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Summary: Fabrication of stimuli-responsive superstructure capable of delivering chemotherapeutics directly to the cancer cell by sparing healthy cells is crucial. Herein, we developed redox-responsive hollow spherical assemblies through self-assembly of disulfide-linked cysteine-diphenylalanine (SN). These fluorescent hollow spheres display intrinsic green fluorescence, are proteolytically stable and biocompatible, and allow for real-time monitoring of their intracellular entry. The disulfide bond facilitates selective degradation in the presence of high glutathione (GSH) concentrations, prevalent in cancer cells. We achieved efficient encapsulation (68.72%) of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) and demonstrated GSH-dependent, redox-responsive drug release within cancerous cells. SN-Dox exhibited a 20-fold lower effective concentration (2.5 μM) for compromising breast cancer cell viability compared to non-malignant cells (50 μM). The ability of SN-Dox to initiate DNA damage signaling and trigger apoptosis was comparable to that of the unencapsulated drug. Our findings highlight the potential of SN for creating site-specific drug delivery vehicles for sustained therapeutic release.

Dose limiting cardiotoxicity remains a major limiting factor in the clinical use of several cancer chemotherapeutics including anthracyclines and the antimetabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Prior work has demonstrated that chemotherapeutics increase expression of R7 family regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein-binding partner Gβ5, which drives myocyte cytotoxicity. However, though several R7 family members are expressed in heart, the exact role of each protein in chemotherapy driven heart damage remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that RGS11, downregulated in the human heart following chemotherapy exposure, possesses potent anti-apoptotic actions, in direct opposition to the actions of fellow R7 family member RGS6. RGS11 forms a direct complex with the apoptotic kinase CaMKII and stress responsive transcription factor ATF3 and acts to counterbalance the ability of CaMKII and ATF3 to trigger oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death, and release of the cardiokine neuregulin-1 (NRG1), which mediates pathological intercommunication between myocytes and endothelial cells. Doxorubicin triggers RGS11 depletion in the murine myocardium, and cardiac-specific OE of RGS11 decreases doxorubicin-induced fibrosis, myocyte hypertrophy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cell loss and aids in the maintenance of left ventricular function. Conversely, RGS11 knockdown in heart promotes cardiac fibrosis associated with CaMKII activation and ATF3/NRG1 induction. Indeed, inhibition of CaMKII largely prevents the fibrotic remodeling resulting from cardiac RGS11 depletion underscoring the functional importance of the RGS11-CaMKII interaction in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. These data describe an entirely new role for RGS11 in heart and identify RGS11 as a potential new target for amelioration of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

The pathophysiological mechanism(s) driving non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we identify regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6), up-regulated in the livers of NAFLD patients, as a critical mediator of hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, inflammation, and cell death. Human patients with high hepatic RGS6 expression exhibited a corresponding high inflammatory burden, pronounced insulin resistance, and poor liver function. In mice, liver-specific RGS6 knockdown largely ameliorated high fat diet (HFD)-driven oxidative stress, fibrotic remodeling, inflammation, lipid deposition and cell death. RGS6 depletion allowed for maintenance of mitochondrial integrity restoring redox balance, improving fatty acid oxidation, and preventing loss of insulin receptor sensitivity in hepatocytes. RGS6 is both induced by ROS and increases ROS generation acting as a key amplification node to exacerbate oxidative stress. In liver, RGS6 forms a direct complex with ATM kinase supported by key aspartate residues in the RGS domain and is both necessary and sufficient to drive hyperlipidemia-dependent ATM phosphorylation. pATM and markers of DNA damage (γH2AX) were also elevated in livers from NAFLD patients particularly in samples with high RGS6 protein content. Unsurprisingly, RGS6 knockdown prevented ATM phosphorylation in livers from HFD-fed mice. Further, RGS6 mutants lacking the capacity for ATM binding fail to facilitate palmitic acid-dependent hepatocyte apoptosis underscoring the importance of the RGS6-ATM complex in hyperlipidemia-dependent cell death. Inhibition of RGS6, then, may provide a viable means to prevent or reverse liver damage by mitigating oxidative liver damage.

