Heavy Metal Accumulation in Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. Transplanted at Kolkata City, West Bengal, India

A foliose lichen Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl., was transplanted at ten biomonitoring sites in Kolkata city of West Bengal for 30 days. Concentration of heavy metals Zn, Cu, Cd, Ni, Fe and Pb accumulated in lichen were determined. The result indicates an enhanced concentration of most of the metals in the transplanted samples than the control. Two heavy metals Cd and Pb were not detected in the samples, while Cr accumulated in lower (3.3±0.3 to 15.9±0.2 μg g-1) and Fe in higher concentrations (2958.2±0.9 to 4690.4±0.7 μg g-1). The concentration of Zn ranged from 47.1±0.6 to 114.0±0.5 μg g-1, Cu 3.4±0.3 to 38.7±0.6 μg g-1 and Ni 31.2±0.3 to 81.3±0.8 μg g-1. The lichen transplanted in the inner zone of the city with congested roads and heavy vehicular movements accumulated comparatively higher levels of most of the metals than at the sites situated in outer zone of the city. According to the concentration of heavy metals accumulated in lichen, it can be concluded that Jadabpur and Esplanade area are highly polluted, while BBD Bagh and Dum Dum Airport areas are less polluted

Bilateral symmetry and anatomical root variations of mandibular second molars in North Indian populations using cone beam computed tomography

To evaluate bilateral symmetry and anatomical variations of root morphology of permanent mandibular second molar using systematic evaluation of CBCT scans. This cross-sectional study involved the mandible which were imaged using serial axial cone-beam c

Current Scenario of Molecular Diagnostics in Indian Healthcare Sector

After successfully accomplishing the Human genome project and opening new avenues for genome based diagnostics and therapy in healthcare sector, development of personalized medicine and advancing molecular diagnostics has been the prime agenda of scientists all-round the globe. Molecular diagnostics has made possible the diagnosis of the previously undetected viral nucleic acids, early access of data to doctors, a deeper understanding of the disease cause, treatment dose and success of the treatment depending upon the case. It has provided an immense scope of novel and more sophisticated biotechnology and biomedical tools to be employed in the sector procreating a new interdisciplinary field. The gene based testing in all fields has flourished in leaps and bounds after the prediction of >5% in 2005. Here we discuss the current scenario, scope and limitations of the Molecular diagnostics in terms of its significance in public health care

Tumor Biology and Immune Infiltration Define Primary Liver Cancer Subsets Linked to Overall Survival After Immunotherapy

Primary liver cancer is a rising cause of cancer deaths in the US. Although immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors induces a potent response in a subset of patients, response rates vary among individuals. Predicting which patients will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors is of great interest in the field. In a retrospective arm of the National Cancer Institute Cancers of the Liver: Accelerating Research of Immunotherapy by a Transdisciplinary Network (NCI-CLARITY) study, we use archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples to profile the transcriptome and genomic alterations among 86 hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma patients prior to and following immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Using supervised and unsupervised approaches, we identify stable molecular subtypes linked to overall survival and distinguished by two axes of aggressive tumor biology and microenvironmental features. Moreover, molecular responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment differ between subtypes. Thus, patients with heterogeneous liver cancer may be stratified by molecular status indicative of treatment response to immune checkpoint inhibitors

Health, education, and social care provision after diagnosis of childhood visual disability

