C1q enables influenza hemagglutinin stem binding antibodies to block viral attachment and broadens the antibody escape repertoire.

Antigenic drift, the gradual accumulation of amino acid substitutions in the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) receptor protein, enables viral immune evasion. Antibodies (Abs) specific for the drift-resistant HA stem region are a promising universal influenza vaccine target. Although anti-stem Abs are not believed to block viral attachment, here we show that complement component 1q (C1q), a 460-kilodalton protein with six Ab Fc-binding domains, confers attachment inhibition to anti-stem Abs and enhances their fusion and neuraminidase inhibition.

Effect of discontinuation of ticagrelor and switching-over to other P2Y12 agents in patients with acute coronary syndrome: a single-center real-world experience from India.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy is the current standard of care after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We intended to study the pattern of use of ticagrelor in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI and the effect of switching over to other P2Y12 receptor inhibition on clinical outcomes.

Results: All patients aged > 18 years who had been admitted with acute coronary syndrome and had been provided ticagrelor as the second antiplatelet agent were included as study participants.

Geochemical fractionation of trace elements in the coral reef sediments of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, Indian Ocean.

Geochemical fractionation of seven trace elements (Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) was investigated in the surficial coral reef sediments of three inhabited islands (Kavaratti, Kadmat, and Agatti) belonging to the Lakshadweep Archipelago. The observations indicated that the metals showed their highest contents in the residual fraction of geological origin. The extent of risk, bioavailability, and contamination of trace elements was assessed by risk assessment codes and contamination factors.

Functional Autophagic Flux Regulates AgNP Uptake And The Internalized Nanoparticles Determine Tumor Cell Fate By Temporally Regulating Flux.

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are known to induce the conserved, cellular, homeostatic process- autophagy in tumor cells. Previous studies primarily focus on the pro-survival role of autophagy post AgNP exposure in tumor cells, but seldom on its role in AgNP uptake, or on the functional significance of autophagy temporal dynamics. Our study sheds more light on the extensive crosstalk that exists between AgNP and autophagy, which can be critical to the improvement of AgNP-induced therapeutic effects.

Spatial variation of trace element concentration and contamination assessment in the coral reef sediments of Lakshadweep Archipelago, Indian Ocean.

Surface sediments were collected from the shore and lagoons of Kavaratti, Kadmat and Agatti islands of Lakshadweep Archipelago and analysed for trace element concentration. The sediment contamination was assessed on the basis of geochemical, biological hazard and ecological risk indices. Except Cd and Pb, all the other trace elements selected for the study were below the contamination level.

Evidence of Intercontinental Spread and Uncommon Variants of Low-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Viruses in Ducks Overwintering in Guatemala.

Over a hundred species of aquatic birds overwinter in Central America's wetlands, providing opportunities for the transmission of influenza A viruses (IAVs). To date, limited IAV surveillance in Central America hinders our understanding of the evolution and ecology of IAVs in migratory hosts within the Western Hemisphere. To address this gap, we sequenced the genomes of 68 virus isolates obtained from ducks overwintering along Guatemala's Pacific Coast during 2010 to 2013.