Emerging Strategies in Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Cardiovascular Therapeutics.

Cardiovascular diseases continue to challenge global health, demanding innovative therapeutic solutions. This review delves into the transformative role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in advancing cardiovascular therapeutics. Beginning with a historical perspective, we trace the development of stem cell research related to cardiovascular diseases, highlighting foundational therapeutic approaches and the evolution of cell-based treatments. Recognizing the inherent challenges of MSC-based cardiovascular therapeutics, which range from understanding the pro-reparative activity of MSCs to tailoring patient-specific treatments, we emphasize the need to refine the pro-regenerative capacity of these cells. Crucially, our focus then shifts to the strategies of the fourth generation of cell-based therapies: leveraging the secretomic prowess of MSCs, particularly the role of extracellular vesicles; integrating biocompatible scaffolds and artificial sheets to amplify MSCs' potential; adopting three-dimensional ex vivo propagation tailored to specific tissue niches; harnessing the promise of genetic modifications for targeted tissue repair; and institutionalizing good manufacturing practice protocols to ensure therapeutic safety and efficacy. We conclude with reflections on these advancements, envisaging a future landscape redefined by MSCs in cardiovascular regeneration. This review offers both a consolidation of our current understanding and a view toward imminent therapeutic horizons.

Survival analysis in association with GST gene polymorphism and Treatment outcomes of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin/Carboplatin-based chemotherapy among patients with Gallbladder Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Majority of the gallbladder cancer (GBC) cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage where chemotherapy alone (or in combination with other treatment methods) is mainly opted as therapeutic approach. However, success or failure of this approach largely depends on the interindividual genetic differences. Careful consideration on the genetic association could assist in the evaluation of patient's treatment response and survival rate. Hence, the present study aims to investigate the survival of patients with GBC and their treatment response to gemcitabine and cisplatin/carboplatin-based chemotherapy in association with Glutathione S-transferase (GSTs) gene polymorphism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 216 histologically confirmed cases of gallbladder cancer were recruited. A total of 180 patients were treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin/carboplatin-based chemotherapy. GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genotypes were determined by multiplex PCR and by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), respectively. The influence of genetic polymorphism on overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, survival rate difference was analyzed by log-rank test, and hazard ratio for mortality outcomes was estimated using Cox regression method. RESULTS: GBC patients having genotype GSTP1 (AG + GG) showed poor 3-year survival rate of 0.8% compared to 10.9% of GSTP1 (AA) genotype (χ2 = 6.456, P = 0.011). The multivariate Cox regression results showed that the death risk was significantly higher in GSTP1 (AG + GG) genotype (HR = 3.858, P = 0.050). We found no association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism with the survival; however, the combined genotypes of GSM1/GSTP1, GSTT1/GSTP1, and GSTM1/GSTT1/GSTP1 were associated with survival (P = 0.053, 0.006, and 0.058, respectively). Increased death hazard was noted by the genotype combinations of GSTM1+/GSTP1AG + GG (HR = 3.484, P = 0.024), GSTM1-/GSTP1AG + GG (HR = 2.721, P = 0.014), GSTT1+/GSTP1AG + GG (HR = 20.690, P = 0.001), and GSTT1-/GSTP1AA (HR = 26.111, P < 0.0001). Our findings indicate that chemotherapy treatment response of GSTP1 (AG + GG) has 1.62-fold increased risk for progression compared to GSTP1 (AA) genotype (p = 0.018); however, none of the genotypes showed association with overall survival and death risk after chemotherapeutic treatment. CONCLUSION: We found that the presence of GSTP1 (AG + GG) genotype showed survival disadvantage and poor treatment outcomes in response to gemcitabine and cisplatin/carboplatin-based chemotherapy. This could serve as biomarker, and future research in pharmacogenomics will definitely pave the way for the development of better treatment approach for GBC.

Parry Romberg Syndrome: A Case Report and an Insight Into Etiology.

Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a rare degenerative disorder of unknown cause that causes slow, progressive atrophy on one side of the face. The cause may be a malfunction of the sympathetic nervous system, with or without neurological symptoms. Atrophy usually begins in childhood and progresses gradually over several years. Stabilization can take up to 20 years. There is no definitive cure for this condition, but once the condition is stabilized, reconstructive surgery of the damaged skin and soft tissue can correct the deformity. The objective of this article is to present an insight into the etiology of PRS with a case report of a 15-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed with PRS due to trauma and developed progressive hemifacial atrophy without neurological manifestations. PRS is a progressive disease that severely affects one side of the face. Because of its devastating effects on the entire body, treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. Further research is needed to clearly understand the etiology and provide patients with accurate treatment plans.

