Soil-mustard revitalization via rice husk ash, a promising soil amendment material for sustainable management of heavy metal contamination in tropical ecosystem.

Prolonged wastewater irrigation in agriculture has led to the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, endangering both the soil quality and food safety, thereby posing a potential threat to human health through the consumption of contaminated crops. The present study aimed to enhance the yield of mustard (Brassica juncea L. cv. Varuna and NRCHB 101) plants and stabilize heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in wastewater-irrigated soil using rice husk ash (RHA), rice mill by-product, collected from Chandauli region of Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Results demonstrated significant improvements in growth, biomass, physiology, and yield of mustard plant with increasing RHA application in wastewater irrigated soil (p ≤ 0.05). Heavy metal accumulation in different parts of mustard plants decreased as RHA application rate increased. Applying RHA at 2% in soil proved to be most effective in reducing Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn accumulation in seeds by 29%, 29.6%, 23.1%, 21.3% and 20.1%, respectively in Varuna and 30.1%, 21.4%, 11.1%, 12.1%, and 28.5%, respectively in NRCHB 101cultivars. The present findings showed that RHA amendment in wastewater irrigated soil had reduced bioaccumulation of Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn and consequently their toxicity in cultivated mustard plants. A novel application of RHA is unveiled in this research, offering a promising solution to promote sustainable agriculture and to reduce heavy metal associated health risks within the soil-mustard system.

Screening of mustard cultivars for phytoremediation of heavy metals contamination in wastewater irrigated soil systems.

The mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plant is a well-known and widely accepted hyper-accumulator of heavy metals. The genetic makeup of mustard's cultivars may significantly impact their phytoremediation capabilities. The present study aimed to investigate the growth performance, yield attributes, and heavy metal accumulation potential of B. juncea cv. Varuna, NRCHB 101, RH 749, Giriraj, and Kranti, cultivated in soil irrigated with wastewater (EPS) and bore-well water (MPS). EPS contributed more Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni to tested mustard cultivars than the MPS. EPS reduced morphological, biochemical, physiological, and yield attributes of tested mustard cultivars significantly (p < 0.05) than the MPS. Among the tested cultivars of mustard plants, Varuna had the highest heavy metal load with the lowest harvest index (35.8 and 0.21, respectively). Whereas NRCHB 101 showed the lowest heavy metal load with the highest harvest index (26.9 and 0.43, respectively). The present study suggests that B. juncea cv. Varuna and NRCHB 101 could be used for the phytoextraction of heavy metals and reducing their contamination in food chain, respectively in wastewater irrigated areas of peri-urban India. The outcomes of the present study can also be utilized to develop a management strategy for sustainable agriculture in heavy metal polluted areas resulting from long-term wastewater irrigation.

Insights into the management of food waste in developing countries: with special reference to India.

Up to one third of the food that is purposely grown for human sustenance is wasted and never consumed, with adverse consequences for the environment and socio-economic aspects. In India, managing food waste is a significant environmental concern. Food waste output is increasing in Indian cities and towns as a result of the country's urban expansion, modernization, and population growth. Poor management of food waste can have negative consequences for the environment and pose a risk to the public's health issues. This review focuses on the current challenges, management strategies, and future perspectives of food waste management in India. The efficient management of food waste involves a comprehensive study regarding the characterization of food waste and improved waste management methods. In addition, the government policies and rules for managing food waste that is in effect in India are covered in this review.

Nanotechnology, a frontier in agricultural science, a novel approach in abiotic stress management and convergence with new age medicine-A review.

Climate change imposes various environmental stresses which substantially impact plant growth and productivity. Salinity, drought, temperature extremes, heavy metals, and nutritional imbalances are among several abiotic stresses contributing to high yield losses of crops in various parts of the world, resulting in food insecurity. Many interesting strategies are being researched in the attempt to improve plants' environmental stress tolerance. These include the application of nanoparticles, which have been found to improve plant function under stress situations. Nanotechnology will be a key driver in the upcoming agri-tech and pharmaceutical revolution, which promises a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient agricultural and medical system Nano-fertilizers can help plants utilise nutrients more efficiently by releasing nutrients slowly and sustainably. Plant physiology and nanomaterial features (such as size, shape, and charge) are important aspects influencing the impact on plant growth. Here, we discussed the most promising new opportunities and methodologies for using nanotechnology to increase the efficiency of critical inputs for crop agriculture, as well as to better manage biotic and abiotic stress. Potential development and implementation challenges are highlighted, emphasising the importance of designing suggested nanotechnologies using a systems approach. Finally, the strengths, flaws, possibilities, and risks of nanotechnology are assessed and analysed in order to present a comprehensive and clear picture of the nanotechnology potentials, as well as future paths for nano-based agri-food applications towards sustainability. Future research directions have been established in order to support research towards the long-term development of nano-enabled agriculture and evolution of pharmaceutical industry.

