Observation of Collider Muon Neutrinos with the SND@LHC Experiment.

We report the direct observation of muon neutrino interactions with the SND@LHC detector at the Large Hadron Collider. A dataset of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13.6 TeV collected by SND@LHC in 2022 is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.8 fb^{-1}. The search is based on information from the active electronic components of the SND@LHC detector, which covers the pseudorapidity region of 7.2<η<8.4, inaccessible to the other experiments at the collider. Muon neutrino candidates are identified through their charged-current interaction topology, with a track propagating through the entire length of the muon detector. After selection cuts, 8 ν_{µ} interaction candidate events remain with an estimated background of 0.086 events, yielding a significance of about 7 standard deviations for the observed ν_{µ} signal.

Effect of membrane stabilizers on semen quality and sperm membrane protein expression during cryopreservation of goat semen.

BACKGROUND: Semen cryopreservation is a complex process during which there is alteration in the expression of sperm and seminal plasma proteins, molecular weight of protein or loss of membrane proteins during the process. In order to compensate for these changes, different membrane stabilizers are used in freezing semen extenders. However, there is scarcity of such studies during cryopreservation of goat semen. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of membrane stabilizers on sperm membrane protein expression during cryopreservation of goat semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 semen ejaculates from nine Assam Hill Goat bucks aged 2 to 2.5 years was collected by artificial vagina method. Three membrane stabilizers, each at two different concentrations viz. 50 and 80 mM sucrose, 50 and 100 mM trehalose, and 100 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1 protein) were added to Tris-citric acid fructose egg yolk glycerol (TCFEYG) extender and semen samples were cryopreserved. The sperm membrane protein profile was studied in fresh and cryopreserved semen by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS: SDS- PAGE of sperm membrane extract of fresh semen revealed the presence of 24 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. Samples supplemented with 50 mM sucrose and 80 mM sucrose revealed 21 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa. All the 21 protein bands were same as those observed in the sperm membrane of fresh spermatozoa, except that the 23 kDa, 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands were absent in frozen semen. Similarly, frozen semen extended with 50 mM trehalose and 100 mM trehalose revealed 22 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 10 kDa to 240 kDa, but lacking the 29 kDa and 42 kDa bands. Proteins with molecular weights of 29 kDa, 130 kDa and 240 kDa were absent in frozen semen supplemented with 100 ng per mL IGF-1 and 150 ng per mL IGF-1. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that supplementation of tris basic extender with trehalose at 100 mM and or IGF-1 at 100 ng/mL or 150 ng per mL improves the post-thaw semen characteristics and protects certain fertility related sperm membrane proteins. Doi.org/10.54680/fr23510110612.

Enhanced inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor production and biofilm development by sublethal concentrations of eugenol and phenyllactic acid.

Biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is regulated by its quorum sensing (QS) systems. It has three major QS systems: LasI/R, RhlI/R and PQS/MvfR. Previous studies showed that phenyllactic acid (PLA) binds to RhlR and PqsR and inhibits the Rhl and PQS QS; and eugenol at sublethal concentration inhibits Las and PQS QS systems. Here, we have demonstrated that a combination of sublethal doses of eugenol and PLA enhanced the inhibition of the QS mediated production of the virulence factors and biofilm development of this pathogen. A combination of 50 µmol l-1 eugenol and 0·3 mmol l-1 PLA significantly inhibited the pyocyanin production, protease activity, swarming motility and cytotoxic activities of P. aeruginosa strain PAO1, whereas eugenol and PLA when added individually to PAO1 cultures were less effective in inhibiting its virulence factor expression. Biofilm formation of PAO1 was reduced by 32, 19 and 87% on glass surfaces; and 54, 49 and 93% on catheter surfaces when treated using 50 µmol l-1 eugenol or 0·3 mmol l-1 PLA and their combinations, respectively. The in vitro finding in the reduction of biofilm development was further validated in vivo using a catheter associated medaka fish biofilm model. Our results indicate that a combination of QS inhibitors targeting different QS pathways should be selected while designing therapeutic molecules to achieve maximum QS mediated biofilm inhibition and clinical outcome against P. aeruginosa.

