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IntroductionContinuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is used for the symptomatic management of acute kidney injury (AKI) and fluid overload (FO). Contemporary reports on pediatric CRRT are small and single center in design. Large international studies evaluating CRRT practice and outcomes are lacking. Herein, we describe the design of a multinational collaborative.MethodsThe Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease (WE-ROCK) is an international collaborative of pediatric specialists whose mission is to improve short- and long-term outcomes of children treated with CRRT. The aims of this multicenter retrospective study are to describe the epidemiology, liberation patterns, association of fluid balance and timing of CRRT initiation, and CRRT prescription with outcomes.ResultsWe included children (n = 996, 0-25 years) admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and treated with CRRT for AKI or FO at 32 centers (in 7 countries) from 2018 to 2021. Demographics and clinical characteristics before CRRT initiation, during the first 7 days of both CRRT, and liberation were collected. Outcomes include the following: (i) major adverse kidney events at 90 days (mortality, dialysis dependence, and persistent kidney dysfunction), and (ii) functional outcomes (functional stats scale).ConclusionThe retrospective WE-ROCK study represents the largest international registry of children receiving CRRT for AKI or FO. It will serve as a broad and invaluable resource for the field of pediatric critical care nephrology that will improve our understanding of practice heterogeneity and the association of CRRT with clinical and patient-centered outcomes. This will generate preliminary data for future interventional trials in this area.

OBJECTIVES:. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and shock are both associated with high morbidity and mortality in the ICU. Adult data suggest renoprotective effects of vasopressin vs. catecholamines (norepinephrine and epinephrine). We aimed to determine whether vasopressin use during CRRT was associated with improved kidney outcomes in children and young adults. DESIGN:. Secondary analysis of Worldwide Exploration of Renal Replacement Outcomes Collaborative in Kidney Disease (WE-ROCK), a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. SETTING:. Neonatal, cardiac, PICUs at 34 centers internationally from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2021. PATIENTS/SUBJECTS:. Patients younger than 25 years receiving CRRT for acute kidney injury and/or fluid overload and requiring vasopressors. Patients receiving vasopressin were compared with patients receiving only norepinephrine/epinephrine. The impact of timing of vasopressin relative to CRRT start was assessed by categorizing patients as: early (on or before day 0), intermediate (days 1–2), and late (days 3–7). INTERVENTIONS:. None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:. Of 1016 patients, 665 (65%) required vasopressors in the first week of CRRT. Of 665, 248 (37%) received vasopressin, 473 (71%) experienced Major Adverse Kidney Events at 90 days (MAKE-90) (death, renal replacement therapy dependence, and/or > 125% increase in serum creatinine from baseline 90 days from CRRT initiation), and 195 (29%) liberated from CRRT on the first attempt within 28 days. Receipt of vasopressin was associated with higher odds of MAKE-90 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.80; 95% CI, 1.20–2.71; p = 0.005) but not liberation success. In the vasopressin group, intermediate/late initiation was associated with higher odds of MAKE-90 (aOR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.17–6.11; p = 0.02) compared with early initiation. CONCLUSIONS:. Nearly two-thirds of children and young adults receiving CRRT required vasopressors, including over one-third who received vasopressin. Receipt of vasopressin was associated with more MAKE-90, although earlier initiation in those who received it appears beneficial. Prospective studies are needed to understand the appropriate timing, dose, and subpopulation for use of vasopressin.

