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The widespread public health problem of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the cause of an increasing number of deaths each year due to delayed diagnosis. Therefore, we require specific and sensitive new biomarkers to manage ESCC better. The detection of diseases, such as cancer, can now be achieved through non-invasive circulating blood-based methods. Blood-based circulating non-coding RNAs, such as miRNA and lncRNA, have been extensively used as valuable markers for lung, esophageal, and breast cancer diagnostic purposes, as quoted in our previous research. Herein, we investigated the role of novel long non-coding RNA EWSAT1 as a blood-based liquid biopsy biomarker for the ESCC. Our findings indicate that EWSAT1 lncRNA has an increased tumor suppressive activity in ESCC, as it reduces by ∼2.59-fold relative to healthy controls. Moreover, we established that EWSAT1 expression can significantly distinguish between clinicopathological characteristics, including age, gender, and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and drinking hot beverages among patients with ESCC and healthy individuals. In addition, the expression levels of lncRNA EWSAT1 could distinguish between individuals with more advanced ESCC cancer and those without it, as illustrated by the ROC curve (AUC = 0.7174, 95 % confidence intervals = 0.5901 to 0.8448, p-value = 0.001). Our in-silico prediction methods demonstrated that miR-873-5p is the direct target of EWSAT1, which competes with the tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3) and EGL-9 family hypoxia-inducible factor 3 (EGLN3) mRNAs through a sponging mechanism, creating the EWSAT1/miR-873-5p/mRNA axis. We have analyzed the role of EWSAT1 in various cellular processes and signaling pathways, including mTOR, Wnt, and MAPK signaling pathways. Circulating EWSAT1 can be used as a liquid biopsy marker for diagnosis of ESCC and has the potential to serve as an effective therapeutic biomarker, according to this pilot study.

Background & objectives: Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). It has four distinct serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4) based on their antigenic properties. Mostly, the immunogenic epitopes are present in the envelope (E) protein of the virus. Heparan sulfate (HS) acts as a receptor and interacts with the E protein of the virus thus facilitating the entry of dengue virus into human cells. This study focuses on epitope prediction on the E protein of the DENV serotype. The non-competitive inhibitors of HS were designed using bioinformatics. Methods: In the present study, epitope prediction of the E protein of DENV serotypes was performed using the ABCpred server and IEDB analysis resource. The interactions of HS and viral E proteins (PDB ID: 3WE1 and PDB ID:1TG8) were evaluated through AutoDock. Subsequently, non-competitive inhibitors were designed to bind the E protein of DENV better than HS. All the docking results were validated by re-docking the ligand-receptor complexes and superimposing them onto their co-crystallized complexes using AutoDock and visualizing them in Discovery Studio. Results: The result predicted B-cell and T-cell epitopes on the E protein of DENV serotypes. The designed HS ligand 1 (non-competitive inhibitor) demonstrated potential binding with the DENV E protein, thereby inhibiting HS-E protein binding. The re-docked complexes were superimposed entirely onto the native co-crystallized complexes (low root mean square deviation values), which validates the docking protocols. Interpretation & conclusion: The identified B-cell and T-cell epitopes of the E protein and non-competitive inhibitors of HS (ligand 1) could be used in the designing of potential drug candidates against the dengue virus.

IntroductionThis study was designed to assess the protective role of cinnamaldehyde (Cin) against the synergistic effect of tenuazonic acid (TeA) and Freund’s adjuvant on different organs of Swiss albino mice.MethodsTeA was administered singly and in combination with Freund’s adjuvant intra-peritoneally. The mice were divided into control (vehicle treated), mycotoxicosis-induced (MI) groups, and treatment groups. The route of administration of TeA was intra-peritoneal. The treatment group (FAICT) received Cin orally as a protective agent against TeA-induced mycotoxicosis. The effects on performance, differential leukocyte counts (DLC), and pathological measurements in eight organs (liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, stomach, heart, brain, and testis) were taken into consideration.ResultsThe body weight and feed consumption decreased significantly in the MI groups, which were reversed in the FAICT group. The necropsy observations revealed an increase in the relative organ-to-body weight percentage in the MI groups, which was restored to normal in the FAICT group. Freund’s adjuvant enhanced the effects of TeA on DLC. The antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT decreased, while MDA increased in the MI groups. Caspase-3 activity was reduced in all organs and remained stable in the treatment group. TeA elevated the ALT concentration in the liver and kidneys and the AST in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues. The oxidative stress induced by TeA in the MI groups was ameliorated in the treatment group. Histopathological observations consisted of NASH, pulmonary oedema and fibrosis, renal crystals and inflammation, splenic hyperplasia, gastric ulceration and cyst, cerebral axonopathy, testicular hyperplasia, and vacuolation in the MI groups. However, no such pathology was recorded in the treatment group.DiscussionsThus, it can be concluded that the toxicity of TeA was found to be enhanced when combined with Freund’s adjuvant. However, Cin exhibited promising protective effects against TeA + Freund’s adjuvant toxicity and reverted the pathological alterations caused by them. Additionally, this study emphasizes Freund’s adjuvant’s ability to increase mycotoxicity rather than just acting as an immunopotentiator.