A new genus of caryophyllidean tapeworms (Cestoda) from Mystus catfishes (Bagridae) in India: cleaning up taxonomic chaos.

A new genus, Mystocestus, is proposed to accommodate a new species, Mystocestus anindoi n. g., n. sp. from Mystus vittatus (Bloch) (type host) in West Bengal and Mystus cavasius (Hamilton) (Siluriformes: Bagridae) in Maharashtra, India. The new genus is most similar to Lucknowia Gupta, 1961 in the shape of the body, which is elongate, slightly tapering towards the anterior end, and scolex, which is digitiform, but differs in the shape of the ovary, which is H-shaped (vs. inverted A-shaped in Lucknowia), the absence of a seminal receptacle (present in Lucknowia) and exclusively cortical vitelline follicles (vs. some follicles in the medulla in the latter genus). Molecular data support the erection of the new genus and place it close to Bovienia Fuhrmann, 1931, species of which can be easily distinguished by exclusively lateral vitelline follicles (lateral and median in the new genus), the presence of a seminal receptacle (absent in Mystocestus) and scolex shape (digitiform, with blunt or slightly concave anterior edge in the new genus vs. small, unspecialized or spatulate in Bovienia). The convoluted taxonomy of tapeworms placed in Mystoides Mathur, 1992 is critically reviewed to clean up taxonomic chaos in Indo-Malayan caryophyllideans. Mystoides was erected in an unpublished PhD thesis and thus its generic name becomes unavailable and also, its type species is conspecific with Lucknowia fossilisi Gupta, 1961 from the stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Other species of this genus are also conspecific with L. fossilisi. In addition, specific names of most of these taxa are unavailable because they were described in unpublished theses or conference abstracts. Based on recent revisions of Indo-Malayan caryophyllideans, the following nine genera with 15 species are considered valid (numbers of species of individual genera are provided in parentheses): Bovienia (3), Djombangia (1), Lucknowia (2), Lytocestus (2), Mystocestus (1), Pseudocaryophyllaeus (2) (all family Lytocestidae); Adenoscolex (1), Lobulovarium (2), Paracaryophyllaeus (1) (all family Caryophyllaeidae).

Therapeutic applications of lysostaphin against Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, causes diverse community and nosocomial-acquired human infections, including folliculitis, impetigo, sepsis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, implant-associated biofilm infections and contagious mastitis in cattle. In recent days, both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus infections have increased. Highly effective anti-staphylococcal agents are urgently required. Lysostaphin is a 27 kDa zinc metallo antimicrobial lytic enzyme that is produced by Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus and was first discovered in the 1960s. Lysostaphin is highly active against S. aureus strains irrespective of their drug-resistant patterns with a minimum inhibitory concentration of ranges between 0·001 and 0·064 µg ml-1 . Lysostaphin has activity against both dividing and non-dividing S. aureus cells; and can seep through the extracellular matrix to kill the biofilm embedded S. aureus. In spite of having excellent anti-staphylococcal activity, its clinical application is hindered because of its immunogenicity and reduced bio-availability. Extensive research with lysostaphin lead to the development of several engineered lysostaphin derivatives with reduced immunogenicity and increased serum half-life. Therapeutic efficacy of both native and engineered lysostaphin derivatives was studied by several research groups. This review provides an overview of the therapeutic applications of native and engineered lysostaphin derivatives developed to eradicate S. aureus infections.

Antifungal activity of Syzygium samarangense leaf extracts against Candida.

