Lectin: A Molecular Tool in Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy with Special Reference to Reproductive Cancers.

The prevalence of cancer deaths globally and domestically is higher especially due to the deferment of diagnosis and lack of facilities for women's reproductive cancers. The present review focussed to explore the application of lectins in cancer theranostics. Though there is cancer diagnostic and treatment available there is no promising early diagnostic tool and effective treatment available for the cancer which is the major concern. Lectins are cellulose-binding proteins that are strongly determined in saccharide groups of glycans, glycopeptides, or glycolipids. In the concomitance of events in cells, carbohydrates, and proteins, lectins play an important role. Lectins bind superiorly to the cancer cell membrane and their receptors induce the cytotoxic effect, which results in caspase-mediated cell death, and prohibits tumour development. Lectin snuffing also reveals polyamine stocks and impedes the growth of cancerous cells. They affect the cell cycle by non-apoptotic aggregation, seizure of the cell cycle phase G2, M, and the mediation of caspases. It can also adversely affect the action of telomerase and hinder vascularisation. They promote immunomodulation and adversely limit protein synthesis. Their easy availability and its characteristics support its use in cancer diagnosis and therapy, despite their small corollary effects. Future investigations recommend focussing more on the key applications of lectin by reducing its concurrent effects and carrying out more in-vitro investigations. However, the use of lectin formulations for cancer theranostics is a new area in cancer detection and treatment. In this review, plant lectin appears to be a potential target for cancer research in the fields of diagnosis and theranostics.

Assessment of inspiration and technical quality in anteroposterior thoracic radiographs using machine learning.

INTRODUCTION: Chest radiographs are the most performed radiographic procedure, but suboptimal technical factors can impact clinical interpretation. A deep learning model was developed to assess technical and inspiratory adequacy of anteroposterior chest radiographs. METHODS: Adult anteroposterior chest radiographs (n = 2375) were assessed for technical adequacy, and if otherwise technically adequate, for adequacy of inspiration. Images were labelled by an experienced radiologist with one of three ground truth labels: inadequate technique (n = 605, 25.5 %), adequate inspiration (n = 900, 37.9 %), and inadequate inspiration (n = 870, 36.6 %). A convolutional neural network was then iteratively trained to predict these labels and evaluated using recall, precision, F1 and micro-F1, and Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping analysis on a hold-out test set. Impact of kyphosis on model accuracy was assessed. RESULTS: The model performed best for radiographs with adequate technique, and worst for images with inadequate technique. Recall was highest (89 %) for radiographs with both adequate technique and inspiration, with recall of 81 % for images with adequate technique and inadequate inspiration, and 60 % for images with inadequate technique, although precision was highest (85 %) for this category. Per-class F1 was 80 %, 81 % and 70 % for adequate inspiration, inadequate inspiration, and inadequate technique respectively. Weighted F1 and Micro F1 scores were 78 %. Presence or absence of kyphosis had no significant impact on model accuracy in images with adequate technique. CONCLUSION: This study explores the promising performance of a machine learning algorithm for assessment of inspiratory adequacy and overall technical adequacy for anteroposterior chest radiograph acquisition. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: With further refinement, machine learning can contribute to education and quality improvement in radiology departments.

Fluoride in groundwater of industrial town of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India: probable release mechanism and potential health risk assessment.