Excessive ingestion of the common analgesic acetaminophen (APAP) leads to severe hepatotoxicity. Here we identify G protein β5 (Gβ5), elevated in livers from APAP overdose patients, as a critical regulator of cell death pathways and autophagic signaling in APAP-exposed liver. Liver-specific knockdown of Gβ5 in mice protected the liver from APAP-dependent fibrosis, cell loss, oxidative stress, and inflammation following either acute or chronic APAP administration. Conversely, overexpression of Gβ5 in liver was sufficient to drive hepatocyte dysfunction and loss. In hepatocytes, Gβ5 depletion ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction, allowed for maintenance of ATP generation and mitigated APAP-induced cell death. Further, Gβ5 knockdown also reversed impacts of APAP on kinase cascades (e.g. ATM/AMPK) signaling to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of autophagy and, as a result, interrupted autophagic flux. Though canonically relegated to nuclear DNA repair pathways, ATM also functions in the cytoplasm to control cell death and autophagy. Indeed, we now show that Gβ5 forms a direct, stable complex with the FAT domain of ATM, important for autophosphorylation-dependent kinase activation. These data provide a viable explanation for these novel, G protein-independent actions of Gβ5 in liver. Thus, Gβ5 sits at a critical nexus in multiple pathological sequelae driving APAP-dependent liver damage.

In any waste management process, the 3 R’s, i.e., Recycling, Reuse and Recover play a very important role. The present work focuses on collection, handling, and usage of waste flowers. A large volume of flower waste generated daily at Tumakuru is improperly disposed of in open places or in dust bins and finally reaches landfill along with the other municipal solid wastes. As a part of India’s Swachh Bharat programme, this paper gives an idea of reducing the flower waste quantity and converting them into incense sticks. The various types of flowers were analysed and compared based on the results obtained from physicochemical properties. SEM and EDS were used to determine the surface morphology and chemical compositions of crushed flowers, respectively. From the SEM study, it can be seen that filament type, cave type and stripelike textures were observed on the surfaces of crushed flowers, and the EDS analysis has shown that the rose flower powder has a rich amount of carbon (66.98 %) and yellow chrysanthemum flower contains less carbon (37.68 %) compared to other crushed flowers. Also, this paper demonstrates the practical aspects in making incense sticks from flower waste. It was suggested that dumping process must be managed with flexibility, following strict implementation of the applicable legislation, and awareness programs are needed to collect and reuse flower waste from different sources.

The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading throughout the world, infecting thousands of people every day. This public health emergency has got world and regional organisations, governments and health care systems working tirelessly to try to control the spread of the virus and managing the already infected individuals adequately. These events have made everyone realise the policy of “Prevention is better than cure”, as the best way to fight this pandemic. There are many guidelines for common people, issued by many respected organisations, but most of them are focused on personal hygiene and prevention of the spread the virus. Only minimal focus has been given towards the role of immunity in this scenario and more importantly the role of nutrition in supporting immunity. In this article, it has been attempted to describe the term ‘Nutraceuticals’ and discuss in detail a few nutraceuticals which are well documented to support immune functions of the body. The article has tried to shed some light on the fact that these nutraceuticals deserve to be promoted amongst the masses, to support the immunity required against infectious diseases.

Abstract The engineering of materials with controlled magnetic properties by means other than a magnetic field is of great interest in nanotechnology. In this study, we report engineered magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) in the nanocomposite form of iron oxide nanoparticles (IO)-graphene oxide (GO) with tunable core magnetism and magnetic resonance transverse relaxivity (r2). These tunable properties are obtained by varying the IO content on GO. The MGO series exhibits r2 values analogous to those observed in conventional single core and cluster forms of IO in different size regimes—motional averaging regime (MAR), static dephasing regime (SDR), and echo-limiting regime (ELR) or slow motion regime (SMR). The maximum r2 of 162 ± 5.703 mM−1s−1 is attained for MGO with 28 weight percent (wt%) content of IO on GO and hydrodynamic diameter of 414 nm, which is associated with the SDR. These findings demonstrate the clear potential of magnetic graphene oxide for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.

Compact Polarimetry has gained significant importance in recent years among other earth observation missions due to its low power consumption, simple architecture, and larger swath width. For space-based SAR systems, these parameters are vital to monitor the earth surface continuously for various applications. The main manifestations of Hybrid polarimetry from fully polarimetric systems is transmitting a circular polarization and receiving in linear polarizations. In this paper, we assess the performance of compact polarimetry (hybrid polarimetry) over dual-pol RISAT-1 data for land cover classification over various ground targets using backscattered coefficient values, degree of polarization, and relative phase values. In order to understand the scattering mechanism of the targets, Raney decomposition, Pseudo Three Component decomposition, m-δ and m-χ decompositions were performed on the SAR datasets. The m-χ decomposition has proven to be robust when transmitting component is not perfectly circularly polarized. The support vector machine (SVM) classifier algorithm was used to classify the datasets. Three datasets (viz. RISAT-1 hybrid-pol data, RISAT-1 dual-pol data, and Resourcesat-2 data) were evaluated with SVM classifier and compared using three different kernel parameters, i.e. radial basis function (RBF), Polynomial with degree `2' and Linear. From this paper, it was observed that the SVM with RBF kernel parameter gave highest Overall Accuracy (OA) of 92.34% for hybrid Pol RISAT-1 data. Similarly, the SVM with RBF kernel parameter gave an overall accuracy (OA) of 76.83% for dual-pol RISAT-1 data. SVM has classified the datasets into four classes viz. Urban, Water, Vegetation, and Bare soil. The evaluation of classified datasets were performed using confusion matrix for accuracy assessment. For validating the results, the classified image is compared with the optical imagery of Resourcesat-2 (LISS IV) sensor, Google Earth, and In-situ information that was collected synchronous to the satellite pass on July 5, 2016.