New drug discovery of cardiac anti-arrhythmic drugs: insights in animal models.

Cardiac rhythm regulated by micro-macroscopic structures of heart. Pacemaker abnormalities or disruptions in electrical conduction, lead to arrhythmic disorders may be benign, typical, threatening, ultimately fatal, occurs in clinical practice, patients on digitalis, anaesthesia or acute myocardial infarction. Both traditional and genetic animal models are: In-vitro: Isolated ventricular Myocytes, Guinea pig papillary muscles, Patch-Clamp Experiments, Porcine Atrial Myocytes, Guinea pig ventricular myocytes, Guinea pig papillary muscle: action potential and refractory period, Langendorff technique, Arrhythmia by acetylcholine or potassium. Acquired arrhythmia disorders: Transverse Aortic Constriction, Myocardial Ischemia, Complete Heart Block and AV Node Ablation, Chronic Tachypacing, Inflammation, Metabolic and Drug-Induced Arrhythmia. In-Vivo: Chemically induced arrhythmia: Aconitine antagonism, Digoxin-induced arrhythmia, Strophanthin/ouabain-induced arrhythmia, Adrenaline-induced arrhythmia, and Calcium-induced arrhythmia. Electrically induced arrhythmia: Ventricular fibrillation electrical threshold, Arrhythmia through programmed electrical stimulation, sudden coronary death in dogs, Exercise ventricular fibrillation. Genetic Arrhythmia: Channelopathies, Calcium Release Deficiency Syndrome, Long QT Syndrome, Short QT Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome. Genetic with Structural Heart Disease: Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Atrial Fibrillation, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Atrioventricular Block, Preexcitation Syndrome. Arrhythmia in Pluripotent Stem Cell Cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Both traditional and genetic, experimental models of cardiac arrhythmias' characteristics and significance help in development of new antiarrhythmic drugs.

Outbreak investigation of Dengue like fever in rural area of Rajasthan.

During October 2020, suddenly many cases were reported with Dengue like Illness in Sahawa village, Rajasthan. Blood samples collected from 68 patients were tested for Dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibodies for Dengue, Chikungunya, Scrub typhus, Leptospira and Brucella by ELISA, Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viral RNA by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), 41.17% samples were positive for Dengue; 25% were positive by Dengue PCR, 17.64% for NS1 Ag,14.70% for IgM ELISA, 20.58% were positive for antibodies either for Scrub typhus (4.41%), Leptospira (7.35%) or Brucella (10.29%). Dengue was seen in 41.17% cases and other etiological agents in 20.58% cases.

Carpet industry irrigational sources risk assessment: Heavy metal contaminated vegetables and cereal crops in northern India.

Wastewater is often discharged to natural water bodies through an open channel as well as used by marginal farmers to irrigate the agricultural fields, particularly in sub-urban areas of developing countries. In the present study, the samples of irrigation water, soil, vegetables (i.e., palak; Beta vulgaris L. var All green H1, radish; Raphanus sativus L., garlic; Allium sativum L., cabbage; Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata, brinjal; Solanum melongena L.) and crops (i.e., paddy; Oryza sativa L. and wheat; Triticum aestivum L.) were collected from the agricultural areas receiving untreated wastewater from a carpet industrial and residential areas since a decade. The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn in the filtrates of water, soil, and crops were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 800, USA). Daily intake, hazardous quotient and heavy metal pollution index were computed to assess the health risk associated with consumption of heavy metal contaminated crops. The mean concentrations of Cd and Zn in B. vulgaris (5.35 µg g-1 dw and 58.41 µg g-1 dw, respectively) and Cr, Cu, and Ni in grains of T. aestivum (16.02 µg g-1 dw, 27.97 µg g-1 dw and 40.74 µg g-1 dw, respectively) were found highest and had exceeded the Indian safety limit. Daily intake of Cu, Ni, and Cr via consumption of tested cereal crops was found higher than the vegetables. The health quotient revealed that health of local residents is more linked to vegetables than cereal crops. The present findings may be helpful to the policymakers and regulatory authorities to modify the existing policy of wastewater uses in the agriculture and disposal to the natural water bodies. The regular monitoring of heavy metals in the wastewater should also be ensured by the regulatory authorities for their safe disposal to natural water bodies/agriculture in order to reduce the human health risk associated with the degree of heavy metal contaminated suburban food systems.