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Ethanol (EtOH) is most widely used in alcoholic beverages to prepare alcohol. As EtOH is mainly metabolised in the liver, the excessive consumption of EtOH forms a primary toxic metabolic product called acetaldehyde, as the gradual increase in acetaldehyde leads to liver injury, as reported. Lauric acid (LA) is rich in antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, and antiviral properties. LA is an edible component highly present in coconut oil. However, no report on LA protective effects against the EtOH-instigated hepatotoxicity exists. Therefore, the experiment is carried out to investigate the potency effects of LA on EtOH-instigated hepatotoxicity in thirty male albino rats. Rats were divided into five groups (n-6): control DMSO alone, EtOH -intoxicated, EtOH + LA 180 mg/kg, EtOH + LA 360 mg/kg, and LA alone were administered orally using oral gavage. The study measured body weight every weekend in all rat groups. The rats were sacrificed and assessed for serum markers (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase), antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), histopathological, cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), protein expression (caspase 3 and caspase 8 and Bcl-2 and HNF4α) were evaluated after the 56-days study period. The impact of EtOH intoxication reduces the rat's body weight by 90 g, upregulates the liver enzyme markers, depletes the antioxidant levels, produces malondialdehyde, changes the histoarchitecture (periportal inflammation and hepatocyte damage), downregulates the Bcl-2 expressions and HNF4α, and elevates the expression of cytokines and apoptotic markers. LA alleviated EtOH-induced liver toxicity by significant (p

Rationale and Patient Concerns: This article highlights the case report of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) of the palate in a 37-year-old female patient and a 34-year-old male patient. Diagnosis and Investigations: Fine-needle aspiration cytology and computed tomography scan were performed to arrive at diagnosis. Interventions: Surgical excision was the most effective treatment plan. These tumors are mostly painless and are more common in the parotid gland, followed by the palate in case of minor salivary gland involvement. The tongue, tonsil, pharynx, floor of the mouth, lip, buccal mucosa, and retromolar region are other intraoral locations for this tumor. Lessons: PA is the most common benign salivary gland tumor, accounting for about 40%–70% of all major and minor salivary gland tumors. Palatal swellings are the most common complaints of patients; however, PA of the palate is a rare diagnosis. PA, also known as a benign mixed tumor, generally occurs in the parotid salivary gland and rarely in the minor salivary gland.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer with multi-factorial causes. Chronic irritation of oral mucosa from ill-fitting dentures has often been mentioned as a contributing factor in the development of oral cancer. There is a unique category of non-smoking non-drinking (NSND) patients reported with carcinoma which usually occurs in women. In contrast to this, our report includes a male patient who is an NSND patient. This case report includes a rare occurrence of carcinoma induced by ill-fitting prosthesis.

Background: The risk of medication error is high in the operating room, since the anesthesiologist prepares, stores, and administers the medication. Poor labeling practices and cluttered drug trays increase the risk of syringe swap and medication error. Well-organized drug tray can reduce the incidence of erroneous drug administration and decrease the response time during intraoperative emergencies. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the attitude and practices of anesthesiologists in organizing drug trays. Materials and Methods: In the first part of the study, 30 drug trays with 209 syringes were observed before and after the procedure for 14 parameters. At the end of the procedure, a questionnaire was given to the anesthesiologists involved about their knowledge of labeling and organizing drug tray. Results: All the labels were handwritten with 139 (74.7%) syringes labeled circumferentially, and 47 (25.2%) syringes labeled vertically. Unlabeled syringes found were 23 (11.0%). Labels were legible in 168 (90.3%) syringes. Syringes were not found to be replaced in their designated place according to the template at the end of surgery in 7 (23.3%) trays. About 66.7% of anesthesiologists had experienced incorrect pickup of the syringe and 40.0% of anesthesiologists reported that they rely on other pointers apart from the label to identify the drug. Conclusion: This study identifies the variation of practices in labeling, organizing, and maintaining drug tray among anesthesiologists. Adherence to institutional protocol, eternal vigilance, and improvement in error reporting practice would minimize the incidence of medication error.

