First report on the occurrence of plasticolous lichens from Uttarakhand, India

The paper documents the distribution of three species [Hyperphyscia adglutinata (Flörke) H.Mayrhofer and Poelt, Paromotrema austrosinense (Zahlbr.) Hale and Punctelia subrudecta (Zahlbr.) Hale] of lichens from 14 years old nylon nets collected from Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (G.B.P.I.H.E.D.) located in temperate region of Central Himalaya. These three species were previously reported as corticolous and saxicolous, but for the first time are reported as plasticolous

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) as a new biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and drug resistance

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary malignant liver tumor that commonly occurs as a progression of chronic liver inflammation due to long-standing viral hepatitis infection, toxins, metabolic conditions, and congenital disorders. In 2018, HCC was the 4th leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for approximately 780,000 deaths in total. HCC’s prognosis is directly correlated with early detection. Unfortunately, HCC has an asymptomatic pattern of growth in the early stages of the disease which makes early detection challenging. When HCC progresses to advanced stages, it leaves clinicians with limited therapeutic and curative options, leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality. In general, one major hurdle in treating advanced cancer is that cancer cells develop drug resistance. Research studies have elucidated the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in progression and drug resistance in various cancers such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding RNA segments that are \u3e200 nucleotides long that play various roles in biological processes regarding DNA, RNA, and protein regulation. In carcinogenesis, lncRNAs can promote growth and differentiation of cancer stem cell populations, promoting chemoresistance and tumor recurrence. The role of lncRNAs in the chemoresistance of HCC has not been well-studied. There is a need to uncover novel lncRNA biomarkers for both the early detection of HCC and to create drug strategies for clinicians when predicting chemoresistance. The goal of our review is three-fold. Firstly, we aim to describe HCC risk factors, the pathologic progression of HCC from benign pathologies such as viral hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), current diagnostic standards and challenges, and approved treatment options for HCC. Secondly, we aim to explain the molecular role of lncRNAs in cancer progression and drug resistance. Lastly, we aim to compile a comprehensive list of studied lncRNAs involved in HCC progression and drug resistance, their mechanisms of action, their binding partners, and the impact these lncRNAs had on metastatic potential and tumor proliferation. Additionally, we aim to include a list of proteins involved in HCC and their interactions with lncRNAs

A Study on Opinion Spamming: Fake Consumer Review Detection

Online audits are the most important wellsprings of data about client feelings and are considered the columns on which the standing of an association is assembled. From a client's viewpoint, audit data is vital to settle on an appropriate choice with respect to an online buy. Surveys are for the most part thought to be a fairminded assessment of a person's very own involvement in an item, however, the fundamental truth about these audits recounts an alternate story. Spammers abuse these audit stages unlawfully on account of impetuses engaged with composing counterfeit surveys, subsequently attempting to acquire a bit of leeway over contenders bringing about an unstable development of assessment spamming. This training is known as Opinion Spam, where spammers control and toxic substance surveys for benefit or gain. In the event that one sees numerous positive audits of the item, one is probably going to purchase the item. Notwithstanding, in the event that one sees many negative surveys, he/she will in all probability pick another item. Positive suppositions can bring about huge monetary benefits and additionally popularities for associations and people. This, sadly, offers great motivating forces for input spam. Most of the momentum research has zeroed in on regulated learning strategies, which require named information, a shortage with regards to online survey spam. Examination of techniques for Big Data is of revenue, since there are a huge number of online audits, with a lot seriously being produced every day. Until now, we have not discovered any papers that review the impacts of Big Data examination for survey spam identification. The essential objective of this paper is to give a solid and farreaching similar investigation of flow research on identifying audit spam utilizing different AI procedures and to devise a strategy for directing further examination

Recent advances on the role of long non-coding RNAs in Alzheimer’s disease

Dementia is a progressive cognitive impairment that affects the activities of daily living. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of the dementia worldwide accounting for 60–80% of all dementia cases. With an estimated cost exceeding $290 billion in the USA, understanding and development of future therapeutic strategies is vital. In this perspective, we will be examining the current thinking of AD research and therapeutic strategies, while proposing a possible new direction for diagnosis, understanding, and treatment targets. Non-coding RNA accounts for the largest population of the human transcriptome. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a recent molecule of interest in the biomedical research which is non protein coding and is of length greater than 200 nucleotides. LncRNAs have been shown to play diverse roles within the cells such as posttranscriptional and posttranslational regulation, chromatin modulation, and protein complex organization. Given the flexible and diverse role in disease pathophysiology, lncRNAs may serve as novel therapeutic targets for diagnosis and treatment. Evidently, recent studies showed that dysregulation of lncRNA influences the clinical course of tumorigenesis, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Kazimierczyk et al., 2020). This indicates that lncRNA can provide a unique avenue of research and possible therapeutic targets in AD

