in transformed cells attenuates transformation and restores genomic stability. Together, these findings unravel, to our knowledge, a hitherto-unknown mechanism of oncogenesis mediated by a long noncoding RNA and establishes a unique role of Cep112-Brca1 interaction being modulated by Ginir RNA in maintaining mitotic fidelity