In the selected study region of Sonbhadra district, coal burning and mining activities are dominant. Previous studies reported F contamination in very few groundwater samples of this region. A detailed study is required to estimate the fluoride in groundwater of this area. Hence, a total of 128 groundwater samples were collected during post- and pre-monsoon seasons in the year 2017 to estimate the F-, its geochemistry, and health risk assessment from Renukoot and Anpara industrial clusters of Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The pH of groundwater samples varied from slightly acidic to alkaline during both seasons. Almost all the major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+) and major anions (HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, and F-) values in groundwater samples of both clusters were found within the permissible limit of World Health Organization (WHO) and Beauro of Indian standards except F- in both seasons. The scatter plots of F- with Ca2+, Na+, HCO3-, and pH are used to explain the release mechanism of fluoride in groundwater. Saturation indices (SI) calcite versus SI fluorite and SI dolomite versus SI fluorite plots of both clusters used to check the involvement of these minerals in fluoride enrichment of aquifers. F- contamination in groundwater due to coal burning in coal mining and thermal power plant dominated region is discussed globally and locally both. The non-carcinogenic health risk due to consumption of fluoride-contaminated water is estimated by using target hazard quotient (THQ). THQ values of F- showed that children are at high risk than adults in both clusters of the study area during both seasons. Pictorial representation is used to show the dental fluorosis cases in children of the study region.

Pesticides in the hydrogeo-environment: a review of contaminant prevalence, source and mobilisation in India.

Chemical pesticides in the hydrogeological system are a global concern as they pose a severe threat to humans and other organisms. In agriculture, around 4.12 million tonnes of pesticides were used globally in 2018, which is 50% more than in the 1990s. Various pesticides detected in the hydrogeological system of India since the 1990s have been documented and reviewed to understand the prevalence, source, history and degradation pathways. This review contributes to a better understanding of existing pesticide pollution and the state of hydrogeological resource deterioration. Small to excess levels of pesticide residues were detected in groundwater, surface water, soil, and sediments. Pesticides that were most commonly and predominantly found in the hydrogeological system were HCHs, DDTs, endosulfan, heptachlor, drins (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin), chlordane etc. ß and γ-HCH isomers among HCHs, whereas p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE among the DDTs were detected most prevalently. In many regions, pesticide residue levels in water have exceeded the maximum residue limits of WHO and BIS, while those in soils and sediments have exceeded the threshold effect level and probable effect level. Higher pesticide residues were detected in the water resources of rural agricultural areas compared to peri-urban or urban areas. A positive correlation of pesticide residues between water resources and soil has been observed in some regions, suggesting a similar contamination source. Diagnostic ratios of pesticides reveal their source, history and degradation pathways. Diagnostic ratios observed in various studies conducted in India suggest historical as well as recent use of banned pesticides. Strengthening current policies and regulations, monitoring pesticide use, changes in pesticide application practices, awareness among farmers, and the use of prominent removal techniques are necessary to tackle pesticide contamination in India.

Hydrogeochemical characterization and geochemical modeling for the evaluation of groundwater quality and health risk assessment in the Varuna River basin, India.

This study focuses on determining significant controlling factors of chemical consequences, inverse geochemical modeling, water quality, and human health risk in the Varuna River basin of India. The study interprets that according to pH, total dissolved solids, and total hardness, the maximum number of groundwater samples are alkaline, fresh, and have substantial hardness. The abundance of major ions follows a pattern: Na > Ca > Mg > K, and HCO3 > Cl > SO4 > NO3 > F. Piper diagram shows that Ca-Mg-HCO3 facies are predominant during both seasons. Na-normalized molar ratios of HCO3/Na, Mg/Na, and Ca/Na are 0.62, 0.95, and 1.82 (pre-monsoon) and 0.69, 0.91, and 1.71 (post-monsoon), respectively, elucidating the coupled silicate and carbonate weathering (dolomite dissolution) sources. The Na/Cl molar ratio is 5.3 (pre-monsoon) and 3.2 (post-monsoon), indicating silicate alteration as the primary process rather than halite dissolution. The chloro-alkaline indices confirm the presence of reverse ion- exchange. Geochemical modeling using PHREEQC identifies the formation of secondary kaolinite minerals. The inverse geochemical modeling categorizes the groundwaters along the flow path from recharge area waters (Group I: Na-HCO3-Cl), transitional area waters (Group II: Na-Ca-HCO3), and discharge area waters (Group III: Na-Mg-HCO3). The model demonstrates the prepotency of water-rock interactions in pre-monsoon justified by the precipitation of Chalcedony and Ca-montmorillonite. The mixing analysis shows that in the alluvial plains, groundwater mixing is a significant hydrogeochemical process that affects groundwater quality. The Entropy Water Quality Index ranks 45% (pre-monsoon) and 50% (post-monsoon) of samples as an excellent category. However, the non-carcinogenic health risk assessment shows that children are more susceptible to fluoride and nitrate contamination.