Abstract Background Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide public health problem with diabetes being the leading cause. Renal resistive index derived by Duplex Doppler sonography, has been in use clinically to examine intrarenal hemodynamic abnormalities. However, renal biopsy remains the gold standard for the evaluation of intrarenal damage. In this study we correlated the renal resistive index in diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease patients with the established parameters of renal dysfunction i.e. histopathological changes. Results The conducted study was a cross-sectional comparative study on 114 patients (58 diabetic and 56 non-diabetic patients) over a period of 18 months. Evaluated histopathological indices and renal resistive index had a statistically significant positive correlation (glomerulosclerosis, arterial damage and tubulo-interstitial damage scores) in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. The highest correlation was observed with tubulo-interstitial score in our study. Conclusions Renal resistive index could be considered a marker of histological damage in both diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease. Inclusion of resistive index in the routine diagnostic protocol of chronic kidney disease can help in the accurate assessment of intrarenal damage. Hence, it is of utmost importance as a radiologist to determine resistive index in chronic kidney disease patients and guide the clinicians for efficient management.

Abstract Background Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a potentially life-threatening disease with Escherichia coli (E. coli) being the most common aetiology. Infection can involve the renal parenchyma, collecting system and perinephric tissues, and is commonly encountered in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. EPN complicated by suppurative thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava is a rare occurrence. Our case had thrombosis of the right common iliac vein as well, which is first of its kind reported with EPN. Case presentation We describe a case of a 59-year-old male patient, with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, who presented to the emergency department with a history of high-grade fever and left loin pain. Clinico-laboratory findings were diagnostic for diabetes mellitus, complicated by upper urinary tract infection with sepsis. A preliminary ultrasound of the abdomen was indicative of left hydronephrosis with features of emphysematous pyelonephritis. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was done to ascertain the cause of hydronephrosis. Left ureteric calculus complicated by emphysematous pyelonephritis (type 3a) with intraluminal air in the left renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). Culture grew E. coli. Patient was started on insulin and intravenous (IV) antibiotics, and bilateral DJ stenting was done. Patient was symptomatically better and was discharged. A month later, he was readmitted with relapse of symptoms; repeat CT showed left perinephric abscess, with left renal vein, inferior vena cava and right common iliac vein thrombosis. Repeat culture grew E. coli, stent was replaced, and subsequently he underwent ultrasound-guided aspiration for left perinephric abscess. Haemodialysis along with IV antibiotics and anticoagulant therapy was started. Conclusion Suppurative thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava in association with EPN is rare; however, the same is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis, drainage procedure, antibiotics coupled with anticoagulants are the mainstay of treatment for deep venous thrombophlebitis.

Abstract Background Renal lymphangiectasia also referred to as renal lymphangiomatosis is a rare, but benign condition is characterized by the ectatic of lymphatic channels and is characterized by ectasia of peripelvic, perirenal and/or intrarenal lymphatic vessels. It can mimic the appearance of hydronephrosis or cystic renal lesions on imaging. As radiologists, to avoid therapeutic misadventure, it becomes critical to make an accurate diagnosis. Case presentation The clinical presentation of renal lymphangiectasia is typically asymptomatic, but it can be complicated by infection or bleeding. We report two cases, who presented with loin pain, diagnosed as hydronephrosis on ultrasound, one of whom had a nephrectomy done for a hydronephrotic and non-functioning right kidney. Conclusions Hence, this case series brings to light a short review of the literature on renal lymphangiectasia, including its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, imaging findings, complications and differential diagnosis.

Abstract Background In India, two vaccines received emergent use authorization, namely Covishield (a brand of the Oxford—Astra Zeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum institute of India) and Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech) against COVID-19 disease. Chest CT is an objective way to assess the extent of pulmonary parenchymal involvement. This study aims to estimate the disease severity and outcome due to COVID-19 among vaccinated and non-vaccinated symptomatic patients and compare the same in Covishield versus Covaxin recipients using CT severity score. Results A total of 306 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age was 62.56 ± 8.9 years, and males [n-208 (67.97%)] were commonly affected. Of 306 patients, 143 were non-vaccinated (47%), 124 were partially vaccinated (40%), and 39 were completely vaccinated (13%). CT severity scores were reduced in both Covishield and Covaxin recipients in comparison with the non-vaccinated group [χ 2 (2) = 16.32, p