The Role of Adjunctive Chemical Solutions in the Treatment of Odontogenic Keratocysts: A Scoping Review.

Odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) are aggressive cysts with a high recurrence potential. Treating them with surgical enucleation procedures alone is associated with high recurrence rates; therefore, additional or supportive treatment approaches, such as peripheral osteotomy, cryotherapy, and chemical solutions, are warranted. The objective of the present review was to evaluate the existing literature on the efficacy of chemical approaches, such as Carnoy's solution (CS), in preventing recurrence after the enucleation of OKC. An electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to find articles published from January 2010 to December 2022 by using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms "Odontogenic Keratocyst" "Carnoy's Solution," "Treatment," and "Enucleation." Articles published in the English language were selected for the study. The PICOS criteria (population: patients with non-syndromic OKC with histopathological diagnosis and a minimum follow-up of six months; intervention and comparison: enucleation followed by adjunctive chemical therapy and standard procedure; outcome: recurrence rates; study design: retrospective and prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, and case series involving at least 10 cases of OKC) were employed. Studies involving syndromic (nevoid basal cell carcinoma) cases were excluded from the search. Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and the majority of them were retrospective studies, with a few case series. OKC was found more frequently in the mandible, with a recurrence rate of 11%, when treated with CS following enucleation after four years of follow-up. Modified Carnoy's solution (MC) was used in two studies. The mean follow-up period was 44 months. Based on our findings, adjuvant therapy using a chemical approach following enucleation is a more effective and beneficial modality for the treatment of OKC.

Differential Expression of Non-Coding RNAs in Stem Cell Development and Therapeutics of Bone Disorders.

Stem cells' self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation are regulated by a complex network consisting of signaling factors, chromatin regulators, transcription factors, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Diverse role of ncRNAs in stem cell development and maintenance of bone homeostasis have been discovered recently. The ncRNAs, such as long non-coding RNAs, micro RNAs, circular RNAs, small interfering RNA, Piwi-interacting RNAs, etc., are not translated into proteins but act as essential epigenetic regulators in stem cells' self-renewal and differentiation. Different signaling pathways are monitored efficiently by the differential expression of ncRNAs, which function as regulatory elements in determining the fate of stem cells. In addition, several species of ncRNAs could serve as potential molecular biomarkers in early diagnosis of bone diseases, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and bone cancers, ultimately leading to the development of new therapeutic strategies. This review aims to explore the specific roles of ncRNAs and their effective molecular mechanisms in the growth and development of stem cells, and in the regulation of osteoblast and osteoclast activities. Furthermore, we focus on and explore the association of altered ncRNA expression with stem cells and bone turnover.

An analysis of emergency surgery on coronavirus disease positive patients and their outcomes during the coronavirus pandemic: A retrospective observational study.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to determine the outcome of emergency surgery in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with regard to presently existing physical status, and highlight its subspecialty distribution. Methods: This retrospective observational study was done on all patients who underwent emergency surgery between March 2020 and Dec 2021 and were positive for COVID-19. Data collection included the age of the patients, gender, diagnosis, the type of surgery performed, and outcome. Physical status was assessed, as per Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnoea Scale (MMRC) and Metabolic Equivalent Scale (METS). Results: A total of 89 patients were analyzed from March 2020 to Dec 2021. There were 63 females and 26 males. The average age of the males was 53.8 ± 8.9 years and the average age of the females was 29.1 ± 4.6 years. The maximum number of surgeries done was lower segment cesarean section (57.3%). 55 out of 60 (91%) cases had a good grade on the MMRC scale (Grade 0 and 1). 3 patients had Grade 4 MMRC scale and all 3 were oncology cases. As per the METS scale, 56/60 (93.3%) patients had METS >10. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that 55 out of 60 (91%) of cases had a good grade on the MMRC scale (Grade 0 and 1) 6 months to 1-year post-surgery. As per the METS scale, 56/60 (93.3%) patients had METS >10. Most of the cases were asymptomatic COVID-19-positive and presently have good physical status as determined by the study.