Method for identification of 10 SSR markers from monkey genomes and its statistical inference with One & Two-way ANOVA.

DNA tracts that include simple sequence repeats (SSRs), sometimes known as genetic "stutters), are composed of a few to many tandem repetitions of a short base-pair motif. These sequences frequently mutate, changing the amount of repetitions. SSRs are frequently found in promoters, untranslated regions, and even coding sequences, therefore these alterations can significantly affect practically every aspect of gene activity. SSR alleles can also contribute to normal diversity in brain and behavioural features. Mutational expansion of certain triplet repeats is the cause of a number of inherited neurodegenerative diseases. Due to its importance in genetic research, in this paper we explored Ten SSR markers TAGA, TCAT, GAAT, AGAT, AGAA, GATA, TATC, CTTT, TCTG and TCTA that are identified from the genomes of Eleven distinct monkeys: A.Nancymaae, C.C.Imitator, C.Atys, M.Leucophaeus, P.Paniscus, R.Bieti, R.Roxellana, S.Boliviensis, T.Syrichta, C.A.Palliatus and M.Nemestrina using pattern matching mechanism. We identified 4bp SSR from eleven monkey dataset's Unchr chromosome mainly in this paper. The proposed approach finds the exact place/location of the SSR's and number of times that it appears in the given genome sequence. The identified patterns are analyzed with One-way and Two-way ANOVA that gives better analysis which is useful for genomic studies. Also, this 4bp Ten SSR markers data is a valuable to illustrate genetic variation of genomic study.•The great specificity of data sets produced from monkey genomes with pattern matching has been demonstrated.•These findings show that SSR identification could be a useful tool for determining genome similarity and comparability.•Researchers can use the raw sequencing data to conduct additional bioinformatics analysis.

A grey zone for bibliometrics: publications indexed in Web of Science as anonymous.

Publications without authorship information have been indexed as anonymous in the Web of Science database over the years. However, discussions on this subject have not been sufficiently addressed in the scholarly literature. Since bibliometrics studies are widely used for bibliometricians, scientific disciplines, science policy, and management, missing significant data as authorship metadata characterizes a gray zone that directly impacts these three components, and by extension, for bibliometrics and scientometrics. With a data collection performed at Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), 1,420,842 documents under "anonymous" authorship from 1900 to 2021 were retrieved, which accounted for 1.5% of the total documents indexed in the WoSCC. The publication data such as yearly growth of research publications, document type, language, productive research areas, and other bibliometric indicators were analyzed. The findings showed that in absolute numbers, a considerable growth of anonymous publications between 1996 and 2009, and there was a downward trend after that. However, this increase has not been proportional to the growth in the total number of publications indexed in the WoSCC. Articles, editorial materials, and news items were the top three document types among the WoSCC-indexed publications as anonymous. This study also finds two main scenarios of indexing publications as anonymous. The first is associated with the historical context of scholarly communication and practices that persist. The second is characterized by indexing persistent problems. This study suggests minimizing the error in databases, enabling an error-free indexing system and accurate bibliometrics studies. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11192-022-04494-4.

Metabolic risk factors in first acute coronary syndrome (MERIFACS) Study.

