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Background: Mitochondria are semiautonomous cell organelles having its own nucleic acid. Mitochondrial DNA (Mt-DNA) remain in hypomethylated (CpG) state and impose an immunogenic response by binding to the toll-like receptor (TLR-9) through the NF-kB pathway. Innate immune cells recognize the hypomethylated pattern of mt-DNA and quickly trigger the innate immune response. The immunomodulatory effects of urinary mt-DNA derived from renal transplant recipients with COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) have not been studied. Materials and Methods: Healthy donor peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was cultured with the urinary Mt-DNA derived from the renal transplant recipients, who previously developed SARS-CoV-2 infection associated AKI. Cell activation was measured by the flow cytometry. In cell pellets, interleukin IL-6, IL-10, and Myd88, TLR-9 mRNA transcript expression was measured by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in culture supernatants. Results: The urinary mitochondrial DNA (umt-DNA) significantly induces the activation of > 75% of PBMCs. The m-RNA transcript expression of the inflammatory gene in control versus umt-DNA treated PBMCs was for IL-6 (0.99 ± 0.05 vs. 2.18 ± 1.15 au; P = 0.004), MYD88 was (1.00 ± 0.05 vs. 1.55 ± 0.31; P < 0.001), TLR-9 (1.00 ± 0.05 vs. 3.33 ± 1.37 au; P < 0.001) was upregulated, and the IL-10 (1.00 ± 0.13 vs. −1.73 ± 0.58; P < 0.001) level was downregulated. However, in PBMC culture supernatants, IL-6 level in control versus umt-DNA-treated groups were (37.50 ± 13.79 vs. 186.9 ± 15.50 pg/mL; P < 0.001), which was significantly higher in umt-DNA-treated groups and the IL-10 (8.80 ± 2.16 vs. 7.60 ± 3.12 pg/mL; P = 0.32) level was similar between the control- and umt-DNA-treated groups. Conclusions: Urinary Mt-DNA significantly induces the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 secretion from the PBMCs through the Myd88-dependent pathway.

Introduction: In India pleural effusion is a common entity, routinely pleural effusion encountered are tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE). Various aetiologies of pleural effusion impart specific characteristics to the pleural fluid that back the clinical diagnosis. Investigations of patients with pleural effusion helps us to reduce morbidity and mortality through timely and accurate management of these patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the various attributes of pleural fluid of TPE and PPE and to compare both. Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on patients of confirmed TPE (n = 65) and PPE (n = 65) to discuss the demographic profile like the distribution of pleural effusion with respect to age, gender, side of lung involvement, comparison of ESR, pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) with their significance. Results: Patients of TPE had lesser mean age compared to patients of PPE. The values of ESR (78.23 v/s 41.37), pleural fluid LDH (617 IU/L v/s 355 IU/L), and ADA were (66 IU/L v/s 20 IU/L) higher in PPE subgroups as compared to TPE study group. Conclusion: The higher values of pleural fluid ADA along with ESR and pleural fluid LDH aids high diagnostic utility in performing these combined investigations to differentiate PPE and TPE.

Background Biliary plastic stent (PS) mandates timely removal or replacement. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had affected the accessibility to medical therapy resulting in delay. We evaluated the burden of retained biliary PS, clinical profile, and impact of COVID-19 pandemic on stent retention.

Abstract IL-22 is critical for ameliorating obesity-induced metabolic disorders. However, it is unknown where IL-22 acts to mediate these outcomes. Here we examine the importance of tissue-specific IL-22RA1 signaling in mediating long-term high fat diet (HFD) driven metabolic disorders. To do so, we generated intestinal epithelium-, liver-, and white adipose tissue (WAT)-specific Il22ra1 knockout and littermate control mice. Intestinal epithelium- and liver-specific IL-22RA1 signaling upregulated systemic glucose metabolism. Intestinal IL-22RA1 signaling also mediated liver and WAT metabolism in a microbiota-dependent manner. We identified an association between Oscillibacter and elevated WAT inflammation, likely induced by Mmp12 expressing macrophages. Mechanistically, transcription of intestinal lipid metabolism genes is regulated by IL-22 and potentially IL-22-induced IL-18. Lastly, we show that Paneth cell-specific IL-22RA1 signaling, in part, mediates systemic glucose metabolism after HFD. Overall, these results elucidate a key role of intestinal epithelium-specific IL-22RA1 signaling in regulating intestinal metabolism and alleviating systemic obesity-associated disorders.

