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Summary: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) empowers epithelial cells with mesenchymal and stem-like attributes, facilitating metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal (E/M) cells, retaining both epithelial and mesenchymal traits, exhibit heightened metastatic potential and stemness. The mesenchymal intermediate filament, vimentin, is upregulated during EMT, enhancing the resilience and invasiveness of carcinoma cells. The phosphorylation of vimentin is critical to its structure and function. Here, we identify that stabilizing vimentin phosphorylation at serine 56 induces multinucleation, specifically in hybrid E/M cells with stemness properties but not epithelial or mesenchymal cells. Cancer stem-like cells are especially susceptible to vimentin-induced multinucleation relative to differentiated cells, leading to a reduction in self-renewal and stemness. As a result, vimentin-induced multinucleation leads to sustained inhibition of stemness properties, tumor initiation, and metastasis. These observations indicate that a single, targetable phosphorylation event in vimentin is critical for stemness and metastasis in carcinomas with hybrid E/M properties.

Food is a basic human requirement which sustains the dynamics of the Earth's inhabitants by satisfying hunger, providing nutrition and health, and catering to culture, tradition, and lifestyle. However, the rising global population coupled with climate change including calamities, diseases, conflicts, as well as poor agricultural practices put a huge constraint on the quantity and quality of food. Modern agriculture propelled by the green revolution has somehow been able to meet the food requirements of the ever-increasing population and is heavily dependent on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery, reducing the quality of food, and simultaneously posing a great risk of environmental quality degradation and genetic diversity reduction. The Integrated Organic Farming System (IOFS) is a novel approach that holds the potential in addressing the challenge of reconciling food production with environmental preservation. As this approach embraces zero or minimal chemical use, adopting the reprocessing and reuse of agricultural residues has led to a sustainable system that can be viewed as the closest approach to nature and a circular economy. However, certain constraints need to be addressed, such as ascertaining the effectiveness of organic fertilizers, the complexities associated with weed management, and the inadequacy of proficiency, financial resources, and technical expertise required to implement the IOFS. Therefore, this study emphasizes the comprehensive benefits that could be derived from IOFS, particularly agroforestry, including efficient food production, improved food quality, biodiversification of crops by the adoption of lesser-known crops to cater to cultural requirements and minimal capital input to achieve environmental sustainability and a carbon neutral economy.

In this paper, Regression model using a full factorial experimental design with four factors including operating pressure (Pf), salt concentration (Cf), feed flow rate (Qf), and feed temperature (Tf) at two levels were established to model and optimize the reverse osmosis (RO) process performance. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was used to identify the main and interaction effects of the considered factors on the permeate flux (Jp). Comparisons of model predictions against analytical and experimental data of Jp are analyzed and plotted on 3D response surface and 2D contour plots. The results show that the effect of operating pressure and feed flow rate were significantly influencing factors on the permeate flux at comparatively high feed water temperature and low salt concentration. The chosen model exhibit a satisfactory agreement compared with theoretical and experimental results. An optimal combination of Pf, Cf, Qf, and Tf were found to be 6.3 MPa, 25.6 g/L, 18.0 L/min and 34.6°C, respectively, resulting in a maximum Jp of 44.756 L/h·m². Within these optimum conditions, the observed permeate flux is closer to that predicted [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Purpose To quantify incidental thyroid pathology including malignancy on routine 18F-FDG PET-CT scans To compare standardised uptake values (SUVmax) in thyroid malignancy subtypes Methods and materials This is a retrospective study of all 18F-FDG PET-CT scans (n = 6179) performed in a teaching hospital between June 2010 and May 2019. RIS database search of reports for the word “thyroid” was performed. Studies with evidence of thyroid uptake were included. Patient age and gender, primary indication for PET scan (malignant or non-malignant), thyroid result on PET (diffuse or focal tracer uptake, SUVmax), ultrasound and FNAC results were recorded. Results Incidental abnormal thyroid tracer uptake as a proportion of all 18F-FDG PET-CT scans was 4.37% (n = 270). Out of region patients (n = 87) whose records could not be obtained were excluded leaving a study group of n = 183. Ninety-four in this group had focal uptake, and 89 had diffuse uptake. Fifty-five patients in the focal group had undergone further investigations. Of these, 30 were thought to be benign on USS alone, and 25 patients underwent USS/FNAC. Thirteen (24%) malignancies were identified (5 papillary, 6 follicular, 1 poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, 1 metastatic malignancy). Mean SUVmax for papillary carcinoma was noted to be 8.2 g/ml, and follicular carcinoma was 12.6 g/ml. Conclusion Incidental abnormal thyroid 18F-FDG PET-CT uptake in PET-CT scans of 4.37% is in keeping with the known limited literature. Rather similar number of patients was noted in the focal and diffuse tracer uptake categories in the final study group. Around quarter of the focal lesions were identified to be malignant, implying focal lesions should always be further investigated.