OBJECTIVES: In acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients the focus is on major conventional risk factors - CRF [diabetes, hypertension, elevated low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) and smoking] whereas others - specific metabolic risk factors - MRF [high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body-mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and triglycerides, and HbA1c get less attention. METHODS: This is a prospective case-control observational study from 15 tertiary care hospitals in India. CRF and MRF in patients presenting with first incidence of ACS (n = 2153) were compared with matched controls (n = 1210). RESULTS: Propensity score matching (PSM) yielded 1193 cases and matched 1210 controls. Risk factor prevalence in cases vs. controls were CRF: hypertension - 39.4% vs 16.4% (p < 0.0001), diabetes - 42.6% vs 12.7% (p < 0.0001), smoking - 28.3% vs 9.3% (p < 0.0001) and elevated LDL-C - 70.2% vs 57.9% (p < 0.0001). MRF: High BMI - 54.7% vs 55.1% (p = 0.84), increased waist: hip ratio 79.5% vs 63.6% (p < 0.0001), high HbA1c - 37.8% vs 14.9% (p < 0.0001), low HDL-C - 56.2% vs 42.8% (p < 0.0001) and elevated triglycerides - 49.7% vs 44.2% (p = 0.007). Adjusted Odds ratios by multivariate analysis were CRF: hypertension - 2.3 (p < 0.001), diabetes - 4.7 (p < 0.001), high LDL-C - 3.3 (p < 0.001) and smoking- 6.3 (p < 0.001). MRF: High waist: hip ratio - 2.4 (p < 0.001) high HbA1c - 3.2 (p < 0.001), low HDL-C 2.2 (p < 0.001) and elevated triglycerides - 0.878 p = 0.17. CONCLUSION: In India, the risk of ACS conferred by specific metabolic risk factors (High waist: hip ratio, Low HDL-C and High HbA1c) is comparable to that caused by CRF.

Screening for osteoporosis using L1 vertebral density on abdominal CT in an Australian population.

AIM: To assess the utility of osteoporosis screening using abdominal computed tomography (CT) versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) T-scores as the reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients ≥30 years undergoing abdominal CT and DXA within 12 months were assessed retrospectively. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using axial CT attenuation at L1, correlating with DXA T-scores. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and odds ratio (OR) were calculated. RESULTS: The study cohort comprised 407 CT-DXA pairs (58.2% women). The prevalence of osteoporosis was 11.8%. L1 density and T-score were significantly correlated in both women (r=0.35, p<0.001) and men (r=0.15, p=0.04). The AUC to distinguish osteoporosis from osteopenia and normal BMD was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.56-0.71). In women, a threshold of 190 HU detected T-scores ≤ -2.5 with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.4% (OR=4.4, p<0.01). In the entire cohort, a threshold of 180 HU detected T-scores ≤ -2.5 with a NPV of 96.2% (OR=4.7, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CT L1 attenuation correlates with L1 DXA T-scores. Density values < 190 and 180 HU increased the probability of an osteoporosis diagnosis in Australian women and the overall cohort, respectively. Opportunistic screening for osteoporosis using abdominal CT is feasible, enabling identification of at-risk subjects for formal DXA imaging, thereby improving treatment initiation and reducing fracture risk.

Coastal macrophytes as bioindicators of trace metals in the Asia's largest lagoon ecosystem.

Coastal trace metal contamination is of serious concern and the role of new bioindicator species in monitoring of trace metals is essential. The present study quantified the concentration of trace metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediment and the macrophytes of Chilika lagoon, India, and investigated the bioindicator potential of the seagrasses, saltmarshes and macroalgae. The Igeo values for sediment indicated significant contamination of Cu and Zn in seagrass, Cu, Ni and Zn in saltmarsh and moderate contamination of Cr, Cu and Pb in macroalgal ecosystems. In general, the Bio-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) indicated that the macrophytes accumulated higher concentration of Mn and Ni from the sediments. The high concentration of trace metals in the sediment of the three macrophytes ecosystems did not result in higher accumulation of the same metals in the tissues of the respective macrophytes suggesting metal specific and species-specific behaviour.