Aim: The present study was carried out to analyse the incidence of non-adherence to the radiotherapy treatment and study the factors associated with non- adherence. Patient and methods: The retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary cancer care institute, Punjab. All the patients treated during one year with curative intent with conventional fractionation were included. Incidence of non-adherence was driven and the various parameters like age, gender, site of tumor, stage of disease, intent of treatment, distance from the treating institute, financial constraints were analysed. Results: A total of 660 patients were taken. 6 out of 660 did not come for treatment initiation, hence 654 patients were eligible to be studied. The cumulative incidence of non -adherence was 12.8% (84 out of 654). The majority of patients were of head and neck 31 (36.9%), Elderly >60 years 27 (32.1%), Stage IV 42 (50 %), patients residing in more than 50 km from the institute 47 (55.9%), concurrent chemotherapy 71 (84%), the a major proportion of patient had more than 1 week gap 54 (64%) with 25 (29%) having more than 2 weeks gap. The factors found to be associated with non- adherence was elderly age (p value 0.06), advanced stage (p value 0.003), use of concurrent chemotherapy (p value 0.001), distance from the institute (p value 0.03), treatment with radical intent (p value < 0.001), patients utilizing various government schemes (p value 0.004). No significant association was found between the gender and site of the tumor (p value 0.17 and 0.14 respectively) with the non -adherence. Conclusions: The factors associated were stage of disease, elderly, concurrent chemotherapy, more distance travelled to reach the institute. Non adherence needs to be addressed by proper counselling of patients at the first visit to hospital itself. After the 3 week of radiotherapy treatment patient needs to be seen and followed more frequently when chances skipping treatment are high.

Abstract Cinnamaldehyde (Cin) is a natural product obtained from cinnamon and is reported to have a potential anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effect. The present study investigated the possible protective role of Cin against tenuazonic acid-induced mycotoxicity in the murine model. Tenuazonic acid (TeA), a toxin produced by Alternaria is a common contaminant in tomato and tomato-based products. Here, Swiss male mice were administered with TeA isolated from Paradendryphiella arenariae (MW504999) (source-tomato) through injection (238 µg/kg BW) and ingestion (475 µg/kg BW) routes for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the prophylaxis groups were treated with Cin (210 mg/kg BW). The experiment was carried out for 8 weeks. The treated groups were compared to the oral and intra-peritoneal experimental groups that received the toxin solely for 8 weeks. Haematological, histopathological and biochemical aspects of the experimental and the control mice were analysed. Sub-chronic intoxication of mice with TeA showed elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) production; abnormal levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Treatment with Cin reversed TeA-induced alterations of antioxidant defense enzyme activities and significantly prevented TeA-induced organ damage. Thus, cinnamaldehyde showed therapeutic effects and toxicity reduction in TeA induced mycotoxicosis.

BackgroundDespite the availability of advanced technology to detect and treat esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), the 5-year survival rate of ESCC patients is still meager. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as essential players in the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers.ObjectiveThis pilot study focused on identifying circulating lncRNAs as liquid biopsy markers for the ESCC.MethodologyWe performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) to profile circulating lncRNAs in ESCC and healthy individuals’ blood samples. The expression of the top five upregulated and top five downregulated lncRNAs were validated through quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), including samples used for the NGS. Later, we explored the diagnostic/prognostic potential of lncRNAs and their impact on the clinicopathological parameters of patients. To unravel the molecular target and pathways of identified lncRNAs, we utilized various bioinformatics tools such as lncRnome, RAID v2.0, Starbase, miRDB, TargetScan, Gene Ontology, and KEGG pathways.ResultsThrough NGS profiling, we obtained 159 upregulated, 137 downregulated, and 188 neutral lncRNAs in ESCC blood samples compared to healthy individuals. Among dysregulated lncRNAs, we observed LINC00324 significantly upregulated (2.11-fold; p-value = 0.0032) and LOC100507053 significantly downregulated (2.22-fold; p-value = 0.0001) in ESCC patients. Furthermore, we found LINC00324 and LOC100507053 could discriminate ESCC cancer patients’ from non-cancer individuals with higher accuracy of Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) = 0.627 and 0.668, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis revealed higher expression levels of LINC00324 and lower expression levels of LOC100507053 well correlated with the poor prognosis of ESCC patients with a Hazard ratio of LINC00324 = 2.48 (95% CI: 1.055 to 5.835) and Hazard ratio of LOC100507053 = 4.75 (95% CI: 2.098 to 10.76)]. Moreover, we also observed lncRNAs expression well correlated with the age (>50 years), gender (Female), alcohol, tobacco, and hot beverages consumers. Using bioinformatics tools, we saw miR-493-5p as the direct molecular target of LINC00324 and interacted with the MAPK signaling pathway in ESCC pathogenesis.ConclusionThis pilot study suggests that circulating LINC00324 and LOC100507053 can be used as a liquid biopsy marker of ESCC; however, multicentric studies are still warranted.