The clinical manifestation of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), in the respiratory system of humans is widely recognized. There is increasing evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 possesses the capability to invade the gastrointestinal (GI) system, leading to the manifestation of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and GI lesions. These symptoms subsequently contribute to the development of gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Nevertheless, the pathophysiological mechanisms linking these GI symptoms to SARS-CoV-2 infection remain unelucidated. During infection, SARS-CoV-2 binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and other host proteases in the GI tract during the infection, possibly causing GI symptoms by damaging the intestinal barrier and stimulating inflammatory factor production, respectively. The symptoms of COVID-19-induced GI infection and IBD include intestinal inflammation, mucosal hyperpermeability, bacterial overgrowth, dysbiosis, and changes in blood and fecal metabolomics. Deciphering the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and understanding its exacerbation may provide insights into disease prognosis and pave the way for the discovery of potential novel targets for disease prevention or treatment. Besides the usual transmission routes, SARS-CoV-2 can also be transmitted via the feces of an infected person. Hence, it is crucial to implement preventive and control measures in order to mitigate the fecal-to-oral transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Within this context, the identification and diagnosis of GI tract symptoms during these infections assume significance as they facilitate early detection of the disease and the development of targeted therapeutics. The present review discusses the receptors, pathogenesis, and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, with a particular focus on the induction of gut immune responses, the influence of gut microbes, and potential therapeutic targets against COVID-19-induced GI infection and IBD.

Heteroatom-doped porous carbon material (H-PCM) was synthesized using Anacardium occidentale (cashew) nut’s skin by a simple pyrolysis route. The resulting H-PCM was thoroughly characterized by various analytical techniques such as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmittance electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The obtained results strongly demonstrated that the synthesized H-PCM exhibited a porous nature, continuous sponge-like and sheet-like smooth morphology, and a moderate degree of graphitization/crystallinity with oxygen-, nitrogen-, and sulfur-containing functionalities in the carbon matrix. After the structural confirmation, as-prepared H-PCM has used a sustainable electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) because the metal-free carbonaceous catalysts are one of the most promising candidates. The H-PCM showed excellent HER activities with a lowest Tafel slope of 75 mV dec−1 and durable stability in 0.5 M H2SO4 aqueous solution. Moreover, this work provides a versatile and effective strategy for designing excellent metal-free electrocatalysts from the cheapest biowaste/biomass for large-scale production of hydrogen gas through electrochemical water splitting.

Objective: Conventional nonsurgical periodontal therapy, i.e., scaling and root planing (SRP), is not sufficient to completely eradicate the microorganisms present in dental plaque biofilm due to the incapability of instruments to reach the inaccessible areas of a tooth with anatomical variations. Hence, to increase the effectiveness of SRP, many adjunctive treatment strategies are proposed, including photodynamic therapy (PDT). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and microbiological efficacy of PDT using Indocyanine green (ICG) as a novel photosensitizer for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Twenty individuals who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were enrolled for this randomized controlled clinical trial using split-mouth design. Treatment sites from each individual were randomly allocated into two groups: SRP was done for the sites of the control group and an additional session of PDT using ICG was performed for the sites of the test group. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from both the sites and sent for quantitative analysis of Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and count of all the three microorganisms were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Results: After 3 months, PD and CAL showed statistically significant improvement in the test sites (P < 0.001) compared to the control sites. However, the differences in the microbiological parameters were statistically nonsignificant between the groups. Conclusion: ICG as a photosensitizer may enhance the outcomes of SRP and can be used for PDT for the nonsurgical management of periodontal diseases.

COVID-19 has become a significant public health concern that has catastrophic consequences for society. Some preliminary evidence suggests that the male reproductive system may be an infection target for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 may be transmitted sexually, according to preliminary research. Testicular cells exhibit a high level of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which enhances the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 into host cells. Some instances of COVID-19 have been documented to exhibit hypogonadism during the acute stage. Furthermore, systemic inflammatory reactions triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause oxidative stress (OS), which has been shown to have profoundly deleterious consequences on testicular functioning. This work gives a clear picture of how COVID-19 may affect male reproductive systems and calls attention to the many unanswered questions about the mechanisms by which this virus can be linked to men’s health and fertility.