Candida species are opportunistic human fungal pathogens that cause acute and chronic infections against which only few antifungal agents are available. Here we have elucidated the antifungal effect of Syzygium samarangense leaf extracts (SSLE). Antifungal activity of SSLE was studied against Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. auris and C. tropicalis. Following experiments were performed: minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) determination, agar well disc diffusion assays, fungal morphology analysis using scanning electron microscope (SEM), ex vivo fungal survival assays on porcine tongue and skin and in vivo fungal survival assays using Drosophila melanogaster fly model. Results demonstrated MFC of SSLE ranges between 100 and 125 mg ml-1 . SEM images showed cell wall degradation of C. albicans when treated with SSLE. Around 75% decrease in C. albicans viability was observed when infected porcine tongue and skin were treated using SSLE. The C. albicans infected D. melanogaster when fed with SSLE showed significant decrease (around 80%) of fungal count than the infected control. Furthermore, agar plate disc diffusion assays demonstrated that the antifungal activity of SSLE could be due to chalcone, which is one of the active constituents in SSLE. Our study demonstrated that SSLE could be used for the topical treatment of Candida infections.

Cosmic ray flux and lockdown due to COVID-19 in Kolkata - Any correlation?

Cosmic ray muon flux is measured by the coincidence technique using plastic scintillation detectors in the High Energy Physics Detector Laboratory at Bose Institute, Kolkata. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and nationwide complete lockdown, the laboratory was closed from the end of March 2020 till the end of May 2020. After lockdown, although the city is not in its normal state, we still were able to take data on some days. The lockdown imposed a strict restriction on the transport service other than the emergency ones and also most of the industries were shut down in and around the city. This lockdown has significant effect on the atmospheric conditions in terms of change in the concentration of air pollutants. We have measured the cosmic ray flux before and after the lockdown to observe the apparent change if any, due to change in the atmospheric conditions. In this article, we report the measured cosmic ray flux at Kolkata (22.58 ∘ N 88.42 ∘ E and 11 m above the Sea Level) along with the major air pollutants present in the atmosphere before and after the lockdown.

Ecology of bats and their role in emerging zoonotic diseases: a review.

The order Chiroptera is the second largest order of mammals and shows great physiological and ecological diversity. These animals play significant ecological roles as prey and predator as well as facilitating pollination, seed dispersal, arthropod reduction and nutrient distribution and reutilisation in nature. Bats act as hosts to a range of viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic zoonoses. Human activities increase the likelihood of exposure to bats, thereby increasing the opportunity for infections to spill over. Continuing ecological processes, emergence and spillover of novel pathogens in naïve hosts, including humans, along with other complex natural phenomena require proper understanding that may help in predicting the next spillover. This review will discuss the ecology of bats and their role in the emergence of different zoonoses, particularly those of viral origin, in an organised manner to increase understanding of the factors that may play significant roles in spillover of these pathogens from bats to other animals, including humans.

L'ordre des Chiroptères, le deuxième des mammifères en nombre d'espèces, présente des caractéristiques physiologiques et écologiques très diverses. Ces animaux jouent un rôle écologique majeur à divers titres, en tant que proies et prédateurs, mais aussi parce qu'ils interviennent dans la pollinisation, la dispersion des semences, la réduction des populations d'arthropodes et la répartition et réutilisation des nutriments dans la nature. Les chauves-souris sont les hôtes d'un large éventail de virus, bactéries, champignons et parasites zoonotiques. Les activités humaines entraînent une probabilité accrue d'exposition aux chauves-souris, ce qui à son tour multiplie les situations à la faveur desquelles les maladies infectieuses peuvent se transmettre d'une espèce réservoir à des hôtes accidentels. Les processus écologiques continus, l'émergence d'agents pathogènes nouveaux et l'atteinte accidentelle d'une espèce réceptive mais habituellement non touchée, y compris l'homme, ainsi que d'autres phénomènes naturels complexes, doivent être correctement appréhendés afin de pouvoir prédire la prochaine occurrence de ce type de transmission inter-espèces. Les auteurs examinent l'écologie des chauves-souris et leur rôle dans l'émergence de plusieurs zoonoses, notamment d'origine virale, en les présentant sous forme raisonnée afin de mieux faire comprendre les facteurs susceptibles de jouer un rôle significatif dans la transmission de ces agents pathogènes des chauves-souris à d'autres espèces, y compris l'homme.