Knowledge and attitude towards emergency contraception in females of urban area of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Background: Emergency contraception are birth control measures that, if taken after unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure, incorrect use of contraceptives or in cases of sexual assault may prevent pregnancy. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of female living in urban part of Lucknow district from September 2015 to August 2016.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted at RML Hospital, Lucknow from September 2015 to August 2016. A cross sectional study design was conducted and Participants were selected using simple random sampling method. Data was collected by using self-administered questionnaires. Data processing and analysis: The collected data was entered into a computer and analyzed using statistical package of social science version 20.0.Results: In this study it was found that, Out of 385 subjects 54% (209) new the correct time interval for EC to be effective and 91% (350) new that this is for prevention of unplanned pregnancy. Out of 385 subjects 77% (345) reported that they had heard the word EC from different sources, however 23% (90) reported that they never heard about that it means that still there is a scope of health awareness activities and health education to improve the knowledge of EC. Different attitudes of females towards emergency contraception some different pair of questions was asked. Out of 385 subjects 85% (329) were reported that they have positive attitudes in terms of benefits of EC to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy. A few number of subjects i.e. 12% (48) reported negative attitudes towards EC where as 3 % (8) did not respond. The more than half subjects i.e. 68% (260) reported that they use EC even if their partners disagreed with them where as 11% (41). Cultural belief was found as an barrier in having negative attitudes towards EC. The Religion, Occupation and educational status affect knowledge and attitudes towards EC.Conclusions: The results show that there is a scope of health awareness activities and health education to improve the knowledge and attitude towards EC

A Case Report of a Patient on Therapeutic Warfarin Who Died of COVID-19 Infection with a Sudden Rise in D-Dimer

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has disrupted social and economic life globally. The global pandemic COVID-19 caused by this novel SARS-CoV-2 shows variable clinical manifestations, complicated further by cytokine storm, co-infections, and coagulopathy, leading to severe cases and death. Thrombotic complications arise due to complex and unique interplay between coronaviruses and host cells, inflammatory response, and the coagulation system. Heparin and derivatives are World Health Organization (WHO) recommended anticoagulants for moderate and severe Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19), that can also inhibit viral adhesion to the cell membrane by interfering with heparan sulfate-dependent binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Heparin also possesses anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and anti-complement activity, which offers a benefit in limiting viral and microbial infectivity and anticoagulation from the immune-thrombosis system. Here we present a case study of the pathophysiology of unexpected COVID-19 coagulopathy of an obese African American patient. While being on therapeutic warfarin since admission, he had a dismal outcome due to cardio-pulmonary arrest after the sudden rise in D-dimer value from 1.1 to \u3e20. This indicates that for such patients on chronic warfarin anticoagulation with “moderate COVID 19 syndromes”, warfarin anticoagulation may not be suitable compared to heparin and its derivatives. Further research should be done to understand the beneficial role of heparin and its derivatives compared to warfarin for COVID-19 inflicted patients

Estimation of Epiphytic Macrolichen Biomass in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Almora, Uttarakhand, India

The lichen litter fallen on the forest floor from canopy and main branches between elevations of 900-2500 m was estimated for the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) of Almora district in Uttarakhand, India. The forest of the sanctuary was divided in 5 major forest stands, viz., Quercus, Alnus, Pinus, Rhododendron and Mixed. At each stand ten, 1-m2 quadrats were randomly placed and the lichen litter was collected in April 2013. Lichen biomass was highest in Quercus stand (2.55 g m-2) followed by Alnus (2.33 g m-2), Mixed stand (2.00 g m-2), Rhododendron (0.82 g m-2), and Pinus with the lowest lichen litter biomass (0.21 g m-2). The highest biomass was recorded for Matrix lichens (0.8944 g m-2), followed by Forage lichens (0.6976 g m-2) and Cyanolichens (0.0064 g m-2)

Seasonal Variation on Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Leachate in Active and Closed Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Site in Lucknow, India

Inappropriate disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) results in the leaching of inorganic and organic chemicals, which can contaminate the groundwater, posing great contamination risk to humans. Due to unscientific landfilling, many fast growing cities of India are falling under high risk category of groundwater pollution. This paper attempts to assess the physico-chemical characteristics of leachate due to seasonal variation in the active and closed non-engineered MSW landfill sites of Lucknow city of Uttar Pradesh, India. Leachates from different landfill sites, which are either presently active or closed, were characterized and their relationships with season were examined. Concentrations of various physicochemical parameters such as colour, turbidity, total hardness, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, NO3−2, NH3-N and SO4 2- were determined in leachate samples