Lung cancer (LC) is considered as one of the leading causes of cancer-associated mortalities. Cancer cells’ reprogrammed metabolism results in changes in metabolite concentrations, which can be utilized to identify a distinct metabolic pattern or fingerprint for cancer detection or diagnosis. By detecting different metabolic variations in the expression levels of LC patients, this will help and enhance early diagnosis methods as well as new treatment strategies. The majority of patients are identified at advanced stages after undergoing a number of surgical procedures or diagnostic testing, including the invasive procedures. This could be overcome by understanding the mechanism and function of differently regulated metabolites. Significant variations in the metabolites present in the different samples can be analyzed and used as early biomarkers. They could also be used to analyze the specific progression and type as well as stages of cancer type making it easier for the treatment process. The main aim of this review article is to focus on rewired metabolic pathways and the associated metabolite alterations that can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in lung cancer diagnosis as well as treatment strategies.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a respiratory disorder. Various organ injuries have been reported in response to this virus, including kidney injury and, in particular, kidney tubular injury. It has been discovered that infection with the virus does not only cause new kidney disease but also increases treatment difficulty and mortality rates in people with kidney diseases. In individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, urinary metabolites from several metabolic pathways are used to distinguish between patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and those without. This review summarizes the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, treatment strategies, and role of metabolomics in relation to AKI in COVID-19 patients. Metabolomics is likely to play a greater role in predicting outcomes for patients with kidney disease and COVID-19 with varying levels of severity in the near future as data on metabolic profiles expand rapidly. Here, we also discuss the correlation between COVID-19 and kidney diseases and the available metabolomics approaches.

As a complex endocrine and metabolic condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects women’s reproductive health. These common symptoms include hirsutism, hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, irregular menstruation, and infertility. No one knows what causes it or how to stop it yet. Alterations in gut microbiota composition and disruptions in secondary bile acid production appear to play a causative role in developing PCOS. PCOS pathophysiology and phenotypes are tightly related to both enteric and vaginal bacteria. Patients with PCOS exhibit changed microbiome compositions and decreased microbial diversity. Intestinal microorganisms also alter PCOS patient phenotypes by upregulating or downregulating hormone release, gut-brain mediators, and metabolite synthesis. The human body’s gut microbiota, also known as the “second genome,” can interact with the environment to improve metabolic and immunological function. Inflammation is connected to PCOS and may be caused by dysbiosis in the gut microbiome. This review sheds light on the recently discovered connections between gut microbiota and insulin resistance (IR) and the potential mechanisms of PCOS. This study also describes metabolomic studies to obtain a clear view of PCOS and ways to tackle it.

Liver diseases are responsible for global mortality and morbidity and are a significant cause of death worldwide. Consequently, the advancement of new liver disease targets is of great interest. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA), such as microRNA (miRNA) and long ncRNA (lncRNA), has been proven to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of virtually all acute and chronic liver disorders. Recent studies demonstrated the medical applications of miRNA in various phases of hepatic pathology. PPARs play a major role in regulating many signaling pathways involved in various metabolic disorders. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease in the world, encompassing a spectrum spanning from mild steatosis to severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). PPARs were found to be one of the major regulators in the progression of NAFLD. There is no recognized treatment for NAFLD, even though numerous clinical trials are now underway. NAFLD is a major risk factor for developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and its frequency increases as obesity and diabetes become more prevalent. Reprogramming anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drugs is an effective therapy option for NAFLD and NASH. Several studies have also focused on the role of ncRNAs in the pathophysiology of NAFLD. The regulatory effects of these ncRNAs make them a primary target for treatments and as early biomarkers. In this study, the main focus will be to understand the regulation of PPARs through ncRNAs and their role in NAFLD.