Antioxidant properties, phenolics and flavonoids content of some economically important plants from North-west Indian Himalaya.

The present study investigated antioxidant properties, total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanol extract of the leaf, stem bark, and fruit of Olea ferruginea Royle, Olea europaea L., and Tilia europaea L. grow naturally in the north-west Indian Himalaya. Phenolics and flavonoids content was found to be maximum in methanol extracts of stem bark and leaf (9.28 mg GAE/g fw and 14.73 mg QE/g fw, respectively) of O. ferruginea plants. Ferric reducing antioxidant power and DPPH radical scavenging activity were found to be maximum in leaf and stem bark (38.88 mM AAE/g fw and 20.31 mM AAE/g fw, respectively) of O. ferrugenia plants, whereas maximum ABTS radical scavenging activity (4.52 mM AAE/g fw) was recorded with stem bark of T. europaea plants. These tree species were found rich in natural compounds and also possess antioxidant activities. Therefore, their pharmaceutical and local uses for the health benefits are suggested.

DNA Knot Malleability in Single-Digit Nanopores.

Knots in long DNA molecules are prevalent in biological systems and serve as a model system for investigating static and dynamic properties of biopolymers. We explore the dynamics of knots in double-stranded DNA in a new regime of nanometer-scale confinement, large forces, and short time scales, using solid-state nanopores. We show that DNA knots undergo isomorphic translocation through a nanopore, retaining their equilibrium morphology by swiftly compressing in a lateral direction to fit the constriction. We observe no evidence of knot tightening or jamming, even for single-digit nanopores. We explain the observations as the malleability of DNA, characterized by sharp buckling of the DNA in nanopores, driven by the transient disruption of base pairing. Our molecular dynamics simulations support the model. These results are relevant not only for the understanding of DNA packing and manipulation in living cells but also for the polymer physics of DNA and the development of nanopore-based sequencing technologies.

Absence of CCR2 reduces spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis in the ApcMin /+ mouse model.

The biological activities of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) are mediated via C-C chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2). Increased CCL2 level is associated with metastasis of many cancers. In our study, we investigated the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in the development of spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis using the ApcMin/+ mouse model. Ablation of CCR2 in ApcMin/+ mice significantly increased the overall survival and reduced intestinal tumor burden. Immune cell analysis showed that CCR2-/- ApcMin/+ mice exhibited significant reduction in the myeloid cell population and increased interferon γ (IFN-γ) producing T cells both in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes compared to ApcMin/+ mice. The CCR2-/- ApcMin/+ tumors showed significantly reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 and increased IFN-γ and Granzyme B compared to ApcMin/+ tumors. Transfer of CCR2+/+ ApcMin/+ CD4+ T cells into Rag2-/- mice led to development of colitis phenotype with increased CD4+ T cells hyper proliferation and IL-17 production. In contrast, adoptive transfer of CCR2-/- ApcMin/+ CD4+ T cells into Rag2-/- mice failed to enhance colonic inflammation or IL-17 production. These results a suggest novel additional role for CCR2, where it regulates migration of IL-17 producing cells mediating tumor-promoting inflammation in addition to its role in migration of tumor associated macrophages.

New insights into the biodegradation of chlorpyrifos by a novel bacterial consortium: Process optimization using general factorial experimental design.