Abstract Background Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignancy. Tumours of palatal region with minor salivary gland origin do not generally present at an early stage as the tumour is submucosal with symptoms prevalent only when there is evidence of perineural spread of the tumour. We report a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the palate with rare presentation of left ear discharge and diplopia on left lateral gaze. We discuss the case with emphasis on imaging evaluation mimicking a case of infective etiology with adjacent skull base osteomyelitis on initial presentation. However, on follow-up and further evaluation the patient was diagnosed as adenoid cystic carcinoma of hard palate on left side. Case presentation A 25-year-old male patient has presented to Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeswara Hospital in August 2019 with complaints of left ear discharge and diplopia on left lateral gaze since 1 week. The clinical and imaging findings was suggestive of infective etiology and the patient was treated for the same with IV antibiotics. Repeat magnetic resonance imaging was then done which revealed definitive reduction in the severity of inflammation suggestive of response to therapy. Patient was then discharged and was followed up. Three months later, the patient came with complaints of mass in left nasal cavity. Patient was then referred for contrast enhanced computed tomography neck strongly suggestive of neoplastic etiology. The patient was then operated and histopathological examination of the biopsy revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma. Conclusions Tumours of palatal region with minor salivary gland origin do not generally present at an early stage as the tumour is submucosal with symptoms prevalent only when there is evidence of perineural spread of the tumour. In our case patient presented with lateral rectus palsy, involvement of meckel’s cave, trigeminal nerve involvement and cavernous sinus involvement which are strong indicators of the perineural and locoregional spread of the tumour. Hence, it is important for the radiologist and clinician to strongly suspect and evaluate for a primary lesion of the head and neck when such a radiological presentation has been demonstrated.

Abstract Background The typical CT manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia include ground-glass opacity (GGO) with or without consolidation and superimposed interlobular septal thickening. These are often rounded in morphology and frequently bilateral, multilobar, posterior, peripheral, and basilar in distribution. The various atypical CT features of COVID-19 are seldom described in the literature. The study aims to enumerate the atypical pulmonary CT features in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in correlation with the disease severity. Results A total of 298 confirmed cases of COVID-19 pneumonia with positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) who underwent chest CT scans were retrospectively evaluated. The cohort included 234 (78.5%) men and 64 (21.5%) women and the mean age was 53.48 ± 15.74 years. The most common presenting symptoms were fever [n = 197 (66.1%)] and cough [n = 139 (46.6%)]. Out of 298 cases of COVID-19 pneumonia, 218 cases (73.1%) showed typical CT features while 63 cases (21.1%) showed atypical CT features with concurrent classical findings and the remaining 17 cases (5.8%) were normal. Among the atypical CT features, the most common was pulmonary cysts [n = 27 (9%)]. The other features in the order of frequency included pleural effusion [n = 17 (5.7%)], nodules [n = 13 (4.3%)], bull’s eye/target sign[n = 4 (1.3%)], cavitation [n = 3 (1.0%)], spontaneous pneumothorax [n = 2 (0.6%)], hilar lymphadenopathy [n = 2 (0.6%)], spontaneous pneumo-mediastinum with subcutaneous emphysema [n = 1 (0.3%)], Halo sign [n = 1 (0.3%)], empyema [n = 1 (0.3%)] and necrotizing pneumonia with abscess [n = 1 (0.3%)]. Conclusion CT imaging features of COVID-19 pneumonia while in a vast majority of cases is classical, atypical diverse patterns are also encountered. A comprehensive knowledge of various atypical presentations on imaging plays an important role in the early diagnosis and management of COVID-19.

Introduction: Chest Computed Tomography (CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) infection. A better understanding of the chest CT imaging findings in COVID-19 disease may help in accurate diagnosis and staging of the disease. The temporal changes in the chest CT imaging findings follows a specific pattern which helps in identification of disease progression or recovery from the illness. Aim: To evaluate the chest CT imaging findings of COVID-19 patients during the course of disease. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study in which 110 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 disease were evaluated for chest CT imaging findings and severity of the infection. Chest CT findings with respect to duration of symptoms onset were divided into early phase disease (12 days of symptom onset). Based on visual assessment, CT severity score was given depending on the percentage of each lobe involved in bilateral lung parenchyma. Descriptive statistics were expressed using percentage, range, means and Standard Deviation (mean±SD). Results: A total of 110 COVID-19 positive patients (79 males and 31 females) with mean age of 48.33±9.18 years (range between 22-84 years) were included in the study. CT chest was performed during the different time periods of hospital stay ranging from 2 to 16 days. Early phase disease constituted 53 (48.18%) patients, 21 (19.09%) patients in the intermediate phase and 36 (32.72%) patients were in the late phase. Nineteen (17.27%) patients in the early phase disease (