The human papillomavirus (HPV), commonly documented as the cause of warts, has gained much interest recently due to its possible links to several types of cancer. HPV infection is discussed in this review from multiple angles, including its virology, epidemiology, etiology, immunology, clinical symptoms, and treatment. Recent breakthroughs in molecular biology have led to the development of new methods for detecting and treating HPV in tissue. There is no cure for HPV, and although vaccines are available to prevent infection with the most common HPV viruses, their utilization is limited. Destruction and excision are the primary treatment modalities. This review sheds light on the epidemiology, molecular pathogenesis, the association of several other pathogens with HPV, the latest treatment strategies available to treat the same, and an overview of the progress made and the obstacles still to be overcome in the fight against HPV infection.

Introduction Machine learning in computer-assisted diagnostics improves sensitivity of image analysis and reduces time and effort for interpretation. Compared to standard mammograms, a thermal scan is easily scalable and is a safer screening tool. We evaluate the performance of Thermalytix (an automated thermographic screening algorithm) compared with other standard breast cancer screening modalities.Methods A prospective multicentre study was conducted to assess the non-inferiority of sensitivity of Thermalytix (test device) to that of standard modalities in detecting malignancy in subjects who show possible symptoms of suspected breast cancer. Standard screening modalities and Thermalytix were obtained and interpreted independently in a blinded fashion. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to identify the best cut-off point, non-inferiority margin of ≥10% to demonstrate the non-inferiority.Results We recruited 258 symptomatic women who first underwent a thermal scan, followed by mammogram and/or ultrasound. At Youden’s Index of ROC curve, the test device had a sensitivity of 82.5% (95% CI 73.2 to 91.9) and specificity of 80.5% (95% CI 75.0 to 86.1) as compared with diagnostic mammogram, which had sensitivity of 92% (95% CI 80.7 to 97.8) and specificity of 45.9% (95% CI 34.3 to 57.9) when BI-RADS 3 (Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System) was considered as test-positive. The overall area under the curve (AUC) was 0.845. For women aged

Cancer immunotherapy moderates the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. Due to its extreme complexity, scientists are working to put together all the puzzle pieces to get a clearer picture of the immune system. Shreds of available evidence show the connection between cancer and the immune system. Immune responses to tumors and lymphoid malignancies are influenced by B cells, γδT cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells (DCs). Cancer immunotherapy, which encompasses adoptive cancer therapy, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), immune checkpoint therapy, and CART cells, has revolutionized contemporary cancer treatment. This article reviews recent developments in immune cell regulation and cancer immunotherapy. Various options are available to treat many diseases, particularly cancer, due to the progress in various immunotherapies, such as monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, vaccinations (both preventative and curative), cellular immunotherapies, and cytokines.

The development of neonatal necrotising enterocolitis has been temporally associated with red blood cell transfusions in retrospective human studies. Here, the authors develop a neonatal mouse model of necrotising enterocolitis in anaemic mice receiving red blood cell transfusion that recapitulates features of the human condition.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) otherwise known as parapemphigus is a chronic autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease with tense bullae that rupture and become flaccid. It commonly affects the skin and is rare in oral mucous membrane. Considering its rarity, we are presenting a case report of a 45-year-old female diagnosed with BP that had occurred predominantly in the oral cavity prior to the minimal presentation of skin lesions, along with satisfactory management, thereby stressing the role of dentists in prior diagnosing the lesion.

Background: There have been a very limited number of studies regarding the assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Hence, the purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between BMD and periodontal health in three different study groups. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of thirty female individuals who were categorized into three groups: ten premenopausal women with healthy periodontium (Group A), ten premenopausal women with generalized chronic periodontitis (Group B), and ten postmenopausal women with generalized chronic periodontitis (Group C). Number of teeth, plaque index, probing depth, clinical attachment level, interproximal alveolar bone loss, T-score for dual femur and posteroanterior (PA) spine, and BMD for dual femur and PA spine of each individual were recorded in all the three groups. Results: The BMD and T-score of dual femur and PA spine were found to be low in Group C when compared to Group A and B which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women with generalized chronic periodontitis (Group C) exhibited severe periodontal destruction with less BMD. Hence, it is suggested that periodontitis may be a risk indicator for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and vice versa.