El orden de los quirópteros, que es el segundo más grande de los órdenes de mamíferos, presenta una gran diversidad fisiológica y ecológica. Estos animales cumplen importantes funciones ecológicas como presas y predadores, además de facilitar la polinización, la dispersión de semillas, la reducción de las poblaciones de artrópodos y la distribución y reutilización de nutrientes en el medio natural. Los murciélagos son hospedadores de una serie de zoonosis víricas, bacterianas, fúngicas y parasitarias. Las actividades humanas aumentan la probabilidad de exposición a murciélagos, acrecentando con ello las posibilidades de extensión secundaria de una infección. Los continuos procesos ecológicos, la aparición de nuevos patógenos y su extensión a hospedadores no expuestos previamente, incluidas las personas, junto con otros fenómenos naturales complejos, obligan a conocer cabalmente estos procesos para ayudar a predecir dónde puede darse la siguiente extensión secundaria. Los autores examinan la ecología de los murciélagos y la función que estos cumplen en el surgimiento de diferentes zoonosis, en especial las de origen vírico, de manera organizada para conocer mejor los factores que pueden influir sustancialmente en el paso de esos patógenos del murciélago a otros animales, en particular el ser humano.

Effect of Butylated Hydroxy Toluene and Vitamin E on the Cryosurvivability of Buck Semen.

BACKGROUND: The quality of frozen semen can be improved by supplementing Tris extender with antioxidant to prevent oxidation and maintain sperm motility. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of adding combinations of suitable concentrations of butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and Vitamin E in Tris extender on the quality of frozen goat semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 ejaculates collected from five Beetal bucks were used to study the effect on the quality of frozen semen of supplementing Tris extender with 200 µM BHT, 2 mM Vitamin E and 200 µM BHT + 2 mM Vitamin E. RESULTS: The sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm differed significantly (P<0.01) between stages and between antioxidants. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in interaction between stages (equilibration, freezing) and antioxidants, except for HOST-reacted sperm. Critical difference test revealed that Tris extender containing 2 mM vitamin E showed significantly (P<0.05) higher sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm, and significantly (P<0.05) lower release of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of Tris extender with 2 mM vitamin E maintained superior quality of frozen Beetal buck semen.

Antenatal care and skilled birth attendance in Bangladesh are influenced by female education and family affordability: BDHS 2014.

OBJECTIVES: Antenatal care (ANC) during pregnancy and skilled birth attendance (SBA) during delivery are important policy concerns to reduce maternal deaths. Bangladesh is one of the developing countries which has made remarkable progress in both services during the last couple of decades by improving the SBA service rate from 16% in 2004 to 42.1% in 2014. However, this rate remains below the targeted level (50%) of the Health Population and Nutrition Sector Development Program set by the Ministry of the Health and Family Welfare of Bangladesh. This article explored the sociodemographic factors associated with the ANC and SBA service attainment. Furthermore, the possible implication of using ANC on SBA was also investigated. STUDY DESIGN: The study followed a cross-sectional design using the Bangladesh demographic and health survey 2014, with a sample of size 4603 women with at least one live birth 3 years preceding the survey. METHODS: Following a bivariate analysis, linear mixed-effect models were used to assess the relationship between sociodemographic factors and the outcome indicators (ANC and SBA). Finally, the association between SBA and ANC was evaluated through another mixed-effect model. RESULTS: Wealth index, participation in household decisions, and partner's and respondent's education were significant predictors of ANC; whereas, residence, age at first birth, wealth index, working status, participation in household decisions, and partner and respondent's education were significant for SBA. Female education and household affordability were the strongest predictors for both ANC and SBA. ANC showed significant association with SBA as women accessing essential ANC during delivery seemed to be 4 times more likely (95% confidence interval: 3.05-5.93) to avail SBA services. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, four factors were significant: residence, wealth index, education, and ANC access. Women residing in urban areas, having higher financial solvency, completing higher education, and accessing ANC by skilled personnel were more likely to receive SBA at delivery than their counterparts. Accessibility to skilled care during pregnancy leads to increased professional care during delivery. Thus, policies to encourage women and heads of families to seek skilled care during pregnancy would be beneficial to reach the maternal healthcare targets of Bangladesh.

