Changes in Smoking Patterns in Turkey Before and After the Ban on Loose Cigarettes: An Ecological Perspective From Global Tobacco Surveillance Data.

Introduction: Loose or individual cigarettes sold without packaging pose a unique challenge for tobacco control, which is the leading cause of premature and preventable mortality worldwide. This study aims to assess the changes in smoking patterns following the ban on loose cigarettes in 2008 in Turkey.

Method: Gender-stratified trend analysis of smoking patterns before and after the ban on loose cigarettes was done using the Global Tobacco Surveillance data (adults: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2008, 2012, and 2016; youth: Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2003, 2005, 2009, 2012, and 2017) from Turkey.

Emergence of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection in domestic Himalayan yaks (Bos grunniens) in Himachal Pradesh, India.

In this study, we investigated and confirmed natural lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) infection in Himalayan yaks (Bos grunniens) in Himachal Pradesh, India, based on clinical manifestations and results of genome detection, antibody detection, virus isolation, and nucleotide sequencing. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis based on complete GPCR, RPO30, and EEV gene sequences revealed that the LSDV isolates from these yaks and local cattle belonged to LSDV subcluster 1.2.

Silver nanoparticles induces apoptosis of cancer stem cells in head and neck cancer.

Background: Several nano formulations of silver nanoparticles with bioconjugates, herbal extracts and anti-cancerous drug coating have been vividly studied to target cancer. Despite of such extensive studies, AgNPs (silver nanoparticles) have not reached the stage of clinical use. Out of all possible reasons for this failure, the unexplored effect on Cancer Stem Cell (CSC) population and mechanism of action of AgNPs, are the most plausible ones and are worked upon in this study.

The Multifunction Role of Tumor-Associated Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Interaction with Immune Cells in Breast Cancer.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous group of progenitor cells that play a multifunctional role including tissue regeneration, self-renewal properties, and differentiate into cells of mesodermal lineage such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. MSCs come into contact with tumor microenvironment (TME) and differentiate into tumor-associated MSCs (TA-MSCs). Various substances such as chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, and others are released by tumor cells to recruit MSCs.

Immunomodulatory effects of β-defensin 2 on macrophages induced immuno-upregulation and their antitumor function in breast cancer.

Background: Macrophages are mononuclear CD34 antigen-presenting cells of defense mechanism and play dual roles in tumor burden. The immunomodulatory and their antitumor function of β-defensin 2 is still unclear, despite the accumulating evidence of the response in infection. So, the aim of present study is to elucidate the role of β-defensin 2 on the level of ROS, cytokines, chemokine expression in macrophages and antitumor function in breast cancer.

Role of chemokines in breast cancer.

Chemokines belong to a family of chemoattractant cytokines and are well known to have an essential role in various cancer aetiologies. Multiplesubsets of immune cells are recruited and enrolled into the tumor microenvironment through interactions between chemokines and their specific receptors. These populations and their interactions have a distinct impact on tumor growth, progression, and treatment outcomes.

Medicinal mushroom: boon for therapeutic applications.

Medicinal mushrooms are higher fungi with additional nutraceutical attributes having low fat content and a trans-isomer of unsaturated fatty acids along with high fibre content, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, sterols, eritadenine and chitosan. They are considered as the unmatched source of healthy foods and drugs. They have outstanding attractive taste, aroma and nutritional value, so are considered as functional food, which means they are beneficial to the body not only in terms of nutrition but also for improved health.

Emergence of novel reassortant H6N2 avian influenza viruses in ducks in India.

The recent reports of human infection due to H6 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIV), which are prevalent in terrestrial poultry, indicate evolution of the virus to a possible pandemic strain. Here, we report antigenic and genetic characterization of two H6N2 viruses isolated from apparently healthy domestic ducks in Kerala and Assam, India during 2014 and 2015, respectively. Hemagglutination inhibition assay revealed antigenic divergence between the two isolates, which was corroborated by amino acid differences at 55 positions (15.

Novel Reassortant Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N8) Virus in Zoos, India.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) viruses were detected in waterfowl at 2 zoos in India in October 2016. Both viruses were different 7:1 reassortants of H5N8 viruses isolated in May 2016 from wild birds in the Russian Federation and China, suggesting virus spread during southward winter migration of birds.

Protective propensity of bacoside A and bromelain on renal cholinesterases, γ-Aminobutyric acid and serotonin level of Mus musculus intoxicated with dichlorvos.

Current study established a protective action of bacoside A and bromelain against the toxic effects of dichlorvos in kidneys of mice. Experimental design included five groups. The first group was control.

Bacoside A and bromelain relieve dichlorvos induced changes in oxidative responses in mice serum.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be involved in the pathogenesis of serum induced by dichlorvos. Therefore, the rationale of present research was to evaluate the ameliorative efficacy of bacoside A and bromelain on oxidative stress biomarkers in serum of dichlorvos intoxicated mice. Also the level of serum antioxidants viz.

Multiple introductions of a reassortant H5N1 avian influenza virus of clade 2.3.2.1c with PB2 gene of H9N2 subtype into Indian poultry.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses are a threat to poultry in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Here, we report isolation and characterization of H5N1 viruses isolated from ducks and turkeys in Kerala, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh, India between November 2014 and March 2015. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses of haemagglutinin gene identified that the virus belonged to a new clade 2.

Experimental studies on glycolytic enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation potential of Triphala.

Introduction: Imbalance in cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids is observed in diabetes mellitus. Pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidases are responsible for the conversion of polysaccharides into glucose that enters in the blood stream. Triphala has shown antidiabetic effects (type 2) in human subjects.