Arsenic in the geo-environment: A review of sources, geochemical processes, toxicity and removal technologies.

Impact of arsenic (As) contaminated groundwater on human health, through drinking and irrigation practices, is of grave-concern worldwide. This paper present the review of various sources, processes, health effects and treatment technologies available for the removal of As from arsenic contaminated water. Groundwater with high As concentration is detrimental to human health and incidents of As contamination in groundwater had been reported from different parts of the globe. More serious known As contamination problem as well as largest population at risk are found in Bangladesh, followed by West Bengal state in India along the Indo-Gangetic plains. Large scale natural As contamination of groundwater is found in two types of environment such as strongly reducing alluvial aquifers (ex. Bangladesh, India, China and Hungary) and inland basins in arid or semi-arid areas (ex. Argentina and Mexico). The provisional guideline of 10 ppb (0.0 l mg/l) has been adopted as the drinking water standard by World Health Organization (WHO). In the aquatic environment, the release, distribution and remobilization of As depend on temperature, redox potential, speciation, and interaction between liquid solution and solid phases. As predicaments in the environment is due to its mobilization under natural geogenic conditions as well as anthropogenic activities. Arsenic mineral is not present in As contaminated alluvial aquifer but As occurs adsorbed on hydrated ferric oxide (HFO) generally coat clastic grains derived from Himalayan mountains. As is released to the groundwater mainly by bio-remediated reductive dissolution of HFO with corresponding oxidation of organic matter. The development of strongly reductive dissolution of mineral oxides (Fe and Mn) at near-neutral pH may lead to desorption and ultimately release of As into the groundwater. As release through geochemical process is more important factor in alluvial aquifers causing As contamination rather than sources of arsenic. As is a toxin that dissolves in the bloodstream, rendering the victim susceptible to disease of the skin, bones, and also cancer of liver, kidney, gall bladder and the intestines. It is necessary to adopt highly successful technology to treat As contaminated water into the acceptable limit for human consumption. Universally accepted solutions are not developed/available even after the lapse of almost forty years since slow As poisoning identification in tens of millions of people especially in Bengal delta. The issue poses scientific, technical, health and societal problems even today.

Provincial and seasonal influences on heavy metals in the Noyyal River of South India and their human health hazards.

This study was carried out to evaluate the heavy metals (Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn)) pollution in the Noyyal River of South India by collecting 130 river water samples (65 each in pre- and post-monsoon). The heavy metals were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The data were used to calculate the associated health hazards for the inhabitants consume river water. Correlation analyses and average concentration of heavy metals denoted that post-monsoon metal concentrations were lesser compared to the pre-monsoon due to dilution effect. Modified Contamination Degree (MCD) indicated that 45% of pre-monsoon and 25% of post-monsoon samples were classified under extremely polluted category. Heavy metal pollution index (HPI) showed that all the regions fall under highly polluted category except 'Region I' where 20% of samples were under safe category during the pre-monsoon, whereas 9%,28%, 17% and 26% of samples in Regions I, II, III and IV were highly polluted during the post-monsoon season, respectively. Ecological Risk Index (ERI) revealed that high risks attained in Regions II (78%) and III (82%) during pre-monsoon, and reduced risks found in Regions II (28%) and III (45%) during post-monsoon season due to dilution by monsoon rainfall. Non-carcinogenic risks as inferred by the Hazard Index (HI) indicated that 78% and 52% of samples for infants, 75% and 49% of samples for teens and 71% and 45% of samples for adults exceeded the threshold limits of USEPA (HI > 1) and possessed risks during pre- and post-monsoon, respectively. The cancer risk assessment based on ingestion of heavy metals indicated that the order of risk is Ni > Cr > Cu. The HI for infants and teens was notably high to that of adults in both the seasons. This study will be useful to develop effective strategies for improving river water quality and to reduce human health hazards.