Impregnation of catheters with anacardic acid from cashew nut shell prevents Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development.

AIM: The effect of anacardic acid impregnation on catheter surfaces for the prevention of Staphylococcus aureus attachments and biofilm formations were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Silicon catheter tubes were impregnated using different concentrations of anacardic acids (0·002-0·25%). Anacardic acids are antibacterial phenolic lipids from cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale) shell oil. Anacardic acid-impregnated silicon catheters revealed no significant haemolytic activity and were cytocompatible against fibroblast cell line (L929). Sustained release of anacardic acids was observed for 4 days. Anacardic acid-impregnated silicon catheters efficiently inhibited S. aureus colonization and the biofilm formation on its surface. The in vivo antibiofilm activity of anacardic acid-impregnated catheters was tested in an intraperitoneal catheter-associated medaka fish infection model. Significant reduction in S. aureus colonization on anacardic acid-impregnated catheter tubes was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that anacardic acid-impregnated silicon catheters may help in preventing catheter-related staphylococcal infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study opens new directions for designing antimicrobial phytochemical-coated surfaces with ideal antibiofilm properties and could be of great interest for biomedical research scientists.

Pre-freezing Treatment with Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Cholesterol-loaded Methyl-ß-cyclodextrin Improves Quality of Cryopreserved Boar Semen.

BACKGROUND: Pre-freezing treatment of boar sperm with additives improves the quality of post-thaw sperms. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of butylated hydroxy-toluene (BHT) and cholesterol-loaded methyl-ß-cyclodextrin (CLC) for the improvement of the frozen-thawed boar sperm quality. METHODS: Split samples of 30 ejaculates from six boars were cryopreserved in lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender containing BHT (0.2 mM), CLC (5 mg/ 200-240 x 106 sperm) or BHT (0.2 mM) plus CLC (5 mg per 200-240 x 106 sperm). Semen samples were evaluated for motility, membrane integrity, acrosomal status, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA integrity and lipid peroxidation after equilibration and after freezing. RESULTS: The addition of BHT and CLC into the extender significantly improved (P<0.05) plasma membrane integrity and decreased (P<0.05) lipid peroxidation after freezing. Post-thaw motility and live intact acrosome were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the extenders with BHT or BHT plus CLC. The post-thaw MMP of viable spermatozoa and DNA integrity were not affected. BHT plus CLC showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement on motility as compared to BHT and CLC alone. CONCLUSION: Treatment of boar spermatozoa with BHT and CLC improved post-thaw sperm quality.

Effect of Reduced Glutathione, Water Soluble Vitamin E Analogue and Butylated Hydroxytoluene on the Post Thaw Characteristics of Boar Spermatozoa.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidant in freezing extender of boar semen improved post thaw sperm function. OBJECTIVE: The study compared the effects of reduced glutathione (GSH), water soluble vitamin E analogue Trolox and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on quality of cryopreserved boar spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using split sample technique three different antioxidants namely, GSH (1 mM), vitamin E (0.2 mM) and BHT (0.2 mM) were added to the freezing medium of lactose-egg yolk-glycerol extender, and samples were frozen using controlled freezing rate of 40°C/min from -6 to -140°C. Samples were evaluated for sperm motility, acrosomal status, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, lipid peroxidation and sperm DNA integrity after equilibration and after freezing. RESULTS: The supplementation of GSH, vitamin E and BHT resulted in significantly higher post thaw motility, live intact acrosome and plasma membrane intact sperm. The incidence of post thaw sperm lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced after addition of antioxidants. However, antioxidants treatment neither significantly improved mitochondrial membrane potential of live sperm sub-population nor sperm DNA integrity after freezing. There was no significant difference of the post thaw sperm characteristics among three antioxidants. Protective effect of GSH, vitamin E and BHT are comparable on cryopreserved boar spermatozoa.