Abstract Due to the low cost, natural origin, higher safety margins, and little to negligible adverse effects of herbal medications, the use of plants and plant derivatives in medicine is becoming increasingly widespread. Terminalia chebula is among the most significant medicinal plants in ayurvedic, siddha, unani, and homeopathic remedies. It is ranked first in Ayurvedic material medicine. T. chebula has been shown to have established effects against various bacterial and fungal infections, including dental caries pathogens. In recent years, there has been a rise in interest in dentistry and medicine related to Enterococcus faecalis. The research aimed to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of different concentrations of T. chebula ethanolic fruit extract (10%, 40%, and 100%) in opposition to E. faecalis and compare it with 2% chlorhexidine. For the study, T. chebula ethanolic fruit extracts were obtained and prepared with Group I: −10% concentration, Group II: −40% concentration, Group III: −100% concentration, and Group IV: −2% chlorhexidine. Colonies of E. faecalis were cultivated in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth at 37°C and were inoculated in 16 BHI agar plates. Then, on the petri dishes, four wells were created (8 mm diameter) using a metal borer. The Agar well diffusion method was used to examine the antibacterial activity, and the zones of inhibition around the wells were noted. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and post‐hoc tests. The result shows that as the concentration increases, there is an increase in the efficacy of the antibacterial property of the extract before it reaches the saturation point. The decreasing order of antibacterial was chlorhexidine >100% T. chebula >40% T. chebula >10% T. chebula. The production of contemporary pharmaceuticals from T. chebula was addressed, as the global scenario is currently evolving toward using nontoxic plant products with traditional medicinal benefits.

Viral variant is one known risk factor associated with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), yet the pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we studied SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant-induced PASC in K18-hACE2 mice. The virus replicated productively, induced robust inflammatory responses in lung and brain tissues, and caused weight loss and mortality during the acute infection. Longitudinal behavior studies in surviving mice up to 4 months post-acute infection revealed persistent abnormalities in neuropsychiatric state and motor behaviors, while reflex and sensory functions recovered over time. In the brain, no detectable viral RNA and minimal residential immune cell activation was observed in the surviving mice post-acute infection. Transcriptome analysis revealed persistent activation of immune pathways, including humoral responses, complement, and phagocytosis, and gene expression levels associated with ataxia telangiectasia, impaired cognitive function and memory recall, and neuronal dysfunction and degeneration. Furthermore, surviving mice maintained potent systemic T helper 1 prone cellular immune responses and strong sera neutralizing antibodies against Delta and Omicron variants months post-acute infection. Overall, our findings suggest that infection in K18-hACE2 mice recapitulates the persistent clinical symptoms reported in long-COVID patients and provides new insights into the role of systemic and brain residential immune factors in PASC pathogenesis.

Purpose: Comparison of diagnostic capability of macular ganglion cell complex thickness vs. retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Settings and Design: This cross-sectional observational study was carried out between June 2021 and October 2022 at a tertiary care hospital in North India. Methods: A total of 118 eyes were included in the study with 30 control and the rest 88 eyes with POAG were divided into three groups based on visual field loss Group 1 (30 eyes): early field loss with mean deviation (MD) < −6 dB; Group 2 (30 eyes): moderate field loss with MD −6 to −12 dB; and Group 3 (28 eyes): severe field loss with MD > −12 dB. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to measure RNFL loss and ganglion cell inferior plexiform layer (GCIPL) loss were taken for each patient. Statistical Analysis Used: Categorical variables were analyzed using either the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. A receiver operating characteristics analysis was calculated to determine optimal cut-off values of superior, inferior, and average GCIPL and RNFL for determining the severity of field loss as compared to controls (30 normal eyes). Results: In the mild field loss group the sensitivity of superior, inferior, and average GCIPL was 86.7, 96.7, and 96.7%, respectively. Similarly, the specificity was 96.7, 93.3, and 100%, respectively. In the same group, the sensitivity of superior, inferior, and average RNFL was 70, 93, and 66%, respectively. Similarly, the specificity was 46.7, 83.3, and 70%, respectively. In the moderate and severe groups, the results were comparable. Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of GCIPL loss are significantly better than that of RNFL parameters in the mild field loss group.