Assessment of toxicity and potential health risk from persistent pesticides and heavy metals along the Delhi stretch of river Yamuna.

The present study aims at the assessment of environmental quality of the most polluted stretch of river Yamuna along the megacity of Delhi. The study was conducted in order to examine toxicity and health hazards associated with persistent pollutants present in the fluvial ecosystem. Eighty four sediment and 56 vegetable samples from same locations were collected from the Delhi segment of river Yamuna flood plain in order to examine 20 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 9 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). Both the organic and inorganic groups of persistent toxic substances were monitored and analysed for the extent of eco-toxicological as well as dietary health risks posed to the local population. Eco-toxicological assessment was done based on sediment quality guidelines, enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, degree of contamination and Pollution Load Index. The dietary-risk was assessed with the help of translocation factors (TF) of these pollutants in vegetables. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risks from consumption of vegetables were also investigated. The level of concern for heavy metals was greater than that of OCPs as per the sediment quality guidelines. DDT, Cd, Pb and Zn had maximum concentrations corresponding to level 3 of concern, while Cr and Ni reached up to the highest i.e., 4th level of concern. Sediment samples were found to be enriched and contaminated significantly with Cd and moderately with Pb, as represented respectively by enrichment factors and contamination factors (CF). CF for metals lied in order Zn > Cd > CrNi > PbCu. Pollution load index was highest at the location lying on the exit point of Yamuna in Delhi. TF values greater than 1 were observed in majority of samples analysed for Ni, Cr, Cu and Zn. Spinach topped among vegetables in terms of metal contamination. Cd, Ni and Pb accumulated more in the roots, as against Mn, Zn, Cu and Cr which had higher accumulation in the shoots. Translocation factors were substantially high in vegetables for most of the OCPs, clearly indicating bioaccumulation and potential health risk to the consumers. Health risk to humans was assessed for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic potentials from ingestion of vegetables. Hazard Quotient (HQ) > 1 due to radish (roots and leaves) and cauliflower consumption in children indicated non-carcinogenic risk. Hazard Index (HI) beyond 1 for all the vegetables (except onion leaves) confirmed substantial cumulative risk. Lifetime cancer risk (LCR) revealed moderate (spinach, radish, beet root and cauliflower) to low (all the others) levels of carcinogenic risk to humans. Cancer risks from γ-HCH, ß- HCH, Hept, Hept Ep, Ald, p,p'-DDT, and Cr exposure through the food chain could be well established.

Potentially toxic elements in soil and road dust around Sonbhadra industrial region, Uttar Pradesh, India: Source apportionment and health risk assessment.

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are directly linked with various kinds of adverse health issues. Available reports related to symptoms of mercury contamination in the local population of the study region motivated us to carry out this work in detail. To estimate potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) contamination status, a total of 48 samples of soil & road dust from industrial clusters were collected and analyzed for source identification and human health risk assessment in the Sonbhadra region of Uttar Pradesh, India. As per upper continental crust (UCC) for soil and road dust, the highest increment of As value in Obra and Hg value in Anpara was observed. The value of Hg exceeded the background value by 6.5 and 12.25 times in soil and 5 and 11.5 times in road dust of Obra and Anpara clusters, respectively. Contamination factor (CF) and Enrichment factor (EF) value in soil and road dust showed very strong contamination and significant enrichment of Hg whereas moderate contamination and moderate enrichment of As were observed in both the clusters. The hazard quotient (HQ) value of potentially toxic elements in soil and road dust of Obra and Anpara were found <1 for three pathways in adults and children, except Fe for ingestion pathway for children in both clusters. The HQ value for adults was observed to be low compared to children. Cancer risk associated with potentially toxic elements in soil and road dust for both clusters were found safe (under the guideline 10-4-10-6) in adult and children instances for three pathways. Principal component analysis (PCA) justified the metal content in soil and road dust controlled by the mixed type of both natural and anthropogenic sources.