Aim: To investigate the health, education, and social care provision for children newly diagnosed with visual disability.Method: This was a national prospective study, the British Childhood Visual Impairment and Blindness Study 2 (BCVIS2), ascertaining new diagnoses of visual impairment or severe visual impairment and blindness (SVIBL), or equivalent vi-sion. Data collection was performed by managing clinicians up to 1-year follow-up, and included health and developmental needs, and health, education, and social care provision.Results: BCVIS2 identified 784 children newly diagnosed with visual impairment/SVIBL (313 with visual impairment, 471 with SVIBL). Most children had associated systemic disorders (559 [71%], 167 [54%] with visual impairment, and 392 [84%] with SVIBL). Care from multidisciplinary teams was provided for 549 children (70%). Two-thirds (515) had not received an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). Fewer children with visual impairment had seen a specialist teacher (SVIBL 35%, visual impairment 28%, χ2p < 0.001), or had an EHCP (11% vs 7%, χ2p < 0 . 01).Interpretation: Families need additional support from managing clinicians to access recommended complex interventions such as the use of multidisciplinary teams and educational support. This need is pressing, as the population of children with visual impairment/SVIBL is expected to grow in size and complexity.This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Embryonic stem cells: An alternative approach to developmental toxicity testing

Stem cells in the body have a unique ability to renew themselves and give rise to more specialized cell types having functional commitments. Under specified growth conditions, these cell types remain unspecialized but can be triggered to become specific cell type of the body such as heart, nerve, or skin cells. This ability of embryonic stem cells for directed differentiation makes it a prominent candidate as a screening tool in revealing safer and better drugs. In addition, genetic variations and birth defects caused by mutations and teratogens affecting early human development could also be studied on this basis. Moreover, replacement of animal testing is needed because it involves ethical, legal, and cost issues. Thus, there is a strong requirement for validated and reliable, if achievable, human stem cell-based developmental assays for pharmacological and toxicological screening

Stem Cells as Potential Targets of Polyphenols in Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis are major neurodegenerative diseases, which are characterized by the accumulation of abnormal pathogenic proteins due to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired autophagy, and pathogens, leading to neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits. Herein, we reviewed the utility of plant polyphenols in regulating proliferation and differentiation of stem cells for inducing brain self-repair in AD and multiple sclerosis. Firstly, we discussed the genetic, physiological, and environmental factors involved in the pathophysiology of both the disorders. Next, we reviewed various stem cell therapies available and how they have proved useful in animal models of AD and multiple sclerosis. Lastly, we discussed how polyphenols utilize the potential of stem cells, either complementing their therapeutic effects or stimulating endogenous and exogenous neurogenesis, against these diseases. We suggest that polyphenols could be a potential candidate for stem cell therapy against neurodegenerative disorders

MCA (Magnetic Collimator and Absorber 9.1). Manual

<p>Detection of apoptosis, necrosis and quantitative changes in dual stained (AO/EB) fluorescence images of NRK-52E cells. Viable cells were pale green and marked with white arrow, red arrow represents early apoptotic cells (chromatin condensation) were stained bright-green. Late apoptotic cells stained yellow-orange marked by yellow arrow. Cells showing necrosis stained orange-red and marked with blue arrow. Cells treated with serum free media considered as untreated control. Cystone (50 μg/mL) was taken as positive control. Multiple fields were assessed under florescence microscope (Nikon eclipse, Ti) and images were captured at 20X magnification, scale bar 100 μm. Untreated control- Fig.a: AO stained, Fig.b: EB stained and Fig.c: merged image. Oxalate injury—Fig.d: AO stained, Fig.e: EB stained and Fig.f: merged image. AE1 (50 μg/mL) treatment—Fig.g: AO stained, Fig.h: EB stained, Fig.i: merged image. AE2 (50 μg/mL) treatment—Fig.j: AO stained, Fig.k: EB stained, Fig.l: merged image. Cystone (50 μg/mL)—Fig.m: AO stained, Fig.n: EB stained and Fig.o: merged image.</p

Polarization photomicrographs depicting effect of <i>T</i>.<i>terrestris</i> on morphology of calcium oxalate crystals.

<p>Polarization microscopic images show the morphological changes in calcium oxalate crystals by AE1 (1 mg/mL) and AE2 (1 mg/mL) (Fig. 3b- Fig. 3c) treated groups with respect to untreated group <i>i</i>.<i>e</i> control (Fig.3a). Cystone (1 mg/mL) treated group (Fig.3d). Images were captured at 40 X magnification; scale bar 50 μm. Multiple fields were assessed.</p