COVID-19: Social distancing monitoring using faster-RCNN and YOLOv3 algorithms.

As of March 31, 2021, the Coronavirus COVID-19 was affecting 219 countries and territories worldwide, with approximately 129,574,017 confirmed cases and 2,830,220 death cases. Social isolation is the most reliable way to deal with this pandemic situation. Motivated by this notion, this paper proposes a deep learning-based technique for automating the task of monitoring social distancing using surveillance cameras. To separate humans from the background, the proposed system employs object detection models based on F-RCNN (Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Networks) and YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithms. In the COVID-19 environment, these models track the percentage of people who violate social distancing norms on a daily basis. The authors compared the performance of both models in experimental work using the MS COCO dataset. Many tests were carried out, and we discovered that YOLOv3 demonstrated efficient performance with balanced FPS (frames per second).

Radiation Exposure to the Personnel Performing Myocardial Blood Flow Quantification Study Using 13N-ammonia Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography.

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate radiation exposure to staff performing coronary flow reserve (CFR) measurement using 13N-ammonia. Materials and Methods: The radiation exposure rate during the administration of 13N-ammonia for the rest and stress part of the study was noted using an ionization chamber-based calibrated survey monitor. The radiation exposure to persons involved in dispensing radioactivity (D1), administering radioactivity (D2) and monitoring the patient during pharmacological stress (D3) were measured using an energy compensated Si-diode personal pocket dosimeter. Results: The average dose received by individuals with dosimeters D1, D2, and D3 was 1.28 ± 0.79 µSv, 1.56 ± 0.51 µSv, and 0.88 ± 0.97 µSv per injection, respectively, during the rest of study and 1.56 ± 0.96 µSv, 2.64 ± 1.22 µSv, and 2.2 ± 1.7 µSv per injection, respectively, during stress study. The average exposure rate during the administration of 13N-ammonia at 0.5 m and 1.5 m from the injection site was found to be 259 µSv/h and 53.4 µSv/h, respectively, during the rest study and 301 µSv/h and 67.25 µSv/h, respectively, during stress study. Conclusion: The exposure to the staff performing CFR study with 13N-ammonia was well within prescribed limits by the International Commission on Radiological Protection 103. The CFR measurement with 13N-ammonia positron emission tomography/computed tomography can be included in routine workups of cardiac patients without the fear of radiation exposure.

GSTs genetic polymorphism, gene-environment interaction and association with gallbladder cancer risk in North Indian population: A case-controlled study.

AIM: In the present case-controlled study, we explored the role of genetic polymorphism in three xenobiotic metabolizing genes, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1, and their association to gallbladder cancer (GBC) risk in a North Indian population. Its etiology is influenced by genetic, food habits, lifestyle, and environmental factors. GBC incidence is significantly higher in the Gangetic belt, India. Therefore, we explored the prognostic factors in the susceptibility of GBC through gene-gene and gene-environment interaction in this region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Genetic polymorphism was analyzed in 108 GBC patients from Kamala Nehru Memorial Cancer Hospital, Prayagraj and 142 matched controls. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were analyzed by multiplex PCR method, while restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was performed to analyze GSTP1 genotypes. Logistic regression analysis calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was performed to analyze the GBC risk. RESULTS: GSTT1 (null) genotype was at a significantly higher risk and susceptible to GBC (OR = 2.044, CI = 1.225-3.411, P = 0.006), while GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotypes did not show any association to GBC risk. After sex stratification, females diagnosed with GBC had higher GSTT1 (null) genotype (OR = 2.754, CI = 1.428-5.310, P = 0.003) compared to males. GBC patients dwelling in rural areas show higher GSTT1 (null) genotype with two-fold GBC risk (OR = 2.031, CI = 1.200-3.439, P = 0.008). Further, GBC patients with histopathology of adenocarcinoma also showed higher GSTT1 (null) genotype (OR = 2.113, CI = 1.248-3.578, P = 0.005). Gene-gene interaction between GSTT1 (non-null)/GSTP1 (Ile/Val + Val/Val), enhance the GBC risk (OR = 1.840, CI = 1.135-2.982, P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that GSTT1 (null) genotype has higher susceptibility and risk towards GBC in North Indian population. Female patients, patients with histopathology of adenocarcinoma and rural dwelling GBC patients have higher GSTT1 (null) genotypes and may be at risk of developing GBC. The genotype combination GSTT1 (non-null)/GSTP1 (Ile/Val + Val/Val) has increased GBC susceptibility and may be considered as 'at risk' genotypes for GBC in North Indians.

