Feedback regulation of autoimmunity via TCR-centered regulation

The complexity of a self-regulatory system demands a balance between effectors and regulators; that is, it is necessary for both cell types to exist. Regulation of self-reactive T cells can occur at several complementary but different levels: (1) at the level of priming itself: for example, inhibition of expansion of antigen-reactive T cells by regulatory CD4+ CD25+ T cells; (2) after the priming of self-reactive T cells, regulatory T-cell populations with reactivity to distinct self-determinants derived from the T-cell receptor (TCR) can be engaged via a negative feedback mechanism. Thus, these mechanisms ensure induction of effective and appropriately limited responses against foreign antigens while preventing autoreactivity from inflicting self-damage.     

Generation of porous microcellular 85/15 poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) foams for biomedical applications

Porous 85/15 poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) or PLGA foams were produced by the pressure quench method using supercritical CO2 as the blowing agent. The rate of CO2 uptake and CO2 equilibrium concentration in PLGA at different processing conditions were studied by performing sorption experiments. The effects of saturation pressure and temperature on average cell size and relative density of the resulting foams were also studied. The time required to approach equilibrium exhibited a minimum with increasing saturation pressure. The diffusion coefficient and equilibrium concentration of CO2 in PLGA increased with an increasing pressure in an approximately linear relationship. Porous PLGA foams were generated with relative densities ranging from 0.107 to 0.232. Foams showed evidence of interconnected cells with porosities as high as 89%. The pore size ranged from 30 to 100 microm.     

Risk of Intussusception with Rotavirus Vaccine

Objective

To study the case series for intussusception associated with the vaccination of rotavirus vaccine in children.

Methods

The study of spontaneous adverse event monitoring such as intussusception due to rotavirus vaccine was carried out from the year 2011 through 2015. The individual case safety reports (ICSRs) of this event were collated, assessed and recorded as per the requirement of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions Reporting form of Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI).

Results

In the present study, 10 ICSRs of intussussception due to rotavirus vaccine were reported to PvPI. Of which 3 ICSRs were found to be causal relationship with rotavirus vaccine, as evidenced by the adequate information provided in ICSRs.

Conclusions

Since intussusception, the emerging safety as one of the important safety concern, healthcare professionals are advised to monitor and report to the concerned authority for appropriate action.

     

Invariant natural killer T cells contribute to chronic-plus-binge ethanol-mediated liver injury by promoting hepatic neutrophil infiltration

Neutrophil infiltration is a hallmark of alcoholic steatohepatitis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We previously reported that chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding synergistically induces hepatic recruitment of neutrophils, which contributes to liver injury. In this paper, we investigated the roles of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells in chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding-induced hepatic neutrophil infiltration and liver injury. Wild-type and two strains of iNKT cell-deficient mice (CD1d- and Jα18-deficient mice) were subjected to chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding. Liver injury and inflammation were examined. Chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding synergistically increased the number of hepatic iNKT cells and induced their activation, compared with chronic feeding or binge alone. iNKT cell-deficient mice were protected from chronic-plus-binge ethanol-induced hepatic neutrophil infiltration and liver injury. Moreover, chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding markedly upregulated the hepatic expression of several genes associated with inflammation and neutrophil recruitment in wild-type mice, but induction of these genes was abrogated in iNKT cell-deficient mice. Importantly, several cytokines and chemokines (e.g., MIP-2, MIP-1, IL-4, IL-6 and osteopontin) involved in neutrophil infiltration were upregulated in hepatic NKT cells isolated from chronic-plus-binge ethanol-fed mice compared to pair-fed mice. Finally, treatment with CD1d blocking antibody, which blocks iNKT cell activation, partially prevented chronic-plus-binge ethanol-induced liver injury and inflammation. Chronic-plus-binge ethanol feeding activates hepatic iNKT cells, which play a critical role in the development of early alcoholic liver injury, in part by releasing mediators that recruit neutrophils to the liver, and thus, iNKT cells represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of alcoholic liver disease.     

People to policy: The promise and challenges of big data for India

Big data holds great promise to help unravel insights to bridge the gap in human understanding. There has to be an emphasis on the quality of the data points being collected to ensure meaningful analysis. India has made significant strides to lay down a strong framework through the National Digital Health Blueprint and the National Health Stack for the future. There is a need to focus on the first important step of collection of a “good quality” data point through the implementation of electronic medical records by the health care providers. In India, 60 million individuals move below the poverty line every year because of the expenses related to unforeseen illness that adversely affects the individual''s welfare and the nation''s economic growth. With an out-of-pocket expense rate currently at 70% and the government''s health budget at a mere 1.3% of its GDP (gross domestic product), data-driven decisions are the need of the hour for policy making and to ensure equitable, efficient, and excellent delivery of health care. There is a huge potential to harness the power of big data to generate insights to address the four big challenges of health care in India – availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability.     

Discovery of HSD-621 as a Potential Agent for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

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Juvenile ossifying fibroma diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology: A diagnostic challenge

Preoperative diagnosis of jaw lesions is not always possible on the basis of clinico‐radiological findings alone and needs to be confirmed before attempting any surgical intervention. Fibro‐osseous lesions of the jaw comprise a spectrum of diseases which include cement‐osseous dysplasia, fibrous dysplasia, and ossifying fibroma. The cytomorphological distinction between these individual entities is difficult. We present a case of maxillary fibro‐osseous lesion in an adolescent girl diagnosed and categorized as juvenile ossifying fibroma preoperatively on cytology and confirmed on histopathology. Although aspirates are usually paucicellular in fibro‐osseous lesions, certain cytological features if present in cellular cytosmears can offer further categorization and a definitive diagnosis may be possible in light of clinico‐radiological correlation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:75–79. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Management of Type 2 Diabetes: Current Strategies,Unfocussed Aspects,Challenges, and Alternatives

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