The dental rehabilitation of a patient following single-tooth extraction in the esthetic zone is often clinically challenging. The treatment option for this is implant-supported single crown which has the advantage that adjacent teeth do not have to be prepared, as in a fixed prosthesis. This article presents a case of immediate implant placement in relation to 22 and a guided bone regeneration approach with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and bone graft. After immediate implant placement, to compensate for the gap (jumping distance) between the implant surface and bone walls of the socket, we used bone grafts and PRF clot as well as PRF membrane to achieve guided bone regeneration. PRF, which is the second generation platelet concentrate, offers the surgeon an access to growth factors with a simple and available technology. These growth factors, which are autologous, nontoxic, and nonimmunogenic, enhance and accelerate the normal bone regeneration pathways. The case presented showed successful outcome with a 1 year follow-up period.

Objective: To determine the frequency, nature and consequence of adverse events sustained by children admitted to a combined general and cardiac paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Design: Retrospective analysis of data collected between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2017 from PICU. Setting: The Royal Children’s Hospital, a paediatric tertiary referral centre in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The PICU has thirty beds. Results: During the study period, PICU received 15208 admissions, of which 73% sustained at least one adverse event with a frequency of 67 adverse events per 100 PICU-days and 3 per admission. One adverse event was sustained for every 35 hours of care. The risk of an adverse event was highest in children less than a month of age, or if mechanically ventilated, a high Pediatric Index of Mortality (PIM2) score, longer PICU length of stay, had a pre-existing disability or a high risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery (RACHS) score. Those patients who sustained an adverse event, as compared to those who did not, were mechanically ventilated for longer (80 hrs Vs. 7 hrs, p=

Entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes), Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes), Verticillium lecani Viegas (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) were tested against groundnut pests, Aphis craccivora (Koch) (Homoptera: Aphididae), Aproarema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), Mylabris pustulata Faust (Coleoptera: Meloidae) and Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in field conditions. Among the tested fungi, V. lecanii suppressed 62% of A. craccivora population at 39 Days After Seedling Emergence (DASE). During the same period, B. bassiana reduced 72% of S. litura larval population (0.73 larvae). The infestation of S. litura and A. modicella were greatly reduced after the treatment of B. bassiana; subsequently the yield (1721.31 kg/ha-1) and cost benefit ratio (1: 1.93) were increased. P. fumosoroseus and V. lecanii were less effective than B. bassiana. The persistence of fungal pathogens was found to be higher in soil than the phyllosphere indicating that they can be naturally favored for the control of pests in groundnut.

We have shown previously that preterm infants are at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an inflammatory bowel necrosis typically seen in infants born prior to 32 weeks' gestation, because of the developmental deficiency of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2 in the intestine. The present study was designed to investigate all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) as an inducer of TGF-β2 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and to elucidate the involved signaling mechanisms.AtRA effects on intestinal epithelium were investigated using IEC6 cells. TGF-β2 expression was measured using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blots. Signaling pathways were investigated using Western blots, transiently-transfected/transduced cells, kinase arrays, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and selective small molecule inhibitors.AtRA-treatment of IEC6 cells selectively increased TGF-β2 mRNA and protein expression in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, and increased the activity of the TGF-β2 promoter. AtRA effects were mediated via RhoA GTPase, Rho-associated, coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), p38α MAPK, and activating transcription factor (ATF)-2. AtRA increased phospho-ATF2 binding to the TGF-β2 promoter and increased histone H2B acetylation in the TGF-β2 nucleosome, which is typically associated with transcriptional activation.AtRA induces TGF-β2 expression in IECs via RhoA- and p38α MAPK-mediated activation of the transcription factor ATF2. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of atRA as a protective/therapeutic agent in gut mucosal inflammation.