Himalayan mountains are subjected to the intensive and unjudicial application of chlorpyrifos (CP) in agricultural practices; hence it has spurred concerns over food safety and environmental consequences. These low-temperature mountainous regions are foremost ecosystems, representing the large-scale distribution of cold trapped CP residues. A bacterial consortium ECO-M was formed by isolating the CP degrading bacterial strains viz Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain ECO1, Cellulosimicrobium funkei strain ECO2, Shinella zoogloeoides strain ECO3 and Bacillus aryabhattai strain ECO4. At an initial concentration of 50 mg L-1, consortium ECO-M degraded 100% of CP within 6 days. Emergence and subsequent degradation of the two metabolites, 3, 5, 6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) and 2-hydroxypyridine were confirmed by GC-MS analysis. A degradation pathway of CP by isolated strains has been proposed. A general factorial experimental design was effectuated to prognosticate the optimum biodegradation by manifesting the optimal biological and physicochemical factors. Fitness of the experimental design was affirmed experimentally by employing optimized factors i.e., temperature 30 °C, CP concentration 50 mg L-1 and an inoculum size of 10% (v/v). The model appropriacy and the rationality of the optimization procedure were appraised by installing an in-situ microcosms experiment using the real contaminated soil collected from the Himalayan mountain ecosystem. The augmentation culture seems to be effectively conspicuous in stimulating maximum degradation up to 94.3% in the CP contaminated soil.

Synthesis, antimicrobial and chitinase inhibitory activities of 3-amidocoumarins.

A series of 3-amidocoumarins has been synthesized and tested in vitro for their anitimicrobial and chitinase inhibitory activities. Among these, compounds 5k, 5l, 8b-8d, 8f and 8g exhibited good antibacterial activity with MIC values in the range of 6.25-25 µg/mL against some of the tested strains while compounds 5l, 8b, 8c and 8f showed good activity against at least one or two fungal strains. Some of the assayed compounds 5d, 5k, 5l, 8b and 8c displayed significant chitinase inhibitory activity with IC50 values in the range of 3.74-5.6 µM. Among them, 5l proved to be potent chitinase inhibitor with IC50 value of 3.74 µM. To better understand the enzyme-inhibitor interactions molecular docking study of all the synthesized compounds was carried out on Aspergillus fumigatus chitinase 1W9U. The compound 5l showed high binding affinity with the receptor with binding energy value of -8.44 Kcal/mol. This study also provides structure activity relationship (SAR) of synthesized compounds.

VEGF-A and cardiac autonomic function in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a key complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Ty2DM). Vascular endothelial-derived growth factor (VEGF-A) plays a key role in diabetic macrovascular and microvascular complications. It is shown to be elevated in diabetic neuropathy and has the potential to serve as a biomarker in Ty2DM. We evaluated VEGF-A levels and cardiac autonomic function in newly diagnosed Ty2DM patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four newly diagnosed patients (with symptoms within 1 year from the date of recruitment) were included in the study. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed using heart rate variability (HRV) and Ewing's battery tests. Ewing's scores were computed and tabulated. VEGF-A levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The patients demonstrated normal responses to the reactivity tests. Ewing's scores were 0 (0-0) and 0 (0-0) for sympathetic and parasympathetic parameters, respectively. The autonomic tone was impaired as assessed by HRV parameters. VEGF-A levels were elevated (308.3 ± 167.2 pg/mL) when compared with the previous literature. DISCUSSION: Impaired tone with normal reactivity was suggestive of early stage of autonomic neuropathy. Elevated VEGF-A levels may be attributed to a protective action of the factor seen in early stages of neuropathy in Ty2DM. Serial VEGF-A estimation in large cohorts of newly diagnosed diabetics may validate it as a biomarker in CAN seen in Ty2DM.

Technological advancement in electrochemical biosensor based detection of Organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos in the environment: A review of status and prospects.

