Direct-acting Antiviral Agents in Hepatitis C Virus-infected Renal Allograft Recipients: Treatment and Outcome Experience from Single Center

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in renal allograft recipient is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. At present, only few studies related to treatment and outcomes of HCV-infected renal allograft recipients with DAAs have been published. We aimed the study to assess the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based regimens in HCV-infected renal allograft recipients. We analyzed data of 22 eligible HCV-infected renal allograft recipients (14 genotype-3, 6 genotype-1, one each genotype-2 and 4) who were treated with DAAs at our institute. DAA regimen included sofosbuvir and ribavirin with or without ledipasvir or daclatasvir for 12–24 weeks. Patients were followed up for 24 weeks after completion of treatment. A rapid viral response of 91%, end of therapy response of 100%, and sustained viral response at 12 and 24 weeks of 100% with rapid normalization of liver enzymes were observed. Therapy was well tolerated except for ribavirin-related anemia. A significant decrease in tacrolimus trough levels was observed and most patients required increase in tacrolimus dose during the study. Treatment with newer DAAs is effective and safe for the treatment of HCV-infected renal allograft recipients.

An endophenotype approach to the genetics of alcohol dependence: a genome wide association study of fast beta EEG in families of African ancestry

Fast beta (20-28 Hz) electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillatory activity may be a useful endophenotype for studying the genetics of disorders characterized by neural hyperexcitability, including substance use disorders (SUDs). However, the genetic underpinnings of fast beta EEG have not previously been studied in a population of African-American ancestry (AA). In a sample of 2382 AA individuals from 482 families drawn from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA), we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on resting-state fast beta EEG power. To further characterize our genetic findings, we examined the functional and clinical/behavioral significance of GWAS variants. Ten correlated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (r²>0.9) located in an intergenic region on chromosome 3q26 were associated with fast beta EEG power at P<5 × 10^-8. The most significantly associated SNP, rs11720469 (β: -0.124; P<4.5 × 10^-9), is also an expression quantitative trait locus for BCHE (butyrylcholinesterase), expressed in thalamus tissue. Four of the genome-wide SNPs were also associated with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Alcohol Dependence in COGA AA families, and two (rs13093097, rs7428372) were replicated in an independent AA sample (Gelernter et al.). Analyses in the AA adolescent/young adult (offspring from COGA families) subsample indicated association of rs11720469 with heavy episodic drinking (frequency of consuming 5+ drinks within 24 h). Converging findings presented in this study provide support for the role of genetic variants within 3q26 in neural and behavioral disinhibition. These novel genetic findings highlight the importance of including AA populations in genetics research on SUDs and the utility of the endophenotype approach in enhancing our understanding of mechanisms underlying addiction susceptibility.

Outcome of Titanium Elastic Intramedullary Nail in the Treatment of Shaft of Femur Fracture in Children

Background Femoral-shaft fractures are among the most common fractures of the lower extremity in children. There are several different options for treating femoral-shaft fractures in children. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) has become the standard treatment for fractures of shaft of femur in children for reasons including mini-invasive surgery, no need for casting, early mobilization and discharge as well as growing concerns toward cost-effectiveness. Objective To demonstrate the effectiveness of intramedullary fixation of fracture shaft of femur in skeletally immature children using the titanium elastic intramedullary nails. Method Forty children who underwent fixation with titanium intramedullary nails because of fracture of shaft of femur (Winquist and Hansen type 1 and 2) were reviewed. There were 60% male and 40% female patients and mean follow-up was six months. Time of union, deformity at fracture site, limb length discrepancy, knee range of motion and complications were assessed. Result Average age of the patients was 5.17 years (range 3 to 10). All patients achieved complete healing at a mean 12.8 weeks (range 10 to 20 weeks). Average limb length discrepancy was -0.16 cm (range -1.0 to 1.1 cm) average knee range of motion was 137.55 degrees (range 118 to 152 degrees). Complications were recorded in 13 (31.7%) patients and included: Five malunion which did not show any deformity or functional impairment and eight superficial wound infections which were healed after removal of nail. All patients were active as their pre injury levels at six months follow up. Conclusion Elastic stable intramedullary nailing is the method of choice for the simple pediatrics fracture shaft of femur, as it is minimally invasive and shows good functional and cosmetic results. It allows short hospital stay and quick recovery from pain and is cast-free.

Cusp-Shaped Elastic Creases and Furrows

The surfaces of growing biological tissues, swelling gels, and compressed rubbers do not remain smooth, but frequently exhibit highly localized inward folds. We reveal the morphology of this surface folding in a novel experimental setup, which permits us to deform the surface of a soft gel in a controlled fashion. The interface first forms a sharp furrow, whose tip size decreases rapidly with deformation. Above a critical deformation, the furrow bifurcates to an inward folded crease of vanishing tip size. We show experimentally and numerically that both creases and furrows exhibit a universal cusp shape, whose width scales like y^{3/2} at a distance y from the tip. We provide a similarity theory that captures the singular profiles before and after the self-folding bifurcation, and derive the length of the fold from finite deformation elasticity.

