Assessment of phytoremediation potential of native plant species naturally growing in a heavy metal-polluted industrial soils.

The present study was carried out in Hayat Abad Industrial Estate located in Peshawar to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd) that were present in the soil as well as the plant parts (Roots and shoots). To evaluate the phytoremediation potential of the plants different factors i.e. Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF), and Bioaccumulation Coefficient were determined. These plants were grown in their native habitats (BAC). We have analysed, cadmium concentration from soil which are collected from 50 different locations ranged from 11.54 mg/Kg (the lowest) to 89.80 mg/Kg (highest). The maximum concentration (89.80 mg/Kg) of cadmium was found in HIE-ST-16L Marble City and HIE-ST-7 Bryon Pharma (88.51 mg/Kg) while its minimum concentration (12.47 mg/Kg) were detected in the soil of Site (HIE-ST-14L Royal PVC Pipe) and (11.54 mg/Kg) at the site (HIE-ST-11 Aries Pharma). Most plant species showed huge potential for plant based approaches like phyto-extraction and phytoremediation. They also showed the potential for phyto-stabilization as well. Based on the concentration of cadmium the most efficient plants for phytoextraction were Cnicus benedictus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Verbesina encelioides, Conyza canadensis, Xanthium strumarium, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus viridis, Chenopodiastrum murale, Prosopis juliflora, Convolvulus arvensis, Stellaria media, Arenaria serpyllifolia, Cerastium dichotomum, Chrozophora tinctoria, Mirabilis jalapa, Medicago polymorpha, Lathyrus aphaca, Dalbergia sissoo, Melilotus indicus and Anagallis arvensis. The cadmium heavy metals in the examined soil were effectively removed by these plant species. Cerastium dichotomum, and Chenopodium murale were reported to be effective in phyto-stabilizing Cd based on concentrations of selected metals in roots and BCFs, TFs, and BACs values.

Clinical score to detect congenital heart defects: Concept of second screening.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal screening for congenital heart defects at birth can miss some heart defects, sometimes few critical ones, and the scenario is even worse in those neonates who had never undergone a neonatal checkup (home deliveries). Immunization clinic can serve as a unique opportunity as the second checkpoint for the screening of the children. A history- and examination-based test can serve as an effective tool to screen out children with heart defects. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the sensitivity and specificity of a clinical screening tool for the identification of congenital heart defects at the first visit of an infant after birth for immunization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study which the consecutive children presenting at 6 weeks of age for immunization or any child presenting for the first time (outborn delivery) till 6 months of age in the immunization clinic were subjected to detailed history and examination and findings were recorded on a predesigned pro forma and a clinical score was calculated. All these children were then subjected to echocardiography for confirmation of the diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD), and the sensitivity and specificity of the test were recorded. OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS: A total of 970 babies were screened, out of them 31 were diagnosed with CHD and 18 had undergone neonatal screening at birth. A clinical score of 3 or more had more chances of detecting CHD. The sensitivity of the cutoff score as 3 was 96.77% and specificity was 98.72, with a positive predictive value of 71.43%, a negative predictive value of 99.89%, and an accuracy of 98.66%. CONCLUSIONS: The history- and examination-based tool is an effective method for early identification of CHD and can easily be used by peripheral workers working in remote places with poor resources enabling prompt referral.

Centrosome- and Golgi-Localized Protein Kinase N-Associated Protein Serves As a Docking Platform for Protein Kinase A Signaling and Microtubule Nucleation in Migrating T-Cells.

Centrosome- and Golgi-localized protein kinase N-associated protein (CG-NAP), also known as AKAP450, is a cytosolic scaffolding protein involved in the targeted positioning of multiple signaling molecules, which are critical for cellular functioning. Here, we show that CG-NAP is predominantly expressed in human primary T-lymphocytes, localizes in close proximity (<0.2 µm) with centrosomal and Golgi structures and serves as a docking platform for Protein Kinase A (PKA). GapmeR-mediated knockdown of CG-NAP inhibits LFA-1-induced T-cell migration and impairs T-cell chemotaxis toward the chemokine SDF-1α. Depletion of CG-NAP dislocates PKARIIα, disrupts centrosomal and non-centrosomal microtubule nucleation, causes Golgi fragmentation, and impedes α-tubulin tyrosination and acetylation, which are important for microtubule dynamics and stability in migrating T-cells. Furthermore, we show that CG-NAP coordinates PKA-mediated phosphorylation of pericentrin and dynein in T-cells. Overall, our findings provide critical insights into the roles of CG-NAP in regulating cytoskeletal architecture and T-cell migration.