Chlorpyrifos (CP), an organophosphate insecticide is broadly used in the agricultural and industrial sectors to control a broad-spectrum of insects of economically important crops. CP detection has been gaining prominence due to its widespread contamination in different environmental matrices, high acute toxicity, and potential to cause long-term environmental and ecological damage even at trace levels. Traditional chromatographic methods for CP detection are complex and require sample preparation and highly skilled personnel for their operation. Over the past decades, electrochemical biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for CP detection as these circumvent deficiencies associated with classical chromatographic techniques. The advantageous features such as appreciable detection limit, miniaturization, sensitivity, low-cost and onsite detection potential are the propulsive force towards sustainable growth of electrochemical biosensing platforms. Recent development in enzyme immobilization methods, novel surface modifications, nanotechnology and fabrication techniques signify a foremost possibility for the design of electrochemical biosensing platforms with improved sensitivity and selectivity. The prime objective of this review is to accentuate the recent advances in the design of biosensing platforms based on diverse biomolecules and biomimetic molecules with unique properties, which would potentially fascinate their applicability for detection of CP residues in real samples. The review also covers the sensing principle of the prime biomolecule and biomimetic molecule based electrochemical biosensors along with their analytical performance, advantages and shortcomings. Present challenges and future outlooks in the field of electrochemical biosensors based CP detection are also discussed. This deep analysis of electrochemical biosensors will provide research directions for further approaching towards commercial development of the broad range of organophosphorus compounds.

Isolation, morphological identification and in vitro antibacterial activity of endophytic bacteria isolated from Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves.

AIM: The objective of this study was to isolate endophytic bacteria from Azadirachta indica (neem) leaves, their identification and investigate their antibacterial activity against three Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh leaves of A. indica (neem) was procured from the Department of Botany, JNKVV, Jabalpur. Five samples were taken, and each sample was divided into five subsamples and separated for further isolation of endophytic bacteria. For sterilization leaves were treated with double distilled water, 0.1% sodium hypochlorite, 0.01% bavistin, 0.05% and 70% ethanol. Sterilized leaves of the plants were embedded in Kings B (KB) petri plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Characterization of the bacteria was done according to its morphology and by Gram-staining. After that, a single colony was transferred into brain heart infusion (BHI) broth and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The antibacterial effect was studied by the disk diffusion method with known antibiotic ciprofloxacin (Ci) as standard. RESULTS: A total of 25 bacterial isolates from A. indica (neem) were obtained and identified morphologically. Most of the samples on KB media depicted irregular shape, flat elevation, undulated, rough, opaque, and white in color. Most of the samples on blood agar showed irregular, raise elevation, undulated, smooth, opaque and all the isolates were nonhemolytic and nonchromogenic. The growth of endophytic bacteria in BHI broth were all isolates showed turbidity. The microscopic examination revealed that maximum isolates were Gram-positive and rod shaped. Good antibacterial activity was observed against S. aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, E. coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, and K. pneumoniae. CONCLUSIONS: Endophytic bacteria are present in leaves of A. indica (neem) and it possesses antibacterial activity against few Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Determination of the elastic modulus of ß-lactoglobulin amyloid fibrils by measuring the Debye-Waller factor.

Although amyloid fibrils are associated with amyloidoses, they are now being considered as novel biomaterials for industrial use due to their structural stability in the matured state. Therefore, the physical characteristics of these materials need to be clarified prior to their industrial application. In the present study, the mechanical properties of amyloid fibrils precursored by ß-lactoglobulin were investigated. Previous studies have examined the stiffness or modulus values of these fibrils using atomic force microscopy. However, the modulus values reported, even for amyloid fibrils from the same precursor proteins, range over three orders of magnitude, from a few MPa to GPa, depending on the experimental methods employed under specific loading conditions. We determined the elastic modulus of amyloid fibrils by measuring spontaneous thermal fluctuations in the material, the Debye-Waller factor. This method does not require any contact between the probe and material or any loading. The vibrational modes of a fibril were considered in order to estimate mechanical parameters. The modulus value determined along the fibril axis for single amyloid fibrils was slightly smaller than those reported in the literature. The smaller modulus value suggests the existence of less ordered proto-fibrils in our specimen, which was confirmed by the AFM images.

Response of two cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (French beans) plants exposed to enhanced UV-B radiation under mountain ecosystem.

