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COVID-19 since the dawn has changed the way we look at things around us. Medical practice has changed drastically, so is dermatology practice. Clinical and procedural dermatology practice had come to a standstill in India, due to the past COVID-19 situations. With the changing scenario, now it is time for dermatologists as well as dermatology field to sail through these difficult times, with extra care and precautions. According to the latest CDC and ICMR guidelines, we have designed the following proposed guidelines from entrance to exit for the smooth functioning of dermatology institute/hospital/clinic. Potential setbacks related to patient and manpower, their management during COVID-19 pandemic has been reviewed. Potential setbacks related to clinical dermatology practice and procedures, their management during COVID-19 pandemic has been reviewed and briefed. Hard times are usually blessings in disguise; hence, we should utilize this pandemic period to learn and rejuvenate our practice.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) comprising monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against immune ‘checkpoints’, such as CTLA-4 and the PD1/PDL1 axis have dramatically improved clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. However, ICB by itself has failed to provide benefit in a wide range of solid tumors, where recurrence still occurs with high incidence. These poor response rates may be due to the therapeutic shortcomings of ICB; namely, a lack of cancer-specific cytotoxicity and ability to debulk tumors. To overcome these limitations, effective ICB therapy may require the combination with other complementary therapeutic platforms. Here, we propose that photothermal therapy (PTT) is an ideal therapeutic modality for combination with ICB because it can generate both tumor-specific cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. PTT elicits these specific effects because it is a localized thermal ablation technique that utilizes light-responsive nanoparticles activated by a wavelength-matched laser. While ICB immunotherapy alone improves cancer immunogenicity but does not generate robust antitumor cytotoxicity, nanoparticle-based PTT elicits targeted and controlled cytotoxicity but sub-optimal long-term immunogenicity. Thus, the two platforms offer complementary and potentially synergistic antitumor effects, which will be detailed in this review. We highlight three classes of nanoparticles used as agents of PTT (i.e., metallic inorganic nanoparticles, carbon-based nanoparticles and organic dyes), and illustrate the potential for nanoparticle-based PTT to potentiate the effects of ICB in preclinical models. Through this discussion, we aim to present PTT combined with ICB as a potent synergistic combination treatment for diverse cancer types currently refractory to ICB as well as PTT monotherapies.

Novel corona virus infection or COVID-19 saw its dawn in first fortnight of Decemberin the city of Wuhan, China, since then it is unstoppable and has spread like a wild-fire, involving most parts of the world. The causative virus is named as SARS-CoV-2. Although the reproductive number (R0) of two to three has been suggested, it is still unknown. The symptoms of COVID-19 infection have a broad spectrum of severity, which ranges from asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic to severe illness that require mechanical ventilation. The virus seldom causes any viral exanthem, but dermatologists should have good working knowledge about COVID-19 and its manifestations, which would help to explore the unexplored cutaneous manifestation of the disease in near future. Due to limited availability of testing kits, RT-PCR test is done only in patients who have a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 based on symptoms, exposures and chest imaging. Basic public health measures like frequent efficient handwashing, social distancing, staying home, respiratory etiquette like covering nose and mouth while coughing and sneezing are to be followed to prevent the spread of disease. It is now time for our specialty to get involved actively and share the burden of COVID-19. Though not directly connected in dealing with COVID-19 patients, dermatologists should work together with other specialties as a multidisciplinary team. We carried out a PubMed, Medline search using the following terms “COVID-19, dermatology, rash, skin, health care” and have included all data and latest national guidelines related to COVID-19 in dermatology.

Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) are effective photothermal therapy (PTT) agents: they absorb near-infrared radiation and reemit it as heat via phonon-phonon relaxations that, in the presence of tumors, can induce thermal and immunogenic cell death. However, in the context of central nervous system (CNS) tumors, the off-target effects of PTT have the potential to result in injury to healthy CNS tissue. Motivated by this need for targeted PTT agents for CNS tumors, we present a PBNP formulation that targets fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14)-expressing glioblastoma cell lines. We conjugated an antibody targeting Fn14, a receptor abundantly expressed on many glioblastomas but near absent on healthy CNS tissue, to PBNPs (aFn14-PBNPs). We measured the attachment efficiency of aFn14 onto PBNPs, the size and stability of aFn14-PBNPs, and the ability of aFn14-PBNPs to induce thermal and immunogenic cell death and target and treat glioblastoma tumor cells in vitro. aFn14 remained stably conjugated to the PBNPs for at least 21 days. Further, PTT with aFn14-PBNPs induced thermal and immunogenic cell death in glioblastoma tumor cells. However, in a targeted treatment assay, PTT was only effective in killing glioblastoma tumor cells when using aFn14-PBNPs, not when using PBNPs alone. Our methodology is novel in its targeting moiety, tumor application, and combination with PTT. To the best of our knowledge, PBNPs have not been investigated as a targeted PTT agent in glioblastoma via conjugation to aFn14. Our results demonstrate a novel and effective method for delivering targeted PTT to aFn14-expressing tumor cells via aFn14 conjugation to PBNPs.

