Bovine Meissner-like corpuscle and evolutionary ecology of mammalian somatosensory acuity.

The mammalian snout has Meissner's corpuscles (MCs), which transmit epicritic sensations as the animal explores its surroundings. To comprehend the somatosensory acuity in mammals, we examined the structural organization and density of bovine Meissner-like corpuscles (BMLCs) at various ages and compared the changes with other mammalian MCs. The skin from the snout of cows or oxen (2-11 years old) was obtained and processed through routine histological technique.

Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Isolated from Small Ruminants in Kashmir Valley, India.

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is an emergent or re-emergent zoonosis and remains a public health and economic problem all over the world.

Methods: The present study was carried on the prevalence and genotypes of present in small ruminants in Kashmir valley. A total of 2100, sheep (2052) and goats (48), slaughtered or spontaneously dead, from various areas of Kashmir valley were screened for the presence of hydatidosis.

Transformation and evaluation of Broad-Spectrum insect and weedicide resistant genes in Gossypium arboreum (Desi Cotton).

(Desi Cotton) holds a special place in cotton industry because of its inherent ability to withstand drought, salinity, and remarkable resistance to sucking pests and cotton leaf curl virus. However, it suffers yield losses due to weeds and bollworm infestation. Genetic modification of variety FBD-1 was attempted in the current study to combat insect and weedicide resistance by incorporating and genes under control of 35S promoter in two different cassettes using kanamycin and GUS as markers through -mediated shoot apex cut method of cotton transformation.

Alteration of adipose tissue immune cell milieu towards the suppression of inflammation in high fat diet fed mice by flaxseed oil supplementation.

The present study evaluates the effect of flaxseed oil (FXO) supplementation on adipose tissue macrophages (ATM's), E and D series resolvin (Rv) levels and adipose tissue inflammation. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into five groups (n = 5): lean group (given standard chow diet), HFD group given high fat diet (approx. 18 weeks) till they developed insulin resistance and 4, 8 or 16 mg/kg group (HFD group later orally supplemented with 4, 8 or 16 mg/kg body weight flaxseed oil) for 4 weeks.

Pigments from Soil Bacteria and Their Therapeutic Properties: A Mini Review.

Advancement in research on dyes obtained from natural sources e.g., plants, animals, insects and micro-organisms is widening the application of natural dyes in various fields.

Therapeutic applications of bacterial pigments: a review of current status and future opportunities.

Non-toxicity, biodegradability and non-carcinogenicity of the natural pigments, dyes and colorants make them an attractive source for human use. Bacterial pigments are colored metabolites secreted by bacteria under stress. The industrial uses of bacterial pigments have increased many folds because of several advantages over the synthetic pigments.

Plant growth promoting bacteria as an alternative strategy for salt tolerance in plants: A review.

Approximately 5.2 billion hectare agriculture land are affected by erosion, salinity and soil degradation. Salinity stress has significantly affecting the fertile lands, and therefore possesses a huge impact on the agriculture and economy of a country.

Gross and histopathological alterations associated with cystic echinococcosis in small ruminants.

Hydatidosis, an important parasitic zoonoses is a major public health as well as economic concern throughout the world. A total of 2100, sheep (2052) and goats (48), slaughtered or spontaneously dead, from various areas of Kashmir valley were screened for the presence of hydatidosis. Out of 2100 cases, 85 were positive for hydatidosis.

Inhibition of Src homology 2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase as the possible mechanism of metformin-assisted amelioration of obesity induced insulin resistance in high fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice.

SHP-1 (Src homology 2 domain containing protein tyrosine phosphatase) is a known negative regulator of insulin signaling and inflammation. To date, the molecular mechanism of metformin in modulating SHP-1 expression has remained elusive. In the present study, we have investigated the role of SHP-1 in relation to anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory actions of metformin in an obese phenotype mouse model.

Amelioration of obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance in c57bl/6 mice via macrophage polarization by fish oil supplementation.

Enormous phenotypic plasticity makes macrophages the target cells in obesity-associated inflammatory diseases. Thus, nutritional components that polarize macrophages toward antiinflammatory phenotype can partially reverse inflammatory diseases like insulin resistance. In the present study, macrophage-polarizing and insulin-sensitizing properties of fish oil (FO) were evaluated in obese insulin-resistant c57bl/6 mice fed high-fat diet (HFD-IR) after oral supplementation with FO (4, 8 or 16mg/kg body weight) and compared to lean and HFD-IR mice.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1: resurgence as new drug target for human autoimmune disorders.

Recognition of self-antigen and its destruction by the immune system is the hallmark of autoimmune diseases. During the developmental stages, immune cells are introduced to the self-antigen, for which tolerance develops. The inflammatory insults that break the immune tolerance provoke immune system against self-antigen, progressively leading to autoimmune diseases.

Implication of protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in cancer-related signaling pathways.

The altered expression of SHP-1 (SH2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase) as a consequence of promoter hypermethylation or mutations has evidently been linked to cancer development. The notion of being a cancer drug target is conceivable as SHP-1 negatively regulates cell cycle and inflammatory pathways which are an inevitable part of oncogenic transformation. In the present review, we try to critically analyze the role of SHP-1 in cancer progression via regulating the above mentioned pathways with the major emphasis on cell cycle components and JAK/STAT pathway, commencing with the SHP-1 biology in immune cell signaling.

Balanced TH1 and TH2 immunopotentiating effects of silicates partly containing nanoparticles present in calcined serpentine.

Calcined Serpentine (CS) is used in various formulations of alternative systems of medicine as a tonic to vital organs and as an anti-inflammatory agent. The process of calcination or incineration is believed to render non-toxic, gently absorbable, adaptable and digestible properties to the mineral compounds. The present study characterized CS and also evaluated its immunostimulatory potential.

Macrophage polarization: the link between inflammation and related diseases.

Objective: In the present review, we try to critically evaluate the two faces of the macrophages and their roles in relation to gene alteration in some inflammatory conditions. The pros- and cons of each type of macrophage in immunologic outcomes are discussed.

Introduction: If ‘‘Diversity is the rule of nature’’, macrophages have proven to be its obedient followers.

Partial Reversal of Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance Owing to Anti-Inflammatory Immunomodulatory Potential of Flaxseed Oil.

The present study was designed to assess the potential of supplementation of diet with Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum, L.) oil (FXO), on obesity-related inflammation and reversal of obesity-induced insulin resistance. Swiss Albino mice, C57bl/6 mice and co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes - RAW 264.

Mineral pitch stimulates humoral, cellular and innate immune responses in mice.

Context: Mineral pitch (MP), a traditional medicine, is proposed to boost immunity in conditions that suppress Th1 cytokines such as AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis and cancer.

Objective: This study investigates the immunoregulatory mechanisms of MP in innate, humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Materials And Methods: Mice given MP (100, 200, 300 or 400 mg/kg, orally) for 10 consecutive days were immunized intravenously with goat RBC or ovalbumin, and investigated for plaque-forming cells (PFC), hemagglutination titer, hypersensitivity response, lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage function.

ACE I/D Polymorphism in Hypertensive Patients of Kashmiri Population.

Background: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene in humans has an insertion-deletion (I/D) polymorphic state in intron 16 on chromosome 17q23. This polymorphism has been widely investigated in different diseases. In this study we aimed to investigate the ACE I/D genotype frequency in hypertensive cases in Kashmiri population.