Survival analysis and prognostic factors of the carcinoma of gallbladder.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to evaluate the survival status of patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) and explore the prognostic factors for the improvement and preventions. METHODS: The study consists of 176 patients with clinically diagnosed gallbladder cancer; the study was conducted between 2019 and 2021 registered at Kamala Nehru Memorial Cancer Hospital, Prayagraj, India. The survival rates were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method; survival rate difference was analyzed by log-rank test, prognosis factors; and hazard ratio for mortality outcomes was estimated using Cox regression method. RESULTS: The overall median survival time of patients was 5 months with the 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival rates of 24.4%, 8.5%, and 4.5%, respectively. The 3-year survival for patients with jaundice was 2.9%, liver infiltration (4.2%), gallstones (0.8%), and with advanced tumor grade (1.4%). Elderly GBC patients had lower survival rates (3.8%), while the 3-year overall survival for patients residing in urban areas dropped to zero. No patients in the tumor stage (T3/T4) and with distance metastasis stage survived in 3 years, while only 1.1% of patients with advanced nodal stage survived. On receiving surgery and radiation therapy, the 3-year survival rate increased to 19.5% and 35%, respectively. The results of multivariate analysis showed that urban region (HR = 1.568, p = 0.040), gallstone or not (1.571, p = 0.049), N stage (HR = 1.468, p = 0.029), and M stage (HR = 2.289, p < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for prognosis, while surgery or not (HR = 0.573, p = 0.030) was the protective factor for the prognosis of GBC. CONCLUSION: The overall survival of GBC in the Gangetic belt is poor. The geographical region of patients, gallstones, and N and M stage was the risk factors for prognosis, while surgery or not was the protective factor for the prognosis of GBC.

Metabolic Pathways, Enzymes, and Metabolites: Opportunities in Cancer Therapy.

Metabolic reprogramming enables cancer cells to proliferate and produce tumor biomass under a nutrient-deficient microenvironment and the stress of metabolic waste. A cancer cell adeptly undergoes a variety of adaptations in metabolic pathways and differential expression of metabolic enzyme genes. Metabolic adaptation is mainly determined by the physiological demands of the cancer cell of origin and the host tissue. Numerous metabolic regulators that assist cancer cell proliferation include uncontrolled anabolism/catabolism of glucose metabolism, fatty acids, amino acids metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, tumor suppressor genes, microRNAs, and many regulatory enzymes and genes. Using this paradigm, we review the current understanding of metabolic reprogramming in tumors and discuss the new strategies of cancer metabolomics that can be tapped into for cancer therapeutics.

Investigating the Role of Glutathione S- Transferase Genes, Histopathological and Molecular Subtypes, Gene-Gene Interaction and Its Susceptibility to Breast Carcinoma in Ethnic North- Indian Population.

BACKGROUND: Breast Cancer (BC) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease including complex interactions between gene-gene and gene-environment components. This study aimed, to explore whether the Glutathione S- transferase (GSTs) gene polymorphism has role in BC susceptibility. We further evaluated the frequency of four subtypes of BC based on molecular classification followed by microscopic histological analysis to study the grades of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Polymorphism in GST genes in North-Indian BC patients was assessed by multiplex-PCR and PCR-RFLP methods. 105 BC patients and 145 healthy controls were enrolled for this study. Data was analyzed by calculating the odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI from logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Our findings revealed that GSTM1 null genotype (OR = 2.231; 95% CI = 1.332-3.737; p-value= 0.002) is significantly associated to BC risk in ethnic North- Indian population. However, the risk for BC susceptibility in North-Indians does not appear to be associated with GSTT1 null genotype. The GSTP1 (Val/Val) genotype (OR=1.545; CI=0.663-3.605; p-value= 0.314) was also found to be susceptible for BC risk. Combination of three high risk GST genotypes association exhibiting gene-gene interaction further confirmed the increased risk to BC in this region. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study indicated that polymorphism in GSTM1 and rs1695 of GSTP1 genes may influence BC development among North-Indian women. Thus, the screening of GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene should be recommended for the earlier investigation for BC as a precautionary measure.