Lung cancer: analysis of biomarkers and methods of diagnostic and prognostic value

This paper summarizes the overwhelming evidence that targeted therapy is better than chemotherapy for the treatment of lung cancer. The focus is on lung cancer because of the sheer magnitude of this disease especially in males. In India, lung cancer constitutes 6.9 per cent of all new cancer cases and 9.3 per cent of all cancer related deaths in both sexes (1). Currently the world we reside has a norm of developing cure to an abnormal state of living body (so called disease) based on evidences, recognized during the diagnosis of the disease. It is done to ensure optimized therapy of treatment and maximize the outcome. Personalized medicine is also an uprising norm. In this kind, all the variables such as host, environment, patient, etc. are considered for an individual case and the course of treatment is followed based on the standard options available. Its main objective is the best interest of the patient. Through a survey conducted in the northern belt of the country we tried to determine the biomarkers currently being used and the scope of targeted therapy. Thus, in its most basic form medicine is not only a science but is also an art.

Synthesis, characterization of nano-sized anatase TiO2 and its adsorption behaviour for environmental contaminant

TiO2 is one of the most studied material due to its unique properties like chemical stability, non toxicity and cost effectiveness.  Nano-sized TiO2   has been prepared by sol -gel method using titanium butoxide as precursor. X- ray diffraction analysis was used to characterize the phase and crystal size of the synthesized TiO2 particles. It was found that sizes of the particles ranged from 6 to 12 nanometre. FT-IR spectrum was also recorded for the TiO2  particles to detect the remaining organic residue .Heavy metals like Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni etc are considered major environmental contaminant in water due to their non biodegradable nature and adverse health effect in living beings. In this work the adsorption behavior of heavy metals towards nano-sized TiO2 was investigated.

Effects of arsenic toxicity on morphological characters in blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) during early growth stage

Blackgram is an important pulse crop of the tropic and sub-tropic area and has been identified as a potential crop in many countries. In the south-East Asia arsenic toxicity in soil and water is one of the most environmental problems. Crop productivity is highly affected by cultivation in arsenic polluted soil or irrigation through arsenic polluted water. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of arsenic (As) on fresh shoot length, fresh shoot weight, fresh root length, fresh shoot weight and total fresh biomass, The results indicate that root length is more affected than shoot length due to arsenic toxicity. The fresh shoot weight observed was more affected than fresh root weight. This study indicates that arsenic toxicity causes the deleterious effect on blackgram growth. The toxic effect of blackgram depends on the genotypic variability. Some blackgram genotypes show very less toxic effect of arsenic due to its genetic makeup. Experimental findings of study indicate that longer root length and more shoot weight in arsenic stress condition may be tolerant blackgram genotype to arsenic toxicity.

Comparative Study of Rhodamine B degradation by Tio2 nanoparticles synthesized from titanium sec butoxide and its chloroacetato derivatves

TiO2 has been well recognized as a proficient photocatalyst. TiO2 nanoparticles have been synthesized from titanium sec butoxide (1) and its monochloroacetate derived compounds. The modifications of Ti(OsBu)4 with monochloroacetic acid in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios afforded Ti(OsBu)3(OOCCH2Cl) (2) and Ti(OsBu)2(OOCCH2Cl)2 (3), respectively. The use of monochloroacetic acid as a modifier allows the control of both the degree of condensation and oligomerization of the precursor. The cross linking of the gel and connectivity of the molecular building blocks are lowered in these heteroleptic alkoxides which results in the formation of gels instead of crystalline precipitate. This modification of the precursors leads to the generation of new building blocks which significantly affect the properties of the resulting TiO2. TiO2 powders were prepared via sol-gel method from these precursors and calcined at 400°C and 600°C for 4 h. Phase and morphology of the prepared metal oxide nanoparticles were studied. XRD patterns showed TiO2 in anatase phase. After coating with the surfactant trioctyl phosphinoxide (TOPO), TiO2 particles were dispersed in chloroform to study the particle size and distribution. The optical properties were studied by UV-VIS drs. The photocatalytic activity was studied over the degradation of Rhodamine B under UV radiation.