LFA-1/ICAM-1 Ligation in Human T Cells Promotes Th1 Polarization through a GSK3ß Signaling-Dependent Notch Pathway.

In this study, we report that the integrin LFA-1 cross-linking with its ligand ICAM-1 in human PBMCs or CD4(+) T cells promotes Th1 polarization by upregulating IFN-γ secretion and T-bet expression. LFA-1 stimulation in PBMCs, CD4(+) T cells, or the T cell line HuT78 activates the Notch pathway by nuclear translocation of cleaved Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) and upregulation of target molecules Hey1 and Hes1. Blocking LFA-1 by a neutralizing Ab or specific inhibition of Notch1 by a γ-secretase inhibitor substantially inhibits LFA-1/ICAM-1-mediated activation of Notch signaling. We further demonstrate that the Notch pathway activation is dependent on LFA-1/ICAM-1-induced inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß), which is mediated via Akt and ERK. Furthermore, in silico analysis in combination with coimmunoprecipitation assays show an interaction between NICD and GSK3ß. Thus, there exists a molecular cross-talk between LFA-1 and Notch1 through the Akt/ERK-GSK3ß signaling axis that ultimately enhances T cell differentiation toward Th1. Although clinical use of LFA-1 antagonists is limited by toxicity related to immunosuppression, these findings support the concept that Notch inhibitors could be attractive for prevention or treatment of Th1-related immunologic disorders and have implications at the level of local inflammatory responses.

A Patient with Autoimmune Pancreatitis Type 1 with Previously Known Lymphadenopathy, Both in the Context of IgG4-related Disease.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an important clinical pathologic concept of IgG-4-related disease. AIP is a rare cause of chronic pancreatitis, characterized by a fibroinflammatory process by lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, storiform fibrosis, obliterative phlebitis, and increased IgG4+ plasma cells, leading to dysfunction of the pancreas. Affected patients with AIP frequently have disease affecting other organs or sites with similar histologic changes, elevated IgG4+ plasma cell infiltrate, and good response to corticosteroid therapy. These diseases often are not limited to the pancreas and the pancreas may not be involved at all. CASE REPORT: We report a 62-year-old man with obstructive jaundice with pre-existent submandibular lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis of AIP was based on diagnostic criteria by the HISORT-criteria in combination with elevated IgG-4 serum levels. CT revealed a focal enlargement of the head of the pancreas, as well as mesenteric peripancreatic and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. He was treated with high-dose steroid in combination with azathioprine and showed good clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case with pre-existent submandibular lymphadenopathy and obstructive jaundice based on AIP type 1, both in the context of IgG4-related disease.

Bacterial-induced expression of RAB18 protein in Orzya sativa salinity stress and insights into molecular interaction with GTP ligand.

In the present research, we have studied the inoculation effects of two root-associated plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in rice and provide the pieces of evidence that the inoculation of the PGPR could potentially result in inducing the expression of the salt stress-related RAB18 plant gene under varying degrees of salinity stress. The sequenced putative gene of RAB18 of Oryza sativa in this study is 740 bp long, has a content of 44.4%, and a molecular weight of 492 102.00 Da. BLAST homology patterns revealed sequence similarity with the previously sequenced RAB in model plant species. We demonstrate the mode of action of this stress-related protein by performing comparative modeling of Q10RT8 (Os03g0146000 protein, homolog of the sequenced RAB18; O. sativa subsp. japonica) using energy minimization, molecular dynamic simulations, and molecular docking of a guanosine triphosphate (GTP) ligand with the protein. The docking results indicated that Ser21, Ala22, Lys25, Asp68, Ala70, Glu73, and Arg74 are important determinant residues for functional interaction with the GTP ligand. The present research contributes to the understanding of the PGPR inoculation in salinity stress. Additionally, it provides the layout of the understanding of the molecular interactions between RAB and GTP ligand.

Characterization of Vibrio cholerae O139 belonging to multiple ribotypes and isolated from diarrhoeal patients in Kerala, southern India.