Higher order genes interaction in DNA repair and cytokine genes polymorphism and risk to lung cancer in North Indians.

Context: Lung cancer pathological process involves cumulative effects exerted by gene polymorphism(s), epigenetic modifications, and alterations in DNA repair machinery. Further, DNA damage due to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and the interplay between genetic and environmental factors is also an etiologic milieu of this malignant disease. Aims: The present study aims to assess the prognostic value of DNA repair, cytokines, and GST gene polymorphism in lung cancer patients who had not received any neoadjuvant therapy. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 127 cases and 120 controls were enrolled. DNA from the blood samples of both patients and controls was used to genotype XRCC1Arg399Gln, XPDLys751Gln, and interleukin-1 (IL-1ß) genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, whereas multiplex PCR was performed to genotype GSTT1 and GSTM1. Results: Binary logistic regression analysis showed that XRCC1Arg399Gln-mutant genotype (Gln/Gln, odds ratio [OR] = 4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2-9.6) and GSTT1 null (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.6-4.5) were linked to cancer susceptibility. Generalized multidimensional reduction analysis of higher order gene-gene interaction using cross-validation testing (CVT) accuracy showed that GSTT1 (CVT 0.62, P = 0.001), XPD751 and IL-1ß (CVT 0.6, P = 0.001), and XRCC1399, XPD751, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RN) (CVT 0.98, P = 0.001) were single-, two-, and three-factor best model predicted, respectively, for lung cancer risk. Classification and regression tree analysis results showed that terminal nodes which contain XRCC1399-mutant genotype (AA) had increased the risk to lung cancer. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that XRCC1399 (Gln/Gln), GSTT1, and IL-1RN allele I, I/II served as the risk genotypes. These genes could serve as the biomarkers to predict lung cancer risk.

Nanoformulations - Insights Towards Characterization Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Drug-loaded novel nanoformulations are gaining importance due to their versatile properties compared to conventional pharmaceutical formulations. Nanomaterials, apart from their multifactorial benefits, have a wider scope in the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer. Understanding the chemistry of drug-loaded nano-formulations to elicit its behaviour both at molecular and systemic levels is critical in the present scenario. Drug-loaded nanoformulations are controlled by their size, shape, surface chemistry, and release behavior. The major pharmaceutical drug loaded nanocarriers reported for anticancer drug delivery for the treatment of various forms of cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, etc include nanoparticles, nanospheres, nanodispersions, nanocapsules, nanomicelles, cubosomes, nanoemulsions, liposomes and niosomes. The major objectives in designing anticancer drug-loaded nanoformulations are to manage the particle size/morphology correlating with the drug release to fulfil the specific objectives. Hence, nano characterizations are very critical both at in vitro and in vivo levels. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this review paper is to summarise the major characterization techniques used for the characterization of drug-loaded nanoformulations. Even though information on characterization techniques of various nano-formulations is available in the literature, it is scattered. The proposed review will provide a comprehensive understanding of nanocharacterization techniques. CONCLUSION: To conclude, the proposed review will provide insights towards the different nano characterization techniques along with their recent updates, such as particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, in vitro release studies (chromatographic HPLC, HPTLC, and LC-MS/MS analysis), EPR analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, thermal analysis, rheometric, morphological analysis etc. Additionally, the challenges encountered by the nano characterization techniques will also be discussed.

Clinical response of carboplatin-based chemotherapy and its association to genetic polymorphism in lung cancer patients from North India - A clinical pharmacogenomics study.

