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Aim: To investigate the molecular effects of a novel combination [sertraline and plumbagin (comb) with ormeloxifene (Orm)] for anticancer activity in triple negative breast cancer cell line “MDA-MB-231”. Methods: The cytotoxic effect of the drugs was analyzed by the MTT assay and nuclear morphological changes by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. Induction of apoptosis by annexin V-FITC staining, active caspase-3 detection and cell cycle analysis were studied in vitro on “MDA-MB-231” cells. The qRT-PCR was done to explore the upregulation and down regulation of targeted genes for angiogenesis, metastasis, tumor suppression and protein folding on the triple negative breast cancer cells. The preliminary anti-angiogenic effect of the drugs was assessed by chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Results: Orm showed inhibitory effects in “MDA-MB-231” cells in a dose and time dependent manner whereas; the drugs in combination gave better cytotoxic effects in the screening MTT assay. Orm + comb was more effective than Orm alone in eliciting apoptosis as well as inhibited the single cell to grow into a colony. CAM assay using Orm and Orm + comb suggested the anti-angiogenic potential which was further confirmed by the downregulation of VEGF in “MDA-MB-231” cells by qRT-PCR studies. The combination was found to effectively upregulate the expression of P53 and P21 and downregulate the gene expression of zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in “MDA-MB-231” cancer cells. Conclusions: Collectively this study reveals the efficacy of Orm + comb as more significant than the clinically used tamoxifen (Tam). The study elucidates the promising novelty of the combination as a potential chemotherapeutic intervention for mitigating the aggressiveness of triple negative breast cancer and it addresses the intrinsic resistance caused by single

Decline in the use of public transit by commuters have increased the use of private vehicles, causing higher levels of traffic congestion, accidents, etc. The present study aims to identify major latent attributes influencing the behaviour of government employees working in the study area by using an integrated mode choice model. The unobservable attributes that influence mode selection decisions were analysed using the semantic differential technique and a five-point bipolar adjective scale. Conventional mode choice models and latent variable integrated mode choice models were developed for four different modes. Sensitivity analysis was carried out to assess the impact of significant variables which has revealed that 15% decrease in travel time on public transport could lead to a 17% increase in ridership. This study also identified significant variables that influence mode selection decisions and formulated policies to increase the use of public transport in medium-sized cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ophthalmology residency programs play a critical role in training surgeons to perform cataract surgery. A fundamental component for developing competency in cataract surgery is undergoing a structured surgical training program. There is an inverse relationship between the number of surgeries performed by a resident and adverse surgical outcomes. Aim: To assess the learning curve of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) performed by postgraduate students during their residency tenure by estimating the difficulties encountered and intraoperative and postoperative complications during surgical training. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) Teaching Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India, from July 1st 2020 to January 1st 2023. Study included 249 patients undergoing MSICS by three postgraduates, who enrolled in the Master of Surgery (MS) Ophthalmology course and received hands-on training in a wet lab were selected. They performed MSICS in a stepwise manner under the supervision of a trained ophthalmologist. Surgeries were recorded and discussed in surgical audits, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were analysed. The collected data was statistically analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage. Results: A total of 249 patients, including 135 (54.2%) females and 114 (45.7%) males, with a mean age of 68.4 years, were included in the study. The majority (47%) of cases were senile immature nuclear sclerotic cataracts grade 3-4. Difficulties encountered during the surgeries were tunnel formation (24.6%), capsulotomy (4.5%), nucleus delivery (21.5%), cortical wash (34.3%), and Intraocular Lens (IOL) insertion (14.8%). Intraoperative complications observed were premature entry (46.3%), roof tear (16.1%), Descemet's membrane detachment (7.3%), iridodialysis (7.3%) and Posterior Capsular Rent (PCR) (22.1%). Postoperative complications included wound gaping (0.4%), anterior chamber reaction (10.8%), corneal oedema (25.4%), striate keratopathy (58%) and raised intraocular pressure (5.1%). Conclusion: The most common difficulty encountered during the first year of residency was tunnel formation, while the most common difficulty encountered during the second and third years was cortical wash. The most common intraoperative complication was premature entry, and the most common postoperative complication was striate keratopathy. Stepwise learning by the resident under continuous monitoring by a consultant lowers complications and gives confidence to postgraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanding scope of magnetic nanoparticles amongst various nucleic acid recovery methods is often questioned with the stability that it offers. Oxidation from magnetite state to maghemite state which is often accompanied by aggregation can affect their efficacy. Isolation of nucleic acid through conventional methods necessitates the need of precipitation, centrifugation and sophisticated equipment. Correspondingly, it initiates the outflow of aerosols into the working environment. Isolation assisted via magnetic nanoparticles can eliminate the spread of infection. High surface area possessed by iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPS) is an add-on property with its magnetic nature that enhances isolation from traces of nucleic acid. Present study involves surface modifications of IONPS using polyethyleneimine (PEI) and silicon alkoxide. This aims for an enhancement in stability of IONPS along with their binding and retrieval efficacy. Results validated using standard DNA confirmed a 70% retrieval efficacy for PEI coated IONPS. Silicon alkoxide surface modification offered improved life time and stability with a reduction in agglomeration of IONPS than PEI. Qualitative and quantitative analysis carried out confirmed the characteristics and stability of various IONPS and standard DNA. Automated DNA extraction can be seen as an extended goal for this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]