The effect of temperature, composition and alcohols on the microstructures of catanionic mixtures of sodium dodecylsulfate and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide in water.

The influence of mixing protocol, composition, temperature, ageing and added alcohols on the characteristics of the microstructures of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) + cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) mixtures has been investigated in this paper. In this catanionic mixture (1 weight% total surfactant content) temperature induced microstructural transition occurs, which is (i) a micelle-to-vesicle transition (MVT) if αSDS (mole fraction of SDS) = 0.7, 0.8 or 0.9 and (ii) a vesicle-to-micelle transition (VMT) if αSDS = 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3. In the mixture of αSDS = 0.7, specific conductivity and dynamic light scattering measurements also support the occurrence of MVT. Transition electron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering measurements were also made to assess the characteristics of the microstructures. Alcohols added to the mixture of αSDS = 0.7 reduced the size of the vesicle, while only monohydric alcohols suppressed the temperature induced transition indicating that the number and location of -OH groups of the alcohols have a dramatic modulating influence on the structural transition occurring in catanionic mixtures. The influence of the alcohols is explained in terms of changes produced in the dielectric constant and hydrophobicity of the medium.

Improving health in cities through systems approaches for urban water management.

BACKGROUND: As human populations become more and more urban, decision-makers at all levels face new challenges related to both the scale of service provision and the increasing complexity of cities and the networks that connect them. These challenges may take on unique aspects in cities with different cultures, political and institutional frameworks, and at different levels of development, but they frequently have in common an origin in the interaction of human and environmental systems and the feedback relationships that govern their dynamic evolution. Accordingly, systems approaches are becoming recognized as critical to understanding and addressing such complex problems, including those related to human health and wellbeing. Management of water resources in and for cities is one area where such approaches hold real promise. RESULTS: This paper seeks to summarize links between water and health in cities and outline four main elements of systems approaches: analytic methods to deal with complexity, interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, and multi-scale thinking. Using case studies from a range of urban socioeconomic and regional contexts (Maputo, Mozambique; Surat and Kolkata, India; and Vienna, Austria). CONCLUSION: We show how the inclusion of these elements can lead to better research design, more effective policy and better outcomes.

Evaluation of synergistic effects of sulforaphene with photodynamic therapy in human cervical cancer cell line.

Sulforaphene from cruciferous vegetable has shown to modulate various signaling pathways of apoptosis. But it has not yet been studied extensively for the cervical cancer treatment. Previous studies show the promising role of photodynamic therapy for cervical cancer. Here, we confirm that sulforaphene can synergistically enhance the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Human cervical cancer cells HeLa were treated with a very low dose of sulforaphene (2.0 µg/ml) and photodynamic therapy with radachlorin (0.5 µg/ml) at a fluence of 27 J/cm2 (30 milliwatts/cm2, λmax ∼ 670 ± 3 nm). The combination treatment showed a synergistic effect to induce apoptosis. The mitochondrial apoptotic pathway was activated via caspase 3 and caspase 9. On the other hand, caspase 12 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) were expressed that indicated endoplasmic reticulum stress. This combination treatment also activated death receptor pathway via activation of caspase 8 and inhibited cell proliferation via down-regulation of EGFR. Thus, several apoptotic pathways were simultaneously activated in this combination treatment which results in a synergistic efficacy of sulforaphene with photodynamic therapy. Therefore, this study could be useful in the improvement of therapies for human cervical and other types of cancers.

Persistent Trophoblastic Disease at Cesarean Scar.