Enhanced solar ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiance resulting from depletion in the ozone layer has the potential to cause detrimental effects on plants. Higher altitudes tend to receive higher doses of ambient UV-B radiation. The present study was carried out to assess the effects of enhanced UV-B (ambient + 10.2 kJ m(-2) day(-1)) radiation on two cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (cv. Pusa Himlata and Pusa Parvati) at growth, physiological, and biochemical levels grown under mountain ecosystem. The magnitudes of negative effects of enhanced UV-B radiation were found more in Pusa Parvati as compared to Pusa Himlata. Non-enzymatic (total phenolics and flavonoids content) and enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase) were increased in both cultivars at both the ages of growth but increase was found more in Pusa Himlata as compared to Pusa Parvati. The study further showed that the economic yield of Pusa Himlata and Pusa Parvati was decreased by 14 and 44%, respectively, due to enhanced UV-B radiation. The higher decrease in the economic yield of Pusa Parvati depicted that increased amounts of total flavonoids content and stimulation of their antioxidant defense mechanism via increasing the activities of enzymatic antioxidants were not able to completely detoxify the produced reactive oxygen species under enhanced UV-B radiation and made it more sensitive to applied stress. From the present study, it can be concluded that enhanced UV-B radiation in the mountain areas of the Indian Himalayan Regions could be one of the environmental causes for lower yields of agricultural crops. Cultivation of P. vulgaris L. cv. Pusa Himlata should be promoted at higher altitudes of the Indian Himalayan Regions.

Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercise Training on Autonomic Functions and its Correlation with the Antioxidant Status.

Aerobic exercise is a proven measure to enhance the cardio-respiratory efficiency. This improvement isprimarily due to improvement in autonomic function where in there is increase in the parasympathetic function and decrease in sympathetic function. Exercise also affects many metabolic activities in our body and may be one of the factors which reduce the oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to see the effect of moderate aerobic exercise training on autonomic function and its correlation with antioxidant status. 30 healthy volunteers in the age group of 18-22 years were screened. Autonomic function tests included activity (tone) and reactivity parameters. Antioxidant status was assessed by the level of malondialdehyde in plasma. We observed a significant change in SBP, DBP, LF nu, HF nu, delta value of DBP in CPT and MDA. Our findings are consistent with earlier findings that short duration physical training is known to reduce blood pressure and that there is a relationship between HF (in HRV) and training response Physical exercise also provides a favorable change in the biochemical parameters such as MDA.

Which valve is which?

A 25-year-old man presented with a history of breathlessness for the past 2 years. He had a history of operation for Tetralogy of Fallot at the age of 5 years and history suggestive of Rheumatic fever at the age of 7 years. On echocardiographic examination, all his heart valves were severely regurgitating. Morphologically, all the valves were irreparable. The ejection fraction was 35%. He underwent quadruple valve replacement. The aortic and mitral valves were replaced by metallic valve and the tricuspid and pulmonary by tissue valve.

Expression of leukotriene B4 receptor-1 on CD8⁺ T cells is required for their migration into tumors to elicit effective antitumor immunity.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor (BLT)1 is expressed on variety of immune cells and has been implicated as a mediator of diverse inflammatory diseases. However, whether biological responses initiated via this receptor generate tumor-promoting inflammation or antitumor immunity remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the role of BLT1 in antitumor immunity using syngeneic TC-1 cervical cancer model, and observed accelerated tumor growth and reduced survival in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice compared with BLT1⁺/⁺ mice. Analysis of the tumor infiltrates by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed a significant decrease in effector immune cells, most notably, CD8⁺ T cells and NK cells in the tumors of the BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Gene expression profiling confirmed the dramatic decrease of IFN-γ, granzyme B, and IL-2 in tumors growing in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Furthermore, depletion of CD8⁺ T cells enhanced the tumor growth in BLT1⁺/⁺ but not in BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. However, similar levels of Ag-dependent CD8⁺ T cell-mediated killing activity were observed in spleens of BLT1⁺/⁺ and BLT1⁻/⁻ mice. Adoptive transfer of CD8⁺ T cells from tumor-bearing BLT1⁺/⁺ but not BLT1⁻/⁻ mice significantly reduced tumor growth and increased the survival of Rag2⁻/⁻ mice. Although the homeostatic proliferation and expression profiles of other chemokine receptors of adoptively transferred BLT1⁺/⁺ and BLT1⁻/⁻ CD8⁺ T cells appears to be similar, BLT1⁺/⁺ T lymphocytes entered the tumors in greater numbers. These results suggest that BLT1 expression on CD8⁺ T cells plays an important role in their trafficking to tumors.