Exploitation of dark fermented effluent of cheese whey by co-culture of Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Bacillus firmus for photo-hydrogen production

In this study photo-hydrogen production from cheese whey dark fermentation (DF) effluent by the co-culture of Rhodobacter sphaeroides -NMBL-01 and Bacillus firmus - NMBL-03 has been reported. The effect of pH, initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the concentration effect of FeSO4.7H2O on photo-hydrogen production have been investigated. The end products of dark fermentation effluent of cheese whey were mainly comprised of soluble organic acids, i.e. butyric acid and lactic acid. The batch process was carried out under light intensity of 2.5 kLux at 32 ± 2oC without any addition of extra carbon and nitrogen source. The single parameter optimization studies revealed optimum pH 6.5, initial COD 4.71 g/L and supplementation of Fe2+ concentration 100 mg/L. The maximum cumulative hydrogen production and yield were found to be 469 ± 45.8 ml H2/L and 146.56 ± 14.31 ml H2/g COD reduced (67.9% reduction in COD) respectively. The mutual interactions among the process parameters were also investigated by three factorial Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology. The optimized experimental values were found concurrent with the calculated values obtained from the theoretical model.

Effect of pH on optimization of photofermentative hydrogen production by co-culture of Rhodobacter sphaeroides-NMBL-02 and Bacillus firmus-NMBL-03

Rhodobacter sphaeroides NMBL-02, photosynthetic purple non sulfur (PNS) bacteria and associated Bacillus firmus NMBL-03 were isolated from water sample collected from 15-20 inches beneath the surface of ponds from Northern region of India in modified Sistrom's media (120 ml) containing 3 g/L malate and 1.2 g/L ammonium sulfate. The isolation was done in air tight serum bottles (120 ml) under tungsten bulb (1.8 kLux light intensity) at 30 oC ± 2 oC. The PNS and heterotrophic bacteria associated with the culture was purified by clonal selection method and characterized by 16S rDNA sequencing. The PNS isolate was identified as Rhodobacter sphaeroides NMBL-02 (ID: 1467407, Accession BANKIT: JN256030) and associated heterotroph as Bacillus firmus NMBL-03 (Gene Bank Accession no.: JN 256029). The effect of initial medium pH on optimization of hydrogen production was investigated in batch process. The maximum hydrogen potential and hydrogen production rate was 2310 ± 55 ml/L and 4.75 ml/L culture/h respectively using glutamate (1.7 mmol/L) as nitrogen source and malate (22.38 mmol/L) as carbon source with 76.39% malate conversion efficiency at initial medium pH 5.0. This co-culture has the ability to produce significant amount of hydrogen in the pH range of 5.0 to 10.0 with 76.39% to 35.71% malate conversion respectively.

Pharmacological activities of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol: antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial studies

The present study reports the antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-leishmanial activities of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. Both the compounds are naturally present in cinnamon and bay leaf. Eugenol is abundantly present in clove. The antioxidant potential was measured in terms of reducing power (FRAP assay), nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging ability and anti-lipid peroxidative activities. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of test compounds on cell viability of prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) as well as for the assessment of in vitro growth inhibition of promastigotes as a measure of anti-leishmanial activity.  Eugenol exhibited considerable NO radical scavenging (63%) and reducing abilities (FRAP value 127×104 µM/mM) while cinnamaldehyde showed comparatively better protective efficacy against lipid peroxidation in rat brain and kidney homogenates (up to 40%). Cinnamaldehyde also displayed substantial cytotoxic activity (75%) against PC-3 cell line. Both the compounds exhibited moderate anti-leishmanial activity and IC50 values for eugenol and cinnamaldehyde were found to be 0.681 g/ml and 1.426g/ml, respectively. The study revealed that both the test compounds have noticeable antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.

PKA-GSK3β and β-Catenin Signaling Play a Critical Role in Trans-Resveratrol Mediated Neuronal Differentiation in Human Cord Blood Stem Cells

The role of resveratrol (RV), a natural polyphenol, is well documented, although its role on neurogenesis is still controversial and poorly understood. Therefore, to decipher the cellular insights of RV on neurogenesis, we investigated the potential effects of the compound on the survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hCBMSCs). For neuronal differentiation, purified and characterized hCBMSCs were exposed to biological safe doses of RV (10 μM) alone and in combination with nerve growth factor (NGF-50 ng). The cells exposed only to NGF (50 ng/mL) served as positive control for neuronal differentiation. The genes showing significant involvement in the process of neuronal differentiation were further funneled down at transcriptional and translational level. It was observed that RV promotes PKA-mediated neuronal differentiation in hCBMSCs by inducing canonical pathway. The studies with pharmacological inhibitors also confirmed that PKA significantly induces β-catenin expression via GSK3β induction and stimulates CREB phosphorylation and pERK1/2 induction. Besides that, the studies also revealed that RV additionally possesses the binding sites for molecules other than PKA and GSK3β, with which it interacts. The present study therefore highlights the positive impact of RV over the survival, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation in hCBMSCs via PKA-mediated induction of GSK3β, β catenin, CREB, and ERK1/2.