Strain-tunable triple point Fermions in diamagnetic rare-earth half-Heusler alloys.

Topologically non-trivial electronic structure is a feature of many rare-earth half-Heusler alloys, which host atoms with high spin-orbit coupling bringing in the non-triviality. In this article, using the first-principles simulations, rare-earth half-Heusler YPdBi, ScPdBi, LaPdBi, LuPdBi, YPtBi and LuPtBi alloys are studied under strain to reveal multiple band inversions associated with topological phase transitions. From our simulations we find that, as a result of first band-inversion, the Brillouin zone of the diamagnetic half-Heusler alloys hosts eight triple points whereas, the second band inversion causes the emergence of sixteen more triple points.

A randomized and comparative study to assess safety and efficacy of supplemental treatment of a herbal formulation - comprising essential oils in patients with corona virus 2019 (COVID-19).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of herbal formulation - Aayudh Advance on viral load as well as recovery duration in mild symptomatic patients diagnosed with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It also aimed to study the effect of Herbal formulation - Aayudh Advance in terms of clinical improvement of various sign and symptoms in mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Method: Once the patient suffice the requirement of inclusion, exclusion criteria of the study than as per the method of 'Covariate Adaptive Randomization' technique, patient was assigned in either Aayudh Advance arm (Test arm) or Control Arm.

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome: A Perplexing Diagnosis.

Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis is a spectrum of mucocutaneous reactions that can occur due to drug reactions, infections with Mycoplasma pneumonia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), cancer, and genetics. Stevens-Johnson syndrome involves less than 10% of the body surface, while toxic epidermal necrolysis involves greater than 30%. The most common site of the lesions is mucocutaneous surfaces such as the eyes and oral cavity.

A clinical assessment of direct electrochemical urate measurements.

The response characteristics of various carbon substrates towards the direct oxidative measurement of urate and other key purine biomarkers have been compared. A novel carbon fibre laminate assembly has been proposed as an alternative substrate for the preparation of disposable sensing strips. The fabrication method is generic and readily transferable to a number of sensor applications.

Are both embryonic migratory pathways preserved in the adult brain cerebral cortex?

Cell migration in the adult brain is discussed. We compared our studies on cell densities after cortical injury with our study on hippocampal proliferation and neurogenesis. We have shown that postnatal hypoxia increases cell density in cortical layer II of the somatosensory, motor and auditory cortices and in layer V of the motor cortex.

Electrochemical tagging of urate: developing new redox probes.

The electro-oxidation of uric acid in the presence of nucleophilic species is shown to produce conjugates that can aid our understanding of antioxidant interactions and also provide opportunities for advancing electroanalytical detection strategies involving purine species.

Current strategies in nitrite detection and their application to field analysis.

The various analytical protocols that have been developed to aid the measurement of nitrite within environmental samples have been critically appraised and their applicability to field measurement assessed. The present communication presents a perspective on current techniques and technologies encompassing spectroscopic, electrochemical and chromatographic methodologies and highlights those that are liable to emerge in the near future. Commercial devices have been included and where appropriate the advantages and limitations posed by their operation within field contexts have been described.

Cytokine mRNA in BALB/c mouse corneas infected with herpes simplex virus.

Purpose: To investigate cytokine mRNA expression and the influence of acyclovir and tetrandrine on that expression in the corneas of mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Methods: Male BALB/c mice were infected in the right cornea with HSV-1. The corneas were harvested from control normal mice and from untreated, acyclovir-treated and tetrandrine-treated mice 14 days after infection.

Eosinophil granule proteins expressed in ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Background: Blister formation and tissue damage in bullous pemphigoid have been attributed to the release of eosinophil granule proteins--namely, to eosinophil derived cationic protein (ECP) and major basic protein (MBP). In the present investigation these eosinophil granule proteins were studied in the conjunctiva of patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

Methods: Conjunctival biopsy specimens obtained from patients with subacute (n = 8) or chronic conjunctival disease (n = 13) were analysed histologically and immunohistochemically using antibodies directed against EG1 (stored and secreted ECP), EG2 (secreted ECP), MBP, CD45 (common leucocyte antigen), CD3 (pan T cell marker), and HLA-DR (class II antigen).

Tetrandrine potently inhibits herpes simplex virus type-1-induced keratitis in BALB/c mice.

This study investigated the effect of tetrandrine (TDR) on experimental herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in mice. BALB/c mice were divided as follows: Group 1, untreated; Group 2, acyclovir (ACV)-treated from day 0 postinfection; Group 3, ACV-treated from day 7; Group 4, TDR-treated from day 0; and Group 5, TDR-treated from day 7. All mice were infected in the right cornea with herpes simplex virus (HSV) type I.

Analysis of T cell receptor V beta gene expression in B cell deficient mice after experimental herpes simplex virus keratitis.

To examine the importance of B cells in the regulation of the T cell response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, we have analyzed the selection of the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in C.B-17 mice that lack B cells (B. mice) compared with age-matched immunocompetent C.

Collagen abnormalities in conjunctiva of patients with cicatricial pemphigoid.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution and types of collagen in the substantia propria of the conjunctiva of patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Biopsy specimens were collected from 10 patients with active OCP, five patients with active Behçet's disease, nine patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis, five patients with chronic rosacea blepharoconjunctivitis, and six normal patients undergoing cataract surgery. Cryostat tissue sections were cut and stained using an indirect immunofluorescence technique, employing a panel of primary antibodies directed against seven collagen types.