Microbulbifer strain CMC-5 produces agarase, alginate lyase, xylanase, carboxymethyl cellulase and carrageenase. The extracellular production of the above carbohydrases was investigated by growing Microbulbifer strain CMC-5 in a sea water based medium containing homologous/heterologous polysaccharides as a single substrate or as a combination of mixed assorted substrate. Presence of singular homologous polysaccharides in the growth medium induces respective carbohydrase at high levels. Any two polysaccharides in various combinations produced high level of homologous carbohydrase and low level of other heterologous carbohydrase. All five carbohydrases were consistently produced by strain CMC-5, when carboxymethyl cellulose was included as one of the substrate in dual substrate combination, or in presence of mix blends of all five polysaccharides. Interestingly, thalli of Gracilaria sp. that contain agar and cellulose predominantly in their cell wall induces only agarase expression in strain CMC-5.

Background: Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory disorder of skin characterized by a long clinical course with exacerbations, remissions, and relapses. The cost of therapy and psychological burden of the disease depends on disease severity. The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life and financial status and to correlate the financial burden of the disease with the severity of psoriasis and quality of life. Materials and Methods: A total of 102 psoriasis patients attending the dermatology outpatient department in our hospital were enrolled in this study. A detailed history and complete physical examination, including, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), was done. Their family income was calculated. Quality of life was measured using the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) proposed by Finlay et al. Multiple linear regression was done to identify the predictor variables of quality of life (DLQI). P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among the 102 psoriasis patients 78 were men(76.5%) and 24 were women(23.5%). The mean PASI score was 8.20 ± 6.18 the mean DLQI was 13.01 ± 6.95, and mean family income was INR 15570.10 ± INR 10081.82 per month. There was a significant positive correlation between disease severity and DLQI, and a significant negative correlation between family income and PASI as well as DLQI. Conclusion: The quality of life in psoriasis is affected by both the disease severity and financial status of the patient. The chronic course of psoriasis along with disease severity, in a background of low financial status, impairs the quality of life.

Context: Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic disease with the beneficial effect of topical vitamin D3 analogs, known for a long time. Low levels of vitamin D are increasingly found to be associated with the initial development of some autoimmune diseases. There are contradictory reports of low serum levels of vitamin D3 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Aims: (1) To determine the serum levels of vitamin D, calcium and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with psoriasis vulgaris, (2) To compare these levels with the serum levels of controls, and (3) To correlate them with the severity of the disease. Subjects and Methods: A hospital-based case–control study with 61 patients of psoriasis and 61 age- and sex-matched controls was undertaken. A detailed history was taken and examination including body mass index, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was done. Estimations of serum vitamin D, serum calcium, and CRP levels were done. Results: Mean 25(OH) vitamin D level was not significantly different between persons with and without psoriasis. Mean vitamin D level in cases was 18.41±9.41 and that in controls was 17.24±13.03 (P=0.63). However, vitamin D level were significantly lower in females than in males in both cases (P=0.02) and controls (P=0.006). There was no significant correlation between the severity of psoriasis and serum levels of vitamin D, serum calcium, and CRP. Conclusions: Serum level of vitamin D did not correlate with the severity of psoriasis in our study.

Context: Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a tumor suppressor gene located on chromosome 10q23. PTEN has its major function in the regulation of cell adhesion, cell cycle arrest, migration, apoptosis programming, and differentiation. This genomic region suffers loss of heterozygosity in many human cancers. Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the immunohistochemical expression of PTEN in normal oral mucosa and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and to correlate the PTEN expression in gradings of OSCC. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases of paraffin tissue sections of previously diagnosed OSCC were taken. Of thirty cases, ten were well differentiated, ten were moderately differentiated, and ten were poorly differentiated. As a control, ten paraffin sections of oral normal mucosa tissue specimens were taken from patients undergoing extractions. The sections were stained for immunohistochemical expression of PTEN. The cells stained by PTEN antibody were counted, and an immunohistochemical score was obtained. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using Mann–Whitney's test and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference between normal mucosa and OSCC in immunohistochemistry staining. However, there was no significant difference in PTEN expression among gradings of OSCC. Conclusions: The study concluded that there was a decrease in PTEN expression in OSCC than normal mucosa. It also concluded that PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene which has a wide role in oral carcinogenesis.