Purpose: Lung cancer mostly diagnosed at advanced inoperable stages; thereby, the chemo-, radiation-, targeted or immune-therapy alone or in combination remains the treatment of choice. In chemotherapy, platinum-based compounds such as cisplatin and carboplatin and third-generation drugs such as docetaxel, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and vinorelbine are widely used. The beneficial therapeutic outcome of the chemotherapy alone or in combination with radiation (chemoradiation) and/or development of drug resistance depends on the inter-individual genetic differences. Hence, this study was carried out to find gene biomarker that could be useful in the diagnosis of the disease and to predict the outcome of chemo/chemoradiation therapy in ethnic North Indian population. Materials and Methods: In this clinical study, lung cancer (n = 52) patients from North Indian population were recruited. All the patients were treated with carboplatin target area under curve-5 in combination with third-generation drugs (gemcitabine 1.2 mg/m2; paclitaxel 175 mg/m2; and etopside 100 mg/m2) and radiation therapy. The genomic DNA was isolated from the blood sample and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: We found hazard ratio to be significantly higher for XPDLys751Gln (hazard ratio [HR] =2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98-4.53, P = 0.056) and IL1 ß511C/T (HR = 9.9, 95% CI: 2.55-38.40, P = 0.001). GSTT1 null (HR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.18-0.84, P = 0.017) genotype has better response to chemotherapy. Generalized multidimensional reduction model suggested that IL1RN (cross-validation consistency [CVC] =10/10, P = 0.054) and XRCC1399Gln, GSTM1 (CVC = 10/10, P = 0.001) as best predicted model in lung cancer patients to the treatment response. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms and single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA repair gene (XRCC1, XPD) and drug-metabolizing gene (GSTM1 and GSTT1) could serve as genetic biomarkers in lung cancer patients treated with the above indicated chemotherapy. Based on genotype and chemotherapy treatments, the toxicity effects can be minimized, this will help in the development of personalized medicine in future with better efficacy.

Preparation and characterization of glucose-conjugated super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (G-SPIONs) for removal of Edwardsiella tarda and Aeromonas hydrophila from water.

The present research was conducted to prepare efficient G-SPIONs by co-precipitation to remove Edwardsiella tarda and Aeromonas hydrophila from the aqueous solution. The synthesized G-SPIONs were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, DLS, FEG-TEM, FT-IR, XRD, and VSM analysis. The results showed that the synthesized G-SPIONs had super-paramagnetic properties (58.31 emu/g) and spherical shape (16 ± 3 nm). The antibacterial activity was assessed in sterilized distilled water at different G-SPIONs concentrations viz. 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 120, and 240 mg/L against E. tarda and A. hydrophila with various bacterial loads viz. 1 × 103 , 1 × 104 , 1 × 105 , 1 × 106 , and 1 × 107 CFU/ml at different time intervals 15, 30, 45, and 60 min. At a lower bacterial load of E. tarda and A. hydrophila 1 × 103 -1 × 104 CFU/ml, 100% bacterial load was removed by 15 min exposure with NPs concentration 6-48 mg/L and 1.5-6 mg/L, respectively. Cent percent bacterial removal was observed in both the bacterial species even at higher bacterial load (1 × 105 -1 × 107 CFU/ml) by increasing exposure time (15-60 min) and nanoparticle concentration as well (24-240 mg/L). At an initial bacterial load of E. tarda and A. hydrophila (1 × 103 -1 × 107 CFU/ml), the EC50 ranged between 0.01-6.51 mg/L and 0.02-3.84 mg/L, respectively, after 15-60 min exposure. Thus, it is concluded that the antibacterial effect of G-SPIONs depends on concentration and exposure time. Hence, G-SPIONs can be used as an antibacterial/biocidal agent to treat Edwardsiellosis and Aeromonosis disease in aquaculture. HIGHLIGHTS: The glucose-conjugated super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (G-SPIONs) synthesized by rapid and high yield co-precipitation method shows bacterial removal efficiency against Edwardsiella tarda and Aeromonas hydrophila The bacterial removal efficiency of G-SPIONs depends on concentration and exposure time to both the bacterial species The 100% bacterial removal efficiency can be achieved even at the highest bacterial load (1 × 107 CFU/ml) against E. tarda and A. hydrophila after 45 and 30 min exposure Due to the high bacterial removal efficiency of G-SPIONs against E. tarda and A. hydrophila, it can be used for the treatment of Edwardsiellosis and Aeromonosis in fish.

Radioiodine Therapy in Patient with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer and End-Stage Renal Disease on Maintenance Hemodialysis: Case Report with Review of Literature.

Surgical resection followed by radioactive iodine (131I) therapy constitutes a standard treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer. 131I is normally excreted through the kidneys, and treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis requires special attention to the dose of 131I, the timing of dialysis, and radiation safety. We present a case of end-stage renal disease in a postthyroidectomy patient on hemodialysis who required radioactive iodine ablation, and we review the literature.

