Toxic Effects of Synthesized Bismuth Oxide/Reduced Graphene Oxide (BiO/RGO) Nanocomposites in Two Distinct Mammalian Cell Lines: Role Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Background: Researchers have shown substantial interest in bismuth oxide/reduced graphene oxide (BiO/RGO) nanocomposites due to their superior features that are not achievable by each material alone. The growing applications and manufacturing of BiO/RGO nanocomposites have raised concerns regarding their potential human health risks. This work was designed to explore the possible toxicity mechanisms of BiO/RGO nanocomposites in two distinct mammalian cell lines, normal rat kidney cells (NRK52E) and human liver cancer cells (HepG2).

An Immunoinformatics Approach in Design of Synthetic Peptide Vaccine Against Influenza Virus.

Peptide-based vaccines are an appealing strategy which involves usage of short synthetic peptides to engineer a highly targeted immune response. These short synthetic peptides contain potential T- and B-cell epitopes. Experimental approaches in identifying these epitopes are time-consuming and expensive; hence immunoinformatics approach came into picture.

Highly conserved hemagglutinin peptides of H1N1 influenza virus elicit immune response.

In the current study, two highly conserved (> 90%) H1N1 hemagglutinin peptides STDTVDTVLEKNVTVTHSVNL (H1) and KVNSVIEKMNTQFTAVGKEF (H2) containing multiple T-cell epitopes have been assessed for their immunogenic potential in vitro, subjecting peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers to repetitive stimulation of chemically synthesised H1 and H2 peptides, and measuring their interferon (IFN)-γ level (ELISA) and proliferation (MTT assay). Further, these peptides were analysed for their binding affinity with 18 different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II by means of molecular docking. All seven samples tested for H1- and H2-induced IFN-γ secretion were found to have enhanced IFN-γ production.

Immune responses to highly conserved influenza A virus matrix 1 peptides.

Influenza vaccine development is considered to be complicated and challenging. Constantly evolving influenza viruses require continuous global monitoring and reformulation of the vaccine strains. Peptides that are conserved among different strains and subtypes of influenza A virus are strongly considered to be attractive targets for development of cross protective influenza vaccines that stimulate cellular responses.

Metadherin peptides containing CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell epitopes as a therapeutic vaccine candidate against cancer.

The concept of peptide-based vaccines against cancer has made noteworthy progress. Metadherin (MTDH) overexpression and its role in the development of diverse cancers make it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. In the current study, six different T cell epitope prediction tools were run to identify MTDH peptides with multiple immunogenic regions.

Identification of Conserved Peptides Comprising Multiple T Cell Epitopes of Matrix 1 Protein in H1N1 Influenza Virus.

Cell mediated immune response plays a key role in combating viral infection and thus identification of new vaccine targets manifesting T cell mediated response may serve as an ideal approach for influenza vaccine. The present study involves the application of an immunoinformatics-based consensus approach for epitope prediction (three epitope prediction tools each for CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes) and molecular docking to identify peptide sequences containing T cell epitopes using the conserved sequences from all the Matrix 1 protein sequences of H1N1 virus available until April 2015. Three peptides comprising CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes were obtained, which were not exactly reported in earlier studies.

Folate status and intake of tribal Indian adolescents aged 10 to 17 years.

Background: Adequate folate intake and levels are advisable throughout life but are of particular importance during adolescence, a period of rapid growth. However, folate insufficiency in economically deprived Indian adolescents is understudied.

Objective: This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of folate deficiency and adequacy of folate intake of 224 tribal Indian adolescents (10 to 17 years of age).

Infant and child feeding index reflects feeding practices, nutritional status of urban slum children.

Background: Infant and child feeding index (ICFI) an age-specific index, can be used to assess child feeding practices. We used the ICFI to assess feeding practices for urban slum children and the association between ICFI and child nutritional status.

Methods: 446 children aged 6 to 24 months from urban slums of Mumbai, India were studied.

Conserved peptides containing overlapping CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes in the H1N1 influenza virus: an immunoinformatics approach.

Pandemic threats of the H1N1 influenza virus have drawn attention to developing a universal vaccine against circulating and future strains of this virus. An immunoinformatics study was conducted to identify conserved peptides containing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes from all the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) protein sequences available until February 2013 to cover the seasonal as well as the pandemic strains of the H1N1 virus. In the present study, six different immunoinformatics prediction programs were used in order to define the epitopes.

Extracellular matrix dynamics in hepatocarcinogenesis: a comparative proteomics study of PDGFC transgenic and Pten null mouse models.

We are reporting qualitative and quantitative changes of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and associated receptor proteomes, occurring during the transition from liver fibrosis and steatohepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We compared two mouse models relevant to human HCC: PDGFC transgenic (Tg) and Pten null mice, models of disease progression from fibrosis and steatohepatitis to HCC. Using mass spectrometry, we identified in the liver of both models proteins for 26 collagen-encoding genes, providing the first evidence of expression at the protein level for 16 collagens.

Serum retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and lipid peroxide concentrations in low-income indian pregnant mothers.

Serum alpha-tocopherol, retinol, and malondialdehyde concentrations were measured at 7(th) month of pregnancy in 122 women from low socio-economic background. Maternal anthropometric measurements, 24-hour nutrient intakes, and pregnancy outcome were recorded. One-third (34.