Background and Aims: Accurate prediction of the Cormack-Lehane (CL) grade preoperatively can help in better airway management of the patient during induction of anaesthesia. Our aim was to determine the utility of ultrasonography in predicting CL grade. Methods: We studied 100 patients undergoing general endotracheal anaesthesia. Mallampati (MP) class, thyromental distance (TMD) and sternomental distance (SMD) were noted. Ultrasound measurements of the anterior neck soft tissue thickness at the level of the hyoid (ANS-Hyoid), anterior neck soft tissue thickness at the level of the vocal cords (ANS-VC) and ratio of the depth of the pre-epiglottic space (Pre-E) to the distance from the epiglottis to the mid-point of the distance between the vocal cords (E-VC) were obtained. CL grade was noted during intubation. Chi-square test was employed to determine if there was any statistical difference in the measurements of patients with different CL grades. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy were calculated for the various parameters. Results: The incidence of difficult intubation was 14%. An ANS-VC >0.23 cm had a sensitivity of 85.7% in predicting a CL Grade of 3 or 4, which was higher than that of MP class, TMD and SMD. However, the specificity, PPV and accuracy were lower than the physical parameters. The NPV was comparable. Conclusion: Ultrasound is a useful tool in airway assessment. ANS-VC >0.23 cm is a potential predictor of difficult intubation. ANS-Hyoid is not indicative of difficult intubation. The ratio Pre-E/E-VC has a low to moderate predictive value.

In this study, we describe poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA)-based nanoparticles that combine photothermal therapy (PTT) with epigenetic therapy for melanoma. Specifically, we co-encapsulated indocyanine green (ICG), a PTT agent, and Nexturastat A (NextA), an epigenetic drug within PLGA nanoparticles (ICG-NextA-PLGA; INAPs). We hypothesized that combining PTT with epigenetic therapy elicits favorable cytotoxic and immunomodulatory responses that result in improved survival in melanoma-bearing mice. We utilized a nanoemulsion synthesis scheme to co-encapsulate ICG and NextA within stable and monodispersed INAPs. The INAPs exhibited concentration-dependent and near-infrared (NIR) laser power-dependent photothermal heating characteristics, and functioned as effective single-use agents for PTT of melanoma cells in vitro. The INAPs functioned as effective epigenetic therapy agents by inhibiting the expression of pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) and HDAC6-specific activity in melanoma cells in vitro. When used for both PTT and epigenetic therapy in vitro, the INAPs increased the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class I in melanoma cells relative to controls. These advantages persisted in vivo in a syngeneic murine model of melanoma, where the combination therapy slowed tumor progression and improved median survival. These findings demonstrate the potential of INAPs as agents of PTT and epigenetic therapy for melanoma.

As plastics become more ubiquitous, their impact on the environment and on human health cannot be overlooked. Once generated, micro‐ and nano‐plastics end‐up in the environment, causing widespread health and environmental risks. This is a significant environmental problem given the minuscule sizes of microplastics, and therefore warrants further investigation. This study presents a comprehensive review of the ecotoxicology of microplastics and methods for their degradation and decomposition besides discussing the fate and transport processes, recent progress, emerging strategies, challenges and potential future directions. The authors carefully evaluate the processes through which microplastics cause harm, from molecular interactions in species, to ecological impacts, and end with advances in microplastic biodegradation. Different kinds of microplastics found in the environment include polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Analysis of microbial and enzymatic decomposition provides several swelling mitigation strategies designed to reduce environmental threats. In‐depth investigations of microplastic ecotoxicity and biodegradation are being facilitated by interdisciplinary proposals in the areas of nanotechnology, new analytical methods, and synthetic biology. The extensive study helps understand microplastics comprehensively which in‐turn ensures informed actions to mitigate the challenge of the environmental impact of microplastics for sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co2+ doped strontium zinc phosphate (SZP) nanophosphor is prepared by solution combustion method. The synthesized nanophosphor is studied by structural and spectral characterizations XRD, SEM with EDS, FT-IR, Optical absorption, EPR and Photoluminescence. X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed a monoclinic crystal phase with a crystallite size of 57 nm with the help of Debye Scherrer's formula. Morphological investigations indicate nanoflakes structure with average particle size determined in the nano range. EDS spectrum showed the existence of Strontium (Sr), Zinc (Zn), Phosphorus (P), Oxygen (O) and Cobalt (Co) in the synthesized sample. FTIR spectrum exhibited different vibrational bands corresponding to PO43−, P-O-P and other modes. Crystal field and inter-electron repulsion parameters are evaluated as Dq = 980, B = 920 and C = 3900 cm−1. Comparing optical and EPR spectra confirms the inclusion of Co2+ ions in octahedral site geometry and covalent nature coupling with its host lattice. The evaluated photometric parameters such as CIE coordinates and Colour Correlated Temperature (CCT) values indicate that prepared Co2+ doped SZP nanophosphor is potentially good for white light emitting diodes and solid state lightening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gracilaria canaliculata was used as a novel source to extract agar, and for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles (0.1 - 0.3%) were incorporated into the agar matrix to develop an environment-friendly food packaging material using the solution casting method. The concentration of nanoparticles affected the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of the films. Films containing higher concentrations of silver nanoparticles exhibited promising properties, and demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive foodborne pathogens. The film formulation exhibited no cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells, with cell viability exceeding 94%. These findings suggested that the film possessed favourable characteristics for use as a food packaging material, presenting a potential alternative to plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]