Introduction: "it is not the strongest of species who survive, Nor the most intelligent, It is the one that is most adaptable to change" (L.C.M 1963) Investigated the effectiveness ashtanga yoga, vigorous practice uses synchronised breath control techniques, vinyasa, through 24 weeks with follow-ups. The assumption that yogasana therapy, along with other established medical interventions, can help improve mental health. 17 service users and 11 support staff participated in the sessions. Through behavioural analysis charts, progress was monitored regarding their ability to perform. Interviews conducted with participants and developing camaraderie motivated to return to yoga mats. Antipsychotic and blood pressure medication reviewed; self-care and daily living skills improvements. People with LD can immensely benefit improving mental helath and prevent mental illness. The results should advance yogasana as a complementary therapy. Objectives: - identify and apply clinical relevance for yoga - identify effects of body system and functions. - How to use it as one of the therapeutic interventions. - Prevention and mitigation of stress, Insomnia, asthma and other cardiac disorders, Results: Service users statement ! ' I can sleep better' 'It impelled me to do things' 'get to sleep quicker' 'I enjoy yoga very much' ' I can relax' Conclusions: Comparison of sessions after 24 weeks Improvement in physical and mental state. Staff - mindfulness at work, less burnout. 'How yoga Transformed my body' Home Yoga Support Plan, Sessions, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incense stick or agarbatti stick is used exclusively for religious purposes in almost every home in India, but now it is being used worldwide for its medicinal values. Bamboo, popularly known as green gold or poor man’s timber, is a multipurpose, fast-growing woody species, which occupies an essential place in the people’s diverse phases of life and culture. The primary concern of the different stakeholders of the bamboo sector is identifying the right choice of raw material to maximize incense sticks’ production. On the other hand, the market functionaries take advantage of farmers’ lack of knowledge of the demand–supply situation and make substantial margin money. Therefore, the paper evaluates the preference for the notable species, age, and the part of the culm of bamboo used for the industrial production of incense sticks. In Tripura, India, the investigation indicated that all study parameters were significantly different among the species, viz., Bambusa polymorpha, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa cacherensis, Bambusa tulda, Bambusa balcooa, Melocanna baccifera, Dendrocalamus asper, and Dendrocalamus longispathus. Among the bamboo species, Bambusa tulda is the most preferred one having a mean Likert scale of 4.89, followed by Dendrocalamus longispathus (4.06), B. cacharensis (3.54), B. polymorpha (3.50), etc. The most preferred age of bamboo culm is three-year-old culm (4.32), followed by four- and two-year-old culms. Therefore, it can be concluded that the middle portion of three-year-old culms of B. tulda should be preferably harvested to become the raw material for the agarbatti industry for better outturn and profit.