Pregnancy over the cesarean scar is the rarest cause of ectopic pregnancy and development of persistent trophoblastic disease at the scar site is extremely rare. A high index of suspicion is needed for early diagnosis and management of cesarean scar molar pregnancy. This condition is difficult to diagnose and must be considered in the patient with a history of cesarean section who has persistent vaginal bleeding or symptoms of pregnancy after suction evacuation. Diagnosis can be confirmedby measuring ß Human Chorionic Gonadotropin levels, transvaginal ultrasound with doppler flow evaluation. As this is an uncommon condition, this case report with conservative non surgical approach will add up to its clinical spectrum.

miR-16 rescues F508del-CFTR function in native cystic fibrosis epithelial cells.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to mutations in the CFTR gene, which prevents correct folding, trafficking and function of the mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The dysfunctional effect of CFTR mutations, principally the F508del-CFTR mutant, is further manifested by hypersecretion of the pro-inflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 into the airway lumen, which further contributes to morbidity and mortality. We have hypothesized that microRNA (miR)-based therapeutics could rescue the dysfunctional consequences of mutant CFTR. Here we report that a miR-16 mimic can effectively rescue F508del-CFTR protein function in airway cell lines and primary cultures, of differentiated human bronchial epithelia from F508del homozygotes, which express mutant CFTR endogenously. We also identify two other miRs, miR-1 and miR-302a, which are also active. Although miR-16 is expressed at basal comparable levels in CF and control cells, miR-1 and miR-302a are undetectable. When miR mimics are expressed in CF lung or pancreatic cells, the expression of the F508del-CFTR protein is significantly increased. Importantly, miR-16 promotes functional rescue of the cyclic AMP-activated apical F508del-CFTR chloride channel in primary lung epithelial cells from CF patients. We interpret these findings to suggest that these miRs may constitute novel targets for CF therapy.

An upper limit on the stochastic gravitational-wave background of cosmological origin.

A stochastic background of gravitational waves is expected to arise from a superposition of a large number of unresolved gravitational-wave sources of astrophysical and cosmological origin. It should carry unique signatures from the earliest epochs in the evolution of the Universe, inaccessible to standard astrophysical observations. Direct measurements of the amplitude of this background are therefore of fundamental importance for understanding the evolution of the Universe when it was younger than one minute. Here we report limits on the amplitude of the stochastic gravitational-wave background using the data from a two-year science run of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). Our result constrains the energy density of the stochastic gravitational-wave background normalized by the critical energy density of the Universe, in the frequency band around 100 Hz, to be <6.9 x 10(-6) at 95% confidence. The data rule out models of early Universe evolution with relatively large equation-of-state parameter, as well as cosmic (super)string models with relatively small string tension that are favoured in some string theory models. This search for the stochastic background improves on the indirect limits from Big Bang nucleosynthesis and cosmic microwave background at 100 Hz.

Effective carbon and nutrient treatment solutions for mixed domestic-industrial wastewater in India.

The present study evaluates effectiveness of up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor followed by two post-anaerobic treatment options, namely free-surface, up-flow constructed wetland (FUP-CW) and oxygen-limited anaerobic nitrification/denitrification (OLAND) processes in treating sewage from the peri-urban areas in India receiving illegal industrial infiltrations. The UASB studies yielded robust results towards fluctuating strength of sewage and consistently removed 87-98% chemical oxygen demand (COD) at a hydraulic retention time of 1.5-2 d. The FUP-CW removed 68.5±13% COD, 68±3% NH4+-N, 38±5% PO4(3-)-P, 97.6±5% suspended particles and 97±13% fecal coliforms. Nutrient removal was found to be limiting in FUP-CW, especially in winter. Nitrogen removal in the OLAND process were 100 times higher than the FUP-CW process. Results show that UASB followed by FUP-CW can be an excellent, decentralized sewage treatment option, except during winter when nutrient removal is limited in FUP-CW. Hence, the study proposes bio-augmentation of FUP-CW with OLAND biomass for overall improvement in the performance of UASB followed by FUP-CW process.