scRNA-seq profiling of human granulocytes reveals expansion of developmentally flexible neutrophil precursors with mixed neutrophil and eosinophil properties in asthma.

Neutrophils and eosinophils share common hematopoietic precursors and usually diverge into distinct lineages with unique markers before being released from their hematopoietic site, which is the bone marrow (BM). However, previous studies identified an immature Ly6g(+) Il-5Rα(+) neutrophil population in mouse BM, expressing both neutrophil and eosinophil markers suggesting hematopoietic flexibility. Moreover, others have reported neutrophil populations expressing eosinophil-specific cell surface markers in tissues and altered disease states, confusing the field regarding eosinophil origins, function, and classification.

Molecular regulation of neutrophil swarming in health and disease: Lessons from the phagocyte oxidase.

Neutrophil swarming is a complex coordinated process in which neutrophils sensing pathogen or damage signals are rapidly recruited to sites of infections or injuries. This process involves cooperation between neutrophils where autocrine and paracrine positive-feedback loops, mediated by receptor/ligand pairs including lipid chemoattractants and chemokines, amplify localized recruitment of neutrophils. This review will provide an overview of key pathways involved in neutrophil swarming and then discuss the cell intrinsic and systemic mechanisms by which NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) regulates swarming, including modulation of calcium signaling, inflammatory mediators, and the mobilization and production of neutrophils.

Neutrophil and Macrophage NADPH Oxidase 2 Differentially Control Responses to Inflammation and to Aspergillus fumigatus in Mice.

Aspergillus fumigatus is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen and causes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in conditions with compromised innate antifungal immunity, including chronic granulomatous disease, which results from inherited deficiency of the superoxide-generating leukocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2). Derivative oxidants have both antimicrobial and immunoregulatory activity and, in the context of A. fumigatus, contribute to both fungal killing and dampening inflammation induced by fungal cell walls.

NADPH oxidase 2 limits amplification of IL-1β-G-CSF axis and an immature neutrophil subset in murine lung inflammation.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) regulates inflammation independent of its antimicrobial activity. Inherited defects in NOX2 lead to chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), associated with recurrent bacterial and fungal infections, often with excessive neutrophilic inflammation that results in significant inflammatory burden and tissue damage. We previously showed that excessive leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by NOX2-deficient mouse neutrophils was a key driver of elevated lung neutrophil infiltration in the initial response to pulmonary challenge with the model fungal particle zymosan.

Macrophage NOX2 NADPH oxidase maintains alveolar homeostasis in mice.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) plays a key role in pathogen killing and immunoregulation. Genetic defects in NOX2 result in chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), associated with microbial infections and inflammatory disorders, often involving the lung. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are the predominant immune cell in the airways at steady state, and limiting their activation is important, given the constant exposure to inhaled materials, yet the importance of NOX2 in this process is not well understood.

Thermostable and organic solvent-tolerant acid pectinase from FP6: purification, characterization and evaluation of its phytopigment extraction potential.

The present study discusses the purification, characterization and application of pectinase from FP6 in fruit pigment extraction. By the four-step purification involving precipitation, dialysis, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, a 20.85-fold purification of the enzyme to homogeneity was achieved.

Co-substrate-mediated utilization of high concentration of phenol by Aspergillus niger FP7 and reduction of its phytotoxicity on Vigna radiata L.

Phenol and its derivatives behave as mutagens, teratogens and carcinogens inducing adverse physiological effects and are considered environmental hazards. The present study focuses on high concentration phenol utilization by Aspergillus niger FP7 under various physicochemical parameters. The soil remediation potential of the culture for reducing phenol toxicity against Vigna radiata L.

Fibrinolytic protease from Bacillus cereus S46: Purification, characterization, and evaluation of its in vitro thrombolytic potential.

Intravascular thrombosis is a prime cause of cardiac complications worldwide. Microbial fibrinolytic proteases are of clinical significance in thrombosis treatment. The present study discusses the purification and characterization of a protease from Bacillus cereus S46, ascertaining its in vitro thrombolytic activity against a blood clot.

Bitter Melon Enhances Natural Killer-Mediated Toxicity against Head and Neck Cancer Cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the major components of innate immunity, with the ability to mediate antitumor activity. Understanding the role of NK-cell-mediated tumor killing in controlling of solid tumor growth is still in the developmental stage. We have shown recently that bitter melon extract (BME) modulates the regulatory T cell (Treg) population in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Anti-inflammatory activity of cyclo-oxygenase2 inhibitory anionic protein fraction from Lamellidens marginalis (Lamarck).

Aqueous extract of freshwater mussel, Lamellidens marginalis is known to possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Here, we have made an attempt to purify anti-inflammatory protein from Lamellidens marginalis extract (LME). Aqueous LME was prepared, and total protein was precipitated by 60% ammonium sulfate followed by purification through ion exchange chromatography.

Involvement of c-Fos in the Promotion of Cancer Stem-like Cell Properties in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Although improvements in surgical techniques, chemotherapy and radiation delivery, and supportive care have improved quality of life for patients with HNSCC, regional and distant recurrence remain common. Recent evidence suggests that cancer stem-like cells (CSC) play a significant role in recurrence and chemoresistance.

Production, characterization and Congo red dye decolourizing efficiency of a laccase from MTCC 142 cultivated on co-substrates of paddy straw and corn husk.

A laccase produced by MTCC 142 under solid-state fermentation using co-substrates of paddy straw and corn husk (1.5:1.5, g w/w) showed an activity of 2.

Degradation of benzo[a]pyrene by Pleurotus ostreatus PO-3 in the presence of defined fungal and bacterial co-cultures.