Healing corneas express embryonic fibronectin isoforms in the epithelium, subepithelial stroma, and endothelium.

The cornea is a simple, nonvascularized structure, advantageous for studying the molecular components of epithelial and stromal wound repair. Fibronectin (Fn), of uncertain source and composition, accumulates in healing corneas. We postulated that local synthesis of Fn occurs, as exogenous plasma/tear-derived Fn, which lack the embryonic EIIIA and EIIIB segments, have no consistent beneficial effect on healing.

A new murine model of allergic conjunctivitis and effectiveness of nedocromil sodium.

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common atopic disease affecting the eye. To study the pathophysiology and effectiveness of antiallergic drugs, it is necessary to develop animal models that closely mimic human allergic conjunctivitis.

Objective: The study was performed to develop an experimental murine model of ocular allergic conjunctivitis to an airborne allergen.

Histology and immunopathology of systemic lupus erythematosus affecting the conjunctiva.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease occasionally involving the conjunctiva, sclera or cornea. The immunopathology of the active epibulbar lesions has not been studied in detail. Conjunctival biopsies from 11 SLE patients with active epibulbar lesions and from 12 age-matched individuals undergoing cataract surgery were analysed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques.

Detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 by an in situ polymerase chain reaction technique.

The purpose of our study was to develop a method for detecting herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA that combined the high sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the precise anatomical localization provided by in situ hybridization (ISH). We used in situ PCR (ISPCR), ISH, and standard PCR methods to determine the proportion of Vero cells carrying HSV-1-specific DNA before and after 1, 2, and 4 h of infection with HSV-1 or with HSV-2. Uninfected Vero cells and Vero cells infected with HSV-2 were never found to be positive for HSV-1 DNA by either ISPCR, ISH, or PCR.

Variable region usage in B cell deficient mice in a model of experimental herpes simplex virus retinitis.

By using PCR, we have found previously that differences in T cell receptor alpha/beta chain variable region (TCR alpha/beta) gene expression in lymph nodes (LN) existed between susceptible and resistant mice following anterior chamber (AC) inoculation with herpes simplex virus (HSV). We now report and compare the immunoglobulin gene variable region (Ig VH) and the TCR V beta mRNA expression in normal congenic mice (BALB/c and C.B-17) and also in B cell modulated C.

Increasing the diagnostic yield of conjunctival biopsy in patients with suspected ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Background: Ocular cicatricial pemphigoid is a chronic, progressive, autoimmune disease that scars mucous membranes and may lead to blindness. It is of critical importance to be able to make the diagnosis as early as possible to allow early treatment. Conjunctival biopsy facilitates the early diagnosis of this condition.

T cell receptor V beta gene expression in experimental herpes stromal keratitis.

Our study examined T cell receptor (TCR) V beta mRNA expression in a murine model of experimental herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). We employed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect TCR V beta mRNA expression in the inoculated eyes of both HSK-susceptible and HSK-resistant mice at different time points after corneal inoculation with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), followed by Southern blotting and densitometry analysis. In eyes from HSK-susceptible C.

[T-cell-induced prevention of HSV-1 keratitis by immunization with the synthetic peptide of glycoprotein D].

C.AL-20 mice susceptible to herpes simplex virus (HSV) were protected against HSV keratitis (HSK) and encephalitis by subcutaneous immunization with synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid residues 5-23 of HSV glycoprotein D, which is a dominant immunogen of HSV-1. Protection against HSV was related to a potent humoral anti-HSV response.

The role of B lymphocytes in experimental herpes simplex viral retinitis.

The purpose of this study was to examine B cell participation in experimental herpes simplex virus (HSV) retinitis. Passive immunization with anti-herpes antibody protects BALB/c mice from herpes simplex retinitis (HSR). Using anti-Mu antibody treatment, we modified the B cell population of C.

Heat shock protein expression in human conjunctiva.

Purpose: To examine the distribution of human heat shock proteins (HSPs) HSP90, inducible HSP70 (iHSP70), constitutive and inducible HSP70 (cHSP70), HSP65, and human HSP27 in conjunctival biopsy specimens of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP), atopic keratoconjunctivitis, and healthy persons with cataract.

Methods: Using an immunoperoxidase technique, conjunctival biopsy specimens from ten patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, ten patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis and ten healthy persons undergoing cataract surgery were analyzed with a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against human HSPs.

Results: Large amounts of HSP90 and HSP27, and lesser amounts of cHSP70, iHSP70, and HSP65 were present in atopic keratoconjunctivitis and normal epithelium; less of these proteins were seen in OCP conjunctival epithelium.

The role of natural killer cells in the development of herpes simplex virus type 1 induced stromal keratitis in mice.

Natural killer (NK) cells and acquired cell-mediated immunity effector cells (delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)) have been reported to play a vital role in the defence of the host against tumour and viral infections in locations other than the eye. A vigorous cellular inflammatory response to viral infections of the cornea, however, with the attendant damage to the corneal clarity, has obvious evolutionary disadvantages, and a substantial body of evidence indicates that in animals (e.g.