The effects of recombinant mouse DNase on a well established murine model of spontaneous SLE have been evaluated. Daily intraperitoneal injections of DNase were given to female NZB/NZW F1 mice during the period of disease development from 4 to 7 months of age or at the height of disease activity from the age of 7 months for 3 weeks. This treatment was compared with the injections of diluent and with an immunosuppressive dose of dexamethasone. The effects of treatment were evaluated using the immunological parameters of disease activity (antinucleoprotein antibody, immune complexes, serum immunoglobulins, anti-cardiolipin antibodies), proteinuria, serum creatinine and renal histopathology (light microscopy, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy). The dose of dexamethasone used (1 mg/kg per day from the age of 4 months) was sufficient to suppress the development of lupus entirely. Treatment with DNase starting at the age of 4 months postponed the development of the disease by about 1 month and extended the period from the onset of disease to death by about 30%. Mice treated for 3 weeks during the most active phase of the disease at 7 months of age showed more dramatic effects. Proteinuria and serum creatinine were significantly reduced and renal histopathology was strikingly less severe than in the control group. Immune complexes involving DNA-containing antigens are believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of SLE. DNA-nucleoprotein, even in immune complexes, can be destroyed by DNase. This enzyme therefore provides a rational way to interfere with the disease process. The results reported here encourage a trial of recombinant human DNase in human SLE and lupus nephritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systemic vasculitides are characterized by necrotizing inflammation of blood vessels. Neutrophils are implicated in tissue damage by their presence at the site of injury. They can mediate injury by release of cellular contents including proteinases. cytokines and reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) may therefore be predicted to ameliorate oxidative damage in vivo and could be a cheap and non-toxic form of therapy. We examined this hypothesis in an experimental model of vasculitis which has some similarities to human disease, and in which depletion of neutrophils ameliorates tissue injury. Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) treatment induces an autoimmune syndrome and necrotizing leucocytoclastic vasculitis in the Brown Norway (BN) rat; anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) and anti-glomeruiar basement (GBM) antibodies are present, and vasculitis is reduced by antimicrobials. Methyl prednisolone given intravenously was effective in reducing tissue injury, demonstrating that the model was responsive to a treatment used in man. Vitamin E and NAC were given as daily injections intraperitoneally to BN rats either before, during or after HgCl2 administration. Serial blood samples were taken for anti-MPO and IgE antibodies, which were assayed by ELISA. Necropsies were performed on animals killed at peak disease. At doses of 50-200 mg/kg per day vitamin E had no beneficial effect on tissue injury, regardless of timing of treatment. NAC at 100 or 200 mg/kg also had no significant protective effect on vasculitis. Autoantibody and IgE levels were not affected by either methyl prednisolone or the antioxidants. The lack of benefit of vitamin E and NAC suggests that oxidative damage, whether generated by neutrophils or other cells, does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of vasculitis, and that antioxidant therapy is unlikely to be of benefit in systemic vasculitis in man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercuric chloride (HgCl2) induces autoimmunity in susceptible rat strains, with hyper-IgE, appearance of a number of autoantibodies, and widespread tissue injury, including necrotizing vasculitis in the gut. In the early phase of tissue injury there is granulocyte infiltration later there is immunoglobulin deposition along basement membranes in vessels. We have analysed the role of complement in this model using cobra venom factor (CVF), which causes decomplementation lasting around 5 days. The characteristic time course when HgC32, is given over 10 days is that tissue injury and autoantibody levels reach a peak at around day 15 (start of HgC12 = day 0). We therefore gave CVF either early (day 0). intermediate (day 5) or late (day 10); a fourth group (controls) received HgCl2 but no CVF. At each time point, (VF caused complete decomplementation which lasted for at least 5 days. Serum IgE and autoantibody levels were similar in all four experimental groups. Tissue injury in the 'early' CVF group and in the 'late' CVF group was not significantly different from controls, but in the intermediate group tissue injury was significantly more severe than in controls. These data indicate that the complement system does not play a major role in the induction of autoantibodies by HgCl2, nor in the effector phase of tissue injury. We speculate that the exacerbation of tissue injury by CVF in the group given this agent at an intermediate stage of the model is explained by the presence of products of C3 activation which have proinflammatory effects during the phase of active granulocyte-mediated tissue injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five cases of renal impairment caused by the deposition of light chains in the kidney in association with various immunoproliferative disorders are reported. Light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were undertaken and different clinical courses were studied, resulting in variable influences of treatment. Light chain deposition is an important cause of renal impairment and requires special histological techniques for its recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 34-year-old female with a 14-year history of multifocal fibrosclerosis developed the nephrotic syndrome due to renal amyloidosis. Although the association between chronic inflammatory processes and amyloidosis is well known, this is the first report of amyloidosis occurring in a patient with multifocal fibrosclerosis. Other interesting features of this case are the involvement of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the inflammatory-fibrotic process and the presence of features of multifocal fibrosclerosis in the patient's twin sister. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]