Benzo[a]pyrene, a high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon possesses carcinogenic, teratogenic, and mutagenic properties. The present study focuses on benzo[a]pyrene degradation by Pleurotus ostreatus PO-3, characterization and identification of metabolites produced and the extent of degradation in the presence of axenic culture of P. ostreatus PO-3 and defined co-cultures of the basidiomycete with bacteria and non-basidiomycete fungi.

Coconut oil induced production of a surfactant-compatible lipase from Aspergillus tamarii under submerged fermentation.

Filamentous fungi are efficient producers of lipases. The present study focuses on identification of a potent lipolytic fungus and enhancement of lipase production through optimization of nutritional and cultural conditions under submerged fermentation. Molecular characterization of the fungus by 18S rDNA sequencing revealed its identity as Aspergillus tamarii with 98% homology.

Anti-miR-203 suppresses ER-positive breast cancer growth and stemness by targeting SOCS3.

Breast cancer is a major public health problem worldwide in women and existing treatments are not adequately effective for this deadly disease. microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate the expression of many target genes and play pivotal roles in the development, as well as in the suppression of many cancers including breast cancer. We previously observed that miR-203 was highly upregulated in breast cancer tissues and in ER-positive breast cancer cell lines.

Immunomodulatory role of bitter melon extract in inhibition of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma growth.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer and leading cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Despite the advancement in treatment procedures the overall survival rate of patients has not considerably enhanced in the past few decades. Therefore, new strategies to achieve a favorable response for the improvement in the prognosis of HNSCC are urgently needed.

Serum miR-30e and miR-223 as Novel Noninvasive Biomarkers for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most aggressive cancers and is the third leading cause of all cancer-related death. Limited noninvasive biomarkers are available for HCC detection. Early detection is the key in improving the survival of HCC patients.

Purification and characterization of a surfactant-compatible lipase from Aspergillus tamarii JGIF06 exhibiting energy-efficient removal of oil stains from polycotton fabric.

An extracellular lipase with 23,666.66 U/ml/min activity was produced by Aspergillus tamarii JGIF06 under submerged fermentation in mineral salt medium containing coconut oil (2.5 % v/v), tryptone (2 % w/v) and ammonium chloride (2 % w/v), with initial pH of 5 ± 0.

Biosynthesis and characterization of a thermostable, alkali-tolerant chitinase from Bacillus pumilus JUBCH08 displaying antagonism against phytopathogenic Fusarium oxysporum.

The present investigation highlights the process parameters influencing the submerged fermentation of chitinase by Bacillus pumilus JUBCH08, purification and characterization of the enzyme and determination of antagonistic activity of the bacterium against Fusarium oxysporum. Medium supplemented with 0.5 % chitin and peptone, at initial pH 8.

Brans-Dicke Theory with Λ>0: Black Holes and Large Scale Structures.

A step-by-step approach is followed to study cosmic structures in the context of Brans-Dicke theory with positive cosmological constant Λ and parameter ω. First, it is shown that regular stationary black-hole solutions not only have constant Brans-Dicke field ϕ, but can exist only for ω=∞, which forces the theory to coincide with the general relativity. Generalizations of the theory in order to evade this black-hole no-hair theorem are presented.

Massive ossifying pleomorphic adenoma of the maxillary antrum: A rare presentation.

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign neoplasm of salivary gland origin involving both major and minor glands. Though parotid is the most common site of origin, it has been reported to arise from various unusual locations. Incidence of its origin in the respiratory tract is extremely rare, and the occurrence is even lower in the maxillary sinus.

Aflatoxin B1 degradation during co-cultivation of Aspergillus flavus and Pleurotus ostreatus strains on rice straw.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) produced by Aspergillus flavus is known to have carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on animal health. Accidental feeding of AFB1-contaminated rice straw may be detrimental to dairy cattle. White-rot basidiomycetous fungus Pleurotus ostreatus can grow on different agronomic wastes by synthesizing different ligninolytic enzymes.

Indian freshwater edible snail Bellamya bengalensis lipid extract prevents T cell mediated hypersensitivity and inhibits LPS induced macrophage activation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Soup prepared from the foot of fresh water edible snail, Bellamya bengalensis, is traditionally consumed by the tribes of Jharkhand against rheumatism like bone and joint inflammation. As rheumatism has underlying involvement of cell mediated hypersensitivity, in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model and in vitro LPS-induced macrophage signaling were studied to delineate the mechanism by which Bellamya bengalensis exerts its ethnomedicinal function. Since the whole meat is consumed, the lipid of Bellamya bengalensis (BBL) was hypothesized to be the active part.

pH-sensitive chitosan/alginate core-shell nanoparticles for efficient and safe oral insulin delivery.

Chitosan-alginate (CS/ALG) nanoparticles were prepared by formation of an ionotropic pre-gelation of an alginate (ALG) core entrapping insulin, followed by chitosan (CS) polyelectrolyte complexation, for successful oral insulin administration. Mild preparation process without harsh chemicals is aimed at improving insulin bio-efficiency in in vivo model. The nanoparticles showed an average particle size of 100-200 nm in dynamic light scattering (DLS), with almost spherical or sub-spherical shape and ∼ 85% of insulin encapsulation.

pH sensitive N-succinyl chitosan grafted polyacrylamide hydrogel for oral insulin delivery.

pH sensitive PAA/S-chitosan hydrogel was prepared using ammonium persulfate (APS) as an initiator and methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker for oral insulin delivery. The synthesized copolymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) study; morphology was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The PAA/S-chitosan with ∼ 38% of insulin loading efficiency (LE) and ∼ 76% of insulin encapsulation efficiency (EE), showed excellent pH sensitivity, retaining ∼ 26% of encapsulated insulin in acidic stomach pH 1.