Context: Cervical cancer is a malignant neoplasm arising mainly in the transformation zone of the cervix. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women worldwide after breast cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma constitute the greatest burden, globally as well as in India. Aims: The current study was aimed to assess the histopathological profile and its correlation with clinical findings. Settings and Design: It was a retrospective analysis of the patients of cervical carcinoma. Methods and Materials: The retrospective analysis of histopathological patterns of carcinoma cervix was done. A total of 120 cervical biopsies were received, amongst which 5 biopsies were chronic cervicitis, 9 were cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 106 cases were of carcinoma. Further histologic subtyping of cervical carcinoma was done and was correlated with clinical presentations and stage. The collected data were analysed. Statistical analysis used: Analysis of data was done for simple means and percentages. Results: The most common age group in carcinoma cervix was fifth and sixth decade with history of bleeding per vagina being the most common clinical presentation. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common variant, ≥Stage III case constituted in majority and also showed poor prognosis. Conclusion: A majority of Indian women presented at later stages of cervical cancer, hence demanding the need of dedicated screening programes. Many variants present with different clinical findings especially as deep infiltrative growth patterns, hence histologic types should be kept in mind clinically while dealing with unfamiliar clinical presentations. In our experience most of the women presented in later stages and patients with ≥ stage III showed poor prognosis.

Background: The robust and sound national statistics on disability is the cornerstone for empowering the disabled population to have a barrier-free and right-based society for this population. The disability rates in India have marked discrepancies across various surveys. Taking into account the lack of data on disability in Chandigarh in terms of the proportion of disabled not included or counted owing to nonavailability of disability certificate or just lack of awareness as well as lack of data on the degree of utilization of various disability benefits, the present survey was planned. Methodology: The present study aimed at screening all the households of Chandigarh for different forms of disability using a 12-item screening tool. The survey included 254, 436 households with 925,380 population. A total of 8577 persons were screened positive for disability. The prevalence rates for the whole population were extrapolated by further confirming disability in a random sample chosen from screen-positive cases. Results: The estimated prevalence for disability in Chandigarh ranged between 0.83 and 0.86 after generating the confidence intervals. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of disability in Chandigarh is less than the national census data.

The study was carried out for the assessment of storage stability of popped pearl millet based Ready to Eat (RTE) breakfast cereal. The RTE breakfast cereal based on popped pearl millet was developed and standardised and storage study was done under ambient conditions (25± 28.0 °C and 65 ± 10% RH) after packaging in Metalized Pouches of 1.36 mm thickness for 3 months. The RTE- breakfast cereal was evaluated for moisture, water activity (aw), Free Fatty Acids and Peroxide Value and overall acceptability at an interval of 15 days. Microbial count (yeast and mold count) were also determined during the entire period of storage. The results revealed a marginal increase in all the parameters during storage and overall acceptability value was 7.29. No significant change was noticed in the RTE – breakfast cereal and was found with acceptable attributes at ambient conditions. The study illustrated the storage stability and safety of popped pearl millet-based RTE breakfast cereal at ambient storage in metalized pouches throughout three months storage period. Consistent increase in deteriorative quality parameters (moisture content, water activity, FFA, PV) was observed during the storage period. However, no significant difference on sensory evaluation of RTE- breakfast was observed during the storage period. Although there were increases in deteriorative parameters, but none of the parameters suggested initiation of spoilage in the product. The total plate count, yeast, mould count was not detected during the storage period, further indicated safety of the popped pearl millet breakfast cereal product for consumption.