Twenty-four Vibrio cholerae O139 strains isolated from Kerala, southern India were characterized by PCR, CTX typing and ribotyping; all of which, except three strains, carried the core of the CTX genetic element, colonization-toxin co-regulated pilus, the adherence outer membrane protein, haemolysin, central regulatory protein encoded toxR, SXT genetic element, and produced cholera toxin and biofilm. Results of RFLP analysis revealed twenty-one of the O139 strains possess two copies of CTXΦ and pre-CTXФ always preceded by tandemly arranged RS1 element; one had two copies of pre-CTXΦ and two a single copy of pre-CTXΦ. Nucleotide sequencing detected classical ctxB in CTX(ET)Φ and CTX(Calc)Ф with additional change at 28th amino acid position of CTX(Calc)Ф. Ribotype analysis revealed the presence of multiple ribotypes, including B-I and B-II, and new ribotypes designated B-VIIIa, B-VIIIb and B-IX, not reported earlier among V. cholerae O139 strains. These observations thus indicate that genetic recombination or mutations had occurred in conserved rrn operon and variations in CTXΦ may have implications on the evolution of the organism.

Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor strains isolated in 1992 from Varanasi, India harboured El Tor CTXΦ and classical ctxB on the chromosome-I and classical CTXΦ and classical ctxB on the chromosome-II.

In this study, we report the presence of the El Tor CTXΦ and classical CTXΦ in Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated from Varanasi, India. Polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing and restriction fragment length polymorphism revealed that, although ctx-positive strains isolated after 1990 contain CTXΦ harbouring El Tor type of rstR and classical ctxB, strains isolated before 1990 contain El Tor type of rstR and El Tor ctxB. Two V. cholerae O1 strains (VC104 and VC106) represent an altered/hybrid strain containing the RS1 element followed by CTXΦ prophage harbouring El Tor type rstR and classical ctxB on the chromosome-I and RS2 element followed by second copy of CTXΦ prophage harbouring classical type rstR and classical ctxB on the chromosome-II. This is the first report of occurrence of El Tor CTXΦ harbouring classical ctxB and classical CTXΦ harbouring classical ctxB in chromosome-I and -II, respectively in diarrhoeal isolates of V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains from Varanasi, India, and that had been isolated in 1992.

Craniocervical artery dissection: diagnosis and follow-up with MR imaging and MR angiography.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the value of MR angiography (MRA) in combination with MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of craniocervical artery dissections (CCAD) and to document the effectiveness of conservative medical treatment in these patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: In seven patients, six internal carotid artery dissections and two vertebrobasilar artery dissections were studied with 2D and 3D TOF MRA and fat-saturated T1W images. MRA projection images, source images, and T1W images with fat saturation were evaluated for the presence or absence of criteria for dissection. RESULTS: MRA projection images showed narrowing and/or occlusion of lumen in all patients. Dissection flap was identified in 5 of the 8 dissections. Both MRA source images and T1W images with fat saturation were useful in showing the increased external diameter of the dissected vessel and the mural hematoma; although the latter proved to give better results. Almost complete resorption of hematoma and normalization of flow were achieved between 1.5 to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study further supports the approach that MRA accompanied by T1W images with fat saturation should be the method of choice in the diagnosis and follow-up of CCAD. Fat-suppressed T1W images improve detection of the mural hematoma, especially in the late sub-acute phase and during follow-up. Conservative medical treatment may be effective, obviating the need for aggressive treatment options.

Early embryonic development and preimplantation changes in the uterus of the bat Rhinopoma hardwickei hardwickei (Gray) (Rhinopomatidae).

Rhinopoma hardwickei hardwickei has an annual reproductive cycle. Although many of the females become inseminated from the latter half of February until about the middle of April, ovulation has not been recorded until the 11th of March. A single follicle reached full development and released one ovum from either of the ovaries with nearly equal frequency, and a single conceptus was carried in the ipsilateral uterine cornu during each cycle. The embryo descended into the uterus as an early morula and attained the bilaminar blastocyst stage before undergoing implantation. As the morula advanced in age, the embryonic surface of the zona became progressively more basophilic. Hence in advanced morulae, the inner surface of the zona pellucida took a dark stain with hematoxylin and appeared like a distinct thin membrane, while the rest of the thickness of the zona was eosinophilic. Although progestational changes commenced in both uterine cornua, they became augmented in the uterine cornu on the side of ovulation and blastocyst attachment. After blastocyst attachment, the contralateral cornu reverted to an anestrus condition. The progestational changes became less conspicuous from the cranial to the caudal end of the uterus. Evidently, there was a linear gradient in the progestational response of the uterus with the cranial end being most responsive and the caudal end least responsive. The precise mechanism which brings this about is not known.