Search

Background: Vitiligo or leukoderma is a chronic skin condition that causes loss of pigment due to destruction of melanocytes, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. Vitiligo is a polygenic disease and is associated with autoimmunity with an unknown etiology. Aims: One of the candidate genes which has a strong association with several autoimmune diseases is ctla0 -4 gene located in chromosome 2q33 region. We investigated the possible association between ctla0 -4 gene polymorphism in exon 1 (A49G) and vitiligo in patients from South India and compared the distribution of this polymorphism to matched control groups. Patients and Methods: The polymorphism was detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method in 175 patients and 180 normal, age/ethnicity matched individuals. Consistency of genotype frequencies with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was tested using a ÷2 test. Results: There was no significant difference between the genotype (P=0.93) and allele (P=0 .615) frequencies of CTLA-4 A49G polymorphism in patients and normal healthy individuals. However there was significant association of the CTLA-4 genotype ( P=0.02) and allelic frequency ( P=0.008) between the segmental and non-segmental sub groups within vitiligo. Conclusion: Our results indicate that there is no association between CTLA-4 A49G gene polymorphism and vitiligo in southern Indian population.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture. It has its place among the seven Wonders of the age. A dream in marble, A noble tribute to Indian womanhood, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. In Taj Mahal, fusion of Persian, Indian and Islamic art and architectural elements can be seen in excellent form. World's best architects, Masson, workers and inlay workers approximately 20,000 in number, worked for twenty years regularly and finally, in 1653, it was ready for the public. Its architecture, garden, pitradura work, red sandstone buildings of MehmanKhana, mosque are eternal testament of the aesthetic and scientific accomplishment of Shahjahan's golden age. Taj Mahal was conceptualized not only as a mausoleum but also a dream of Mumtaz Mahal and Shahjahan which came true in the form of marble on the earth. It's an evidence of the aesthetic sense and taste of Shahjahan. In the present paper Researcher has tried to show not only the beauty of the Taj Mahal's architecture but also it's aesthetic aspects. Historical background of site, its gardens, fountains, elements, the cost of the precious stones used in the Taj Mahal are all detailed after thorough research. Views of great personalities about the intricacies of Mausoleum also find place in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human resources domain is witnessing a transformative period with the inclusion of data analytics in the management of manpower. It offers numerous advantages, particularly in acquisition and retention of key talent in an organization. However, it is not without its share of challenges which are restricting companies, particularly in India, from harnessing its full potential in talent management. The current study examines the advantages of strategic management of the talent acquisition and retention processes, while employing data analytics to ensure better organizational performances in India. It further presents the challenges in the usage of data analytics, with the development of strategy and approaches for better implementation of the talent techniques in SMEs in general. It thus sheds light on the current adoption level of the technique in India and examines its reach. The paper aims to address the gap in literature on the importance of data analytics in SMEs of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, self-assembled nanoparticles based on amphiphilic xylan-stearic acid (Xyl-SA) conjugates have been developed for the efficient delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in cancer therapy. The self-assembled behavior of Xyl-SA conjugates in aqueous medium was investigated using pyrene as fluorescent probe. To enhance the loading efficacy of 5-FU, the lipophilic 5-fluorouracil-stearic acid (5-FUSA) prodrug was synthesized and subsequently encapsulated into the hydrophobic core of Xyl-SA NPs. The obtained Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs had an appropriate size (~278 nm), high drug loading of 5-FUSA (~14.6 wt%) and high physiological stability. The interaction of the Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs with blood components was investigated by hemolysis study. The cell cytotoxic studies demonstrated that Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs induced higher cytotoxicity than free drugs against the Human colorectal cancer cells (HT-29, HCT-15). These results indicate that Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs can serve as a promising drug delivery system for the efficient delivery of 5-FU in cancer therapy. Highlights • Self-assembled nanoparticles based on Xylan-Stearic conjugates were developed. • Self-assembled behavior was investigated using pyrene as fluorescent probe. • The lipophilic 5-FUSA prodrug was encapsulated into the Xyl-SA NPs. • Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs are biocompatible and safe for intravenous administration. • The Xyl-SA/5-FUSA NPs induced higher cytotoxicity than free drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights from the article: Corrigendum to "Lipophilic 5-fluorouracil prodrug encapsulated xylan-stearic acid nanoparticles for colon cancer therapy" [Int. J. Biol. Macromol., 128, 2019, 204-213] The authors sincerely regret the error in Fig. 9c. Accordingly the text "HT-29" with reference to the discussion related to AO/EB staining under the Section 3.7 (cytotoxicity studies) in page 212 should also be read as HCT-15.

Novel sodium carboxymethyl cellulose- g -poly (sodium acrylate)/Ferric chloride (CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 ) nanoporous hydrogel beads were prepared based on the ionic cross-linking between CMC- g -PNaA and FeCl 3 . The structure of CMC and CMC- g -PNaA were elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and the elemental composition was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The physicochemical properties of the CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 hydrogel beads were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The swelling percentage of hydrogel beads was studied at different time periods. The obtained CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 hydrogel beads exhibited a higher nanoporous morphology than those of CMC- g -PNaA and CMC beads. Furthermore, an AFM image of the CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 beads shows granule type topology. Compared to the CMC- g -PNaA (189 °C), CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 hydrogel beads exhibited improvement in thermal stability (199 °C). Furthermore, CMC- g -PNaA/FeCl 3 hydrogel beads depicted a higher swelling percentage capacity of around 1452%, as compared to CMC- g -PNaA (1096%). Moreover, this strategy with preliminary results could be useful for the development of polysaccharide-based hybrid hydrogel beads for various potential applications.

Worldwide, wastewater produced from sewage and industry poses a serious risk to the surrounding environment. As a way to address this problem, an integrated approach for cultivation of oleaginous microorganisms on wastewater leading to effective removal of hazardous components and sustainable production of biodiesel is proposed. Oleaginous yeasts have the unique ability to utilize wastewater as feedstock and accumulate large amounts of triacylglycerols within their cellular compartments at stationary phase (144 h). The lipids stored in an oleaginous microbe can be visualized by fluorescence microscopy and converted into biodiesel through transesterification after extraction. Here, we describe the batch cultivation of oleaginous yeast on sewage and industrial wastewater at 25 °C. High lipid accumulation with efficient removal of toxic chemicals can be achieved by utilizing this integrated method.