In the present investigation attempts have been made to develop nutrient rich Ready to Eat (RTE) breakfast cereal (BC) by the addition of standardized proportion of popped pearl millet. The breakfast cereal was prepared by mixing, baking and cooling popped pearl millet, popped amaranth, puffed wheat, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins, honey, sugar, oil and water. Sensory attributes of breakfast cereal were highly acceptable and had a bowl life of 3 min. The pearl millet RTE-breakfast cereal contained high amount of proteins, dietary fibers, folic acid and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and iron. The moisture content, protein, fat and crude fiber of breakfast cereal were 3.16±0.05, 9.34±0.12, 8.26±0.057 and 0.1g per 100 g, respectively. The minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron, folic acid and zinc estimated were: 62.79±0.06, 239.53±0.88, 5.02±0.02, 103.21±0.04 and 3.24±0.03 mg/100g, respectively. The analysis also revealed that RTE-BC contain good amount of total dietary fiber (6.13±0.14). On comparison with the market samples like Kellogg’s, Beggary etc., the developed breakfast cereal was at par with the market samples for protein, fat, energy, and carbohydrate and was on higher side for folate. The per serving nutrient adequacy of the developed breakfast cereal was 22.8% for energy, 12.80 % for protein, 13% for fat, 34.5% for calcium, 20.5% for iron, and 55.75% of the RDA. Thus, the nutritional superiority of this millet is an added advantage which will help in creation of its space and demand in the food industry.

Intrinsic resistance to ionizing radiation is the major impediment in the treatment and clinical management of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), leading to tumor relapse and poor prognosis. Although several biological and molecular mechanisms are responsible for resistance to radiotherapy in ESCC, the molecule(s) involved in predicting radiotherapy response and prognosis are still lacking, thus requiring a detailed understanding. Recent studies have demonstrated an imperative correlation amongst several long non-coding RNAs and their involvement in complex cellular networks like DNA damage and repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Additionally, accumulating evidence has suggested abnormal expression of lncRNAs in malignant tumor cells before and after radiotherapy effects in tumor cells’ sensitivity. Thus, lncRNAs indeed represent unique molecules that can influence tumor cell susceptibility for various clinical interventions. On this note, herein, we have summarized the current status of lncRNAs in augmenting resistance/sensitivity in ESCC against radiotherapy. In addition, we have also discussed various strategies to increase the radiosensitivity in ESCC cells under clinical settings.

A comparative study carried out on nutritional and popping qualities of 11 cultivars of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) varieties have showed significant difference in popping yield, with highest mean popping yield of 73.6 %. Final popped product obtained is crunchy and ready-to-eat with proximate composition comprising 11.1% protein, 6.49% fat, 3.49% crude fibers, 3.19% ash, 74.05% carbohydrate and 1.90% moisture. This paper also highlights the significant reduction in phytic acid which comes down from 404.69 mg/100g in raw grains to 261.45mg/100 g in popped grain. Based on popping characteristics and nutritional value five varieties, viz. CZP 9802, PC 443, PC 1201, PC 701 and PC 383 were found to have better popping and nutritional traits and can be exploited for novel product development that will help in diversifying this nutri-grain use and will be beneficial for human health and increase profits to farmers.

Aligning a displaced maxillary canine into the dental arch is one of the most complicated problems in orthodontics. In cases of extremely high displacement, the tooth is frequently removed surgically. Because of the upper canines’ significance to dental esthetics and functional occlusion, such a decision is a very serious one. The purpose of this report is to illustrate an interdisciplinary approach involving both orthodontic management and conservative tooth restoration. The case was treated through an orthodontic nonextraction fixed appliance mechanotherapy for successful alignment of buccally ectopic upper left canine followed by a conservative direct composite tooth buildup of peg lateral incisor associated with the upper left ectopic canine in a 16-year-old adolescent North Indian female. Posttreatment records demonstrated good alignment of the displaced tooth and restoration of normal anatomy of the peg shaped lateral incisor.

In present study free radical scavenging potential of aerial parts and root of Phyllanthus fraternus was investigated. Extraction was done in water and ethanol. Total antioxidant capacity was measured by DPPH free radical scavenging method; ethanolic extract of aerial part was most potent in activity with 50% inhibition at 258 μg/mL concentration. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) by using egg-yolk homogenates as lipid-rich media with EC50 of aerial part (ethanolic) 1522 μg/mL which was found to be most active. Superoxide (SO) radical scavenging activity was measured using riboflavin-light-nitroblue tetrazolium assay. Ethanolic and aqueous extract of both aerial part and root was almost similar in superoxide radical scavenging activity. Reducing power was determined on the basis of Fe3+-Fe2+ transformation in the presence of extract. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were also measured by spectroscopic method. Results showed that the ethanolic fraction of aerial part is most active towards antioxidant potential and this activity is related to its polyphenolic content and reducing potential. Thus, P. fraternus extract can be used as potent natural antioxidant.