Consumers are concerned about employing green processing technologies and natural ingredients in different manufacturing sectors to achieve a “clean label” standard for products and minimize the hazardous impact of chemical ingredients on human health and the environment. In this study, we investigated the effects of gelatinized starch dispersions (GSDs) prepared from six plant sources (indica and japonica rice, wheat, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes) on the formulation and stability of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. The effect of gelatinization temperature and time conditions of 85–90 °C for 20 min on the interfacial tension of the two phases was observed. Emulsification was performed using a primary homogenization condition of 10,000 rpm for 5 min, followed by high-pressure homogenization at 100 MPa for five cycles. The effects of higher oil weight fractions (15–25% w/w) and storage stability at different temperatures for four weeks were also evaluated. The interfacial tension of all starch GSDs with soybean oil decreased compared with the interfacial tension between soybean oil and water as a control. The largest interfacial tension reduction was observed for the GSD from indica rice. Microstructural analysis indicated that the GSDs stabilized the O/W emulsion by coating oil droplets. Emulsions formulated using a GSD from indica rice were stable during four weeks of storage with a volume mean diameter (d4,3) of ~1 µm, minimal viscosity change, and a negative ζ-potential.

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici is a phytopathogen which causes vascular wilt disease in tomato plants. The survival tactics of both pathogens and hosts depend on intricate interactions between host plants and pathogenic microbes. Iron‐binding proteins (IBPs) and copper‐binding proteins (CBPs) play a crucial role in these interactions by participating in enzyme reactions, virulence, metabolism, and transport processes. We employed high‐throughput computational tools at the sequence and structural levels to investigate the IBPs and CBPs of F. oxysporum. A total of 124 IBPs and 37 CBPs were identified in the proteome of Fusarium. The ranking of amino acids based on their affinity for binding with iron is Glu > His> Asp > Asn > Cys, and for copper is His > Asp > Cys respectively. The functional annotation, determination of subcellular localization, and Gene Ontology analysis of these putative IBPs and CBPs have unveiled their potential involvement in a diverse array of cellular and biological processes. Three iron‐binding glycosyl hydrolase family proteins, along with four CBPs with carbohydrate‐binding domains, have been identified as potential effector candidates. These proteins are distinct from the host Solanum lycopersicum proteome. Moreover, they are known to be located extracellularly and function as enzymes that degrade the host cell wall during pathogen–host interactions. The insights gained from this report on the role of metal ions in plant–pathogen interactions can help develop a better understanding of their fundamental biology and control vascular wilt disease in tomato plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment was conducted at the research plot of the Department of Entomology at Central Research Farm, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during the kharif season of 2023-24. The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Eight treatments were evaluated against, Maruca vitrata viz., Bacillus thuringiensis (1 × 108 CFU/ml) @ 2 g/l, Neem oil @ 5 g/l, Spinosad 45 SC @ 0.2 ml/l, Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG @ 0.5 g/l, Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 2 ml/l, Beauveria bassiana (2 × 108 CFU/g) @ 4 g/l, Neem seed kernel extract 5% and Control. The lowest mean larval population of spotted pod borer was observed in Spinosad 45% SC @ 0.2 ml/l (0.95) followed by Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG @ 0.5 g/l (1.15), and Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 2 ml/l (1.33), which were on par with each other. The next best treatments included B. thuringiensis (1 × 108 CFU/ml) (1.47), B. bassiana (2 × 108 CFU/g) (1.60), Neem oil @ 5 g/l (1.75) and Neem seed kernel extract 5% (1.84). The higher yield and cost benefit ratio were recorded in Spinosad 45% SC @ 0.2 ml/l (32.94 q/ha, 1:2.99), Emamectin Benzoate 5 SG @ 0.5 g/l (31.88 q/ha, 1.2.82) and Cypermethrin 25 EC @ 2 ml/l (30.9 q/ha, 1:2.77) and were on par with each other. The next best treatments were B. thuringiensis (1 × 108 CFU/ml) (27.28 q/ha, 1:2.35) and B. bassiana (2 × 108 CFU/g) (25.64 q/ha, 1:2.14) which were on par with each other. Neem oil (24.08 q/ha, 1:1.84), Neem seed kernel extract 5% (23.4 q/ha, 1:1.77) recorded lowest yield and cost benefit ratio but were superior to control (17.0 q/ha, 1:1.20). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article titled "New record of Giant Redeye Gangara thyrsis thyrsis (Fabricius, 1775) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae) from Garhwal region of western Himalaya, India" discusses the discovery of the Giant Redeye butterfly in the Garhwal region of the western Himalayas in India. The Giant Redeye is the largest skipper butterfly in India, known for its quick darting flight. The butterfly was previously only found in the Indian peninsular region, but this new record expands its known distribution. The article provides details about the physical characteristics and habitat preferences of the butterfly, as well as information about its larval host plants. This is the first authentic record of the Giant Redeye in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. [Extracted from the article]