Chitosan Displays a Potent Caloric Restriction Mimetic Effect in Senescent Rats.

Chitosan is a polysaccharide made up of ß1,4-linked d-glucosamine (GlcN) and N-acetyl-GlcN. In this study, we evaluated the possible caloric restriction mimetic (CRM) effect of dietary chitosan on systemic redox status, inflammatory biomarkers, and lipid profile in plasma and erythrocyte samples of d-galactose-induced mimetically aged rats. We found a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl, fasting glucose, body weight, cholesterol, triglyceride, inflammatory markers-interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in an accelerated senescent rat model. There was also a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glutathione, advanced glycation end product in senescent rats. Chitosan treatment increased ferric-reducing antioxidant potential, glutathione, plasma membrane-reduced system in accelerated senescent model of rats. Our finding suggests that chitosan has properties similar to a CRM and can effectively maintain the redox homeostasis during the aging process in rat erythrocytes.

Intravenous versus inhalational anesthesia trial for outcome following intracranial aneurysm surgery: A prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: For maintenance of anesthesia for intracranial aneurysmal neck clipping, both intravenous and inhalational anesthetics are in vogue. We aimed to evaluate the superiority of one agent over the other for long-term neurological outcomes in these patients. METHODS: This prospective assessor-blind randomized study was conducted in 106 patients of 18-65 years of age with World Federation of Neurosurgeons Grade I-II of subarachnoid hemorrhage. After written informed consent, the patients were randomized into - intravenous group (Propofol) and inhalational group (Desflurane). The primary outcome was to study neurological outcome using Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at 3 months following discharge while secondary outcomes included intraoperative brain condition, intraoperative hemodynamics, duration of hospital stay, Modified Rankin Score (MRS) at discharge, MRS, and Barthel's index at 3 months following discharge and estimation of perioperative biomarkers of brain injury. RESULTS: The GOS at 3 months was 5 (5.00-5.00) in the propofol group and 5 (4.00-5.00) in the desflurane group (P = 0.24). Both the anesthetics were similar in terms of intraoperative hemodynamics, brain relaxation, duration of hospital stay, MRS at discharge and 3 months, and Barthel Index at 3 months (P > 0.05). The perioperative serum interleukin-6 and S100B were comparable among the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The long-term neurological outcome of good grade aneurysm patients undergoing craniotomy and clipping remains comparable with the use of either propofol or desflurane. The effect of the two anesthetic agents on the various clinical parameters and the biomarkers of brain injury is also similar.

Pseudobranch mimics gill in expressing Na+K+-ATPase 1 α-subunit and carbonic anhydrase in concert with H+-ATPase in adult hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) during river migration.

In hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha), pseudobranch comprises a row of parallel filaments bear numerous leaf-like lamellae arranged on both sides throughout its length. The purpose of this study was to elucidate involvement of pseudobranchial Na+, K+-ATPase (NKA) 1 α-subunit, and carbonic anhydrase (CA) in concert with H+-ATPase (HAT) compared to their branchial counterparts in freshwater acclimation of hilsa during spawning migration from off-shore of the Bay of Bengal to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly zones of the Ganga river system in India. Adult hilsa fish were collected from seawater (SW), freshwater 1 (FW1), and freshwater 2 (FW2) locations, where the salinity level was 26-28‰, 1-5‰, and 0-0.04‰, respectively. Hilsa migrating through freshwater showed a consistent decrease in the plasma osmolality, sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ion levels indicates unstable ionic homeostasis. The mRNA expression and activity of NKA 1 α-subunit in pseudobranch as well as in true gills declined with the migration to upstream locations. The pseudobranchial CA activity almost mirrors its branchial counterpart most notably while hilsa entered the freshwater zone, in the upstream river suggesting its diverse role in hypo-osmotic regulatory acclimation. Nevertheless, the H+-ATPase activity of both the tissues increased with the freshwater entry and remained similar during up-river movement into the freshwater environment. The results confirm that the pseudobranchial NKA 1 α-subunit mRNA expression and activity mimic its branchial counterpart in the process of ionoregulatory acclimation during migration through salt barriers. Also, the increase in the activities of pseudobranchial and branchial CA in concert with H+-ATPase (HAT) during freshwater acclimation of hilsa suggests their critical involvement in ion uptake.